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Exclusive Content

March 5, 2026

Thursday Thoughts…

By Michael A. Smerconish

Waze tells me I’m 1,438 miles from Austin, Texas, a drive that would take me 23 hours and 24 minutes. That distance won’t stop me…

March 2, 2026

When Gallantry Matters

By Michael A. Smerconish

One word: Gallantry. Another week, another series of humiliations for famous associates of Jeffrey Epstein.

January 4, 2026

Reflections From An Uncertain Isle

By Shanin Specter

Read Shanin Specter’s reflection on Easter Island/Rapa Nui, whose mysterious history and culture invite a deeper appreciation for uncertainty and meaning beyond definitive answers.

December 31, 2025

Twenty-Five of the Best Opening Lines of 2025

By Dr. Mardy Grothe

Dr. Mardy Grothe delivers his sixth annual showcase of great opening lines, a captivating collection of first sentences from 2025’s novels, memoirs, and articles.

November 24, 2025

With Thoughts for Thanksgiving

By Michael A. Smerconish

Data from a Gallup / Kettering Foundation survey shows there are core values that unite Americans far more than political discourse would have us believe.

August 1, 2025

The Ballot Bulletin: Ballotpedia’s Weekly Digest on Election Administration

By David Yang

August 1, 2025

Let Them Vote: A Democrat Rethinks Primary Access

By David Yang

August 1, 2025

Independent voters in Pa. are pushing for change to an open primary system. How would that impact state politics?

By David Yang

This movement ‘has more legs’ than past efforts and a switch would lead to electing moderate candidates, a professor says.

August 1, 2025

Pennsylvania’s fastest-growing political group can’t vote in primaries

By David Yang

Independents now total more than 1.4 million voters, a steadily increasing number as registered Democrats and Republicans decline.

July 17, 2025

A Petition to PA’s Highest Court Could Determine if Independents Vote in Primaries

By David Yang

July 17, 2025

Independents Who Want To Vote in Pennsylvania’s Closed Primaries Seek Help From State’s High Court

By David Yang

July 17, 2025

Pennsylvania’s 1.4 Million Unaffiliated Voters Can’t Vote in Primaries.

By David Yang

Our ‘Exclusive Content’ section contains essays of diverse perspective on a variety of timely issues. Whether they are authored by a pioneering academic, an industry-shaping leader, a sitting political representative, or engaged subscribers of the Smerconish.com Daily Newsletter, each article contains perspectives you won’t find elsewhere.

The Mingle Project

Michael is on a mission to restore civility and compromise in public discourse. His solution for addressing societal disconnect, The Mingle Project — now on Smerconish.com with exclusive video clips, news articles, author interviews, live event info, and more!