Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Byron Dorgan (D-ND) are calling for a select (IE special) Senate committee to investigate just what happened with the financial meltdown over the past months. Although there are, of course, Finance and Banking committees already in place, McCain and Dorgan feel that they are already busy working to find solutions to the problem and thus a … [Read more...] about McCain And Dorgan Push For Select Committee On Meltdown
Rush Limbaugh, Michael Steele and Newsweek’s “Dignity Index”
Newsweek has a weekly feature called "The Dignity Index," a graphical depiction which in Newsweek's own words is "a weekly mathematical survey of dubious behavior that measures, on a scale of 1 to 100, just how low a person can go." Usually, three personalities qualify for the weekly honors. I have made a suggestion to Newsweek for next week's "Dignity Index." But, … [Read more...] about Rush Limbaugh, Michael Steele and Newsweek’s “Dignity Index”
Here’s The (In)Famous “Rush Is The Leader” TV Ad (UPDATED)
Here's the (in)famous (choose the one that fits your political persuasion) "Rush Is The Leader" TV ad put out by the Democratic activist group Americans United for Change. This ad was reportedly being prepared before the big battle between the powerhouse conservative talk show host and RNC Chair Michael Steele. That battle will probably get the ad even more notice when it … [Read more...] about Here’s The (In)Famous “Rush Is The Leader” TV Ad (UPDATED)
How Much Worse Is Obama’s Budget Than A Hypothetical President McCain’s?
Let me be the first to state that I have long considered the national debt to be one of the nation's most pressing issues. There is very strong evidence that long term growth rates are affected more by national debt levels than just about any other variable. Also I think that massive deficit spending leads to bad governance because it creates an incentive mismatch: in sum the … [Read more...] about How Much Worse Is Obama’s Budget Than A Hypothetical President McCain’s?
The Perils of Field Reporting
As part of our continuing efforts to bring you up to the minute coverage of breaking political news, I was dispatched today to Saratoga Springs, New York to report on the first debate between Republican Assembly Minority Leader Jim Tedisco and Democrat Scott Murphy. Had a mystery novelist been writing about our journey, somber bassoon music would have been playing during that … [Read more...] about The Perils of Field Reporting
Mr ‘Total Conservative’ — Interview With Mike Huckabee (Guest Interview)
Mr 'Total Conservative' -- Interview With Mike Huckabee by Bill Steigerwald Since Mike Huckabee finished third in the 2008 Republican presidential primaries, the former governor of Arkansas, author and ordained Southern Baptist minister seems to have found a new career in television and radio. “Huckabee,” his hour-long show on Fox News Channel on Saturdays at 8 p.m. … [Read more...] about Mr ‘Total Conservative’ — Interview With Mike Huckabee (Guest Interview)
Russia’s ‘White Envy’ Over Obama’s Plans: Novaya Gazeta of Russia
Those of us who thought Russian press freedom was dead may have to reconsider after this article from Novaya Gazeta that not only praises President Obama's ambitious agenda and "prays" for his success, it strongly criticizes President Putin's piece-meal approach to addressing the crisis in Russia. After explaining to Russian readers that the markets haven't responded well to … [Read more...] about Russia’s ‘White Envy’ Over Obama’s Plans: Novaya Gazeta of Russia
Poll: Americans Trust Democrats 48-20% Over Republicans On Economy (UPDATED)
First Read reports that a soon to be released poll will show that Americans trust the Democrats to get the U.S. out of a recession more than two to one over the Republicans. And it also notes a huge shift in this belief: Here's one set of numbers we're releasing before the entire NBC/WSJ poll comes out at 6:30 pm ET: By a 48-20 percent margin, Americans believe the … [Read more...] about Poll: Americans Trust Democrats 48-20% Over Republicans On Economy (UPDATED)
Book Review: The Mapmaker’s Wife
Perhaps what attracted me to read this book was its subtitle: "A True Tale of Love, Murder, and Survival in the Amazon"--- especially the last part, that bit about the Amazon. Not that I am adverse to reading about love and murder, but because of the fact that as a young boy I spent several of my summer vacations at the edge of the Amazon rainforest. But the book's … [Read more...] about Book Review: The Mapmaker’s Wife
