As we move further along from Election Day, we still have three outstanding Senate races. In Alaska, convicted felon Ted Stevens (R) has fallen behind his Democratic opponent Mark Begich. At this point, the margin is about 900 votes with about 25,000 or so left to be counted. Begich seems to have a slight edge but there is considerable net debate over where the remaining … [Read more...] about Election Update #2
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Negative Campaigning–What’s New?
Larry J. Sabato: NEGATIVE CAMPAIGNING--WHAT'S NEW? This article is republished courtesy of the Los Angeles Times. In 1800, Thomas Jefferson endured a presidential campaign in which supporters of his opponent, President John Adams, labored mightily to convince the public that the then-vice president was an atheistic coward hell-bent on ripping Bibles from the homes of … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Negative Campaigning–What’s New?
With Obama, American ‘Communications System’ Improves U.S. Image: Jornal de Angola
One of the more rewarding things about showing Americans what the rest of the world thinks about our nation, is to introduce people to newspapers that they would never ordinarily be able to read. For example, how many Americans have ever read a newspaper from the civil-war stricken Portuguese-speaking country of Angola? This article by Altino Matos of the Jornal de Angola … [Read more...] about With Obama, American ‘Communications System’ Improves U.S. Image: Jornal de Angola
Asia News Roundup: Australia, China, Maldives…
With the excitement, dust, heat and frenzy generated by the US presidential elections seemingly behind us, the recent developments in Asia and other parts of the world deserve attention. The Economist, as usual, leads other world publications in bringing to us news stories in an insightful and succinct manner. First, how Australia and China facing the global financial … [Read more...] about Asia News Roundup: Australia, China, Maldives…
Could Obama Name Hillary Clinton As His Secretary Of State?
Georgia Congressman Broun Stands by Hitler Obama Comparison
Yesterday it looked like he was backing away from his intemperate comments. Today I learn he says that's not so. The AJC: Georgia Congressman Paul Broun Wednesday stood by warnings that President-elect Barack Obama might set up a Gestapo-like civilian security force. One day after the Athens Republican told a radio talk show that he regretted calling Obama a “Marxist,” a … [Read more...] about Georgia Congressman Broun Stands by Hitler Obama Comparison
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: From Republican ‘LOCK’ to Republican ‘LOCKOUT’?
Rhodes Cook - FROM REPUBLICAN 'LOCK' TO REPUBLICAN 'LOCKOUT'?: Every day since Nov. 4, the scope of Democrat Barack Obama's victory has grown more impressive. His electoral vote total of 364 is the highest for any presidential winner since Bill Clinton's reelection in 1996. His 53 percent share of the total popular vote is the largest since George H.W. Bush won a … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: From Republican ‘LOCK’ to Republican ‘LOCKOUT’?
‘We are All Americans’: Folha, Brazil
'We are All Americans.' Most of us recall that phrase used by the French the day after September 11, 2001. After all of the events of the past eight years and the deterioration of America's image, few would have predicted hearing it again. But we are. Since the election of President-elect Obama, I have personally seen the phrase in at least three articles we have posted from … [Read more...] about ‘We are All Americans’: Folha, Brazil
The ‘Color Revolution’ Has Finally Spread to the U.S.!: The Global Geographic Times, China
Here's a new take on Obama's election as president from none other than China's state-controlled media. According to this op-ed from China's strictly-controlled Global Geographic Weekly, Obama's victory is a 'color revolution' - similar to those promoted by the Bush Administration in Ukraine and Georgia. The unsigned article says in part: "The U.S. presidential election, … [Read more...] about The ‘Color Revolution’ Has Finally Spread to the U.S.!: The Global Geographic Times, China
Right Wing Clowns
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune … [Read more...] about Right Wing Clowns
Begich Expands Lead in Alaska Senate Count
