Conor Friedersdorf

Conor Friedersdorf is a staff writer at The Atlantic, where he focuses on politics and national affairs. He lives in Venice, California, and is the founding editor of The Best of Journalism, a newsletter devoted to exceptional nonfiction.

How Rick Perry's Book Proves His Betrayal of Federalism

How Rick Perry's Book Proves His Betrayal of Federalism

Its passages on gay marriage and local control, added to recent statements, reveal glaring contradictions More »

The Obama Critics Who Needlessly Discredit Themselves

The Obama Critics Who Needlessly Discredit Themselves

Conservatives routinely publish claims that the president is anti-American. Why can't critics focus on his record? More »

What America Looks Like: The Crystal Cathedral

What America Looks Like: The Crystal Cathedral

The United States as seen by its residents More »

The Politics of the London Riots and Philly Flash Mobs

The Politics of the London Riots and Philly Flash Mobs

Some conservatives say we're witnessing an unprecedented social breakdown in Europe and America. History proves otherwise. More »

Why Hospitals in Portland Are Banning Early Births

Why Hospitals in Portland Are Banning Early Births

Induced labor and c-sections are all the rage among patients and doctors alike. They're also more expensive and dangerous than the alternative. More »

The Defining Moments of the GOP Debate

The Defining Moments of the GOP Debate

There were several noteworthy exchanges in Iowa. The most important showed that taxes matter to Republicans far more than deficits More »

Rush Limbaugh, Fighting 'Compromise' to the Bitter End

Rush Limbaugh, Fighting 'Compromise' to the Bitter End

The talk radio host's advice to the right: If the American public wants a balanced approach to deficit reduction, just steal their words More »

In Search of Uncontroversial Policy Wins

In Search of Uncontroversial Policy Wins

Not every issue wreaks havoc. By taking on less divisive problems, politicians could make real progress without spurring outrage. More »

London Is the Surveillance Society's Biggest Test Yet

London Is the Surveillance Society's Biggest Test Yet

Will its network of closed circuit cameras bring to justice an unprecedented percentage of rioters? Or is all the lost privacy for naught? More »

The Rise of the Chicken Little Conservatives

The Rise of the Chicken Little Conservatives

The economy is bad. They're rioting in London. Terrorists want to kill us. But that doesn't mean the sky is falling. More »

Watch Stephen Colbert's Campaign Message to Iowans

Watch Stephen Colbert's Campaign Message to Iowans

The political satirist urges Iowans to write-in "Rick Parry" during the Ames Straw Poll More »

What America Looks Like: Aboard A Coast Guard Cutter

What America Looks Like: Aboard A Coast Guard Cutter

The United States as seen by its residents More »

The Least Pivotal Time in American History

The Least Pivotal Time in American History

A strong case can be made that we've been living through it More »

Let Teachers and Students Be Facebook Friends

Let Teachers and Students Be Facebook Friends

A new Missouri law prohibits certain online relationships in a bid to stop child predators. But wouldn't pedophiles on social networking sites be most likely to get caught? More »

Portraits of Rick Perry, Muse of the Political Press

Portraits of Rick Perry, Muse of the Political Press

In states red and blue, the governor of Texas is unsurpassed at inspiring ink-stained wretches to churn out their most purple prose More »

What America Looks Like: The Streets of Portland NE

What America Looks Like: The Streets of Portland NE

The United States as seen by its residents More »

The Economy Shouldn't Decide Election 2012

The Economy Shouldn't Decide Election 2012

Presidents have more power over foreign policy and civil liberties matters than the economy. To ignore that is morally bankrupt. More »

Gov. Christie's Righteous Defense of a Muslim Judge

Gov. Christie's Righteous Defense of a Muslim Judge

His remarks to reporters are a clinic in how to push back against Islamophobic scaremongers More »

Fox News Employees Acknowledge Their Sarah Palin Problem

Fox News Employees Acknowledge Their Sarah Palin Problem

Most news organizations show extra deference to colleagues, but few employ so many prominent subjects of coverage More »

The Thorny Issue of Illegal Immigration and the Rule of Law

The Thorny Issue of Illegal Immigration and the Rule of Law

The case for exempting certain kinds of illegal immigrants from being deported More »

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