Stubborn Things Radicalism, Instability, and a Dysfunctional Senate
Jan 29, 2026
They trace how immigration debates became polarized and why political structures fail to match public opinion. They explore radicalizing forces on both left and right that block compromise. They examine Senate dysfunction through the Texas Senate race, intra-party feuds, and the decline of senatorial decorum and institutional stability.
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Public Consensus Versus Elite Failure
- Public opinion on immigration is broadly bipartisan and hasn't been extreme for decades.
- Yet political elites repeatedly fail to enact policies consistent with that consensus, causing frustration.
Distrust After Broken Immigration Bargains
- Republican voters distrust party elites due to broken past bargains like 1986 reform.
- That distrust fueled nativist political energy and reluctance to trust future compromises.
Coalition Tension Blocks Policy
- GOP coalitions contain a persistent tension between cultural voters and business interests.
- That tension blocks policies like strong employer enforcement despite base support.
