Ramesh Ponnuru, a contributing columnist for the Washington Post, is the editor of National Review and a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.https://www.washingtonpost.comThu, 13 Jul 2023 04:35:42 +00001hourly1https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/07/12/federal-reserve-inflation-target/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/07/12/federal-reserve-inflation-target/Ramesh PonnuruWed, 12 Jul 2023 21:49:58 +0000The Federal Reserve is hearing calls to declare victory over inflation, rather than achieving its stated goal of bringing the inflation rate down to 2 percent.https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/07/02/affirmative-action-supreme-court-civil-rights-law/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/07/02/affirmative-action-supreme-court-civil-rights-law/Ramesh PonnuruSun, 02 Jul 2023 11:00:13 +0000Justice John Paul Stevens had it right back in 1978. The Supreme Court should rule that colleges’ affirmative action programs are illegal, not unconstitutional.https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/06/26/gop-tax-policy-child-tax-credit-inflation-increase/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/06/26/gop-tax-policy-child-tax-credit-inflation-increase/Ramesh PonnuruMon, 26 Jun 2023 11:30:10 +0000Middle-class parents, a major part of the GOP base, are seeing their taxes rise, and Republicans are talking about other things.https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/06/23/gop-politics-strategy-after-dobbs-anti-abortion/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/06/23/gop-politics-strategy-after-dobbs-anti-abortion/Ramesh PonnuruFri, 23 Jun 2023 20:42:06 +0000The torrent of stories about setbacks for pro-lifers since Dobbs has made it oddly easy to lose sight of a basic point: The pro-life side is making huge gains.https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/06/20/social-security-reform-medicaid-cheaper-better/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/06/20/social-security-reform-medicaid-cheaper-better/Ramesh PonnuruTue, 20 Jun 2023 10:00:13 +0000We can make the government better at serving its broadly supported goals and cheaper at the same time.https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/05/26/kevin-mccarthy-debt-ceiling-democrats/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/05/26/kevin-mccarthy-debt-ceiling-democrats/Ramesh PonnuruFri, 26 May 2023 20:15:26 +0000It’s too soon to say we’ll avoid hitting the debt ceiling, but it’s not too soon to say how we’ll avoid hitting it if we do.https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/05/18/desantis-campaign-announcement-trump-electability/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/05/18/desantis-campaign-announcement-trump-electability/Ramesh PonnuruThu, 18 May 2023 18:15:16 +0000He's going to have to make a much stronger case against Donald Trump to become the GOP nominee.https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/05/10/trump-cnn-town-hall-questions/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/05/10/trump-cnn-town-hall-questions/Ramesh PonnuruThu, 11 May 2023 03:25:26 +0000So many missed opportunities.https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/05/01/biden-2024-beating-trump-democratic-primary-contenders/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/05/01/biden-2024-beating-trump-democratic-primary-contenders/Ramesh PonnuruMon, 01 May 2023 12:00:00 +0000Biden is old and unpopular. But have you seen the alternatives?https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/04/22/gun-control-advocates-failing/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/04/22/gun-control-advocates-failing/Ramesh PonnuruSat, 22 Apr 2023 10:00:16 +0000Supporters of new gun restrictions keep asking why some people passionately oppose gun control, and not why so few people mobilize to support it.https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/04/10/congress-president-powers-aumf-pandemic/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/04/10/congress-president-powers-aumf-pandemic/Ramesh PonnuruMon, 10 Apr 2023 11:30:20 +0000Legislators are usually all too happy to cede powers to the executive branch. But in recent weeks, there have been encouraging signs of a reset.https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/04/02/trump-indictment-warp-politics-loss-trust/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/04/02/trump-indictment-warp-politics-loss-trust/Ramesh PonnuruSun, 02 Apr 2023 10:30:00 +0000We can expect more dubious prosecutions of politicians in both parties. District attorneys in deep-red jurisdictions can be as creative as those in New York.https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/03/28/nature-editorial-trump-biden-trust-science/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/03/28/nature-editorial-trump-biden-trust-science/Ramesh PonnuruTue, 28 Mar 2023 19:13:38 +0000Scientific authority is not a bludgeon for winning political debates.https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/03/20/desantis-ukraine-russia-war-tucker-carlson/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/03/20/desantis-ukraine-russia-war-tucker-carlson/Ramesh PonnuruMon, 20 Mar 2023 12:00:42 +0000Boosters of the U.S. support for Ukraine could use a dose of realism.https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/03/13/biden-budget-socialism-lost/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/03/13/biden-budget-socialism-lost/Ramesh PonnuruMon, 13 Mar 2023 19:39:53 +0000The socialists haven't fared well in this administration.https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/03/05/trump-tariffs-trade-policy-promises-2024/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/03/05/trump-tariffs-trade-policy-promises-2024/Ramesh PonnuruSun, 05 Mar 2023 12:00:00 +0000As a matter of policy, Donald Trump's record on trade is largely one of failure. But his message has been politically successful and could be again.https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/02/27/nurturing-conservative-ideas-on-campus/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/02/27/nurturing-conservative-ideas-on-campus/Ramesh PonnuruMon, 27 Feb 2023 12:30:00 +0000At existing colleges and universities, institutions are being built to explore questions of social and political life without ruling out conservative answers. