The AP reports that Barack Obama is enjoying a post Osama bin Laden killing "bump": President Barack Obama's approval rating has hit its highest point in two years — 60 percent — and more than half of Americans now say he deserves to be re-elected, according to an Associated Press-GfK poll taken after U.S. forces killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden. In worrisome … [Read more...] about Barack Obama’s Post Osama bin Laden Killing “Bump”: AP-GfK poll: Obama approval hits 60 percent
Karl Rove’s American Crossroads Crashes NY-26 Race **UPDATED**
WASHINGTON - The Wall Street Journal headline on Tuesday read: American Crossroads Spends Big in N.Y. House Election. There's only one reason Karl Rove enters a congressional special election, which will replace the shirtless Chris Lee, and that's because Republicans are close to getting humiliated. A special congressional election in western New York state just got … [Read more...] about Karl Rove’s American Crossroads Crashes NY-26 Race **UPDATED**
Karl Rove Analyzes the Present Republicans Running for President: Still Time for Others to Jump In
Republican party political maven Karl Rove, in an appearance on NBC's Today Show which highlighted why he is such a good on the air analyst, handicapped some of the present GOP Presidential aspirants field. And he said there's still time for additional candidates to jump into the fray. Some highlights from his content-packed appearance: NEWT GINGRICH: Rove said Gingrich … [Read more...] about Karl Rove Analyzes the Present Republicans Running for President: Still Time for Others to Jump In
Palin Not Exactly Welcome in Alaska
Atlantic writer, Joshua Green, spent some time up there exploring public attitudes about Sarah Palin. The only tangible evidence I saw was her official portrait in the capitol and a small sign in the window of a seedy-looking gift shop advertising “Sarah Palin toilet paper.” If Palin really does run for president, Green's examination of her career in Alaska -- … [Read more...] about Palin Not Exactly Welcome in Alaska
Donald Trump Lied About Making Announcement About Whether He’ll Run On Celebrity Apprentice
There's a NDF (what I call the "No Duh Factor") now in Donald Trump announcing that he isn't going to run for President. But it is a bit of a surprise to now get virtual confirmation that he is -- here it goes, I will finally say it, I avoid using this word in political posts since it is overused by partisans -- a liar. It turns out that despite his suggestions not only will … [Read more...] about Donald Trump Lied About Making Announcement About Whether He’ll Run On Celebrity Apprentice
The GOP Again Learns That When It Plants Ice It’s Going To Harvest Wind
New York state's 26th District is a Republican-safe enclave near Rochester and Buffalo where the GOP holds a 30,000 voter registration edge, bucked a statewide trend and voted for John McCain over Barack Obama, and has held the House seat since forever. But now the wheels are coming off the party station wagon. In February, married Republican Congressman Christopher Lee, … [Read more...] about The GOP Again Learns That When It Plants Ice It’s Going To Harvest Wind
And Now A Song From Republican Voters To Donald Trump
Donald Trump has imploded in the polls (and his TV show isn't doing too good, either). Here is a special song to Donald Trump from Republican voters. It's even subtitled for the part of the world where the line of clothing carrying his name is made. … [Read more...] about And Now A Song From Republican Voters To Donald Trump
Obama and Pakistan (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Obama and Pakistan (Cartoon)
Unspeakable Speakers
Unspeakable is a word to be used rarely, but it is the only way to describe what Republicans are doing to the American economy. As House members fight to preserve tax cuts for the filthy rich and gut safety nets for the poor, John Boehner warns, “Without significant spending cuts and changes to the way we spend the American people’s money, there will be no debt limit … [Read more...] about Unspeakable Speakers
Can the United States Ever Be United Again?
So much for our new era of national unity. When Rep. Gabby Giffords was shot in Arizona, the pundits and political class predicted that it might be a turning point in political dialogue, ushering in a new era of civility. That lasted almost a week But that was comparatively impressive: the killing of mass murderer Osama bin Laden on Sunday May 1 sparked pronouncements … [Read more...] about Can the United States Ever Be United Again?
