Ben Roback: Three weeks into a record shutdown – and no sign of a compromise

The President’s strategy of making a resumption of normal government depend on funding for his wall doesn’t appear to be working.

Lord Ashcroft: America – the mid-terms and beyond

The 2020 race, then, looks wide open and depends on two things outside the President’s direct control.

Ben Roback: The year ahead in Washington – volatility is coming

From Democratic control of the House to the Mueller investigation, Trump faces a challenging 2019.

Michael McManus: We can’t let political theatre remain a liberal echo-chamber

Plays can be a useful pressure valve, and help expose their audiences to other points of view.

Ben Roback: From Presidents 41 to 45 – different backgrounds, different manners, different beliefs, and a different Republican Party

The older Bush was a man of free markets, small government, global engagement…and good manners.

A day to honour George Herbert Walker Bush

This article was originally published on the anniversary of the former President’s election. We re-issue it today as news comes of his death.

Ben Roback: The midterm elections two weeks on – the blue ripple builds momentum

It was an election that had something for everyone. And one that therefore leaves the future uncertain.

Iain Dale: If we had a government with Cox and Balls

Plus: Crouch’s revenge. Islam’s departure. Brexit, May’s prospective deal and Labour’s internal agonies. And: Trumpety-Trump as the President claims victory.

Trump has a genius for portraying the victimhood felt by his supporters

The President is a cut-price Andrew Jackson, a touchy, uneducated, intuitive patriot ready at a moment’s provocation to get into a fight.

Ben Roback. America’s mid-terms. Not so much a blue wave as a blue ripple.

The Republicans made gains in the Senate, the Democrats won back the House – but that’s not enough to give them the stranglehold on Trump that they wanted.

Lord Ashcroft: “I was like, we must pick one of these? But I’m pleasantly surprised.” My pre-election focus groups from California.

Despite his dominance of the national scene, Trump was hardly a consideration for most of our participants when it came to deciding how to vote this week.

Lord Ashcroft: “Why should I change what I think or do so that I can win?” My interview with John Kasich.

The Governor of Ohio won over four million votes in the battle to become the Republican nominee for President two years ago. Will he run again?

Lord Ashcroft: ‘The Democrats feel like the middle ground now, and that’s a bad thing’. My pre-midterm election focus groups from Iowa and Minnesota.

Trump is mostly a factor for his strongest supporters and opponents.

Ben Roback: Trump’s ratings are improving – but the midterm elections could block his legislative agenda

Four key states, three house districts and two top governors’ races to watch as November 8 approaches.

Lord Ashcroft: “We’re no longer Democrat and Republican. We’re socialism against conservatism.” My new pre-midterm election focus groups from America.

Voters seem more divided than ever.