James Ceaser

Partisanship, even in this highly partisan age, should have its limits. This proposition is one that all Americans would endorse. There are certain fundamental values that we all share, like protecting our security and promoting certain basic principles. Compromising these values to gain a . . . . Continue Reading »

Here is something for summer, which appears in this week’s Standard: In a mid-June ritual equivalent to a New Year’s resolution, I annually peruse THE WEEKLY STANDARD’s Summer Reading issue, listing the alluring books I promise to read while tucked away on some remote beach. There . . . . Continue Reading »

Thursday’s Supreme Court decision on Obamacare is a tragic setback to the nascent movement of “political constitutionalism.” For three years, beginning with the emergence of the Tea Party, millions of citizens joined together in trying to settle the broad meaning of the Constitution . . . . Continue Reading »

For pomoconites who are interested in the Constitution, and who have some time, I invite you to read (and comment on) an article I wrote for the CRB, which just appeared. It can be found at (and if I knew how to link it I would):   . . . . Continue Reading »

Last week the UVA Arrow, an alternative student weekly paper here at the University of Virginia, published the following interview (with me!), which I am proud, or at least willing, to bring to your attention. We caught up with Professor Ceaser at his office, legendary for its disorganization, just . . . . Continue Reading »

Peter Lawler once remarked that the only thing worse than the failure of Lockeanism in America would be its complete success. Under the reign of a decent materialism, man’s soul would atrophy as humans focused on their individual pursuit of comfortable well-being. Not surprisingly, this . . . . Continue Reading »

In grading candidates in debates, don’t let’s forget the rhetorical situation. It’s much easier to appear high-minded when no one is attacking you because you don’t count much, politically, for the moment. That would be Rick Santorum. He performed well enough last week, and . . . . Continue Reading »

I just returned from a trip to New Hampshire, where I attended a town meeting with Mitt, at the veteran for foreign wars post in Hudson. Anyone interested in American politics has to have a soft spot for these kind of meetings; they provide a chance to see and judge the candidates “up . . . . Continue Reading »

Let’s begin by stating the positive point for Newt Gingrich. He might not, as Pete Spiliakos says, prove ten foot tall in debate, though he is approaching ten foot wide. But he is quite effective in expressing whatever idea he happens to be developing at the moment. He talks in terms that . . . . Continue Reading »

“Nothing is more killing in politics than boredom.” Newt Gingrich, January 2008 Newt (the irrepressible) hit on something four years ago: closing down the nomination race too early—however much a top contender might prefer that result—is probably not in the best interest of . . . . Continue Reading »