A new Fox News poll has Democratic Presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama leading rival Republican Sen. John McCain 45 to 39 percent -- with McCain losing some of the independent voter support he had gained immediately following the Republican convention in a political climate where the economy dominates political discussion: As majorities of each party's faithful back … [Read more...] about Fox News Poll: Obama Leads McCain 45 To 39 Percent
Bill Clinton’s Obama Unenthusiasm Raises More Eyebrows Again
Former President Bill Clinton is back in the political news again, raising eyebrows in various venues. He has raised more eyebrows in Campaign 2008 than a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon.... The latest eyebrow raiser: he says he can't campaign for Democratic Presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama right now because of the Jewish holidays. (Someone needs to inform John McCain, … [Read more...] about Bill Clinton’s Obama Unenthusiasm Raises More Eyebrows Again
McCain Campaign Says Poll Showing Obama With Lead Is Because Poll Is Flawed
As we've noted on this site for the past four years, when a poll shows one side slipping, the partisans sometimes reply by saying that poll is wrong, and the methodology is flawed. And that's just the argument now being made by GOP Presidential candidate Sen. John McCain's campaign: On the heels of a new Washington Post-ABC News poll that showed Barack Obama leading John … [Read more...] about McCain Campaign Says Poll Showing Obama With Lead Is Because Poll Is Flawed
When WILL We Optimize Road Traffic?
OPTIMIZATION ERROR!! You really ever look at how you drive your car to a destination? Not necessarily how you handle the vehicle but how you handle the situations going from point A to B. I know I'm a one-hand eater/driver in my car. I'll set up a bag of fresh onion rings (yes FRESH) in the passenger seat, send the ol' right hand into the bag, and pop the tasty fried … [Read more...] about When WILL We Optimize Road Traffic?
The 2008 Economic Crisis: Consequences And Fix (Guest Voice Part II)
This is the second of three special Guest Voice posts on the present Wall Street economic meltdown by Mikkel Fishman, a TMV reader and frequent writer in our comments section who is also an author and computer scientist. The 2008 Economic Crisis: Consequences And Fix (Part I of III) by Mikkel Fishman In my previous post, I discussed what I believe is the root cause … [Read more...] about The 2008 Economic Crisis: Consequences And Fix (Guest Voice Part II)
Conservative Doubts About the New McCain
With the struggle for his political soul between the Religious Right and Reagan Republicans settled by the choice of a running mate, there are increasing qualms about the new John McCain by traditional voices in his own party. "Under the pressure of the financial crisis," writes conservative icon George Will, "one presidential candidate is behaving like a flustered rookie … [Read more...] about Conservative Doubts About the New McCain
Palin and the Mystery of the Bubble-wrapped Barbie
How did she end up in such a fix? A (very little) bit of commentary here. … [Read more...] about Palin and the Mystery of the Bubble-wrapped Barbie
Behind the Palin E-Mail Hack; No Charges Yet
Ars Technica is reporting that while a grand jury is investigating the Palin e-mail hack, there are no charges yet: The ongoing investigation into the hacking of Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin's Yahoo e-mail account now appears to center on the son of a Democratic state legislator in Tennessee. A federal grand jury convened Tuesday morning in Chattanooga to … [Read more...] about Behind the Palin E-Mail Hack; No Charges Yet
It’s About Time Congress Acted Like Congress
In the context of the proposed massive bailout for our ailing financial system and its troubled actors, I'm thrilled to see members of Congress -- Republicans as well as Democrats -- pushing back on the Executive Branch's proposed plan. If members of Congress, regardless of party, had upheld their constitutionally-prescribed powers five years ago, we might have never invaded … [Read more...] about It’s About Time Congress Acted Like Congress
Police Officer Patrick McDonald (1978-2008)
The murder of any police officer is an outrage, but when Highway Patrol Officer Patrick McDonald yesterday became the fourth Philadelphia cop to be gunned down in 11 months, the financial crisis and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, let alone the presidential campaign, seemed ever more like abstractions. McDonald, a star athlete in high school and eight-year veteran of the … [Read more...] about Police Officer Patrick McDonald (1978-2008)
269: The Number of the (Political) Beast
Do you remember the good old days? I find myself thinking back on them this morning. I'm talking about way back during the first week of September in 'ought eight. Given the way political time flies, that would be roughly the same period when disco was huge and you just knew that your new bell bottom jeans were going to look fabulous. The Republicans had just finished their … [Read more...] about 269: The Number of the (Political) Beast
Free Sarah Palin?
