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.
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What Makes Us Politic
68 posts
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
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.