Paul Kane
@pkcapitol.bsky.social
Covering the Capitol & its occupants for decades. Love all things Philly sports.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/paul-kane/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/paul-kane/
An important must read from my colleagues:
Robert E Lee’s statue got ejected from Capitol Crypt 5 years ago. Today Virginia replaced the Confederate with Barbara Rose Johns, who at 16 led protest that helped spur Brown v Board of Ed in 1953.
Amazing.
www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
Robert E Lee’s statue got ejected from Capitol Crypt 5 years ago. Today Virginia replaced the Confederate with Barbara Rose Johns, who at 16 led protest that helped spur Brown v Board of Ed in 1953.
Amazing.
www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
Statue of Black teen who fought segregation replaces Robert E. Lee at U.S. Capitol
Barbara Rose Johns was only 16 when she led a walkout in 1951 to protest horrendous conditions at her segregated high school for Black students in rural Farmville, Virginia.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 17, 2025 at 12:14 AM
An important must read from my colleagues:
Robert E Lee’s statue got ejected from Capitol Crypt 5 years ago. Today Virginia replaced the Confederate with Barbara Rose Johns, who at 16 led protest that helped spur Brown v Board of Ed in 1953.
Amazing.
www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
Robert E Lee’s statue got ejected from Capitol Crypt 5 years ago. Today Virginia replaced the Confederate with Barbara Rose Johns, who at 16 led protest that helped spur Brown v Board of Ed in 1953.
Amazing.
www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
How anger has become a defining characteristic of voters for party out of power, and how Dems are more angry than either party’s voters have been.
Amazing @pewresearch.org look at 3 decades of voter attitudes.
Appears 2006-08 was pivot point.
My column.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Amazing @pewresearch.org look at 3 decades of voter attitudes.
Appears 2006-08 was pivot point.
My column.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Column | Anger is a defining character trait for both parties, new study shows
An updated Pew study shows that, with the change in administrations and party power in Congress, Democrats are now at record levels of anger toward government.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 6, 2025 at 3:27 PM
How anger has become a defining characteristic of voters for party out of power, and how Dems are more angry than either party’s voters have been.
Amazing @pewresearch.org look at 3 decades of voter attitudes.
Appears 2006-08 was pivot point.
My column.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Amazing @pewresearch.org look at 3 decades of voter attitudes.
Appears 2006-08 was pivot point.
My column.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
This was a pretty wild exchange I had with Sen. Kennedy denying the reality of even Trump's own press secretary confirming the facts as my WaPo colleagues reported.
The Trump WH dispute is merely over whether the 2nd strike was legal. Yet a GOP senator denied even that reality.
The Trump WH dispute is merely over whether the 2nd strike was legal. Yet a GOP senator denied even that reality.
December 2, 2025 at 10:41 PM
This was a pretty wild exchange I had with Sen. Kennedy denying the reality of even Trump's own press secretary confirming the facts as my WaPo colleagues reported.
The Trump WH dispute is merely over whether the 2nd strike was legal. Yet a GOP senator denied even that reality.
The Trump WH dispute is merely over whether the 2nd strike was legal. Yet a GOP senator denied even that reality.
I’ve seen lotsa House speaker & Senate leader types with their own swag. Some of it quite sharp looking.
I’ve never seen a House speaker wearing swag that was more heavily promoting the president than his own team brand.
Photo from @notus.com
I’ve never seen a House speaker wearing swag that was more heavily promoting the president than his own team brand.
Photo from @notus.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:35 PM
I’ve seen lotsa House speaker & Senate leader types with their own swag. Some of it quite sharp looking.
I’ve never seen a House speaker wearing swag that was more heavily promoting the president than his own team brand.
Photo from @notus.com
I’ve never seen a House speaker wearing swag that was more heavily promoting the president than his own team brand.
Photo from @notus.com
Meet the author who coined a 4-word rejoinder to MAGA that’s embraced by @hakeem-jeffries.bsky.social
“There’s something unifying when we are asked to do something together, and building a strong floor, no ceiling is just like that,” Oliver Libby tells me.
He’s not a consultant or pollster. ….
“There’s something unifying when we are asked to do something together, and building a strong floor, no ceiling is just like that,” Oliver Libby tells me.
He’s not a consultant or pollster. ….
