Good morning, it’s Tuesday, Feb. 13. We got a new Super Bowl champion over the weekend, same as the old one. As a lifelong San Francisco 49ers fan, starting when the team still played in venerable Kezar Stadium, I was disappointed. Yet I have many friends and colleagues who root for the Kansas City Chiefs, including our sterling chief copy editor Cathi Warren and RCP’s youngest full-time correspondent Adeline Von Drehle — as well as Greg Orman, one of this morning’s guest columnists. So I’m happy for them.
In that spirit, congratulations to Chiefs owner Clark Hunt — and John Dorsey and Brett Veach, the football executives prescient enough to draft incandescent quarterback Patrick Mahomes. And to head coach Andy Reid who uses Mahomes’ talent so well — and, of course, to the QB himself.
We wouldn’t want to forget Mecole Hardman, who caught the winning touchdown pass in overtime Sunday. Also, kudos to Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift (and the “Swifties” who discovered football this year). And no one should overlook brilliant Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and his crew led by Chris Jones and Trent McDuffie.
But now the calendar turns. To quote the great George Will, it’s time to recite the four most beautiful words in the English language: “Pitchers and catchers report.”
On that note, I’d direct you to RCP’s front page, which contains the latest poll averages, political news and video, and aggregated opinion pieces ranging across the ideological spectrum. We also offer the usual complement of original material from our stable of columnists and contributors:
Schiff, Porter, and Garvey Spar Over Trump, Homelessness, Hamas. Susan Crabtree covers last night’s California debate among the candidates seeking to claim Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s seat in Washington.
The One Border Question Democrats Can’t Answer. Frank Miele suggests that the president’s party isn’t interested in slowing the flow of illegal immigration and won’t listen to the voice of the people.
Higher Education Reform, Civic Thought, and Liberal Education. Peter Berkowitz affirms the importance of teaching traditional principles at all U.S. colleges and universities.
Nikki Haley Walks Line With Trump Criticism. Addie Von Drehle follows the tightrope act of the former South Carolina governor as she faces off against the bombastic and retributive former president.
James Comey Redux: Special Counsel Hur’s Poor Judgment. Lanny Davis submits that a dangerous misstep in 2016 opened the door for last week’s disregard of fundamental fairness and due process.
Border Reform Stalemate Foreshadowed by Hypocrisy of 2007. Greg Orman recalls that this isn’t the first time an immigration bill has been poison-pilled to death for political advantage.
Secret Partnership Fueling Climate Hawk Journalism. Caleb Howe describes the opaque coalition of liberal foundations and elite academia seeking to bring environmental alarmism mainstream.
1924: Another Kind of Election. Garland Tucker and Amity Shlaes look back 100 years at two gentlemen who vied for the office of president with civility and candor.
Medicine Diagnoses “Weathering” as Scourge of the “Oppressed.” In RealClearInvestigations, John Murawski examines the racial hypothesis that the chronic stress of living in an oppressive, white-majority society causes damage at the cellular level and results in shorter lifespans for blacks.
NFL Must Tell CCP That We Are Never, Ever Getting Back Together. At RealClearPolicy, Jared Whitley opines that Taylor Swift and the Chinese government have one thing in common.
Dangerous Gender Gap on Collegiate Campuses. At RealClearEducation, Samuel Abrams writes that today’s male and female students are growing farther apart politically and too many are open to actively silencing those with whom they disagree.
EV That’s Truly Equivalent to Gas Isn’t Coming Soon. Are American consumers willing to make all the necessary compromises? At RealClearScience, Ross Pomeroy predicts the appetite won’t be there for the foreseeable future.
Homeland Security’s China Blunder. Writing for RealClearDefense, Terry Thompson warns that the federal government has erred in contracting with a company with deep ties to Beijing’s leadership.
RealClearPolling Takeaway. This year is shaping up to be unprecedented in many ways as we head toward the November election. You’ll want to stay apprised of the latest polling on issues, candidates, and state races by signing up for this informative weekly newsletter.
Carl M. Cannon
Washington Bureau chief, RealClearPolitics
@CarlCannon (Twitter)
