Our political Quote of the Day comes from CBS's Bob Schieffer, who, as I've said before, was really person who should have succeeded Walter Cronkite: “But you know, I tell you something, Imus — what I find really interesting. What’s going on here, frankly, is you know, Mitt Romney, is not the robber baron that the Obama folks would have you believe any more than Obama is a … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Bob Schieffer On the Parties’ Political Rhetoric and Centrists
This Just In!
This just in! It's a story that will bust this town wide open. Actually, it's just one more example of meaningless, silly and credibility-destroying politics and partisanship has become. I mean, really... … [Read more...] about This Just In!
Colin Powell Balks at Endorsing Obama (UPDATED)
Camp Obama has had a lot of bad political news recently (Corey Booker, a slew of polls, Romney catching up in funding) and this is more of it: Colin Powell is balking at endorsing Obama (understandable this early in the season since he always holds out) and says Mitt Romney is a "good man" (a phrase unhelpful to Obama's team and a sign that Powell could indeed endorse someone … [Read more...] about Colin Powell Balks at Endorsing Obama (UPDATED)
Dumbing Down Political Speech
Pretty much everyone notices that political speech has become more bitterly partisan in recent years. Now a study finds that speechifying by our leaders in D. C. has also been dumbing down, nearly a full grade level since just seven years ago. Measured by the Flesch-Kincaid test, congressional oratory has dropped from an 11.5 grade level on average to a 10.6 grade level. … [Read more...] about Dumbing Down Political Speech
Selig Cartwright, Goldman Sachs Washroom Attendant: Mr. B Sees The Writing On The Wall
Good, lord, Mr. B. You're white as a sheet. What's the matter, sir? They did it again, Selig. They spray painted those nine horrible words on our front entrance. You must have seen them when you came to work this morning. No, sir. Don't you remember? Only top earners can use the front entrance these days. You made that a rule a few years back to give the rest of us … [Read more...] about Selig Cartwright, Goldman Sachs Washroom Attendant: Mr. B Sees The Writing On The Wall
Women Standing Up For What They Believe In
Jessica Crispin writes:Okay, so this is what I want: I want, when someone changes their mind about something, for them not to go ideologically swinging to the far other side. I was reading some reviews of Mark Simpson's Male Impersonators: Men Performing Masculinity, and there are some of former feminists writing about it. And when I say "former" I mean "anti." We're taking … [Read more...] about Women Standing Up For What They Believe In
Can Boehner Get Into the Act?
The Speaker is back, trying to reprise his Greatest Hit—-last year’s manufactured debt-ceiling crisis that lowered the nation’s credit rating after nearly sending government over a cliff. Like Newt Gingrich in the 1990s, Boehner is ready, willing but fortunately unable to bring America to a standstill again this year to prevent reelection of a Democratic president, but he is … [Read more...] about Can Boehner Get Into the Act?
NBC’s Chuck Todd Perflectly Summarizes Obama and Romney Arguments in 2012 Election
NBC's Political Director Chuck Todd has just perfectly summarized the two key arguments that will be made in the 2012 campaign election: Barack Obama will argue that Mitt Romney doesn't have the values to be President. Mitt Romney will argue that Obama doesn't have the skills to be President. And, yes, there will assuredly be plenty of big issues popping up, … [Read more...] about NBC’s Chuck Todd Perflectly Summarizes Obama and Romney Arguments in 2012 Election
The Kidnapping of Corey Booker
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about The Kidnapping of Corey Booker
The NAACP’s Relevance Step
The NAACP's relevance step by Eugene Robinson WASHINGTON -- With its support for gay marriage, the NAACP has done more than strike a blow for fairness and equality. The nation's most venerable civil rights organization has made itself relevant again. The NAACP's 64-member board approved a resolution Saturday supporting "marriage equality" not as a matter of … [Read more...] about The NAACP’s Relevance Step
California’s 30th District: Race Between Consensus Builders Berman and Sherman is the Most Fascinating Redistricted House Battle
California's 30th District: Race Between Consensus Builders Berman and Sherman is the Most Fascinating Redistricted House Battle by Scott Crass This redistricting year is forcing numerous pairings of one House member against another. Some are Democratic vs. Republican matchups. Others involve incumbents whose party affiliations are the same, but whose styles are different. … [Read more...] about California’s 30th District: Race Between Consensus Builders Berman and Sherman is the Most Fascinating Redistricted House Battle
