Changing the Republican party from within. That's what he's up to. Paul's political ambitions become clearer on the ground in Nevada where his supporters have managed to work among the leaders of the state's Republican party establishment. Four years ago, an angry and dispirited educational database expert named Carl Bunce walked out of Nevada’s state Republican … [Read more...] about What Ron Paul Is Up To
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: How Long Is Mitt Romney’s Road to the Republican Nomination?
So if you strip away all of the partisan and ideological analysts and their political self-interest they often inject inf their analysis, and look at the cold, hard political facts in political science terms, how likely is it that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney can be taken off his apparent course to the 2012 Republican Presidential nomination -- and how long will it … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: How Long Is Mitt Romney’s Road to the Republican Nomination?
Mitt’s Bain Math About the Poor
After spending all that money to win Florida big, the $21.7 million-a-year man takes a victory lap and disgorges a perfect line for attack ads on him in the future. “I’m not concerned about the very poor. We have a safety net there,” he tells CNN. “If it needs repair, I’ll fix it. I’m not concerned about the very rich, they’re doing just fine. I’m concerned about the very … [Read more...] about Mitt’s Bain Math About the Poor
President Obama Finally Admits to the Obvious: Murderous Drone Attacks (The Nation, Pakistan)
Yesterday, in a YouTube/Google Plus town hall, President Obama finally admitted to what the world has known for years: that the United States has been using drone aircraft to kill militants in among other places, America's supposed ally, Pakistan. This editorial from Pakistan's The Nation welcomes this admission of the obvious, but wonders how the president could claim that … [Read more...] about President Obama Finally Admits to the Obvious: Murderous Drone Attacks (The Nation, Pakistan)
Newt Gingrich Keeps Hitting the Reliable Anti-Media Hot Button
The South Carolina and Florida Republican presidential debates will be pointed to as turning points for former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich's campaigns. But they'll also be remembered for two moments underscoring the uneasy relationship between the news media and politicians who often seek to control, intimidate or politically use the … [Read more...] about Newt Gingrich Keeps Hitting the Reliable Anti-Media Hot Button
Romney Does Another Rich-Guy-Without-A-Clue Number
During an interview with CNN's Soledad O'Brien, Mitt Romny offered this observation: "I'm not concerned about the very poor. We have a safety net there. If it needs repair, I'll fix it. It was not the first part of this shabby comment that I found so odd. Why, after all, would a Republican candidate for president be concerned about the very poor? It was the part about … [Read more...] about Romney Does Another Rich-Guy-Without-A-Clue Number
Latin America Must End British Colonialism and U.S. Imperialism (Opera Mundi, Brazil)
For those who may have been distracted by the Republican nomination race, the first potentially armed conflict since the Thatcher years between Britain and Argentina over the Falkland Islands - known by Latin Americans as the Malvinas - is brewing. Unfortunately, according to columnist Gilson Caroni Filho of Brazil's Opera Mundi, the United States, even if it doesn't recognize … [Read more...] about Latin America Must End British Colonialism and U.S. Imperialism (Opera Mundi, Brazil)
Mitt Romney’s Gift To Democrats: “Not Concerned About the Poor” Gaffe
One day after his massive -- and massively purchased -- victory over chief rival for the 2012 Republican nomination former House Speaker Newt Gingrich in Florida, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney cut short the positive news spin on his victory by making a gaffe that is a Chistmas, Hanuka, Kwanza, Easter, Birthday gift to Democrats: a gaffe fitting right into the narrative … [Read more...] about Mitt Romney’s Gift To Democrats: “Not Concerned About the Poor” Gaffe
Speaker of the House
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Speaker of the House
This Just In: Who Cares So What ALERT
This just in! Here's a "who cares so what alert": Donald Trump has called a press conference for tomorrow. Informed speculation: he'll endorse Newt Gingrich. (Ahh, he's just doing it because if Gingrich wins he gets to build a casino on the moon." … [Read more...] about This Just In: Who Cares So What ALERT
How Romney Won and Lost
WASHINGTON -- Mitt Romney can argue that winning ugly is still winning, especially in a contest he could not afford to lose. But Romney's decisive victory in Florida came at a price. He aggravated Newt Gingrich's hostility to him, with all the trouble that could entail, and left behind a dispirited Republican electorate in a state the GOP needs to win this fall. At … [Read more...] about How Romney Won and Lost
Newt Gingrich’s Grand and False Allusions — and Illusions
After listening to Newt Gingrich’s tasteless and graceless concession speech where he invoked the almost sacred words of both President Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 Gettysburg Address and of the signers of our Declaration of Independence in an absurd attempt to link himself to our Founding Fathers, I posted the comment: Many feel that Gingrich -- albeit he is the big loser in … [Read more...] about Newt Gingrich’s Grand and False Allusions — and Illusions
Susan G. Komen, and Democratic Weaknesses, Give Right Wing a Win Against Planned Parenthood
WASHINGTON - While the right was laying ground for what just happened, the left was giving ground. This Komen–Planned Parenthood relationship has long been a target of pro-life activists and, media bias aside, this appears to be a remarkable turning point. - Kathryn Lopez Kathryn Lopez is correct and the abortion rights opponents earned it. Democrats and progressives have … [Read more...] about Susan G. Komen, and Democratic Weaknesses, Give Right Wing a Win Against Planned Parenthood
Romney Wins Florida, But Did Gingrich Truly Lose?
