Today (at a special time of 1:30 pm eastern, 10:30 am pacific) we'll be taking to the air once again for some pre-debate analysis on Mid Stream Radio where my partner Cindy and I will be joined by Ed Morrissey to answer the question of whether or not this election is really over, or what - if anything - John McCain can do tonight to reverse his fortunes. Shortly after that, … [Read more...] about On the Air for the Next Debate (And Live Chat!)
Is This What It Has Come Down To?
John McCain delivers yet another invective-filled stump speech, this one at a rally in New Mexico. He asks rhetorically: "Who is the real Barack Obama?" Someone shouts: "A terrorist!" The crowd cheers. McCain remains silent. Meanwhile, Sarah Palin is doing her part in Clearwater, Florida, telling a rally where reporters are herded away from the audience by … [Read more...] about Is This What It Has Come Down To?
Greetings from Tennessee
Tonight all eyes will be focused on my home state of Tennessee, where the debate will take place at Belmont University. While I'm not a native of this state - I was born in New Jersey, moved to Virginia as a child, went to grad school in Illinois and live here permanently - I can say a fair amount about the great Volunteer State. First of all, Tennessee is divided into three … [Read more...] about Greetings from Tennessee
The (Obama) Surge in Georgia
This state's so Red it would take a surge to beat McCain. Jim Galloway: Newly released figures from [Secretary of State Karen Handel's] office show that 406,379 new voters registered between Jan. 1 to Sept. 30. Four years ago, the number was 371,932. Overall, that’s a 9 percent increase from ’04 to ’08 — hardly surprising in a presidential race with no incumbent. Barack … [Read more...] about The (Obama) Surge in Georgia
Newest Obama Ad, “Subject” (As Predicted)
I pointed out yesterday why I felt that the new McCain tactic of attempting to shift the discussion to Bill Ayers wasn't going to work. Not only has the media responded pretty much as predicted (with the notable exception of Fox and Friends which I caught yesterday) but the Obama Campaign has fired back with no delay, airing the following ad in a number of swing states. Take a … [Read more...] about Newest Obama Ad, “Subject” (As Predicted)
A President for a Time of Panic
Barack Obama and John McCain will be debating tonight as the inertia that has always given American society stability, albeit at the price of slow social change, is endangered by a sudden plunge into economic turmoil and uncertainty. Ironically, neither of the voters' possible choices is designed to calm them. Not since 1932 has the electorate been so roiled by fear of the … [Read more...] about A President for a Time of Panic
McCain-Palin Mudslinging & The Season Of The Conservative Pundit’s Discontent
Times could not be tougher for the John McCain-Sarah Palin punditocracy. It's bad enough that the approval rating of George W. Bush, their hero of the last eight years, has reached a historic low. And, inconveniently for these Bubba-Bashers, Bill Clinton ended his second term with a robust 70 percent rating despite lying about sex. Or that the revolution fostered by … [Read more...] about McCain-Palin Mudslinging & The Season Of The Conservative Pundit’s Discontent
A Plea For More Issue Oriented Campaign 2008 Discussions In The Blogosphere
The Glittering Eye's Dave Schuler is one of the most thoughtful writers in the blogosphere (or as skippy would say in the word skippy invented, blogtopia...). And unlike an increasingly large number of Americans and bloggers, he remains undecided on who he wants for President. Meanwhile, Schuler -- like many Americans -- craves for a SERIOUS discussion of SERIOUS issues in … [Read more...] about A Plea For More Issue Oriented Campaign 2008 Discussions In The Blogosphere
This Just In!!
This just in from investigative reporter Andrew Borowitz: Palin Blasts Obama's Ties to Weather Channel ‘Palling Around with Meteorologists,' Guv Claims Alaska governor Sarah Palin went on the attack today, claiming that Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama had longstanding ties to The Weather Channel. "What does it say about our opponent that he thinks … [Read more...] about This Just In!!
