Category Archives: political polarization

Two Democratic Senators Heading for Recall Defeat in Colorado

September 10, 2013, 9:11 pmpolitical parties, political polarization, recall electionsRick Hasen

The national political implications of these recalls will be huge. Expect Democrats in purple states/districts to RUN away from gun control. These were not recalls where there were issues of incompetence or malfeasance (a la Gray Davis or what would… Continue reading

Monmouth: “Party Control of Congress Makes No Difference to Public”

September 7, 2013, 9:47 amlegislation and legislatures, political polarizationDan Tokaji

A Monmouth University poll finds that 76% disapprove of Congress’ performance, with “little difference in opinion for the Democratic controlled Senate and the Republican led House of Representatives,” and that “Americans think that unified party control of Congress would make… Continue reading

Is the Party Over?

September 6, 2013, 12:23 pmpolitical parties, political polarizationDan Tokaji

Yes, according to Alan Brinkley’s WSJ op-ed: “what makes our politics so different from early periods in our history, and so volatile and unpredictable, is the absence of strong political parties as moderators of public life, and their replacement… Continue reading

“Sure, Congress Is More Partisan. But It’s Also More Honest.”

September 6, 2013, 8:47 amlegislation and legislatures, political polarization, redistrictingDan Tokaji

David Weigel of Slate has this comment on what the new Almanac of American Politics reveals. His takeaways include confirmation that “the gerrymanders of 2010 have taken most of the country out of play,” but also that: “Gerrymandering isn’t the… Continue reading

“How Fragile Is the New Democratic Coalition?”

September 4, 2013, 8:44 amlegislation and legislatures, political parties, political polarizationRick Hasen

More great Tom Edsall translation of political science data into real political implications.

“G.O.P. Senators Fail to Head Off Primary Challenges by Tea Party Rivals”

August 31, 2013, 9:29 amcampaigns, legislation and legislatures, political parties, political polarizationRick Hasen

NYT reports.

It’s Even Worse Than They Said

August 30, 2013, 9:51 ampolitical parties, political polarizationRick Hasen

WaPo Outlook piece by Mann and Ornstein: Our fantasy: A Congress that gets stuff done By Thomas E. Mann and Norman J. Ornstein, Published: August 29 [Thomas E. Mann, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, and Norman J. Ornstein,… Continue reading

“There’s Nothing Special About the Filibuster”

August 23, 2013, 2:01 pmlegislation and legislatures, political parties, political polarizationRick Hasen

Stephen Spaulding of Common Cause has written this Politico oped.

“Eve of Destruction”

August 16, 2013, 8:32 ampolitical parties, political polarizationRick Hasen

Allen and Vanderhei channel moderate Republican complaints about the party: “Republicans are all flirting with a fall that could see influential party voices threatening to default on the debt or shut down the government — and therefore ending all hopes… Continue reading

“North Carolinians Fear the End of the Middle Way”

August 14, 2013, 7:22 ampolitical parties, political polarization, The Voting WarsRick Hasen

A-1 NYT. Also Aaron Blake: Swing-state GOP governors seek to wrangle aggressive GOP legislatures

“The Real Price of Congress’s Gridlock”

August 13, 2013, 8:53 pmpolitical parties, political polarization, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Robert Reich NYT oped: Congress’s paralysis has also encouraged the Supreme Court to enter the political fray. Normally the judicial activism of recent years could be checked by Congressional action. But not now. Justice Anthony M. Kennedy’s opinion for… Continue reading

“How McConnell’s Woes Could Blow Up Washington”

August 9, 2013, 9:04 amlegislation and legislatures, political parties, political polarizationRick Hasen

Josh Marshall with the key takeaway point from the McConnell controversy and the primary season. I’d only add that in the general election, McConnell could be blamed by voters in the middle for failing to avert a government shutdown (for… Continue reading

House Passes Bill (REINS Act) Requiring Every Significant Piece of Economic Regulation to Be Approved by Congress

August 8, 2013, 12:04 pmlegislation and legislatures, political parties, political polarizationRick Hasen

Commentary here. That’s a way to bring the rest of the government to a screeching halt, no?

Only in America

August 7, 2013, 8:44 pmpolitical parties, political polarization, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

Texas defends itself against claims it discriminated against minority voters by claiming it discriminated against Democrats (p. 19): DOJ’s accusations of racial discrimination are baseless. In 2011, both houses of the Texas Legislature were controlled by large Republican majorities, and… Continue reading