In considering Senator Clinton's speech tonight, I have tried to take a few minutes to let things absorb before I posted my reaction. There is little doubt that her speech was powerfully-delivered with a good deal of soaring words and rhetoric. Her review of the people she met along the campaign gave the speech more of a human touch. The decision to cite the memory of two … [Read more...] about Clinton Speech: Good On Style But Will It Last
The Aces
Gut reaction? Clinton nailed that speech. As it turns out, the best thing she could do to accomplish her aims in that speech was to lay-into John McCain. It unifies, it delegitimizes McCain's outreach efforts, it obviously weakens McCain (to the extent that any partisan political speech does that), it forthrightly lines up her supporters with Obama -- attacking McCain … [Read more...] about The Aces
Brian Schweitzer: A Voice From The West
Having already sung the praises of former Virginia Governor Mark Warner as the man the Democrats should have chosen for President, I now find myself watching the man that could have been a superb running mate, current Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer. Schweitzer was elected Governor of Montana, a normally Republican state in 2004 and is so popular now that the Republicans … [Read more...] about Brian Schweitzer: A Voice From The West
Mark Warner Keynote: A Nominee That Should Have Been
Tonight the Democrats were treated to their keynote address by the man that I wish they were nominating for President this week, former Virginia Governor Mark Warner. Warner is a former businessman who made a fortune in the early days of the cellular phone industry and went on to become Governor of his home state. He is currently a lock to become the state's next US … [Read more...] about Mark Warner Keynote: A Nominee That Should Have Been
Contents of the Draft U.S.-Iraq Security Deal ‘Must Be Revealed’: From Sotal Iraq
With the final push on to reach a long-term U.S.-Iraq security agreement, Iraqis still don't know what's in it. According to this op-ed by Abd Al Hadi Mahdi, the managing editor of Iraq's Sotal Iraq newspaper, it's time that the Iraqi government reveal its contents - before a final agreement is reached. Clearly a supporter of the deal, Mahdi writes in part: "Despite … [Read more...] about Contents of the Draft U.S.-Iraq Security Deal ‘Must Be Revealed’: From Sotal Iraq
Obama goes after 527s
One of the big questions on Democrats' minds when it became apparent that Barack Obama would be the nominee was how he would handle the 527 attack ads in the fall. Many Democrats blame John Kerry's 2004 loss on his lack of response to the independently-funded Swift Boat ads, and some had reservations about whether Obama's promise of a "new kind of politics" would allow for a … [Read more...] about Obama goes after 527s
Australia: Legendary Don’s 100th Birthday
While it is curtains for the great world event the Beijing Olympics, the sports lovers all over the globe are today celebrating the 100th birth anniversary of the Australian cricketing legend, Sir Donald Bradman (1908-2001). As the ABC News says: "Bradman will always be remembered for his cricket, but as Richie Benaud (another cricket star) said when delivering the eulogy … [Read more...] about Australia: Legendary Don’s 100th Birthday
You Tell Them Tonight, Hillary!
Robert Stein provides a pretty good outline as to “What Hillary Should Say Tonight.” In particular, I like the words: A decade ago, I saw first-hand the politics of personal destruction and the lengths to which those who practice it will go in their lust for power. The bitter irony now is that they are invoking my name in an attempt to destroy the opponent with whom I … [Read more...] about You Tell Them Tonight, Hillary!
