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

Illustration on managing data by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

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

People clean up burned businesses on Saturday, May 30, 2020, after a night of fires and looting following the death of George Floyd. (Associated Press) ** FILE **

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

In this May 10, 2018, file photo, Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., asks a question during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

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

An offshore oil platform in the Santa Barbara Channel, CA

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

Hillary Clinton (Associated Press)

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

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, May 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) ** FILE **

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

Chairman Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., speaks as the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee meets on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, May 20, 2020, to issue a subpoena Blue Star Strategies. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) ** FILE **

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

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, left, stands with Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton before the first presidential debate at Hofstra University, Monday, Sept. 26, 2016, in Hempstead, N.Y. (AP Photo/ Evan Vucci)

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