Ramesh Ponnuru

Contributing columnist
Ramesh Ponnuru, a contributing columnist for the Washington Post, is the editor of National Review and a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.
Latest from Ramesh Ponnuru

Cheney makes a strong case against Trump, but a weak one for Harris

The former GOP congresswoman’s argument sidesteps concerns about the vice president’s stance on Supreme Court reform.

September 8, 2024
Then-Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) during a House select committee hearing on Dec. 19, 2022. (Matt McClain for The Washington Post)

The plight of the pro-union Republican

The obstacle to a pro-union GOP: In the real world, organized labor strengthens the Democrats.

August 30, 2024
Donald Trump speaks at an event in Clinton Township, Mich., last year. (Nic Antaya for The Washington Post)

Harris and Trump go light on policy. It’s a game Harris is winning.

The 2024 presidential election has become a policy non-debate, and Kamala Harris is in the lead.

August 26, 2024
Donald Trump on June 27 in Atlanta and Kamala Harris on July 31, 2019, in Detroit. (Gerald Herbert/AP)

JD Vance’s demeaning remarks don’t help this valid cause

We need to save pronatalism from the pronatalists.

August 12, 2024
Republican vice-presidential nominee JD Vance speaks during a news conference in Philadelphia on Aug. 6. (Tom Brenner for The Washington Post)

Term limits for Supreme Court justices are an unconstitutional pander

There is no politically achievable way for progressive foes of this Supreme Court to get what they want.

July 29, 2024
The Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. (Kevin Mohatt/Reuters)

A new candidate is a start, but Democrats need a new strategy to beat Trump

Joe Biden’s message wasn’t working. Kamala Harris should try something different.

July 26, 2024
President Biden and Vice President Harris at the White House on March 29, 2022. (Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post)

The GOP still doesn’t know what it would do with power

Neither Project 2025 nor J.D. Vance is a sign that Trump would accomplish more than he did last time.

July 18, 2024
Former president Donald Trump is displayed on a monitor during the Republican National Convention on Wednesday in Milwaukee. (Joshua Lott/The Washington Post)

Trump is too dangerous for Democrats to stick with Biden

The president’s performance in the debate should inspire pity — and anger.

June 28, 2024
President Biden boards Air Force One at Dobbins Air Reserve Base on Friday in Marietta, Ga., after participating in a presidential debate in Atlanta on Thursday. (Evan Vucci/AP)

Trump’s school vaccination policies could be a serious political liability

Democrats would be wise to blast the former president for it.

June 24, 2024
Former president Donald Trump speaks during a rally in Racine, Wis., on June 18. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

The Constitution was supposed to be a uniter, not a divider

Yuval Levin’s new book argues that our founding document isn’t failing us; we are failing it.

June 18, 2024
(John Locher/AP)