The underlying problem of reinventing an embattled President may go deep in this time of irrationality raised to the nth degree. Can the man Clint Eastwood wants to fire for not getting the job done say anything to reason with, inspire and persuade undecided voters? If that’s the question this week, the consensus of informed observers, despite recommendations of their own, … [Read more...] about The Speech Obama Must Give
Bob Schieffer is a Class Act
There's a lot to be said for being an elder storyteller like Bob Schieffer. He has lived long and is a fine looking, observant and stalwart soul who is 'bright on his feet' and long in comparable memories. Tonight, commenting on Mayor Julían Castro's energetic and high key but gritty speech at the Democratic Convention opener, Mr. Schieffer opined that Castro knew how to … [Read more...] about Bob Schieffer is a Class Act
Pres. Bill Clinton at the Convention, and During Football, Too
WASHINGTON - This is an all hands on deck moment for Democrats. That's why it was so stunning over the weekend that they couldn't answer the one question everyone knew was coming: Are you better off today than you were four years ago? The answer to this question, especially if you're a Democratic surrogate, a role I once played, is yes. Yet Democrats didn't figure it out … [Read more...] about Pres. Bill Clinton at the Convention, and During Football, Too
The First Night Of The DNC
Let me try to start out positive, because as a conservative, that's hard to do watching the Democrat's Convention. First and foremost, Tammy Duckworth, triple-amputated vet and Black Hawk pilot, was amazing, and her speech was great. First Lady Michelle Obama's speech was the best of the night. It gave warmth, and hit the right notes. But who was she kidding with saying "'I … [Read more...] about The First Night Of The DNC
The 27%
My mother is 90 years old. She was born and raised Idaho and eastern Washington. She probably never saw an African American until she moved to Portland in her late teens. But she is part of the 27% who wouldn't vote for an African American. Her parents and grandparents were born in Sweden and her grandmother refused to learn English. My mother watches Fox News but she … [Read more...] about The 27%
Why America’s Republicans have No Foreign Policy (Gazeta, Russia)
Should the Russians, or the Chinese for that matter, take the Republican platform or Mitt Romney's foreign policy statements seriously? For Russia's Gazeta, columnist Fyodor Lukyanov examines the party, the Republican nominee, and most of all his running mate, and concludes when you come right down to it, today's Republicans, while uttering the phrases Americans came to know … [Read more...] about Why America’s Republicans have No Foreign Policy (Gazeta, Russia)
The debt story that the media seem to willfully ignore
If I asked you which contributed the most to our ongoing debt crisis -- the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan or TARP et al or the Bush era tax cuts (2001, 2003) -- which would you choose? Me, I thought it was the war effort. But I was wrong. This chart gives me a headache: What it shows -- plainly -- is that the Republican tax cuts enacted in 2001 and 2003 and then … [Read more...] about The debt story that the media seem to willfully ignore
Castro Introduces Himself To America
In a keynote speech that electrified the convention, San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro introduced himself to America and quite possibly set the groundwork for a future Presidential campaign of his own. Much like Chris Christie did at the RNC last week Castro connected with the audience by discussing his own background and how he felt that the Obama White House would do more … [Read more...] about Castro Introduces Himself To America
Ted Kennedy Eviscerates Mitt Romney in DNC Tribute, Reince Priebus Calls Democrats ‘Classless’
The Democratic convention is off to a good start and I must say I loved the tribute to Ted Kennedy in which he eviscerated Mitt Romney (the perpetual candidate for office) about his flip-flopping on health care. This speaks volumes -- Ted Kennedy slammed him back in 1994 for his history of flip-flopping and fast forward to 2012, we are still dealing with Mitt Romney's … [Read more...] about Ted Kennedy Eviscerates Mitt Romney in DNC Tribute, Reince Priebus Calls Democrats ‘Classless’
The National Conventions, the War and the Troops (Updated)
Update: Former Army Lt. Col., assault helicopter pilot, commander of an entire Blackhawk helicopter company and Iraq War hero Tammy Duckworth just delivered her speech to the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. Her speech alone had more stirring references to our troops, to the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, to the veterans of those wars, to women in the … [Read more...] about The National Conventions, the War and the Troops (Updated)
A Declaration of RINOhood
I have been branded with the epithet "RINO" by most of the internet right -- at least, those who view themselves as true blue, or "real" conservatives. But "RINO" may be a misnomer. I have never been a "party man" in the almost 8 years the Nuthouse has been on the net, although I have had my partisan moments to be sure. The ideologues who have tarred me with what they believe … [Read more...] about A Declaration of RINOhood
America’s Unsettling Political ‘Hate Speech’ (China Daily, People’s Republic of China)
Could the recent anti-Obama documentary by conservative pundit Dinesh D'Souza be compared to the communist propaganda generated during the Cultural Revolution - or that of Nazi Germany? For China's state-run China Daily, U.S. correspondent Chen Weihua writes that even more unsettling than seeing The Dark Knight Rises after the Colorado massacre was viewing D'Souza's 2016: … [Read more...] about America’s Unsettling Political ‘Hate Speech’ (China Daily, People’s Republic of China)
Everybody Want’s to Cut Government Spending but…..
