Deadline Poet / October 31, 2023

Bullet Dodged

Calvin Trillin
Representative Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) arrives at his office in the Rayburn House Office Building on October 19, 2023, in Washington, D.C.
Representative Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) arrives at his office in the Rayburn House Office Building on October 19, 2023, in Washington, D.C.(Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images)

Jim Jordan’s campaign to be speaker
Quite quickly in caucus fell flat.
Republicans might have gone crazy,
But still not as crazy as that.

Calvin Trillin

Calvin Trillin is The Nation’s “deadline poet.”

More from The Nation

Nutcracker

Nutcracker Nutcracker

Christmas wrath.

OppArt / Kevin Kallaugher

Former Oklahoma senator Fred Harris stands outside his Corrales, New Mexico, home, Friday, July 23, 2004.

Remembering Fred Harris Remembering Fred Harris

1930–2024

Jim Hightower

Enough With the Bad Election Takes!

Enough With the Bad Election Takes! Enough With the Bad Election Takes!

To properly diagnose what went wrong, we need to look at the actual number of votes cast.

Steve Phillips

No, They Couldn’t: In a recent appearance on Pod Save America the consultants who steered the Kamala Harris campaign to defeat still refused to accept any responsibility—or to criticize the candidate.

No, Kamala Harris Staffers Did Not Run a “Flawless” Campaign No, Kamala Harris Staffers Did Not Run a “Flawless” Campaign

Democratic strategists are still patting themselves on the back for a catastrophic defeat.

Jeet Heer

Donald Trump in court for his trial for allegedly covering up hush money payments at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 23, 2024, in New York City.

The Courts, Trump, and Us: A Q&A With David Cole The Courts, Trump, and Us: A Q&A With David Cole

Last time, the courts were an essential checking force on the Trump administration. This time around, they may again provide a check—if we push.

Q&A / Jon Wiener

Congresswoman Barbara Lee on Why Shirley Chisholm Was Right

Congresswoman Barbara Lee on Why Shirley Chisholm Was Right Congresswoman Barbara Lee on Why Shirley Chisholm Was Right

The California Democrat explains why, during her 25 years in Congress, it was important for her “to disrupt and dismantle and build something that’s equitable and just and right.”...

Q&A / John Nichols