Obama throws down gauntlet to Romney on debate (via AFP) US President Barack Obama prepared Monday for his first debate with Mitt Romney, saying the clash was about security for hard-working Americans, not rhetorical "zingers." Obama heaped pressure on his foe, who is angling for a dramatic turnaround for his ailing campaign in Wednesday's showdown, before… … [Read more...] about Obama Throws Down Gauntlet to Romney on Debate
Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez: “If I Was from The United States, I Would Vote for Obama”
QUOTE OF THE DAY: "I hope this doesn't harm Obama, but if I was from the United States, I'd vote for Obama." -- Venezuela's Hugo Chavez. Chavez also told Reuters: "Obama is a good guy ... I think that if Obama was from Barlovento or some Caracas neighborhood, he'd vote for Chavez," the president told state TV, referring to a poor coastal town known for the African roots of … [Read more...] about Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez: “If I Was from The United States, I Would Vote for Obama”
Losing Candidate Or Losing Party?
As Republicans bemoan the growing lead Barack Obama has over Mitt Romney in the polls, they are turning on Romney, calling him a bad candidate. That's passing strange. Romney has espoused all the party's current positions -- even if they are contrary to positions he has held in the past. Richard Cohen writes in The Washington Post that -- even if Romney is a robotic … [Read more...] about Losing Candidate Or Losing Party?
‘The Good War’ Has Gone Terribly Wrong
Really disturbing news out of Afghanistan that may be being overlooked with all the Presidential election news going on. The New York Times reported in August that the number of U.S. soldiers killed in Afghanistan has more than doubled since Pres. Obama took office. From Michael Yon: "Afghan forces are infested with Taliban suicide killers. Two more “green-on-blue” … [Read more...] about ‘The Good War’ Has Gone Terribly Wrong
Debate Countdown, as Romney Fades
WASHINGTON - It began on the USS Wisconsin, but has turned into a sinking proposition, which I wrote about when the moment crystallized. Nate Silver now gives Romney a 15% chance of winning. This gloom bathes the entire polling universe. Five weeks to Election Day, President Barack Obama is within reach of the 270 electoral votes needed to win a second term. Republican Mitt … [Read more...] about Debate Countdown, as Romney Fades
Obama Seizes The Foreign Policy High Ground From The GOP & Isn’t Letting Go: Report From 20 Paws Ranch
Today's column was going to be about the presidential campaign having entered a period of statistical probability; that is, what you see is what you will get on Election Day. By this measure, Mitt Romney has been toast for the last week or so as swing state after swing state has swung into the Obama column. That subject seemed . . . uh, a little too predictable, as well as … [Read more...] about Obama Seizes The Foreign Policy High Ground From The GOP & Isn’t Letting Go: Report From 20 Paws Ranch
Defining the Debate Game
[ WASHINGTON -- In this week's debate, Mitt Romney has too much to do. President Obama has a great deal to lose. Romney's is the most difficult position. Obama's is the most dangerous. Romney needs to use the Denver encounter to reverse the slide he has found himself in since the party conventions. While Republican partisans claim that many of the public polls … [Read more...] about Defining the Debate Game
As US Supreme Court Opens, All Eyes on Chief Justice John Roberts
As US Supreme Court opens, all eyes on Chief Justice John Roberts (via The Christian Science Monitor) The US Supreme Court begins its 2012-2013 term on Monday with a blunt question: Which version of Chief Justice John Roberts will show up at the high court this year? Will it be the hard-charging conservative who struck down election-season speech restrictions on … [Read more...] about As US Supreme Court Opens, All Eyes on Chief Justice John Roberts
Reason to Hope: A New Deal for Religion and Science
Live your life as if there are no miracles and everything is a miracle. – Albert Einstein A spate of bestsellers—The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins; The End of Faith by Sam Harris; and God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything by the late Christopher Hitchens—argues that religion, as we’ve known it, no longer serves the needs of our scientific, cosmopolitan … [Read more...] about Reason to Hope: A New Deal for Religion and Science
Happy Belated 30th Birthday Emoticon ;-)
I've got to tell you, I'm a fan: To some, an email isn't complete without the inclusion of :-) or :-(. To others, the very idea of using "emoticons" – communicative graphics – makes the blood boil and represents all that has gone wrong with the English language. Regardless of your view, as emoticons celebrate their 30th anniversary this month, it is accepted that they are … [Read more...] about Happy Belated 30th Birthday Emoticon ;-)
