Just 30 miles west of Washington, DC, over 60,000 green troops representing the United States of America and the Confederate States of America faced off in the first major land battle of the Civil War in July 1861. On Wilbur McLean's farm near Manassas, Virginia, the nascent Confederacy struck a shocking blow for a new Republic whose cornerstone lay in the following … [Read more...] about Coming Full Circle at Manassas
Steal This Election
Bob Englehart, The Hartford Courant … [Read more...] about Steal This Election
If Obama Loses
Forget all the rhetoric about four more years of Bush, Old Politics vs. New Politics and all that jazz. Absent any plausible reason for a late McCain surge and victory, the inescapable fact about an Obama loss would be an ugly truth to haunt American life for years to come. Around the edges of all the opinion poll data about what will happen today is an uneasiness that … [Read more...] about If Obama Loses
Muslim Scholars in Iraq Condemn U.S. Attack on Syria: Iraqi News Agency
Somewhat lost in the shuffle these past few days [for obvious reasons] is how the U.S. attack on Syrian territory last week may be imperiling a long-term security agreement between Iraq and the United States. With much of the Arab world in uproar over the U.S. incursion from bases inside Iraq, we translated this article from the Iraqi News Agency, which is a statement by the … [Read more...] about Muslim Scholars in Iraq Condemn U.S. Attack on Syria: Iraqi News Agency
Palin Cleared of Ethics Charges
Amazing! Election eve vindication. NYTimes: ANCHORAGE — A report released by a state board Monday found that Gov. Sarah Palin did not apply improper pressure to try to dismiss a state trooper who was her former brother-in-law and did not violate state ethics laws in the firing of her public safety commissioner. The report by the Alaska Personnel Board contradicts the … [Read more...] about Palin Cleared of Ethics Charges
If Obama Wins, What Can Latin America Expect?: El Universal of Venezuela
At the moment, the nation of Venezuela, governed [or ruled] by Bush's arch-enemy Hugo Chavez, is one of America's top suppliers of crude oil. So what do Venezuelans think an Obama presidency would be like? For Venezuela's opposition-friendly newspaper El Universal, Antonio A. Herrera-Vaillant writes about, among other things, the oil issue and immigration: "Obama will … [Read more...] about If Obama Wins, What Can Latin America Expect?: El Universal of Venezuela
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: THE LAST LAST WORD
Larry J. Sabato - THE LAST LAST WORD: The Crystal Ball's Final Projections for the 2008 Election If Barack Obama wins the popular vote by 7 or 8 percentage points, then he will also carry at least a couple of the following states: Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Montana, North Dakota. If Barack Obama should end up by 3 or 4 percent of the popular vote, then it is possible … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: THE LAST LAST WORD
Prayer for Small Business Owners: Let You Not Only Survive, But Thrive
I’m keeping an open mind, because it’s all rumor so far. Political gossip, this idea that all small businesses will be forced to pony up even more than they do already, just past the breaking point. It probably needs not be said, but I think most small business owners I've ever known, are the salt of this earth; the ones who keep wearing last year's and last decade's … [Read more...] about Prayer for Small Business Owners: Let You Not Only Survive, But Thrive
Exercise Your Right to Vote!
Less than 12 hours from now, the first American polling places will open on Election Day. In many areas, early voting places were very busy with people trying to exercise their rights as they had time to do so. Of course, this helps people who normally work on Election Day, as they don't have to count on voting during a small window of time before work, after work, or on … [Read more...] about Exercise Your Right to Vote!
McCain vs. Obama: Election a Tribute to U.S. Ruling Class
For those fretting over the results of the U.S. presidential election [gee, I wonder who that could be?] French historian Alexandre Adler - who writes for Le Figaro and is often referred to as the French neo-con, offers this tribute to the American political class for picking two candidates which, despite their differences, are destined to address many of the same pressing … [Read more...] about McCain vs. Obama: Election a Tribute to U.S. Ruling Class
Please Wait
Cam Cardow, The Ottawa Citizen … [Read more...] about Please Wait
Voting: A Moment of Doubt and New Resolve
Nearly a month ago, I announced that I was finally off the fence and voting Obama. Since then, I’ve published a number of posts elaborating on and/or defending my choice. I’ve spent part of an evening making calls, and a portion of several different Saturday afternoons knocking on doors, on the Senator’s behalf. I’ve also debated the merits of my decision with Republican … [Read more...] about Voting: A Moment of Doubt and New Resolve
Election Night Guide: Hour-by-Hour
With Obama having an incredibly strong polling day and FiveThirtyEight now projecting his win percentage at 98.1% today, perhaps we shouldn't be asking if Obama will win tomorrow, but when. Nate Silver, Doug Mataconis at Donklephant, and the Swing State Project have all provided useful guides for hour-by-hour poll closings. Here's what you should watch for (all times … [Read more...] about Election Night Guide: Hour-by-Hour
Obama’s Grandmother: More Tragedy Than We Have Room For
While Holly already linked a breaking news update on this, CNN is confirming that Sen. Barack Obama's grandmother has died less then 30 hours before the grandson she raised may potentially be voted in as the first African-American President of the United States. As I previously stated, this is simply too much to take in all at once. No matter how you feel about each of the … [Read more...] about Obama’s Grandmother: More Tragedy Than We Have Room For
Sen. Obama’s Grandmother Has Died
msnbc.com: BREAKING NEWS: Barack Obama's grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, has died in Honolulu CNN: Sen. Barack Obama’s grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, has died after a battle with cancer, his campaign office says. … [Read more...] about Sen. Obama’s Grandmother Has Died
Championship Game, Fourth Quarter, Minutes Left
Politics is a game played for the highest office in this country and perhaps in the world by the best teams in the world. It has a pre-season, a regular season and the play-offs. (In 2000 there was even overtime). Each team has its superstar who needs a strong supporting cast to win. At the end one champion is crowned. There will be jubilation for the winner. The loser will be … [Read more...] about Championship Game, Fourth Quarter, Minutes Left
Tax Plans Contrasted
Both candidates' tax plans have merit. But one of these plans (Obama's) makes more sense in light of current economic conditions. McCain's plan focuses on increasing investment in business. This is highly desirable at times when business is expanding and needs tax savings both to buy new equipment and to hire more help. This is obviously not what businesses plan to do today, … [Read more...] about Tax Plans Contrasted
Polls: Obama Solid Nationally But McCain Shows Traction In Some Battleground States
After a big push political weekend by both sides -- 1.8 million doors knocked on for Obama, for instance -- the final polls are coming fast and furious almost as rapidly as the last minute charges. The bottom line: most national polls show Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama with a comfortable national lead now outside the margin of error, while some … [Read more...] about Polls: Obama Solid Nationally But McCain Shows Traction In Some Battleground States
What If John McCain…?
If Barack Obama wins tomorrow, as I hope he will, we will see the inevitable flood of soul-searching, Monday (in this case Wednesday) morning quarterbacking, recriminations, and what I call the “what if” and “if only” questions and assertions. (And, oh yes, the long Republican knives will come out, too.) So let me go out on a (pretty solid) limb and anticipate not only … [Read more...] about What If John McCain…?
WORLDMEETS.US: Selected Headlines from Around the World
Just for the sake of levity, I'd like to post links to some of the 50-odd stories WORLDMEETS.US has posted about the U.S. election from around the world in the past 72 hours: Did U.S. Republicans take a page out of Ukraine's election playbook?: Izvestia, Russia Where Did the Idea of 'Joe the Plumber' Come From? … Ukraine! Looking to the stars of little help, according … [Read more...] about WORLDMEETS.US: Selected Headlines from Around the World