Michael McKenna
Columns by Michael McKenna
Reagan changed the world at 1976 GOP convention
Ronald Reagan, who had just lost a tough primary battle to President Ford, was invited by Mr. Ford to give an impromptu address to the delegates. He responded with the greatest speech in the history of conventions. Published August 19, 2020
Death of the legislative branch: Presidents now make laws
In the wake of President Trump's somewhat aggressive executive orders on payroll taxes and unemployment payments this month, it is probably wise and useful to think about the nature of precedent. Published August 14, 2020
The left’s scorched earth campaign against Susan Collins
Susan Collins is a consequential senator committed to the rule of law. For that reason, she has been targeted by Democrats in this election cycle. Published August 12, 2020
Joe Biden losing momentum by playing prevent defense in presidential race
Mr. Biden has placed himself in a position in which the slightest mistake or hiccup on his part, or the slightest bit of good news for the president may touch off a surge, even a modest one, for the president that may be dispositive. Published August 9, 2020
Portland rioters and Black Lives Matter demand our unconditional surrender
The protesters and their enablers in the media are not interested in intermediate concessions. They are interested in a grand bargain -- you vote for our crew or the disruptions continue indefinitely. That is the real demand. Published August 5, 2020
Why Joe Biden’s vice presidential pick will matter so much
There is a good reason why former Vice President Joe Biden's selection of a running mate has become so freighted with emotion and expectation, and it is not just that the Democratic presidential nominee is not, shall we say, entirely and always there. Published July 31, 2020
Republicans must focus on House control in 2020 elections
If, as is now probable, President Trump loses his campaign for reelection, Republicans will wish that they had paid more attention to the House. Published July 29, 2020
Remember to thank those Americans that choose to run for office
The next time you see a candidate at a train station or bus stop, or knocking on your door, be kind, be gracious. Thank them for their love of country and their willingness to serve. Published July 25, 2020
Progressives must destroy American history to complete their new order revolution
Obviously, most of the rioters in 2020 have not read Voltaire. Most of them were simply settling scores or just bored. Published July 22, 2020
Biden presidency would push expensive climate plan
Other than an enormously damaging and historically large tax increase, what else might Joe Biden do if elected president? It's a safe bet that climate and infrastructure are the next stops after tax increases. Published July 19, 2020
Expect huge tax increases and a slumping economy if Joe Biden wins
If there is a President Biden, expect mayhem, confusion, internecine conflict, the largest tax increase in the history of the world and (consequently) a deteriorating economy. Published July 15, 2020
President Trump can win. Here’s how.
Imagining that an incumbent president can run for reelection without reference to the main portion of his record is ridiculous. Voters need to be reminded of the good things that have been accomplished. Otherwise, they remain susceptible to the line of argument from the other side that not much has been done. Published July 11, 2020
Jeff Sessions the stronger candidate in Alabama Senate race
Voters in Alabama will go to the polls Tuesday to select a Republican to challenge Democratic incumbent Sen. Doug Jones. Their choices in this runoff primary are former Sen. Jeff Sessions and Tommy Tuberville. Published July 8, 2020
Republican Party cannot waste opportunity to address roots of ‘systemic racism’
The Republican Party is wasting an opportunity that may not come again for a generation. They have accepted the verdict of the mob that police reform/defunding/whatever is the essential element in addressing everything that can get poured into the phrase "systemic racism." Published July 5, 2020
Doug Collins, not Kelly Loeffler, is GOP’s best Georgia Senate hope
One state that will determine who controls the Senate is Georgia, which is holding two races, one being a special election. It features four-term Rep. Doug Collins trying to defeat newly appointed Sen. Kelly Loeffler and at least five other candidates Published July 1, 2020
Government decisions on masks and gender identity leads to surly, if any, compliance by Americans
When the process of including people in decisions relevant to their lives is short-circuited by authoritarians, it leads by a direct route to discontent, social friction and disharmony. Published June 29, 2020
Presidential election polling not broken, Trump trails Biden
Despite what you hear from some, the polling in the 2020 elections is very likely not broken, biased or wrong. Published June 24, 2020
U.S. treating China like Russia after the Cold War was a big mistake
For the last 30 years, America's policy with respect to China has been wrong. This is not the fault of any particular person or group of people. Rather, it is the shared and terrible failure of Republicans and Democrats, hawks and doves, businesses and think tanks. Published June 22, 2020
In electoral politics, data can be the difference between winning and losing
Data can seem boring. But it is the essential foundation of a campaign, like the guidance system of a plane. If you have no idea where you're going, or how to get there, you will probably wind up hopelessly lost. Published June 17, 2020
Flight from Democratic stronghold cities accelerates
In the wake of this year, American cities are going to experience a reprise of the flight of the middle and upper-middle classes similar to the postwar flight that was accelerated by the destruction and fear of 1968. Published June 15, 2020