November 30, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Meet the author who coined a 4-word rejoinder to MAGA that’s embraced by @hakeem-jeffries.bsky.social
“There’s something unifying when we are asked to do something together, and building a strong floor, no ceiling is just like that,” Oliver Libby tells me.
He’s not a consultant or pollster. ….
“There’s something unifying when we are asked to do something together, and building a strong floor, no ceiling is just like that,” Oliver Libby tells me.
He’s not a consultant or pollster. ….
Six-year-itch midterms are funky. There’s usually only a little change for presidents in the House - but the Senate turns into a massive dumpster fire.
In 2006, Dems +6 included 4 states W had won twice; in ‘14 Rs +9 included 3 Obama ‘08 states.
2026?
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
In 2006, Dems +6 included 4 states W had won twice; in ‘14 Rs +9 included 3 Obama ‘08 states.
2026?
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
November 23, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Six-year-itch midterms are funky. There’s usually only a little change for presidents in the House - but the Senate turns into a massive dumpster fire.
In 2006, Dems +6 included 4 states W had won twice; in ‘14 Rs +9 included 3 Obama ‘08 states.
2026?
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
In 2006, Dems +6 included 4 states W had won twice; in ‘14 Rs +9 included 3 Obama ‘08 states.
2026?
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Paul Kane
Why you should always, always read @pkcapitol.bsky.social capitol (I may be saying this a lot over the next year) -- It’s called the ‘six-year itch.’ Democrats hope it favors them for the Senate. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Column | It’s called the ‘six-year itch.’ Democrats hope it favors them for the Senate.
The sixth year of a presidency typically produces brutal results for his party in Senate races, but everything about Trump is unconventional.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 22, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Why you should always, always read @pkcapitol.bsky.social capitol (I may be saying this a lot over the next year) -- It’s called the ‘six-year itch.’ Democrats hope it favors them for the Senate. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
"The brutality of Jamal’s murder, reported to be on orders of the Crown Prince … the extensive Saudi efforts to cover it up … and our government’s apparent willingness to accept these repeated lies … "
- Fred Ryan, publisher of Washington Post, Jan. 10, 2019
1/
....
- Fred Ryan, publisher of Washington Post, Jan. 10, 2019
1/
....
November 18, 2025 at 6:40 PM
"The brutality of Jamal’s murder, reported to be on orders of the Crown Prince … the extensive Saudi efforts to cover it up … and our government’s apparent willingness to accept these repeated lies … "
- Fred Ryan, publisher of Washington Post, Jan. 10, 2019
1/
....
- Fred Ryan, publisher of Washington Post, Jan. 10, 2019
1/
....
The ultimate tribute to @pelosi.house.gov may be, more than 3 years after announcing she was leaving leadership, the same week she announced she’s retiring, the NRCC is still pumping out fundraising emails invoking her name.
She wore the GOP hatred of her as a badge of honor.
O
She wore the GOP hatred of her as a badge of honor.
O
November 13, 2025 at 3:59 PM
The ultimate tribute to @pelosi.house.gov may be, more than 3 years after announcing she was leaving leadership, the same week she announced she’s retiring, the NRCC is still pumping out fundraising emails invoking her name.
She wore the GOP hatred of her as a badge of honor.
O
She wore the GOP hatred of her as a badge of honor.
O
The internet version of @pelosi.house.gov is she was always a powerhouse icon.
Not so.
She spent 8 long years between passing ACA & flashing her shades at Trump.
It was a formative time, a struggle that tested the caucus. And she became better as Speaker 2.0
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Not so.
She spent 8 long years between passing ACA & flashing her shades at Trump.
It was a formative time, a struggle that tested the caucus. And she became better as Speaker 2.0
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Column | How Pelosi got her groove back: Fighting with Trump
The Democrat spent eight years in the wilderness of House minority, but her Trump clashes returned her to icon status.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 8, 2025 at 5:37 PM
The internet version of @pelosi.house.gov is she was always a powerhouse icon.
Not so.
She spent 8 long years between passing ACA & flashing her shades at Trump.
It was a formative time, a struggle that tested the caucus. And she became better as Speaker 2.0
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Not so.
She spent 8 long years between passing ACA & flashing her shades at Trump.
It was a formative time, a struggle that tested the caucus. And she became better as Speaker 2.0
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Yup. A judge can swear @adelitaforcongress.bsky.social in to Congress. But Congress first has to vote to allow it to happen. Click thru hear and watch Grijalva explain it in a nice smart, concise video.
