Clint Eastwood took the stage at the RNC on August 30 and gave a short, rambling talk to an empty chair. The not-in-Miami crowd went wild. I don't think this is what he meant by that closing "Make my day" refrain. See the story at Storify if the embed isn't working! [View the story "Twitter goes wild after Eastwood speech" on Storify] … [Read more...] about Twitter Goes Wild After Eastwood Speech
Ryan’s Diet of Whoppers
TAMPA, Fla. -- Has there ever been a more dishonest presidential campaign than the one Republicans are waging right now? That's a serious question, and it adds poignancy to the tragicomic spectacle of this frankly ridiculous gathering. The one indisputable truth we hear from speaker after speaker at the Republican National Convention is that this is a consequential … [Read more...] about Ryan’s Diet of Whoppers
Obama and Romney’s Dueling August 30 Fundraising Emails
August 30 was an important day: the day when former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney achieved his long sought prize and accepted the Republican Presidential nomination -- definitively stepping into the role with his major acceptance speech. And it therefore stands to reason it was a a day of fundraising emails. Both Romney and President Barack Obama sent them to their … [Read more...] about Obama and Romney’s Dueling August 30 Fundraising Emails
Romney Makes It Official With Upbeat Speech
Mitt Romney tonight formally accepted the Republican nomination for President with a speech that included everything from the deep emotion that one has to feel in such a situation to an upbeat vision of the future. The address covered a wide range of topics, starting with a look back and the hope of the 2008 election and the areas in which he feels President Obama has … [Read more...] about Romney Makes It Official With Upbeat Speech
Democrats Respond to Paul Ryan
WASHINGTON - What do you want to bet that Chris Christie is begging for a do over? Whatever role he might have played before Mitt Romney picked Paul Ryan, he'll have to regroup. It's a lesson in grabbing your moment while it's nigh, because you can miss it and watch your chance slide by. That's how good Paul Ryan was received last night by Republicans. That he filleted Pres. … [Read more...] about Democrats Respond to Paul Ryan
Romney’s Daring Right Turn Gives America a Clear Choice (Dernieres Nouvelles d’Alsacé, France)
Do Americans have a political memory deficit when compared to people in other nations? For France's Dernieres Nouvelles d'Alsace, columnist Pascal Coquis writes that this capacity to forget has given Mitt Romney a chance to reinvent himself, and gives America a very stark choice to make in November. For the Dernieres Nouvelles d'Alsace, columnist Pascal Coquis starts off … [Read more...] about Romney’s Daring Right Turn Gives America a Clear Choice (Dernieres Nouvelles d’Alsacé, France)
In This World II
U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Andrew Thomasson is splashed by water as he fulfills his promise to his family and lays his grandfather's ashes to rest on Iwo Jima's Invasion Beach in Iwo Jima (now named Iwo To), Japan, Aug. 28, 2012. During the Battle for Iwo Jima, Thomasson's grandfather, U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Oscar Thomasson, was aboard a landing craft that was … [Read more...] about In This World II
Edward Topol: ‘America on the Verge of a Civil War’ (Argumenty i Facty, Russia)
Is President Obama a closet communist, on the cusp of undermining the very makeup of the country he governs? In this interview with Russia's Argumenty i Facty, Edward Topol, acclaimed novelist, U.S. resident, former Communist Party member and Soviet journalist, asserts that Americans don't know what it's like to live under socialism - and forecasts 'civil war' in America if … [Read more...] about Edward Topol: ‘America on the Verge of a Civil War’ (Argumenty i Facty, Russia)
Big Impact of Ryan’ Speech: News Media Scrambles to Find 15 Euphemisms for “Lying”
For centuries politicians have fudged the truth, but in the case of Mitt Romney's soon-to-be-running mate Paul Ryan, the Wisconsin Congressman's red-meat-hurling speech at the Republican convention has brought a slew of charges that it contained outright...mistatements....accuracy challenged assertions. Well, let's use the word "lies." And now, The Week reports, the news media … [Read more...] about Big Impact of Ryan’ Speech: News Media Scrambles to Find 15 Euphemisms for “Lying”
Republican Foreign Policy – A Return to the Bush years
The most frightening thing about sending Romney/Ryan to the White House is foreign policy. This became obvious in the speeches by McCain, Rice and Ryan. It was the same saber rattling that got us into so much trouble during the Bush years. John McCain: We are now being tested by an array of threats that are more complex, more numerous, and just as deeply and deadly as I … [Read more...] about Republican Foreign Policy – A Return to the Bush years
