The Trump years turned me into a firm believer in small federal government and stronger states’ rights. If some states really do govern better than others, then let them compete, let the results speak for themselves, and stop concentrating so much dangerous power in Washington.

Xavier Becerra now has the momentum in California’s governor race, with liberals rallying around him as the Democratic field begins to narrow. As Becerra rises and Tom Steyer fades, the fear of a two-Republican outcome from the jungle primary suddenly looks far less likely.

Sherrod Brown is now favored to beat Jon Husted in Ohio, a stunning shift in a race that looked nearly impossible for Democrats just a few months ago. If Brown flips this seat, Democrats will be in real position to take back control of the U.S. Senate, making Ohio one of the races that could change everything in 2026.

Natasha Cloud should be on a WNBA roster, and if politics are part of the reason she is not, the league should be ashamed of itself. The WNBA has built its identity as a socially aware, player-driven league, and its fans are not going to quietly accept a Colin Kaepernick-style situation hanging over what should be its most exciting season yet.

George W. Bush foreign policy was an epic failure, one we thought would stand as the worst of a generation and an all-time disaster for the history books. But the overall cluelessness of this Trump endeavor is making Bush look like Churchill — not because Bush was wise, but because this operation looks so shallow, impulsive, and badly managed.

The Dallas Wings look like the most improved team in the WNBA, with Azzi Fudd joining Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale to form what could become the league’s most dynamic backcourt. Add in frontcourt upgrades like Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard, plus a potential breakout from Li Yueru, and Dallas suddenly looks like a real threat to finish in the top half of the league.

The 2023 Aces, before Candace Parker’s injury, were the most talented WNBA team I had ever seen — and this Las Vegas roster may be even better. With A’ja Wilson still in her prime and an even deeper, more explosive core around her, the Aces look like a futures buy with historic upside.

TMZ opening shop in Washington may sound absurd, but absurd might be exactly what a protected and overmanaged political class needs. If a rougher, more shameless media presence helps expose hypocrisy faster and puts real fear of consequences back into public office, then it may do more good than a lot of traditional political reporting.