Herschel Walker Is a Football Legend. But That’s Not Why Republicans Are Sticking With Him

As Georgia Shifts From Purple to Blue, Party Loyalty Trumps All

Why are so many Georgians still supporting Herschel Walker’s bid to replace Democrat Raphael Warnock in the U.S. Senate?

The easy answer seems to be the vast reservoir of good will that derives from Walker’s legendary exploits on the gridiron at the University of Georgia (UGA) in the early 1980s.

But the lingering afterglow from what he accomplished 40 years ago is not what’s keeping Walker competitive in the face of multiple disclosures of the sort that have torpedoed many a political campaign. Instead, conditions on the ground in Georgia and survey …

Who Benefits From ‘Buckxit’?

A Wealthy, White Atlanta Neighborhood’s Bid to Secede Shows What Happens When the Toxicity of National Politics Seeps into Local Affairs

Former House Speaker Thomas “Tip” O’Neill’s observation that “all politics are local” has been borne out in countless cases where divisions over hot-button state and local issues have derailed efforts …

Why Tolerate Intolerance? | Zocalo Public Square • Arizona State University • Smithsonian

Why Tolerate Intolerance?

It’s Easy to Cancel Political Opponents With Harmful Views—It’s Also Dangerous to Democracy

Is it better to tolerate seemingly prejudiced political opinions, or should we be intolerant of people whose views on diversity, equity, and identity strike us as harmful?

I am an advocate …

Why Social Distance Can Be Good for Democracy | Zocalo Public Square • Arizona State University • Smithsonian

Why Social Distance Can Be Good for Democracy

Making Space to Reflect on Others’ Beliefs and Our Own Makes Us Better Citizens

I wrote my new book in lockdown from a socially distanced corner of my home. That might seem an odd perch from which to write about citizenship, but it taught …

Can We Thank Barry Goldwater for this Libertarian Moment?

Figuring Out What the Arizona Senator Would Make of (and How Much He’s Responsible for) Our Current Political Landscape

Between U.S. Senator Rand Paul being taken seriously as a presidential candidate and broad support for the legalization of marijuana, the country is “having a libertarian moment,” 12 News Sunday …

Why Are D.C. Politicians Sweet on California?

Lefties and Righties Are Calling the Golden State a National Model. It’s Flattering—and Misguided.

Dear Washington, D.C.,

I know that your politicians will say anything to get elected and your wonks are perpetually grasping at straws. But I find it hard to believe how many …