Paul Ryan’s Very Red Meat
When I came home from World War II, someone persuaded me to attend a Communist lecture where the speaker listed everything wrong in America from high prices to flat feet, then proclaimed, “All this, of course, is a result of the capitalist system.” Listening to the GOP VP nominee last night brought back the same sensation that caused my brain to slam shut back then, but with … [Read more...] about Paul Ryan’s Very Red Meat
Image vs. Reality at the GOP Convention
Give those Republicans some due credit: they've been putting on the kind of show that would have done Ziegfeld proud. Saddled with a vanilla nominee in Mitt Romney, they've been firing up their base with a multi-megawatt display of passion and purpose. And not only their base: the Republicans have jettisoned their dowdy image as the party of aging white guys; they've produced … [Read more...] about Image vs. Reality at the GOP Convention
The Para-What? (Updated)
The 2012 U.S. and Great Britain Paralympics basketball teams show sportsmanship following their final opportunity to scrimmage at the University of East London before the start of Paralympics game play in London, England, Aug. 29. --Scroll down for some great words by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff-- I have seen very little coverage of the 2012 London … [Read more...] about The Para-What? (Updated)
Knocking It Out of the Park
Yeah, I agree. The best convention coverage is coming from Charlie Pearce's blog at Esquire*. He rings all bells, most days. Sample: ... I think it was when he went to tears, one dab at each eye, while talking about his mother, that it became extraordinarily clear to me that there's a lot of old Dick Nixon in young Paul Ryan, the zombie-eyed granny-starver from … [Read more...] about Knocking It Out of the Park
What if China Stumbles?
Economic storm clouds continue to form around the world. The problems in Europe threaten not only Europe, but the rest of the world economies too. Even the countries that weathered the 2008 storm relatively easily, such as Brazil and China, are now developing symptoms of economic distress. Following a several month stay teaching and traveling in some of the major cities in … [Read more...] about What if China Stumbles?
Paul Ryan and Condi Rice Bring It
Paul Ryan didn't disappoint last night with his speech to the GOP Convention. He came across as young, smart, and ready to lead. He had so many great lines, but probably the key was this about Medicare: "Mitt Romney and I know the difference between protecting a program and raiding it. Ladies and gentlemen, our nation needs this debate. We want this debate. We will win this … [Read more...] about Paul Ryan and Condi Rice Bring It
Paul Ryan Arrives
WASHINGTON - The heir to Ronald Reagan has arrived and he's being fact checked. As we learned from Pres. Obama, as well as Pres. Bill Clinton, a deep emotional connection can take a politician a long way. We'll see if Paul Ryan has what it takes to maintain that tie, because he's no Sarah Palin. Taylor Marsh, a veteran political analyst and former Huffington Post … [Read more...] about Paul Ryan Arrives
Gallup Poll Editors: Mitt Romney’s Strengths and Weaknessses
The editors of the Gallup Pull have taken a long, hard look at the Republican's new Presidential nominee Mitt Romney and find a mixed bag as he prepares to deliver what many predict will be the speech of his political life at the Republican convention tonight in Tampa. Two key findings: his likability is up somewhat but it still could be a factor that could cost him the … [Read more...] about Gallup Poll Editors: Mitt Romney’s Strengths and Weaknessses
‘Ignorant’ Romney Policies Will Result in ‘Direct Confrontation’ (China Daily, People’s Republic of China)
Beijing either doesn't know that expressing criticism of a U.S. presidential nominee is likely to help him win - or it knows and is intentionally doing so. This editorial from China's state-controlled China Daily asserts that Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney is out of his depth when it comes to foreign policy - and that if Romney's China plans were implemented, … [Read more...] about ‘Ignorant’ Romney Policies Will Result in ‘Direct Confrontation’ (China Daily, People’s Republic of China)
Condoleezza Rice at the Republican Convention: A REAL Major Political Star Is Born? (Video of full speech)
So far at the Republican convention, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is now considered to have flopped in his speech, Ann Romney delivered as expected and Vice Presidential candidate Paul Ryan hurled partisan red meat, sparked immediate controversy with the accuracy of his confidently-stated assertions, and tried to woo independent voters. But if there is someone who is now … [Read more...] about Condoleezza Rice at the Republican Convention: A REAL Major Political Star Is Born? (Video of full speech)