PPFA in a Post-Election World

It’s been four months since the crazy concatenation that culminated in Donald Trump’s election as President of the United States. Not coincidentally, it’s also been nearly that long since the last post from the hibernating Presidential Politics for America. You’ve probably noticed some changes. For another, click here–>[1]

I appreciate everyone who has inquired about my absence.[2] Know that I’ve been okay. That being said, I was tired! Over 200 posts in one presidential campaign will do that to you. It was hard to write toward the end. Furthermore, I had always considered this site, first and foremost, an analysis of the politics in the race to presidency, not an analysis of the president’s politics. With the race over, it seemed my job was done.[3] That being said, I did consider a comeback after a short rest, I just never found a point of smooth return. The coverage of the Trump Transition-turned-Administration left us all breathless. Said coverage also saturated the internet. Everyone had an opinion. Many tried to hold the President accountable. Others defended him no matter what.[4] Every angle was covered with far more resources than PPFA could spare.

But then I felt the itch. Maybe it was sometimes hard to write, but I always enjoyed having written. So here we go again.

In addition to the footnotes and what I hope are aesthetic improvements, there will be other changes. The frequency of posts, you’ll be relieved to hear, will plummet. I shudder at the thought of again filling all spare time with hurriedly writing analysis of daily developments.[5] Instead, I want to peck away at drafts and post when I can while not getting burned out in the process. Unfortunately, that means if I were to start writing about a breaking story, it would be old news by the time I actually finish the column. As a result, in this latest PPFA iteration, while some developments will be monitored, you can also expect a wider-angle lens, including historical comparisons and context.[6] You’ll see what I mean. At least I hope you will.[7]

Finally, please sign up through email on the right (computer or tablet) or below (smartphone) so you’ll be the first to know when there are new columns. I’m starting today with 20 email followers, a number I thought was cool until I showed the number to my wife and she laughed at it. My lack of followers quickly became an affront to my very manhood, and each of you can be the Y chromosomes I so desperately desire.

Thanks for reading, once again. Your readership is this blog’s oxygen.

-IC

Footnotes:
[1]Why hello there! Nice clicking. Welcome to the footnote era of PPFA! I hope to use these notes to reduce the length of my long-winded posts — you know, the ones you quickly scan and pretend to read. I’ll also bury in these notes all my lame and tasteless jokes (descriptions which pretty much encompass all of them). When finished reading a footnote, just hit your back button to return to where you left off.

[2]To those who asked me to continue writing: I thank you both.

[3]And by “job” I mean “unpaid amateurish rambling.”

[4]Ahem.

[5]I can’t imagine ever doing that again. Ah, to be young.

[6]With the history emphasis, I’m also hoping to resurrect my “Top 30 Most Influential Westerners” countdown I started at Construction Lit Mag. It’s not presidential politics, but a lot of people have asked about it, and I’m nothing if not responsive to the people’s wishes. Stay tuned.

[7]Please come back.