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Jonathan Bernstein

Former Bloomberg Opinion Columnist

Jonathan Bernstein is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering politics. A former professor of political science at the University of Texas at San Antonio, he wrote A Plain Blog About Politics.

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House Lawmakers Work On Continuing Resolution To Fund The Government

Bloomberg Opinion

Five Big Political Questions for 2024

While our attention is focused on the presidential election, a possible government shutdown and other disruptions loom.

December 24, 2023

December 24, 2023

OpinionJonathan Bernstein

Five Big Political Questions for 2024

While our attention is focused on the presidential election, a possible government shutdown and other disruptions loom.

House Lawmakers Work On Continuing Resolution To Fund The Government

December 22, 2023

December 22, 2023

OpinionJonathan Bernstein

Year-End Grade for the 118th Congress: Barely Passing

Lawmakers avoided major disaster, but didn’t accomplish much else.

McCarthy's Fight To Become Speaker Drags Into Fourth Day

December 15, 2023

December 15, 2023

OpinionJonathan Bernstein

House Republicans’ Impeachment Push Is Pure Theater

There’s no evidence to indicate any wrongdoing by the president, yet right-wing members of Congress are determined to peddle their fiction.

Congressional Integrity Project Accuses MAGA Republicans Of Prioritizing An Impeachment Of President Biden Over Other Issues At A Press Event At The United States Capitol

December 10, 2023

December 10, 2023

OpinionJonathan Bernstein

Will Third-Party Candidates Hurt Biden or Trump? It’s Too Soon to Guess

The key is what swing voters will think in September and October when they really start paying attention.

House January 6th Select Committee Holds Its Second Hearing

December 6, 2023

December 6, 2023

OpinionJonathan Bernstein

Republicans Would Rather Seek Ransom Than Compromise on Ukraine

Most GOP lawmakers support aid to Ukraine and Israel, but only on their terms.

Senators Graham And Cornyn Speak During A Press Conference On Title 42 Immigration Policy

December 1, 2023

December 1, 2023

OpinionJonathan Bernstein

What Congress Can Learn From George Santos

Given where the Republican Party is right now, it’s good news that in at least some circumstances they don’t want to be associated with a liar and grifter.

George Santos Holds Press Conference On Capitol Hill Steps

November 29, 2023

November 29, 2023

OpinionJonathan Bernstein

A Special Commission Won’t Fix the Federal Budget Deficit

There’s little evidence Republicans or Democrats consider tackling the nation’s debt a priority.

White House Releases President Obama's Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Plan

November 21, 2023

November 21, 2023

OpinionJonathan Bernstein

Polls Showing Biden Trailing Trump Don’t Mean Much Yet

Simple approval ratings tell us what we need to know.

US-POLITICS-BIDEN-DEMOCRATS-DNC

November 16, 2023

November 16, 2023

OpinionJonathan Bernstein

Tuberville Military Stunt Taints the Entire Senate

While responsibility falls squarely on the Alabama senator and other Republicans, Democrats haven’t handled things well either.

Senate Returns To Work In Final Week Before Summer Recess

November 14, 2023

November 14, 2023

OpinionJonathan Bernstein

The Biden Campaign Needs to Pivot to Marijuana

It’s time the president came out in support of legalizing recreational use of weed, as most Americans do.

President Biden Delivers Remarks On Artificial Intelligence

November 10, 2023

November 10, 2023

OpinionJonathan Bernstein

Democrats Can’t Blame Joe Manchin Anymore

He may have been difficult to deal with but they’re going to miss him when he’s replaced by a Republican.

Senate Energy Committee Hearing On Artificial Intelligence And The Department Of Energy

November 8, 2023

November 8, 2023

OpinionJonathan Bernstein

Republican Problems With Voters Are Clear. Solutions Are Not.

Voters are turning out for abortion rights and aren’t responding to the “anti-woke” agenda favored by Trumpian candidates.

Preparations Ahead Of The Republican Primary Debate

October 26, 2023

October 26, 2023

OpinionJonathan Bernstein

Mike Johnson Will Need a Lot of On-the-Job Training

The new House speaker has a well-deserved reputation as an ideologue, but his new role requires him to be a pragmatist.

Capitol Hill - Washington, DC

October 25, 2023

October 25, 2023

OpinionJonathan Bernstein

Biden’s Political Skills Are Helping Him Get This Crisis Right

The Israel-Hamas war underscores the president’s ability to navigate tensions both at home and abroad.

President Biden Delivers Remarks From The Oval Office On Administration's Response To Foreign Conflicts

October 21, 2023

October 21, 2023

OpinionJonathan Bernstein

House Republicans Are Still a Mess But at Least Jordan Won’t Be Speaker

The fractured and dysfunctional conference stood up to bullying from its radical flank.

US House Speaker Race Grinds On

October 13, 2023

October 13, 2023

OpinionJonathan Bernstein

There's No Quick Fix for GOP Chaos in the House

The Republican fight over leadership is just a sideshow to the real battle: passing crucial spending bills.

House Republicans Unveil Border Security Package

October 6, 2023

October 6, 2023

OpinionJonathan Bernstein

Speaker Jim Jordan Would Mean More Chaos

The Ohio congressman isn’t equipped with the skills House Republicans need to lead them.

House Judiciary Committee On Oversight Of Department Of Homeland Security

October 3, 2023

October 3, 2023

OpinionJonathan Bernstein

McCarthy’s Ouster Highlights Deeper GOP Dysfunction

A small group of radicals used a quirk in the rules to boot a leader who enjoyed the support of the vast majority of the Republican conference.

GOP Leaders Work To Nudge Far-Right Holdouts On Budget Deal

October 2, 2023

October 2, 2023

OpinionJonathan Bernstein

Shutdown Averted. Now What?

The temporary spending package buys House Republicans 45 days to get their act together.

McCarthy's Fight To Become Speaker Drags Into Fourth Day

September 29, 2023

September 29, 2023

OpinionJonathan Bernstein

Republicans Will Lose the Spin War Over the Shutdown

They are finding it hard to settle on a unified message, with some saying they oppose it and others claiming it is necessary.

House Oversight Hearing On Impeachment Inquiry Of President Joseph Biden