Michael McKenna
Columns by Michael McKenna
Biden presidency would push expensive climate plan
Other than an enormously damaging and historically large tax increase, what else might Joe Biden do if elected president? It's a safe bet that climate and infrastructure are the next stops after tax increases. Published July 19, 2020
Expect huge tax increases and a slumping economy if Joe Biden wins
If there is a President Biden, expect mayhem, confusion, internecine conflict, the largest tax increase in the history of the world and (consequently) a deteriorating economy. Published July 15, 2020
President Trump can win. Here’s how.
Imagining that an incumbent president can run for reelection without reference to the main portion of his record is ridiculous. Voters need to be reminded of the good things that have been accomplished. Otherwise, they remain susceptible to the line of argument from the other side that not much has been done. Published July 11, 2020
Jeff Sessions the stronger candidate in Alabama Senate race
Voters in Alabama will go to the polls Tuesday to select a Republican to challenge Democratic incumbent Sen. Doug Jones. Their choices in this runoff primary are former Sen. Jeff Sessions and Tommy Tuberville. Published July 8, 2020
Republican Party cannot waste opportunity to address roots of ‘systemic racism’
The Republican Party is wasting an opportunity that may not come again for a generation. They have accepted the verdict of the mob that police reform/defunding/whatever is the essential element in addressing everything that can get poured into the phrase "systemic racism." Published July 5, 2020
Doug Collins, not Kelly Loeffler, is GOP’s best Georgia Senate hope
One state that will determine who controls the Senate is Georgia, which is holding two races, one being a special election. It features four-term Rep. Doug Collins trying to defeat newly appointed Sen. Kelly Loeffler and at least five other candidates Published July 1, 2020
Government decisions on masks and gender identity leads to surly, if any, compliance by Americans
When the process of including people in decisions relevant to their lives is short-circuited by authoritarians, it leads by a direct route to discontent, social friction and disharmony. Published June 29, 2020
Presidential election polling not broken, Trump trails Biden
Despite what you hear from some, the polling in the 2020 elections is very likely not broken, biased or wrong. Published June 24, 2020
U.S. treating China like Russia after the Cold War was a big mistake
For the last 30 years, America's policy with respect to China has been wrong. This is not the fault of any particular person or group of people. Rather, it is the shared and terrible failure of Republicans and Democrats, hawks and doves, businesses and think tanks. Published June 22, 2020
In electoral politics, data can be the difference between winning and losing
Data can seem boring. But it is the essential foundation of a campaign, like the guidance system of a plane. If you have no idea where you're going, or how to get there, you will probably wind up hopelessly lost. Published June 17, 2020
Flight from Democratic stronghold cities accelerates
In the wake of this year, American cities are going to experience a reprise of the flight of the middle and upper-middle classes similar to the postwar flight that was accelerated by the destruction and fear of 1968. Published June 15, 2020
Steve Daines vs. Steve Bullock: Signs good in Montana for GOP keeping control of Senate
The re-election effort of Sen. Steve Daines could determine whether the Republicans will retain control of the Senate after 2020. That should probably make you feel better if you are a Republican. Published June 10, 2020
Outdoors Act puts taxpayers on the hook for federal land-buying spree
The Senate this week will take up the Great American Outdoors Act, which would require the federal government to spend at least $900 million each year to increase the already sizable amount of land it owns and controls in the United States. Published June 6, 2020
Polling shows Donald Trump’s window for reelection is closing
Right now, opinion research suggests that the window for victory for President Trump is starting to close. Published June 3, 2020
Nancy Pelosi’s proxy voting designed to dilute power of House rank-and-file lawmakers
Congress is a gathering of people together to solve issues. That cannot and will not be accomplished in the absence of the people of Congress. Published May 31, 2020
The Senate’s fate rests in Donald Trump’s performance in the 2020 election
The bottom line is that if the president wins, especially if he runs as expected in places such as North Carolina, Iowa and Maine, the Republicans probably will hold the Senate. Published May 27, 2020
Donald Trump didn’t win in 2016 by mobilizing white working-class voters
As we careen into the 2020 campaign season, and prepare to endure an endless deluge of chit chat about the presidential election, it might be useful to think about how President Trump won in 2016. Published May 20, 2020