Although Gingrich gave him a big scare, Mitt Romney won Florida decisively yesterday: Romney took 46.4%, Gingrich 31.9%, Santorum 13.3%, and Ron Paul 7%. The dominant narrative is that this "restores momentum" to Romney. Maybe. Nevertheless, as I have pointed out before (see Why Florida’s Not The State To Watch from January 23), we had every reason to believe Romney would … [Read more...] about Romney Wins Florida, But Did Gingrich Truly Lose?
(UPDATE II) The Romney Crate-Gate Scandal Deepens. Maybe.
While I don't imagine that it will be a game changer in the mad charge for the Republican presidential nomination, animal rights activists have created a Web site to remind voters that Mitt Romney once put his Irish Setter, Seamus, in a carrier on his car roof for a 12-hour family vacation trip. As the Boston Globe first reported in 2007, in 1983, Romney drove his station … [Read more...] about (UPDATE II) The Romney Crate-Gate Scandal Deepens. Maybe.
Cubans Desperate to ‘Rip’ Prison at Guantanamo Out of their Land (Juventud Rebelde, Cuba)
An obvious yet often overlooked persective on the Guantanamo Bay prison is that of Cuba itself - where the prison is located. Will Cuba ever get Guantanamo Bay back from the United States? And what does Havana do with the $4085 Washington sends it every month to lease the land that the base is on? According to Enrique Milanés León of Cuba's state-run Juventud Rebelde, ending … [Read more...] about Cubans Desperate to ‘Rip’ Prison at Guantanamo Out of their Land (Juventud Rebelde, Cuba)
UN Report: Al Qaeda strengthened by NATO’s Libya War
NATO's campaign to overthrow Libya's strongman Gadhafi had 2 terrorist groups rejoicing. A recent UN's report confirmed what many suspected – NATO's operation unintentionally provided stocks of heavy weapons to terrorist groups in Northern Africa. Among the groups benefiting from the arms are al-Qaeda and the deadly Islamic terror organization Boko Haram, which is currently on … [Read more...] about UN Report: Al Qaeda strengthened by NATO’s Libya War
Should We Believe Mitt Romney’s Claim That He Created 100,000 Jobs?
While Mitt Romney may be misunderestimating, as a certain former president would say, the damage that his get-filthy-rich tenure at Bain Capital is causing, opposition researchers are having a devil of a time disproving his claim that he created 100,000 or 120,000 jobs (he has cited both numbers) as CEO of the private-equity company, while supporters are having an equally hard … [Read more...] about Should We Believe Mitt Romney’s Claim That He Created 100,000 Jobs?
An Open Letter to Current TV
Dear Vice President Gore, et al. I'm concerned. More than concerned, in fact: deeply troubled. How can I say this, diplomatically? Hmmm. Your new news shows look like crap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And by "look" I mean the physical plant that serves as a backdrop for your hosts. They are an embarrassment, and, much as I'd like to be a fly on the wall for the sessions … [Read more...] about An Open Letter to Current TV
Quote of the Day: Why the Republican Presidential Nomination Race Is Not Over
Our political Quote of the Day comes from The Daily Beast's John Avlon, who explains why the 2012 race for the Republican nomination is not over despite the blowout victory of mega-funded former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney over his chief rival, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Avlon begins his post with this: Yes, Mitt Romney had a big win in Florida last night. … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Why the Republican Presidential Nomination Race Is Not Over