Mayor-O-Meter: 13 days until the election

A weekly, unscientific tracking of the Baltimore primary.

Irene political superlatives

The best and worst political reactions during Hurricane Irene

August's best political comedy

About the blogger: Amy Bree Becker is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mass Communication & Communication Studies at Towson University. Her research considers the impact of political comedy and political entertainment on everyday life.  She also studies public opinion and participation on controversial political issues like the same-sex marriage debate.

Mayor-O-Meter

20 days to go until the election: A weekly, unscientific tracking of the Baltimore primary.

Rick Perry: Macho, macho man

Yes, Rick Perry might seem a little, well, out there with some of his public statements. But the Texas governor has something that our current commanded-in-chief lacks: Overt machismo. 

Mayor-O-Meter: tracking momentum in the mayor's race

27 days to the primary: An unscientific gauge of momentum in the race for Baltimore mayor

Week's best political cartoons - Aug. 16

Rick Perry, Michele Bachmann and economic crisis

Who got the most applause at the GOP debate? Ron Paul. Again.

Debates are a tricky thing to judge. Everyone has an opinion and people view the candidates' performances through a political lense. Pro-war viewers likely identify with Rick Santorum or Tim Pawlenty. Those who think we need to pull out of overseas wars ASAP probably view those candidates and their debate performances negatively. 

Larry Wilmore says Obama needs to 'go blacker'

Comedian Larry Wilmore expressed his frustration last night that Standard & Poor's downgrade of U.S. treasury bonds happened under President Barack Obama -- and then offered some advice to the president. 

Jon Stewart rips Newsweek over crazy-eyes Bachmann cover

Newsweek's crazy-eyes Michele Bachmann cover has been getting a lot of attention this week, especially from conservatives who are blasting the magazine for the unflattering image of the GOP frontrunner. (You've got to hand it to Newsweek editor Tina Brown. She knows how to stir up a controversy.) 

Mayor-O-Meter: tracking momentum in the mayor's race

34 days to the primary: An unscientific gauge of momentum in the race for Baltimore mayor

How will the S&P downgrade affect you?

How will Standard & Poor’s downgrade of the United States’ credit rating affect you? Well, that depends on which "you" you are.  

John Oliver hilariously shows how to foreclose on a bank

There's been a lot of bad news about the economy recently, but, luckily for us, John Oliver has some really awesome and hilarious news. 

Week's best political cartoons - Aug. 8

It's all about the economy, stupid.

Birthers apparently still exist

Remember when large portions of the country believed a fantasical conspiracy theory that Barack Obama wasn't born in the United States? And remember how they (and, in particular Donald Trump) were spectacularly embarrassed for believing in something so dumb? 

Sarah Palin's hair gets own TV show

Is there no end to the media's fascination with Sarah Palin? 

Mayor-O-Meter -- who has momentum in the mayor's race?

41 days to the primary: an unscientific gauge of momentum in the race for Baltimore mayor

Washington's hobbit obsession

Political comedy bits: The five best of July

About the blogger: Amy Bree Becker is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mass Communication & Communication Studies at Towson University. Her research considers the impact of political comedy and political entertainment on everyday life. She also studies public opinion and participation on controversial political issues like the same-sex marriage debate.

Best political cartoons of the week - Aug. 1

This week: The debt ceiling fight and other economic troubles.

Is CNN's Don Lemon TV's funniest anchor?

CNN's Don Lemon is making the rounds on Comedy Central's late night political humor shows and he's building a strong case for the coveted title of "America's Funniest Anchor." 

Dan Savage issues new threat to Rick Santorum

Sex columnist Dan Savage has ruined GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum's last name on Google. And now, he says, he might target the former senator's first name. 

Mayor-O-Meter -- tracking momentum in the mayor's race

48 days to the primary: An unscientific gauge of momentum in the race for Baltimore mayor

Wednesday morning talkers: Congressman Wu resigns after alleged forced sexual encounter with young woman

On weekday mornings, I'll post the most controversial, shocking and (of course) ridiculous stories for your reading pleasure. That way, when you walk into work, you'll be the master of witty conversation.

Obama and Boehner's debt ceiling dysfunction

You’ve been following the debt ceiling debate, right?

Colbert rips media for blaming Norway terrorism on Muslims

The knee-jerk, anti-Muslim theorizing in the immediate aftermath of Friday's terrorist attacks in Norway was not the American media's finest moment.

Tuesday morning talkers: Congressman links Amy Winehouse death to debt ceiling

On weekday mornings, I'll post the most controversial, shocking and (of course) ridiculous stories for your reading pleasure. That way, when you walk into work, you'll be the master of witty conversation.

Chad Ochocinco: Glenn Beck fan?

Let's say you're a professional football player and you want to anger many of your 2.3 million Twitter followers. What's the best way to do this? 

Chris Brown, Laura Ingraham end Twitter war

A silly and rather pointless Twitter war came to an end this weekend, when hip hop artist Chris Brown showed magnanimity and took the high road in the feud. 

Monday morning talkers: Cornel West pissed Obama won't call him back

On weekday mornings, I'll post the most controversial, shocking and (of course) ridiculous stories for your reading pleasure. That way, when you walk into work, you'll be the master of witty conversation.