Republican discipline keeps members from voting their personal judgments, or representing voters’ views. Rebels risk primary opposition and possible defeat. It used to make sense to support the party one agreed with most, but now Republicans get everything they want when they win, so voters need to agree with everything. Wisconsin and Ohio elected Republicans [...]

He let Congress muddle healthcare, squander most of the stimulus, and extend all the Bush tax cuts. But in choosing a course for Libya, Obama seemed to collect conflicting opinions, then flip the coin himself. Now the War Powers Act gives him an excuse for a face-saving do-over – let Congress cut off funding. But [...]

Congressman Weiner set an example. He apologized for doing something shameful and promised to stop. Now those who signed the Norquist pledge against tax increases, and took the oath of office, should do the same. Defending the constitution on the cheap is just as awkward and adolescent as pursuing sex on Twitter.

Listening to Republicans debate how much blackmail they can get by threatening to destroy the economy shakes my faith in politics. We elected them to put people back to work, but they voted to eliminate abortion, destroy Medicare and reduce taxes on corporations and the rich. Perhaps I’ll find an explanation in a new book [...]