The issue of presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney's tax returns just won't go away. And the latest call comes from GOP who was once considered close to Romney: Jon Huntsman, Sr: Jon Huntsman Sr. called on Mitt Romney to release his tax returns Friday, complaining that the Republican nominee was not being “fair” with voters. “I feel very badly that Mitt won’t … [Read more...] about Jon Huntsman, Sr. to Mitt Romney: Release More Tax Returns
Romney Veepstakes 2012: Why Mitt Should Pick Chris Christie
My associate editor Richard Barry and I have been predicting Christie for months. For more, see, for example, "'Husky and Starch': The best GOP ticket and Obama's worst nightmare." ********** "Romney Faces Pressure From Right to Put Ryan on Ticket," says the Times. "Why not Paul Ryan?" asks the Journal. Well, because then the election could turn on the … [Read more...] about Romney Veepstakes 2012: Why Mitt Should Pick Chris Christie
Last Two U.S. Military Olympians Slated to Compete in London Olympics
As the London Summer Olympics draw to a close, we wish the last two military Olympians yet to compete every success. They are: • Spc. Dennis Bowsher, 29, of Dallas, who will compete in modern pentathlon, a five-sport event that includes fencing, swimming, equestrian show jumping, cross country and laser pistol shooting all in the same day, tomorrow, August 11. • Staff … [Read more...] about Last Two U.S. Military Olympians Slated to Compete in London Olympics
Could Jon Huntsman Sr. be the Source of Harry Reid Charge Romney Didn’t Pay Taxes for 10 Years?
Could Jon Huntsman Sr. be the source of Sen. Harry Reid's (D-NV) charge that Mitt Romney didn't pay taxes for 10 years? The Daily Kos thinks so because Huntsman Sr. is business partners with Robert C. Gay, who was Bain Capital's managing director between 1989 and 2004. In other words, who else would have the inside scoop on any fancy financial shenanigans that could have … [Read more...] about Could Jon Huntsman Sr. be the Source of Harry Reid Charge Romney Didn’t Pay Taxes for 10 Years?
As a Former Mormon Missionary, Romney’s European Gaffes Were Well Calculated (Die Zeit, Germany)
Is it possible that the apparent gaffes Mitt Romney made visiting Europe and Israel were not gaffes at all - but the calculated fruits of his experience as a missionary in France? For Germany's Die Zeit, former Mormon and duel U.S.-German citizen Eric T. Hansen writes that if Mitt Romney wins in November, for the first time in a long time perhaps, there will be a U.S. president … [Read more...] about As a Former Mormon Missionary, Romney’s European Gaffes Were Well Calculated (Die Zeit, Germany)
Is Paul Ryan Just a Fall Guy?
“The larger strategic point,” according to the Wall Street Journal's endorsement of Ryan for veep, “is that Mr. Romney’s best chance for victory is to make this a big election over big issues." And Ryan, says Ezra Klein, "is Mr. Big Issues." But Klein sees it differently. ... The smaller, more Machiavellian point is that Ryan is Romney’s best chance to diffuse … [Read more...] about Is Paul Ryan Just a Fall Guy?
Romney Hint: Paul Ryan for Vice Presidential Pick?
Presumptive Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney is expected to announced his Vice Presidential pick any day now -- some analysts believe it could come today. And did he drop a hint that it's going to be Rep. Paul Ryan, the Wisconsiner highly popular with conservatives but also highly controversial, someone Democrats dream Romney will name? The National Journal thinks … [Read more...] about Romney Hint: Paul Ryan for Vice Presidential Pick?
