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Michael McKenna

Michael McKenna

Michael McKenna, a columnist for The Washington Times, is the president of MWR Strategies. He was most recently a deputy assistant to the president and deputy director of the Office of Legislative Affairs at the White House. He can be reached at mike@mwrstrat.com.

Columns by Michael McKenna

President Joe Biden meets with President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Biden wanted Trump to win

In all the propaganda offered by both sides about the recent election, two landscape features seem obvious. Published November 20, 2024

Patrick Buchanan illustration by Greg Groesch / The Washington Times

Patrick Buchanan, first champion of America First agenda

Were it not for Patrick Buchanan, Donald Trump would not have twice been elected president and we would not be trying to tease out the merits and demerits of his nominees in the middle of November. Published November 15, 2024

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at an election night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Three important takeaways from the election

As always, the commentariat has expended a lot of intellectual firepower examining the election results from every possible angle. As usual, most of that has been a waste of time. Published November 8, 2024

This combination of photos shows Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump, left, speaking at a campaign event Sept. 25, 2024, in Mint Hill, N.C., and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, right, speaking a campaign event Oct. 19, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo)

Whether your candidate won or lost, get over it

In the wake of any electoral setback, it is tempting for those who voted for the losers to spiral into depression and despair. Similarly, winners usually get carried away and interpret the results as a mandate to do whatever they want. Both should resist those impulses. Published November 6, 2024

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at PPL Center, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024, in Allentown, Pa. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

If Trump wins next week, speed will be of the essence

The shambolic, wandering and vituperative remarks from Vice President Kamala Harris in Tuesday's closing argument were, of course, more like a typically dreadful State of the Union address. Published October 30, 2024

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at Williams Arena at Mignes Coliseum, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Greenville, N.C. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Trump will win

As we approach the end of an election cycle, it is probably time to make some predictions. I have two to offer. Published October 23, 2024

Taylor Swift vs. Elon Musk and news media bias illustration by Greg Groesch / The Washington Times

Taylor Swift vs. Elon Musk

Courtesy of "Monday Night Football," we got to enjoy yet another victory by the Kansas City Chiefs, and yes, even more shots of Taylor Swift and her entourage. Published October 13, 2024

Innovative Recycling with Plastic Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

We finally have a way to recycle plastic: California wants to destroy it

The leaders of our nation's largest and wealthiest state have moved decisively against the real problem facing our country: Those who recycle plastics may not be doing it in a way that completely fits the disordered, obsessive-compulsive worldview of California bureaucrats. Published October 9, 2024

Illustration on the problem of Social Security and Medicare entitlements by Linas Garsys/The Washington Times

Federal government encouraging dependence is a terrible policy

The Economic Innovation Group recently issued a report that makes a pretty conclusive case that a large and growing percentage of the population gets a significant portion of its income from government transfers. Published October 2, 2024

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris greets members of the U.S. Border Patrol as she visits the U.S. border with Mexico in Douglas, Ariz., Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Politicians think we’re stupid

A friend has contended for several years that politicians think we are stupid. I have routinely resisted that, but recent events are causing me to reassess my resistance. Published September 28, 2024

In this combination of photos taken in Pennsylvania, Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign event, Aug. 18, 2024, in Rochester, left, and Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event, Aug. 19, 2024, in York. (AP Photo)

Can Harris or Trump stop the killing in Ukraine and Middle East?

I was recently part of a conversation about the election with a crew from finance land, and the question arose, what Donald Trump's plan is to "solve" the war between Ukraine and Russia should he return to the White House. Published September 25, 2024