Browse Research and Commentary

It doesn't look like the Colorado shootings will galvanize the gun control issue. The National Rifle Association has a solid lock on the gun issue and effectively is preventing any serious discussion of gun violence. Americans don't like to connect our gun policies on assault weapons with violent crime and it doesn't look like that is going to change any time soon.

August 1, 2012, Darrell M. West, Xinhua

[America's political leaders] seem less interested in actually solving problems than in presenting some doctrinaire view that's not getting anything done. We now have parallel political universes that don't connect to one another, and it leaves voters confused.

July 11, 2012, Darrell M. West, CNN

[E]verything associated with health care reform has been highly partisan, and that is not likely to change any time soon. Public opinion has been sharply divided from the very beginning and sentiments have not changed significantly over the past few years. It is a sad commentary on our times that people cannot see beyond their own party views to evaluate how the legislation affects them personally.

July 1, 2012, Darrell M. West, The Daily Kos

Politics 101: On issues that are potentially unfavorable, put all the information out, take the one-time hit, and move on. That makes it a one-day story.

June 1, 2012, Darrell M. West, Boston Globe

Romney is starting to shift to the center. He knows he needs to get independent voters in November and if he doesn't he's going to lose.

May 3, 2012, Darrell M. West, The Hill