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Ed Kilgore

Columnist, Intelligencer

Ed Kilgore is a longtime political observer who has been a columnist for Intelligencer since 2015.

  1. early and often
    CNN Iowa Debate Will Be a DeSantis-Haley Cage MatchWith Trump probably sitting out, the two candidates vying for second may be the only people onstage in the next two GOP debates.
  2. early and often
    DeSantis Refers to Middle Eastern Clothes As ‘Man Dresses’Someone should tell him Jesus Christ dressed that way too.
  3. republican debates
    Haley Gets Hit More Than Trump in Final Republican DebateDeSantis and Ramaswamy pummeled the fast-rising South Carolinian in last night’s debate. Once again, the absent Trump was the winner.
  4. early and often
    Nikki Haley Is the Marco Rubio of 2024These two darlings of Never Trump conservatism have in common a great deal of opportunistic flexibility, and probably the same electoral fate.
  5. early and often
    Kevin McCarthy, Lost Without a Gavel, Is Leaving CongressThe higher tolerance his colleagues have for Speaker Mike Johnson could have been the final straw for the Californian.
  6. early and often
    U.S. Aid to Ukraine Is in Deep Trouble, to Putin’s DelightA Republican-generated quagmire in the House over border security and spending levels may not be resolvable before the end of the year.
  7. early and often
    A Liz Cheney 2024 Run Would Just Help Her Nemesis: TrumpDoing “whatever it takes” to stop Trump means backing Biden instead of floating a doomed third-party campaign.
  8. early and often
    Haley’s Plan to Gut the Government Is Even Worse Than Trump’sHer five-year “term limit” proposal for federal employees shows she’s no moderate.
  9. early and often
    DeSantis Sets Himself Up for Humiliation in IowaHe’s predicting he’ll beat Trump, which is highly unlikely, instead of framing a second-place victory over Nikki Haley as a win.
  10. early and often
    Trump Plans to Pack the Government With MAGA True BelieversThe Trump team’s personnel plans wouldn’t just abolish the civil-service system; they would reward followers of his cult of personality.
  11. early and often
    Why Did That DeSantis-Newsom Debate Even Happen?The murky slugfest made sense for DeSantis. Newsom’s motives are a bit more mysterious.
  12. early and often
    Could RNC Delegates Dump Trump If He’s Convicted or in Jail?The rules are very much skewed in favor of primary winners, and there’s little reason to believe delegates would turn on Trump for any reason.
  13. early and often
    In Trump, Kissinger’s Conservative Foes Have the Last LaughWhatever else he represented, Kissinger stood for a conservative internationalism that “America First” Republicans would leave behind.
  14. early and often
    Trump’s Extreme Agenda Is a Problem for Republicans, TooEven if GOP lawmakers don’t care about Trump’s draconian policies, they should be worried about what he’ll do to Congress.
  15. early and often
    Will Democrats Accept Border Concessions to Get Ukraine Aid?Republicans used to support deals that offered immigration reform for border-security measures. Now, Democrats are making all the concessions.
  16. early and often
    Nikki Haley’s Best Electability Argument: She’s So Generic!The South Carolina governor’s famous malleability could be an asset in contrast to the vivid and unmistakably terrifying Trump.
  17. early and often
    How Popular Does Biden Need to Be to Beat Trump? Not Very.Presiding over an unhappy nation makes reelection hard for any president. But running against Trump makes it easier for Biden.
  18. early and often
    Iowa Kingmaker Vander Plaats Thinks State Will ‘Rise Up’ Against TrumpBob Vander Plaats has a solid record of picking Iowa Caucus winners. But DeSantis isn’t going to beat Trump on January 15.
  19. early and often
    Conservative Christian Affection for Fascists Predates TrumpAnyone shocked by Christian Trump voters’ tolerance for his increasingly authoritarian rhetoric and policies should look to European history.
  20. early and often
    Christie Vows to Continue Doomed Campaign to the Bitter EndThe former New Jersey governor could maintain a zombie candidacy right up until the convention. What does he have to lose?
  21. early and often
    Do Young Voters Actually Prefer Trump to Biden?Democrats worried that disenchanted 18-to-34-year-old voters would stay home in 2024. Polls show they may have a bigger problem.
  22. early and often
    DeSantis Hangs On in Iowa Despite Campaign TurmoilAs the governor won the endorsement of Iowa kingmaker Bob Vander Plaats, leaders of his PAC were almost literally at each other’s throats.
  23. early and often
    Nevada Republicans Bungle Key Early Spot in 2024 RaceThe third state to vote will have two nominating contests, and neither of them will matter much.
  24. early and often
    House Republicans Forge Ahead on Doomed Biden Impeachment EffortThey won’t have the evidence or the votes, but at least they can get it out of the way early in 2024.
  25. early and often
    Christie Staying in the 2024 Race Is Just Helping TrumpHe’s touting polls showing him in third place in New Hampshire, but all he’s really doing at this point is blocking Nikki Haley’s rise.
