This is turning into a down and dirty fight to the finish for the White House, but each side may still show their moments of grace. Perhaps John McCain read Tony Campell's post earlier. Perhaps he just outflanked the worries of our Editor, Joe Gandelman. No matter what the cause, McCain is indeed releasing a new ad on the evening that Barack Obama accepts the nomination of his … [Read more...] about Class Amidst the Storm
Some Clinton Donors Are Now Taking Out Their Checkbooks
...and writing checks to guess who.. … [Read more...] about Some Clinton Donors Are Now Taking Out Their Checkbooks
McCain Faces New Gramm-Like “Unpaid” Adviser Flap
First there was Republican certain-nominee Sen. John McCain's problem with his (former but perhaps future) adviser Phil Gramm, who said the U.S. is merely in a "mental recession" and is a country populated by whiners. Now there's THIS. … [Read more...] about McCain Faces New Gramm-Like “Unpaid” Adviser Flap
VP Rumors
Reports are coming in that Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty has canceled his schedule for today, including several media interviews. Some have speculated this could be a tip-off that he will be McCain's running mate. Pawlenty has been in Denver as part of the GOP response team. Of course this could also be a head-fake or simply a coincidence. As host for the GOP convention … [Read more...] about VP Rumors
Backstage At The Democratic National Convention
RJ Matson, The St. Louis Post Dispatch … [Read more...] about Backstage At The Democratic National Convention
About the Convention Tonight, and Against “Conventional” Wisdom
Tonight, Barack Obama ---half black, half white---steps up to the podium in Denver to accept the nomination of the Democratic Party for President of The United States. Whether by coincidence or not, his acceptance speech comes exactly 45 years to the day after Martin Luther King Jr. gave his momentous, unforgettable “I Have a Dream” speech. Yesterday, here in Texas, we … [Read more...] about About the Convention Tonight, and Against “Conventional” Wisdom
Gallup Poll: An Obama Convention Bounce?
Is Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama getting a modest convention bounce? It depends on the poll, and the eye of the beholder. Gallup now shows Obama with a 6 point lead over rival Republican Senator John McCain. Rasmussen: with a one point lead. Democratic candidate Barack Obama has gained ground in the latest Gallup Poll Daily tracking average from Monday, … [Read more...] about Gallup Poll: An Obama Convention Bounce?
HOPE: Just For A Moment: Away From The Democratic Convention
This is the annual Crow Fair at Crow Agency, Montana. Normally, some of us would be there. But, this year, we've sent word to ask for prayers for a loved one who is struggling. My grandmother, an old believer, used to say, "There is no distance at all in between hearts in prayer." The Crow live, as you see, with a mix of modern pick-up truck steeds, and work/heart … [Read more...] about HOPE: Just For A Moment: Away From The Democratic Convention
McCain’s Two Front Plan To Nudge In On Obama Speech Airtime
There are increasingly strong signs now that Republican Presidential nominee-to-be Sen. John McCain plans to axe the longstanding political tradition that each political party steps out of the way when the other party's candidate delivers his Presidential acceptance speech -- and the signs are it will happen on two fronts: 1. McCain will be seen in an ad that will air around … [Read more...] about McCain’s Two Front Plan To Nudge In On Obama Speech Airtime
McCain’s Mixed Bag of VPs
As Democrats put Obama/Clinton issues behind them, the Republican identity crisis comes front and center in John McCain's imminentdecision about a running mate. Aside from Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who may actually turn out to be the choice, the longish short list is all over the identity-politics lot: Mitt Romney, a super-rich Mormon the candidate clearly despises and … [Read more...] about McCain’s Mixed Bag of VPs
Civil Rights Roundup: 08/28/08
Your daily dose of civil rights and related news A quick note: Now that I'm not doing this for my job, the CRR probably will undergo some changes. First, it'll probably be later. Because if I'm not forced by a paying employer to start working at 9:00 AM, it's highly unlikely I'll do it on my own. Second, it may well be shorter. I don't know. This is a transition. But I do … [Read more...] about Civil Rights Roundup: 08/28/08
Cautious EU Considers “Sanctions” On Russia For Georgia Invasion
Tensions are rising between Russia and the European Union as the EU talks of possible sanctions -- and Russia pointedly tests a new intercontinental missile. At issue: Russia's invasion of Georgia and the larger issue of whether Russia now intends to clamp down on what goes on in its neighborhood, whether those in its neighborhood like it or not. The BBC reports: EU … [Read more...] about Cautious EU Considers “Sanctions” On Russia For Georgia Invasion
DNC Quick Thoughts
I've been away on business for the last few days so it was hard to post anything about the Democratic National Convention. However, I have been watching some of the main speeches and wanted to share my thoughts: It was good to see Ted Kennedy on Monday night. The old, liberal lion looked frail, as can be expected from what he has gone through, but his spirit was strong. … [Read more...] about DNC Quick Thoughts
A McCain Vice Presidential Pick To Aggressively Court Hillary Clinton Supporters?
This name is now popping up for Vice President. And note the analysis here.. But some GOPers might not be happy... … [Read more...] about A McCain Vice Presidential Pick To Aggressively Court Hillary Clinton Supporters?
The Republicans’ Perfect Storm?
If the Bush Years were plotted on a fever chart, the key turning point triggering the descent to the Great Abyss of Unpopularity was Hurricane Katrina. While the war in Iraq remained pretty much an abstraction, albeit an increasingly unpleasant one, when the Category 5 storm made landfall three year ago today, people were incredulous, incensed and finally angered that the … [Read more...] about The Republicans’ Perfect Storm?
Cartoonists View Democratic Convention II
The Clintons and Obama Rainer Hachfeld, Neues Deutschland, Germany MORE CARTOONS BELOW... … [Read more...] about Cartoonists View Democratic Convention II
While Democrats Continue to “Convene,” the Bush Administration Continues to “Govern”
When we get wrapped up in the news and the excitement of a significant national event, such as the Democratic Convention, some of us tend to forget that our government, with the impact it has on our daily lives, continues to "govern," albeit as miserably as ever. The Iraq war continues; the situation in Afghanistan worsens; Russia has its way with Georgia with impunity; the … [Read more...] about While Democrats Continue to “Convene,” the Bush Administration Continues to “Govern”
Wed. Night at the Convention Races
Having had the night to sleep on the evening's affairs in Denver, even though many of my co-authors here have already done yeoman's work on the subject, I would reflect on some of the changes I saw in the Democrats' presentation. Going essentially in reverse order, one of the most revealing moments of the evening for me was Joe Biden's speech. While I have been critical of … [Read more...] about Wed. Night at the Convention Races
Bill Clinton’s Lost Opportunity
While I was effusive in my praise for Hillary Clinton's speech at the Democratic National Convention the other night and was willing to let pass the fact that she didn't give Barack Obama a big wet smooch in urging her supporters to get with the program, it was with trepidation that I surfed away from the Phillies-Mets post-game show to see what Bill "Famously Hurt Feelings" … [Read more...] about Bill Clinton’s Lost Opportunity
A Potpourri Of Convention Zingers
While no one would confuse the Democratic National Convention with "Comedy Central," there have been some boffo jibes and great lines: "John McCain calls himself a maverick, but he votes with George Bush 90 percent of the time. That's not a maverick. That's a sidekick." -- BOB CASEY Jr. "I spent 20 years in business. If you ran a company whose only strategy was to tear … [Read more...] about A Potpourri Of Convention Zingers