Liberals actually did what conservatives have done for the past decade or so – they ousted an incumbent because he or she wasn’t liberal enough. Arlen Specter lost yesterday because he did not meet the litmus test of liberal Democratic voters of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Republicans are used to inter-party squabbles over whether a particular candidate (or elected official) is not conservative enough. Case in point, the Republican Congressional primary in MD-1 in 2008 when...

“The Sky is Falling. The Sky is Falling.” – I can imagine a bunch of Chicken Little’s running around K Street and Capitol Hill last night after the dust settled from yesterday’s primaries. There is one problem with the doom and gloom pundits who are announcing the death of the Democratic Party in May, it doesn’t add up. What is going on? Are these election results a demonstration of anti-incumbency, anti-party, anti-Congress or anti-Obama? Let me try to explain...

The era of the Big O is over, not Oprah but Obama. I am simply amazed that Barack Obama has messed up so fast. In the 2008 general election, Obama and the Democratic Party was unbeatable with the remnants of the GOP being split into factions led by Sarah Palin and Rush Limbaugh. In less than two years, Obama and the Democratic Party are vulnerable to the point that party primary elections are on the verge of knocking out career Senators like Arlen Specter (D-Pa). What happened to the Big O? ...

I have a funny feeling about tomorrow’s primary in Pennsylvania. My gut is telling me that incumbent U.S. Senator Arlen Specter will lose to Rep. Joe Sestak but it won’t matter. Why? It won’t matter because Arlen thinks he is smarter than the electorate and he will simply not give up the seat just because of a pesky primary defeat. We can blame Joe Lieberman for this contingency plan of Specter’s. In 2006, Lieberman lost the Connecticut Democratic primary against Ned...

If yesterday’s primary result is any indication, Pennsylvania might have a new senior Senator in January of 2011. In bordering West Virginia, 14-term Representative Alan Mollohan (D-1st) lost his primary fight to State Senator Mike Oliverio. Mollohan’s family had held that seat before men landed on the moon and was voting on legislation when the Beatles was still putting out albums. According to Real Clear Politics, the seat was not even in play until recently. Mollohan’s loss...

Politics and sports are frequently connected by overarching issues in society, especially when dealing with race and money. On the issue of money, I agree with J.A. Adande (ESPN’s “Around the Horn”) that sports and politics are connected in fiscal matters surrounding the public financing of sports stadiums. On the question of the Arizona Immigration Law, my question is: Should a sports team or professional sports league impact legislation of a sovereign state? Was the Phoenix...

Dora the Explorer (Nick Jr.) In the aftermath of Arizona’s immigration law, I want to know if Dora the Explorer can stay on the airwaves in the state. After all, we know she is Hispanic and probably not a U.S. citizen. I think the law is stupid not to mention unconstitutional. If it gets enacted before a federal judge hears it, probably the Supreme Court, I will be very surprised. Every Mexican in Arizona should leave and let’s see if Arizonans will take up the slack by burping...

It appears that not every Republican wants embattled RNC chair Michael Steele’s head on a platter. Yesterday, former House speaker Newt Gingrich and 2008 Republican V.P. nominee Sarah Palin, came to Steele’s defense for different reasons. Gingrich, being the pragmatist that he is, correctly assessed the situation regarding Steele’s tenure at the RNC. Gingrich’s point is that Republicans should be focusing its energy on winning a majority in the House and the Senate in 2010,...

Since Michael Steele has been chairman, a succession of disasters have occurred to negatively impact the RNC on his watch. Contrary to Steele’s assertion last week that race is one of the driving reasons behind the scrutiny, I am convinced that race is the only reason why he is still the RNC chair. The RNC simply is afraid of the political fallout of firing Steele so close to the 2010 mid-terms. The Democratic Party is in a win-win situation. If the Republican Party gets rid of Steele they...

Although it is not official, it appears that Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. will put his name before voters again in the much anticipated rematch with Martin O’Malley for the office of Governor of the State of Maryland on April 7th. Unlike most pundits, I believe Ehrlich has a better than average shot of beating O’Malley. However, the key is not going to be running against Obama, or even O’Malley, the biggest challenge will be to use the energy and anger of the tea party people with a...

Ten Commandments Movie Poster In the politically ironic story of the week, it appears that the RNC this week has been caught with its’ hand in the proverbial cookie jar at a risque night club in LA. This week is Easter, but it is also the week of Passover for people of the Jewish faith. The political irony is that Republicans (who are supposedly more moral than their left wing counterparts) are being ridiculed for re-reimbursing an event at a bondage themed club during Passover week –...

courtesy: U.S. Senate U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) made this statement on CNN regarding Senate rules concerning presidential appointees and the Obama recess appointments made this weekend: “This is why we we ought to reform the institution,” Mikulski said, noting the Senate’s system of placing holds, sometimes anonymously or indefinitely, has started to “hold up function of government.” Really, I wonder if CNN bothered to ask her what she did to several appointees...

