David M. Drucker

Will Khamenei’s Death Mark the End of the Revolution? The supreme leader clung to a dying movement that made his nation a global pariah and disillusioned his own population | Charlotte Lawson

https://thedispatch.com/article/khamenei-death-iran-strikes-revolution/

Marco Rubio Has a ‘Rainy Day’ Account. What Does That Mean for 2028? The secretary of state has been vocally supportive of J.D. Vance. But some Republicans would prefer him to the vice president.

NEW: @marcorubio.bsky.social Has a ‘Rainy Day’ Account. What Does That Mean for 2028? The secretary of state is vocally supportive of J.D. Vance. But some Republicans would prefer him to the VP. thedispatch.com/article/marc... @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social

YouTube video by ZipTartarWarrior Down goes Frazier, down goes Frazier, down goes Frazier!!!

youtu.be/JZEIMQ42-oU?...

A $266,000 Steer and the Culture of Conflicts in Trump’s Washington What a quarter-million dollar auction bid reveals about the lack of regard for even the appearance of propriety.

LATEST from @michaelrwarren.bsky.social: A $266,000 Steer &the Culture of Conflicts in Trump’s Washington. What a quarter-million dollar auction bid reveals about the lack of regard for even the appearance of propriety. thedispatch.com/article/broo... @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social

A New American Development A short, sad tale of public grief and newfangled Midwestern Jacobinism in the City of Flour and Sawdust.

NEW from Kevin D. Williamson in MINNEAPOLIS: A New American Development. A short, sad tale of public grief and newfangled Midwestern Jacobinism in the City of Flour and Sawdust. thedispatch.com/newsletter/w... @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social

I made a distinction between Epstein and his crimes and other people in the documents about which no crimes have been alleged. And what I said about elected officials is that they're being treated w/ more deference by partisan voters (depending on the pol) than are corporate and other officials.

How the GOP’s Redistricting Effort Could Backfire Democrats responded with their own new maps, and there will be more competitive districts.

NEW: TRUMP's mid-decade redistricting gambit risks going spectacularly bust. thedispatch.com/article/gop-... @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social

"The administration’s rush to malign Alex Pretti was embarrassing—and a blow to the public trust." | Michael Warren

https://thedispatch.com/article/alex-pretti-shooting-trump-administration-response/

John Cornyn's Texas-Sized Primary Challenge Can the traditionally conservative incumbent hold off two challengers?

NEW from EL PASO: Sen. John Cornyn's Texas-sized Primary Challenge. “My race is really going to be a test to see whether a normal, Texas conservative Republican can still get elected in the primary. I think it's important that I win."
thedispatch.com/article/john... @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social

The GOP’s Mamdani Dilemma The party plans to run against the New York mayor’s socialist agenda in the midterms at the same time the president is endorsing left-wing policy proposals.

NEW: The GOP’s Mamdani Dilemma> The party plans to run against the New York mayor’s socialist agenda in the midterms Will TRUMP's embrace of left-wing policy proposals complicate that effort? thedispatch.com/article/repu... @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social

“Street smart” = smart and matters a lot in politics.

My analysis is not based on "if, then." It's based on observation of what I've seen in POTUS's in my lifetime. But also, it fits with the rigors/decisions it takes to get elected president. It's similar to: 'It takes a certain level of intelligence to become a brain surgeon.' Maybe I'm wrong.

Not enough money in that kitty, altho it will have to be part of any grand bargain to address the deficit, should one aver be agreed to.

You earned it, hence, you’re entitled to it. Hence, entitlement.

Appreciate the kind words and the back-and-forth. Disagreement is good. Makes me think. Always here for a counter-view.

My general rule is that you don't get elected POTUS w/out being smart and savvy in some form or another. I think this applies to all presidents elected/reelected in my lifetime (Nixon was in his first term when I was born.) People can be wrong/foolish/immoral/misguided, that's a different thing

Shapiro Is Running in 2026. What About 2028? As the Pennsylvania governor kicks off his reelection campaign, supporters are discussing a potential White House bid.

NEW from PHILLY: For @joshshapiropa.bsky.social,
the pomp of his reelection reveal was a tale of two speeches, a glimpse of his balancing act as gov of crucial swing state & emerging national Democratic leader flirting w/ a 2028 bid. thedispatch.com/article/shap... @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social

“If you are going to apologize for anything ... the thing you should apologize for—about—is what happened during COVID ... We, in the name of science, screwed over the American people when the science couldn’t back it up.” =>>

Rahm Emanuel’s 2028 High-Wire Act Can a Democrat who challenges his own party from the center compete for the nomination?

NEW from LAS VEGAS — On the Road w/ @rahmemanuel.bsky.social. Can a Democrat who challenges his own party from the center-left compete for the nomination? thedispatch.com/article/rahm... @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social

What slack?

"Republicans are 'trying to figure out how much of what the Democrats want that they should be giving them rather than what Republicans want instead.'" Yuval Levin told The Dispatch | John McCormack

https://thedispatch.com/article/republicans-democrats-obamacare/

Democrats Are Thrilled That Trump Will Hit the Midterms Trail The president tried the same strategy in 2018, and the GOP lost the House.

NEW: The White House plans to deploy TRUMP across the country next year to juice Republican turnout & swamp any blue wave that might materialize in 2026. Democrats who intimately recall 2018 are thrilled. The GOP reaction is mixed. thedispatch.com/article/trum... @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social

Opinion | Actually, the Supreme Court Has a Plan

NEW from my colleague @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social Sarah Isgur in the NYT: Actually, the Supreme Court Has a Plan www.nytimes.com/2025/12/05/o...

Will Vice President J.D. Vance Have a 2028 Primary Challenger? There’s a lot more riding on the 2026 midterm elections than the GOP’s congressional majorities.

NEW: Will @jd-vance-1.bsky.social Have a 2028 Primary Challenger? There’s more riding on the 2026 midterm elections than the GOP’s congressional majorities. thedispatch.com/article/vanc... @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social

Tastes great (actually.) Unfortunately, it’s not less filling. Happy 🦃

Democrats Test the Waters on Free Trade The issue is fraught for the party, but lawmakers and 2028 hopefuls are increasingly critical of President Trump’s tariffs.

NEW: The Democratic Party is gingerly shedding its hostility to free trade, responding to voters who are growing suspicious of tariffs & pleading for relief from TRUMP’s import taxes. ⁦ thedispatch.com/article/demo... @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social

‘We Cannot Just Play Defense’ Elissa Slotkin says the Democratic Party needs new leaders and a plan. The Michigan senator is volunteering herself for both.

NEW from KANSAS: 'We Cannot Just Play Defense.' @slotkin.senate.gov says the Democratic Party needs fresh leaders and a 'Project 2029.' The freshman Michigan senator is volunteering to deliver both. thedispatch.com/article/slot... @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social

Democrats Get the 2024 Monkey Off Their Backs But key divisions and choices remain that will determine Democrats’ fate in 2026 and 2028.

NEW from NEW JERSEY: Democrats Get the 2024 Monkey Off Their Backs. But key divisions and choices remain that will determine Democrats’ fate in 2026 and 2028. thedispatch.com/article/sher... @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social

I don't tell you what to think. I do tell you broadly what voters, broadly and generally speaking, are thinking. Doesn't mean every voter fits that generalization.

I never said Trump was good for the economy. I said voters recalled Trump's first-term economy fondly. That's true -- voters thought that, *pre-COVID*, the economy in Trump's first term was good. That's accurate. But regardless of what I think, it's what voters think. Why they voted for him in '24