Freed from any more elections or politics, Kerry’s diving into the State Department like a gleeful kid in a candy shop.
“The most important influence on how members of Congress vote is not their constituents, but their party.”
— John Sides debunking in the Washington Post the oft-repeated refrain that gerrymandering is what is wrong with American politics today. Sides is an Associate Professor of Political Science at George Washington University.
Rosa Parks at 100
TIME honors the memory of Rosa Parks on the 100th year anniversary of her birth.
Just Who Do They Represent? At Hagel Hearing, Concern for Israel Tops U.S. Troops in Combat
Battleland contributor Brandon Friedman argues that Chuck Hagel’s confirmation hearing to become the next Secretary of Defense posed a perfect time to discuss the future of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the fate of U.S. troops …
Morning Must Reads
- Karen Tumulty on the lessons to be learned from Reagan’s 1986 immigration overhaul
- Obama encourages Boy Scouts of America to end ban on gays
- The Senate will most likely introduce a gun control bill with many of Obama’s proposals this week.
- In last night’s Super Bowl, the lights went out. Weekly Standard looks at stadium’s
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Commander-In-Arms
The White House released a photo of President Obama skeet shooting at Camp David this weekend, which got us wondering at Swampland, what other presidents shoot? Check out our photo gallery to find out.
Iran-US Talks: Path to Peace or Confidence Game?
Iran says it’s ready for talks—at last. But as the U.S. gears up for what could be a last chance to avoid a war, can anyone believe Tehran?
Outgoing Energy Secretary Steven Chu’s Parting Warning on Warming
“Ultimately we have a moral responsibility to the most innocent victims of adverse climate change.”
RIP: Barney Bush, Age 12
The passing of a loved one prompts the first public release of the 43rd President’s artwork
Brown Out
According to the Boston Herald, Brown will not run for Senate in the special election to succeed John Kerry. Massachusetts holds their gubernatorial election in 2014. UPDATE: Brown confirms.
In the ArenaRemembrance
Hizzoner
Ed Koch was a giant of New York. He will not, I think, be remembered for giant breakthroughs in governance. No, he’ll be remembered for his gigantic, totally NooYawk personality.
Religious Groups Remain Concerned About Contraception Mandate
Religious nonprofits won’t have to pay for contraception coverage under ObamaCare, but their employees must be offered the benefit, the Department of Health and Human Services confirmed Friday in a rule-making proposal.
Review: House of Cards Sinks Its Sharp Teeth into Washington
In Netflix’s new drama, Kevin Spacey guides a gleeful tour through a Washington D.C. where you’re either eating flesh or you’re on the menu.