Darrell Issa Quick Hit: “Stand Back”

January 20, 2011
Here is your congressional “did you know” for the day.  As you are probably aware, Darrell Issa is the current Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Read More

Calendar Wednesday: Cajun Style

January 5, 2011
The majority of Rule22 is in New Orleans this week for the Southern Political Science Association’s annual conference.  I, with my co-chair Paulina Rippere, planned the Graduate Student Section… Read More

New Orleans Quick Hits: Pouring Champagne and “Concentration Camps”

January 4, 2011
If you’re traveling to New Orleans for the Southern Political Science Association’s annual meeting, might I suggest some in-flight reading to make your time on Bourbon Street more joyous. Take a look… Read More

Are Better Legislation and Lower Federal Spending on the Horizon?

December 31, 2010
One of my favorite places to take in varying perspectives of current political events and issues is Politico’s “The Arena.” In this forum, Politico poses a question to a panel… Read More

“The Lens of Deep Suspicion.” Why Americans disapprove of Congress.

December 15, 2010
Most Americans disapprove of Congress and have for a long time. However, today Congress matched its historic best in disappointing US citizens. Gallup released a poll today showing that… Read More

What Does the Future Hold for Rule22?

December 9, 2010
It looks like congressional Democrats are seriously considering reforming the filibuster. Of course, in my opinion, the emphasis should be on “considering” rather than “seriously.” The important question nobody… Read More

Handicapping the 112th Congress

December 8, 2010
Inspired in part by Adam Bonica’s (really cool) estimates for the 112th House, I’ve made my own projections for the characteristics of the House.  Beyond calculating the party… Read More

Voting on the Coburn Amendment: Distributive or Horse Race Politics?

December 2, 2010
On Tuesday the Senate voted on an amendment sponsored by Tom Coburn of Oklahoma—political science’s favorite senator—that would have placed a temporary moratorium on the practice known as earmarking. … Read More

Post-Election Quick Hit

November 5, 2010
Democrats lost, Republicans gained. Call it what you want: a tsunami, earthquake, or good old voter anger/rage. After being flogged by pundit’s hyper-speculation on what this election “meant,” here are… Read More

How Much do the Election Results Matter?

November 2, 2010
Happy November 2nd.  Evidently, today is election day.  Who knew? If you’re here looking for elections forecasting, you must have mistyped “MonkeyCage,” “Pollster” or “FiveThirtyEight” in your search engine.  But… Read More