Pollsters and election statisticians have turned an eye to registration numbers in an effort to keep their heads above water in the sea change that is taking place in American politics. More people are becoming independent, choosing candidates not parties. There's chatter about a third party... And as Jackie Salit pointed out in her recent Report from the President at … [Read more...] about Rising Independent Voter Registration, Open Primaries, and a new Freedom Party
Chilean Miners Replaced by World’s Worst Television Show
In a surprising but heavily lauded move, Chilean officials are lowering the cast of Jersey Shore into the now vacant mine. If all goes well, the cast of Dancing with the Stars is soon to follow. … [Read more...] about Chilean Miners Replaced by World’s Worst Television Show
Paladino Now Loses Gay and Anti-Gay Vote
New York Tea Party movement favorite and GOP candidate for Governor Carl Paladino now seems to be someone who's bringing him to together: it sounds now as if he could lose the gay and the anti-gay vote: Carl P. Paladino and an Orthodox rabbi from Brooklyn has fallen apart, with the rabbi denouncing Mr. Paladino on Wednesday for his apology over remarks he had made about … [Read more...] about Paladino Now Loses Gay and Anti-Gay Vote
More on Originalist Cherry-Picking
Columbia University historian Eric Foner was a guest this week on Fresh Air. He discussed his new book, The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery. Towards the end of the interview Terry Gross asked his opinion of the originalist interpretation of the Constitution: The originalists try to go back to the original Constitution, but they have little to say about the … [Read more...] about More on Originalist Cherry-Picking
For Dick Cheney Shooting Someone in the Face Means Never Having to Say You’re Sorry
The Washington Post has this fascinating piece about what has happened to Harry Whittington, the man then Vice Dick Cheney shot in the face in a hunting accident in 2006 -- leaving Whittington with scars, a somewhat changed voice, and a huge relief that he no longer has to listen to late night comedians using Cheney shooting him as a punch line. What's most glaring about the … [Read more...] about For Dick Cheney Shooting Someone in the Face Means Never Having to Say You’re Sorry
Crazy Carl and the Limits of Anger
NEW YORK -- Having long been one of the proud tough guys of New York politics, Andrew Cuomo, the state's attorney general, finds himself with a Republican opponent in this year's governor's race who makes him look like St. Francis of Assisi. To call Carl Paladino brash and a loudmouth understates the case. The New York Daily News has taken to referring to the … [Read more...] about Crazy Carl and the Limits of Anger
CNN Wins One Ratings Race
CNN was the most watched network for the Chile mine disaster rescue coverage during the first hour when some miners were brought to the surface.. CNN became big with its breaking news coverage. Could this be a harbinger of things to come under its new leadership? … [Read more...] about CNN Wins One Ratings Race
Some People Are Dumb
....and seemingly heartless. … [Read more...] about Some People Are Dumb
Washington and Change: Cash You Can Believe In (Guest Voice)
Washington and Change: Cash You Can Believe In by Michael Winship "Somebody once said the Washington was a city of Northern charm and Southern efficiency." So John F. Kennedy famously remarked in 1961 and so the town seemed to remain when I first moved there in 1969 to go to school. Clerks in dusty stores moved with the majestic inertia of tall ships becalmed. You … [Read more...] about Washington and Change: Cash You Can Believe In (Guest Voice)
Chile Mine Rescue
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Chile Mine Rescue
Supreme Court Question Stumps Christine O’Donnell (UPDATED)
In answering a question at her Delaware Senate debate tonight with Democrat Chris Coons Tea Party movement favorite Christine O'Donnell stumbled badly: This won't help her in her race with Coons -- who is some 19 points ahead of her. She had some other problems in the debate, too: O'Donnell said her controversial past statements, including that she had "dabbled in … [Read more...] about Supreme Court Question Stumps Christine O’Donnell (UPDATED)
Huffington Post Calls For 60-70 Loss In House
Not exactly a pro GOP rag, they are calling for a 60-70 seat gain by the GOP in November. Of course one could argue they are highballing things to make it look better if the GOP gains 40-50 seats. I still remain in the camp thinking this sweep may not be as big as some think. Polls are often self perpetuating and people decide differently in the voting booth (or living … [Read more...] about Huffington Post Calls For 60-70 Loss In House
He Loves Paying His Taxes
Rich Benjamin, a senior fellow at Demos, writing in USA Today: Every spring I pay a visit to Howard Carlin, my tax accountant, to settle my dues. Howard's upbeat personality, peppered with quirky quips, lightens the proceedings. Click, click, click, go his rapid-motion fingers. The numbers whir on screen like a digital slot machine. Up pops a figure. "See?" Howard chimes. … [Read more...] about He Loves Paying His Taxes
Report: Chamber Gets Almost $1 Million from Foreign Sources
In many news reports, blog posts and even yours truly in THIS COLUMN reporters and writers are basically saying the Democrats can't put up or shut up on the issue of the Chamber of Commerce getting money from foreign sources in terms of specifics. Not anymore... … [Read more...] about Report: Chamber Gets Almost $1 Million from Foreign Sources
The Fallacy Of Demonizing The Tea Party — For Now
After wading through the annoying (expletive deleted) CNN TV ads promoting the Kathleen Parker loves Eliot Spitzer show, the Daily Beast website article on Tea Party hypocrisy caught my attention. The thrust is the Tea Party in its broadest form supports less government, lower taxes and reduced spending. Yet, some of the states where Tea Party sentiment runs high, so does … [Read more...] about The Fallacy Of Demonizing The Tea Party — For Now
Why Not Globalize Trade in World Leaders?: Le Monde, France
It's a tongue-in-cheek - but an interesting idea to ponder: what if world leaders could run for office in other countries? In this article from France's Le Monde, Robert Sole takes a humorous look at the fascinating possibilities. For Le Monde, Robert Sole starts out this way: The president of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev, has just received a very amicable governor of … [Read more...] about Why Not Globalize Trade in World Leaders?: Le Monde, France
Sharon Angle Raises a Whopping $14 Million This Summer
The big political news yesterday was that the GOP's Tea Party candidate in Nevada Sharon Angle, a polarizing figure if ever there was one, raised a whopping $14 million this summer. How did she do it? Read this roundup. Some are surprised. Why? Looney Tunes always grossed well. … [Read more...] about Sharon Angle Raises a Whopping $14 Million This Summer
The Paladinosaur
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about The Paladinosaur
An Open Letter to the Ehrlich Campaign
As a teacher of political science at a local university, and having a strong interest for Governor Ehrlich to win in November, I have been watching the gubernatorial campaign closely. According to a couple of polls (Rasmussen and The Washington Post), Ehrlich trails O'Malley by 8 to 11 points. This week, Ehrlich started his electronic media buys in the DC suburbs so that … [Read more...] about An Open Letter to the Ehrlich Campaign
Democrats: To Vote or Not To Vote?
By virtually all accounts, the Democratic Party will be battered by a massive Election Day tsunami that will hand control of the House and possibly the Senate to Republicans. The scene: Election Day. The Character: A Democratic Party progressive pondering whether to vote. To vote, or not to vote–that is the question: Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings … [Read more...] about Democrats: To Vote or Not To Vote?