Editorials
The Bulwark — The Echoes of 1800 in the 2024 Election
This year’s momentous vote strangely resembles one of the most consequential elections in American history.
TIME — Foreign Policy Issues Don’t Often Decide U.S. Elections. This Year Could Be Different.
This divide between the parties has occurred once before and influenced the outcome of a presidential election. Over two centuries ago, the first two political parties in America declared their loyalties to warring foreign nations with dramatic electoral consequences.
Wall Street Journal — Five Best: Presidential Biographies
Selected by Lindsay M. Chervinsky, the author, most recently, of 'Making the Presidency: John Adams and the Precedent That Forged the Republic.'
The Bulwark — Joe Biden and the Art of the Presidential Farewell
Plus: How George Washington almost ruined his own exit from the national stage.
The Bulwark — What History Tells Us Might Happen to the Republican Party
The signs that precede the crumbling of American political parties and the creation of new ones.
Washington Monthly — From Abigail Adams to Jill Biden, We’ve been Arguing about First Ladies since 1787
As the president’s family discusses his future, it’s a good time to remember the important roles first ladies have played and the criticism they’ve often faced.
Newsweek — A Different Type of July 4 Anniversary
On July 4, 1798, the United States Senate passed a sedition law that made it illegal to criticize the Federalist administration or their allies in Congress. Today, the nation once again faces the threat of persecution for political speech.
Listening to America — The Age of Acrimony
Lindsay Chervinsky reviews The Age of Acrimony: How Americans Fought to Fix Their Democracy, 1865-1915, “…the dirty tale of how democracy got clean” by Jon Grinspan
The Bulwark — Committing to Democracy
Lessons from the life of Lincoln — a review of Allen C. Guelzo’s ‘Our Ancient Faith.’
Trend & Tradition Magazine — Privilege and Responsibility
James Madison’s vision of civic participation.
Washington Monthly — Trump and the Republican War on the Civil Service
James Garfield’s assassination led to the end of the spoils system. Today’s GOP wants to take us back.
The Bulwark — What It Takes to ‘Preserve, Protect and Defend’ the Constitution
This Constitution Day, don’t forget about the importance of norms- and how hard it can be to restore them.
The Bulwark — How We Say Goodbye to Our Presidents
Jimmy Carter’s pending funeral is an opportunity to reconsider the official ceremonies honoring our late presidents.
The Bulwark — President’s Day Is a Weird Holiday. It Has Been Since the Beginning.
How should a republic honor its leaders?
Washington Monthly — How We Mourn Our Presidents
An anticipated new collection shows that when the nation buries a current or former president, it reveals much about America at the moment of their passing.
Washington Monthly — Easy on the Doomscrolling: Two Years After January 6, There Are Reasons to Be Hopeful
A firm accounting of what happened and prosecution of the perpetrators are part of the good news.
The Wall Street Journal — ‘The Peaceful Transfer of Power’ Review: How to Pass a Baton
The chief executive sets the tone for a transition, but its execution depends on civil servants committed to the institution of the presidency.