A meaty political Quote of the Day comes via MSNBC's must-read First Read's Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, Domenico Montanaro, and Ali Weinberg, who make a telling observation about a trait of current behavior among Democrats: If we told you that Democrats were favored to lose about eight Senate seats (six of which are in states Obama carried in '08), lose some 30 to 40 in the … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day II: the Difference Between Democrats and Republicans
Quote of the Day: Evan Bayh’s Retirement
"... in a rational world, the idea of a middle-aged man tiring of the political system and deciding to move on should make perfect sense." -- Matthew Tully, political columnist, The Indianapolis Star, on Sen. Evan Bayh's retirement … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Evan Bayh’s Retirement
A Republican Sweep in 2010 in Maryland
Yesterday, the Vail Spot reported that MD U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski may announce her retirement in a few days. I interned from Ms. Mikluski nearly two decades ago, and while I do not see her retiring this election cycle, the thought does bring up interesting scenarios for Republicans in Maryland this year. Governor Martin O'Malley. Between a growing structural … [Read more...] about A Republican Sweep in 2010 in Maryland
Why no holiday for America’s vice presidents?
When I was a kid, my mom bought me a placemat with little portraits of all forty American presidents (which is how many there were back then). After all while, I knew all of their names and when they held office. Mostly by accident, I spent some time this afternoon consulting Wikipedia's list of America's 47 vice presidents. Half of them were total strangers to me. For … [Read more...] about Why no holiday for America’s vice presidents?
China Won’t Allow Itself to Be ‘Hijacked’ By the West or Iran: Global Times, China
Are the West and Iran out of control and poised on the brink of disaster? That's the tone of this editorial from China's state-controlled Global Times, which warns both sides that Beijing won't be pressured to choose one or the other - and that a resort to force, as far as Chinese leaders are concerned, is out of the question. The article gives good insight into Beijing's … [Read more...] about China Won’t Allow Itself to Be ‘Hijacked’ By the West or Iran: Global Times, China
Keith Olbermann Commentary (updated)
I had previously posted a statement on Keith Olbermann's latest commentary about the Tea Party movement. Although I felt my basic criticism of his stand was fair I also thought some of the language was less than precise so I am offering this newer and somewhat broader version. Just to make my own views clear, I have both agreements and disagreements with the movement. I … [Read more...] about Keith Olbermann Commentary (updated)
An Eminent Historian Looks at Obama—and at Us.
Richard Norton Smith is a distinguished presidential historian and former head of six presidential libraries. He has published numerous books and articles on our presidents and is a nationally recognized expert on “most anything and everything related to the presidency.” His books include “An Uncommon Man: The Triumph of Herbert Hoover” (1984), “The Harvard Century: The … [Read more...] about An Eminent Historian Looks at Obama—and at Us.
Taliban #2 captured in Pakistan
Mullah Baradar, the Taliban's top military commander, was captured in Karachi as part of a joint operation by US and Pakistani intelligence. Baradar was captured late last week, but the US government asked journalists to hold the information until today. In the Times, ex-CIA man and Obama adviser Bruce Riedel says Baradar's capture reflected a “sea change in Pakistani … [Read more...] about Taliban #2 captured in Pakistan
Utah Eyes Cutting 12th Grade To Save $60M
Faced with a $700 million budget shortfall, a Utah Republican state legislator has found a way he figures will cut about 8% of it by eliminating the senior year of high school. State Sen. Chris Buttars has since toned down the idea, suggesting instead that senior year become optional for students who complete their required credits early. He estimated the move could save up … [Read more...] about Utah Eyes Cutting 12th Grade To Save $60M
We See Your True Colors, Shining Through
Here is a non-graded, not-for-credit civics question: What does it mean when the House Minority Leader demands that the White House post any new health care proposal online 72 hours before the Health Care Summit on February 25, and then attacks the White House when it does exactly that? … [Read more...] about We See Your True Colors, Shining Through
A Global Warming View From Main Street
I'm just an average person who turns the air conditioning on when its hot and the furnace on when its cold. When it comes to global warming, I figure the pollutants we emit into the air probably contributes to the trend in some degree. That's an unshakable belief just as evolution makes more sense than the creationist theory. Now, what empirical knowledge I have on … [Read more...] about A Global Warming View From Main Street
Bayh-Bayh, Evan
Pete and Patrick have already posted on Evan Bayh's retirement from the Senate. Yet the responsibility falls on me to employ one of the most obvious and predictable puns of the season: Bayh-Bayh, Evan. Furthermore, I predict that this pun will become painfully common over the next 24 to 48 hours. I may be the first to use it here because of my awful sense of humor, but I … [Read more...] about Bayh-Bayh, Evan
The Ponzifying of America
Presidents Weekend brings reminders of how history's most productive economy of goods and services was brought to its knees by glorified paper pushers, crafty clerks who make nothing but money. On CNN, Obama adviser Paul Volcker complains, "We've got to produce something that somebody else wants to buy." According to the former Fed chairman, "we spent 20 years inducing … [Read more...] about The Ponzifying of America
Respect from Nicaragua: Rest in Peace, Charlie Wilson – La Prensa of Nicaragua
Former Congressman Charlie Wilson, who died last week at the age of 76, is known mostly for his activities in support of the Taliban, who afterwards managed to evict the Soviets from Afghanistan. The author of this article from Nicaragua's La Prensa, apparently a former member of Daniel Ortega's Sandinista National Liberation Front who eventually switched sides and joined … [Read more...] about Respect from Nicaragua: Rest in Peace, Charlie Wilson – La Prensa of Nicaragua
Bayh Retirement Presents Ballot Issues
One interesting side aspect of the retirement of Senator Bayh is how his spot will be filled on the ballot. Under Indiana law a candidate seeking a spot on the ballot has to get 4,500 signatures (500 from each of the states nine congressional districts) before the filing deadline, which is this Friday. If nobody does that then the partycentral committee has until June … [Read more...] about Bayh Retirement Presents Ballot Issues
VIDEO: On Senator Evan Bayh’s Annoucement that He Won’t Seek Re-election
Here's a video news report about Sen. Evan Bayh's surprise announcement - terrible news for Democrats -- that he will not seek re-election. In coming days pundits and reporters will be trying to find if his real reason was being fed up with gridlock causing mega-partisanship in Congress or if there was an ulterior motive. But perhaps, in the end, it will wind up that he truly … [Read more...] about VIDEO: On Senator Evan Bayh’s Annoucement that He Won’t Seek Re-election
What Kind of Conservative is Tim Pawlenty?
Tim Pawlenty is a mainstream conservative governor in a traditionally liberal state. When I use the term "mainstream," I mean simply that he is in the mainstream of Minnesota conservatism - decidedly less conservative than the heart of Republicanism in the south, but conservative enough for most of the rest of the GOP. This alone gives him a decent shot as an alternative to … [Read more...] about What Kind of Conservative is Tim Pawlenty?
US Pairs Skating Team
RJ Matson, Roll Call This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about US Pairs Skating Team
Dick Cheney Doesn’t Mince Words
He was a "big supporter of waterboarding." A big deal or not? … [Read more...] about Dick Cheney Doesn’t Mince Words
Sen. Bayh Retiring
As retirement announcements go, this one is significant ... Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh will not seek re-election this year, a decision that hands Republicans a prime pickup opportunity in the middle of the country. Bayh was known as one of the most conservative Democratic senators, and one who was not shy about challenging the President. In terms of what this means for … [Read more...] about Sen. Bayh Retiring