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
You Can Thank Coach Ditka for an Obama Presidency
In one of the more interesting political essays I've seen in some time, Rick Moran looks at the "woulda coulda shoulda" scenario of what might have been had Chicago Bears super-coach Mike Ditka accepted the GOP's invitation to run for the United States Senate in 2004. You may recall that Jeri Ryan's husband Jack won the Republican primary that year, but his campaign … [Read more...] about You Can Thank Coach Ditka for an Obama Presidency
Boxing and Politics: A Knockout?
Is there some sort of parallel between pugilism and the political arena? BJ at Newshoggers brings you the story of a middleweight champion who takes down his opponent, gives a shout-out to Barack and Michelle Obama, and moves in next door to Joe Biden. … [Read more...] about Boxing and Politics: A Knockout?
A Special Moment For A Special Candidate
While you can be quite sure that as the memory fades this special moment will be nothing more than a pimple on the ass of history, but isn't it extraordinary that a woman who declares that she is ready to be vice president can't meet the press but can do a star turn on "Saturday Night Live"? Yes it is extraordinary, but merely symptomatic of a train-wreck of a campaign that … [Read more...] about A Special Moment For A Special Candidate
What’s The True Color Of Politics?
Some thoughts from Papamoka... … [Read more...] about What’s The True Color Of Politics?
Ralph Nader: “Tear Down The Wall!”
NEW YORK – WALL STREET, From the steps of the Federal Hall National Memorial, and across the street from the well-guarded, all-marble New York Stock Exchange building, speaker after speaker worked the crowd into an anti-corporate fervor while a rag-tag band played and actors parodied Hank Paulson and his cronies. It was all a build-up to the keynote speaker and 2008 … [Read more...] about Ralph Nader: “Tear Down The Wall!”
McCain’s Only Real Chance
Sage advice (again) from Jerry Remmers... … [Read more...] about McCain’s Only Real Chance
Obama Draws 100,000 In St. Louis: His Record In America
Democratic Presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama drew boffo crowds today in St. Louis -- reportedly a record for him in North America but it comes as polls are tightening and there are growing concerns about Democratic overconfidence: ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- A record-breaking 100,000 people cheered Sen. Barack Obama under the Gateway Arch on the Mississippi River, by far the … [Read more...] about Obama Draws 100,000 In St. Louis: His Record In America
McCain and Obama: A Look At 50 Key Senate Votes
McCain Now On Ascent In Various Polls
The site FiveThirtyEight notes that Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain is now on the ascent in various polls -- and the key questions are whether this ascent will continue and, if so, by how much. Could this be another year when self-assured mid-October assumptions of Democrats and the media's conventional wisdom will prove in the end to have a bit less value … [Read more...] about McCain Now On Ascent In Various Polls
Al Gore’s Call For Environmental Civil Disobedience
Is it dangerous? Your comments in comments welcome... … [Read more...] about Al Gore’s Call For Environmental Civil Disobedience
Frum: An Early Winter For Republicans
New polls show the race between Democratic Sen. Barack Obama and Republican Senator John McCain for the White House starting to slowly tighten, but Obama remains ahead. The "given" now in a lot of coverage is that the Democrats are headed for victory -- a conventional wisdom Obama has sought to dismiss by saying two words: "New Hampshire." Still, it is the "given" that the … [Read more...] about Frum: An Early Winter For Republicans
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Congressional Races
Larry J. Sabato et al - DEMOCRATS ROLL IN U.S. HOUSE RACES: Party Now Certain to Add Significant Number to Current Majority The good news just keeps on coming for Democrats. As we discussed last week, presidential nominee Barack Obama is the clear favorite to win a substantial victory in the race for the White House (see updated Electoral College map, HERE). Democratic … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Congressional Races
Choose Your Own Prop. 4 Adventure!
On the ballot in California is a proposal (Prop. 4) which would require teenagers seeking abortions to notify their parents. It doesn't require their consent, and it has exceptions for abusive parents and a judicial bypass option. Sound okay to you? Well then play Modern Mitzvot's Choose Your Own Adventure: Prop. 4 Saga! Fun for the whole family (except the pregnant teenage … [Read more...] about Choose Your Own Prop. 4 Adventure!
N-O to W.
Oliver Stone came back from Vietnam, he has said, "very mixed up, very alienated, very paranoid," and, for a quarter of a century, has been creating movies to make us all feel that way. As George W. Bush ends his eight-year effort to do the same, the last thing we need is a Stone biopic to "explain" how and why he did it. Thanks, but no thanks. With his "JFK," Stone … [Read more...] about N-O to W.