Men and women were weeping, holding each other in the courtroom tonight as the verdicts were read aloud on OJ and his cohort. The courtroom rang with the woman reader's voice, clipped, shrill even: both men Guilty Guilty Guilty Guilty over and over, Guilty Weirdly, truly weirdly, this Guilty verdict comes 13 years to the exact date of OJ's acquittal on murdering two … [Read more...] about OJ Simpson and Bluebeard, A Lost Story
McCain Readies Big Attack On Obama’s Character
A new Washington Post story makes it all but official, and in surprisingly candid language: the McCain campaign is getting ready to launch a fierce attack on Democratic Presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama's character in order to "change the subject" from the economy: Sen. John McCain and his Republican allies are readying a newly aggressive assault on Sen. Barack Obama's … [Read more...] about McCain Readies Big Attack On Obama’s Character
OJ Simpson Found GUILTY On All Counts
A Nevada Jury has convicted OJ Simpson on all 12 counts relating the the incident in a Las Vegas hotel about a year ago. These guilty verdicts relating to the robbery and kidnapping charges could send him to jail for the rest of his life. He will remain in county jail until early December when the judge imposes sentence. Depending on what the judge decides, he could be … [Read more...] about OJ Simpson Found GUILTY On All Counts
The Republican Party Has Become a Small-Town Party
David Brooks' Palin Rebound column provoked a lot of comment earlier today, but I think he was more on point tonight on The NewsHour. There he concisely summed up why McCain's small-town strategy is a loser: Mark mentioned small-town values when talking about Michigan. You know, I think Sarah Palin did very fine last night by her own standards, but this has become -- the … [Read more...] about The Republican Party Has Become a Small-Town Party
McCain Campaign Ads Now Going Almost All Negative
Those who, in 2000, felt Sen. John McCain was a different kind of candidate and who believed his promise to run an honorable campaign have to read this news with a sense of grief over what might have been: The McCain campaign has now shifted virtually 100 percent of his national ad spending into negative ads attacking Obama, a detailed breakdown of his ad buys … [Read more...] about McCain Campaign Ads Now Going Almost All Negative
There Are Reasons Why McCain Can Still Win
Here are 12 of them. … [Read more...] about There Are Reasons Why McCain Can Still Win
With McCain, If It Is Not The “L” Word, It Has To Be The “G.O.” Thing
The following sequence of events caught my attention during the last couple of days: On September 29, during an interview with ABC News' Ron Claiborne, John McCain denied that he had blamed Obama and the Democrats for the bailout implosion and then had called for an end to the finger-pointing in the very next sentence. According to TPM Election Central: Ron Clairborne: … [Read more...] about With McCain, If It Is Not The “L” Word, It Has To Be The “G.O.” Thing
The Abortion Journey
Volokh conspirator Todd Zywicki has an interesting post up asking about people's development on the issue of abortion. Specifically, how and why they might have changed their mind on the issue. He says that he knows plenty of people who used to be pro-choice, but became pro-life -- but few who made the opposite journey. And for those who have, he's curious as to what prompted … [Read more...] about The Abortion Journey
Palin Bush Pilot
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune … [Read more...] about Palin Bush Pilot
The Vice Presidential Debate Rewind
At the close of last night's debate I posted my take that a largely lackluster debate went in Sarah Palin's favor. This drew some criticism from readers and, at least according to the polls, I was in the minority by holding that opinion. I would like to visit the views of some friends on the subject, having had nearly 24 hours to digest it all, but also offer some observations … [Read more...] about The Vice Presidential Debate Rewind
Save Sarah Palin?
Or not. Doesn't matter much to me. But this random poll, if it reflects the larger population's aggregate view, is telling. After I cast my vote, the tally indicated 79% do not like the the prospect of Palin as Commander in Chief. Cast your votes, if you're so inclined, and let us know if the tally changes much, one way or the other. … [Read more...] about Save Sarah Palin?
William Sessions on Troy Anthony Davis Case
On Sept. 23, the U.S. Supreme Court granted a stay of execution for Troy Anthony Davis less than two hours before he was scheduled to be put to death. A decision on whether or not the court will grant certiorari and hear his case is expected Monday. Yesterday former FBI director William Sessions, a death penalty proponent, wrote urging the court to grant Cert: I am a member … [Read more...] about William Sessions on Troy Anthony Davis Case
It’s Not Greedy Americans at Fault … It’s the System: Financial Times Deutschland
With much of the developed world pointing fingers at American greed and free enterprise as the central culprit of the current financial crisis, Thomas Fricke, Chief Economics Editor at the Financial Times Deutschland, has another explanation. Fricke writes in part: "German politicians badmouth bank managers or (indebted) Americans, demanding that with their private … [Read more...] about It’s Not Greedy Americans at Fault … It’s the System: Financial Times Deutschland
No Refuge From Sarah Palin’s Wink
I'm sipping coffee at 7 a.m., minding my own business on a cozy, cloudy morning, in total thrall with no classes to teach on Friday when Karen says from across the kitchen nook table, "We need new tires. Can you do that this morning?" Karen is so cool and dear. She and the sisterhood of women live in a non sequitur universe, wonderful in that way they can be sitting quietly … [Read more...] about No Refuge From Sarah Palin’s Wink
Gallup And Rasmussen Polls: Obama Leads McCain By 7 Points
Democratic Presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama now leads rival GOP Sen. John McCain by 7 percentage points in two key tracking polls. Here's the latest Gallup Daily Tracking poll -- which doesn't include the impact of last night's Vice Presidential debate between Democratic Sen. Joe Biden and Republican Gov. Sarah Palin: Gallup Poll Daily tracking from Sept. 30-Oct. … [Read more...] about Gallup And Rasmussen Polls: Obama Leads McCain By 7 Points
Why McCain’s “Maverickiness” Fails as Organizing Principle of Decision-Making
I wrote about this exact point here and here (though not in regard to the debate). E.J. Dionne, Jr. writes about it in today's Washington Post column, "Hockey Mom on Thin Ice:" This week, McCain's backers signaled their fears that [Alaska Governor and GOP VP nominee Sarah] Palin would fail by trying to discredit the debate in advance. Although it has been known at least … [Read more...] about Why McCain’s “Maverickiness” Fails as Organizing Principle of Decision-Making
House Passes Bailout Bill
A few days after the surprise rejection of the old bailout bill, the House has now voted to pass the new bailout bill. The total vote was 263-171 in support: Democrats voted 172-63 in favor of the bill Republicans voted 108-91 against the bill … [Read more...] about House Passes Bailout Bill
Thinking Differently About Checks and Balances
A month or so ago, when I wrote that I was back on the fence, I was met with quite a range of reaction. For most folks, it seems, these choices are just obvious -- but the more I've cogitated on this, the more complex the decision has become. One of the most difficult internal hurdles I've encountered is my very strong belief in checks and balances... and my worries about … [Read more...] about Thinking Differently About Checks and Balances
Palin Did OK Last Night, Except for… (Follow-Up)
In my original post a few hours ago, I criticized Sarah Palin for her comment directed at Senator Joe Biden, “Your plan is a white flag of surrender in Iraq.” I said: Her ultimate and unforgivable insult to all Americans who oppose the war in Iraq--“waving the white flag of surrender.” She might as well have called us “traitors.” In the last couple of hours, … [Read more...] about Palin Did OK Last Night, Except for… (Follow-Up)
Most Polls Agree: Biden Beat Palin In Debate
Most polls now show that Democratic Sen. Joe Biden beat Republican Gov. Sarah Palin in last night's Vice Presidential debate. The Kansas City Star reports: Non-random (unscientific) polls on AOL and MSNBC web sites show Biden winning 48 to 45 and 78.6 to 18.9 respectively. Randomly selected subjects on three other polls also show Biden winning: CNN/Opinion Research … [Read more...] about Most Polls Agree: Biden Beat Palin In Debate