E.J. Dionne Jr.

Washington, D.C.

Columnist covering national politics

Education: Oxford University, D.Phil.; Harvard University, BA

E.J. Dionne Jr. writes about politics in a twice-weekly column for The Washington Post. He is also a government professor at Georgetown University, a visiting professor at Harvard University, a senior fellow in governance studies at the Brookings Institution and a frequent commentator on politics for National Public Radio and MSNBC. His book “Code Red: How Progressives and Moderates Can Unite to Save Our Country” was published by St. Martin’s Press in February. Before joining The Post in 1990 as a political reporter, Dionne spent 14 years at the New York Times, where he covered politics and r
Latest from E.J. Dionne Jr.

How Harris’s promise of 2010 triumphed over the pain of 2020

As vice president, she has surged in a party that found ideological common ground under Biden.

September 1, 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, greets supporters in Savannah, Ga., on Thursday. (Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post)

Harris’s DNC was a master class in coalition building

Thanks to Trump, the convention could cast a wide net — and to win, Harris is building a narrative that keeps that coalition together.

August 25, 2024
Democratic National Convention attendees listen as former president Barack Obama speaks Aug. 20. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post)

Harris can seal the deal this week by being new, improved — and loyal

Maintaining this balance is difficult but critical for Democrats to win in November.

August 18, 2024
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris embrace during an event in Largo, Md., on Thursday. (Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post)

Harris is beating Trump by transcending him

The vice president and her running mate are achieving a radical shift in messaging.

August 11, 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks with reporters in Michigan on Thursday. (Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post)

Trump seems to forget it’s not 2016 anymore. And he’s frustrated.

After nine long years, his old way of campaigning just isn’t going to cut it.

August 4, 2024
Former president Donald Trump adjusts the microphone at a campaign rally in Harrisburg, Pa., on Thursday. (Joe Lamberti, AFP/Getty Images)

Harris’s VP picks are seeking paths out of the Trumpian wilderness

I interviewed many of Harris’s potential VPs in 2023. I’m not surprised they’re on her list.

July 30, 2024
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer greets supporters at a rally in support of Vice President Harris's presidential election campaign in Ambler, Pa., on Monday.

Kamala Harris wants to extend her honeymoon — but is ready if it ends

How long will her critics underestimate her? She only needs 100 days.

July 28, 2024
Vice President Harris speaks at the White House on Thursday. (Julia Nikhinson/AP)

Biden made a very tough decision to save the soul of America — again

Democrats need to get to a Harris nomination through a process the whole party will see as fair.

July 21, 2024
Vice President Harris at a campaign event in Fayetteville, N.C., on Thursday. (Cornell Watson for The Washington Post)

Trump is courting both labor and business. One side will be let down.

History suggests the market-thinkers will prevail.

July 17, 2024
Former president Donald Trump and his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance (Ohio), during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on Monday. (Paul Sancya/AP)

The words about Joe Biden I never wanted to write

It’s hard to acknowledge that those who worried about Biden’s age may have been right all along.

July 7, 2024
President Biden in the White House last week. (Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post)