The Democrats descend on Columbus for the next episode of, “Who Wants to be President?” Twelve candidates will crowd the stage tonight, so expect heavy doses of interrupting, hand-raising, and podium chewing. The debate will be thin on substance–due to time constraints–and thick with drama. Expect an ideal made-for-television event. The race has settled into […]
Archives
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Red October: The Democrats Come to Columbus
15 Oct 2019
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Making Merry, Managing Mayhem
04 Oct 2019
I really enjoyed SNL’s representation of democratic political candidates in the last electoral cycle, primarily as a result of my introduction to Larry David’s portrayal of Bernie Sanders. I was glad to see that another parody came out a few days ago, and watching it did not disappoint. Of course, not every line was a […]
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Tuesday. Wednesday. Thursday. Three days will determine the fate of the presidency. If the Trump Administration ends in disgrace, and that is a large if, these three days will mark the beginning of the end. If President Trump emerges victorious in 2020 and seizes another term in office, these were the days when the Democrats […]
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Climate Change Forum: Good Format, Bad Politics
05 Sep 2019
Last night, ten Democratic presidential candidates took the stage in New York City to discuss the politics of climate change. Each candidate had roughly forty minutes with only a moderator and a camera. Those moments felt like an eternity in today’s media culture. In terms of format, it was a success. Politically, it may turn […]
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Trump, the Fed and Recession?
20 Aug 2019
Mr. Trump is increasingly worried about the economy as he rolls into his 2020 reelection campaign, as he should be–it will likely determine his victory or defeat. To his political credit, he has so successfully enraged his Democratic opposition that they seem determined to be against anything he might say, and his very victory has […]
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The Mailbag! – Vol. 35
19 Aug 2019
Matt’s Marvelous Mailbag seeks to provide marginally adequate answers to much better questions about politics, economics, social life, theology, or any potpourri you see fit to have answered. Send questions to mailbag.bereans@gmail.com. Well, I don’t know about you, but I have had an exceptionally relaxing two weeks off from the mailbag, which I hope everyone […]
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Election 2020 Right Now
15 Aug 2019
We are still a few months away from actual votes being cast, but the presidential campaign is taking shape. Much can change between now and February, when the Iowa Caucus happens. Current polling is also a bit speculative since most voters are not fully engaged. With those caveats in mind, the contest seems to be […]
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Mass Shootings and the Problem of Community
05 Aug 2019
I went to bed reading about one mass shooting and woke up hearing about another. Confused, I assumed the coverage was extended, but soon found out the second shooting took place in my geographical backyard. I am in Dayton regularly, though it feels far away from the village I call home. That distance shrank last […]
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Democratic Debate: S 1, EP 2
01 Aug 2019
Andrew Yang’s closing statement struck near and dear to this professor’s sensibilities. The Democratic debates from the last two nights deserve to be accurately characterized. They are televised events designed to attract viewers. The introductory material feels like a rejected pilot for a dating show. “Here’s Cory–he likes musical montages, dank memes, and chillin’ with […]
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Mueller Testimony–A TV Disaster
25 Jul 2019
Yesterday’s congressional testimony by Robert Mueller, the man who organized and managed the investigation into the White House’s potential ties to Russia, was a manufactured event designed for television. House Democrats hoped Mr. Mueller himself would “breathe life” into his eponymous report, which had been released in March and publicized in April. The goal, it […]