We’re Suddenly Living in a ‘My Wife Did It’ Moment
Justice Alito and Senator Menendez have one thing in common.
By Gail Collins and Bret Stephens
I’ve always tried to use humor to get readers interested in the political issues of the day — or in the current era, maybe just less depressed.
After graduate school in Massachusetts, I moved to Connecticut, where my husband had a job in New Haven. Couldn’t find a regular reporting gig, so I contacted all the weekly and small daily papers to see if they wanted coverage of their state legislators. At the time, there were tons of potential clients — most closed now, alas. I wound up sending several stories a week to each of them, giving me a good background in state government and extremely speedy typing skills.
I moved on to cover local government for United Press International and New York Newsday. I joined The Times in 1995 as an editorial board member, then columnist, then editorial page editor. I left that wonderful job to go back to writing columns. I’ve also written a bunch of books, most on women’s history.
Most politicians and other sources I’ve dealt with have been aware of The Times’s strong honor code, and I can’t, to be honest, remember any unethical offer that was even vaguely tempting.
Don’t think I’ve ever sought out any personal favors from politicians, except an ongoing attempt to get the city to fix the broken sidewalk on my block. And I’m proud to say that after years of effort, the cracks are still there.
Justice Alito and Senator Menendez have one thing in common.
By Gail Collins and Bret Stephens
The turmoil sweeping the world shows no sign of abeyance.
By Gail Collins and Bret Stephens
“Ma, Ma, where’s my pa?”
By Gail Collins
America is being tested in so many ways right now.
By Gail Collins and Bret Stephens
And a few things we’d like to forget.
By Gail Collins and Bret Stephens
Who let the grown-ups out?
By Gail Collins and Bret Stephens
Is it possible for us to get to the same place on gun safety that we’re getting to on abortion — where the people who make the policy feel pressure to be sensible?
By Gail Collins
I’m sure he’s open to changing his mind.
By Gail Collins
Avert your eyes.
By Gail Collins and Bret Stephens
Donald Trump may be a terrible presidential candidate but he’s God’s gift to quiz writing.
By Gail Collins and Patrick Healy
Pep up your entry into April with a politics quiz.
By Gail Collins
April Fools’ Day is coming to a political system near you.
By Gail Collins and Bret Stephens
The many ways 2024 is turning into honorable versus dishonorable.
By Gail Collins and Bret Stephens
And not just Jan. 6.
By Gail Collins and Bret Stephens
Did Biden change anyone’s mind? And can he maintain the momentum?
By Gail Collins and Bret Stephens
And Mitch McConnell is leaving the scene.
By Gail Collins and Bret Stephens
What can Biden do about it?
By Gail Collins and Bret Stephens
The art of the deal has a downside.
By Gail Collins and Bret Stephens
A win for normalcy.
By Gail Collins
Advice for the president after a tough week.
By Gail Collins and Bret Stephens