It was only two days ago that Joe Biden, with an assist from Bill and Hillary Clinton, appeared at a campaign rally at the Riverfront Sports Complex in Scranton, Pennsylvania, but the atmosphere could not be more different when it was Sarah Palin's turn today: "Chris Hackett addressed the increasingly feisty crowd as they await the arrival of Gov. Palin. "Each time the … [Read more...] about A Different Day, More Violent Invective
Gallup Rasmussen Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby Polls: Obama Maintains Steady Lead Over McCain
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama continues to maintain a steady lead over Republican candidate Sen. John McCain in a trio of major polls out today. They show a race with some minor movement but seemingly now fixed into a holding pattern. One key to what's happening: Obama has made inroads among independent voters. GALLUP POLL: Barack Obama leads … [Read more...] about Gallup Rasmussen Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby Polls: Obama Maintains Steady Lead Over McCain
The Financial 9/11
Yesterday's stock-market surge was at least a temporary all-clear for millions of Americans to emerge from the shock and awe that has devastated their financial lives. As they look around at the rubble of savings, 401ks and home values, what are they thinking and feeling? Across the country, there are reports of victims. "In some places," CNN reports, "mental-health hot … [Read more...] about The Financial 9/11
The Funniest Palin
Some of Monty Python's humor was admittedly crass, although I'd argue that most of it was informed and intelligent. John Cleese reminds us of the grey matter lurking behind the laughs, here: H/t Mr. Sullivan. … [Read more...] about The Funniest Palin
SCOTUS: No New Trial for Troy Anthony Davis
A sad day for justice. AP: The Supreme Court has cleared the way for a Georgia man to be put to death for killing a police officer two weeks after it halted his execution to consider his appeal. Troy Davis asked the high court to intervene in his case and order a new trial because seven of the nine witnesses against him have recanted their testimony. Former President Jimmy … [Read more...] about SCOTUS: No New Trial for Troy Anthony Davis
Bill Ayers & The Fog of Pathos
A fog of pathos has settled over the McCain-Palin campaign. While the Sarahcudda continues feeding red meat to the dwindling audiences at campaign rallies, which is the only thing she has been adept at, the Big Guy keeps peeing all over those $525 Italian loafers. The Bill Ayers "controversy" is a window through the fog into McCain's state of mind. Whenever he has met … [Read more...] about Bill Ayers & The Fog of Pathos
The Debate We’d Like to See
And yet, sadly, probably not the one we will see this week. It's true that John McCain has heeded the nervous rumblings of his base and is now threatening to utter the dreaded name of Bill Ayers tomorrow night, but this is still likely to provide an unsatisfying evening's entertainment. Many of the complaints have been levied over the format of the debates, which often render … [Read more...] about The Debate We’d Like to See
PAYGO, Obama, and the Blue Dogs
As some of you know, I've been running a little civics experiment over at my blog. In it, I asked congressional candidates in local races whether they'd publicly commit to fiscal responsibility via PAYGO -- and I was very careful in how I defined PAYGO: Once upon a time, in another era, the concept of ‘pay as you go’ was well understood. In recent years, unfortunately, … [Read more...] about PAYGO, Obama, and the Blue Dogs
No Obama Scandal to be Found in the Latest National Enquirer ‘Scandal’ Story
The National Enquirer headlines, OBAMA SEX PERV SCANDAL. In it they sensationalize the possibility that Barack Obama was mentored in his youth by a man who may have turned out to be a pedophile. James Joyner links to the blogosphere storm before commenting: Obviously, one hopes that young Barry wasn’t the target of such a horrible experience. Regardless, he is who he is. … [Read more...] about No Obama Scandal to be Found in the Latest National Enquirer ‘Scandal’ Story
Civil Rights Roundup: 10/14/08
