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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. 2024 presidential election
    Surprise, Surprise: Trump Backs Away From Part of His Voter-Fraud LieAfter GOP complaint that attacks on voting by mail depressed Republican turnout, he’s tweaking his message.
  2. early and often
    Nikki Haley Taunts Geezer Rivals With ‘Mental-Competency Tests’Her call for “mandatory” testing of politicians 75 and up was aimed at Biden and Trump, but it could offend important GOP allies.
  3. early and often
    Dianne Feinstein Says She’ll Retire As Would-be Successors Line UpHer long Senate career comes to an awkward end with an announcement that will speed up the expensive and competitive contest to occupy her seat.
  4. early and often
    Nikki Haley’s Announcement Video Is a Sloppy MessThe long-shot candidate’s announcement video is full of dog whistles that aren’t fully articulated, concluding with a weird Palinesque joke.
  5. early and often
    Is Rick Scott Looking to Sunset His Senate Seat?The Floridian’s threat to Social Security and Medicare has damaged Republicans so badly that even Mitch McConnell seems ready to give up on his seat.
  6. early and often
    Senator Tim Scott Preps for 2024 Run (or Starter Candidacy)It’s hard to see Scott or Nikki Haley beating Trump or DeSantis in 2024, but the two relatively young South Carolinians may be playing a longer game.
  7. early and often
    What Would 2024 Look Like for Democrats If Biden Retired?Plenty of Democrats want Biden to step aside for a new generation of leaders. But they’re wishing for a fight that could hurt more than it helps.
  8. life after roe
    Backlash to the Reversal of Roe v. Wade Steadily GrowingPolls show that the Supreme Court abolishing federal abortion rights helped mobilize the pro-choice majority.
  9. early and often
    Mitch McConnell Can’t Stop Rick Scott’s Self-destructive SpreeBiden’s mockery and McConnell’s scorn could not keep Rick Scott from defending his attack on Social Security and Medicare in a disastrous interview.
  10. life after roe
    Rogue Texas Judge Could Ban Abortion Pills NationallyAnti-abortion activists shopped for and found a judge likely to issue an outrageous decision, and it’s unclear whether higher courts will stop him.
  11. early and often
    Biden’s Shout-outs to Seniors Were a Shot at the GOPThe president’s frequent mentions of Social Security and Medicare reflect how badly Democrats need to improve their standing with older voters.
  12. early and often
    Sarah Huckabee Sanders Showed That the GOP Is Truly Not ‘Normal’The Arkansas governor’s official State of the Union response was even wilder and more telling than Republicans’ outbursts during Biden’s speech.
  13. early and often
    Biden Springs Trap for Republicans in State of the UnionBiden vowed to “finish the job” in the next two years (or maybe the next term), and expertly used Republicans’ rowdiness against them.
  14. early and often
    Democrats’ Huge Primary Shake-up Won’t Change the 2024 RaceDisplacing Iowa and New Hampshire will generate a lot of drama. But it won’t matter if Biden is the nominee, and the new schedule may not stick.
  15. poll position
    Biden Is Trump (When It Comes to Popularity)Biden hopes tonight’s State of the Union address will sway voters, but there’s growing evidence that opinions of any president are hard to move.
  16. early and often
    Trump Wants to Divide Republicans and Conquer DeSantisNikki Haley is no threat to Trump, who would prefer a large field to muddy the track in his real primary race against Florida‘s governor.
  17. early and often
    Has Pete Buttigieg’s Dream Job Turned Into a Nightmare?It turns out Transportation secretary won’t be a quick and easy layover on the way to higher office for Mayor Pete.
  18. early and often
    House Republicans’ Assault-Weapon Pins Aren’t Just a TauntOwning the libs may be an added bonus, but Second Amendment absolutists clearly intend them as a threat against those who challenge gun rights.
  19. poll position
    Trump’s Lead in 2024 Polls May Be Thinner Than We ThoughtThe ex-president looks weaker against Ron DeSantis and other likely Republican rivals in the polls that were most reliable last year.
  20. 2024 presidential election
    What on Earth Are These 2024 Long Shots Thinking?It’s not inconceivable that someone like Nikki Haley could become a contender. But don’t count out sheer ego as motivation.
  21. early and often
    Trump Reminds Republicans He’s Willing to Ditch the GOPEven if he doesn’t formally launch a third-party bid, Trump could doom the 2024 Republican presidential nominee.
  22. early and often
    Nikki Haley Is Taking on Trump 2024 (or Running for VP)The South Carolinian is expected to announce her run later this month, but Trump has already staked a claim on her crucial home state.
  23. life after roe
    RNC Tells Republican Politicians to Stay Extreme on AbortionThe RNC passed a resolution scolding politicians who backed off after the end of Roe v. Wade and urging them to stay on the offensive in 2024.
  24. early and often
    Trump Won’t Go Away Unless a Republican Actually Beats HimThe 2024 invisible primary is well underway, and Donald Trump is winning it, wishful thinking aside.
  25. 2024 vision
    2024 Looks Very Dark for Senate DemocratsOr why the party really, really needs Joe Manchin.
  26. early and often
    Republicans Want Surrender, Not a Deal, on the Debt CeilingThere can be no “bipartisan” solution to the debt-ceiling crisis when one party refuses to talk about the revenue side of the ledger.
  27. early and often
    McDaniel Hangs Onto RNC Gavel Despite DeSantis DefectionHarmeet Dhillon threw a scare into the chair of the RNC, but even late support from DeSantis didn’t convince party voters away from backing McDaniel.
  28. early and often
    Republicans Are Already Burying Their Kooky National Sales-Tax PlanMcCarthy promised a floor vote on the Fair Tax, which would create a 30 percent national sales tax and abolish the IRS. Now, it may die in committee.
  29. early and often
    Brian Kemp for President Makes a Lot of SenseGeorgia’s governor doesn’t have the warmest personality. But in trouncing both Donald Trump and Stacey Abrams, he showed world-class political chops.
  30. 2024 senate races
    Adam Schiff Runs for Senate on the Enemies He’s MadeTrump and Republicans inadvertently elevated a mild-mannered moderate who is taking his shot at Dianne Feinstein’s seat.
  31. early and often
    Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Desperate Plan to Be Trump’s Vice-PresidentMTG just got her first committee assignments and can’t control her mouth, but she might be on Trump’s shortlist. He’d be nuts to pick her.
  32. early and often
    Trump’s Terrified 2024 Rivals Show It’s His Race to LoseRepublicans’ reluctance to enter the presidential race is telling, and the longer they wait, the more likely Trump’s renomination becomes.
  33. early and often
    Pat Buchanan, a Vindicated Extremist, Packs It InA man who once seemed marginalized is now a MAGA prophet who is retiring with a lot of malign accomplishments.
  34. poll positioin
    Why Republicans Won’t Name Their Debt-Ceiling DemandsPolls show the public agrees with the GOP on the need for spending cuts — but only if it keeps its proposals abstract.
  35. early and often
    Centrist House Democrats Picked a Bad Time to Have an Identity CrisisWith Congress closely divided, the Blue Dog Coalition could be having a moment. Instead, it’s falling apart over a proposed name change.
  36. early and often
    Polls: To Know Mike Pence Is to Not Love HimSome aspiring 2024 candidates have room to improve once voters get to know them. Polls show that Pence is very well-known but not well-liked.
  37. early and often
    Trump Plots to Shut Down 2024 Rivals in South CarolinaA January 28 event in the early primary state is meant to intimidate Tim Scott, Nikki Haley, and Ron DeSantis. But it could show Trump’s weakness.
  38. life after roe
    The Anti-Abortion Movement Could Lose Control of the GOPDespite their Dobbs victory, anti-abortion activists are facing pressure to shift public opinion and increase their hold on Republican politicians.
  39. early and often
    Could Trump Run to DeSantis’s Left in 2024?Trump may go after his potential rival for once backing Social Security cuts and austerity budgets. It would also put him at odds with MAGA allies.
  40. early and often
    Progressive Ruben Gallego Sets Sights on Taking Down Kyrsten SinemaWhile the newly independent senator hung out with global elites in Davos, her Democratic challenger made plans to take her Senate seat.
  41. early and often
    Why Biden’s Easy Path to Renomination Is Good for DemocratsBefore the midterms, there was talk of a 2024 primary challenge. Now it’s clear that Biden is his party’s best option in a high-stakes election.
  42. early and often
    Have Conservative Evangelicals Turned Their Backs on Trump?A lot of pious MAGA supporters were using Trump just like he used them. And in Ron DeSantis, they have a savage new culture warrior.
  43. early and often
    Do Republicans Want Swing Voters to Watch Their Debates?Some Republicans are proposing unstructured debates for the 2024 primaries. But wild red-meat fests won’t improve the party’s appeal to swing voters.
  44. early and often
    House GOP Vote to Abolish the IRS Is Kooky and Self-DestructiveKevin McCarthy promised conservatives a vote on their plan to replace federal taxes with a 30 percent national sales tax. Democrats are loving it.
  45. early and often
    Kevin McCarthy Pays Off Marjorie Taylor Greene and Paul GosarThe Speaker has forgiven the violent remarks of Paul Gosar and Marjorie Taylor Greene. And the freshman fabulist George Santos gets a new start.
  46. early and often
    Can Ron DeSantis Compete With Donald Trump’s Sinister Charisma?The Florida governor is off to a good start in terms of 2024 buzz and hype. But his retail skills against a master like Trump are unproven.
  47. early and often
    Kellyanne Conway Tells Trump to Blame His Advisers for Losing in 2020In a new op-ed, Trump’s estranged strategist offers a pitch for 2024 that gives the former president a new villain.
  48. early and often
    Republican Opposition to Ukraine Is Reaching Tipping PointAmong House Republicans, and the GOP rank and file, hostility to the Ukrainian cause is becoming acceptable. It could have serious consequences.
  49. early and often
    Donald Trump’s 2024 GOP Challengers Need to Jump in SoonWith Iowa’s caucuses less than a year away, Republican presidential contenders will probably declare in the next few months.
  50. early and often
    Boomers Lose Their Majority in CongressWhile the Senate is still grayer than the House, a generational changing of the guard is clearly underway.
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