And so the cycle continues. Gridlock, stalemate -- all of it symptomatic of early 21st politics which has seemingly eschewed the ideas of consensus and compromise as signs of weakness as opposed to qualities that could solve problems. And Time's Mark Halperin believes Barack Obama's weekly address this week won't make things better -- but worse: Writes Halperin: Both … [Read more...] about Will Obama’s New Weekly Address Make Gridlock Worse?
Defense Update: Father’s Day
First, Happy Father’s Day to all fathers, but especially to our military fathers and especially, especially to those military fathers who will be spending Father’s Day far away from their loved ones. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said it best in his Father’s Day message to the troops (below): "Over the past year as Secretary of Defense, I've had the opportunity to meet … [Read more...] about Defense Update: Father’s Day
Campaign Cash Is the Gift that Keeps on Giving (Guest Voice)
Campaign Cash Is the Gift that Keeps on Giving by Bill Moyers and Michael Winship If you’re visiting a candidate this summer and looking for a thoughtful house gift, might we suggest a nice Super PAC? Thanks to the Supreme Court and Citizens United, they’re all the rage among the mega-wealthy. All it takes is a little paperwork and a wad of cash and presto, you can have, … [Read more...] about Campaign Cash Is the Gift that Keeps on Giving (Guest Voice)
Scrapping College for All (Guest Voice)
[Editor's Note: Earlier this month Washington Post columnist Robert Samuelson did this column about scrapping college for all. It did not run on TMV but you can read it HERE. In this Guest Voice edition of his syndicated column he further explores the idea.] Scrapping college for All (Part 2) by Robert Samuelson Washington Post Writers Group WASHINGTON -- Let's … [Read more...] about Scrapping College for All (Guest Voice)
Questions on Greece
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Questions on Greece
Obama Could Lose Independent Voters This Time
Yet another bad piece of emerging news for President Barack Obama: many analysts are now concluded there is a real chance he could lose indpendendent voters this time -- which would mean losing the ball game. Newsweek's Eleanor Clift looks at a Colorado focus group set up by a respected columnist and finds many of them have given up on the idea of political "hope" and concluded … [Read more...] about Obama Could Lose Independent Voters This Time
Smart Economists and Stupid Economists
Last week, Mitt Romney declared that President Obama had it all wrong: “He says we need more firemen, more policemen, more teachers.” Then he declared, “It’s time for us to cut back on government and help the American people.” Romney and Scott Walker appear to agree with each other. But is agreement a sign of wisdom? Paul Krugman wrote yesterday that there is evidence that … [Read more...] about Smart Economists and Stupid Economists
Defense Update: Gary Powers and Kim Phuc (UPDATES)
UPDATE: Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz presents the Silver Star awarded posthumously to Air Force Capt. Francis Gary Powers to the captain's grandchildren, Francis Gary "Trey" Powers III and Lindsey Barry, during a ceremony in the Pentagon, June 15, 2012. PREVIOUS UPDATES: Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz will posthumously … [Read more...] about Defense Update: Gary Powers and Kim Phuc (UPDATES)
Fox News Bigwigs Blast Daily Caller Reporter for Heckling Obama
After some of the Tweets I got after I put my reaction to the unprecedented spectacle of a Daily Caller reporter apparently doing an imitation of a talk radio host or the late Morton Downey, Jr, it was refreshing to note the parade of GOPers who are coming out against what occurred. CNN's Dean Obeidallah thinks its part of an ongoing effort to "delegitimize" Obama. But on the … [Read more...] about Fox News Bigwigs Blast Daily Caller Reporter for Heckling Obama
McCain the Maverick
Romney surrogate, John McCain, is getting all mavericky again. Senator and Romney presidential campaign surrogate John McCain (R-AZ) said Thursday that casino magnate Sheldon Adelson is indirectly injecting millions of dollar in Chinese "foreign money" into Mitt Romney's presidential election effort. "Much of Mr. Adelson's casino profits that go to him come from his casino … [Read more...] about McCain the Maverick
Sports Promotion Prompts Overreaction
In this era of almost hourly political controversy it seems like people are out there looking for something to complain about. Often they go way too far in overreacting. One example is happening tonight in my neck of the woods. A local minor league baseball team (The Stockton Ports, inspiration for Casey at The Bat) is having a promotion with some political … [Read more...] about Sports Promotion Prompts Overreaction
Quote of the Day: Halerpin on GOP Reaction to Obama Immigration Change
Our political Quote of the Day comes from Time's Mark Halperin, who has this take on Republican reaction to Barack Obama's immigration policy shift: Whatever one thinks of the President's move on immigration, it is as predictable as it is regrettable that Republican reaction is uniformly negative. These statements from Rick Perry and John McCain — two of their party's … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Halerpin on GOP Reaction to Obama Immigration Change
Daily Caller Reporter Heckles Obama During White House Statement on Immigration: Unprecedented and Inexcusable (UPDATED)
Once again the bar is lowered on expected and "given" behaviors in American discourse. And, once again, just watch some folks defend it. Each time it's lowered, then it means it's likely to occur again. In this case, if it does, then say goodbye to any vestige of Presidents or Senators for that matter being allowed to finish delivering statements to the press and public in … [Read more...] about Daily Caller Reporter Heckles Obama During White House Statement on Immigration: Unprecedented and Inexcusable (UPDATED)
Obama Bypasses Congress With Executive Order To Stop Deporting Young Illegals
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration will stop deporting and begin granting work permits to younger illegal immigrants who came to the U.S. as children and have since led law-abiding lives. As anyone who reads me knows, I agree with this. But I don't agree with an executive order to do it. This President loves bypassing the constitution, and doing what he wishes with … [Read more...] about Obama Bypasses Congress With Executive Order To Stop Deporting Young Illegals
An Open Letter to the First Lady
Dear Mrs. Obama, On February 3 of this year, a very special lady celebrated her 102nd birthday. In keeping with the love and respect you have consistently shown for our troops and for our veterans, you were thoughtful enough to, on the occasion of her special day, send this lady your personal congratulations and your thanks for her service to our country. As you will … [Read more...] about An Open Letter to the First Lady
Ann Romney’s Style
WASHINGTON - Each politician's wife has a certain style. Mrs. Obama's fashion sense has caused dresses she's worn to sell out. Mrs. Romney's style was most recently noticed when she wore the Reed Audubon silk shirt on CBS "This Morning." I wrote about it and recently talked to Ruth La Ferma from the New York Times on the subject of Ann Romney's style. From the New York … [Read more...] about Ann Romney’s Style
Why Investors Should be Allowed to Buy ‘Stock’ in College Kids
A VERY interesting idea... … [Read more...] about Why Investors Should be Allowed to Buy ‘Stock’ in College Kids
How Obama Can Win
The old guard -- the Clintonistas -- are carping loudly about how the Obama campaigners are botching the job, guaranteeing that they will lose in November. It sounds a lot like sour grapes to me. These guys are sittin' around in a muggy mist of regret that they're not in the headlines anymore. James Carville seems like a good example of a whiny camera-hugger. But John … [Read more...] about How Obama Can Win
Uninspiring Election
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Obama Administration Will Stop Deporting Most Young Illegal Immigrants (UPDATED 2 with News and Blog Roundup))
In a policy decision with significant implications to the ongoing debate about immigration reform and election year dynamics, the Obama administration has announced that if young immigrations who came into the U.S. as kids meet certain requirements they will no longer be deported. The action will accomplish some key goals of the DREAM Act. Obama's Congressional foes are … [Read more...] about Obama Administration Will Stop Deporting Most Young Illegal Immigrants (UPDATED 2 with News and Blog Roundup))