AltWeeklies Wire
The World's Greatest Dysfunctional Body: Why the U.S. Senate Can't Governnew
Ever wonder why the federal government can't get anything done -- like health care or immigration reform -- despite one party's control of Congress and the presidency? It's because of a procedure that allows the threat of a filibuster to obstruct action more easily than a real filibuster.
Reno News & Review |
Dennis Myers |
11-30-2009 |
Politics
Will a 'Perfect Storm' Kill Connecticut's Fledgling Public Campaign Finance System?new
A ferocious series of political, judicial, fiscal, legislative and economic pressure fronts are coming together in a way that has state and party officials nervous about whether this program will make it through the 2010 state elections.
New Haven Advocate |
Gregory B. Hladky |
11-24-2009 |
Politics
The Texas Gubernatorial Primary is Home to a Pitched Battle Over the Soul of the GOPnew
The contest between Rick Perry and Kay Bailey Hutchison is a microcosm of the Republican party's search to keep itself relevant. Must it go to the hard right and maintain ideological purity, or is there room underneath the tent for moderates?
Dallas Observer |
Sam Merten |
11-23-2009 |
Politics
Can a Nice-Guy Republican Convince Tennessee's Right-Wingers to Vote for Him?new
To a casual observer, it would appear that gubernatorial candidate Bill Haslam is a near-ideal politician for the general election season. But with the general election still nearly a year off, the state primary on Aug. 5, 2010, is what matters to the campaign now, or at least it should.
Metro Pulse |
Charles Maldonado |
11-20-2009 |
Politics
Congresswoman Michele Bachmann: Crazy Like a Foxnew
Many worry that her remarks are detrimental to the national Republican Party's credibility, which is why not everyone inside the GOP is thrilled at the prospect of Bachmann becoming the face of their party. Nevertheless, GOP higher-ups have shown no effort to muzzle her, which suggests she fills an important role.
City Pages (Twin Cities) |
Matt Snyders |
11-18-2009 |
Politics
Ideologues Take Full Advantage of America's Amnesia About Tom Painenew
"The idea that Glenn Beck and others whose ideas are opposite to Paine's have adopted him to distort his ideas is extremely disturbing, but not surprising," writes Alaine Lowell, executive director of the Thomas Paine Society.
Pasadena Weekly |
Kevin Uhrich |
11-16-2009 |
Commentary
The John Birch Society: Preserving America -- and a Few Secretsnew
The nonpartisan, in-the-background, slightly secretive organization wants to indoctrinate you in its cause: making America jibe with the Constitution. They've been at it for 50 years. Are they making converts? Hard to say. Membership numbers, and the number of chapters nationwide, are kept tightly under wraps
Las Vegas Weekly |
Ken Miller |
11-13-2009 |
Politics
Why is the Political Settlement in Honduras a Big Win for Americans?new
It's harder to justify your existence as a bulwark against U.S. bullying when the U.S. has quit acting like a bully.
Creative Loafing (Atlanta) |
Andisheh Nouraee |
11-10-2009 |
Commentary
All Eyes on Joe Liebermannew
Jumpin' Joe Lieberman has once again managed to freak out Connecticut Democrats of nearly every persuasion. Left-wingers are firing rockets into the blogosphere, some longtime Lieberman loyalists are sadly shaking their heads, and establishment types are seething at what Joe may be doing to his old buddy Chris Dodd's reelection chances.
New Haven Advocate |
Gregory B. Hladky |
11-10-2009 |
Politics
Congressman Brian Higgins Makes the Case for the Health Care Reform Billnew
When Speaker Nancy Pelosi unveiled the Democrats' 1,900-page reform bill, Higgins was one among those Democrats who jumped out front to defend the proposal against relentless Republican opposition.
'What Are You So Mad At?': Tea Partiers Go Grassrootsnew
With the Christian Right and the Obama Left having reinvented personal politicking for the 21st century, the old wizardry is making a comeback. After the tea parties are over and the Fox News van has skipped town, American Majority is training activists to win elections at the grassroots.
The Texas Observer |
Josh Berthume |
11-04-2009 |
Politics
Could the Upcoming Census Give Oregon Another Seat in Congress?new
Election Data Services says that makes Oregon one of at least seven states poised to add another seat after the decennial count. But Oregon is not alone -- every state faces the 2010 census and is trying to maximize its own count.
Willamette Week |
Sasha Ingber |
11-04-2009 |
Politics
Stephen Harper's Colombia Free-Trade Cover-Upnew
In 2008, the House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade issued a report calling for an independent human rights impact assessment before any free-trade deal with Colombia was signed. But Canada's prime minister beat the committee to the punch by announcing that an agreement had already been reached.
NOW Magazine |
Andrew Cash |
11-02-2009 |
Politics
Inside Chicago's Shadow Budgetnew
The Daley administration commands an off-the-books kitty of taxpayer money equivalent to a sixth of the official city budget. Now we've got documents that show what they want to do with it.
Chicago Reader |
Ben Joravsky and Mick Dumke |
11-02-2009 |
Politics
Why's the Increasingly Blue State of Virginia About to Elect a Republican Governor?new
The gap between Democrat Creigh Deeds and frontrunner Bob McDonnell could be as big as 19 points. Why? It has a little to do with the economy, a little to do with McDonnell -- and a lot to do with the limitations of candidate Deeds.
C-Ville Weekly |
Will Goldsmith |
10-28-2009 |
Politics
