The Top Political Surprises of 2015

Bibi Goes to Washington Bibi Goes to Washington

In a mean girls-esque move, Speaker of the House John Boehner invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to speak before Congress without first discussing with the White House. Boehner’s invitation was without precedent and, according to some, unconstitutional. But despite the controversy, Netanyahu addressed Congress on March 3 about his fierce opposition to a nuclear deal with Iran. The speech did not prevent the Obama administration from agreeing to the controversial deal a few months later.

Obamacare Survives the Supreme Court…Again Obamacare Survives the Supreme Court…Again

For the second time in three years, John Roberts’ court voted to uphold Obamacare. In a 6-3 vote announced on June 25, the court ruled that the Affordable Care Act allows the federal government to provide subsidies for insurance bought through the federal marketplaces operating in three dozen states that didn’t want to set up their own exchanges, shooting down a challenge based on four little words in the law.

The Supreme Court Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage Nationwide The Supreme Court Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage Nationwide

If you’re gay, now it’s really okay. In a historic ruling in the case Obergefell v. Hodges handed down on June 26, the Supreme Court declared by a 5-4 vote that the Constitution guarantees a right to same-sex marriage. Justice Anthony Kennedy’s majority decision said of the petitioners: “Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization's oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.”

The Other Kim The Other Kim

For a few brief news cycles, a Kim whose last name wasn’t Kardashian dominated the headlines. Kim Davis, a Kentucky county clerk, was sent to jail for defying a federal court order requiring that she issue licenses for same-sex marriages, saying she was acting “under God’s authority.” After her story went viral, politicians rushed to either defend or condemn her actions. Davis was released from jail after five days, but her case became so well known that she even got a private face-to-face with Pope Francis when he visited the U.S., creating a whole new firestorm of controversy. Newly elected Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin, a Republican, signed an executive order this month removing county clerks’ names from state marriage licenses.

John Boehner Resigns John Boehner Resigns

Whatever happened to orange being the new black? The famously tan Speaker of the House never was the height of fashion with hardline conservatives in his caucus. After repeated clashes with the Freedom Caucus, Boehner announced on Sept. 26 — one day after Pope Francis visited Capitol Hill — that he’d be quitting after nearly five years leading the House GOP. Boehner’s decision was an attempt to avoid further turmoil with conservatives who were seeking to oust him, but it briefly plunged the House Republicans into further disarray before Rep. Paul Ryan from Wisconsin was elected to take Boehner’s place. Boehner’s farewell speech, delivered with a box of tissues handy, further cemented his lasting legacy as Weeper of the House.

Jeb! Struggles to Build Excitement Jeb! Struggles to Build Excitement

That exclamation point at the end of Jeb Bush’s campaign logo might not signify excitement for his candidacy as much as it does shock at how poorly the presumptive GOP presidential frontrunner has done. Bush is languishing in sixth place in the Real Clear Politics average of national polls. Despite raising mounds of campaign cash from wealthy donors, Bush has thus far failed to win over grassroots voters. His lame gibes have also fallen flat when up against Donald Trump’s stinging insults.

Rahm Emanuel’s Cop Cover-up Rahm Emanuel’s Cop Cover-up

Issues of race and policing have erupted in cities across America this year, and they’ve now come to the fore in Chicago, threatening to bring down the city’s Democratic mayor. Chicago officials brought first-degree murder charges against police officer Jason Van Dyke for the alleged killing of a black teen named Laquan McDonald, but only after a state court forced officials to release a video showing the officer shooting McDonald 16 times. Protesters are calling for the mayor of Chicago to step down and #ResignRahm has become a popular hashtag on social media.

Bern, Baby, Bern Bern, Baby, Bern

Hillary Clinton may still cruise to the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination, but Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders gave her a scare over the summer when he began gaining on her nationally. The self-proclaimed democratic socialist also still leads by nearly 6 percentage points in the RCP average of polls in New Hampshire, a key early voting state. And he’s made his core issues of income and wealth inequality subjects of national discussion once again.

Almost Everything About Donald Trump’s Campaign Almost Everything About Donald Trump’s Campaign

Like the Energizer bunny, the loud-mouthed Trump just keeps going, delivering a steady drumbeat of controversial comments — and defying skeptics who keep waiting for his campaign to collapse in light of comments that strike so many as racist, sexist, fascist or just plain wrong. Trump, the GOP frontrunner for the majority of the presidential race since he entered in June, has soared to new heights in national polls.