Ken shares his thoughts on political news and history in his blog.
Whatever you think of 2017, it’s hard to make the case that it was one of the most uplifting of years. And, frankly, that couldn’t have been much of a surprise, given the presidential campaign we had witnessed in 2016. The decline in civility and dignity has not dissipated. And, we suspect, it’s not going …
Ralph Northam, the Democratic nominee for governor of Virginia in Tuesday’s election, has been the commonwealth’s lt. gov. the past four years. With Virginia governors limited to one consecutive term, the LG is often seen as the heir apparent from the moment of the election. Sometimes, but not always, that person has gone on to …
Today is Election Day, with two governorships and a bunch of mayoral battles on the ballot around the country. But much of the nation’s attention will be on Virginia, where Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) is term limited and where the race has been seen as, for the most part, a referendum on President Trump. Here’s …
Read moreElection 2017: Virginia Results Could Portend Strategies For 2018
And you thought the 2016 election was over? Day in and day out, President Trump, whenever there are questions about his campaign and Russia and the issue of “collusion,” has a very predictable response: Hillary. SHE was colluding with the Russians, SHE should be the focus of Robert Mueller’s investigations, SHE should be in prison. …
Despite press accounts detailing legions of disappointed and angry voters, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio is hardly in any danger of losing today’s (Sept. 12) Democratic primary for a second term. In fact, he’s likely to defeat a field of challengers, led by Sal Albanese (2013 primary effort: 0.9% of the vote), in a …
Scott Brown, who electrified the Republican Party when he won the late Ted Kennedy’s (D-Mass.) Senate seat in a 2010 special election, was nominated by President Trump on Thursday to be the U.S. ambassador to New Zealand. Brown’s Senate career didn’t last particularly long; he was defeated for re-election in 2012 by Elizabeth Warren. Then …
Read moreScott Brown Is Latest Ex-Pol Headed For New Zealand
Here’s the schedule for the first week of Senate committee confirmation hearings for members of the Trump Cabinet (subject to change): TUESDAY, JAN. 10: Jeff Sessions, Attorney General — 9:30am, Judiciary John Kelly, Homeland Security — 3:30pm, Homeland Security/Governmental Affairs WEDNESDAY, JAN. 11: Rex Tillerson, State — 9:00am, Foreign Relations Mike Pompeo, CIA Director — …
A year ago, when we compiled the list of politicians who died in 2015, we wrote, “Have you ever witnessed in your life a political year like 2015? There’s no way to describe it. An escalating decline of dignity, and civility. And one wonders if 2016 will be any better.” It turns out, it wasn’t. …
Q: How often do electoral college voters NOT vote for the winner from their state? Is this common or unusual? — Robyn Davis Sekula, New Albany, Ind. A: It happens every so often, but never has it changed the outcome of the race. Donald Trump, according to the election returns of Nov. 8th, won 306 …
Read moreFrom The Mailbag: Don’t Hold Your Breath On Electoral College Mutiny
A good time as any to open up the Political Junkie to questions from our readers and listeners. Q: Donald Trump added three members of his administration from members of Congress. Do the Democrats have a chance at taking over any of their seats? — Donna Thomas, Portland, Ore. A: At this point I would …
Read moreFrom The Mailbag: Trump’s Cabinet Picks, Clinton’s Popular Vote Lead