VIDEO: Shucking an Oyster
TMV's Info U Can Use Dept: Shucking an Oyster, a video by Pete Van de Putte: FOOTNOTE: I've known Pete Van de Putte of Texas for years. He has a delightful sense of humor and is owner of the famous Dixie Flag Manufacturing Company that makes superb flags and banners (I had one made years ago for my non-blogging incarnation and used it for many years at trade shows.) … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Shucking an Oyster
The Perfect Birthday Gift For Newark Mayor Corey Booker
I've done a few posts on the controversy over Newark Mayor Corey Booker's comments about Bain Capital being a "nauseating" issue and also reviewed a DVD of the movie "Street Fight" 5 years ago about his early political career. He is one of the country's most fascinating up and coming (but not up and coming as much due to his comments) mayors. And now I think I've found the … [Read more...] about The Perfect Birthday Gift For Newark Mayor Corey Booker
VIDEO: Newark Mayor Corey Booker Tells MSNBC’s Rachael Maddow GOP Distorting His Comments
Embattled Newark Mayor Corey Booker -- seemingly doing more back steps than Ginger Rogers did with Fred Astaire -- has been working mightily to undo the damage many feel he has done to Barack Obama's campaign. Analysts differ. Were his comments defending Mitt Romney on Bain Capital's use as an issue a political mistake? Due to his own Wall Street ties? Did it reflect his … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Newark Mayor Corey Booker Tells MSNBC’s Rachael Maddow GOP Distorting His Comments
VIDEO: Obama Explains Why Bain Capital Matters As An Issue Against Mitt Romney
Here's a video of Barack Obama's explanation of why the issue of Bain Capital is not a distraction but at the center of a philosophical debate at play in election 2012. The issue has now gotten enmeshed in talking points on both sides. Here's Obama's explanation so you can judge for yourself: … [Read more...] about VIDEO: Obama Explains Why Bain Capital Matters As An Issue Against Mitt Romney
Price of NATO Survival: Diminished Sovereignty (Die Zeit, Germany)
With their resources drying up like a pond in the hot sun, can NATO do what is necessary to ensure the Alliance's continued relevance in a world that appears increasingly unstable? For Die Zeit, columnist Claudia Major writes that to survive as an institution, NATO members must achieve a far higher degree of integration and trust, and the sacrifice of a greater measure of … [Read more...] about Price of NATO Survival: Diminished Sovereignty (Die Zeit, Germany)
Will The Supreme Court Reconsider Its Citizens United Ruling?
Just over two years after its controversial ruling in Citizens United, the U. S. Supreme Court is being challenged to reconsider the heart of its decision. The State Supreme Court of Montana voted 5-2 to uphold a 100 year old Montana law that flies in the face of Citizens United. The Montana law was passed to reduce the influence of copper barons in controlling the state’s … [Read more...] about Will The Supreme Court Reconsider Its Citizens United Ruling?
Merkel Fires Obama; Takes Hollande to Woodshed (Die Welt, Germany)
German dominance over Europe, particularly since Europe's foreign debt crisis began, has been a major topic of discussion throughout the continent, with the wounds of World War II clearly on display - particularly in Greece. But when the Germans themselves start satirizing their own influence, it is a sure sign that Berlin is getting used to its growing influence. In this … [Read more...] about Merkel Fires Obama; Takes Hollande to Woodshed (Die Welt, Germany)
American ‘Grandees’ Should Pay Debt to Pakistan and be Grateful (The Frontier Post, Pakistan)
Rather than imposing conditions on delivering promised funds to Pakistan - such as reopening NATO's supply route through the country, should Washington give Pakistan the money it has promised with gratitude? With the shadow of the friendly-fire incident at Salala hanging over the NATO Summit in Chicago, this angry editorial from The Frontier Post argues that Pakistan has paid a … [Read more...] about American ‘Grandees’ Should Pay Debt to Pakistan and be Grateful (The Frontier Post, Pakistan)
30 Days For Defendant In Tyler Clementi Case
The sentence came down today, 30 days for the Rutgers webcam spying case defendant Dharun Ravi. He will also perform 300 hours of community service. Personally I have mixed views on the sentence. On the one hand Ravi is, in my opinion, a rotten human being who helped drive Tyler Clementi to suicide. On the other hand I have problems with punishing someone for what they … [Read more...] about 30 Days For Defendant In Tyler Clementi Case