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2 - Analysis / Dead Reckoning / Freedom of the Press / Media / Media & Influence / News & Media / Politics / Politics / Politics & Power / Rights and Freedoms

When the Pool Closes, Everyone Gets Out of the Water

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Trump’s ban on CNN, MS NOW and Politico produced the predictable lawsuit. The bigger development came when the five-network presidential TV pool suspended coverage rather than replace CNN — exposing a sharp split between institutional conservative media and parts of Trump’s online media ecosystem.

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2 - Analysis / 2026 Election Cycle / 2026 Elections Cycle / California / Dead Reckoning / Elections / elections / Elections & Democracy / Maryland / Politics / Politics / Politics & Power

Two Coasts, One Ceiling

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Republican candidates Steve Hilton in California and Dan Cox in Maryland face significant polling deficits against their Democratic opponents. Both struggle to convert discontent with incumbents into voter support due to entrenched party identification. While Hilton attempts to distance himself from Trump’s influence, Cox’s strategy lacks the same proactive appeal, limiting his effectiveness.

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2 - Analysis / Dead Reckoning / Political Violence / Politics / Politics

A Year After Kirk: Is the Rate Actually Up, or Is the Coverage Just Louder?

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

A year after Charlie Kirk’s assassination, the numbers show a genuine rise in threats and targeted violence. What they don’t show is an unprecedented era of political bloodshed—or that every high-profile death belongs in the same statistical bucket.

A Year After Kirk: Is the Rate Actually Up, or Is the Coverage Just Louder? Read More
2 - Analysis / Dead Reckoning / Government / Health & Medical / Health Wellness / Health, Policy & Regulation / Politics / Politics / Politics & Power / Public Health

The Forecast Outlives the Fame

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

The article compares two historical figures, Col. Irving P. Krick and Group Capt. James Stagg, who provided competing weather forecasts during WWII. It parallels their experiences to Dr. Anthony Fauci’s recent Senate hearing, exploring the relationship between fame and expertise. Both stories highlight how public perception can overshadow scientific accuracy.

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2 - Analysis / Dead Reckoning / Government / Intelligence & National Security / National Affairs / National News / National Policy / National Security / Politics / Politics

What the Documents Actually Say — And Why Nobody Wanted to Hear It

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Michael Phillips reviews the implications of declassified documents following President Trump’s speech on election security. While some claims in the speech are substantiated, others are exaggerated or misconstrued. The central argument—that China aimed to influence the 2020 election—contradicts intelligence assessments, highlighting discrepancies between presented narratives and actual judgments.

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3 - Investigations / Elections / elections / Elections & Democracy / Government / National Security / National Security & Defense / National Security & Governance / Politics / Politics

The Receipts Behind the Address: What the Declassified Documents Show

- by Michael Phillips - 1 Comment

By Michael Phillips | Riptide President Trump’s Thursday night address on election security came with something rare in American politics: a real-time paper trail. “Tonight, I am announcing the immediate …

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2 - Analysis / Dead Reckoning / Politics / Politics / Sports

The Least Patriotic Thing Said All Week Came From Someone Insisting He Loves His Country

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

This week’s backlash against the U.S. soccer team stems from discontent with FIFA’s processes, particularly regarding player Folarin Balogun. Critics distinguish between opposing a president and rooting against their country, yet some citizens express a desire for America’s defeat as protest. This conflation undermines valid critiques and inadvertently punishes the players.

The Least Patriotic Thing Said All Week Came From Someone Insisting He Loves His Country Read More
2 - Analysis / Campaigns / Constitutional Law / Constitutional Rights / Dead Reckoning / elections / Elections / Elections & Democracy / Money and Finance / Politics / Politics / Supreme Court / Supreme Court

The Stool With Three Broken Legs

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

The Supreme Court recently ruled that political parties can spend unlimited amounts on campaign activities in coordination with candidates, overruling a 25-year precedent. This decision, driven by a majority opinion from Justice Kavanaugh, emphasized that existing regulations already mitigate corruption risks, effectively altering the electoral landscape just months before midterm elections.

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2 - Analysis / Constitutional Law / Constitutional Rights / Dead Reckoning / Government / Immigration / Politics / Politics / Supreme Court / Supreme Court

The Losing Side Won the Afternoon

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Following the Supreme Court’s ruling against Trump’s birthright citizenship executive order, the Republican response was swift and multifaceted. Within hours, actions included a DOJ memo prioritizing prosecutions and multiple proposed bills targeting birth tourism. This rapid shift indicates a strong institutional stance among Republicans, even as public support for birthright citizenship remains high.

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2 - Analysis / Constitutional Law / Constitutional Rights / Dead Reckoning / Judicial / Politics / Politics / Supreme Court / Supreme Court

The Court Keeps Choosing the Same Referee

- by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

The Supreme Court’s recent rulings reflect a trend of deference to political branches over judicial scrutiny. In cases involving federal agency independence and transgender athletes in sports, the Court prioritized legislative judgment over judicial fact-finding. This selective application of judicial restraint raises concerns about consistency in adjudicating contested factual questions across different contexts.

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