Blog Profiles: Politics & Policy Blogs

Welcome to Blog Profiles! Each week, we select a topic and a handful of blogs that do a great job contributing to the conversation. This week, we’re focusing on politics and policy blogs. Do you have a blog that deserves recognition? Tweet our writers at @BeyondBylines.

This year has been an eventful one for all of us and as if that wasn’t enough, there’s an election happening in a few weeks. Most of you have likely already made up your mind about who you’re going to vote for and many people are going to want to forget all about politics after November.

But remember that there will be many local elections as early as Spring 2021 and we need to stay informed on politics and policy even after we select our next President.

In order to keep up with current events, selecting the right news sites is key but so is getting the opinions of established bloggers on the subjects of politics and policy.

1. Daily Kos

Daily Kos comes up consistently as one of the top politics and policy blogs on the web. Founded in 2002, its content lands on the center-left of the political spectrum. The site serves as an online forum for Democrats to “connect, unite, and work together toward a common purpose.”

Daily Kos stands out for the consistent output of content and a wide variety of coverage on all current events. Check out the Civiqs section for a variety of easy-to-read charts breaking down poll results on topics like Black Lives Matter, local and federal government’s response to the coronavirus, and more.

Here are a couple great reads: Both parties pour millions more into Alaska’s surprisingly competitive Senate race; and At least 16 reasons Pence repelled the suburban women of America his ticket desperately needs to win.

Follow @dailykos on Twitter.

Did the mayor of this dying California city just spark a universal basic income trend? https://t.co/j4apUHd0i0

— Daily Kos (@dailykos) October 10, 2020

2. Political Wire

Political Wire was founded by Taegan Goddard and is one of the “earliest and most influential political web sites.” Goddard grew up in a home where politics were regularly discussed and, to him, politics are a way of life. So he decided to create a blog for likeminded people who also eat, drink, breathe, and live politics.

With Political Wire, you’ll get the news from an insider’s perspective. Goddard truly wants to get into the weeds with the events that are transpiring in the political world. Before working at a prominent investment firm in New York City, he was a policy adviser to a U.S. Senator and Governor.

The site posts several times each day, so there’s always something new to read. The concise, easy-to-read updates make catching up on the latest politics news a breeze.

A couple relevant reads: Flash Poll Finds Harris Won Debate; New Battleground State Polls; and Trump Says Whitmer Is ‘Sowing Division.’

Follow @politicalwire on Twitter.

Fauci Says He Was Taken Out of Context in New Trump Ad https://t.co/eASQ0IY8B5 via @politicalwire

— Taegan Goddard (@politicalwire) October 11, 2020

3. theSkimm

theSkimm is a free subscription-based service and its newsletter is where I get my first glance at the day’s politics news.

The Skimm takes a critical look at the most important happenings of the previous 24 hours, including politics, and breaks it down into the main bullet points. The content, targeted to millennials, always has a dash of humor.

It doesn’t get much easier than subscribing to The Daily Skimm to get the latest news in your inbox each morning.

I recommend reading Daily Skimm: Plot Against Michigan Governor, Debate Over Next Debate, and “Sister Act” & “Coyote Ugly” Reboots; and What to know about Judge Amy Coney Barrett.

Follow @theskimm on Twitter.

On #SCOTUS, @Mike_Pence asks @KamalaHarris if she and @JoeBiden will pack the court. Here’s what that means: https://t.co/R4aDeu2fXV #VPDebate #Debates2020

— theSkimm (@theskimm) October 8, 2020

4. The Conversation

The Conversation was founded out of a need for more in-depth and high-quality public discussion on politics and politics that includes the input and assistance of academics.

It’s an independent, non-profit site that helps readers wondering if the information they’re getting is biased. In my opinion, its best quality is its pride in academic rigor — the writers know that their posts will be fact-checked and held to the highest standards. As the site explains, “The Conversation US is committed to information transparency and credibility. Authors are only allowed to write on a subject on which they have proven expertise. They must sign a disclosure statement outlining any relevant funding or affiliations.”

Check out these posts: How Congress could decide the 2020 election; Harris and Pence dodge tough questions in VP debate; and Americans aren’t worried about white nationalism in the military because they don’t know it’s there.

Follow @ConversationUS on Twitter.

With top Pentagon brass and key White House staff in quarantine, there’a a whole list of who serves if the person above them cannot (via @AmericanU @AU_SIS) https://t.co/84ruZExAG0 pic.twitter.com/u7t0b8b5Dt

— The Conversation U.S. (@ConversationUS) October 10, 2020

P.S. Ever wonder how we come up with ideas for our blog profiles? Our handy list of industries and subjects on PR Newswire for Journalists stays top of mind. If you’re a blogger or journalist looking for policy news, let us know. We can customize a newsfeed for you.

Oscar Duran works as Global President of the EMBRACE Employee Resource Group at Cision as well as an Associate Account Executive. Check out his previous posts for Beyond Bylines and connect on Instagram. When he’s not working, Oscar can be found producing content for his podcast, being an advocate for the underprivileged, or traveling.