Election Lore

  • Fact-Checking Misleading Claims on Tariffs

    At the March 11, 2025, White House press briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt made several misleading claims about tariffs, trade, and the U.S. economy. Here’s a quick fact-check: 1. “Tariffs are a tax cut for Americans.” → False. Tariffs are a tax on imports, which U.S. businesses and consumers ultimately pay through higher prices. 2.…

  • Understanding Tariffs: Myths and Realities

    Recent statements—like those from Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary, and comments on Facebook—suggest that many people don’t fully understand what a tariff actually is. At a White House Press Briefing on 3/11/2025, Ms. Leavitt stated: “He’s [President Trump] actually not implementing tax hikes. Tariffs are a tax hike on foreign countries that again, have…

  • Investing in Non-Addictive Painkillers: A Solution to the Fentanyl Crisis

    A Smarter Alternative to Tariffs: Investing in Non-Addictive Painkillers to Undermine the Fentanyl Trade Tariffs on Mexico and Canada are being discussed as a way to pressure their governments into taking stronger action against fentanyl smuggling. While this approach may seem like a tough stance, it could have unintended consequences—crippling legitimate economies, reducing enforcement funding,…

  • Debt Reduction Through Growth: A Smarter Alternative to Austerity

    There’s a Better Way to Reduce Debt Than Austerity The national debt and deficits are real challenges that, if left unchecked, could lead to major economic consequences. However, the approach we’re seeing now—cutting without a clear plan for growth—creates uncertainty and risks slowing the economy. And when the economy shrinks, tax revenues fall, deficits grow,…

  • The Value of AccuracyThe Storm Ahead: What Happens If Weather Forecasts Become Less Accurate?The Value of Accuracy

    Are We Ready for Less Accurate Severe Weather Forecasts? We’ve come to depend on accurate weather forecasts to prepare for hurricanes, tornadoes, and other severe weather events. But with recent budget cuts at NOAA and the National Weather Service, some experts are warning that forecast accuracy may decline—and we aren’t well prepared for surprises. Here’s…

  • Fixing Costs, Not Just Cutting Them: A Smarter Approach to Reduced Spending

    Cost-cutting is not a plan—it’s a reaction. It often ignores the fact that spending exists to solve a real problem. The policy in place may be expensive and ineffective, but simply cutting or trimming it doesn’t make the problem go away—it just ensures we’ll solve it badly again in the future. The real issue isn’t…

  • Gas Prices and Politics: The Market, Not Washington, Calls the Shots

    Think public policy controls gas prices? Think again. Oil producers aren’t waiting on Washington—they’re making decisions based on profits, not politics. There is little incentive for more than a modest increase in oil production. U.S. oil producers are prioritizing capital discipline and shareholder returns over aggressive expansion. The demand for oil and natural gas is…

  • Trump, Ukraine, and Machiavelli: The Cost of Betraying an Ally

    Recent actions and statements by President Donald Trump regarding Ukraine and its President Volodymyr Zelenskyy bring Machiavelli to mind. Machiavelli wrote The Prince in 1532, a treatise on leadership and power. He advised: “A prince ought to inspire fear in such a way that, if he does not win love, he avoids hatred.” Hatred leads…

  • Messaging and Demographics: Part 1

    You may find yourself passionate about one issue or multiple issues. Transforming that passion into a coherent message often involves narrowing or broadening your focus, depending on whether you’re addressing too few or too many concerns. Authenticity is key, but you are building a winning coalition. The essence of candidate coalition building lies in fostering…

  • Using Split Tickets to Build a State Level Party Plan

    Understanding the intricacies of split ticket voting in Georgia’s legislative districts is paramount for crafting effective state party strategies. This phenomenon reflects a diverse electorate willing to transcend party lines based on candidate qualities, policy stances, and local concerns. Such insights are indispensable for parties seeking to navigate the political landscape of the state. The…