I like Rebecca Traister's piece on the Party Unity My Ass loyalists in Salon very much but I love this woman. The setting: Whether they knew it or not, the PUMAs who had congregated next to the MSNBC stage were making the night of the man who has done everything in his power to destroy their purported heroine. They held aloft Clinton signs and hand-markered cards reading … [Read more...] about On the media-whipped PUMA phenom & a one-word directive: CHILL
Thank You For Everything, Senator Kennedy
I'm more or less with Jazz on the political spouses thing, but wild horses wouldn't have been able to drag me away from Senator Ted Kennedy's valedictory last night. For some people of a certain age, Kennedy will always be the rich drunk who drove off the Chappaquiddick Bridge and sent Mary Jo Kopechne to her watery death. For others like myself, he will always be the … [Read more...] about Thank You For Everything, Senator Kennedy
Jon Stewart: cable news a ‘brutish, slow-witted beast’
I was disappointed to find that The Daily Show was not back last night; tonight's the night. Jon Stewart's in Denver for Indecision 2008 convention coverage. He spoke there yesterday at a breakfast with reporters. Howard Kurtz was there: Jon Stewart ripped the cable news networks Monday as a "brutish, slow-witted beast" and castigated Fox News in particular as "an appendage of … [Read more...] about Jon Stewart: cable news a ‘brutish, slow-witted beast’
Why Michelle’s Speech Matters
I perfectly understand the objection to the "spouse speech" at the convention. Neither Michelle nor Cindy will be President and neither will set Presidential policy, no matter how passionate their support may be for a particular issue. The most active First Ladies in history - Abigail Adams, Eleanor Roosevelt, Hillary Clinton - all advanced policy positions their husbands … [Read more...] about Why Michelle’s Speech Matters
On Not Watching Michelle Obama
I did not stay up past my bedtime on a school-night on Monday, and thus missed out on the opportunity to hear Michelle Obama address the nation from the Democratic Convention in Denver. And, if I may give my apologies in advance, should Cindy McCain address the GOP convention in Minneapolis (as I assume she will) I will be busy washing my hair. Why? Because it simply doesn't … [Read more...] about On Not Watching Michelle Obama
Why John McCain’s Veep Choice Is So Tough
While Joe Biden brings a fair amount of baggage to the Barack Obama ticket, he was the best choice as a vice presidential running mate because of the balance he offers. Pity poor John McCain, because his choices will be exceedingly limited if he hopes to balance his ticket. My tears are of the crocodile variety, of course, and McCain has no one to blame but that guy looking … [Read more...] about Why John McCain’s Veep Choice Is So Tough
‘What If Our Darling Obama Doesn’t Win?’: Rue 89 of France
It seems that Europeans are starting to get the jitters over the likelihood that their preferred American presidential candidate could once again be defeated. For France's Rue 89, Samuel Ghiles Meilhac writes of French adherence to Barack Obama: "In France, the matter is settled: Barack Obama, our idol, the candidate of us all, in the strange political unanimity that we … [Read more...] about ‘What If Our Darling Obama Doesn’t Win?’: Rue 89 of France
DNC: “Discourse” with Michelle Malkin, Did the MSM Get It Right?
First, scan this from The Denver Post online: Protesters at a Recreate 68 event at the Denver Mint this afternoon swarmed conservative commentator Michelle Malkin, circling around her and shouting at her until she left the area. Malkin, a blogger, syndicated columnist, sometimes Fox New commentator and author of a controversial book defending racial profiling in the war … [Read more...] about DNC: “Discourse” with Michelle Malkin, Did the MSM Get It Right?
