Gail Collins's Blog, page 106

Florida, We Have a Problem

Cutting a federal program is next to impossible because there's usually somebody who cares much more about keeping it than the White House does about making it go away.

Illinois's Daddy Problem

Illinois voters go to the polls Tuesday for primaries in which every candidate is looking to run as an outsider, regardless of family ties.

Another Inconvenient Truth

The Bloomberg rebellion against holding a terror trial in Lower Manhattan fits right into the sour, us-first mood that's settled over the country.

United We Rant

Seldom has a presidential address been delivered when so many Americans are so angry for so many different reasons.

The Lady and the Arlen

If the Democrats are looking for a wake-up call from Massachusetts, the big rooster in the room is the plethora of underwhelming candidates they are fielding.

Democratic Silver Linings

Looking at the bright side, having 60 votes in the Senate could have been more trouble than it was worth. With one less vote, expectations might be more modest.

Lend Me Your Ears

Is national angst causing people to ignore the issues and just react to candidates' personalities?

The 10 Percent Rules

If there was a terror alert code for the special election in Massachusetts to fill Ted Kennedy's senate seat, it would be at orange with yellow tents.

The Wizard With a Bad Plan

Gun control may be seen as a divisive issue, but most can agree that Washington Wizards players should not have displayed handguns in their locker room.

Oh, Byron, We Hardly Knew Ye

Two Democratic senators quitting at the beginning of the New Year is seen as a terrible portent for 2010.