Michael D. Barone (born September 19, 1944) is an American conservativepolitical analyst, historian, pundit and journalist. He is best known as the principal author ofThe Almanac of American Politics.
Barone is a senior political analyst for theWashington Examiner, where he writes a twice weekly column and contributes to the newspaper's blog. His column is syndicated byCreators Syndicate.[10] He is also a frequent contributor duringFox News Channel's election coverage. His political views are predominantlyconservative. Barone has said he is notreligious, although he is sympathetic to and respectful ofsocial conservatives.
His commentary has largely focused on the topic ofimmigration.
In November 2008, Barone said journalists criticized Republican vice presidential nomineeSarah Palin because "she did not abort herDown syndrome baby." Barone later said he was "attempting to be humorous and ... went over the line."[12]
Barone covered the 2020 presidential election, writing numerous opinion columns on the race for the Examiner.[13] Barone argued in 2020 thatnational presidential nominating conventions are no longer needed or useful. He welcomes their replacement by virtual conventions with minimal participation. They were useful before the advent of television in 1952, he says:
National conventions no longer serve their original purpose, or the uses the parties and the press have made of them in the past half-century. The national conventions were, for their first 130 years, a unique communications medium. They were the only place and time where party politicians could communicate frankly and bargain personally. They were the only place where people could discover which candidates had genuine support and which just gave lip service.[14]
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