Wake up, Republicans.  Your party stands for all the wrong things now.  —  Stuart Stevens is a writer and GOP political consultant who is working with a political action committee that backs Bill Weld for president.  —  Here's a question: Does anybody have any idea what the Republican Party stands for in 2020?

The Embassy Attack Revealed Trump's Weakness  —  Over the past 18 months, Donald Trump has picked a fight with Iran that he won't end and can't win.  That fight has had horrifying consequences for the Iranian people, led Tehran to restart its nuclear program, and now left parts of the American embassy compound in Baghdad in flames.

Victim of Anti-Semitic Rampage Is Unlikely to Awake From Coma, Family Says  —  “Doctors are not optimistic,” the man's relatives said several days after the stabbing attack at a Hanukkah celebration left him with likely brain damage.  —  The most grievously injured victim …

Pete Buttigieg's Campaign Says It Raised $24.7 Million in the Fourth Quarter  —  Mr. Buttigieg, who appears in strong position in Iowa with a month until the caucuses, continues to show fund-raising strength.  —  WASHINGTON — Pete Buttigieg raised more than $24.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 …

Giuliani says he'd testify at Trump Senate trial  —  The former New York City mayor added he'd “love to try the case” on Trump's behalf, but “I don't know if anyone would have the courage to give me the case.”  —  President Donald Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani says he'd be willing …

Trump cuts loose with unpredictable characters at Mar-a-Lago  —  At Trump's luxury South Florida resort, the president is just another guy in the buffet line.  —  Guests wait for the arrival of President Donald Trump to his New Year's Eve party at his Mar-a-Lago property on Dec. 31, 2019.

This F#$%ing Decade  —  For years, media and political elites refused to acknowledge the growing racism and radicalism of the Republican party.  Their “both-sidesism” led to Trump's GOP takeover.  —  I've always resisted the notion that new decades are news events, bestowed on us …

From the Brig to Mar-a-Lago, Former Navy SEAL Capitalizes on Newfound Fame  —  After receiving presidential clemency, Edward Gallagher has left the SEALs to become a pitchman and conservative activist.  —  A year ago, Navy SEAL Chief Petty Officer Edward Gallagher was wearing drab prison scrubs …

Elizabeth Warren Isn't Talking Much About ‘Medicare for All’ Anymore  —  There are signs her campaign is seeking to calm fears about her health care proposal, including having small meetings with rural Iowa voters to explain her financing and transition plans.

Ranking the Democrats: Who has best chance of winning nomination?  —  The battle for the Democratic nomination is nearing crunch time with roughly one month left before the Iowa caucuses.  —  Some big-name candidates have dropped out — most notably Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) …

Netanyahu Seeks Immunity From Israeli Corruption Charges  —  His request to Parliament is a rare move, and a potentially unpopular one, heading into a general election.  But it could keep the Israeli leader out of court.  —  JERUSALEM — Fighting for his future, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu …

Impeachment Trial Looming, Chief Justice Reflects on Judicial Independence  —  Chief Justice John Roberts's year-end report on the judiciary praised civics education, but it was not hard to detect a timely subtext that appeared to be addressed to President Trump.

What libertarianism has become and will become — State Capacity Libertarianism  —  Having tracked the libertarian “movement” for much of my life, I believe it is now pretty much hollowed out, at least in terms of flow.  One branch split off into Ron Paul-ism and less savory alt right directions …

Assemblyman Brian Kolb charged with drunken driving in Victor on New Year's Eve  —  Assemblyman Brian Kolb was arrested and charged with misdemeanor driving while intoxicated following an Ontario County crash on New Year's Eve.  —  Deputies responded to a crash at 7980 County Route 41 …