fletcher-mcclellan

COMMENTARY
Pennsylvania Capitol Building. May 24, 2022. Harrisburg, Pa. (Photo by Amanda Berg, for the Capital-Star).

For Shapiro, lawmakers a budget season full of surprises | Fletcher McClellan

BY: - July 7, 2023

A debate over school vouchers was a test of the Democratic governor's leadership style.

COMMENTARY
Former U.S. President Donald Trump waves as he makes a visit to the Cuban restaurant Versailles after he appeared for his arraignment on June 13, 2023, in Miami. Trump pleaded not guilty to 37 federal charges including possession of national security documents after leaving office, obstruction, and making false statements. (Photo by Alon Skuy/Getty Images)

What was Trump’s motive for keeping those classified documents? | Fletcher McClellan

BY: - June 27, 2023

Here are four theories, ranging in intent from innocuous to devious.

COMMENTARY

The COVID emergency is over. What — if anything — did we learn? | Fletcher McClellan

BY: - May 22, 2023

Last week President Joe Biden announced the end of the federal Public Health Emergency for COVID-19, first declared by the administration of President Donald Trump in early 2020.  Biden’s order – a Congressional mandate he signed into law in April – marks the beginning of a transition to regular health providers and insurance for COVID-19 […]

COMMENTARY
Flag of Pennsylvania and LGBT. Pennsylvania and LGBT Mixed Flag waving in wind. 3d rendering.

The time for dignity rights in Pennsylvania has come | Fletcher McClellan

BY: - May 2, 2023

Twenty-one states have constitutional or legal provisions that prohibit discrimination on the basis of LGBTQ+ status. Pa. is not one of them

COMMENTARY

Kamala Harris in Africa: High stakes for the U.S. and for her | Fletcher McClellan

BY: - April 4, 2023

Belatedly, Africa has become a major area of concern for the Biden administration.

COMMENTARY
Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro delivers his first budget address to the General Assembly on Tuesday, 3/7/23 (Photo by Amanda Mustard for the Pennsylvania Capital-Star).

Shapiro, his budget, and the politics of pragmatic progressivism | Fletcher McClellan

BY: - March 15, 2023

After years of performative politics, it was reassuring to hear a governor address the real issues facing real people.

COMMENTARY
The south Portico of the White House

Is this the worst job in Washington? | Fletcher McClellan

BY: - February 2, 2023

The news that Ronald Klain, White House Chief of Staff to President Joe Biden, is stepping down after two years in the job provides an occasion to examine the “second most powerful” position in the U.S. government.

COMMENTARY
Pennsylvania Capitol Building. May 24, 2022. Harrisburg, Pa. (Photo by Amanda Berg, for the Capital-Star).

The legislative leadership shuffles in Harrisburg and D.C: Will they matter? | Fletcher McClellan

BY: - January 18, 2023

Yes, the changes were historic. Will they result in changes in governance? That's an open question.

COMMENTARY

Let us now praise Tom Wolf, the political scientist who did good | Fletcher McClellan

BY: - January 4, 2023

The outgoing Democratic governor reestablished politics in Pennsylvania as the art of the possible.

COMMENTARY

The best — and worst of times — a tale of two Pa. transitions | Fletcher McClellan

BY: - December 22, 2022

The transition of power in the executive branch appears to be going off without a hitch. In the state House? Not so much.

COMMENTARY
TWITTER CELL PHONE IMAGE

Free Speech for Me, Not for Thee: Elon Musk’s Twitter folly | Fletcher McClellan

BY: - December 6, 2022

If Musk thinks free speech means only supporting right-wing populists, he'll learn some costly political lessons.

COMMENTARY

Biden, Congress should remake the judicial branch. Here’s how | Fletcher McClellan

BY: - November 23, 2022

Public trust in the judiciary has dipped precipitously in recent years. It's time to fix that.