New Formats Muddy Debates (Guest Voice)
New Formats Muddy Debates by Peter Funt Substance is the goal in presidential debates, but form sometimes gets in the way. This year, major format changes make the success of the debates as hard to predict as the election itself. Beginning with the Oct. 3 debate on domestic issues, viewers will find something old — PBS veteran Jim Lehrer, 78, moderating his 12th such … [Read more...] about New Formats Muddy Debates (Guest Voice)
Obama and Romney Fight for Religious Groups’ Votes. Then There’s Romney’s Mormon Faith
Obama and Romney fight for religious groups’ votes. Then there’s Romney’s Mormon faith (via The Christian Science Monitor) Separation of church and state may be a constitutional requirement in US government. But in Election 2012 politics, religion has become an increasingly important factor. Both President Obama and Mitt Romney are focusing on … [Read more...] about Obama and Romney Fight for Religious Groups’ Votes. Then There’s Romney’s Mormon Faith
Obama and Romney (Cartoon)
LEGAL NOTICE ON CARTOON: This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Reproduction elsewhere without licensing is strictly prohibited. See great cartoons by all the top political cartoonists at http://cagle.com. To license this cartoon for your own site, visit http://politicalcartoons.com … [Read more...] about Obama and Romney (Cartoon)
Elizabeth Warren Takes Slim Lead Over Scott Brown In Massachusetts Senate Race
The first televised debate between Republican Senator Scott Brown and challenger Democrat Elizabeth Warren is over -- and Warren has now taken a slim lead, suggesting that Democrats who had supported the late Teddy Kennedy are (for) now coming home: With Elizabeth Warren and Senator Scott Brown preparing for their second debate Monday night, Warren appears to be inching … [Read more...] about Elizabeth Warren Takes Slim Lead Over Scott Brown In Massachusetts Senate Race
More Suspicious Voter Forms Found in Florida
You can expect a sea of lawyers at the polls in Florida on election day -- and I'm not talking about Republicans. The controversies over vote suppression efforts in Florida and now coupled with this growing scandal that is linked to a company that until press reports surfaced was working for the GOP. And growing it is: The number of Florida counties reporting suspicious … [Read more...] about More Suspicious Voter Forms Found in Florida
Guess What: 93% of Fox News, 81% Wall St. Journal Reporting on Global Warming Just Plain Wrong (Guest Voice)
Guess What: 93% of Fox News, 81% Wall St. Journal Reporting on Global Warming Just Plain Wrong (via Clean Technica) The Internet puts vast, overwhelming amounts of information at our fingertips. It’s a truly great thing, and more and more of us not only have the time to search, surf, and troll through this ever-growing digital repository, but we’re also … [Read more...] about Guess What: 93% of Fox News, 81% Wall St. Journal Reporting on Global Warming Just Plain Wrong (Guest Voice)
Former New York Times Publisher Sulzberger Dead at 86
Former New York Times publisher Sulzberger dead at 86 (via AFP) Former New York Times publisher and CEO Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, a driving force in the evolution of one of the most prestigious US media outlets, died Saturday. He was 86. During his tenure, Sulzberger oversaw the transformation of the Times from a tightly-controlled family operation -- his … [Read more...] about Former New York Times Publisher Sulzberger Dead at 86
Romney’s Rapidly Shrinking Running Mate
Romney's rapidly shrinking running mate (via AFP) From the moment Mitt Romney mistakenly introduced his running mate Paul Ryan to the world as "the next president of the United States," one word has routinely described the pairing: awkward. Cringe-worthy as that highly anticipated launch was in Virginia in early August, the Republican ticket has since… … [Read more...] about Romney’s Rapidly Shrinking Running Mate
Best and Worst Debate Moments (Video)
Must view: a CBS News piece in which presidential historian Douglas Brinkley discusses good and bad moments in previous debates. … [Read more...] about Best and Worst Debate Moments (Video)
Suggested Romney Zinger Lines
Get ready, here it comes: expect late night comedians to have a field day with the news that Republican nominee Mitt Romney -- who has never been considered an ace wit or life of the party quipster -- has been working on a batch of zinger lines since August to deliver at key moments in this week's debate with Barack Obama. Be sure to watch Letterman, Leno, Jon Stewart and … [Read more...] about Suggested Romney Zinger Lines