Newt Gingrich: Foundation of a Comeback (Cartoon)
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Newt Gingrich: Foundation of a Comeback (Cartoon)
Bin Laden’s Death is a ‘Call to Arms’ for the World’s Clergy (Diario Decuyo, Argentina)
Is the demise of Osama bin Laden a moment that all of world religions should seize upon to begin building a world free of war and religious strife? After ten years of chaos that emerged from a perverse interpretation of Islam, columnist Víctor Corcoba Herrero of Diario Decuyo's writes that it's time for all religious leaders to end the terrorist strife by promoting the ideals … [Read more...] about Bin Laden’s Death is a ‘Call to Arms’ for the World’s Clergy (Diario Decuyo, Argentina)
My Own Non-Negotiable Deficit Reduction Plan
House Speaker Boehner, at the behest of Tea Partiers, has drawn a line in the sand. Two trillion dollars in budget cuts is the price Republicans want in return for voting to raise the debt limit. No new taxes will be part of this deficit reduction deal. These terms are non-negotiable. Well, I have my own plan to meet the deficit challenge. And it's also non-negotiable. It … [Read more...] about My Own Non-Negotiable Deficit Reduction Plan
FIXING RYAN’S MEDICARE PLAN
Loopy Wisconsin Republican and U.S. Representative Paul Ryan proposed last month a much-maligned Medicare Voucher Plan to replace the current system for people under 55 today. It would be phased in when they eventually retire during the next decade. Perhaps the original proposal could be modified to improve the entire U.S. healthcare system. This idea might also fit in with … [Read more...] about FIXING RYAN’S MEDICARE PLAN
After bin Laden: West Must Reflect on its Methods of Self-Defense (El Pais, Spain)
Now that al-Qaeda's prime mover has left the scene and we've had ten years to digest the neurotic episode that the West and the world experienced after 9-11, is it time to retool how the terrorist threat is addressed? This editorial from Spain's El Pais suggests that it's time for the world's democracies to restore the values they proclaim to hold dear, which were set aside to … [Read more...] about After bin Laden: West Must Reflect on its Methods of Self-Defense (El Pais, Spain)
Double Whammy: Expanding The War On Terror And Invading Your Privacy
Three days after 9/11 Congress passed the Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF). That authorization gave the president the authority to use all necessary and appropriate force against those involved in 9/11 and anyone who harbored the perpetrators. AUMF has served as the basis for the Afghan War and the retention of enemy combatants at Guantanamo Bay for the past … [Read more...] about Double Whammy: Expanding The War On Terror And Invading Your Privacy
Pakistan Pulls a Cheney, Outs CIA Chief
WASHINGTON - I cannot imagine what might unravel in Pakistan if the U.S. doesn't stay deeply engaged. Steve Clemons in a quick moment with ABC News talks about Pakistan becoming the most dangerous nation on earth if it becomes "untethered." Looks like to me like it already has, with the help of $20 billion of U.S. aid. But Pakistan's latest treachery is as ugly as it gets … [Read more...] about Pakistan Pulls a Cheney, Outs CIA Chief
Donald Trump’s Polling Numbers Collapse
Yes, it's one for the records: Donald Trump had an unprecedented political rise -- and now he is experiencing an unprecedented political collapse: Donald Trump has had one of the quickest rises and falls in the history of Presidential politics. Last month we found him leading the Republican field with 26%. In the space of just four weeks he's dropped all the way down to 8%, … [Read more...] about Donald Trump’s Polling Numbers Collapse
Always Bet On Black!
The title of this article comes from Wesley Snipes' somewhat famous quote in the movie Passenger 57. More on that quote later. One of my neighbors, an ultra-conservative member of the Georgia Tea Party sent me an e-mail last night in response to an earlier e-mail I sent. His message was funny and illuminating. I'm not going to say much more since the e-mail speaks for … [Read more...] about Always Bet On Black!
It’s Splitsville for Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver
If you wondered whether Arnold Schwarzenegger's political career is over here's your final proof: it has been announced that he and his wife Maria Shriver are separating. CNN has this report: … [Read more...] about It’s Splitsville for Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver