Today I have my first column in The Politico. It’s on my favorite topic: the West. The main analysis certainly won’t shock anyone who’s been following me on the topic. But there’s a short preview of the down-ticket races that will be important in ‘08. The seat being vacated by Sen. Wayne Allard (R-Colo.) is likely to be a big pick-up for the Democrats; and it will solidify the state’s emerging “blue” status.

UPDATE: Also, the column was part of a package. Here, James Antle offers a take skeptical of any sort of “libertarian” sentiment in the West — he thinks the trend is more outright liberal. I’d just note, as I have before, that no part of America is actually “libertarian.” Bad ideas like the minimum wage are going to pass pretty much anywhere you put them on the ballot. But, relatively speaking, this is a region that wants low spending and little regulation of people’s private lives. It’s a broad definition, to be sure, but I’m convinced it’s closer to libertarian than liberal.