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9 things we learned about American politics this February

by Matthew Yglesias
Photo by Matthew Cavanaugh/Getty Images
  1. Party elites don’t really matter, and endorsements are a terrible predictor of primary outcomes.
  2. Retail politics isn’t important, especially in New Hampshire.
  3. Socialist is a winning affiliation in American politics.
  4. Gaffes are incredibly important.
  5. Super PACs don’t matter.
  6. Fundraising doesn’t matter.
  7. Democrats are highly ideological.
  8. Republicans aren’t ideological at all.
  9. Being a member of the political party whose nomination you’re running for confers absolutely no advantage in winning said nomination.
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