Today, I learned from @pkcapitol.bsky.social that a federal judge can swear in a Representative, but it still requires an act of Congress to authorize them to do so.
s2.washingtonpost.com/camp-rw/?tra...
Speaker Johnson continues to keep the House out of session during the longest shutdown ever.
s2.washingtonpost.com/camp-rw/?tra...
Speaker Johnson continues to keep the House out of session during the longest shutdown ever.
The 7: Why Arizona is missing a member of Congress — your questions, answered
s2.washingtonpost.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Yup. A judge can swear @adelitaforcongress.bsky.social in to Congress. But Congress first has to vote to allow it to happen. Click thru hear and watch Grijalva explain it in a nice smart, concise video.
Broader media is picking up on a theme that JMart at Politico & me have been harping on for months: Trump doesn’t really do much aside from holding court (usually while sitting down) with WH press.
JMart nails it here with Trump doing nothing on CA referendum:
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
JMart nails it here with Trump doing nothing on CA referendum:
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
November 1, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Broader media is picking up on a theme that JMart at Politico & me have been harping on for months: Trump doesn’t really do much aside from holding court (usually while sitting down) with WH press.
JMart nails it here with Trump doing nothing on CA referendum:
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
JMart nails it here with Trump doing nothing on CA referendum:
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
There’s been so much noise in House redistricting wars.
My weekend column pulls back & looks at broad outlines via @cookpolitical.com & @rubashkin.bsky.social:
Rs likely gain is 6-9 seats.
If this is '20-'22-'24, that can help. But if '26 reverts to normal midterm, that’s lipstick on a pig ...
My weekend column pulls back & looks at broad outlines via @cookpolitical.com & @rubashkin.bsky.social:
Rs likely gain is 6-9 seats.
If this is '20-'22-'24, that can help. But if '26 reverts to normal midterm, that’s lipstick on a pig ...
October 25, 2025 at 6:09 PM
There’s been so much noise in House redistricting wars.
My weekend column pulls back & looks at broad outlines via @cookpolitical.com & @rubashkin.bsky.social:
Rs likely gain is 6-9 seats.
If this is '20-'22-'24, that can help. But if '26 reverts to normal midterm, that’s lipstick on a pig ...
My weekend column pulls back & looks at broad outlines via @cookpolitical.com & @rubashkin.bsky.social:
Rs likely gain is 6-9 seats.
If this is '20-'22-'24, that can help. But if '26 reverts to normal midterm, that’s lipstick on a pig ...
The strangest twist of No Kings rally, in build up inside the Capitol, is that Republicans can’t stop talking about it.
For two straight weeks they’ve hyped it. Calling it the “Hate America rally”.
Dems hardly mention it.
Not sure what it will look like but Rs set high expectation of mass chaos.
For two straight weeks they’ve hyped it. Calling it the “Hate America rally”.
Dems hardly mention it.
Not sure what it will look like but Rs set high expectation of mass chaos.
October 17, 2025 at 2:13 PM
The strangest twist of No Kings rally, in build up inside the Capitol, is that Republicans can’t stop talking about it.
For two straight weeks they’ve hyped it. Calling it the “Hate America rally”.
Dems hardly mention it.
Not sure what it will look like but Rs set high expectation of mass chaos.
For two straight weeks they’ve hyped it. Calling it the “Hate America rally”.
Dems hardly mention it.
Not sure what it will look like but Rs set high expectation of mass chaos.
Longtime R & D senators say this shutdown is unlike any other:
“There’s less argument about things to fight about" and oddly "the least intensity about getting it resolved."
Senate out till Tues night, House gone since Sept. 19.
Nothing like fury of 2013/19.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
“There’s less argument about things to fight about" and oddly "the least intensity about getting it resolved."
Senate out till Tues night, House gone since Sept. 19.
Nothing like fury of 2013/19.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Column | The ‘least intensity’ shutdown ever and why it could go on longer
Veterans of shutdowns of the past 30 years say there’s little passion, among lawmakers and constituents, over this shutdown.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 11, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Longtime R & D senators say this shutdown is unlike any other:
“There’s less argument about things to fight about" and oddly "the least intensity about getting it resolved."
Senate out till Tues night, House gone since Sept. 19.
