Tuesday, March 15, 2011 | Last Updated: 9:48 p.m.

Common Sense
Matthew Dowd

Matthew Dowd

Columnist

Matthew Dowd writes a biweekly column for National Journal's website and publications. Dowd is a founding partner of ViaNovo, an international communications and brand positioning firm. He i...

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Latest Columns: Common Sense
COMMON SENSE March 3, 2011

Don’t Rely on Fox News or MSNBC

By Matthew Dowd

Some TV shows offer clues about what the public is looking for in a leader. And some shows are clueless.

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TOPICS: Show, Political leaders, Popular shows, Television, Pop Quiz
COMMON SENSE February 3, 2011

Something’s Fishy: Bachmann Did the Tea Party No Favors By Depicting Herself as Their Leader

By Matthew Dowd

A tea party misstep.

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TOPICS: Tea, Tea party, Tea party followers, Starfish, Identifiable central organization
STATE OF THE UNION: COMMENTARY January 21, 2011

Obama's State of the Union: Don't Measure Success by the Polls but by the 'Influentials'

By Matthew Dowd

Most analysts see the State of the Union address as a president's chance to reach a big national audience. Matthew Dowd believes the real measure of success will be how well President Obama connects with the people who are in the room.

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TOPICS: Speech, Approval ratings, Percentage points, State, Presidential consolation speeches
COMMON SENSE January 6, 2011

The Over/Under for 2012

By Matthew Dowd

Obama’s job hinges on jobs.

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TOPICS: Unemployment, Unemployment rate, Job-approval rating, Reelection, Presidential race
COMMON SENSE December 16, 2010

At Christmas, One Gift We Can Give Is to Not Judge Others So Quickly

By Matthew Dowd

Learning from a personal loss.

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TOPICS: Christmas, Kids, Cold day, Sound bite, Food
COMMON SENSE December 6, 2010

What's the Big Secret?

Based on reaction to my column about WikiLeaks, you'd think I was the one giving away classified information.

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TOPICS: Government, National security secrets, Information, Classification levels, Doing business
COMMON SENSE December 2, 2010

Maybe the Government Would Earn More of Our Trust if It Invaded Our Privacy Less

By Matthew Dowd

What’s wrong with telling the truth?

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TOPICS: Government, Political environment, Foreign policy, Truth, Post-Thanksgiving weekend watching
COMMON SENSE November 18, 2010

Following Clinton Model May Not Help Obama

By Matthew Dowd

Mr. President, take note: This isn’t 1994.

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TOPICS: Economy, Unemployment rate, Economic policies, Unemployment, Clinton model
COMMON SENSE October 23, 2010

Winning by Losing

By Matthew Dowd

Obama can win by losing.

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TOPICS: President, Approval rating, Political standing, Political, Political strategists

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Peace Dividend?

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March 10, 2011
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