Political Wire

Members should sign in for the full experience.

Democratic Mayors Convene After Trump’s Threats

By Leave a Comment

“As President Trump threatens more federal incursions into American cities in the name of fighting crime, a group of Democratic mayors huddled on a private strategy call on Wednesday to discuss their plans to fight back,” the New York Times reports.

“The call, hosted by the Democratic Mayors Association, represented a new effort from Democratic officials to wrest the narrative from Republicans on public safety, an issue that Mr. Trump has effectively used as a cudgel. It was also an attempt to coordinate on messaging as national Democrats have strained to mount sustained and unified opposition to the Trump administration.”

“During the call, the mayors in attendance discussed what they saw as an urgent need for Democrats to define themselves as strong stewards of public safety — before Republicans brand them first ahead of pivotal elections.”

Top Republican Proposes Splitting California In Two

By Leave a Comment

“A top Republican lawmaker in California has presented a longshot resolution to split the state in two as a response to Governor Gavin Newsom’s plan to redraw its congressional maps to favor Democrats,” Bloomberg reports.

“James Gallagher, the Republican leader in the California State Assembly, outlined a proposal to separate 35 GOP-friendly inland counties from coastal Democratic strongholds such as Los Angeles and San Francisco. The proposed new state would have more than 10 million people, he said, although it lacks a name and any visible support from the Democratic-controlled state legislature.”

Janet Mills Appears to Be Leaning Towards Senate Bid

By Leave a Comment

Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) appears to be inching closer to challenging Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) next year but remains unhurried about making a final decision, even as interest in the race intensifies, the Portland Press Herald reports.

Mills was asked again about her future political plans and said she’s “seriously considering” running and could decide as early as November.


You're reading the free version of Political Wire

Upgrade to a paid membership to unlock full access. The process is quick and easy. You can even use Apple Pay.




Republicans Don’t Know Much About Trump’s ‘Crime Bill’

By Leave a Comment

“President Donald Trump is envisioning a sweeping crime bill and billions of dollars in new funding for the nation’s capital. His Republican allies in Congress are largely in the dark on the details,” Politico reports.

“Multiple times this month, Trump has said he’s working on crime legislation with GOP congressional leaders… But Trump’s latest comments have puzzled Republicans, including members of leadership and key congressional committees, who don’t know what ‘comprehensive’ measure the president is talking about.”

Big Majority Oppose Military Aid to Israel

By Leave a Comment

A new Quinnipiac poll finds 60% of voters oppose the United States sending more military aid to Israel for their efforts in the war with Hamas, while 32% support it.

Meanwhile, 50% think Israel is committing genocide based on what they know about the situation in Gaza, while 35% do not think Israel is committing genocide and 15% did not offer an opinion. 

FDA Restricts Covid Shots

By Leave a Comment

“The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved updated Covid vaccines for the fall season that limit who can get the shots, the federal government’s most restrictive policy since the vaccines became available,” the New York Times reports.

“The agency authorized the vaccines for people who are 65 and older, who are known to be more vulnerable to severe illness from Covid. Younger people would only be eligible if they have at least one underlying medical condition that put them at risk for severe disease.”

Eric Adams Apologizes to New Yorkers

By Leave a Comment

“New York City Mayor Eric Adams is saying he’s sorry for the controversy that has surrounded his administration over the past year amid allegations of corruption against the mayor and his associates,” ABC News reports.

Said Adams: “To those New Yorkers who have to pick up their paper and read this headline, all I can say is I’m sorry, and I’m committed to this city.”

Trump Asks Court to Allow Him to Withhold Foreign Aid

By Leave a Comment

“President Donald Trump wants the Supreme Court to decide by Sept. 2 whether the administration must spend billions of dollars in foreign assistance approved by Congress,” USA Today reports.

“In an emergency request filed Aug. 27, the Justice Department asked the Supreme Court to immediately pause a judge’s order that the administration had to spend the money. That includes about $12 billion that needs to be committed by the end of September before the funds expire.”

