The struggle to select a Speaker
The historic and dramatic election for Speaker underscores some basic features of Congress and congressional parties.
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MISCHIEFS OF FACTION
Reflections on Parties and Their Place in Politics
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Seth Masket
- Jan 7
- 4 min
The Speaker Fight through the Eyes of Lauren Boebert
Lauren Boebert had an awesome week, and not many people in the House did. She seemed to know when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em.
Matthew Green
- Dec 14, 2022
- 4 min
Could a bipartisan coalition elect the next Speaker?
State legislatures have sometimes chosen leaders with cross-party coalitions, but conditions in the U.S. House make it unlikely
Matthew Green
- Oct 5, 2022
- 3 min
Assessing the “Commitment to America”
Like other congressional party platforms, it isn’t likely to influence the election -- but it does serve other purposes.
Seth Masket
- Aug 24, 2022
- 4 min
Are the Forecast Models just plain Wrong?
In 2022, what traditional forecast models are telling is wildly different from what everything else is telling us. Here's why.
Matthew Green
- Jun 14, 2022
- 4 min
The most powerful caucus in Congress?
When it was founded eight years ago, few expected the House Freedom Caucus to be as influential in American politics as it turned out to be.
The Staff
- May 13, 2022
- 3 min
District pork or Trump loyalty? West Virginia primary shows what Republican voters value most.
By Jeffrey Lazarus and Jennifer Victor Which matters more in Republican electoral politics today–loyalty to Trump or loyalty to...
Matthew Green
- Mar 30, 2022
- 2 min
Do congressional party platforms matter?
Election-year minority party agendas are important, but not for the reasons most people think.
Matthew Green
- Mar 24, 2022
- 3 min
Trump’s unusual endorsement game
Trump’s atypical approach to endorsing election candidates shows who his endorsements are really for: himself.
Matthew Green
- Feb 22, 2022
- 4 min
The continuing war against Liz Cheney
Why did GOP leaders commit the risky move of endorsing Cheney’s primary challenger? And what does it tell us about the GOP?
Matthew Green
- Jan 25, 2022
- 6 min
The dysfunctional Senate
A conversation with Daniel Wirls about his recent book "The Senate: From White Supremacy to Governmental Gridlock."
Matthew Green
- Jan 20, 2022
- 3 min
Bipartisanship should not be an end in itself
History tells us that both political parties can – and sometimes have – agreed to do harmful things.
Matthew Green
- Nov 30, 2021
- 3 min
Is Kevin McCarthy in trouble?
Recent warnings that Kevin McCarthy won't be chosen speaker in a GOP-led House are not credible.
Matthew Green
- Nov 15, 2021
- 3 min
Why the “GOP Thirteen” aren’t likely to be punished
Strong sanctions are rarely used against party defectors in Congress – for good reason.
Matthew Green
- Oct 4, 2021
- 4 min
The Misconceptions that Guide Congress
The ongoing debate over the passage of transportation and budget bills underscore how lawmakers act on behalf of misleading assumptions.
Matthew Green
- Sep 22, 2021
- 4 min
Are Democrats retaliating against Republicans who voted to undo the 2020 election?
Inter-party punishments for the events of January 6th may be less widespread than they seem.
The Staff
- Jul 26, 2021
- 3 min
The Limited Power of Trump’s Endorsements
The former president has begun endorsing favored Republicans in the 2022 elections, but evidence suggests that it may backfire.
Gregory Koger
- Jun 11, 2021
- 3 min
To Reform the Filibuster, Parties Need to Protect Marginal Senators
If majority parties can help marginal members navigate the tension between the policy demands of their party base and the moderate preferenc
Matthew Green
- May 12, 2021
- 6 min
The Tea Party and the Rise of a Conservative Insurgency
A conversation with Rachel Blum about her recent book How the Tea Party Captured the GOP.
Matthew Green
- Apr 26, 2021
- 4 min
Mayor of Crazytown
John Boehner’s new memoir underscores the challenges of governing in today’s Congress.
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