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/02/15/nikki-haley-2024-announcement-speech-why-trump-won/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/02/15/nikki-haley-2024-announcement-speech-why-trump-won/Ramesh PonnuruThu, 16 Feb 2023 00:31:46 +0000So far, Haley's 2024 presidential campaign is offering an old-style Republicanism that learned nothing from Donald Trump except to be more insulting.https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/02/08/biden-state-of-the-union-economy-wages/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/02/08/biden-state-of-the-union-economy-wages/Ramesh PonnuruWed, 08 Feb 2023 05:37:28 +0000Biden devoted much of his State of the Union address to making his case to a dissatisfied country. But he barely touched on the reasons for the unhappiness.https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/02/03/social-security-crisis-wait-federal-spending/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/02/03/social-security-crisis-wait-federal-spending/Ramesh PonnuruFri, 03 Feb 2023 11:00:16 +0000If you’re on Social Security, rest easy: Nobody’s cutting it. If you’re not on it yet, worry a little: Nobody’s making it solvent either.https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/01/25/debt-ceiling-luck-congress/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/01/25/debt-ceiling-luck-congress/Ramesh PonnuruWed, 25 Jan 2023 20:02:43 +0000People also said housing prices only go up and that Trump would never be president. The case for complacency underestimates the distance between the parties.https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/01/21/biden-shrinking-presidency-trump/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/01/21/biden-shrinking-presidency-trump/Ramesh PonnuruSat, 21 Jan 2023 12:00:47 +0000Biden campaigned on a return to normality after Trump. In shrinking the presidency, however, he is the one who is breaking the recent norm. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/family-friendly-federal-policy-should-be-a-priority/2022/12/28/1d1cc452-86c1-11ed-b5ac-411280b122ef_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/family-friendly-federal-policy-should-be-a-priority/2022/12/28/1d1cc452-86c1-11ed-b5ac-411280b122ef_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergWed, 28 Dec 2022 18:57:09 +0000Conservatives are concerned about the decline in the US birth rate, but they disagree over the reasons for it.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/republicansare-coming-for-esg-investing/2022/12/14/0978c5de-7bb0-11ed-bb97-f47d47466b9a_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/republicansare-coming-for-esg-investing/2022/12/14/0978c5de-7bb0-11ed-bb97-f47d47466b9a_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergWed, 14 Dec 2022 20:54:06 +0000An interview with Representative Andy Barr of Kentucky, who will soon be in the leadership of the House Financial Services Committee.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/strengthen-the-child-tax-credit-before-expanding-it/2022/12/05/1e72f3fe-74aa-11ed-a199-927b334b939f_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/strengthen-the-child-tax-credit-before-expanding-it/2022/12/05/1e72f3fe-74aa-11ed-a199-927b334b939f_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergMon, 05 Dec 2022 16:23:08 +0000Supporters of the benefit need to focus on ways to ensure that it retains its value in a period of high inflation.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/trump-is-on-the-defensive-for-the-first-time-in-years/2022/11/16/60f0a6e2-65e9-11ed-b08c-3ce222607059_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/trump-is-on-the-defensive-for-the-first-time-in-years/2022/11/16/60f0a6e2-65e9-11ed-b08c-3ce222607059_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergThu, 17 Nov 2022 00:10:01 +0000The former president still hasn’t come up with a plausible way to explain why he isn’t responsible for last week’s Republican defeats.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/republicans-really-do-have-plenty-to-celebrate/2022/11/13/4a32962a-635c-11ed-b08c-3ce222607059_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/republicans-really-do-have-plenty-to-celebrate/2022/11/13/4a32962a-635c-11ed-b08c-3ce222607059_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergMon, 14 Nov 2022 00:30:26 +0000Maybe the anticipated red wave didn’t happen, but conservatives have done plenty to keep the Biden administration in check. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/ron-desantis-has-moved-florida-from-purple-to-red/2022/11/09/f490022a-5ff5-11ed-a131-e900e4a6336b_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/ron-desantis-has-moved-florida-from-purple-to-red/2022/11/09/f490022a-5ff5-11ed-a131-e900e4a6336b_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergWed, 09 Nov 2022 17:58:13 +0000The Republican governor’s landslide victory shows he will be a formidable rival to Donald Trump.