Your daily dose of civil rights and related news Among other problems, the language interpretation at Guantanamo Bay trials is awful. Wyoming remains one of the few states without a hate crimes law. The Tulsa World: Many Native Americans don't celebrate Columbus Day. Civil rights leaders are worrying that a new agreement between Las Vegas officials and ICE will … [Read more...] about Civil Rights Roundup: 10/14/08
McCain Campaign Gears Up For Final Big Push In Sagging States And In Debate
Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain's campaign is now gearing up for a big push to try and change the dynamics of the race. The obvious question is: is it too late? Several big key developments are now in play: *Shoring up possibly weak states. As the LA Times' blogger Andrew Malcolm points out, GOP Veep candidate Gov. Sarah Palin is now heading for Indiana … [Read more...] about McCain Campaign Gears Up For Final Big Push In Sagging States And In Debate
Palin Email Hacker Update
You'll remember that David Kernell, a University of Tennessee student and the son of a Democratic state legislator, pleaded innocent this month to charges that he had hacked into Sarah Palin's email. The Chronicle's Eric Kelderman: Now some legal scholars are wondering how the charges against Mr. Kernell were raised to a felony — from a misdemeanor — which carries a … [Read more...] about Palin Email Hacker Update
A Ten Gallon Hat Problem
It looks to me as though the Republican attempt to link Obama to radical leftists is having great success here in Texas. Political signs are going up all over the place in my neighborhood -- and so far, every last one of them says, "McCain-Palin". Of course, even when times are flush, the “tax and spend Democrats” line plays very well here, but things look a bit different … [Read more...] about A Ten Gallon Hat Problem
Socialists All!
Today George W. Bush and Henry Paulson announced the partial nationalization of the banking industry. Bush insists that this is not an assault on the free market system. And the New York Times notes that this is not unprecedented. The government has nationalized various sectors of the economy before, most notably the collapsing railroad industry in the 1970s. The last time the … [Read more...] about Socialists All!
What The U.S. Must Do To Win In Afghanistan (Guest Voice)
Afghanistan's defense minister today said that 2008 has been the bloodiest year yet for the insurgency in Afghanistan. A British reporter says the country is locked in a spiral of doom. In this Guest Voice post, India-based American freelance reporter Wil Robinson details what the U.S. must do to win. Robinson spent two weeks reporting in Afghanistan last December. What The … [Read more...] about What The U.S. Must Do To Win In Afghanistan (Guest Voice)
Stock Market Rollercoaster
Paul Zanetti, Australia … [Read more...] about Stock Market Rollercoaster
Dumb Web 2.0 names. And Windows 7.
Robin Wauters at The Next Web says in his business he comes across "a mountain of poorly executed websites and applications, or startups that have business models that you just know will never bring in a dime of revenue." Still, it's the names he finds really awful. So he's compiled a list of what he thinks are The 15 dumbest names for Web 2.0 startups. Here's just one: 11. … [Read more...] about Dumb Web 2.0 names. And Windows 7.
With Three Weeks To Go, Obama & Biden Cruise, But Sometimes Coattails Don’t Matter
With the election looking for all the world like a Barack Obama win, would there be any hint of complacency when Joe and Jill Biden and Bill and Hillary Clinton took the stage at a rally in the Coal Country of Pennsylvania over the weekend? I stayed glued to the teevee for the entire event, nicely-planned to end before the day's most important happening, the Eagles-49ers game, … [Read more...] about With Three Weeks To Go, Obama & Biden Cruise, But Sometimes Coattails Don’t Matter
TMV Caption Contest
OK -- maybe this wasn't such a great idea after all. For one thing, I'm a terrible judge of funny. For another, I don't want to offend anyone. So ... net: I'm taking the coward's way out and declaring everyone a winner -- or, if you prefer, judge for yourself. My entry below; others in the comments section. My entry: "Can you hum a few more bars? I've almost got … [Read more...] about TMV Caption Contest
Is Obama Headed For A Blow Out?
The Politico asks an impressive collection of experts with various viewpoints. Bottom line consensus: Democrats...don't hire your moving vans just yet... … [Read more...] about Is Obama Headed For A Blow Out?