KellyDJ

@kellyjohnston
3 Followers
7 Following
64 Posts
28th Secretary of the US Senate. Blogs at kellyjohnston.substack.com. A recovering journalist, lobbyist, government official, and political campaign operative.
kellyjohnston.substack.comMy blog
KellyDJMar 5, 2024
If not familiar with the terrific work of "Braver Angels," you should be. They're doing great work to improve civil discourse. But their tackling of voter integrity this week falls short. https://kellyjohnston.substack.com/p/braver-angels-clip-their-wings
"Braver Angels" Clip Their Wings

Their new bipartisan report, "Trustworthy Elections," features good proposals but fails to address much of what drives the lack of confidence in elections. A good start, but an "I" for Incomplete.

Against the Grain
KellyDJMar 4, 2024
Senate GOP leadership elections have a fascinating history, sometimes thrusting unsuspecting people suddenly into a job they didn't seek. Just ask former Majority Leader and famous heart-lung transplant surgeon Bill Frist. https://kellyjohnston.substack.com/p/how-senators-choose-their-leader
How Senators Choose Their Leader: Part II

Senators look for leaders they can trust to protect and promote them politically, who know the rules, and who will defend the Institution. External politics matter, but not how you think.

Against the Grain
KellyDJMar 2, 2024
All eyes were on Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell's announced retirement this week, but the entire GOP leadership is about to turn over this fall. Learn how Senate GOP leadership elections work. Part I of II. https://kellyjohnston.substack.com/p/how-senate-leadership-elections-work
How Senate Leadership Elections Work: Part I

Outside influence is unwelcome and counterproductive. The November elections will be determinative. Don't look at the contest through an ideological lens. Part I of II.

Against the Grain
KellyDJFeb 25, 2024
It's funny how lobbying 60 years ago featured people like "Mr. Integrity," the late Bryce Harlow, with few laws and rules, but today the industry is maligned as it chokes under a mountain of rules and regulations. https://kellyjohnston.substack.com/p/the-law-part-iii-on-lobbying
The Law: Part III on Lobbying

Lobbying is highly regulated and relatively transparent. There's a lot you must do and disclose and are banned from doing. It all makes some people think twice about becoming a lobbyist.

Against the Grain
KellyDJFeb 5, 2024
Foul comments by America's "Somalia First" US Rep. Ilham Omar (D-MN) are protected by our First Amendment. She can't be prosecuted for violating her naturalization oath. But she should be expelled from Congress. https://kellyjohnston.substack.com/p/expel-us-rep-ilhan-omar
Expel US Rep. Ilhan Omar

US Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) should be expelled from Congress over her "Somalia First" attestations. She violated her naturalization oath of office.

Against the Grain
KellyDJFeb 1, 2024
You probably know someone, perhaps someone close - even yourself - who has been the victim of a senseless, violent crime. Too often, in my case. Here's the latest. Take DC off your travel list - the city is not safe. https://kellyjohnston.substack.com/p/hitting-close-to-home
Hitting Close to Home

The violent incident immediately caught my eye. A carjacking during evening rush hour in one of Washington, DC's busiest corridors. Someone I knew.

Against the Grain
KellyDJSep 25, 2023
There was a lot of chatter this weekend about a pair of political polls. It's an excellent time to put all the hype and chatter into perspective. https://kellyjohnston.substack.com/p/reminders-about-polling
Reminders About Polling

A new Washington Post-ABC Poll so alarmed its authors that they discredited their own work and buried the lede - who voters look to blame if there's a government shutdown.

Against the Grain
KellyDJSep 24, 2023
Associating with bad people is not necessarily a crime. Except when they bribe, or you extort them to commit crimes. The curious case of US Sen. Bob Menendez and his federal indictment on Friday. https://kellyjohnston.substack.com/p/sleaze-on-steroids
Sleaze on Steroids

New Jersey and political corruption, perfect together. It's Senior Senator is indicted, again, and the indictment reads like a Hollywood script. There's even a Hunter Biden connection.

Against the Grain
KellyDJSep 23, 2023
The "Just Say No" Thelma and Louise crowd cheering for a government shutdown next weekend isn't going to like my latest post. It's time to govern, not engage in circular firing squads. https://kellyjohnston.substack.com/p/where-are-the-statemen-and-women
Where Are The Statesmen (and Women)?

Used to be that our elected leaders knew when to drop the partisan cudgels and do the right thing. When will those leaders emerge? Hello, anyone home?

Against the Grain
KellyDJSep 18, 2023
The US Senate is lowering its long-standing dress code to accommodate freshman Sen. John Fetterman's (D-PA) penchant for hoodies, gym shorts, and sneakers. It's a bad call, but no one should be surprised. https://kellyjohnston.substack.com/p/its-john-fettermans-senate-now
It's John Fetterman's Senate Now

The Senate's unwritten dress code goes Delta Tau Chi, catapulting Pennsylvania's Freshman US Senator into its most influential icon in years, tossing tradition and decorum out the window.

Against the Grain