"I like John Boehner, but…" That’s how some people who are about to seriously criticize the new Speaker of the House would start. However, I can’t use that line since I really do not like the man. “Some of my best friends are Republicans.” Now, that one works, since it is true that most of our really good friends are indeed staunch Republicans. We just have to be careful … [Read more...] about Don’t Cry for Me Mr. Boehner
Learning Family Values From My Grandchildren
Every time I hear someone say our nation is going to hell in a hand basket, I think of my two grandchildren. There is a major disconnect in hearing a national discourse towards Armageddon and seeing children develop through the eyes of a grandparent. In my eyes, Lauryn, 10, and Adam, 8, will not be burdened by a national debt passed onto their shoulders by the hapless … [Read more...] about Learning Family Values From My Grandchildren
Money and Politics: Super Rich Shape State Battles
The top 20 richest Americans (as identified by Forbes magazine) and their companies contributed $22.6 million to state-level candidates and political committees from 2005 through 2008. As a group, they accounted for nearly half of all contributions to Republican candidates and committees, according to FollowTheMoney.org. And this was before the Citizens United Supreme Court … [Read more...] about Money and Politics: Super Rich Shape State Battles
Fifty Years Ago Today
On November 9, 1960, Americans woke up and had to wait until afternoon for Nixon to concede a close presidential election to Kennedy the day before. Despite recounts and charges of voter fraud, the nation peacefully accepted the results and inaugurated JFK in January. If there had been an Internet and cable TV then, what would the months between have been like? The … [Read more...] about Fifty Years Ago Today
Obama’s Weapons Deals with India are Nothing to Be Proud of: China Daily, People’s Republic of China
In the last 24 hours, the state-run newspapers in China emitted two cold blasts directed at the United States. One relates to President Obama's trip to India, and the other the U.S. midterm elections Although much of the attention surrounding President Obama's trip to India focused on Pakistan's reaction, the other elephant in the Indo-Asian room has also been watching … [Read more...] about Obama’s Weapons Deals with India are Nothing to Be Proud of: China Daily, People’s Republic of China
He’s Back …
I will keep this short. Keith Olbermann returns Tuesday from a two-day suspension to resume hosting his “Countdown” show on MSNBC. It proves to me network executives sully the reputation of the world’s oldest profession. They caved at NBC’s half sister after four days of controversy where Olbermann received more media hits than he probably has nightly viewers. Olbermann … [Read more...] about He’s Back …
The Nuclear Option
With Republicans in firm control of the House, Democratic influence diminished in the Senate, and interest being expressed from the White House, a political opportunity may exist for proponents of expanding nuclear power in the United States. In 2003 MIT published an interdisciplinary report on the future of nuclear power. You can read the report summary and link to the … [Read more...] about The Nuclear Option
Why Nancy Pelosi Should Be House Minority Leader
There's a movement afoot to give Nancy Pelosi the boot, to remove her as Democratic leader in the House. Even the Times has gotten in on the action, editorializing (somewhat persuasively): Nancy Pelosi has been an extremely effective speaker of the House for four years, shepherding hundreds of important bills toward passage and withstanding solid Republican opposition. Her … [Read more...] about Why Nancy Pelosi Should Be House Minority Leader
The Hopey Changey
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Obama Gets It
As he said on 60 Minutes Sunday night: I think first and foremost, [the election] was a referendum on the economy. And the party in power was held responsible for an economy that is still underperforming and where a lot of folks are still hurting. The bad economy doesn't fully explain what happened, of course. There were many other factors in play. I'm sure I don't have … [Read more...] about Obama Gets It
Clear Message
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Freshmen Orientation Update: Fewest Incumbents Since 1992
More than one-fifth (22%) of the 112th Congress will be new members, the largest proportion since 1992, according to First Read at MSNBC News. Depending on the results of nine remaining House races, the House's level of incumbents could be the lowest since 1948. This information updates a post from last week, Electeds’ Freshman Orientation: More Like A Hangover Than a Party … [Read more...] about Freshmen Orientation Update: Fewest Incumbents Since 1992
Countdown with Keith Olbermann
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Hot Air Political Punditry
It was just two years ago that the political punditry was placing the Republican party in the grave of history. It was just two years ago that many were saying John Boehner should step down from his leadership postion - wait, I don't think that happened. Oh well I don't think that hypocrisy and being wrong is a new thing for the talking heads. Just two years latter we hear … [Read more...] about Hot Air Political Punditry
Olbermann
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Olbermann
George W. Bush Is No Sharron Angle or Christine O’Donnell
He is NOT restricting his interviews about his new book to only Fox News and Republican p.r. man talk show host Sean Hannity. … [Read more...] about George W. Bush Is No Sharron Angle or Christine O’Donnell
Start of a new US-India power base in Asia
President Barack Obama’s visit to India has set the foundations for a deep and broad partnership that will create a new powerbase in Asia alongside China if things go as planned. I am currently in Delhi for the visit and can report a new openness and realism in the bilateral dialogue taking the relationship to a more robust level. The basic and urgent needs of most Indians … [Read more...] about Start of a new US-India power base in Asia
Independent Voters: Call Us Whatever You Want, But Not Late for Dinner
As someone who has participated in building a grassroots from-the-bottom-up independent political movement for more than 25 years and has monitored news by, for, and about independent voters for ten years, I can tell you "we've come a long way, baby." Twenty-five years ago, high school students thought it was illegal to run for President as an independent. Starting in … [Read more...] about Independent Voters: Call Us Whatever You Want, But Not Late for Dinner
The Disconcerting Swings of America’s Political Pendulum: Gazata, Russia
Our 'round the world survey of global reaction to the new U.S. political landscape continues with this article from Russia's Gazeta. Columnist Fyodor Lukyanov offers a detailed analysis of why such things as the Tea Party and wild swings in the political climate occur in the United States - and what the foreign policy ramifications might be, particularly for Russia and the New … [Read more...] about The Disconcerting Swings of America’s Political Pendulum: Gazata, Russia
Obama will be a one-term President
2010 is not a parallel to 1994, 1894, or to any other noteworthy year identified by various pundits across the political spectrum. What worked sufficiently well in the 1980’s and the 1990’s for Presidents Reagan and Clinton will not be appropriate for the myriad of challenges facing our nation in 2010 and beyond. The 2010 midterm elections at the National, State and local … [Read more...] about Obama will be a one-term President