Texas Monthly Magazine
Senior Editor for Texas Monthly Magazine; Former Correspondent for the Economist
PROFILE
Erica Grieder
Guest
FROM Erica Grieder
Left, Right & Center
How has the response to Hurricane Harvey been? President Trump on down react to the enormous disaster.
Left, Right & Center
Boehner, Pope, China and VW Emissions Boehner's resignation, the Pope's visit, and China's and VW's emissions.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Ted Cruz Throws His Hat in the 2016 Ring Texas Senator Ted Cruz announced in a speech this morning that he’s making a bid for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. That makes him the first to enter the race for his party’s pick. Cruz is a favorite among Tea Party conservatives and evangelicals -- but he doesn’t have the broad appeal needed to make him a likely contender in the next presidential race. That said, four years ago he was an unlikely Senate candidate. So, what does his 2016 bid say about him and today’s political climate?
To the Point
The Texas Wildfires and Political Issues They Raise A summer of drought has led to one of the most devastating wildfires in the history of Texas. Some 170 fires have erupted during the past week. The worst is in Bastrop County near Austin, where almost 800 homes have been destroyed, thousands have been evacuated and at least four people have died. The White House says seven federal grants have been approved to help with the outbreaks. Erica Grieder, Austin-based correspondent for The Economist , updates the situation and discusses the political consequences for Texas governor and presidential candidate Rick Perry .
Recommended
Left, Right & Center
How was the trip? President Trump's travels got less fun as he went from the Middle East to Europe.
To the Point
The longest US war: Will Trump send more troops to Afghanistan? The Trump White House is divided over the Pentagon's request for more troops in Afghanistan—where the US has been fighting for the past 16 years. Is there a formula -- either for "victory" or a political settlement? Is there an end in sight for America's longest war?
To the Point
Trump plays scolder-in-chief with NATO allies At the opening of NATO’s dramatic new headquarters in Brussels today, President Trump acknowledged that Article 5 — promising that “an attack on one nation is an attack on all” -- has only been invoked one time: in the aftermath of September 11. But the President failed to provide what 27 other Alliance members have been waiting for: a re-commitment by America’s new leader to Article 5. Instead, they got a scolding.
To the Point
Will the Senate write a healthcare bill in secret? While Democrats and Republicans argue White House relations with Russia, another question is being decided behind closed doors: who gets help buying health insurance and who doesn't? We hear how the pros and cons are being shrouded in secrecy.