For years Democrats have complained that in national and even more local elections Republicans would "Swift Boat" Democrats. And even in the most aggressive Republican contests, many GOPers would at least pay lip service to Ronald Reagan's 11th commandment about making nice to other Republicans. No more (and why should that be surprising when many conservatives today reject … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Gingrich Swift Boats Romney
Bill Daley Resigns as Obama’s Chief of Staff
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Bill Daley Resigns as Obama’s Chief of Staff
FLASH/BREAKING NEWS: Todd Palin’s Make-or-Break GOP Presidential Endorsement.
It is all over! In a much-awaited development, Sarah Palin’s husband, Todd Palin, has just announced to a with-bated-breath-waiting world that he is endorsing Newt Gingrich for president. According to ABC News, "Todd Palin said he believes that being in the political trenches and experiencing the highs and lows help prepare a candidate for the future and the job of … [Read more...] about FLASH/BREAKING NEWS: Todd Palin’s Make-or-Break GOP Presidential Endorsement.
Overdose of GOP Apocalypse
Just in time, our frayed nerves go back to the quiet and calm of “Downton Abbey” in World War I after a weekend of Republicans crying havoc over Barack Obama, pausing only in sniping at one another for restful outbursts of road rage, blaming the President for everything wrong in the 21st century world. Robotic Mitt Romney, as befits a frontrunner, leads the pack in letting … [Read more...] about Overdose of GOP Apocalypse
Won’t You Go Home, Bill Daley?
Another Obama Chief-of-Staff bites the dust..... From a New York Times Breaking News Alert: William M. Daley, Obama’s Chief of Staff, Stepping Down, White House Officials Say William M. Daley, President Obama’s chief of staff, is stepping down, White House officials confirmed Monday. The news was first reported by The Los Angeles Times. Mr. Daley, a former commerce … [Read more...] about Won’t You Go Home, Bill Daley?
An Obama-Clinton Ticket? Why It Doesn’t Seem So Preposterous After All
The idea of replacing Joe Biden with Hillary Clinton on the 2012 Democratic ticket is preposterous, an idea that won't go away and one that is growing on me. Bill Keller offers the most compelling argument for an Obama-Clinton ticket in The New York Times, and while I have known Biden since we were in our teens and I deeply admire him, my own views track closely to his. I … [Read more...] about An Obama-Clinton Ticket? Why It Doesn’t Seem So Preposterous After All
Gallup: Number of Americans Identifying Selves as Independents Hits Record High of 40 Percent
A new Gallup Poll has bad news for both political parties and (relatively) good news for Democrats and bad news for Republicans: The percentage of Americans identifying as political independents increased in 2011, as is common in a non-election year, although the 40% who did so is the highest Gallup has measured, by one percentage point. More Americans continue to identify … [Read more...] about Gallup: Number of Americans Identifying Selves as Independents Hits Record High of 40 Percent
The Sorry, Sorry State Of Major College Football
I will not be watching this evening's national championship game between LSU and Alabama. I have no interest in either team and have spent little time watching college football in general. This is because with every passing year, the game becomes less an athletic spectacle and more the tip of an immense money-making iceberg. The Rose Bowl was always my favorite post-season … [Read more...] about The Sorry, Sorry State Of Major College Football
Looking Beyond New Hampshire To South Carolina, The Real Showdown State
ROMNEY CAMPAIGNS IN SOUTH CAROLINA Coming off of his razor-thin victory in the Iowa caucuses, tomorrow's New Hampshire primary is Mitt Romney's for the taking, but it is South Carolina's January 21 primary that will determine whether a man who a year ago appeared to be the inevitable Republican nominee can finally leave the competition in the dust. This is because if … [Read more...] about Looking Beyond New Hampshire To South Carolina, The Real Showdown State
Tea Partiers Against Government Before They Were For It?