Rush Limbaugh Opens New Verbal War Front Against ABC’s Stephanopoulos
Conservative talk show host and GOP powerhouse Rush Limbaugh has opened a second front in his national verbal war -- this time against ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos. He insists that Republican leader Rep. Eric Cantor really DOES want President Barack Obama to fail despite what Cantor suggested in public. He also charged that Stephanopoulos is part of a White House … [Read more...] about Rush Limbaugh Opens New Verbal War Front Against ABC’s Stephanopoulos
The Gospel According To St. Newt
Lost in the roaring rhubarb between conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh and Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele was Newt Gingrich's speech last Friday before the Conservative Political Action Conference. … [Read more...] about The Gospel According To St. Newt
Unknown and Unknowable
News about a "diplomatic" exchange between the US and Russia over an anti-missile system in Europe and Iran's pursuit of WMDs underscores how little we really know about the threat of nuclear war. The "we" includes not only those who have watched a half century of posturing on the subject from the outside but, in large measure, the generations of leaders who have been acting … [Read more...] about Unknown and Unknowable
Limbaugh and Steele: Friendly Pugilism
I dug Tony Campbell's analysis of the Limbaugh-Steele show down below. At the same time, I can't see it as but a good thing when different heads in that hydra start challenging one another. There has been far too much yes-sir-ism in the Republican party over the past eight years and there tends to be too much of it in politics in general. Just as I cheered when House … [Read more...] about Limbaugh and Steele: Friendly Pugilism
Damned Either Way and Frankly Fine With It
No surprise. David Brooks has taken his lumps today, from both ends of the political spectrum. On the left, Steve Benen labels Brooks current opining a "very frustrating column." On the right, Allahpundit gives Brooks clinched props before scolding him "for not realizing sooner ... that 'Barack Obama is not who we thought he was.'" I feel your pain, Mr. B. One … [Read more...] about Damned Either Way and Frankly Fine With It
The Demons of Global Downturn Are Being Aggravated by Drop in Travel and Tourism
The unabated global economic turmoil has begun to separate the world by not only emphasis on national rather than international remedies but also slowing down cultural interchanges and tourism. Over time, the slowdown in the physical movement of people through travel for business and tourism may sharply set back consolidation of a global community built on peace and … [Read more...] about The Demons of Global Downturn Are Being Aggravated by Drop in Travel and Tourism
Rod Blagojevich’s Big Punishment
He gets a six figure book deal... … [Read more...] about Rod Blagojevich’s Big Punishment
Rush Limbaugh, Michael Steele and the Republican Party: The Sequel
Analysis continues over The Gunfight At The Big Mouth Corral between conservative talk show host Rush "I speak for the Republican party" Limbaugh and RNC Chairman Michael "I speak for the Republican party" Steele -- which ended in Steele in effect apologizing and saying he did not mean to diss Limbaugh's "leadership" role. The consensus on all sides is that Limbaugh's power … [Read more...] about Rush Limbaugh, Michael Steele and the Republican Party: The Sequel
Iran and the Jews
Is it now a comfortable place for Jews? Is it akin to Nazi Germany? Or somewhere in between? Read Kevin Sullivan. … [Read more...] about Iran and the Jews
Rebalancing Our National Security Strategy
By Jon Powers Jon Powers is the Veterans Program Director for The Eleison Group, LLC, where he is working on developing the outreach efforts of the progressive community to veterans and military families. He is an Iraq War veteran, a former congressional candidate in New York’s 26th district, and a fellow with the Truman National Security Project. ********** When … [Read more...] about Rebalancing Our National Security Strategy
BumRUSHed – The Dismantling of Michael Steele
RNC Chair Michael Steele apologized to Rush Limbaugh after the latter went on air yesterday to firmly put in his foot in Steele's butt. Make no mistake about it: Limbaugh ended this brief but colorful mini-feud yesterday by sitting behind a microphone. Rush was clear, concise and virtually destroyed any credibility that Steele has as the leader of the Republican Party. In … [Read more...] about BumRUSHed – The Dismantling of Michael Steele