File this in your Here We Go Again Department file: A GOP group is putting Republican lawmakers "on notice," threatening to campaign against anyone who breaks ranks to vote for the more than $800 billion economic recovery package. The National Republican Trust PAC put out a statement Tuesday claiming it would provide financial support for primary challengers to any … [Read more...] about Republican Moderates Backing GOP Stimulus Threatened To Be Targeted By Republican Group
OH-Sen 2010 Open Seat Race Likely to Include Fierce, Expensive Democratic Primary
Chris Baker might come to owe me dinner, because wisely I didn't bet that Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner and Ohio Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher will not run against each other in a Democratic primary to be the party's nominee to fill retiring U.S. Senator George Voinovich's seat. I only wagered that Brunner and Ohio congressman, Tim Ryan, wouldn't be facing off. Still, I … [Read more...] about OH-Sen 2010 Open Seat Race Likely to Include Fierce, Expensive Democratic Primary
Rick Lazio for New York Governor?
I normally require some anti-depressants and vodka to think back on the New York Senate election of 2000, but enough time may have passed for me to now do so without breaking down sobbing and going to lie down in a dark room. At the time, I invested a fair amount of my time, energy and money in a futile effort to help Rick Lazio prevent our Senate seat from being carpetbagged … [Read more...] about Rick Lazio for New York Governor?
A-Rod, Juiced
Alex Rodriguez, aka A-Rod, aka A-Fraud, has admitted that he took "a banned substance." However, he claims that he didn't know what it was: "I am guilty of being negligent, naïve, not asking all the right questions." He claims further that he hasn't taken it, or anything like it, since 2003, when he tested positive (see SI's story for more). In other words, it wasn't his … [Read more...] about A-Rod, Juiced
A Porn Star For Senator?
Is the Stormy Daniels boomlet serious or a just publicity stunt? Will she really against run against Sen. David Vitter, a Louisiana Republican who was linked to the "D.C. Madam" scandal or not? The debate rages.... But it makes sense. She has experience: she has done on the screen what politicians do to voters. … [Read more...] about A Porn Star For Senator?
Will Barack Obama Have A Beer With Sean Hannity?
President Barack Obama has left himself open to the idea that he could sit down and have a beer with conservative talker Sean Hannity. And on Fox News the Prez' Press Secretary Robert Gibbs left the suggestion open...and apparently Hannity is open to the idea. Here's the video: Question one: Does this mean Obama will later have a pizza with Rush Limbaugh? Question … [Read more...] about Will Barack Obama Have A Beer With Sean Hannity?
Public Service and Replacing Lost Jobs: Two For One Solution (Guest Voice)
So what should the government do now to try and boost employment? In this Guest Voice, TMV reader Marc Pascal, an independent business and management consultant in Phoenix, offers some specific ideas which include reinstituting the draft. Guest Voice posts do not necessarily reflect the opinion of TMV or its writers. Public Service and Replacing Lost Jobs: Two For One … [Read more...] about Public Service and Replacing Lost Jobs: Two For One Solution (Guest Voice)
Quote of The Day: Learning From Icon Ronald Reagan’s Mistakes
Today's political Quote of the Day is actually more like a MUST READ of the day -- policy analyst David Adesnik's column "Reagan As Statesman: Learning From An Icon’s Mistakes" on Doublethink Online: Ronald Reagan embodies the ideal to which conservatives aspire. Yet Reagan has transcended his status as simply a conservative giant and has become an American icon. On the … [Read more...] about Quote of The Day: Learning From Icon Ronald Reagan’s Mistakes
Solving the Debt
Nate Beeler, The Washington Examiner This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to run on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Solving the Debt
Strength For Those on the Front Lines, Australia Fires
As I put up on TMV yesterday, whole families were lost by being trapped in their houses or trying to run away in their cars or on foot. The fires chased them and killed them. Entire towns have streets with blackened bodies lying where they were caught by the fire... and the nurses, doctors, civilians and soldiers who are doing search and rescue... please pray for them … [Read more...] about Strength For Those on the Front Lines, Australia Fires