....they don't actually want to cut any thing. James Joyner directs us to this post by Stan Collender: Question 6 of this latest poll from Ipsos Public Affairs tells you all you need to know: No matter which political party the respondents identify with, there's no majority for cutting any of the major areas of federal spending among these registered voters. In fact, there … [Read more...] about Everybody Want’s to Cut Government Spending but…..
When it comes to political ads, it’s men who appear susceptible
It's common knowledge that women are more "emotional" than men, right? But what if you are trying to persuade someone cold, without knowing whether they are a thinker or a feeler? Then you'll have to rely on short-cuts, and one of the most obvious short-cuts is gender because women have a tendency to give greater weight to emotionally-framed arguments, while men give … [Read more...] about When it comes to political ads, it’s men who appear susceptible
MOM – Martin’s Only Mission
As the Democratic National Convention begins in Charlotte, all of the eyes of the political world will turn to Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley. O’Malley has been given a prime time spot on the dais on the 1st night of the DNC Convention because of his frequent appearances as the chief surrogate for the Obama campaign O’Malley, the two term Governor of Maryland, got in hot … [Read more...] about MOM – Martin’s Only Mission
Our Military Paralympians Proving Their Mettle in London
As the 2012 Paralympic Games continue in London, our 20 participating U.S. service members and veterans are performing magnificently. They have accumulated, as of last night, seven medals -- that is almost one medal for every two of these athletes: Former West Point cadet and three-letter varsity athlete at the U.S. Military Academy Jennifer Schuble won the silver … [Read more...] about Our Military Paralympians Proving Their Mettle in London
Obama Acceptance Speech To Be Moved ?
Word is that they will be moving President Obama's acceptance speech from a 74,000 seat venue to one with about 20,000 seats. Officially they are only considering making the move if safety or weather issues require it but the story seems to suggest that the move is a done deal. One has to wonder if the weather is just an excuse, but we will see what happens. … [Read more...] about Obama Acceptance Speech To Be Moved ?
Keynote Addresses — Footnotes Or Preludes To History
By Scott Crass Smack in the midst of convention season, one major aspect of the bright lights, balloons, podiums, and in an apparent new trend, empty chairs, are the keynote addresses. A keynote is a speech by an individual, in most cases a "rising star," on the political scene, the future of the party if you will, being selected by the nominee of their party to reflect … [Read more...] about Keynote Addresses — Footnotes Or Preludes To History
Paul Ryan Shakes Etch A Sketch: Now Says Is Not Blaming Obama for GM Plant’s Closing (UPDATED)
One of the most interesting aspects of American politics and politicians'-media dynamics is that someone can state something that is false and get away with it, then if they backtrack all is seemingly forgotten. Will we have another one of those moments? Republican Vice Presidential candidate Paul Ryan has just shaken the Etch a Sketch on what has become one of his most … [Read more...] about Paul Ryan Shakes Etch A Sketch: Now Says Is Not Blaming Obama for GM Plant’s Closing (UPDATED)
Facts? We Don’t Need No Stinking Facts
Republicans are apparently not even pretending anymore that they're telling the truth. The Big Lie seems to have unabashedly become their Official Policy. One Republican campaign pollster, Neil Newhouse, even said: "We're not going to let our campaign be dictated by fact-checkers," at a panel organized by ABC News. (There are sources for this quote all over the internet. I'll … [Read more...] about Facts? We Don’t Need No Stinking Facts