Click here for Interactive McCain family tree Douglas A. Blackmon, author of Slavery by Another Name – The Re-Enslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to World War II, is the Atlanta Bureau Chief of the Wall Street Journal. Over the past 20 years, he has written extensively about race, exploring the interplay of wealth, corporate conduct and racial … [Read more...] about Douglas A. Blackmon on the Mississippi descendants of slaves owned by the great-great-grandfather of John McCain
Two Weeks & Counting: Thirteen Random Thoughts On The Presidential Election
(1.) The Republicans continue to confuse talk radio with reality. (2.) Barack Obama has raised an astounding $604 million to date. The bellyaching of John McCain over this record amount is sheer jealousy, while his allegation that raising huge amounts of dough is a recipe for scandal is laughable since the average Obama donation is under $100. (3.) Did the smarties … [Read more...] about Two Weeks & Counting: Thirteen Random Thoughts On The Presidential Election
Obama Versus McCain: What Is a Moderate To Do?
As a relatively-moderate Republican I have found myself facing something of a dilemma regarding my choices for President this November. Looking at the two major choices, I find that neither one is particularly appealing to me. Each one has things I like and each has things I dislike. Some of the things I like however are not particularly relevant to being President and, while … [Read more...] about Obama Versus McCain: What Is a Moderate To Do?
The Controversy Over Polling And Real Clear Politics
We've often noted here that when partisans (of both sides) see a poll they don't like about their candidate, they sometimes will talk about how the methodology of the poll was wrong. And usually the partisans don't see the same problem with polls that favor their candidates. The issue of methodology and whether political preferences may influence how polling is used burst … [Read more...] about The Controversy Over Polling And Real Clear Politics
Sigmund Freud and the Global Financial Meltdown: Prensa Libre of Guatemala
Does the work of Sigmund Freud have anything to teach us about the global financial crisis and how to extricate ourselves from its clutches? Margarita Carrera of Guatemala's Prensa Libre reminds her readers that Freud didn't only study sex - but the psychology behind economics and finance as well. Carrera writes in part: In his analysis of dreams, he discovered that … [Read more...] about Sigmund Freud and the Global Financial Meltdown: Prensa Libre of Guatemala
Has Move To Discredit Powell Over Obama Endorsement Begun?
When former Secretary of State Colin Powell endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama today, Powell's explanations of why were a kind of laundry list of why many independent voters have recently been breaking for Obama over Republican Sen. John McCain. The two immediate questions then became: 1. How would this impact Obama's campaign and McCain's … [Read more...] about Has Move To Discredit Powell Over Obama Endorsement Begun?
Powell for Obama: Thoughts on the Endorsement
Needless to say, the political world is all abuzz today over Colin Powell's endorsement of Obama this morning on Meet the Press. Mustang Bobby posted the clips -- Powell on MTP, then outside the studio. ********** Needless to say, conservatives are going nuts -- or, rather, getting even nuttier -- in response: Take Michelle Malkin, for example, who calls Powell's … [Read more...] about Powell for Obama: Thoughts on the Endorsement
John The Candidate (Guest Voice)
A key centerpiece of Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain's present campaign is the person and political story of Joe the Plumber. In this Guest Voice post, humorist Will Durst takes a look at the third and final debate -- and John the Candidate. Guest Voice posts do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of TMV or its writers. John the Candidate by Will … [Read more...] about John The Candidate (Guest Voice)
Does Obama’s $150 Million September Contributions Take Doom Public Campaign Financing?
Is public campaign financing poised to die as a viable funding option due to Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama' raising some $150 million in September alone, while rival GOPer Sen. John McCain will make do with $85 million in public funds? The LA Time's Dan Moran argues that it is -- and if you had to place (private) money on it, you should bet he's … [Read more...] about Does Obama’s $150 Million September Contributions Take Doom Public Campaign Financing?