Nothing like fury of 2013/19.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
“There’s less argument about things to fight about" and oddly "the least intensity about getting it resolved."
Senate out till Tues night, House gone since Sept. 19.
Nothing like fury of 2013/19.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Any time someone as high and mighty as a House speaker joins @cspanwj.bsky.social and takes calls, all I think of is “President Jimmy Carter” talking that kid down off a bad trip, telling him to listen to the Allmans.
www.instagram.com/reel/DKxEcj8...
www.instagram.com/reel/DKxEcj8...
psychedelicarchives on Instagram: "In this 1977 SNL sketch, Dan Aykroyd’s Jimmy Carter takes a live call from a teenager tripping on LSD—and calmly walks him through …"
In this 1977 SNL sketch, Dan Aykroyd’s Jimmy Carter takes a live call from a teenager tripping on LSD—and calmly walks him through it like a seasoned psychonaut.The sketch aired during Season 2 and captured the hilarious intersection of politics, parody, and psychedelic panic. Long before “harm reduction” was part of the cultural lexicon, Carter’s character offers grounded, compassionate advice to the distressed caller.And to top it off, the President displayed an impeccable taste in southern psychedelic rock.Source: Saturday Night Live.
www.instagram.com
October 9, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Any time someone as high and mighty as a House speaker joins @cspanwj.bsky.social and takes calls, all I think of is “President Jimmy Carter” talking that kid down off a bad trip, telling him to listen to the Allmans.
www.instagram.com/reel/DKxEcj8...
www.instagram.com/reel/DKxEcj8...
Don’t expect the shutdown to end soon with Dems caving. Not with polls like our WaPo version showing the public blames Trump and Rs for this by 17 points.
17!
(Caveat: let’s see over next couple days what other polls show.)
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
17!
(Caveat: let’s see over next couple days what other polls show.)
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
We asked 1,000 Americans who is to blame for the shutdown. Here’s what they said.
More Americans blame Trump and Republicans than Democrats for shutdown, poll finds.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 2, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Don’t expect the shutdown to end soon with Dems caving. Not with polls like our WaPo version showing the public blames Trump and Rs for this by 17 points.
17!
(Caveat: let’s see over next couple days what other polls show.)
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
17!
(Caveat: let’s see over next couple days what other polls show.)
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
Copy editing is so essential to what we do. For many, many weekend PKCap columns, I’ve been blessed to have Kathryn Wenner catching my mistakes.
She retired yesterday, my column one of her last edits. It was my privilege. And yes, she fixed a few things.
What a career.
t.co/D8wxHj4Wb6
She retired yesterday, my column one of her last edits. It was my privilege. And yes, she fixed a few things.
What a career.
t.co/D8wxHj4Wb6
https://merrill.umd.edu/directory/kathryn-s-wenner
t.co
September 21, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Copy editing is so essential to what we do. For many, many weekend PKCap columns, I’ve been blessed to have Kathryn Wenner catching my mistakes.
She retired yesterday, my column one of her last edits. It was my privilege. And yes, she fixed a few things.
What a career.
t.co/D8wxHj4Wb6
She retired yesterday, my column one of her last edits. It was my privilege. And yes, she fixed a few things.
What a career.
t.co/D8wxHj4Wb6
Epstein discharge petition still sits at 217, one shy of Magic Number, which begins to force vote.
Johnson adjourned House until at least Oct 1 - motive might not be just CR/shutdown showdown.
On Tuesday Grijalva will win her father’s seat in AZ special.
He wants to delay signature No 218.
Johnson adjourned House until at least Oct 1 - motive might not be just CR/shutdown showdown.
On Tuesday Grijalva will win her father’s seat in AZ special.
He wants to delay signature No 218.
September 19, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Epstein discharge petition still sits at 217, one shy of Magic Number, which begins to force vote.
Johnson adjourned House until at least Oct 1 - motive might not be just CR/shutdown showdown.
On Tuesday Grijalva will win her father’s seat in AZ special.
He wants to delay signature No 218.
Johnson adjourned House until at least Oct 1 - motive might not be just CR/shutdown showdown.
On Tuesday Grijalva will win her father’s seat in AZ special.
He wants to delay signature No 218.
Weekend @PKCapitol column: The missing man from GOP’s sales pitch for their proclaimed Big Beautiful Bill:
Donald Trump.
