Oh, what fools we are predicting midterm election races. I honestly don’t know how much valid methodology goes into these polling results. I do know you can ask questions slanted for particular responses and prove what your preconceived notions are statistically. I am not a numbers guy nor a statistical freak. I am a political observer and take the polls for what they are — … [Read more...] about Thank God The Polling Ends And The Voters Speak For Better Or Worse
Have Democrats Caught Up With Republicans On the Generic Ballot?
Have Democrats caught up with GOPers on the generic ballot? It sounds that way...in a new McClatchy poll. On the other hand, in politics hope springs eternal -- and I repeat: the person who comes closest to actually predicting elections is always THIS GUY. … [Read more...] about Have Democrats Caught Up With Republicans On the Generic Ballot?
Funny Thing Happened to Obama Last Night
The President's Daily Show drive-by was a sad reminder that comedy and colloquy don't always mix, but even worse for those who admire both Barack Obama and Jon Stewart, it reflected the country's mood swing over the past two years. The Tea Party temper tantrum is the headline, but this encounter was a sour reminder of how far those who were high on Obama's coming have … [Read more...] about Funny Thing Happened to Obama Last Night
Citizen’s United Comes To Oregon
Two east coast billionaires are trying to buy an election in Oregon. WASHINGTON – Less than a week before Election Day, Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., finds himself in an unexpected place for an unlikely reason: He's in a competitive race with a novice opponent who's been assisted by a torrent of attack ads financed largely by a wealthy New Yorker. The ads, from a group … [Read more...] about Citizen’s United Comes To Oregon
Does “Moderate” Now Mean “Liberal”?
Commenting on Jon Stewart's Million Moderate March, Anne Applebaum suggests so: It's bad enough that the only way to drum up enthusiasm for a "Rally to Restore Sanity" is to make it into a television comedian's joke. But it's far worse that the "moderates" in attendance will have been bused in by Arianna Huffington and organized by People for the Ethical … [Read more...] about Does “Moderate” Now Mean “Liberal”?
Election Complaints: Ohio GOP & Kasich’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
The Ohio Elections Commission has dismissed a complaint made by Former Fox personality and now Republican candidate for Ohio governor, John Kasich, and filed against the campaign of Governor Ted Strickland. The complaint stemmed from the traditionally wretched ratings Kasich has gotten over the years from the NRA. Even the Buckeye Firearms Association, which gives Strickland … [Read more...] about Election Complaints: Ohio GOP & Kasich’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Last Call: Robin Carnahan & Three Other Candidates Taking Questions Online
BlogHer.com has a history of political figures interacting with its membership. Carly Fiorina answered questions in a phone interview, and Kirsten Gillibrand met with BlogHers in person in New York City this summer (I was one of about 15 or so who was there). Now, the four candidates will answer questions collected at BlogHer.com, via Twitter and Facebook. If you are in … [Read more...] about Last Call: Robin Carnahan & Three Other Candidates Taking Questions Online
A Truly Amazing Driverless Car Test Is Completed
A few weeks ago everyone was in a tizzy over Google's announcement that they had made some cars that could drive themselves. With the caveat that I have a growing chip on my shoulder about corporations copying academic work and getting lots of good press for "inventing" stuff a good 5-10 years after government funded grants and awards (in this case primarily DARPA) have already … [Read more...] about A Truly Amazing Driverless Car Test Is Completed
The Daily Show Gets A Pass
A throw away line worth a second look from WaPo culture critic Hank Stuever's look at The Daily Show in DC this week: For added insult, there have been remote-reporter gags from "Daily Show" staff comics that paint the town as a corrupt quagmire. Samantha Bee made fun of the "subway, excuse me, the Metro," which she said was a word for "subway's gay cousin." (G-word jokes? … [Read more...] about The Daily Show Gets A Pass
Rhode Island Voters Apparently Now Telling Frank Caprio To “Shove It”