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/five-reasons-abortion-may-not-deliver-for-democrats/2022/11/03/c1f734ba-5b7b-11ed-bc40-b5a130f95ee7_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/five-reasons-abortion-may-not-deliver-for-democrats/2022/11/03/c1f734ba-5b7b-11ed-bc40-b5a130f95ee7_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergThu, 03 Nov 2022 19:46:50 +0000When the president is faring poorly in the polls and people are unhappy about the economy, it’s hard for other concerns to break through.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/the-email-that-every-campaign-is-sending-right-now/2022/10/27/78a5adc6-5600-11ed-ac8b-08bbfab1c5a5_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/the-email-that-every-campaign-is-sending-right-now/2022/10/27/78a5adc6-5600-11ed-ac8b-08bbfab1c5a5_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergThu, 27 Oct 2022 20:58:14 +0000As Election Day draws closer, candidates are getting increasingly desperate to raise money.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/democrats-are-focusing-on-the-wrong-issues/2022/10/22/4184c4fc-520a-11ed-ada8-04e6e6bf8b19_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/democrats-are-focusing-on-the-wrong-issues/2022/10/22/4184c4fc-520a-11ed-ada8-04e6e6bf8b19_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergMon, 24 Oct 2022 20:34:33 +0000Voters say their top concerns are inflation, the economy and immigration, and they don’t think the president’s party shares their priorities.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/republicans-may-yet-abandon-herschel-walker/2022/10/14/90f5dc72-4bb8-11ed-8153-96ee97b218d2_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/republicans-may-yet-abandon-herschel-walker/2022/10/14/90f5dc72-4bb8-11ed-8153-96ee97b218d2_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergFri, 14 Oct 2022 19:20:36 +0000Voters are more likely to exercise their moral judgment in lower-stakes races — and that could spell trouble for Georgia’s Republican Senate candidate.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/republicans-have-a-lot-to-fear-in-november/2022/10/07/f747cedc-4644-11ed-be17-89cbe6b8c0a5_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/republicans-have-a-lot-to-fear-in-november/2022/10/07/f747cedc-4644-11ed-be17-89cbe6b8c0a5_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergFri, 07 Oct 2022 17:36:51 +0000The stakes are high because the Democrats have both grand legislative ambitions and possession of the White House.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/the-moral-case-for-higher-interest-rates/2022/09/29/65acb61a-3fee-11ed-8c6e-9386bd7cd826_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/the-moral-case-for-higher-interest-rates/2022/09/29/65acb61a-3fee-11ed-8c6e-9386bd7cd826_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergSun, 02 Oct 2022 23:16:49 +0000The human toll of unemployment, while severe, must be balanced against the more diffuse costs of ever higher inflation.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/the-dangers-of-democratsself-deception/2022/09/21/5477b1a2-39b2-11ed-b8af-0a04e5dc3db6_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/the-dangers-of-democratsself-deception/2022/09/21/5477b1a2-39b2-11ed-b8af-0a04e5dc3db6_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergWed, 21 Sep 2022 18:37:32 +0000Neither liberals nor the media they consume do themselves any favors when they try too hard to find fault with the other side.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/the-pro-life-movementneeds-to-be-more-realistic/2022/09/12/1e031fe0-329f-11ed-a0d6-415299bfebd5_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/the-pro-life-movementneeds-to-be-more-realistic/2022/09/12/1e031fe0-329f-11ed-a0d6-415299bfebd5_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergMon, 12 Sep 2022 17:53:04 +0000Opponents of abortion should remember the approach that got them to where they are today: incrementalism.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/republicans-need-to-get-serious-about-social-security/2022/09/01/6de9efb6-29ee-11ed-a90a-fce4015dfc8f_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/republicans-need-to-get-serious-about-social-security/2022/09/01/6de9efb6-29ee-11ed-a90a-fce4015dfc8f_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergFri, 02 Sep 2022 06:48:25 +0000Party leaders don’t even have a plan to fix it — which is a pity, since benefits are growing beyond the program’s revenue. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/what-bill-clinton-understood-about-big-government-that-biden-doesnt/2022/08/27/fbbfa496-2608-11ed-a72f-1e7149072fbc_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/what-bill-clinton-understood-about-big-government-that-biden-doesnt/2022/08/27/fbbfa496-2608-11ed-a72f-1e7149072fbc_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergSat, 27 Aug 2022 20:20:48 +0000Americans who never attended college but have other debts will see the edict on student loans as unfair. And they will be right.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/bidens-no-fdr-hes-not-even-obama/2022/08/15/79328a58-1c8e-11ed-9ce6-68253bd31864_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/bidens-no-fdr-hes-not-even-obama/2022/08/15/79328a58-1c8e-11ed-9ce6-68253bd31864_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergMon, 15 Aug 2022 17:41:37 +0000The Democrats’ crowing over their legislative victories is not persuasive. But it does help them rationalize coming down to earth.