Michael McKenna
Columns by Michael McKenna
We can’t repeat the mistake Southern states made in 1860
In the election of 1860, Abraham Lincoln won the presidency with 39.8% of the vote, the lowest percentage of any person to be inaugurated president. Published January 13, 2021
U.S. elections are not worth sacrificing one’s ‘personal’ life
Those who lost in November need to accept the loss -- gracefully or otherwise -- and move along. Published January 8, 2021
Biden now owns the government. That should not make him happy
Now that the Senate races in Georgia are pretty much done, let's take a look at who is happy and who is not so happy. Published January 6, 2021
Relief bill mash-up sheds light on bureaucratically broken Congress
A few weeks ago, in a column about how crucial the Georgia runoffs were to a bunch of different things, I may have overstated the importance of those races. Published January 1, 2021
21 predictions for 2021: What to expect next year, from Trump to Taylor Swift’s Grammy
Rather than worry about resolutions, let's think about predictions about what the new year might hold. Published December 30, 2020
California’s corrupted policies drive out residents and companies
California, a state with limitless resources and natural beauty, is sinking. It has the highest rate of adult illiteracy in the United States -- and probably the hemisphere -- with almost one-quarter of the adult population illiterate. Published December 27, 2020
Christ’s birth is much bigger than our everyday problems
In 1816, near the starving and ruined city of Salzburg, Father Joseph Mohr suffered through the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars. In that suffering, he wrote a poem about the nativity of Christ. Published December 23, 2020
AOC is right: Democrats need new leadership
The de facto leader of the Democratic Party on Tuesday was rude enough to point out that soon, probably very soon, the party is going to need new leadership. Published December 18, 2020
Don’t get angry with ‘happy holidays’
Season's greetings! Happy holidays! When one hears those sentiments, it is tempting to respond with an aggressive "Merry Christmas." Published December 16, 2020
Justice Department, attorneys general careless at best, dangerous at worst
Last week, helped along by actions from both sides of the aisle, the republic crept a little closer to the precipice. Published December 13, 2020
Republicans notch big victories in crucial state elections
Perhaps the second most important story in the 2020 elections has been the dominant performance of Republicans at the state level. Published December 9, 2020
What’s at stake in Georgia Senate runoffs
Four weeks and one day from now, voters in Georgia will make the second most consequential decision in this election cycle and most likely send to the Senate either two Republicans or two Democrats. Published December 5, 2020
Lack of third parties may have cost Trump the election
In the wake of every election, people try to twist what happened to fit their narrative. This year was no different. Published December 2, 2020
A new, better Supreme Court makes its debut in New York pandemic case
The new and improved Supreme Court finally premiered last week. It was worth the wait. Published November 28, 2020
Thanksgiving should be about gratitude to our Creator
The first Thanksgiving on American soil may well have occurred in May 1541 near Canyon, Texas, where Father Juan de Padilla said Mass for an army of 1,500 accompanying Spanish conquistador Francisco Vasquez de Coronado. Published November 25, 2020
For distracted Republicans, it’s time to refocus on Georgia Senate races
If you are a Republican, it is time to refocus your time and attention. It is time to refocus on winning the two Senate races in Georgia. Published November 22, 2020
Student-loan bailout violates basic morals: Pay your debts
The federal student loan program is, at its very core, regressive and inequitable, and a loan amnesty will make it even more regressive and inequitable. Published November 18, 2020
RNC should not rubber-stamp Trump’s pick of Ronna McDaniel as chairwoman
The Republicans had a pretty good election cycle, with one material exception. Published November 14, 2020
Political defeats, as well as victories, are temporary in U.S.
In the wake of any electoral defeat, it is tempting for those who voted for the loser -- or non-winner if you want to be gentle -- to spiral a bit into depression and despair. They should not. Published November 11, 2020
Liberal propagandist pollsters predicted blue wave that was never going to happen
One of the recurring themes from the left about the election results is that they lost -- or didn't do as well as they had hoped -- because about half of all Americans are racists or morons or illiterate or just plain bad people. Published November 7, 2020
