Lars Emerson
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Introducing Michael Bartoldus, Our New Director of Technology
The Postrider is pleased to announce that Michael Bartoldus has been hired as our Director of Technology! A self-taught full stack web developer with a passion for linguistics, Michael regularly writes HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP. In his free time, ...
Why We Approach Politics the Way We Do
This week marks our fifth year at The Postrider, so it’s left us a bit nostalgic. Here are some reflections on why we cover politics the way we do and why we hope that makes us unique in the oversaturated world of content.
‘American Dad!’ is the Longest Running Animated Show to Stay This Good for This Long
At some point after age 14, I grew out of Seth MacFarlane’s typical shtick, as everyone should. Yes, there are funny moments in Ted and Family Guy has some good jokes hidden beneath the “bits” so ingrained in American pop ...
When Will We See a Blue Texas?
If the last few elections paint any picture, it's that a blue Texas is probably a matter of when, not if. Even if takes decades for Democrats to build an advantage in the Lone Star State, a win is likely far sooner than you think.
Who Should Host the Party Conventions in 2028? Here Are Five Novel Ideas
Many of America's great cities have yet to host a major party convention. In this piece, our Politics Editor suggests five cities that meet the political needs of the 21st century.
Politics Express: 2024 Republican Primary Draft – DeSantis Joins the Field
Ron DeSantis and Tim Scott enter the race and Lars and Michael hop back in to check on their primary draft! Check out the lineup and trade record here and listen to the discussion happen live in our latest Politics Express episode. ...
What to Make of 2024’s Underwhelming Party Convention Locations
The major political party's conventions in 2024 are underwhelming. One is located in the most popular convention city... the other in the city the other party used four years prior. Does this matter?
We Want YOUR Political Insight!
Do you have strong feelings about the political goings-on in the United States? I bet you do – so please read on! One of my favorite things about The Postrider is that, no matter how broad or narrow this project ...
Politics Express: The Debt Ceiling
Politics Editor Lars Emerson is joined by Chris Choban to discuss the debt ceiling — what it is, why it exists, why it’s dangerous, and how can America get out of the pattern of debt ceiling impasses (yes, the trillion ...
Democrats Shouldn’t Dismiss a Practical Pro-Oil Pivot
Climate change is a serious problem deserving of a radical solution. But a lot of people (and the party's own electoral prospects) will be hurt if Democrats throw the baby out with the bathwater and ignore the role fossil fuels play in any transition.
The Case Against Ron DeSantis
Besides a former president, no other name dominates the 2024 GOP primary chatter more than Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. But his candidacy (and chance of being president) is incredibly inflated -- here's why.
Hoodie Allen Grieves and Grows on “bub”
Last year we checked in on Hoodie Allen, who was just beginning to emerge from a three year hiatus. Be it for personal or public reasons, Hoodie went underground and emerged different. He had struggled with infidelity, a breakup, a ...
There Are Only Six Swing States
Another presidential cycle is looming. As always, a tiny portion of voters in a select few states will decide the president, and these “swing states” will dominate the candidates’ attention, and therefore national attention as well. The idea that only ...
Members of Congress Have a Hard Job, Their Work Ethic is Just Fine
Let's get the controversial stuff out up front: members of Congress are not paid enough, they work far more than headlines indicate, their work/life balance is brutal, and they probably work harder and longer than you do.
The Illusion of the “Empty” Congress
An accurate -- if misunderstood -- critique of Congress is that the House floor and committee meetings are largely empty when business is being conducted.
Opinion | Don’t Credit McCarthy With the New House Rules
We recently ran an opinion piece by Robert Palmer arguing that the rules changes in the House of Representatives for the 118th Congress, which came about due to a change in party control and a tumultuous speaker election, would help ...
Politics Express: 2024 Republican Primary Draft – The Field Doubles in Size!
Nikki Haley enters the race and Lars, Michael, and Chris hop back in to check on their primary draft! Check out the lineup and trades here and listen to the discussion happen live in our latest Politics Express episode. Politics Express on Spotify ...
Biden’s Second State of the Union: What to Glean from a Speech That Changed Nothing
State of the Union addresses in the modern era are – at best – relatively innocuous exercises in American political ritual that occasionally generate memeable moments. At worst, they are useless fulfilments of a “from time to time” constitutional requirement ...
The SALT Deduction is Bad Policy — and Bad Politics
One of the best things that the Republican trifecta in 2017 did was buried in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
Some Democrats are trying to reverse it, despite the fact it is a clear tax cut for the wealthy.
How Long Do White House Chiefs of Staff Tend to Last?
President Joe Biden’s Chief of Staff Ron Klain announced that he’ll be departing from the position in the near future. Just over two years into Biden’s first term, this is by far the largest shakeup of what’s been a remarkably ...
Our Data on Every Member Whose Vote Changed During the House Speaker Saga
If you didn’t watch C-SPAN this week, you missed out. The speaker of the House election turned into some of the most thrilling television on cable news in years. After 15 rounds of voting – the most since before the ...
The Elections to Watch in 2023
The Kentucky governors race may be the most competitive this cycle, but there are a handful of big mayoral elections, two more governors, four state legislatures, and one key state supreme court election this year as well.