  26. early and often
    Haley Is on the Brink of Croaking DeSantisDeSantis has one path to survival: a strong second-place finish in Iowa. Haley might lose there and beat him later.
  27. early and often
    Trump Tells Latino Voters He’s the Victim of CommunistsHis new strategy is a sign his effort to turn the tables on prosecutors won’t end with the primaries.
  28. early and often
    Government Shutdown Threat Delayed, But Not DefeatedConservatives gave Mike Johnson a mulligan in avoiding a government shutdown, but now they’re spoiling for a fight.
  29. early and often
    Trump’s Pick for Vice-President Still Matters in 2024Selecting a female MAGA loyalist, like Kristi Noem or Elise Stefanik, may help his campaign.
  30. early and often
    Trump’s Anti-Migrant ‘Blitz’ Is Too Chilling to IgnoreBiden may see immigration as a losing issue, but voters need to know about Trump’s radical mass-deportation plan.
  31. government shutdown
    Johnson Needs Democrats to Avoid a Shutdown, Just Like McCarthyNew Speaker, same dilemma: Either anger some Republicans by working with Democrats, or watch Washington shut down.
  32. early and often
    Tim Scott’s Exit Leaves Only Two Serious GOP Trump RivalsNikki Haley and Ron DeSantis are competing for second place, but their chances against Donald Trump remain slim.
  33. government shutdown
    Speaker Johnson Has One Weird Plan for Avoiding a ShutdownWith just one week to go, the unpopular “laddered CR” seems to be all he’s got.
  34. poll position
    The 2024 Polls Agree: Trump Has a Significant Lead Over BidenMuch could change in the next year, but right now Trump is ahead of Biden nationally and in most battleground states.
  35. life after roe
    Republicans Need to Come Up With a New Abortion Stance — FastYoungkin tried going on the offensive with a less extreme abortion ban and failed dismally on Election Day. Republicans seem unsure of what to do now.
  36. early and often
    Joe Manchin Announces End of Senate Career, New 2024 ThreatThe veteran senator was sure to lose his seat in 2024, but he could still run for national office on a troublemaking No Labels ticket.
  37. early and often
    Could Kamala Harris Be a Cure for Biden 2024 Anxieties?Polls show the vice-president is strong where Biden looks weak. That’s good news for the 2024 campaign and those worried about Democrats’ plan B.
  38. early and often
    Are Democrats the Party of Low-Turnout Elections Now?One theory about Democratic wins since 2020 and poor prospects for 2024 is that they now excel in non-presidential elections. Could that be right?
  39. early and often
    Republican Debaters Want to Go to War With Everyone (Except Trump)The third Republican debate was pretty bloodthirsty toward enemies at home and abroad, but not toward the absent front-runner.
  40. early and often
    Ramaswamy Devises Another Annoying Pledge for RepublicansIn a third GOP debate that’s already likely to get nasty, the tech tyro will demand an “America First” pledge. It will not help.
  41. early and often
    For the Second Year in a Row, Democrats Win Big Thanks to AbortionThe one reliable issue where they are beating Republicans.
  42. early and often
    Some Voters Think Trump’s a Criminal and Support Him AnywayPolling shows that not all of Trump’s supporters deny he has committed “serious federal crimes.” They seem to be okay with his criminality.
  43. early and often
    The Third Republican Debate Could Be BrutalRon DeSantis and Nikki Haley are locked in a vicious battle for second place in Iowa. Tim Scott is struggling to make the stage to bash them both.
  44. joe biden
    Biden Needs to Go Very Negative on Trump or He’ll Probably Lose in 2024Polls show Biden’s reelection bid is in trouble, mostly from younger and nonwhite voters. He needs to convince them they’d hate a Trump return.
  45. early and often
    Four Races to Watch on Election Day 2023From close governor’s races in Kentucky and Mississippi to a battle over abortion rights in Ohio, Tuesday’s election may hold lessons for 2024.
  46. government shutdown
    Does Mike Johnson Even Want to Avoid a Government Shutdown?With the clock ticking down, the new Speaker is coming up with complications that will make keeping the government open even harder than before.
  47. early and often
    Nikki Haley’s Rise Will Clinch Donald Trump’s VictoryAnti-Trump Republicans are delighted to see Haley climbing as Ron DeSantis sinks. Trouble is there aren’t enough of them to stop the front-runner.
  48. early and often
    Will a Backlash to Biden Over Israel Risk His Reelection?Warnings of Arab Americans and Muslims throwing the 2024 election to Trump aren’t based on much evidence. But in close elections, every vote counts.
  49. early and often
    What Will Democrats Give Up to Get More Aid for Ukraine?Republicans are demanding border-security concessions that will divide Democrats deeply, and even that may not be enough to save help for Kyiv.
  50. early and often
    Why Are Republicans Falling Out of Love With Vivek?Turns out being an abrasive know-it-all doesn’t come off well if you’re a 38-year-old Trump mini-me.
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