Press Now Barred From Talking To Palin Supporters
Yet another bar has been lowered in the 2008 Presidential political campaign -- or, in this case, the Vice Presidential campaign which in this case is controlled by a Presidential campaign: Constantly under the watchful eyes of security, the media wasn't permitted to wander around inside Coachman Park to talk to Sarah Palin supporters. When reporters tried to leave the … [Read more...] about Press Now Barred From Talking To Palin Supporters
FINANCIAL TURMOIL and the NOBEL PRIZE
Patrick Chappatte, Le Temps, Switzerland … [Read more...] about FINANCIAL TURMOIL and the NOBEL PRIZE
Can’t Wait for More Debates (Guest Cartoonist)
This is a Guest Cartoon by moderate cartoonist Tom Briscoe who will be joining TMV soon as a coblogger. … [Read more...] about Can’t Wait for More Debates (Guest Cartoonist)
Malcolm Gladwell on Juries and Race
Over the past couple days we've had some compelling posts about the "race card" and "racism without racists" here at TMV. Those posts have drawn very vibrant comment threads; the kind of discussion that makes blogging vital. I hope I might add to and continue that discussion with this re-posting of a piece I wrote about a SXSW keynote address Malcolm Gladwell gave back in March … [Read more...] about Malcolm Gladwell on Juries and Race
McCain’s Death Throes
It's always sad to see a venerated figure descend into self-parody. Like Michael Richards - Kramer from Seinfeld - who circled around the toilet bowl in a fit of racist rage in a stand-up comedy show, the McCain brand is quickly turning an election defeat into a humiliating rout. Yes, the economy is the fundamental factor here. But McCain's decision to turn the last month into … [Read more...] about McCain’s Death Throes
McCain Palin Campaign Rallies: Calls To “Kill” That “Terrorist” Obama
Independent voters and many thoughtful Republicans and Democrats have over the past 8 years decried the deterioration of American national election rhetoric. Now the campaign of Republican Presidential candidate Sen. John McCain and Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin seems to be sparking ominous reactions from some supporters. The two incidents have gotten some press … [Read more...] about McCain Palin Campaign Rallies: Calls To “Kill” That “Terrorist” Obama
Half Of Australia Is “Virgin”
The 'outback' and the 'bush' have an iconic status in Australian life. A recent report for the Pew Environment Group and Nature Conservancy said that Australia had the highest number of endemic mammal and reptile species in the world. "Three million square kilometres (1.1 million sq miles) — an area 12 times the size of mainland Britain — have been left pristine. We were … [Read more...] about Half Of Australia Is “Virgin”
No Decision on Troy Anthony Davis Appeal
A decision on whether or not the Supreme Court would grant cert in the case of Troy Anthony Davis had been widely-expected today. The Court apparently needs more time: The high court issued orders Monday addressing the appeals of numerous cases, but none as to whether it will accept or reject Davis’ appeal. Instead, the court, in a listing on its docket, said it will meet in … [Read more...] about No Decision on Troy Anthony Davis Appeal
Does John McCain Suffer from the “S” Syndrome?”
Do you repeatedly confuse words that begin with S? Such as, for example, do you say salt instead of sugar, or---to your wife, or husband---sweaty instead of sweetie? If so, you may be afflicted by the very same ailment that McCain may be suffering from. In his Sunday New York Times column, "Pitbull Palin Mauls McCain," Frank Rich is quite concerned about McCain's physical … [Read more...] about Does John McCain Suffer from the “S” Syndrome?”
Why The Ayers Gambit Fails
Several readers have pointed out that I completely failed to give a full explanation of why the McCain gambit on the Ayers - Obama "connection" fails on its face. (This has nothing to do with my previous column on the eventual outcome of the election.) One example of the GOP's hopes can be found in this post at Hot Air, where every effort is made to stitch together any particle … [Read more...] about Why The Ayers Gambit Fails
Why McCain Will Win
Yes, I know, that’s probably a surprising headline, but if you give me a chance to explain myself we may have a new point of discussion. Earlier I talked about how the McCain campaign’s choice to bring up Bill Ayers would not be a wise decision. I stand by that analysis. The media is going to address the question of why McCain is talking about it more than the relationship … [Read more...] about Why McCain Will Win