You might label the past few weeks "Return of the Culture Wars." And, as ABC News notes, it's bad news for the former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney: The resurgence of social and cultural issues in voters' minds poses new challenges for GOP presidential front-runner Mitt Romney as he reels from surprising losses Tuesday to conservative favorite Rick Santorum. The … [Read more...] about Bad News For Romney? The Culture Wars Return Full Force
If Santorum’s the Answer, What’s the Question?
When you find yourself agreeing with Donald Trump, it’s time for a sanity check. Still, The Donald knows about beauty contests (pace Minnesota, Missouri and Colorado), so he may be qualified to comment on the results: “Rick Santorum was a sitting senator who in re-election lost by 19 points, to my knowledge the most in the history of this country for a sitting senator to … [Read more...] about If Santorum’s the Answer, What’s the Question?
Facebook And The Afterlife
No they have not managed to extend FB to the world beyond...... yet. But this is a free estate planning tip to all the TMV readers. While many of us plan for our loved ones by setting up a will or trust and leaving them with information about bank accounts and credit cards, one thing we tend to forget is our internet presence. It's not a pleasant topic, but we're all … [Read more...] about Facebook And The Afterlife
(UPDATED) Mitt Romney’s Positively Awful Day Off
Consider this as an indicator of how awfully Mitt Romney performed in Tuesday's two primaries and caucus: In Minnesota, a state that he won handily in 2008, he failed to win a single county and got just 17 percent of the vote, a stunning 27 percentage points behind Rick Santorum, who made a clean sweep in Colorado and Missouri, as well. Wait, it gets worse: Although the … [Read more...] about (UPDATED) Mitt Romney’s Positively Awful Day Off
CNN Suspends Roland Martin For ‘Anti Gay’ Comments
Even as a supporter of gay rights this seems a bit of an overreach to me. Were his comments a bit tactless, sure. I can even see how some people could initially find them offensive. But he's got a pretty good track record on gay rights issues and I think it should be sufficient for him to simply apologize and move on. … [Read more...] about CNN Suspends Roland Martin For ‘Anti Gay’ Comments
Gallup: Congress Approval Rating Hits Yet Another Low 10 %
Two facts about the new Gallup poll that reveals Congress's current approval rating: #1. It is at 10% a new low. It's so far down in the polls that it's too low for sniffing dogs. #2. Neither party should be happy. The poll finds that many voters detest the job BOTH rpt B-O-T-H parties are doing. Details: PRINCETON, NJ -- A record-low 10% of Americans approve of the … [Read more...] about Gallup: Congress Approval Rating Hits Yet Another Low 10 %
Rick Rolled
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Rick Rolled
Reprehensible
I still can't believe that there are people of either party or no party that could buy into or encourage bilge such as this by Sean Hannity. Even 20 years ago someone like this would be relegated the fringe hours of television. … [Read more...] about Reprehensible
Clint, Rick and the Limits of Pessimism
WASHINGTON -- What do Rick Santorum and Clint Eastwood have in common? Sorry Rick, you haven't made it yet as an Eastwood-style make-my-day cultural icon. But in different ways, Santorum and Eastwood have demonstrated the limits of both an entirely negative slant on politics and a pessimistic take on America's future. Santorum's Tuesday sweep of Republican … [Read more...] about Clint, Rick and the Limits of Pessimism
Women Like Their Birth Control
WASHINGTON - The discussion started Monday on "Morning Joe," with Mika Brzezinski reading part of an over the top declarative Peggy Noonan op-ed and getting very exercised about it before she had the facts. "The Peggy Noonan piece left some things out. ... But I have to say, the article appears to be very misleading." - Mika Brzezinski, "Morning Joe" (7 Feburary) Something … [Read more...] about Women Like Their Birth Control
Poll: Republican “Enthusiasm Gap” Exists and Can Be Troublesome
Who would ever have thought that by early 2012 with the economy still reeling and resentment and hatred towards President Barack Obama in the GOP at a fever pitch the Republican Party would be suffering a bigger enthusiasm gap than the Democrats. But a new poll finds just that -- and it could be a problem for the GOP: The paltry turnout in the Republican Presidential … [Read more...] about Poll: Republican “Enthusiasm Gap” Exists and Can Be Troublesome
Why the 2012 GOP Primary is NOT like the 2008 Democratic Primary
One of the arguments in defense of the extended 2012 GOP primary is that it will strengthen the eventual nominee for the general election, much as the 2008 primary did for Obama. By airing all the dirty laundry in the spring, preparing the candidates for anticipated general election attacks, and demonstrating an ability to both fight and reach out to lots of voters, an … [Read more...] about Why the 2012 GOP Primary is NOT like the 2008 Democratic Primary
Dammit, Stop Picking On Madonna
I never thought that I would write a post defending Madonna, whose career successes I respect while not particularly caring for her songifying and dancing, but the deluge of criticism over her performance during the Super Bowl halftime moves me to declare that the criticism is sexist and ageist -- and very unfair. I groaned when I read that Madonna would being doing the … [Read more...] about Dammit, Stop Picking On Madonna
Tuesday’s Republican Primaries and Caucus Send Messages to Romney and Obama (Weblog and News Roundup)
Has the conventional wisdom been turned on its head again? Or is this yet one more little blip in the hugely funded and professionally organized former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney's "inevitable" march to the 2012 Republican nomination? And was there a big message to President Barack Obama and the Democratic Party again: that once more social issues can fuel and excite … [Read more...] about Tuesday’s Republican Primaries and Caucus Send Messages to Romney and Obama (Weblog and News Roundup)
Hey Newt! Give The Old Lady More Face Time
Newt Gingrich has a woman problem and the solution would seem to be standing one or two steps behind him. That is his wife Callista, who to my knowledge has been rendered mute -- or more likely told to button her lip -- at the former House speaker's campaign appearances. The primary reason that woman voters are turned off to Gingrich is his serial infidelities. Callista is … [Read more...] about Hey Newt! Give The Old Lady More Face Time
Gravesite Reminder: Reagan Was No Purist
Reinventing yourself is a promise of the American Dream. Barack Obama, once a community organizer, is now in the Oval Office. Ronald Reagan, a movie actor, transformed himself into the same role. But evolution stops short of fantasy and now, as the GOP demonizes our 44th President and deifies the 40th, come reminders of the limits. Speaking near Reagan’s grave, Haley … [Read more...] about Gravesite Reminder: Reagan Was No Purist
(UPDATED) Santorum Capitalizes On Romney Still Not Being Able To Close The Deal
The big takeaway from the Republican primaries and caucus yesterday is that the one candidate who has a chance of beating President Obama still isn't able to close the deal with his own party. Rick Santorum's victories in Minnesota, Colorado and Missouri, where Romney finished third, second and second respectively, is a reflection of the continuing turmoil in the GOP over a … [Read more...] about (UPDATED) Santorum Capitalizes On Romney Still Not Being Able To Close The Deal
Facebook’s IPO: The ‘Magic’ of the American Financial Sector Writ Large (Les Echos, France)
For a global business community still experiencing economic pain, Facebook's humongous $100 billion Initial Public Offering has been an emotional shot in the arm. For French business newspaper Les Echos, columnist Philippe Escande praises the story of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg as being at the heart of what still makes the American business sector the greatest in the … [Read more...] about Facebook’s IPO: The ‘Magic’ of the American Financial Sector Writ Large (Les Echos, France)
House Republicans Walking Back Into The Political Buzzsaw
Having run out of zingers like "what are they smoking?" and "it must be something in the water," I am left speechless if not wordless that the Republicans once again seem ready to embrace Representative Paul Ryan's Reverse Robin Hood plan. Should you not recall, this was a deficit reduction plan that would given even more tax breaks to the rich while phasing out Medicare and … [Read more...] about House Republicans Walking Back Into The Political Buzzsaw
Dickens at 200: a Birthday Tribute
If Charles Dickens had lived until 1888, he might have been among the select group of British eminentoes who recorded their voices for Thomas Edison's newfangled phonograph. Robert Browning did it, though the aged poet forgot his own verses in mid-recitation. Alfred Lord Tennyson, even older at the time, recorded "The Charge of the Light Brigade" for posterity in a wrinkled … [Read more...] about Dickens at 200: a Birthday Tribute