Tea Partiers claim to support smaller government but are most enthusiastic about Rick Santorum, who hearts earmarks and right-wing nanny state paternalism, and Newt Gingrich, who would use big government to finance colonies on the moon. How to explain this contradiction? First of all, I suspect that many Tea Partiers really don't know what they stand for other than … [Read more...] about Tea Partiers Against Government Before They Were For It?
A GOP Circular Firing Squad?
WINDHAM, N.H. -- It isn't every day that political candidates are asked whether the 10th Amendment allows states to nullify federal laws, but that was precisely the question Rick Santorum faced at a forum here a few days ago organized by a libertarian-leaning group. To his credit, Santorum did not pander to the nullifier. "We had a Civil War about nullification," … [Read more...] about A GOP Circular Firing Squad?
A new chapter in Middle East history – a time to realign allies
For 4 decades America could count on Egypt as a reliable ally in managing Middle East affairs. For 4 decades American military aid guaranteed Egyptian government would stick by its western allies. Well that chapter in history is over and a new chapter begins. As Islamic movements grab power across the Middle East, the US can no longer count on Egypt as a reliable ally. When … [Read more...] about A new chapter in Middle East history – a time to realign allies
Ron Paul, GOP’s Satchel Paige
With a double-header debate this weekend, memories arise of the legendary Satchel Paige who, before baseball was integrated, was the greatest pitcher in America, often starting two games in a day and was considered by Joe DiMaggio et al the best they never had to face in the big leagues during his prime. Satchel pitched well into his sixties, famously saying, “Never look … [Read more...] about Ron Paul, GOP’s Satchel Paige
Huntsman And Patriotism
A great response from Huntsman put into a campaign ad. If only he could get the nomination. … [Read more...] about Huntsman And Patriotism
Newt Gingrich: ‘Chickenhawk,’ or just Missed an Opportunity to Serve?
The only people I have more contempt for than those who would send our young men and women to get shot at, get maimed and get killed in unnecessary wars, are those who support sending our young men and women to get shot at, get maimed and get killed in unnecessary wars while they themselves refused to, declined to serve, had “other priorities,” or had all kinds of excuses for … [Read more...] about Newt Gingrich: ‘Chickenhawk,’ or just Missed an Opportunity to Serve?
Social and 2012 Presidential Race
Who's doing the best job? Which technologies are most important? Who's the new kid on the block to watch? What makes you say/believe that? #MittRomney | #RickSantorum | #RonPaul #NewtGingrich | #BarackObama … [Read more...] about Social and 2012 Presidential Race
Romney Under Fire in “Meet the Press” Republican Presidential Nomination Debate
And yet another debate. But this time former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney is not getting off quite that easy: Mitt Romney found himself under fire early in a Sunday GOP debate, with conservative candidates piling on Romney's record as governor of Massachusetts. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum went on the attack at the outset of … [Read more...] about Romney Under Fire in “Meet the Press” Republican Presidential Nomination Debate
Personal Note
There will be events going on today (including a debate now being shown on NBC) that yours truly will not be able to write about. Today I pack and leave for a three month tour. I will be offline except for short instances where I may do some posts. If major events occur and no one on TMV covers them, they will be dealt with later. My drive today will be 10 hours. … [Read more...] about Personal Note
Quote of the Day: New Hampshire Is All About Independents
Our political Quote of the Day comes from CNN independent analyst John Avlon who notes that New Hampshire is all about independents. Some quotes from his post that needs to be read in its entirety: New Hampshire is all about the independents. And that's why it's the best test of general election electability. While Iowa's caucuses are disproportionately dominated by … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: New Hampshire Is All About Independents
Selective Memory
In his song,The Boxer, Paul Simon sang, "A man hears what he wants to hear, and disregards the rest." Frank Bruni points out, in this morning's New York Times, that this human frailty is particularly true in the case of the Bushes -- father and son -- and the place they hold in the present Republican narrative: In the case of Bush the Younger, Bruni writes that: … [Read more...] about Selective Memory