Bill O’Reilly and the Rise of the Machines

The New Foreign Flavor of CPAC’s Red Meat

By Ben Jacobs

America may still be first at the conservative gathering, but this year’s event has come with a lot more European-style populism.

What Were the Legal (and Strategic) Grounds for Biden’s Syria Airstrikes?

foreign interests

By Jonah Shepp

The long-term impact on Biden’s Iran strategy may be more consequential than the strikes’ contested legality.

Much-Maligned Congressional Earmarks Are Coming Back

congress

The Tea Party movement temporarily killed them — but only temporarily.

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Random Stabbing of Asian NYC Man Results in Hate-Crime Charges

new york city

By Chas Danner

The attack happened just days after city officials vowed to do more to protect Asian New Yorkers from racial targeting amid the pandemic.

Why Is GameStop’s Stock Price Soaring Again?

pivot

By Intelligencer Staff

A frenzy driven by people who revel in market volatility.

Amid the Scandals, Cuomo’s Enemies Are Ready to Unleash a Decade of Resentment

the power grid

By David Freedlander

“He is the most damaged he has ever been,” said one senior capitol aide.

Democrats Can Still Get a $15 Minimum Wage Into the COVID-Relief Bill

$15 minimum wage

By Eric Levitz

There are plenty of ways for Democrats to get a $15 minimum wage through the Senate. There just aren’t 50 Senate Democrats willing to do so.

New York City Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza Resigns

education

By Nia Prater

Carranza, who clashed with de Blasio on how to desegregate schools, will be succeeded by Meisha Porter, the first Black woman to run the system.

How Trumpism Has Become a Cult of Losing

the national interest

By Jonathan Chait

Why do Republicans still love a loser whose entire appeal was that he’s a “winner”?

I Was a COVID-Vaccine-Site Bouncer

coronavirus

By Irin Carmon

The city tried to build a COVID volunteer corps. The system wasn’t prepared for the demand.

The Political Costs of Ted Cruz’s Cancún Vacation

intelligencer chats

By Gabriel Debenedetti and Benjamin Hart

This scandal may do lasting damage to the Texas senator — but he’s got plenty of time to ride it out.

The $15 Minimum-Wage Debate Clarifies the Partisan Economic Divide

conservatism

By Eric Levitz

Republican “populists” oppose a $15 minimum wage because they stand for predatory small-business owners, not working people.

The New CPAC Makes the Old CPAC Look Like the #Resistance

By Ben Jacobs

Trump critics are out, election truthers are in.

2/26/2021

Evidence that COVID survivors may only need one vaccine dose

For people who have had Covid-19, a single dose of the Pfizer vaccine is enough to provide robust protection from the coronavirus, according to two new studies from Britain that were published late Thursday in The Lancet, a prominent medical journal.

The studies, among the first fully vetted papers to weigh in on how to vaccinate people who have had Covid-19, added strong evidence to the case for giving just one dose of the Pfizer vaccine to people who already have antibodies against the virus.

Single dose of Pfizer vaccine offers robust protection for those who have had Covid-19, studies find.

—New York Times

Unions Aren’t the Obstacle to Reopening Schools

pandemic

By Sarah Jones

Teachers can’t wish away the consequences of underfunding public education.

Biden Approves U.S. Airstrikes on Iran-Backed Militias in Syria

biden administration

By Matt Stieb

The Pentagon claims the airstrikes were in retaliation for a prior strike on U.S. forces, and were not intended to escalate hostilities with Iran.

The House Has Passed the Equality Act

By Claire Lampen

The bill, which has Biden’s support, prohibits discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.

$15 Minimum Wage Is Dead for Now Thanks to One Unelected Official

Biden must decide whether to change the rules or change the subject.

Mitch McConnell Would ‘Absolutely’ Support Trump If He Were the 2024 Nominee

gop

By Matt Stieb

Once again, he backs the man who has physically mocked him, called on the party to replace him, and arguably cost him his Senate majority.

Republican Senators Haven’t Represented a Majority of Voters Since 1996

The anti-majoritarian nature of the Senate has helped Republicans block progress for many years.

De Blasio Calls for Probe Into Sexual Harassment Allegations Against Cuomo

By Nia Prater

The mayor called the allegations “disturbing” and joined a bipartisan group of New York lawmakers demanding a probe.

Tanden’s Nomination Won’t Make or Break the Biden Presidency

neera tanden

Some Beltway pundits are inflating this story well beyond its significance.

Republicans Return to Old Voter-Suppression Playbook

voting rights

Trump shifted the focus to phony vote-by-mail fraud claims, but Republicans tried to limit all kinds of voting pre-2020 — and they’re at it again.

Everything We Know About the Coronavirus Variant Spreading in New York City

coronavirus

By Matt Stieb and Paola Rosa-Aquino

Two new studies suggest that the variant B.1.526 detected in New York City could dampen the effectiveness of some vaccine candidates.

2/25/2021

Jennifer Granholm has been confirmed as energy secretary

Former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm won Senate confirmation Thursday to be President Joe Biden’s energy secretary. The vote was 64-35.

Granholm, who served two terms as governor in a state dominated by the auto industry, will be a key player in Biden’s vision for a green economy as the United States fights to slow climate change.

Former Michigan Gov. Granholm confirmed as energy secretary

—AP