My prediction on the health care bill(s) – this is far from over. The health care bill will last through the cherry blossom buds of Washington until the Easter break. Both parties are on unsure and politically treacherous footing in this quagmire. Democratic members have spent 14 months trying to pass a health care bill while they enjoyed a super-majority of both houses. Their second step is justifying all of that time and energy spent on an almost law that will not provide any tangible...

Just in case you did not know this already: The Health Care Bill, if voted on today, will pass by a razor thin minority. Why? Because the vote is on a Sunday. What are the consequences for both sides of the political spectrum for the mid-term elections in seven months? For Republicans, it means that they will pick up seats in both bodies of Congress. For Democratic members, the irony of Obama’s victory is that they will lose their seats because Obama spent so much political capital on this...

I know this is primarily a political site but occasionally I like to throw into the mix something else that is topical and of interest… Yesterday was the beginning day of the NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament, known as “March Madness.” There were some very good games on day 1. Some highlights include: The Big East got taken down a few notches with (#3) Georgetown getting beaten by (#14) Ohio by double digits; (#6) Notre Dame falling to (#11) Old Dominion and (#6) Marquette...

Last October, I wrote the following post: “My suggestion to let the Democratic leadership pass a health care bill is based on the fact that we are talking about a Congress who will pass a flawed bill to save face before the 2010 midterm elections. The question, of course, is timing. If the Democratic leadership pass a bill in March of 2010, the failed outcome of their flawed legislation will not be felt by the American people until after the November election.” The post was written as...

I teach at Towson University which is the second largest public university in Maryland. Yesterday, it was announced that an adjunct art professor was fired because he used the “N” word during lecture. The adjunct, Allen Zaruba, said that he made the comment (click here for the comment) in the course of illustrating the rights and benefits of adjunct professor at Towson University. The statement of the Provost is here. I have two takes on the matter. As far as Towson is concerned, I...

Yesterday, the Vail Spot reported that MD U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski may announce her retirement in a few days. I interned from Ms. Mikluski nearly two decades ago, and while I do not see her retiring this election cycle, the thought does bring up interesting scenarios for Republicans in Maryland this year. Governor Martin O’Malley. Between a growing structural budget deficit, forced furlough days for state workers, and last week’s scolding of his constituents on national TV during...

Well, on the very same day the Obama Administration announced a three year freeze on non-military discretionary spending, the President said that he would rather be a “really good one term President than a mediocre two term President.” While the Republicans are smelling blood in the water, and Hilary is waiting to re-start her campaign, Obama is making a very smart political move: move the spotlight off of 2012 and his chances for re-election and put it squarely on the issues (health...

I do not live in Massachusetts, but like every other would be political observer, I have been paying attention. Mike Allen over at Politico wrote that President Obama plans on being combative if Martha Coakley loses the special election for the Mass. Senate seat today. The consensus is that Obama’s mid-term swoon has begun and the health care bill is going to be the first casualty. I think it’s too early for Republicans to start dreaming of a rout in November and the Democrats for envisioning...

Matt Stover's Indianapolis Colts Jersey Happy New Year and welcome to 2010. The NFL playoffs are at full steam and I live in Charm City (Baltimore). Our Ravens shocked the sports world on Sunday by dismantling the New England Patriots at Foxboro. However, I think the Ravens bandwagon comes to a screeching halt when they play the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday night. It comes down to one sentence: Karma in the form of Matt Stover. Matt Stover was the Ravens kicker for its entire history in Baltimore...

Be careful what you wish for… When the weatherman said it was going to snow four inches earlier this week, I was practically giddy. Well, I just walked a 1/2 mile in it and it is up to my knees. Here is the pic… Have a great day of shopping in the snow if you live on the East Coast.

I just found out that Oral Roberts passed away at the age of 91. I never sent him any money, or attended any of his crusades, but I liked listening to him because he seemed genuine to me. He was old school. Never in your face about whether your theology, faith and belief was correct in his eyes. He often said, “I’ll leave them to their theology. I’m out to save souls. I have more friends among doctors than among ministers.” I can’t imagine a media preacher having the same kind of...

Having read the transcript of the President’s Nobel Peace Prize, and his mentioning of his rationale for Just War in Afghanistan, I wonder if the President looked up the true origin of the phrase. The meaning of Just War comes from the Old Testament, specifically the Book of Deuteronomy. In the 20th chapter, scripture reads: If they refuse to make peace and they engage you in battle, lay siege to that city. When the LORD your God delivers it into your hand, put to the sword all the men in...

What is it with people? Why is the media focused on a cover photograph that Sarah Palin posed for? She posed for the cover for another magazine and Newsweek got the rights to reproduce it on its cover. Obviously, Newsweek has a bias against Palin but to say the outfit is sexist is a bit of a stretch. If we must focus on the picture, I have a question… why is the American flag draped over the chair? Is she running for something? Hence the photo for “Runner’s World.” ...