Chris Vance

Former Washington State Republican lawmaker and State Party Chairman. Republican nominee for the US Senate in 2016. Now an independent.

Election Shows a Trumpified GOP and Democratic Civil War

The Republican base has been fully Trumpified. They seek out the most conservative candidates and reject anyone who defies Trumpist orthodoxy. There is no real battle now within the GOP.

What Does Post-Republican Politics Look Like?

Critics have made the case that the term “centrist” is mushy and undefined, and that the political center doesn’t even exist. They have a point. Politics ultimately is about ideas and specific policy proposals.

How The Once-Powerful State GOP Blew Its Chance To Elect a Governor

Business was always leery of the Republican association with social issues, but the big point of contention was over transportation funding. Republican opposition to gas tax increases and support for Eyman’s initiatives cutting transportation funding dampened business support.

Early Handicapping 2020 Washington State Elections

Until very recently the King County suburbs were the state’s main battleground. Now the swing districts are in Pierce, Mason, Clark, Cowlitz, Skagit, Island, and Whatcom counties. There are ZERO competitive partisan races in King County this year.

It’s Looking More Like We’re Going To Have a Historic Political Realignment This Year

2020 could be a realigning election like 1860, 1896, and 1932: an election that ushers in a new era of one-party dominance.

An Election Now Shaped By Pandemic Politics

Polls are now fluctuating dramatically. Trump’s approval ratings are up. Majorities approve of his handling of the crisis. And yet Biden still leads in head-to-head match ups.

Handicapping State Elections: Blue Tide Rising

Republicans in Washington state are toast in 2020 unless something HUGE happens to change the national trajectory.

An -Ism Primer: We Need to Define Our Political Terms

Very soon America may be forced to choose between neo-fascism and socialism, and we still have a third option, One Nation centrism on the table. But first we need to define what we're talking about.

Why Attack Iran? Likely It’s Trump’s Anti-Obama Obsession

This confrontation with Iran has taken on a life of its own. Iran will make the next move. In a rational world Congress would then to do its job and stop this madness.

Caught In Mega-Trends: Economics And Diversity

Economic angst layered on top racial or ethnic tension -- that mixture has always been toxic. We went through similar turmoil in the 1850s and the 1920-30s. We are once again two nations, divided by race, culture, and education.

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