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.

Gary Johnson Crashes the N.H. Republican Debate

Gary Johnson Crashes the N.H. Republican Debate

The former governor didn't get an invite, so he sat alone in a room, answered the questions, and posted his answers to YouTube More »

The War on Drugs Turns 40

The War on Drugs Turns 40

In 1971 Richard Nixon declared abuse of narcotics public enemy number 1. Trillions later his views are alive and well. More »

The CIA Plans Summer Blockbusters in Yemen

The CIA Plans Summer Blockbusters in Yemen

The secret campaign of drone strikes is scheduled for July. And it exemplifies how much unchecked power we've given our presidents. More »

So What If Tim Pawlenty Is Boring?

So What If Tim Pawlenty Is Boring?

The case for electing a bland, uncharismatic president in 2012 More »

John Ziegler, as David Foster Wallace Saw Him

John Ziegler, as David Foster Wallace Saw Him

What did the late author make of the former talk-show host? More »

Let There Be 100-Watt Incandescent Light

Let There Be 100-Watt Incandescent Light

The traditional light bulb is already gone from California stores, the nationwide switch to a lower energy alternative starts in 2012, and Congress continues to make light of consumer choice More »

Longtime Palin Admirer: Running Would Hurt Her Cause and Country

Longtime Palin Admirer: Running Would Hurt Her Cause and Country

He was a radio talk show host when David Foster Wallace profiled him in The Atlantic. Now he may end up being Palin's worst enemy. More »

What America Looks Like: Reno, Nevada

What America Looks Like: Reno, Nevada

The United States as seen by its residents More »

Herman Cain's Anti-Muslim Bigotry Should Be Disqualifying

Herman Cain's Anti-Muslim Bigotry Should Be Disqualifying

The loyalty test he proposes for Muslim Americans isn't just discriminatory and unconstitutional -- it would never work More »

Why Alabama's Immigration Bill Is Bad for Citizens

Why Alabama's Immigration Bill Is Bad for Citizens

The state is trying to embed immigration enforcement into everyday life, thereby making government even more omnipresent More »

What America Looks Like: Weehawken, New Jersey

What America Looks Like: Weehawken, New Jersey

The United States as seen by its residents More »

On Climate Change, GOP Candidates Race to the Fringe

On Climate Change, GOP Candidates Race to the Fringe

The issue demonstrates how Republicans are encouraged to take needlessly extreme positions with little read world benefit More »

6 in 10 Americans Now Oppose Obama's War in Libya

6 in 10 Americans Now Oppose Obama's War in Libya

The president has made himself vulnerable by launching the conflict without Congressional cover. Will Republicans capitalize? More »

Rick Santorum's Case for Big Government

Rick Santorum's Case for Big Government

Like many social conservatives, the former Pennsylvania Senator insists you can't have small government without strong families and religious faith More »

All Our Recent Wars Have Gone Worse Than Expected

All Our Recent Wars Have Gone Worse Than Expected

Victory has proved more expensive, time-consuming, and elusive than advocates predicted for the conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya More »

What America Looks Like: Westwood, New Jersey

What America Looks Like: Westwood, New Jersey

The United States as seen by its residents More »

For a Buck, This Conservative Publication Sells Out Its Own

For a Buck, This Conservative Publication Sells Out Its Own

Human Events made headlines this week when its sales staff tried to sell a RedState political endorsement. They've done far worse. More »

Off the Bookshelf: From Nothing, Everything

Off the Bookshelf: From Nothing, Everything

Short excerpts from long reads More »

Sarah Palin and the Soft Bigotry of Low Expectations

Sarah Palin and the Soft Bigotry of Low Expectations

The conservative movement demanded very little of the former Alaska governor. She met its expectations. More »

Must Christian Voters Choose Between Ayn Rand and Jesus?

Must Christian Voters Choose Between Ayn Rand and Jesus?

An ad produced by the American Values Network cites the aggressive atheism of the author to discredit Republican politicians who've praised her More »

The Biggest Story in Photos

Picking up the Pieces After the Tornado in Moore, Oklahoma

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