Feature: Capitol Idea

Interested in understanding instead of shouting? Capitol Idea is the political series for you. Capitol Idea originates right in Washington, where Scott Nance has covered Congress and the federal government for more than a decade. Capitol Idea's aim is provide insight and knowledge; it is designed to be much more than just another strident voice in the endless inside-the-beltway spin cycle.

Columnists

Articles in this feature

Subscribe to feature RSS

• It's Time to Nuke Senate Republicans

  President Obama has to strike out to put some political fear back into the obstructionists in the GOP.

  Opinion by Scott Nance — on Dec 09, 2011

• Middle America Tunes Into the OWS Movement

  He's more likely to joke about farts than the Fed, but famed radio host Mike O'Meara proudly defends OWS.

  Opinion by Scott Nance — on Dec 05, 2011

• Walking Into Washington, Protesters Will Be Marching Occupy Into The Future

  When Occupy protesters enter Washington on Tuesday, they'll be marching the movement into a new political future.

  Opinion by Scott Nance — on Nov 21, 2011

• Clinton, Obama, and the Wall Street Fat Cats

  Out with a new book, Bill Clinton complains President Obama has been too tough on Wall Street. The problem is, the former president's still just partying like 1999.

  Opinion by Scott Nance — on Nov 09, 2011

• The Political Issue Uniquely Suited to the Occupy Movement

  A political issue has come along that is as big as Occupy itself; one that is at the core of what animates the movement, and itself would rely on the kind of geographically dispersed support that Occupy represents.

  Opinion by Scott Nance — on Nov 02, 2011

• No Joke: Rick Perry Proves Himself Unfit For The Presidency

  Congratulations, Gov. Perry. In trying to somehow prove Barack Obama isn't a legitimate president, you proved you aren't much of a legitimate candidate.

  Opinion by Scott Nance — on Oct 26, 2011

• Occupy vs the Supercommittee: How the Movement Could Soon Impact the Debate

  Occupy Wall Street could push supercommittee Democrats to stand up more forcefully to Republicans and against any further harmful spending cuts.

  Opinion by Scott Nance — on Oct 19, 2011

• The Demands of Occupy Wall Street Are Clear

  The protesters' agenda is pretty broad, and that alone ought to say something about the overreach of corporate influence in our society.

  Opinion by Scott Nance — on Oct 11, 2011

• Will Obama Get Re-elected? Don't Just Watch The Polls; Instead, Follow The Money

  With a deadline coming Friday, this will be a good time to once again drill down on what the president's fundraising could mean for his re-election prospects.

  Opinion by Scott Nance — on Sep 27, 2011

• In the Outcry Over Troy Davis, Where was the Tea Party?

  With its supposed love of the Constitution and skepticism of government, the tea party should have been in the fight for Davis' life.

  Opinion by Scott Nance — on Sep 22, 2011

• Just Who is Destroying the Institution of Marriage, Exactly?

  A simple 77-year-old man from Indio, Calif. could tell televangelist Pat Robertson what marriage really is all about.

  Opinion by Scott Nance — on Sep 16, 2011

• Angry Liberals

  Rather than apologize, the left needs more angry loudmouths like Teamsters chief Jim Hoffa.

  Opinion by Scott Nance — on Sep 08, 2011

• A Jobs Plan Scorecard

  Use these four criteria to help rate President Obama's new jobs plan.

  Opinion by Scott Nance — on Sep 07, 2011

• Hurricane-Force Politics: Ron Paul Nostalgic For 1900, the Year a Big One Killed 8,000

  How can Ron Paul wax nostalgic for the days when so many died in a hurricane that their bodies were buried at sea? Or when the only government assistance was free whiskey to the men charged with clearing the corpses?

  Opinion by Scott Nance — on Aug 31, 2011

• All the President's Men (and Women): Electing a Cast of Thousands

  We aren't just electing a president; we're electing an entire army to populate the federal government. We ought to think about who these folks might be, and where they come from.

  Opinion by Scott Nance — on Aug 25, 2011

• Rick Perry's No George W. Bush? Oh, Sure, He Is

  To be sure, the two Texans may be poles apart on policy. But, close your eyes and listen to Rick Perry for a few moments and then tell me something doesn't ring awfully familiar.

  Opinion by Scott Nance — on Aug 22, 2011

• Two Liberal Icons That This Lefty Simply Can't Abide

  Enough with the deification of either John Lennon or Frankin Roosevelt. Neither one deserves it.

  Opinion by Scott Nance — on Aug 18, 2011

• Republican Candidates Have But One Opponent: Mitt Romney

  The field of GOP presidential hopefuls has but one task now: drive Mitt Romney out of frontrunner status.

  Opinion by Scott Nance — on Aug 15, 2011

• Stimulus is Not a Four Letter Word

  His economic stimulus plan worked, so why is President Obama afraid to say so? Especially when we need another one.

  Opinion by Scott Nance — on Aug 13, 2011

• London Calling: Will U.S. Riots Follow?

  The causes that The Washington Post traces for the London riots should sound disturbingly familar.

  Opinion by Scott Nance — on Aug 11, 2011