Erasing Michelle Obama, Some Pundits’ Comments on DNC Speech
Look, maybe pundits are just tired from the altitude in Denver... many come from sea level of zero. Here is it 5280 feet above sea level. Enough to noticeably augment the effects of alcohol imbibing; enough to make many feel short of breath; even faint. It takes about a year at this altitude to acclimate. Or, maybe it's because I myself 'don’t get it,'....don’t get the deep … [Read more...] about Erasing Michelle Obama, Some Pundits’ Comments on DNC Speech
My Nomination for Most Interesting Speech of Dem Convention’s First Night
What was the most interesting speech of the first night of the Democratic National Convention in Denver? Well, the short, heroic address of Senator Edward M. Kennedy was certainly the most emotional, eliciting an enthusiastic response from the crowd in the hall. Michelle Obama, wife of the presumptive nominee, hit all the buttons she needed to hit in what has become a … [Read more...] about My Nomination for Most Interesting Speech of Dem Convention’s First Night
The Peril of Moving Obama to Invesco Stadium, Capacity 75K
I first heard the rumor a couple weeks ago. Two police officers were explaining that the only Interstate North/ South freeway through Denver was to be closed down during Obama's speech at Invesco Mile High Stadium (where the Denver Broncos play.) The DNCC moved Obama there because the venue could hold so many more people than the Pepsi Center (capacity 17k), where hockey is … [Read more...] about The Peril of Moving Obama to Invesco Stadium, Capacity 75K
Paul Begala’s Advice For The Democratic Convention And Party
It's "attack, attack, attack, attack, attack, attack and attack." And he has some nice things to say about Barack Obama's Vice Presidential pick Joe Biden. See the fascinating interview HERE. … [Read more...] about Paul Begala’s Advice For The Democratic Convention And Party
‘John McCain – Sadly, More Out of Touch than Paris Hilton’: From Expresso of Portugal
In hitting Barack Obama because of his perceived 'celebrity,' is John McCain missing something essential about the world we live in? Using the work of famed war reporter Nick Ut, who worked in Vietnam and recently made news by photographing Paris Hilton crying on her way to prison, Joao Pereira Coutinho of Portugal's Expresso newspaper writes in part: "I'm stupefied by John … [Read more...] about ‘John McCain – Sadly, More Out of Touch than Paris Hilton’: From Expresso of Portugal
Ted Kennedy’s Likely Last Big Hurrah
Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy, the last of the legendary Kennedy brothers and keeper of the torch of legacy who is battling a brain tumor, surprised 'em and wowed 'em at the Democratic convention -- appearing after a day of speculative reports in what could be his last hurrah in front of a huge national convention crowd. There were two key strands in this appearance. … [Read more...] about Ted Kennedy’s Likely Last Big Hurrah
God Bless Edward Kennedy
I just finished watching the short speech by Senator Edward Kennedy to the Democratic convention. It was noteworthy not because of the content but because he was there to give it live. Doctors and family members urged him not to make the trip to Denver as it was literally a life-threatening decision. Now any of the four or five people who read my musings know that I probably … [Read more...] about God Bless Edward Kennedy
Latest Speculation: McCain Could Announce Vice Presidential Pick Thursday
Fox News reports that sources contend Republican Presidential nominee Sen. John McCain could announce his Vice Presidential choice on Thursday -- as rival Democratic Sen. Barack Obama accepts the Demmies nomination for President: Presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain may announce his choice for a running mate earlier than expected, sources told FOX News on … [Read more...] about Latest Speculation: McCain Could Announce Vice Presidential Pick Thursday
Self-doubt, Obama and Biden
Joe Biden’s virtues as a foreign policy stalwart, especially his personal access to foreign leaders, are being overstated. Despite the opining of American analysts, he is not well known in Europe and even less so in other parts of the world. Obama is the star feted by the world. He is the one who pounded Hilary Clinton and put the Republicans in a defensive crouch. Now … [Read more...] about Self-doubt, Obama and Biden
Australia Bans “Sex” Ads
The recent ban on advertisements on "longer lasting sex" is being described as the triumph of public opinion in Australia. And the best part is that the advertiser has accepted the ban in good grace. "Three weeks after billboards advertising 'longer lasting sex' were banned in Western Australia, the slogan has been outlawed nationwide," says a news report. A company … [Read more...] about Australia Bans “Sex” Ads
Latest Clinton Flap: Clinton Advisers Will Leave Before Obama Speech
Unless the Democratic Party convention's show-of-unity is truly overwhelming, the Democratic gathering is now turning into what seems to be Democrats shooting themselves in the foot and the Clinton camp shooting the party via a growing number of news stories that you usually don't see during most national political conventions. Even contentious ones. For instance, you don't … [Read more...] about Latest Clinton Flap: Clinton Advisers Will Leave Before Obama Speech
Bill Loves Hillary—Bill Kristol, that Is.
Idaho Senator Larry Craig, after years of demonizing and legislating against gays and lesbians, finally came out of the closet---or, as the British would say, the "water closet"---at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport a little over a year ago. Similarly, Conservative Bill Kristol, who for years has been demonizing Hillary Clinton (and her husband), has come out … [Read more...] about Bill Loves Hillary—Bill Kristol, that Is.