Beyond the Pod

By the time the votes are counted in November 2026, the political verdict will be instant — even if the meaning isn’t.

My only certainty about the year ahead is uncertainty—at home and abroad. And the politics that will “work” won’t be the politics of restoration.

Every year around this time, many of us lean on a few tried-and-true writing crutches.

As we head into the holidays, I would like to take a moment to thank you for being part of this community, whether you tune in for the politics, the history, the media chatter — or just the La Cheeserie shoutouts — your engagement and thoughtfulness are what keep this space meaningful (and fun).

I set out to write a familiar kind of year-end column — the “what did we learn this year?” exercise.

Why Democrats Keep Picking Fights — and is this the party’s version of “own the libs”? (“Own MAGA”?)

(More than you may realize)

Wishing you and your families a wonderful holiday.

— and Why It Still Tells Us Something About 2028

(Why Trump’s economic reality check could finally break his hold on the GOP)

This week’s likely election of self-described Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani as the next mayor of New York City is about to ignite a larger debate inside the Democratic Party: is this still a capitalist party, or is it preparing to embrace a new economic model — something closer to

Hate the headline or love it — I couldn’t resist.

There’s not a corner of modern life — politics, sports, entertainment, business — untouched by a quiet anxiety over artificial intelligence.

Why fighting Trump isn’t enough

Republicans finally learned their lesson. Democrats may be repeating it — or will these messy public fights help sort things out by 2028?

The Knife’s Edge Between Persuasion and Purity

And The Voters, Not Oligarchs, Will Call the Final Play

Why Anger Pays and Common Ground Gets Punished

Or Risk Political Wilderness

Sometimes You Fight to Show You Still Can