I'll be frank. I am not an expert when it comes to in-depth, nuanced, quintessential analyses of political utterances and performances by our various candidates---I gladly leave that to others. However, I do believe that I can pick up on sometimes subtle, sometimes not-so-subtle, aspects of their performances (I call them "little impressions") that often turn out to be big … [Read more...] about McCain’s Final and “Littlest” Impression
McCain and Obama: Some Debate Thoughts
Before I get into some comments on tonight's debate I have a few thoughts for 2012 and beyond. First off, in order to save us all some time in 2012 they could simply film one debate and then show reruns. They could film it in front of a bluescreen to allow for different backgrounds and then replay the video. It's not like anyone actually says anything or changes any answers … [Read more...] about McCain and Obama: Some Debate Thoughts
Recap of the Last Debate
We just finished up the last presidential debate, and right off the bat I will say that one of the real winners here was Bob Schieffer. As a moderator, he opened up the flood gates and gave both candidates the chance to get into some real back and forth. He also brought up some of the domestic issues which we have not seen in previous debates, including the abortion question. I … [Read more...] about Recap of the Last Debate
The Quick and the Dead
I had the debate on, but wasn't watching closely -- in fact, I was playing solitaire while listening with an ear to it. The bottom line is that Obama is like a Winky Wright -- you simply can't hurt him. He's too good defensively. A fellow chessmaster might be able to out-box him, but McCain is no debate whiz. McCain needed a knockout, and he wasn't going to get it. And in … [Read more...] about The Quick and the Dead
Favorite Joe the Plumber Tweets
ATask: Hottest costume this halloween: Joe the Plumber Kevin Drum: Is "Joe the Plumber" going to be the new "Joe Sixpack"? seldo "Joe the Plumber for Obama" hat now available on Zazzle. Already? [link, t-shirts too link] Paul Carr: I reckon McCain has absolutely nailed the plumber and autistic children vote... McCain finishes on a little dance. Nice touch. But perhaps … [Read more...] about Favorite Joe the Plumber Tweets
America’s Great Turning Point: Le Figaro of France
Is the 'radical transformation' of U.S. politics now underway a 'tribute to American pragmatism'? According to Pierre Rousselin, editorialist for France's Le Figaro: "In economics as in diplomacy, the most ideological administration in America's modern history is about to end with a dramatic renunciation of the dogma it defended at its debut. … This is a tribute to … [Read more...] about America’s Great Turning Point: Le Figaro of France
Indian Author Wins Man Booker Prize
Aravind Adiga, 33, has emerged as the second novelist of Indian origin to win the prestigious Man Booker Prize for his debut novel The White Tiger – as Arundhati Roy did in 1997 with The God Of Small Things. The Independent reports: "Aravind Adiga, a first-time author from India, won the Man Booker Prize last night with his novel The White Tiger, which was praised by the … [Read more...] about Indian Author Wins Man Booker Prize
Ambitions of Empire: Live-Blogging the Third Obama-McCain Debate
We'll have a lot of reaction to the debate here at TMV, but, if you're interested, I'll be live-blogging it over at my place: Click here. I'll be updating frequently over the course of the debate and then well into the early morning hours. Come drop by, and, should you feel so inclined, let us know what you think. And of course keep checking back here at TMV. It'll be … [Read more...] about Ambitions of Empire: Live-Blogging the Third Obama-McCain Debate
Voting in the Blount County Courthouse
Here in Tennessee we had our first chance to vote for President today. I live in the historically Republican eastern part of the state, though we Democrats are growing in number. I went into the Blount County Courthouse in downtown Maryville this morning and cast my vote for Barack Obama. When I walked out of the building I had an almost surreal feeling run through me. … [Read more...] about Voting in the Blount County Courthouse
Another Live Debate Chat
Join me tonight for a live, online chat during the presidential debate over at Hot Air. I'll be moderating the chat along with some friends, and political hounds of all stripes - conservative, liberal and moderate - are welcome to join. (Just please don't spam, use any sort of hate speech or disrupt things. It gets very busy.) If you're not registered for Ustream, there is a … [Read more...] about Another Live Debate Chat
C-SPAN Debate Hubs: Blog Heaven (Still!)
The last debate only makes C-SPAN's Debate Hub even MORE useful. Remember, all of the debates are indexed and archived — all of the Tweets, blog posts, video, transcripts, and word clouds included — so as the debates accumulate the site gets exponentially more useful.You can compare and contrast or mix and match the candidates across all or each of the debates. My full tour … [Read more...] about C-SPAN Debate Hubs: Blog Heaven (Still!)
Obama McCain and the Economy
Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com … [Read more...] about Obama McCain and the Economy
Great Depression 2.0, Meet New Deal 2.0
The reason that John McCain and the rest of the GOP is failing this year is not because of media bias, or dirty tricks by the Obama campaign, but because conservatives have run out of ideas. McCain has never been an idea person, hoping that people would elect him on his august resume. But you can only go without new ideas for so long, which is why the GOP is getting its … [Read more...] about Great Depression 2.0, Meet New Deal 2.0
Is Obama Doing Enough to Get Out the Black Vote?
Time Magazine: Among many black political observers, there is a pronounced sense that Obama's advisers have consciously distanced themselves from older black leaders who might galvanize prospective voters — especially in the many impoverished black communities where there is no tradition of treating voting as an obligatory civic duty. Ronald Walters, director of the … [Read more...] about Is Obama Doing Enough to Get Out the Black Vote?
More Voters Think McCain Will Raise Their Taxes
Observers who claim Obama's success is only because of luck and a bad economy are seriously underestimating his skills as a politician. What Democrat, other than Obama, could have turned one of the most successful Republican talking points of the last 30 years completely on its head. Take a look at this nugget from the latest CBS poll showing Obama with a 14-point lead: Which … [Read more...] about More Voters Think McCain Will Raise Their Taxes
Another Poll Underlines Dangers Of McCain’s Negative Campaigning
A new Ipsos/McClatchy poll finds Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama now leads GOPer Sen. John McCain 48% to 39% percent and voters feel McCain has run the more negative campaign (by a wide margin) -- and believe negative campaigning is not effective. If this holds up as a post-election conclusion and McCain loses, the verdict will be as we've noted here: … [Read more...] about Another Poll Underlines Dangers Of McCain’s Negative Campaigning
IMPORTANT: URL UPDATE!
The URL www.themoderatevoice.com is not behaving due to some DNS issues. Please use themoderatevoice.com to get to this site until otherwise noted. This is why some of you are experiencing an old version of the site at www.themoderatevoice.com. NOTE: This does not affect RSS readers and people viewing The Moderate Voice through Google News since they have always used … [Read more...] about IMPORTANT: URL UPDATE!
Tonight’s Debate Rate Card
The Chronicle has it: For starters, the university’s media rate card offers a combination Internet-and-telephone package for $650, including both wireless and hard-wired network connections. Renting a laptop computer costs $250, a laser printer is $550 (supplies included), and a high-speed copier runs $1,650 (including paper). Add on another $15 for an outlet strip to plug … [Read more...] about Tonight’s Debate Rate Card
The Secret Service Is On The Case
More on the McCain Campaign YouTube Letter: The Cynical View. And Debate.
Yesterday I quoted Techdirt as "impressed" by the McCain campaign letter to YouTube defending Fair Use. Today Chris Soghoian of the Berkman Center articulates a far more cynical view of the letter: John McCain's presidential campaign has discovered the remix-unfriendly aspects of American copyright law, after several of the candidate's campaign videos were pulled from … [Read more...] about More on the McCain Campaign YouTube Letter: The Cynical View. And Debate.