Newt Gingrich is a confident man. But sometimes confidence refers to another kind of confident man, and that kind accurately describes Newt Gingrich as well. more ›

A reporting error may mean that Rick Santorum, not Mitt Romney, topped the Iowa caucuses. But will it matter? more ›

With Mitt Romney holding a comfortable lead in the latest polls in the Granite State, it was the task of his rivals to knock Romney off message and hopefully gain some momentum with the "anyone-but-Mitt" conservative voters. They largely failed in that task. more ›

Just because you can continue a political campaign, does that mean you should? Here are several reasons why Rick Perry probably should end his run for the Republican presidential nomination--and a few reasons why he's not going to. more ›

After last night's dismal showing at the Iowa caucuses, most newspapers and blogs predicted that Governor Rick Perry would be dropping out of the race. Not so much. more ›

Oh, what a year 2011 has been. Birth certificates, Congressional gridlock, Occupy, and Herman Cain, oh my! Austinist political writer Greg Haley busts out his crystal ball for a prognosticatory look at 2012. more ›

It’s been a rocky couple days in the smoking death spiral that is the Herman Cain presidential bid. more ›

Watching the presidential primary unfold these last few weeks, the thought has often occurred to us: "When will Obama and Clinton shut up about saving the people of Darfur from displacement and genocide, and start talking about the important stuff, like plaigarized speeches and superdelegates?" Haven't had the same reaction? Tonight, a very different kind of politics will be on display at the B. Iden Payne Theatre at the University of Texas. Our city will play host to one of the great voices for democracy and social justice in post-colonial Africa. more ›

If you want to vote in Texas' presidential primary elections but haven't registered yet, time is running out. Monday is the last day for voter registration. more ›

Welcome to Ask Austinist, the feature wherein we answer questions from our readers. Today we take on this question: Could Austinist please provide some tips on bars or other not so serious venues where political junkies can watch their favorite change-agent, decider, hope salesman and sycophants and wonks stumble their way through presidential primary election nights? more ›

MONDAY [27] [film] Soul Cinema Monday: "The Spook Who Sat By the Door" at Alamo Downtown ($1, 7pm) (link) [film] "Candy: Terry Southern Psychedelic Mindwarp" at Alamo Downtown ($1, 9:45pm) (link) [film] Spike & Mike? Twisted Animation Fest at Alamo South Lamar and Alamo Village (Through Thursday, 10:15 SL, 9:45 Vill) (link) [film] "Tank Girl" at Cafe Mundi (8pm) (link) [TV] Twin Peaks & Carnivale at Beerland (Free, 7pm) (link) [books] Karenna Gore Schiff, the... more ›