Obama’s Intractable Media Woes
The President makes an involuntary cameo appearance in this week’s episode of HBO’s “Newsroom,” announcing the death of Osama bin Laden after an hour of journalistic jockeying over the propriety of reporting events before they are officially confirmed. Press criticism flourishes in the real White House too. After eight years of Bush/Cheney feigned disdain, Barak Obama is … [Read more...] about Obama’s Intractable Media Woes
When Pigs Fly, or, How to Elect Nixon Again and Again and Again …
Post Civil War Cartoon lampooning those who profited from the bravery of those doing the actual fighting: caption: 'THE STAY-AT-HOMES WHO WROTE WAR-SONGS' TeeVee Funnyman decides that information anarchy would be hilarious and shuts down a potentially useful source of information: Game Over: Wikipedia Locks Down Potential VP Pages In Response to Colbert Mischief-Making BY … [Read more...] about When Pigs Fly, or, How to Elect Nixon Again and Again and Again …
The Media’s Positive Influence on Today’s Veterans (Guest Voice)
The Media’s Positive Influence on Today’s Veterans by Levi Newman Today’s military members and veterans have sacrificed a significant portion of their lives deploying to war-torn countries. Over a decade has passed since they started living in tents thousands of miles away from their families and loved ones, and in all that time they never stopped placing themselves in … [Read more...] about The Media’s Positive Influence on Today’s Veterans (Guest Voice)
More Bad Polling News for Romney: Fox News Has Obama 9 Points Ahead
Fox News commentator Dick Morris recently said the media was "trying to" create a narrative that Barack Obama was ahead in his battle with presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney for the White House. Does Morris now include Fox News as among the media he suggests has editors and reporters creating a false narrative? This poll is even more lopsidded in favor of the new CNN … [Read more...] about More Bad Polling News for Romney: Fox News Has Obama 9 Points Ahead
Book Review: Jackie Salit’s “Independents Rising”
Are you among the 40 something percent of Americans who consider themselves political independents? You will appreciate this new book by Jacqueline Salit, president of IndependentVoting.org, long-time activist and strategist for the independent movement. I urge you to rush to your local bookstore and read this smart, witty and engaging look at American politics in 2012 from an … [Read more...] about Book Review: Jackie Salit’s “Independents Rising”
Global Warming Is Here to Stay
WASHINGTON -- Excuse me, folks, but the weather is trying to tell us something. Listen carefully, and you can almost hear a parched, raspy voice whispering, "What part of 'hottest month ever' do you people not understand?" According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, July was indeed the hottest month in the contiguous United States since … [Read more...] about Global Warming Is Here to Stay
Young Republicans Beginning to Close the Gap on Social Issues
Not many will deny that our nation is bitterly divided this election season and that -- although the economy should be one of the decisive issues -- social issues probably represent the deepest chasm between left and right. I was thus pleasantly surprised to read that there is a group of young Conservatives for who such social issues “are far down the priorities … [Read more...] about Young Republicans Beginning to Close the Gap on Social Issues
CNN/ORC International Poll: Obama Has 7 Point Lead Over Romney as Romney’s Unfavorables Rise and Independent Support Falls
A new CNN/ORC International survey has some good and bad news for presumptive Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney. The good news is that his supporters are increasingly willing to get solidly behind him. The bad news is that President Barack Obama has opened up a 7 point lead as Romney's negatives go up, many voters now doubt that he really can do anything for the … [Read more...] about CNN/ORC International Poll: Obama Has 7 Point Lead Over Romney as Romney’s Unfavorables Rise and Independent Support Falls
People Just Don’t Like Him
Roger Simon asks a question: Shouldn’t Mitt Romney be ahead by now? A good question since the economy is still in the tank. He answers his own question - people just don't like Mitt. As I have written for years, I have a simple — OK, simple-minded — way of determining who is going to win the presidency: The more likable candidate wins. Not always, but almost always. On … [Read more...] about People Just Don’t Like Him
Some People Are Monsters
More here. The contemptuous dismissal this sort of thing often gets no longer even surprises me. … [Read more...] about Some People Are Monsters
Gossip Nation
A gossip is someone who takes pleasure in airing the dirty laundry of others. A political consultant is someone who wins elections airing the dirty laundry of others. Wait a second, that is actually the definition of a successful blogger. Excuse me, that is really the perfect description for a really good internet news site; a place where "reporters" air the dirty laundry of … [Read more...] about Gossip Nation
Shhh… Changes at Susan G. Komen on the QT
WASHINGTON - The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the Komen Foundation is finally shaking the rot from its leadership that led to the catastrophic image collapse when politics became more important to the organization than the women they're supposed to be helping. Susan G. Komen for the Cure shook up its top ranks Wednesday, announcing the resignation of its president and … [Read more...] about Shhh… Changes at Susan G. Komen on the QT
A Primer in Left and Right Ideological (Wishful Thinking?) Punditry
In my most recent syndicated Cagle weekly column, I offered a flip side interpretation of the developing conventional wisdom on the 2012 Presidential election. But what those of us who try to read information explaining the race have to deal with also is this: the dominance of ideologically-based punditry that often becomes a virtual mirror of the other side. (I'm already … [Read more...] about A Primer in Left and Right Ideological (Wishful Thinking?) Punditry