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/energy/the-democrats-are-taking-joe-manchin-for-a-ride/2022/08/04/8d296ed4-13fe-11ed-8482-06c1c84ce8f2_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/energy/the-democrats-are-taking-joe-manchin-for-a-ride/2022/08/04/8d296ed4-13fe-11ed-8482-06c1c84ce8f2_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergThu, 04 Aug 2022 20:44:11 +0000The senator wanted expedited permitting for energy projects. Instead, his colleagues are offering a grab bag of new taxes and spending and calling it inflation reduction.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/theres-a-new-centrist-political-party-its-going-nowhere/2022/07/29/b375a884-0f60-11ed-88e8-c58dc3dbaee2_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/theres-a-new-centrist-political-party-its-going-nowhere/2022/07/29/b375a884-0f60-11ed-88e8-c58dc3dbaee2_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergSat, 30 Jul 2022 12:19:40 +0000It’s true that US voters dislike Democrats and Republicans. But Americans dislike each other even more, and disagree fiercely about what the alternative should be.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/the-senates-election-reform-bill-does-just-enough/2022/07/24/569706fc-0b51-11ed-88e8-c58dc3dbaee2_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/the-senates-election-reform-bill-does-just-enough/2022/07/24/569706fc-0b51-11ed-88e8-c58dc3dbaee2_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergSun, 24 Jul 2022 17:08:07 +0000A proposal  to improve the 1887 Electoral Count Act takes the right approach to protecting presidential elections from Trump-style mischief, and avoids seductive pitfalls.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/democrats-are-scapegoating-biden-for-their-own-misjudgments/2022/07/17/2c3b343a-05d1-11ed-80b6-43f2bfcc6662_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/democrats-are-scapegoating-biden-for-their-own-misjudgments/2022/07/17/2c3b343a-05d1-11ed-80b6-43f2bfcc6662_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergMon, 18 Jul 2022 01:28:51 +0000It’s easier to point fingers than to acknowledge that liberals should blame themselves for inflationary spending policies, unrealistic legislative goals and social-issue maximalism.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/supreme-court-neednt-fear-political-backlash-on-abortion/2022/07/07/4a5e18f6-fe06-11ec-b39d-71309168014b_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/supreme-court-neednt-fear-political-backlash-on-abortion/2022/07/07/4a5e18f6-fe06-11ec-b39d-71309168014b_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergThu, 07 Jul 2022 15:41:59 +0000History shows that the justices can undermine their legitimacy with decisions that block popular measures like the New Deal, but not when they cede authority to policy makers.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/pro-lifers-should-hold-off-on-seeking-national-abortion-ban/2022/06/26/b1dc85a8-f550-11ec-81db-ac07a394a86b_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/pro-lifers-should-hold-off-on-seeking-national-abortion-ban/2022/06/26/b1dc85a8-f550-11ec-81db-ac07a394a86b_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergSun, 26 Jun 2022 16:50:36 +0000Making a federal law a priority would divert conservatives’ attention from pressing political battles in the states. It would also divide them.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/americas-constitution-is-conservative-like-it-or-not/2022/06/25/8a40c834-f487-11ec-ac16-8fbf7194cd78_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/americas-constitution-is-conservative-like-it-or-not/2022/06/25/8a40c834-f487-11ec-ac16-8fbf7194cd78_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergSat, 25 Jun 2022 20:20:07 +0000There’s a reason the Supreme Court is rejecting liberal arguments on everything from abortion to guns. And it has nothing to do with the justices’ politics. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/a-conservative-plan-to-strengthen-families-post-roe/2022/06/19/8b64c398-efd0-11ec-ac16-8fbf7194cd78_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/a-conservative-plan-to-strengthen-families-post-roe/2022/06/19/8b64c398-efd0-11ec-ac16-8fbf7194cd78_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergTue, 21 Jun 2022 16:45:51 +0000A Republican bill would encourage parents to get married and to keep working. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/the-republicans-three-pronged-strategyto-win-back-the-house/2022/06/13/2aab5544-eb11-11ec-9f90-79df1fb28296_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/the-republicans-three-pronged-strategyto-win-back-the-house/2022/06/13/2aab5544-eb11-11ec-9f90-79df1fb28296_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergMon, 13 Jun 2022 19:26:14 +0000Inflation, urban crime and illegal immigration are all issues that fit into a larger conservative story about government.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/energy/the-fed-risks-future-pain-if-it-fails-to-curbinflation-today/2022/06/06/06f56e4e-e591-11ec-a422-11bbb91db30b_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/energy/the-fed-risks-future-pain-if-it-fails-to-curbinflation-today/2022/06/06/06f56e4e-e591-11ec-a422-11bbb91db30b_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergMon, 06 Jun 2022 15:38:18 +0000Want to learn from the mistakes of the 1970s? Then take action against rising prices now and reduce the greater torment that will come from waiting. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/the-gun-debate-needs-to-break-old-patterns/2022/05/26/f3acfede-dcfc-11ec-bc35-a91d0a94923b_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/the-gun-debate-needs-to-break-old-patterns/2022/05/26/f3acfede-dcfc-11ec-bc35-a91d0a94923b_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergThu, 26 May 2022 19:45:30 +0000Assault-weapons bans and other familiar proposals would have little effect, and therefore have lukewarm public support. Advocates should focus on practical measures, like red-flag laws.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/great-replacement-theory-is-a-grand-delusion/2022/05/18/c6da99fc-d699-11ec-be17-286164974c54_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/great-replacement-theory-is-a-grand-delusion/2022/05/18/c6da99fc-d699-11ec-be17-286164974c54_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergWed, 18 May 2022 15:38:05 +0000Liberals have hoped and Republicans have feared that the politics of immigration would give Democrats the upper hand. Reality is proving different.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/republicans-can-extend-their-midterm-inflationadvantage/2022/05/13/e7385efa-d2c0-11ec-886b-df76183d233f_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/republicans-can-extend-their-midterm-inflationadvantage/2022/05/13/e7385efa-d2c0-11ec-886b-df76183d233f_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergFri, 13 May 2022 17:03:29 +0000Rising prices will help the GOP in November. Supporting monetary tightening, pursuing smart tariff and regulatory policies and restraining Democratic spending would help even more.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/whats-not-going-to-happen-after-roefalls/2022/05/05/8341f316-cc67-11ec-b7ee-74f09d827ca6_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/whats-not-going-to-happen-after-roefalls/2022/05/05/8341f316-cc67-11ec-b7ee-74f09d827ca6_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergThu, 05 May 2022 15:19:12 +0000Abortion isn’t going to be banned nationally, and major Supreme Court precedents on contraception and gay rights are safe.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/merrick-garland-is-right-to-resist-calls-to-indict-trump/2022/04/29/84b8f7b4-c7b0-11ec-8cff-33b059f4c1b7_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/merrick-garland-is-right-to-resist-calls-to-indict-trump/2022/04/29/84b8f7b4-c7b0-11ec-8cff-33b059f4c1b7_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergFri, 29 Apr 2022 18:15:48 +0000Three reasons the attorney general’s caution could be a form of statesmanship, not cowardice. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/a-redistricting-gamble-democrats-will-regret/2022/04/25/ee8fc78e-c49b-11ec-8cff-33b059f4c1b7_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/a-redistricting-gamble-democrats-will-regret/2022/04/25/ee8fc78e-c49b-11ec-8cff-33b059f4c1b7_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergMon, 25 Apr 2022 18:51:37 +0000A gerrymandering gamble has resulted in more House seats that lean blue, but fewer that are reliably safe. That could help Republicans in 2022.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/more-immigration-will-do-little-to-slow-us-inflation/2022/04/14/de0583ca-bbe2-11ec-a92d-c763de818c21_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/more-immigration-will-do-little-to-slow-us-inflation/2022/04/14/de0583ca-bbe2-11ec-a92d-c763de818c21_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergThu, 14 Apr 2022 17:13:17 +0000Worker shortages and rapidly rising wages are putting strong upward pressure on prices. But importing labor is politically dicey and economically unproductive.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/republicans-need-to-tell-voters-what-their-plans-are/2022/04/11/9c8bb264-b99b-11ec-a92d-c763de818c21_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/republicans-need-to-tell-voters-what-their-plans-are/2022/04/11/9c8bb264-b99b-11ec-a92d-c763de818c21_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergMon, 11 Apr 2022 17:32:58 +0000McConnell wants his party’s candidates to avoid discussing specific policies. That may make electoral sense, but it can backfire, as his spat with Senator Rick Scott shows. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/yes-democrats-can-make-things-even-worse-for-themselves/2022/04/05/cef3ef9e-b4e8-11ec-8358-20aa16355fb4_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/yes-democrats-can-make-things-even-worse-for-themselves/2022/04/05/cef3ef9e-b4e8-11ec-8358-20aa16355fb4_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergTue, 05 Apr 2022 19:08:07 +0000If the party listens to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other leftists, the November midterms will be even more painful than expected for its candidates.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/ron-desantis-isnt-a-trump-clone-hes-just-a-republican/2022/03/28/d5e702ae-aeae-11ec-9dbd-0d4609d44c1c_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/ron-desantis-isnt-a-trump-clone-hes-just-a-republican/2022/03/28/d5e702ae-aeae-11ec-9dbd-0d4609d44c1c_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergMon, 28 Mar 2022 17:21:58 +0000Liberal critics falsely label the Florida governor Trumpy, but that’s just a crowd-pleasing way to deplore the things they dislike about most GOP politicians.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/ron-desantis-isnt-a-trump-clone-hes-just-a-republican/2022/03/25/ae85b08c-ac44-11ec-8a8e-9c6e9fc7a0de_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/ron-desantis-isnt-a-trump-clone-hes-just-a-republican/2022/03/25/ae85b08c-ac44-11ec-8a8e-9c6e9fc7a0de_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergSat, 26 Mar 2022 12:41:35 +0000Liberal critics falsely label the Florida governor Trumpy, but that’s just a crowd-pleasing way to deplore the things they dislike about most GOP politicians.