Politics

For those who are interested in how the American political system works, Michael Barone is the gold standard. His The Almanac of American Politics, published every two years, is the indispensable reference about politics and elections in this country. The 2008 edition has just been completed and the publisher, The National Journal, has made available Barone's introductory essay - a good primer on the political environment as we enter another Presidential election year.

National Journal: Open-Field Politics