In the United States, people expect to be told when their leaders are sick. In the Arab world, such is not usually the case. So perhaps this article in one of Baghdad's daily newspapers is a bit of good news. It seems that Iraqis are fed up with the secrecy that marks governance throughout the Arab world. For Sotal Iraq, Jasim al Mutir uses George W. Bush as a foil to make a … [Read more...] about George Bush’s Benign Tumors … and Iraq’s Malignant Ones!!
Debating McCains
RJ Matson, The St. Louis Post Dispatch … [Read more...] about Debating McCains
TMV’s Debate Coverage
NOTE ADDED BY HOLLY: This debate, which is about to begin, will be broadcast live on PBS. ****************************** Pundits on all sides agree that tonight's Presidential debate between GOP Sen. John McCain and Democratic Sen. Barack Obama could be one of the most important debates in a generation given the two candidates and the multi-pronged challenges the United … [Read more...] about TMV’s Debate Coverage
C-SPAN Debate Hub
On the heels of their success with Convention Hubs, C-SPAN has teamed up again with New Media Strategies to build online Debate Hubs. The first goes live tonight. New Media Strategies' Innovation Manager Bill Beutler points to a few new features this time around: The Twitter roundup is on the front page and auto-refreshes dynamically Debate Timeline visually … [Read more...] about C-SPAN Debate Hub
Some Debate Chat Tonight – Join us!
It looks like we've definitely got a debate on tonight and, if you would like to join in some live chat as it unfolds, stop over to a ustream chat room at Hot Air where Ed Morrissey and I will be moderating a live chat. Get your own reactions and opinions in and debate about the debate with other political addicts! We have conservatives, liberals, moderates and libertarians in … [Read more...] about Some Debate Chat Tonight – Join us!
Did Russia ‘Win’ the Georgia Crisis? Not By a Long Shot: Le Figaro
Now that the crisis over Georgia has subsided, where do things stand? Has Russia 'won.' French historian Alexandre Adler thinks not. According to Adler, while Russia has successfully maneuvered Ukraine into swearing off NATO - in almost every other way, things have gone badly for Moscow. Adler writes in part: "The relationship between Russia and the former republics of … [Read more...] about Did Russia ‘Win’ the Georgia Crisis? Not By a Long Shot: Le Figaro
Self First: McCain and the Financial Crisis
In a column published yesterday on McCain's "fundamentals," the NYT's David Brooks delved into the myth of McCain and came out with all the usual drivel. "I still think of him first in the real world of governing, not in the show-business world of the election," Brooks wrote. McCain is "a humble man," "an unfailingly candid man," a man of far too many accomplishments to list in … [Read more...] about Self First: McCain and the Financial Crisis
Biden Swears Off Pork, Switches to “Related Porcine Based Food Products”
It's been a while since we last visited the movable feast for GOP enthusiasts currently running for Vice President on the Democratic ticket. Joe Biden's name popped back up on my radar in connection with the recent $630B spending bill currently making its way through Congress. The bill itself doesn't contain much in the way of raising my eyebrows, but it was quickly latched on … [Read more...] about Biden Swears Off Pork, Switches to “Related Porcine Based Food Products”
Reflections on Palin-Couric II
Well, there was more disturbing hilarity last night during Palin-Couric II, with Couric trying to be nice and Palin getting lost here, there, and everywhere. (For my comments on some of Palin-Couric I, see here.) It's so bizarre, in a way. Here's Palin, running for vice president, on the national stage, saying silly and stupid things and at times unable even to answer … [Read more...] about Reflections on Palin-Couric II
(Updated) Cynical Ride-To-Rescue Strategy Flops: McCain Campaign Still Imploding
UPDATE: Blaming Barack Obama and Congress, in other words everyone but himself for the failure of his latest and boldest attempt to game voters, John McCain has announced that he will be in Mississippi tonight for the first presidential debate. McCain reversed field after having declared that he couldn’t face off against Barack Obama unless a deal was reached on the Wall … [Read more...] about (Updated) Cynical Ride-To-Rescue Strategy Flops: McCain Campaign Still Imploding
The Case for McCain