In Order to Help Australian Fire Victims: Do NOT Respond to Solicitations…
Last night in my article about the Australian fires, I promised I'd let you know how to help. Little did I realize I'd be cautioning you how not to help. But the Australian governments and news agencies have broadcast that we ought NOT respond to solicitations for money to help Australian fire survivors... from persons we don't know or who say they represent groups that sound … [Read more...] about In Order to Help Australian Fire Victims: Do NOT Respond to Solicitations…
Obituary: Anastasia Baburova (1983-2009)
In our cynical times, there are also instances of young and old people bravely taking up professional/public causes and not fearing the consequences of the dangers inherent in such a step. The 25-year-old Anastasia Baburova, a Russian journalist who died on January 19th, would be remembered as a valiant fighter for a cause that was close to her heart --- freedom of … [Read more...] about Obituary: Anastasia Baburova (1983-2009)
Save Us From Religion
Aislin, The Montreal Gazette This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Save Us From Religion
Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics
The following graph has been getting a lot of play on the web. It was put out by the Office of Speaker Nancy Pelosi: As you can see, it shows that in comparison to the two most recent recessions, we have lost a bunch of jobs. The graph has "focused the mind" of some bloggers like Andrew Sullivan: This graph sure does concentrate the mind and reveals, to my mind, the … [Read more...] about Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics
GOP’s “Pharmaceutical” View of the Stimulus Plan: Rebuttal
David at The Unreligious Right had some good comments on my "The GOP’s Pharmaceutical View of the Stimulus Plan." I say good because, although David obviously disagrees with my views, he is very civil and perceptive in his arguments.This is quite refreshing these days when one sees so many personal attacks between people of differing political, and other, opinions. As … [Read more...] about GOP’s “Pharmaceutical” View of the Stimulus Plan: Rebuttal
Obama Presser: Bipartisanship Doesn’t Mean Acquiescence
In his first prime-time press conference, President Barack Obama said the United States is in ""winter of our hardship" and gave detailed and analytical answers to questions on the economy, Iran, the Bush administration, what he saw of the hardships of average Americans -- and made it clear that he doesn't believe bipartisanship means acquiescence. Obama jumped right into … [Read more...] about Obama Presser: Bipartisanship Doesn’t Mean Acquiescence
Obama Should ‘Oust’ Hamid Karzai and All Bush ‘Collaborators’: Iraqi News Agency
Did the 'change' promised by Barack Obama include the ouster of Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and 'all Bush collaborators' in the other Arab nation President Bush chose to invade, like Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki? That seems to be what at least some Iraqis think, based on this op-ed article by Fawaz al-Ajami of the Iraqi News … [Read more...] about Obama Should ‘Oust’ Hamid Karzai and All Bush ‘Collaborators’: Iraqi News Agency
Stuart Rothenberg On Obama and Congress
Always one of the smarter political analysts, Mr. Rothenberg has some comments on the fact that being out of power and complaining is not the same as being in power and having to deliver. He also has some fair warnings for the Republicans and how they should not take things for granted either. Rothenberg … [Read more...] about Stuart Rothenberg On Obama and Congress
The GOP’s Pharmaceutical View of the Stimulus Plan
Having just watched the stimulus bill clear what is hopefully the last hurdle on its way to passage in the Senate tomorrow, I feel like the seriously ill patient who has just been prescribed a medicine that has a good chance of bringing him back to good health. And so it’s no surprise that I look upon the stimulus plan as a medicine prescribed by a physician to a very sick … [Read more...] about The GOP’s Pharmaceutical View of the Stimulus Plan
We Snooze While Drug Cartels Plunder Us
Mexico's murderous drug cartel rampage has reached the United States big time and we still act like no one gives a damn. An Associated Press story Monday quotes U.S. law enforcement officials claiming the cartels have set up operations in 230 U.S. cities with a resulting effect of increased killings, kidnappings and home invasions. Why this hasn't triggered a national … [Read more...] about We Snooze While Drug Cartels Plunder Us