Then House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank presides over the committee’s hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, February 11, 2009.

Barney Frank’s Last Harsh Warning to the Left

by Anne Kim September 15, 2026September 17, 2026

The late congressman’s posthumous book condemns dogmatic insistence on unpopular ideas and offers a roadmap for reconciliation between the center and the left.

Politics

The Tower Stones of 9/11

by Jonathan Alter September 11, 2026September 11, 2026

A taste of my experiences and writing from a quarter century ago.

Politics

The Lost Journalistic World of 9/11

by Matthew Cooper September 10, 2026September 10, 2026

The mainstream press was far from perfect. But before the era of “hot takes,” information silos, steep budget cuts, and ugly charges of “fake news,” it had strengths that we need now.

As the midterm elections enter their post-Labor Day general election phase, all signs still point to Democrats taking the House, which requires a net gain of three seats. But we can’t know whether they will ride a Blue Wave that would give them a sizable House majority along with control of the Senate.

Politics

Will It Be a Blue Wave?

by Bill Scher September 9, 2026September 10, 2026

With limited data, exactly how many Republican incumbents are in trouble is hard to know. But Democrats have good reason to think big.

Charles Adair told jail officials he had schizophrenia. Less than 48 hours later, he was dead after officers restrained him in his cell.

Politics

Mental Health, Police, and The Death of Charles Adair

by Melinda Henneberger September 8, 2026September 8, 2026

A man turns himself in to police for old traffic tickets, tells them he has schizophrenia, and after an altercation at a Kansas City, Kansas, jail, is dead less than 48 hours later.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dr. Amy Acton speaks at a primary election night campaign event after winning the party's nomination for governor Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Columbus, Ohio.

Politics

Amy Acton Won’t Debate. It’s Worked Before

by Bill Scher September 4, 2026September 4, 2026

Many pundits wrote off Katie Hobbs when she wouldn’t debate Kari Lake, but now she’s Arizona’s governor on the verge of winning reelection. So why should Ohio’s Democratic gubernatorial nominee tangle on stage with Vivek Ramaswamy?

The White House and its new helipad and the ballroom, right, under construction, are pictured on the South Lawn, as seen from the Washington Monument, August 23, 2026, in Washington.

Politics

A Fitting End for Trump’s Gaudy Ballroom

by Jonathan Alter September 3, 2026September 3, 2026

One day, a Democratic president could turn it into something Washington actually needs.

Big Tent Man: Former President Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

Politics

How to Build a Big Tent

by Bill Scher September 1, 2026September 1, 2026

Socialists and left populists have argued that a Democratic big tent should include figures like Hasan Piker. But the Democrats’ best coalition builder of the last 60 years, Barack Obama, had a different strategy.