The problem with interpreting poll crosstabs
12/06/2023
Last month, Gallup generated a great deal of attention for a startling finding: During the month of October, President Joe Biden’s approval rating apparently tumbled 11 points among Democrats — his core constituency. Presumably…
The three P’s of politics
11/29/2023
Like many Democrats I’m an inveterate CNN watcher, so I regularly encounter Jonathan Lawson pitching Colonial Penn Life Insurance. As other regular viewers may recall, he urges us to consider the three P’s of…
The minimal effects of debates
11/15/2023
Winning a candidate debate is not tantamount to winning an election, nor should it be. You’ve heard that these debates can generate a “surge,” that they’re “enormously important,” and “deeply…
To protect Gaza civilians Hamas should surrender
11/08/2023
Hamas could quickly protect Gaza’s civilians and dramatically improve their lives by taking a simple set of actions: Surrender unconditionally, free the hostages, turn in their weapons and themselves. That…
Do Palestinians support Hamas? Polls paint a murky picture
10/25/2023
It’s frankly not the central issue, but debate has swirled around whether Gazans, and Palestinians more broadly, support Hamas. Some American officials have clearly concluded that “Hamas does not represent…
A lesson from ‘Fauda’: Israel is here to stay, no matter what
10/18/2023
Casual “Fauda” watchers, not steeped in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, might not have even noticed the scene. But it’s central to understanding what’s been unfolding in the region. On the show,…
How our Constitution works against majority will
10/11/2023
I’m certain I disagree with Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) on scores of issues, but he seems like a reasonable, thoughtful, somewhat moderate fellow who looks younger than his years and wants to…
Attacking Trump turning out to be poor strategy for GOP
10/04/2023
The TV pundits seem to have gotten it wrong. For months they’ve been haranguing Republican presidential candidates for their collective failure to attack Donald Trump. Their argument: To secure the…
Voters support strikers, back more pay for average worker
09/27/2023
With the Hollywood strike apparently near settlement, and the auto strike continuing, Republicans like Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) are channeling Ronald Reagan — if workers are striking, fire them. The GOP, and perhaps labor’s…
Mapping out the 2024 Electoral College fight
09/20/2023
A couple of weeks ago a poll showing President Biden and former President Trump locked in a tie appeared to send shock waves through Democratic Washington. Regular readers of this…