Are we seeing now a quintessential example of political death by mouth? It seems that way. The last time we wrote about Frank Caprio, the Democratic candidate running for Governor in Rhode Island, he was furious over President Barack Obama not endorsing him since Obama has a strong bond with former Republican Sen. Lincoln Chaffee, who endorsed Obama. So Caprio -- in words that … [Read more...] about Rhode Island Voters Apparently Now Telling Frank Caprio To “Shove It”
Never Again
Further to Patrick Edaburn's earlier post about the vile remarks made by Clint McCance about gays and lesbians: … [Read more...] about Never Again
President Obama On The Daily Show
"Yes we can, but..." I thought he was great, but... At one point, Stewart asked the president if he was now operating on the principle of "Yes, we can, with certain conditions." Obama replied, “I think I would say, ‘Yes we can, but--'" That drew laughter from the 550-strong audience that packed DC's Harman Center for the Arts. It was the first time that a sitting … [Read more...] about President Obama On The Daily Show
Wind Farm
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Wind Farm
Larry Sabato’s Final Forecast: Republicans Take the House, Democrats Take the Senate
The University of Virginia's Larry Sabato, arguably one of the most accurate election forecasters in the country in the Crystal Ball forecasts issued by him and his top team, is now making his final prediction: the Republicans will take the House and the Democrats will retain the Senate -- but he doesn't rule out a GOP surprise on the Senate front given post-World War II … [Read more...] about Larry Sabato’s Final Forecast: Republicans Take the House, Democrats Take the Senate
Bull’s Eye-view In India!
Bull has enjoyed a central place in mythology cutting across many civilizations. In agrarian India it enjoyed a special place but is now in decline owing to widespread artificial insemination of cows. The photo above of a bull in an Indian town is symbolic of the waning power and majesty of the bull. I am reminded of the following poem... "I am monarch of all I survey; My … [Read more...] about Bull’s Eye-view In India!
As Real as It Gets
This final week has dwindled down to a precious few days for Democrats to offset Republican enthusiasm and Tea Party mania by bringing out their "base." Ages ago, Elaine May and Mike Nichols, a comedy team for people with a pulse and an IQ, had an exchange mocking their overeducated audiences' tendency to talk about social problems rather than act: "Actually, it's a moral … [Read more...] about As Real as It Gets
Over the Top? Maybe Not.
I read this piece by Tom Levenson at Balloon Juice and at first wasn't going to blog about it, because I thought his analogy was a bit of a stretch. He wrote about some nasty historical echoes to Nazi justifications for political violence that he sees in the pile-on that's going on among righties against Lauren Valle (the Move On activist who was attacked by a couple of … [Read more...] about Over the Top? Maybe Not.
Joe Sestak’s Witching Hour
HARRISBURG, Pa. -- If there is one candidate who truly wishes that Christine O'Donnell had not won the Republican senatorial nomination in Delaware, it is the Republican Senate candidate in Pennsylvania, Pat Toomey. Toomey, a former congressman, became a hero to the right for pushing Sen. Arlen Specter out of the GOP. For much of the summer, Toomey ran safely ahead of … [Read more...] about Joe Sestak’s Witching Hour
Unearned Victories
With the World series starting up tonight (go Giants) I thought it appropriate to take a little look at the upcoming elections and the likely Republican victory. One of the many things that stats junkies will be pondering is how many unearned runs will be scored by the two teams. I can't predict where that number will come in but I do think it is clear that there is at least … [Read more...] about Unearned Victories
Joy Behar doubles down in war on women of the right
A minor firestorm erupted yesterday when Joy Behar, co-host of The View, criticized a campaign ad by Nevada Republican Sharron Angle, implying the ad was racist. She then fired off a tirade that included the following lovely statements: “You know what I’d like to see her do? I’d like to see her do this ad in the south Bronx. Come here, bitch! Come to New York and do it,” … [Read more...] about Joy Behar doubles down in war on women of the right