I would invite you to read your fill of The Lady Logician on this subject, please, on the day after the homes of a number of elected officials (both Democrat and Republican) had their homes defaced by vandals. The electorate needs to grow up and learn how to disagree without being disagreeable. On MSR, we have a conservative, a libertarian and a liberal on the show and while … [Read more...] about Is Civil Discourse on Life Support?
Obama and McCain: Wrong Battles on the Economy
Barack Obama and John McCain are locked in the wrong battle of words over the panic stricken American economy as it slips into recession. They are sparring over the kind of tax relief each will deliver, incentives to save jobs and regulations to curtail the greed of investment bankers and fund managers. Though relevant for the longer term, these are mistaken prescriptions … [Read more...] about Obama and McCain: Wrong Battles on the Economy
For McCain, It May All Come Down to Pennsylvania
It wasn't all that long ago -- actually, about two and a half weeks ago -- that the McCain campaign pulled out of Michigan and set its sights on three key battleground states: Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. (Although he was behind quite decisively in all three.) Well, it now looks like it's all about Pennsylvania. As Jim Rutenberg of NYT's The Caucus reported … [Read more...] about For McCain, It May All Come Down to Pennsylvania
The ACORN Non-Issue
Amid all the Republican accusations against ACORN for its drive to register new voters, the simple truth seems to be that hourly workers scammed the non-profit organization by submitting fake names, but there is no evidence whatsoever of fraud by non-existent voters actually going to the polls to cast ballots. The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now is … [Read more...] about The ACORN Non-Issue
On Conservatism’s (Un)Certain Future
With the seemingly-likely blowout of the GOP from the halls of power, there has been a lot of talk about what will happen to the conservative moment. Blogger Peter Suderman believes it's a bit premature to say that conservatism is doomed: I don’t want to go too far down the road of arguing that the right doesn’t have problems. It does, and I desperately hope that it … [Read more...] about On Conservatism’s (Un)Certain Future
Barr, McCain, Obama, I Voted Today. In The Fedora Tradition…
I voted today. Like my dad, Fedora-man, my ballot choices are secret. I'm an Independent, though I've belonged to each party in the past wanting to find out more. That voting is private runs in my bones. In the old country people of my family, immigrants and refugees, this secrecy of vote was cherished in America... for back in the villages everyone knew everyone's … [Read more...] about Barr, McCain, Obama, I Voted Today. In The Fedora Tradition…
Rocky McCain and Bullwinkle
RJ Matson, The St. Louis Post Dispatch … [Read more...] about Rocky McCain and Bullwinkle
Why the Republicans Must Lose (Part 2,395)
Every time the elections roll around, yet another disillusioned Republican comes along bemoaning loss of the old, small government, fiscal conservative roots of the party and the rise of the neo-cons and extreme social conservatives who hijacked the organization some years back. This season is no different, and Radley Balko comes along to fill the bill. The truth is, unless … [Read more...] about Why the Republicans Must Lose (Part 2,395)
SNL & Palin; Obama Next?
Freakonomics: Sarah Palin’s favorability ratings dropped slightly among independents, Democrats, and Republicans who viewed Tina Fey’s impressions of her on Saturday Night Live, according to a study conducted earlier this month by HCD Research and the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion. Another study by the same group said the real Palin’s appearance on SNL … [Read more...] about SNL & Palin; Obama Next?
Quote Of The Day: McCain’s Last (Anti-Bush) Stand?
The political Quote of the Day comes from MSNBC's indispensable First Read's solid Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, Domenico Montanaro, and Carrie Dann on Republican Presidential candidate Sen. John McCain's finally starting to really distance himself from President George W. Bush in a newspaper interview: Be sure not to miss McCain’s exclusive interview with the Washington Times, … [Read more...] about Quote Of The Day: McCain’s Last (Anti-Bush) Stand?
Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby Poll: Obama Expands Lead Over McCain To 12 Points
A new Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby poll finds signs that Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain's base is "cracking" as his rival Democratic Sen. Barack Obama expands his support to carve out a 12 point lead. Democrat Barack Obama's lead over Republican rival John McCain has grown to 12 points in the U.S. presidential race, with crucial independent and women voters … [Read more...] about Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby Poll: Obama Expands Lead Over McCain To 12 Points
Spread the Wealth
Mike Keefe, The Denver Post … [Read more...] about Spread the Wealth
Keeping Those Voting Machines Honest
DVICE has an informative and interactive article called Voting Machines in the USA. They take a look at all the states in the union and see how error-prone and "hackable" the machines are. They also give you the technology each state has deployed in their voting machines. Here in Georgia we are 100% electronic. Since I voted early, I found the machines here very easy to … [Read more...] about Keeping Those Voting Machines Honest
John McCain Implodes: Dead Cat Bounces, Making Excuses & Uppity Negro Voters
I slowed down long enough last night to listen to a John McCain stump speech from Pennsylvania in its entirety and the guy had all the enthusiasm of a public radio station fund drive announcer trying to convince listeners that the station will go off the air if they don't buy his baby new shoes. Yes, it's that bad. About all that McCain can hope for 12 days out is a "dead … [Read more...] about John McCain Implodes: Dead Cat Bounces, Making Excuses & Uppity Negro Voters
Not The Time For On The Job Training (Guest Voice)
A controversy is raging over Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Sen. Joe Biden's comment that Democratic Presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama could be tested by America's enemies. The Obama camp says the testing could occur with any new President. GOPers say Biden was correct in warning about Obama in particular. That argument is made here in this Guest Voice post by … [Read more...] about Not The Time For On The Job Training (Guest Voice)
Colin Powell Endorsement
RJ Matson, The St. Louis Post Dispatch … [Read more...] about Colin Powell Endorsement
India’s Moonshot
A big moment for the World's Largest Democracy. A roundup is HERE. … [Read more...] about India’s Moonshot
The Odor of Ethnic Fires ‘Cooking in America’s Kitchen’: From Sotal Iraq
Is a new fratricidal conflict, even 'more ferocious' that what has already occurred, about to break out in Iraq? According to this article from Iraq's Sotal Iraq, now that American plans for Sunni-Shiite sectarian strife have run their course, Washington is whipping up an ethnic conflict between the Kurds and the Arabs - centering on oil-rich Kirkuk. … [Read more...] about The Odor of Ethnic Fires ‘Cooking in America’s Kitchen’: From Sotal Iraq
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: DEMOCRATIC WAVE CONTINUES TO BUILD
Larry J. Sabato - DEMOCRATIC WAVE CONTINUES TO BUILD: Obama Maintains Clear Lead, Democrats Gain More Ground in Congress Back in 2002 and 2004, the Crystal Ball brought misery to Democrats and joy to Republicans, as we projected the solid GOP victories that occurred in those years. The cycle of politics is not to be denied, and so in 2006 and now in 2008, there is a role … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: DEMOCRATIC WAVE CONTINUES TO BUILD
The Obama-McCain Debate: A ‘Warning’ to Mexicans – El Universal, Mexico
As one might imagine, the U.S. election campaign has attracted tremendous attention in Mexico, where people are concerned about migration issues and other border-related topics like narco-trafficking, human smuggling and NAFTA-based bilateral trade of about $300 billion per year. This editorial from Mexico's El Universal explains that with all of the deep and intricate ties … [Read more...] about The Obama-McCain Debate: A ‘Warning’ to Mexicans – El Universal, Mexico