State of the Nation

In the third week of November the WP/ABC poll found that 70% of us think the country is on the wrong track. In the last week of October the NBC/WSJ survey found the wrong track number to be 70%. This...

Abortion – The Use of Words

In response to the section on abortion in the October 2013 Watch, a reader in Wyoming sent me an email. I think the relevant portion of her email should be shared: “I love words. I am aware of the power...

The Tea Party

Tea Party favorability is down generally and across Party lines. Yet, given the opportunities of modern media and the low turnout at primaries, their impact continues pretty much unabated. Favorable All 33% 36% 37% 30% Republicans 51 64 62 53...

Action Outside of Washington

Here is an observation from a column by Mathew Dowd that seems to be right on point. “Leadership in the future is going to come more and more from outside Washington. Folks in communities around the country are finding solutions...

President Obama

The public’s grade for the job President Obama is doing (as found by Gallup) is 41% approval/56% disapproval, as of 11/19/13. Of the 5 most recent two-term Presidents at this point in their second term, Obama’s current approval rating is...

The Congress

9% of Americans approve of the way Congress is doing its work. This is the lowest approval rating Gallup has recorded in the 39 years it has been asking this question. The average approval rating of the Congress during that...

Restaurant: La Ferme

Chevy Chase, Maryland: In June 2002 I did a review of La Ferme. Debbie and I went there recently with Rita and Bob, and it struck me that it might be interesting to look back on that review and see what, if anything, had changed.On the whole, not much has changed.

Restaurant: Hill Country Barbecue-Market

Washington, DC: In short, this is not the place for a quick snack.