Free Republic

Much is being reported worldwide about the reelection Sunday of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and its impact on relations between Turkey and the U.S., Russia, China, and other world powers....According to the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists, the 40 jailed journalists in Turkey at the end of 2022 is a big increase over the 18 who were in prison in '21....Earlier this month, the Mezopotamya News Agency reported that since June of last year, 34 journalists in 21 counties have been rounded up by the Ankara Chief Public Defender's Office as part of an investigation into their ties...

Although some races are still being counted following Michigan's Republican primary Tuesday, it became clear the next day that former President Donald Trump had a big night in the Water Wonderland.Along with Trump-endorsed TV commentator Tudor Dixon sweeping the GOP primary for governor, Trump was, according to Bill Ballenger of the online Ballenger Report on Michigan politics, "6-0 in congressional endorsements."Rep. Bill Huizenga and five non-incumbent U.S. House candidates endorsed by Trump all emerged triumphant in the Tuesday primaries.The most-watched "scalp on the wall" for Trump was that of freshman Rep. Peter Meijer, who lost renomination in the 3rd District...

Ten days after a Trafalgar Poll showed Kathy Barnette running an unusually close third in the Republican primary for U.S. senator from Pennsylvania, talk and support have been mounting for the TV commentator whom few — if any — had given a chance against two multimillionaire front-runners. Last week, Sen. Joni Ernst issued a surprise endorsement for Barnette — one of two women in the six-candidate primary for the seat of retiring GOP Sen. Pat Toomey and the only contender who is Black. Iowa Republican Ernst, vice-chairman of the Senate Republican Conference and a conservative stalwart, is considered a promising...

Politicians from both parties, as well as the punditocracy in Colorado, are shaking their heads over the stunning and never-expected outcome Friday of the Republican assembly (convention) in the Centennial State's 4th District. With 183 votes (62%) to 114 (38%) for four-term Rep. Kenneth Buck, R-Colo., political newcomer and Elbert County real estate broker Bob Lewis secured the top line of the Republican primary June 28. Buck's incumbency notwithstanding, his near-demise at the assembly was particularly surprising because he is known as a stalwart conservative from both his voting record in Congress (lifetime American Conservative Union rating: 98%) and his...

For more than a week, Republicans from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Washington, D.C., have been shaken by the talk that Sen. John Thune might not seek reelection in 2022. The exit of three-termer Thune, No. 2 in the Senate Republican hierarchy behind Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, would make the odds better-than-even on Democrats winning his Senate seat.