Very Serious

Home
Podcast
Notes
The Mayonnaise Clinic
Archive
About
Does RFK Jr. Really Hurt Biden or Trump More?
To a large extent, that's up to Trump and Biden themselves, and there's reason to think Biden can gain more advantage than polls suggest now
 • 
Josh Barro
22
Keep the Pressure on Sotomayor to Retire
Some New York politicians are circling the wagons around her, but their arguments for her to stay on the court are unconvincing.
 • 
Josh Barro
24
When Will Interest Rates Make Voters Care About Deficits Again?
In the 1990s, voters understood that the federal budget deficit was costing them, personally. That economic situation has returned, but awareness…
 • 
Josh Barro
25

March 2024

The Policy Stakes in this Election Are High
The outcome of this dull election will nonetheless have large effects on what the government does to and for us. Here are some effects I foresee.
 • 
Josh Barro
30
Eight Thoughts on the State of the Union
Quite a good speech that addressed several of the president's political problems — but not his biggest one.
 • 
Josh Barro
21
Sonia Sotomayor Must Retire
Democrats are distressed about the conservative court, but not ruthless enough to tell the aging justice to step down in time to avoid shifting the…
 • 
Josh Barro
31

February 2024

Democrats Are Still Better Off With Joe Biden
His best option on the "age issue" is to demonstrate firmly that he's in charge. Immigration provides an opportunity.
 • 
Josh Barro
18
The Economy Is Good Again
Will the president get credit for it? He needs to get out there and take credit — and that means doing more press.
 • 
Josh Barro
16
Why Does Taylor Swift Make People Insane?
MAGA fans are the latest group to experience Taylor Swift-related psychosis. But they're hardly the first.
 • 
Josh Barro
14

January 2024

The Stupidest Election of My Lifetime
Many Americans are paying so little attention they can't even believe the candidates will be Trump and Biden. I can hardly blame them.
 • 
Josh Barro
52
Congress Needs to Add Deficit Reduction to Its Priority List
A bipartisan plan to end the wasteful Employee Retention Credit program will save $70 billion. Why are lawmakers planning to spend the money on new…
 • 
Josh Barro
7
Universities Are Not on the Level
Academics should think more about what their industry has done to lose the trust of Americans
 • 
Josh Barro
89
© 2024 Very Serious Media, LLC
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start WritingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture