A ‘Pacific Standard’ Annotation of the 2015 State of the Union
President Obama's speech last night contained a series of economic proposals. Here's how the data and research back up or complicate his claims.
What Makes Us Politic
Do Presidents Usually Follow Through on Promises?
President Obama made a lot of promises during yesterday's State of the Union address. Going by past results, he'll probably accomplish some of them.
When Incumbents Get a Free Ride
Fielding candidates in unfavorable districts might seem like a waste of precious resources to a party—and most of the time, it is—but it's also a responsibility.
On the Need for Legislative Staff
Having a decent number of staffers available gives state legislators a better ability to make competent, independent decisions and to resist the influence of other actors.
Did the Ground Game Matter in the Colorado Senate Race?
The recent Colorado race raises questions about how Bannock Street Project tactics could hold up in future contests.
What 2014 Taught Us About American Politics
A few brief lessons from the year. In many cases, these aren't necessarily new things; 2014 just served as a very effective reminder.
Politicians Gonna Politic: The Unbound Obama
Is there something to the idea that a politician who no longer faces re-election is free to pursue new policy solutions without needing to kowtow to special interests?
How Representative of the U.S. Is the 2015 Senate?
Not very, but more so than it used to be. A story in three charts.
For Most, There's Never a Right Time to Protest
Every important movement faces significant push-back; that doesn't mean it won't succeed.
What an Electoral Game Changer Actually Looks Like
Despite the usual array of punditry, there's not much President Obama could have done in the weeks leading up to the recent mid-terms to change the outcome.
Yes, Republicans Can Still Win the White House
If the economy in 2016 is where it was in 2012 or better, Democrats will likely retain the White House. If not, well....
Why Do We Elect Corrupt Politicians?
Voters, it seems, are willing to forgive—over and over again—dishonest yet beloved politicians if they think the job is still getting done.
What’s the Matter With Puerto Rico?
The limbo that Puerto Rico has existed in for more than a century was never meant to be permanent. Could Congress finally be getting around to naming our 51st state?
In Praise of Canvassers in Election Time
It is still, by far, the most reliable campaign method of actually getting someone to turn out to vote.
What It Took for a Democrat to Win in the Mid-Terms
A few lessons from Colorado's Governor John Hickenlooper, one of the only purple state Democratic governors to win re-election last week.
Would a Republican Congress Help Democrats in 2016?
Looking at the historical data, we can tell that voters do not seem to punish a party for running a gridlocked Congress in the next presidential election.
That Time the Polls Were Wrong
As Election Day approaches, a reminder that polling, while generally quite reliable, has a few blind spots.
What Same-Sex Marriage Means for the Future of Weed
A data scientist's mathematical models predict a national rise of bong smoke.
There Is No Surge in Illegal Immigration
The overall rate of illegal immigration has actually decreased significantly in the last 10 years. The time is ripe for immigration reform.
The Likely Electoral Fallout From Ebola
Will voters blame President Obama—and punish Democrats in the upcoming mid-term elections—for a climate of fear?
Republicans Stand to Make Gains in State Legislatures
And that's a much bigger deal than whether or not a few seats shift in the House of Representatives.
Does Forecasting an Election Change the Outcome?
If Nate Silver tells you that one candidate has a 90 percent chance of winning, why bother to vote?
Should We Be Told Who Funds Political Attack Ads?
On the value of campaign finance disclosure.