CNN anchor Campbell Brown bluntly asserts that it's time GOP Vice Presidental nominee Gov. Sarah Palin is allowed to campaign like all the other Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates and not be given "sexist" treatment by the McCain campaign, which is aggresssively shielding her from the press conferences and typical candidates' press interaction: Brown is … [Read more...] about Free Sarah Palin?
John McCain’s War On The News Media
I feel more than justified in having been harshly-critical of mainstream media coverage of the 2008 presidential campaign from the jump because I know of what I speak: This is my ninth campaign as a reporter, editor and now blogger. But that does not explain, let alone forgive, John McCain's war on the news media -- from bristling about being called out on his serial lies to … [Read more...] about John McCain’s War On The News Media
Wall Street Gamble
John Darkow, Columbia Daily Tribune, Missouri … [Read more...] about Wall Street Gamble
24 Random Observations On The Great Financial Meltdown Of The Year Aught Eight
(1.) It's no surprise that senior citizens are among the most vocal opponents of the $700 billion financial bailout plan. Only they can recall first hand the privations of the Great Depression, the last great systemic collapse of American financial institutions. (2.) Efforts by both Republicans and Democrats to the contrary, the meltdown does not have partisan roots. Both … [Read more...] about 24 Random Observations On The Great Financial Meltdown Of The Year Aught Eight
Washington Post-ABC News Poll: Obama Takes 9 Percent Lead Over McCain Due To Economic Fears
Yet another poll has come out that suggests a substantive shift has now occurred in the 2008 Presidential race due to America's growing financial crisis: a new Washington Post-ABC News national poll now shows Democratic Sen. Barack Obama has taken a 9 point lead over GOP Sen. John McCain as the two head into Friday's crucial televised foreign policy debate: Turmoil in the … [Read more...] about Washington Post-ABC News Poll: Obama Takes 9 Percent Lead Over McCain Due To Economic Fears
Change We Can Spare (Guest Voice)
Democratic President candidate Sen. Barack Obama's theme is the importance of change. But does his record show he really advocates change? Humorist Tom Purcell, in this Guest Voice, argues that it does not. Guest Voice posts do not necessarily reflect the opinion of TMV or its writers. Change We Can Spare By Tom Purcell "Boy, I can't wait for Obama to bring us the … [Read more...] about Change We Can Spare (Guest Voice)
Russia, Georgia and Lessons from Munich
A must read speech by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. … [Read more...] about Russia, Georgia and Lessons from Munich
Is US Foreign Policy Too Moral?
I am quite sure that the title to this posting caused some of you to gasp or express outrage over the idea that something as inherently evil as American (and/or Bush) Foreign Policy could be too moral but I would ask you to hear me out. I have recently been in something of a World War One mode, watching a series of programs on the Military Channel which cover the lead-up to … [Read more...] about Is US Foreign Policy Too Moral?
Poll: Americans Prefer Obama Over McCain On Economy 45 to 33 Percent
A new Bloomberg/Los Angeles Times poll finds respondents favoring Democratic Presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama handling the economy over Republican Sen. John McCain by 45 to 33 percent -- and opposed to the proposed government financial bailout. And despite some articles arguing that the roots of the crisis go back to Democratic White House and Congressional control, … [Read more...] about Poll: Americans Prefer Obama Over McCain On Economy 45 to 33 Percent