Democrat Mark Begich overtook Republican/felon Ted Stevens late yesterday, at one point holding a lead of just three votes, and he has expanded his lead as the counting continues. As the Anchorage Daily News is reporting (and CNN and Alaska Elections have the same numbers), Begich is now up by 814 -- "132,196 to 131,382 -- with the state still to count roughly 40,000 more … [Read more...] about Begich Expands Lead in Alaska Senate Count
How Obama Governs (Guest Voice)
What clues do we have on how Obama will govern? Veteran journalist Jerry Remmers gives us some indicators in this Guest Voice post that includes some original reporting. How Obama Governs by Jerry Remmers In The Beginning ...: The genesis of Barack Obama's method of operation for governing is traced to his days at Harvard Law School where he attended in 1989-91. It … [Read more...] about How Obama Governs (Guest Voice)
Andrew Sullivan on “The Palin Nightmare”
With the election now over, pretty much, I really don't want to waste much time on as loathsome a creature as Sarah Palin. I wrote about her extensively during the campaign, but what I may not have expressed explicitly -- though it was certainly there implicitly -- was my utter contempt for her. There are few political figures I despise as much as I came to despise her. She is, … [Read more...] about Andrew Sullivan on “The Palin Nightmare”
Gallup Poll: No Public Groundswell For Palin As National Political Figure
Former Republican Vice Presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin almost requires her own cable channel due to her slew of recent interviews, press conferences and the overall media attention that she's getting. Why the sudden flurry of Palin activity? One factor is that Palin is now free of her McCain campaign handlers. Some wonder if the other factor could be an effort to … [Read more...] about Gallup Poll: No Public Groundswell For Palin As National Political Figure
What To Do About Joe Lieberman?
Well, it now seems that both Obama and Durbin want Lieberman to remain as chair of the Homeland Security Committee, at least according to Newsweek's Howard Fineman. It has been reported that Obama wants Lieberman to remain in the Democratic caucus, but it hasn't been clear whether or not he wants him to keep his chairmanship. It has also been reported that Durbin wanted him … [Read more...] about What To Do About Joe Lieberman?
Silk Underpinnings For The First Dude—Ooops!
Preface: Because of a technical problem---mea culpa---links to this post were corrupted (in the technical sense). As interest in this topic continues, and even the foreign press is picking it up, I am re-posting it. But, please be sure the read the last (new) paragraph. I was reading my favorite New York Times column yesterday morning (Maureen Dowd’s Op-Ed with a … [Read more...] about Silk Underpinnings For The First Dude—Ooops!
Gandelman the Soothsayer
A soothsayer is, of course, "a person who predicts the future by magical, intuitive, or more rational means." While he won't tell us which of those "means" he employed, TMV's founder and editor-in-chief, Mr. Joe Gandelman, can now add "prognosticator par excellence" to his many list of talents and titles. This morning, he was officially recognized as one of three "top … [Read more...] about Gandelman the Soothsayer
Is Obama a Jew or an Arab?
I love this post at Life in Israel: This image was cropped out of the Haaretz website... these news items ran one after the other.... So, is he Jewish or is he Bedouin Arab? Rafi goes on to comment about how everyone seems to want to claim Obama as their own. I've gotten that sense as well and also think about what demands those claims bring with them. … [Read more...] about Is Obama a Jew or an Arab?
Are We ‘The Moderate Voice’?
Occasionally, a random blogger will link to a post at this site, trumpeting it as evidence that the contributors here have either lived up to or contradicted the moniker under which we write. Sometimes, both perspectives -- praise and critique -- are legitimate. That said, I doubt any of us, here or elsewhere, will ever achieve 100-percent compliance with 100-percent of … [Read more...] about Are We ‘The Moderate Voice’?
The GOP of the Future
While talking heads are dashing back and forth suggesting how to "fix" the Republican party, various solutions are being offered. These include suggestions as extreme as rounding up the RINOs and executing them. Most of the plans include a return to their Reagan roots of small government fiscal conservatism, which is a good plan but doesn't speak to the real issue. Hand … [Read more...] about The GOP of the Future