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/its-not-the-feds-job-to-stop-supply-side-inflation/2022/03/18/569eee6c-a6c0-11ec-8628-3da4fa8f8714_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/its-not-the-feds-job-to-stop-supply-side-inflation/2022/03/18/569eee6c-a6c0-11ec-8628-3da4fa8f8714_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergFri, 18 Mar 2022 19:42:30 +0000Central bankers should take responsibility for curbing excessive spending. But suppressing demand to fight a scarcity of goods would backfire on the U.S. economy.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/russian-aggression-derails-conservative-populism/2022/03/10/57dfc404-a094-11ec-9438-255709b6cddc_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/russian-aggression-derails-conservative-populism/2022/03/10/57dfc404-a094-11ec-9438-255709b6cddc_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergThu, 10 Mar 2022 20:24:15 +0000Trump-style isolationist nationalism has lost some of its momentum among Republicans as Americans unite in support of Ukraine.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/bidens-state-of-the-union-was-a-repeat-performance/2022/03/02/9c35be7c-9a24-11ec-9987-9dceee62a3f6_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/bidens-state-of-the-union-was-a-repeat-performance/2022/03/02/9c35be7c-9a24-11ec-9987-9dceee62a3f6_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergWed, 02 Mar 2022 17:38:07 +0000Trapped between the wings of his party, the president had little choice but to keep slogging through with the same old ideas.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/congress-risks-going-too-far-in-defending-future-elections/2022/02/17/6bc33f98-9002-11ec-8ddd-52136988d263_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/congress-risks-going-too-far-in-defending-future-elections/2022/02/17/6bc33f98-9002-11ec-8ddd-52136988d263_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergThu, 17 Feb 2022 20:43:50 +0000Revising how challenges to electoral votes are handled after a presidential election requires a scalpel, not a hammer.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/trumps-failure-to-build-the-border-wall-is-entirely-his-own/2022/02/09/f5dbf29c-89bd-11ec-838f-0cfdf69cce3c_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/trumps-failure-to-build-the-border-wall-is-entirely-his-own/2022/02/09/f5dbf29c-89bd-11ec-838f-0cfdf69cce3c_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergWed, 09 Feb 2022 19:03:29 +0000We may never know why he walked away from the perfect opportunity to carry out his signature campaign pledge. He may never know either.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/every-supreme-court-nominee-deserves-firm-opposition/2022/02/01/715988fc-8370-11ec-951c-1e0cc3723e53_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/every-supreme-court-nominee-deserves-firm-opposition/2022/02/01/715988fc-8370-11ec-951c-1e0cc3723e53_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergTue, 01 Feb 2022 19:59:03 +0000The Republicans’ informal plan to avoid a battle over the president’s choice would deprive them of the chance to debate the justices’ proper role.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/supreme-court-should-just-end-college-affirmative-action/2022/01/25/6f1c2a70-7e09-11ec-8cc8-b696564ba796_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/supreme-court-should-just-end-college-affirmative-action/2022/01/25/6f1c2a70-7e09-11ec-8cc8-b696564ba796_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergThu, 27 Jan 2022 19:16:38 +0000The justices have been splitting hairs for decades to dodge a 1964 civil rights law that plainly bans discrimination on the basis of race. They can correct that mistake now.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/republicans-should-rethink-idea-free-campaigns/2022/01/21/9fc775bc-7acb-11ec-9dce-7313579de434_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/republicans-should-rethink-idea-free-campaigns/2022/01/21/9fc775bc-7acb-11ec-9dce-7313579de434_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergSat, 22 Jan 2022 01:50:01 +0000Party leaders have decided that running without a legislative agenda is the winning 2022 strategy. One problem with their plan: If it works, it’ll make governing painful.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/biden-vaccine-mandate-is-dishonest-and-unlawful/2022/01/12/5d48ad8e-73a8-11ec-a26d-1c21c16b1c93_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/biden-vaccine-mandate-is-dishonest-and-unlawful/2022/01/12/5d48ad8e-73a8-11ec-a26d-1c21c16b1c93_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergWed, 12 Jan 2022 15:37:52 +0000States, not the federal government, have the power to enforce public health protections like Covid shots. That’s why the administration invokes the pretext of workplace regulation.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/there-was-nohousing-bubble-in-2008-and-there-isnt-one-now/2022/01/10/079c27a0-7216-11ec-a26d-1c21c16b1c93_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/there-was-nohousing-bubble-in-2008-and-there-isnt-one-now/2022/01/10/079c27a0-7216-11ec-a26d-1c21c16b1c93_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergMon, 10 Jan 2022 17:39:12 +0000Some smart economists are challenging the conventional wisdom that the Great Recession was triggered by out-of-control home prices.