In a hybrid of defense closing argument and political obituary, David Brooks in today's New York Times comes forward as a character witness for "a serious man prone to serious things." Citing his candor, humility, "crusade" against corruption and, most of all, his "impressive" years as the Iraq war deteriorated, Brooks attempts to separate that John McCain from today's … [Read more...] about The Case for McCain
The Good and Bad of John McCain
David Brooks has a worthwhile op-ed on John McCain today. I've always liked Brooks because he's one of the few conservatives that is willing to be critical of his own movement. In today's article he presents a critical view of the Arizona Senator that is a lot more nuanced than many in the media and more than a few bloggers have about McCain. He shares primarily what is … [Read more...] about The Good and Bad of John McCain
Stunt Over: McCain Will Debate Without Deal on Bailout
John McCain will debate Barack Obama in Oxford, Mississippi tonight after all. No, there was no deal passed or final agreement to do so. McCain's condition for debating was not, in fact, met. But John McCain sure did get a whole lot of attention. And, hey, he's already won tonight's debate. His website says so: In the real world, McCain's stunt failed. It … [Read more...] about Stunt Over: McCain Will Debate Without Deal on Bailout
Songs in Our Heads
Sometimes, there really is a song for every occasion. Take Sarah Palin, for instance: While TMV co-blogger Jill Miller Zimon evidently hears nuns this morning, Polimom's brain has been looping Janis Ian since last night. It all seems pretty appropriate to me, actually, considering the initial reactions to her ranged from Mitch Ryder & the Detroit, to Helen Reddy, to The … [Read more...] about Songs in Our Heads
He is a “Maverick” Allright
There is a man who on several occasions has admitted that he "doesn't really understand economics." There is a man (he happens to be a U.S. Senator) who for the past five months has not attended a single meeting of his legislative body, nor has participated in a single debate, nor has cast a single vote on our nation’s critical issues---including the recent economy stimulus … [Read more...] about He is a “Maverick” Allright
A VC on the Bailout
Earlier I quoted Fred Wilson. Wilson is A VC I respect and admire. He's taken to calling the proposed bailout "The Splurge" (a locution I may adopt myself). Today he humbly weighs in on To Splurge Or Not To Splurge. Short version: If this money is not coming back, then it's an expenditure and we should not do it. If the probability adjusted return on this investment … [Read more...] about A VC on the Bailout
Palin and the Press: The First Encounter
It's amazingly insane, not to mention insanely amazing, how appallingly low the expectations are for Sarah Palin. But that's what happens when she's kept away from the press and restricted to partisan rallies, when she's only allowed to speak for herself, or rather to recite the lines that have been programmed into her, during controlled interviews with Charlie Gibson and Katie … [Read more...] about Palin and the Press: The First Encounter
“How do you solve a problem like Ms. Palin?”; Conservative Calls for Palin to Drop Out
I get that it's nice to see someone who we think is like us running for president or vice president. But the fact is that even conservative voices, including conservative female voices, are chiming in that Sarah Palin is not ready and is a dangerous choice. Please - do not take what these writers and thinkers say personally - they are clearly not happy about what they are … [Read more...] about “How do you solve a problem like Ms. Palin?”; Conservative Calls for Palin to Drop Out
Playing with Fire, Bail-Outs, and Other Life Lessons
Parenting is a tough job. One has to find a balance between letting kids learn life's lessons through painful experience (natural consequences), and keeping them safe. The parental path through the child-raising wilderness is not always well-marked. Fire is hot. Should we let little Janey touch a flame so she learns that it's dangerous? Guns can kill people. Do we teach … [Read more...] about Playing with Fire, Bail-Outs, and Other Life Lessons
20 Questions For Ron Reagan
We've run many Cagle Cartoon commentaries by Michael Reagan, the conservative talk show host son of former President Ronald Reagan. But there's another Reagan son who has a talk show as well: Ron Reagan is a liberal talk show host with a show on Air America. The Hill recently ran a Q&A with him on today's political scene. CLICK HERE to read it and, like his Dad and brother, … [Read more...] about 20 Questions For Ron Reagan