Instant Politics

Afghanistan, bad; drone strikes, good; Syria, confusing.

The feud that started on Twitter is settled on Daily Intel.

"I think it will be brutal."

A few third-party candidates and no more unquestioned posturing about "energy independence."

Paging Chris Christie?

"His greatest feat is speaking with such confidence that defies fact-checking."

"Resolved: Love makes you weak and feeble."

'New York Times Magazine' writer Matt Bai and 'The Nation' columnist Patricia J. Williams argue over what an Obama presidency might mean for the judiciary and abortion, the current role of religion in government, and whether homeowners aren't partly to blame for the financial crisis.

New York 'Times' columnist David Brooks and 'New York' writer Joe Hagan discuss pulling the lever for Obama, whether Brooks is worried for about brand, and the attempt to 'excommunicate' the columnist from the conservative movement.

'New York Times Magazine' writer Matt Bai and FiveThirtyEight's Nate Silver discuss the viability of McCain's Pennsylvania-based strategy, the voters assuming we're still stuck in the 2000/2004 universe, and Silver's defense of his model should the election turn to McCain.

FiveThirtyEight's Nate Silver and 'The New Republic' columnist Jonathan Chait discuss the latest Sarah Palin 2012 rumor, how much the African-American vote will matter, and why you should never underestimate the Republican base.

Today, Slate's Dahlia Lithwick and author Ayelet Waldman discuss Michelle Bachmann's anti-Obama blunder, the discouraging fight against incipient voter suppression, and George W. Bush's one enduring, “raging success.”

Today, 'New York' writer Jennifer Senior and Slate editor Dahlia Lithwick discuss Sarah Palin's 'Saturday Night Live' appearance, how McCain and his campaign relate to women, and the trap of becoming a 'mean girl.'

Craig Unger, author of 'The Fall of the House of Bush,' and 'New York' writer Jennifer Senior discuss who won the debate (according to a novel measure), a potential missed opportunity for Obama on the economy, and what kind of president Obama might make — and whether anyone even knows him well enough to say.

'National Review' correspondent Byron York and Craig Unger, author of 'The Fall of the House of Bush,' discuss McCain's challenge at tonight's debate, whether the race holds any surprises, and how Obama resembles Bush in his response to the financial crisis.

'Rolling Stone' columnist Matt Taibbi and 'National Review' correspondent Byron York argue over the headwinds facing McCain, what Phil Gramm had to do with the financial crisis, and the importance of credit default swaps.

'Rolling Stone' columnist Matt Taibbi and 'New York' writer Michael Idov discuss why John McCain is “one of the worst” presidential candidates ever, Russian glee over American's problems, and what happens after a possible President Obama is hammered for what he doesn't manage to achieve.

Garrett M. Graff, author of ‘The First Campaign,’ and ‘New York’ writer Michael Idov discuss dirty campaigning and the Internet, what the future holds for Joe Lieberman and Sarah Palin, and never underestimating the ability of Democrats to screw up winning.

Think Progress blogger Matthew Yglesias and Garrett M. Graff, author of 'The First Campaign' and editor at large for the 'Washingtonian,' discuss the generational split among voters, how our economy might be transformed for the better, and why, in the election, technology and innovation is the elephant in the room.

Author Katie Roiphe and blogger Matthew Yglesias discuss Sarah Palin's latest attacks on Obama, what the silver lining of the financial meltdown might be, and why McCain will likely be declared the winner of tonight's debate.