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/a-debate-about-inflation-will-matter-in-2022-but-which-one/2021/12/30/351dc04c-6971-11ec-9390-eae241f4c8b1_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/a-debate-about-inflation-will-matter-in-2022-but-which-one/2021/12/30/351dc04c-6971-11ec-9390-eae241f4c8b1_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergThu, 30 Dec 2021 16:06:33 +0000Just because the doomsayers were right about the harm caused by rising costs in 2021 doesn’t mean they’ll still look smart a year from now.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/the-democrats-should-blame-themselves-not-joe-manchin/2021/12/20/a351031a-619e-11ec-9b51-7131fa190c5e_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/the-democrats-should-blame-themselves-not-joe-manchin/2021/12/20/a351031a-619e-11ec-9b51-7131fa190c5e_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergMon, 20 Dec 2021 21:40:06 +0000Bill Clinton’s example of success after legislative defeat is not one progressives are interested in learning from. Let’s see if throwing tantrums works instead.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/the-two-reasons-trump-is-stronger-than-he-looks-for-2024/2021/12/16/e3fc1f3e-5e70-11ec-b1ef-cb78be717f0e_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/the-two-reasons-trump-is-stronger-than-he-looks-for-2024/2021/12/16/e3fc1f3e-5e70-11ec-b1ef-cb78be717f0e_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergThu, 16 Dec 2021 18:17:23 +0000Not only is he the undisputed leader of the Republican Party. He is also indifferent to anything but his own self-interest. Both are political assets. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/what-thesupreme-court-would-gain-if-it-reverses-roe-v-wade/2021/12/12/9baea55e-5b54-11ec-b1ef-cb78be717f0e_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/what-thesupreme-court-would-gain-if-it-reverses-roe-v-wade/2021/12/12/9baea55e-5b54-11ec-b1ef-cb78be717f0e_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergSun, 12 Dec 2021 20:56:39 +0000It would lose its pretension to political and moral leadership that it has built up over the years. But its historical legitimacy would be restored.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/fauci-cant-use-science-to-excuse-his-missteps/2021/12/01/d64d8b30-52c6-11ec-83d2-d9dab0e23b7e_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/fauci-cant-use-science-to-excuse-his-missteps/2021/12/01/d64d8b30-52c6-11ec-83d2-d9dab0e23b7e_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergWed, 01 Dec 2021 23:29:18 +0000Biden’s chief medical adviser has undermined his credibility with misleading statements to the public that are as demagogic as those of any politician.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/bidens-inflation-pitch-doesnt-pass-the-laugh-test/2021/11/21/250602c0-4ad4-11ec-a7b8-9ed28bf23929_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/bidens-inflation-pitch-doesnt-pass-the-laugh-test/2021/11/21/250602c0-4ad4-11ec-a7b8-9ed28bf23929_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergMon, 22 Nov 2021 21:00:03 +0000The president claims that the huge Democratic spending plan would curb price increases. That’s political spin. It won’t, and was never intended to.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/americans-think-the-economy-is-bad-because-it-actually-is/2021/11/12/1050bf8a-43b5-11ec-9404-50a28a88b9cd_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/americans-think-the-economy-is-bad-because-it-actually-is/2021/11/12/1050bf8a-43b5-11ec-9404-50a28a88b9cd_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergFri, 12 Nov 2021 16:16:04 +0000Wages and benefits are moving up but living standards aren’t. So it’s reasonable for people to feel pinched at the moment, no matter how positive the statistical indicators may be.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/watch-out-democrats-virginia-is-talking-to-you/2021/11/03/4c84d110-3c69-11ec-bd6f-da376f47304e_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/watch-out-democrats-virginia-is-talking-to-you/2021/11/03/4c84d110-3c69-11ec-bd6f-da376f47304e_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergWed, 03 Nov 2021 16:49:57 +0000How did a Republican win a governor’s race in a bright blue state? By parrying comparisons to Trump and offering a break from progressive activism.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/energy/what-if-inflation-today-isout-of-the-feds-control/2021/11/02/fd4c9692-3be5-11ec-bd6f-da376f47304e_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/energy/what-if-inflation-today-isout-of-the-feds-control/2021/11/02/fd4c9692-3be5-11ec-bd6f-da376f47304e_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergTue, 02 Nov 2021 20:30:16 +0000The traumatic 1970s cycle was mostly demand-driven. The type we have now is mostly driven by supply shortages, and that’s not good news.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/which-programs-for-children-should-democrats-cut/2021/10/22/9cbfa3dc-3334-11ec-8036-7db255bff176_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/which-programs-for-children-should-democrats-cut/2021/10/22/9cbfa3dc-3334-11ec-8036-7db255bff176_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergFri, 22 Oct 2021 13:29:17 +0000To gain Joe Manchin’s approval, they could drop the child-care subsidy and family leave, and go with the option that gives parents the most flexibility. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/republicans-are-winning-the-debate-on-voter-id/2021/10/18/bde3382a-300b-11ec-8036-7db255bff176_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/republicans-are-winning-the-debate-on-voter-id/2021/10/18/bde3382a-300b-11ec-8036-7db255bff176_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergMon, 18 Oct 2021 16:11:17 +0000Biden’s blunders in Georgia set the tone of the national discussion, while Democrats’ accusations about a “new Jim Crow” have failed to inflict any political damage. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/us-electioncoups-really-lets-all-take-a-deep-breath/2021/10/03/a033976a-244a-11ec-8739-5cb6aba30a30_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/us-electioncoups-really-lets-all-take-a-deep-breath/2021/10/03/a033976a-244a-11ec-8739-5cb6aba30a30_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergMon, 04 Oct 2021 14:11:43 +0000Trump’s provocations, and the Republicans who indulge them, are alarming enough without a panic-driven response to speculation about a 2024 constitutional crisis.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/the-us-debt-limit-constrains-nothing-but-honesty/2021/09/22/bfb59a1c-1bed-11ec-bea8-308ea134594f_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/the-us-debt-limit-constrains-nothing-but-honesty/2021/09/22/bfb59a1c-1bed-11ec-bea8-308ea134594f_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergThu, 23 Sep 2021 02:02:35 +0000There’s a bipartisan tradition of pretending that the ceiling inhibits irresponsible taxing and spending. It’s really just a stage set for bipartisan balderdash.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/say-trumps-name-republicans-restraint-makes-himstronger/2021/09/15/46abe6d8-161d-11ec-a019-cb193b28aa73_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/say-trumps-name-republicans-restraint-makes-himstronger/2021/09/15/46abe6d8-161d-11ec-a019-cb193b28aa73_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergWed, 15 Sep 2021 14:11:17 +0000Even George W. Bush pulls punches when he takes his GOP successor to task. It’s a losing strategy against a slugger who revels in “telling it like it is.”https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/moderates-are-the-real-health-care-progressives/2021/09/13/1a2a81f2-14a4-11ec-a019-cb193b28aa73_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/moderates-are-the-real-health-care-progressives/2021/09/13/1a2a81f2-14a4-11ec-a019-cb193b28aa73_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergMon, 13 Sep 2021 17:21:15 +0000Pelosi Democrats are focused on helping low-income Americans. Sanders Democrats would hand out money to people who need it least, to expand Medicare and government.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/police-dont-deserve-an-impenetrable-legal-shield/2021/09/06/844608dc-0f12-11ec-baca-86b144fc8a2d_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/police-dont-deserve-an-impenetrable-legal-shield/2021/09/06/844608dc-0f12-11ec-baca-86b144fc8a2d_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergMon, 06 Sep 2021 15:12:38 +0000It’s too bad that political polarization and rising crime are stifling bipartisan interest in curbing the “qualified immunity” that protects perpetrators of official misbehavior.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/no-the-press-hasnt-turned-hawkish-on-afghanistan/2021/08/24/5f547eb8-04eb-11ec-b3c4-c462b1edcfc8_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/no-the-press-hasnt-turned-hawkish-on-afghanistan/2021/08/24/5f547eb8-04eb-11ec-b3c4-c462b1edcfc8_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergTue, 24 Aug 2021 21:55:54 +0000Widespread criticism of Biden’s predicament has at least eight better explanations.https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/02/18/bidens-stance-abortion-contradicts-his-catholicism/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/02/18/bidens-stance-abortion-contradicts-his-catholicism/Ramesh Ponnuru, Robert P. GeorgeThu, 18 Feb 2021 13:00:41 +0000In the church's view, abortion is a grave injustice like any act designed to kill an innocent human being.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/on-small-business/some-never-trumpers-are-becoming-never-republicans/2020/07/29/ef66804a-d1a3-11ea-826b-cc394d824e35_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/on-small-business/some-never-trumpers-are-becoming-never-republicans/2020/07/29/ef66804a-d1a3-11ea-826b-cc394d824e35_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergWed, 29 Jul 2020 21:56:45 +0000But others in the GOP who have consistently opposed the president will help rebuild the party.https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/on-small-business/businessesneed-a-safe-harbor-fromcovid-19-lawsuits/2020/06/10/a8df7c12-ab6f-11ea-a43b-be9f6494a87d_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/business/on-small-business/businessesneed-a-safe-harbor-fromcovid-19-lawsuits/2020/06/10/a8df7c12-ab6f-11ea-a43b-be9f6494a87d_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru | BloombergThu, 11 Jun 2020 00:28:41 +0000Republicans want a liability shield. Democrats don’t. But there’s a third way.https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/five-myths-about-mitt-romney/2015/01/16/ae1fe7be-9ce0-11e4-96cc-e858eba91ced_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/five-myths-about-mitt-romney/2015/01/16/ae1fe7be-9ce0-11e4-96cc-e858eba91ced_story.htmlRamesh PonnuruFri, 16 Jan 2015 20:38:00 +0000His flaws as a candidate in 2012 have been exaggerated.https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/how-republicans-can-improve-higher-education-and-help-the-party/2014/11/06/d82aeb02-6532-11e4-836c-83bc4f26eb67_story.htmlhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/how-republicans-can-improve-higher-education-and-help-the-party/2014/11/06/d82aeb02-6532-11e4-836c-83bc4f26eb67_story.htmlRamesh Ponnuru, Yuval LevinThu, 06 Nov 2014 20:21:05 +0000A conservative plan for tackling student debt.