There is no such thing as political science, but there are tenancies so strong that they might as well be called laws of nature.

One of the litmus tests for judicial conservatism is the idea of judicial restraint - that courts should give substantial deference to the decisions of the political process. When Congress and the president enact a law, conservatives generally say, judges should avoid 'legislating from the bench.'

In another life, before taking the veil of journalistic purity, I practiced the black arts of a political operative, including 'debate prep.'

There is something discordant about a team of speechwriters and political operatives hammering away to create an image of the 'real, inner' candidate. And, to be blunt, there is no necessary connection between a moving life experience and the skills necessary for leadership.

Probability theory is nothing more than common sense reduced to calculation. -1819

In practical life we are compelled to follow what is most probable ; in speculative thought we are compelled to follow truth.