Since signing bill July 4, Trump hasn’t traveled outside DC for event promoting the bill one time.
Other presidents (including Trump 1.0 & Biden) did lots more.
t.co/6ILZDMAhnN
Donald Trump.
Since signing bill July 4, Trump hasn’t traveled outside DC for event promoting the bill one time.
Other presidents (including Trump 1.0 & Biden) did lots more.
t.co/6ILZDMAhnN
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/09/13/trump-has-been-missing-campaign-sell-big-bill-voters/
t.co
September 13, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Weekend @PKCapitol column: The missing man from GOP’s sales pitch for their proclaimed Big Beautiful Bill:
Donald Trump.
Since signing bill July 4, Trump hasn’t traveled outside DC for event promoting the bill one time.
Other presidents (including Trump 1.0 & Biden) did lots more.
t.co/6ILZDMAhnN
Donald Trump.
Since signing bill July 4, Trump hasn’t traveled outside DC for event promoting the bill one time.
Other presidents (including Trump 1.0 & Biden) did lots more.
t.co/6ILZDMAhnN
For Rs, the call is coming from inside the house:
One of most renowned GOP economists serves up sharp critiques of Trump econ policy every morning.
And Friday's jobs report only confirmed his writing about the economy for months:
"Dead in the water,” Doug Holtz-Eakin told me.
t.co/yegylJbgSV
One of most renowned GOP economists serves up sharp critiques of Trump econ policy every morning.
And Friday's jobs report only confirmed his writing about the economy for months:
"Dead in the water,” Doug Holtz-Eakin told me.
t.co/yegylJbgSV
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/09/06/republican-economist-who-says-trump-is-wrong-about-almost-everything/?utm_campaign=wp_follow_paul_kane&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter
t.co
September 6, 2025 at 4:49 PM
For Rs, the call is coming from inside the house:
One of most renowned GOP economists serves up sharp critiques of Trump econ policy every morning.
And Friday's jobs report only confirmed his writing about the economy for months:
"Dead in the water,” Doug Holtz-Eakin told me.
t.co/yegylJbgSV
One of most renowned GOP economists serves up sharp critiques of Trump econ policy every morning.
And Friday's jobs report only confirmed his writing about the economy for months:
"Dead in the water,” Doug Holtz-Eakin told me.
t.co/yegylJbgSV
Any path Democrats have toward a durable Senate majority requires them to make Mississippi a swing state. Yes, Mississippi.
Trump won there by almost 21%, but its population is 38% Black (with lower voter turnout).
Maybe not 2026, but this is their starting point.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r_5...
Trump won there by almost 21%, but its population is 38% Black (with lower voter turnout).
Maybe not 2026, but this is their starting point.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r_5...
Mississippi Matters
YouTube video by Scott Colom
www.youtube.com
September 3, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Any path Democrats have toward a durable Senate majority requires them to make Mississippi a swing state. Yes, Mississippi.
Trump won there by almost 21%, but its population is 38% Black (with lower voter turnout).
Maybe not 2026, but this is their starting point.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r_5...
Trump won there by almost 21%, but its population is 38% Black (with lower voter turnout).
Maybe not 2026, but this is their starting point.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r_5...
September 1, 2025 at 1:56 PM
My Sunday column: The diploma divide among voters has a new wrinkle.
Almost all members of Congress attended college, but over last 50 years Rs have shunned Ivy/elite universities as Dems have slightly increased their tenure there.
A fascinating project from 3 brilliant academics.
t.co/tDMpCAKwRy
Almost all members of Congress attended college, but over last 50 years Rs have shunned Ivy/elite universities as Dems have slightly increased their tenure there.
A fascinating project from 3 brilliant academics.
t.co/tDMpCAKwRy
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/08/30/political-diploma-divide-now-applies-members-congress/
t.co
August 31, 2025 at 1:57 PM
My Sunday column: The diploma divide among voters has a new wrinkle.
Almost all members of Congress attended college, but over last 50 years Rs have shunned Ivy/elite universities as Dems have slightly increased their tenure there.
A fascinating project from 3 brilliant academics.
t.co/tDMpCAKwRy
Almost all members of Congress attended college, but over last 50 years Rs have shunned Ivy/elite universities as Dems have slightly increased their tenure there.
A fascinating project from 3 brilliant academics.
t.co/tDMpCAKwRy