Joe Scarborough: We’re Not a 60/40 Country
On Meet the Press this morning (after the Colin Powell endorsement) Joe Scarborough offered up some advice to Obama, "Go to Florida. Go to Ohio. Get out of North Carolina..." He says we're not a 60/40 country and later suggests that the only reason for Obama's lead is the economy. Do we agree? RELATED: Earlier in the segment NBC News political director Chuck Todd's numbers … [Read more...] about Joe Scarborough: We’re Not a 60/40 Country
Sharing Wealth
McCain is going after Obama because the latter told Joe the Plumber that he aims to "share the wealth." Well, yeah. Isn't that a good thing to do? What kind of country, what kind of people, doesn't want to share its national wealth? And what's the alternative? To not share the wealth? To keep it in the hands of the few? I'm not sure that I understand McCain's thinking … [Read more...] about Sharing Wealth
Opposing Mexico’s ‘Secret’ Integration with the United States: La Jornada, Mexico
Is there a small group of people controlling global affairs? Millions of people around the world believe there is, and many of those point to a 'club' created in The Netherlands to try and knit the world back together after the catastrophe of World War II. It is called the Bilderberg Group. The topic of this article from Mexico's La Jornada is whether an offshoot of the … [Read more...] about Opposing Mexico’s ‘Secret’ Integration with the United States: La Jornada, Mexico
Thank You, General Powell, For a Belated Yet Resounding Verdict
Thank you, General Powell, for finally rendering a decisive vote on the Bush-McCain administration. Back on June 28, 2007, I wrote the following short Letter to the Editor in Time Magazine: Colin Powell said he "would close Guantánamo not tomorrow but this afternoon." How about four or five years ago, Mr. Powell, when you should have stood against the prison and the … [Read more...] about Thank You, General Powell, For a Belated Yet Resounding Verdict
Bruce Cockburn: An Appreciation
It would be nice to say that while Bruce Cockburn is best known for his socially conscious songs, he also is a great guitarist. But unless you dwell at the left end of things -- whether it be politics or the FM radio dial -- it is unlikely that you've ever heard of the Canadian singer-songwriter. That is a damned shame because there is not merely a currency to Cockburn's … [Read more...] about Bruce Cockburn: An Appreciation
Off the Edge of Despair
It was interesting to watch General Powell's endorsement. It is clear that Powell thinks the modern Republican Party has stretched way beyond where he's willing to go in terms of its race rightward. The concerns he laid out about the current GOP extend from the selection of Gov. Sarah Palin as VP, to the prospect of two more conservative judges on the Supreme Court, to the … [Read more...] about Off the Edge of Despair
The Two Republican Parties
Colin Powell's endorsement of Barack Obama today underscores how clearly and irreparably John McCain has split open the fault line in the GOP. In going against McCain, whom he has known and admired for two decades, the party's keynote speaker in 2000 and former Bush Secretary of State cited Sarah Palin and the William Ayers tone of the Republican campaign and praised the … [Read more...] about The Two Republican Parties
Hawaii Abandons “Universal Healthcare”
Why do you suppose they would do that? Here's a taste: "People who were already able to afford health care began to stop paying for it so they could get it for free," said Dr. Kenny Fink, the administrator for Med-QUEST at the Department of Human Services. "I don't believe that was the intent of the program." Get the entire story over at the home of my partner in literary … [Read more...] about Hawaii Abandons “Universal Healthcare”
Should “Get Out the Vote” Just Get Out of Town?
Over at Outside the Beltway, Alex Knapp brings you the story of a new voter registration group, this time working for Republicans, who now have an investigation coming their way. Knapp concludes: Between this issue and the issues surrounding ACORN, it’s clear that something needs to change with the way we register voters. A slip of paper that can be filled out by anybody as … [Read more...] about Should “Get Out the Vote” Just Get Out of Town?
The Two McCains
My hometown newspaper, the Flint Journal, has a fascinating story of two sisters named McCain, who are descendants of slaves owned by Senator John McCain's great-great grandfather. It's a great read about American history. Check it out. … [Read more...] about The Two McCains
Colin Powell Endorses Barack Obama
As had been widely anticipated, Colin Powell came on Meet the Press this morning (Washington Monthly has the video at the link) and endorsed Barack Obama for President. His reasons? In short, he felt that Obama demonstrated more leadership and thoughtful, objective analysis on the current economic crisis. He also noted the need for open discussion with with rest of the world … [Read more...] about Colin Powell Endorses Barack Obama