The Scarlet Letter Midterms
How Democrats can make Trump's stench stick to Republicans in the 2026 midterms.
August 2026
admin How 2026 Is Not Like 2006
Republicans made Nancy Pelosi their 2006 midterm villain. In 2026, Hakeem Jeffries is a tougher target, so the GOP is…
Death by a Thousand Papercuts
Annie Lowrey explains how the largely hidden “Time Tax,” built on government parsimony and bureaucratic hurdles, screws the poor.
What Donald Trump Could Learn from Bill Clinton About the Bond Market
Trump’s deficits and ballooning U.S. debt are rattling the bond market. Clinton’s approach to budget surpluses offer a blueprint.
The Roberts Court: Poised to Bless the Trump Ballroom
Roberts allows construction to continue until the court considers the case. Translation: The Congress-skirting monstrosity will get built.
Beyond Virtue Signaling on Ukraine and Russia
Congress could still add guardrails to Lindsey Graham’s legacy sanctions bill to stop Trump from further abusing his tariff authority.
Narrative Vehicles
Renee Good's ICE shooting was filmed by bystanders. Most shootings into allegedly "weaponized vehicles" produce no competing footage at all.
DOGE Has Made Americans Less Safe
Hurricanes. Terrorism. Identity theft. DOGE’s year-long campaign of destruction has left all of us more vulnerable to threats.
El-Sayed May Be Winning. But He Should Run Like He’s Losing
If El-Sayed believes only the good polls and not the bad, he may wrongly conclude he need not adjust to…
Dead Reckoning
A Times journalist lifts the lid on the obituary desk. But when anyone can publish a life, who still needs…