‘Alligator Alcatraz’ to Be Empty Within Days

By Leave a Comment

“A top Florida official says the controversial state-run immigration detention facility in the Everglades will likely be empty in a matter of days, even as Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration and the federal government fight a judge’s order to shutter the facility dubbed ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ by late October,” the AP reports.

Trump Is Omnipresent

By Leave a Comment

Jonathan Last: “Nothing happens in public life without Trump putting his stamp on it. Cooperstown? Cracker Barrel? The Kennedy Center Honors? Trump has a will to dominate them.”

“He is the living embodiment of the leviathan, the totalized state.”

“No sector of American life exists beyond the reach of this president. There is no private sphere or civil society he feels should be outside his influence or control. There is only the dear leader, whose views must be considered in all matters.”

Not the Republican Party You Thought You Knew

By Leave a Comment

David Frum: “Military patrols in U.S. cities. Police raids on homes of government critics. Mass detentions without due process. Government taking control of private companies. Supply shortages and price increases due to government attacks on free commercial exchange. The government imposing huge fines on media corporations for First Amendment protected speech that displeased the president. Enormous tax increases imposed on Americans without any vote by Congress. Violent convicted criminals released onto the streets because they directed their violence against persons the president targeted as his personal enemies.”

“And all of it done by — and enthusiastically supported by — people who use the language of liberty to justify acts of arbitrary power and economic predation.”

Trump Wants George Soros Charged with Racketeering

By Leave a Comment

President Trump called for billionaire Democrat donor George Soros to face racketeering and corruption charges for supposedly supporting “violent protests” across the U.S., the Financial Times reports.

Said Trump: “Soros, and his group of psychopaths, have caused great damage to our Country! That includes his Crazy, West Coast friends. Be careful, we’re watching you!”

About Political Wire

goddard-bw-snapshotTaegan Goddard is the founder of Political Wire, one of the earliest and most influential political web sites. He also runs Political Job Hunt, Electoral Vote Map and the Political Dictionary.

Goddard spent more than a decade as managing director and chief operating officer of a prominent investment firm in New York City. Previously, he was a policy adviser to a U.S. Senator and Governor.

Goddard is also co-author of You Won - Now What? (Scribner, 1998), a political management book hailed by prominent journalists and politicians from both parties. In addition, Goddard's essays on politics and public policy have appeared in dozens of newspapers across the country.

Goddard earned degrees from Vassar College and Harvard University. He lives in New York with his wife and three sons.

Goddard is the owner of Goddard Media LLC.

Praise for Political Wire

“There are a lot of blogs and news sites claiming to understand politics, but only a few actually do. Political Wire is one of them.”

— Chuck Todd, host of “Meet the Press”

“Concise. Relevant. To the point. Political Wire is the first site I check when I’m looking for the latest political nugget. That pretty much says it all.”

— Stuart Rothenberg, editor of the Rothenberg Political Report

“Political Wire is one of only four or five sites that I check every day and sometimes several times a day, for the latest political news and developments.”

— Charlie Cook, editor of the Cook Political Report

“The big news, delicious tidbits, pearls of wisdom — nicely packaged, constantly updated… What political junkie could ask for more?”

— Larry Sabato, Center for Politics, University of Virginia

“Political Wire is a great, great site.”

— Joe Scarborough, host of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe”

“Taegan Goddard has a knack for digging out political gems that too often get passed over by the mainstream press, and for delivering the latest electoral developments in a sharp, no frills style that makes his Political Wire an addictive blog habit you don’t want to kick.”

— Arianna Huffington, founder of The Huffington Post

“Political Wire is one of the absolute must-read sites in the blogosphere.”

— Glenn Reynolds, founder of Instapundit

“I rely on Taegan Goddard’s Political Wire for straight, fair political news, he gets right to the point. It’s an eagerly anticipated part of my news reading.”

— Craig Newmark, founder of Craigslist.