Democrats shouldn’t obsess about $3.5 trillion or curse Joe Manchin. Smaller still gets you a lot—and it’s easier to sell.
Joe Manchin
Posted inFeatured, Political Animal, Politics
The Opioids Crisis: Don’t Punish Pain Patients To Treat Opioid Addiction
Why a sin tax on opioids is not like a sin tax on sugary drinks.
Posted inFeatured, Political Animal, Politics
Nancy Pelosi’s Big Infrastructure Headache
The House Speaker has to corral progressives, soothe the moderates, and time votes without wrecking the fragile infrastructure deal Biden struck with moderate senators.
Posted inPolitical Animal
Bipartisan Gestures on Infrastructure Won’t Save Us from a Climate Apocalypse
Democrats like Manchin should forget about negotiating a weak infrastructure bill with Republicans and focus on something that can save America.
Posted inFeatured, Political Animal, Politics
The Voting Rights Package That Can Pass the Senate
A plan that can get past Joe Manchin, the Republicans, and still help voters.
Posted inFeatured, Political Animal, Politics
Would Progressives Sink an Infrastructure Compromise?
How Democratic Presidents from LBJ to Obama have bribed, seduced, and badgered their members into dropping their opposition to signature proposals.
Posted inFeatured, Political Animal, Politics
On Infrastructure, the Revenge of the Climate Hawks
While everyone frets about Joe Manchin, do Senate environmentalists like Markey and Wyden hold the key?
Posted inFeatured, Political Animal, Politics, Protecting the Vote
How to Safeguard Elections
The “For the People Act” almost certainly won’t pass—and it doesn’t cover every subterfuge anyway. But there are other ways to prevent the destruction of democracy.
Posted inFeatured, Political Animal, Politics
If Manchin Is Holding Infrastructure Hostage, Biden Should Say So
The president is under no moral or practical obligation to give the West Virginia senator and his allies political cover.
Posted inFeatured, Political Animal, Politics
The Republican Assault on Democracy is Worse Than You Think
Gerrymandering, voter suppression, losing Congressional control—the January 6 attack on the Capitol is just a preview of the GOP nightmare to come if Democrats don’t act now.
