(Un)Conventional Wisdom

Has Obama’s rhetoric of transcending partisanship lost its appeal?

Pope Francis has been treated as if he were just person running for president.

The abrupt resignation of John Boehner as Speaker of the House of Representatives is almost universally blamed on the impossible standards of his fellow Republicans.

A cynic would think of such “information” as polling numbers and fundraising totals keeping members of Congress from acting on many of the issues raised by Francis, including economic inequality, climate change, abortion and the death penalty, and immigration reform. But some political differences are not only a matter of conscience, but also of advanced knowledge.

As Washington wondered what kind of truths Pope Francis would be delivering in his address to Congress, presidential candidate Scott Walker faced his own reality this week.

The CNN debate, with its huge cast (11 candidates) and length exceeding three hours, may have benefited the three candidates who have never held elected office.

A new report warns that our election infrastructure is in no better shape than our train tunnels.

Disdain for human connection and cooperative institutions are as strong as ever this election cycle.

By the end of his interview with Stephen Colbert, Biden’s combination of openness and empathy had the host practically begging the vice president to seek a promotion.