Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the newly independent republics seemed to be fertile ground for democracy. Today, only three former Soviet republics have successfully democratized—Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—while many have remained saddled with autocratic regimes reminiscent of Soviet-style dictators. Haphazard liberalization of the fledgling republics led to widespread corruption and the … Read more
Exciting, radical tickets on both sides. History bound to be made. Virtual fireworks echoing across the country. So four years ago. And Governor Mitt Romney’s vice presidential pick will probably show it. Surprisingly or not, the 2012 election is not nearly as riveting as that in 2008. Our president’s supporters seem to have lost much … Read more
Let’s take this scenario: A highly successful politician from a well-known political family decides to run for president, starting to unofficially prepare for a run years and years in advance. Confident about their chances, they assume the title of presumptive nominee far before the primaries begin. But they can’t make the sell. Seen as polarizing, … Read more
Donald Trump, a prospective Republican presidential candidate and television celebrity, has taken to personally attacking the President’s credentials as a recent and burgeoning pastime. Recently, however, he may have struck a bit close to home for students like us at Harvard and its peer schools: he has questioned President Obama’s membership in the Ivy League. … Read more
Dylan Matthews has a well-meaning but ultimately misguided column in today’s Crimson arguing for compulsory voting. Let’s start with what Dylan gets right. He is absolutely right about this: “One reason why higher economic classes’ interests are so overrepresented in government is that rich people vote at disproportionately high rates, and poor people vote at … Read more
Mitt Romney, the former Governor of Massachusetts, announced on Monday the formation of his exploratory committee for President. No dithering like Gingrich, no Transformers-style videos like Pawlenty. Just a straight-forward, to-the-camera video announcement that touts his economic experience, his hope for America, and the need to spread the message around. His website has been “re-Presidentialized,” … Read more
It reads like a thriller novel: a convoluted, intricate conspiracy created to undermine the Presidency and paralyze the nation. Far-left socialist radicals hiding in the alleyways of Chicago, a city of corruption and deception. A campaign launched in a terrorist’s living room. A Kenyan fooling America into believing he is a citizen, and launching himself … Read more
“Let me help you with the difference, Ms. Ferraro, between Iran and the embassy in Lebanon. Iran – we were held by a foreign government. In Lebanon, you had a wanton, terrorist action where the government opposed it.” “Congresswoman Ferraro?” “Let me just say, first of all, that I almost resent, Vice President Bush, your … Read more
No, she hasn’t made any formal announcement, and she may yet choose to run. But with the 2010 midterm elections behind us, Sarah Palin has lost her relevance. Recent polls find her popularity at an all-time low, even among Republicans and right-leaning independents. Whereas a few months ago she looked like the wild card of … Read more
The gaffe has found its way on numerous websites: Michele Bachmann mistakenly confused New Hampshire’s Concord with Massachusetts’, botching history along the way. She is not alone in her personal revisionism: Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi seems to have forgotten much of the injustices towards African Americans in the history of his state. Mike Huckabee, … Read more