Bill Clinton Swipes At Obama In Remarks Again
In the history of both parties we have seldom seen such a spectacle: Bill Clinton appeared to undermine Sen. Barack Obama again Tuesday. The former president, speaking in Denver, posed a hypothetical question in which he seemed to suggest that that the Democratic Party was making a mistake in choosing Obama as its presidential nominee. He said: "Suppose you're a … [Read more...] about Bill Clinton Swipes At Obama In Remarks Again
So Much For That 3 a.m. Call
Maliki Says U.S. Withdrawal from Iraq by 2011
Lost somewhere in the wall-to-wall coverage of the Democratic Convention is an interesting development coming out of Iraq: Iraq and the United States have agreed that a planned security pact will require all U.S. troops to leave by the end of 2011, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said on Monday, while Washington said no final deal had been reached. "There is an agreement … [Read more...] about Maliki Says U.S. Withdrawal from Iraq by 2011
More on C-SPAN’s innovative Convention Hub
Bill Beutler writes to fill in some of the blanks I left yesterday on what makes C-SPAN's Convention Hub particularly interesting and unique: C-SPAN is putting a spotlight not just on national bloggers, but on state-based bloggers, which never make Memeorandum -- delegates, credentialed and uncredentialed bloggers. And we're working in shifts 18 hours a day (6a-12a). The … [Read more...] about More on C-SPAN’s innovative Convention Hub
Hillary’s mission: Fire up the VRWC
I see that Robert Stein has beaten me to this post. But I'll go ahead with my advice anyway. Most pundits say that Hillary Clinton must emphatically show her support for Barack Obama. I certainly agree with that. But I think her task is much greater. She needs to become the biggest and most memorable attack dog of the convention. She must do to John McCain what Zell Miller … [Read more...] about Hillary’s mission: Fire up the VRWC
Cindy McCain, Heroic Peacemaker
I'm being facetious, of course. But she's apparently on her way to war-torn Georgia, if she isn't there already. "McCain has been a staunch supporter of Georgia in that country's clash with Russia, and sending his wife there underscores his commitment," notes the AP. "It also could deflect attention from Michelle Obama's convention speech in Denver as the Obama campaign … [Read more...] about Cindy McCain, Heroic Peacemaker
What Hillary Should Say Tonight
Fellow Democrats, I had hoped to be standing here under different circumstance, but I am proud to be with you and thank those who worked with me to change the face of American politics. That we have done and, although the face this time is not mine, there is still much more for us to do. A decade ago, I saw first-hand the politics of personal destruction and the lengths to … [Read more...] about What Hillary Should Say Tonight
Civil Rights Roundup: 08/26/08
Your daily dose of civil rights and related news Ms. Magazine gives its quick take on the appointment of Hans von Spakovsky to a staff position on the US civil rights commission. Inside Higher Ed has the scoop on the higher education elements of the Democratic Platform, including (among other things) a restatement of their support for affirmative action. .... And … [Read more...] about Civil Rights Roundup: 08/26/08
Clinton Campaign Sniping Through Media Reports Continues
The Politico has yet another story that is clearly-sourced from within the Clinton campaign complaining about how Obama treated the Clintons. This is truly something of a first - where a party is settling on a nominee who is days within giving his acceptance speech and complaints are coming from one side. Even the section about sourcing from people who have relations with the … [Read more...] about Clinton Campaign Sniping Through Media Reports Continues
Russia Recognizes Independence of Georgian Separatists
Well, anyone who has been paying attention knew this was coming. President Dmitry Medvedev has declared that Russia formally recognises the independence of the breakaway Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The move follows a vote in both houses of parliament on Monday, which called on Moscow to recognise the regions. The move, in defiance of a specific plea … [Read more...] about Russia Recognizes Independence of Georgian Separatists
4 Arrested in Possible Assassination Plot Against Obama
In Denver, four men have now been arrested in connection with an apparent assassination plot against Obama (9 News.com). The police are downplaying the threat, saying that the man who made the threat was trying to sound important. (9 News.com) A press conference is scheduled for 4 pm today. … [Read more...] about 4 Arrested in Possible Assassination Plot Against Obama
Quote Of The Day: Michelle Obama Saved Democratic Convention
The political Quote of the Day comes from CNN senior political analyst David Gergen, a Republican who has served as an adviser to Presidents from both parties: The Democrats should be enormously grateful to Michelle Obama: after a very slow start to the convention, punctuated by a moving tribute to Teddy Kennedy and his own rousing speech, the first evening was in danger of … [Read more...] about Quote Of The Day: Michelle Obama Saved Democratic Convention