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
John Avlon: Three Things You Need to Know About Today’s GOP Contests
Independent CNN commentator John Avlon gives these tips on three things you need to know about today's GOP contests: FOOTNOTE: It's already looking as if this could be a good night for former Senator Rick Santorum, a wash-out for former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and night present front-runner former Gov. Mitt Romney might want to forget. Photo via shutterstock.com … [Read more...] about John Avlon: Three Things You Need to Know About Today’s GOP Contests
Some Meaningless Voting Tonight
Republicans are holding a primary in Missouri and cauci in Minnesota and Colorado. Total number of delegates at stake.... zero Importance of tonights vote... well it gives Wolf and Rachel something to do... … [Read more...] about Some Meaningless Voting Tonight
Poll: Mitt Romney is Not Closing the Deal
A Reuters/Ipsos poll suggests Mitt Romney is not closing the deal with conservative Republicans. In fact, he has lost a bit of support: Despite his strong showing in early state contests in the race for the Republican U.S. presidential nomination, Mitt Romney's support nationwide has dipped slightly during the past month, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on … [Read more...] about Poll: Mitt Romney is Not Closing the Deal
Don’t Let The Door Hit You In The Ass On The Way Out
Karen Handel, a senior vice president for public policy at the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation and the woman widely viewed as having pressured Komen to sever financial ties with Planned Parenthood, has resigned. The only question is why it took so long. In a whiny, self-serving letter, the woman who engineered this public relations disaster says that she is declining … [Read more...] about Don’t Let The Door Hit You In The Ass On The Way Out
9th Circuit Court Of Appeals Rules Proposition 8 Is Unconstitutional
Moments ago a 3 judge panel of the United States 9th Circuit Court Of Appeals ruled that Proposition 8 violates the Equal Protection provisions of the US Constitution. The 2-1 ruling was made by a 3 judge panel and at first glance it appears it applies only to California. Because the ruling was tailored to apply only to Caifornia and the process of the California Supreme … [Read more...] about 9th Circuit Court Of Appeals Rules Proposition 8 Is Unconstitutional
An Air Force Woman Four-Star General
Way back in 1971 when I was a young Air Force captain I clearly remember a woman in my Service totally outranking me -- receiving her first star. The woman was Brigadier General Jeanne M. Holm and I remember it clearly because Holm was the first female general in the Air Force -- a thing unheard of in those days. She would make history again a couple of years later when, in … [Read more...] about An Air Force Woman Four-Star General
Still Kicking, Santorum Keeps Hammering Away at Romney
Ever so slowly, and ever so reluctantly, Republicans are lining up in typical jackbooted fashion behind Mitt Romney. The still-feisty Gingrich is an exception, of course, and he's been hammering Romney for some time now as a "Massachusetts moderate," but so too is Santorum, who is hoping for a comeback, post-Iowa, with strong showings in Colorado, Minnesota, and Missouri today, … [Read more...] about Still Kicking, Santorum Keeps Hammering Away at Romney
Conservatives Aren’t Conservative Anymore
WASHINGTON - Some new polling today reveals that Rick Santorum could be in for a very good day. Contemplate that for a moment. Rick Santorum, a perfect example of religious conservatism or fundamentalist Republicanism, take your pick, but he's certainly not conservative in the actual meaning of the word. That Rick Santorum also believes abortion is done cavalierly and is … [Read more...] about Conservatives Aren’t Conservative Anymore
Yet Again, The GOP Makes A Little Controversy Even Worse
You have to hand it to the Republican Party: It not only seems incapable of turning the other cheek, but habitually makes matters worse when a little controversy crosses its path. The latest little controversy is a Chrysler Corporation ad titled "It's Halftime in America" aired during Super Bowl on Sunday evening. The ad, rather drearily uninventive as were most this year, … [Read more...] about Yet Again, The GOP Makes A Little Controversy Even Worse