Ever since I stopped being a Republican--back in May, 2016, when it became clear that Donald Trump would be the Republican nominee--whenever anyone asked me about my politics, I told them that I am a "right-of-center libertarian pragmatist." I continue to hold to that description, and to right-of-center libertarian/classical liberal principles. But the older I …
Law and Politics in a Post-Ginsburg World
I've criticized Donald Trump savagely and accurately, ever since he descended down his gold-plated escalator on June 16, 2015, announced his candidacy for president of the United States, and caused American politics and the state of our democracy to descend with him to subterranean levels. And I've criticized the Republican party savagely and accurately, ever …
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On the Mueller Hearings
There was no way that Robert Mueller was going to move the needle today on the issue of impeachment. If you went into the Mueller hearings--before the House Judiciary Committee and the House Intelligence Committee immediately thereafter--favoring the impeachment and conviction of the worst president we have ever had and the worst person to ever …
And Now, a Hopefully-Not Ridiculously Quick Take on the Barr Letter about the Mueller Report
William Barr has released his summary of the Mueller report to Congress. The two big takeaways from the letter are as follows: Concerning the question on whether “the Trump campaign or anyone associated with it conspired or coordinated with Russia in its efforts to influence the 2016 U.S. presidential election,” the Barr letter states (quoting …
This Is What Dereliction of Duty Looks Like
I urge everyone to read this horrifying account of how the Obama administration learned of Russian active measures that were designed to disrupt the 2016 presidential election and to throw the election to Donald Trump, whom the Russians have long seen as far friendlier to their interests and designs. I won't excerpt anything from the story; …
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Democrats Should Hold the Gorsuch Nomination Hostage
Judge Neil Gorsuch is a genuinely outstanding jurist, who would be a superb addition to the United States Supreme Court. All Americans can and should be deeply proud that his intellect, his devotion to scholarship, and his fidelity to original public meaning jurisprudence has brought him to this extraordinary moment in his career and his …
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Iowa: A Recap
Some thoughts on last night's results: Thanks be to a merciful God that my fear that Donald Trump would win Iowa was not realized. Indeed, it was fun to watch the emotional meltdown of his supporters on social media this past day. But the nation is not yet rid of Trump, alas. He still continues to …
Prepare to Despair
So, we are a little over twenty four hours away from the Iowa caucuses, and it would appear that Donald Trump is set to win in my former home state; the Real Clear Politics average of polls shows Trump ahead, and shows that he has held a consistent lead. I suppose this means more cause for …
Why Donald Trump Causes Me to Despair
Dan McLaughlin tells us that we should not despair over the continued potency of the Trump for Dictator President campaign, because there is no way that Donald Trump will actually become the presidential nominee of the Republican party. I agree that Trump will not be the Republican nominee, but there continues to be a case …
In Non-Shocking News, Hillary Clinton’s Campaign Has Encountered Still More Trouble
I will freely admit that despite all that has happened to her, Hillary Clinton remains in an enviable position relative to many of her rivals. I will also freely admit that the Clintons are remarkably good at surviving scandals that would destroy lesser politicians, so no matter how bad the news gets for them, their …
