But will this be enough to please Democrats or is it simply a defensive response to what many consider to be a bigger issue? … [Read more...] about The Lipstick Controversy: Obama Responds
The Republicans And Community Organizers
Mike Keefe, The Denver Post … [Read more...] about The Republicans And Community Organizers
Save a Seat on that Fence for Me
Yesterday, I posted my case against Gov. Palin. A short while later -- per several reader challenges -- I retracted one of the points from that case, and then started to seriously question the other points. In the end, though I’m still not a Palin fan, I suspect my rush to judgment may have blinded me to certain nuances about her record -- nuances that I’d otherwise gladly … [Read more...] about Save a Seat on that Fence for Me
Internet Optimists vs. Pessimists
Adam Thierer groups recent net books: Internet Optimists Internet Pessimists Yochai Benkler, The Wealth of Networks Andrew Keen, The Cult of the Amateur Chris Anderson, The Long Tail and “Free!” Lee Siegal, Against the Machine Clay Shirky, Here Comes Everybody Nick Carr, The Big Switch Cass … [Read more...] about Internet Optimists vs. Pessimists
Barack Obama and John McCain
Pavel Constantin, Romania … [Read more...] about Barack Obama and John McCain
Taking The Pulse (Guest Voice)
To some Americans, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac might be the names of candy or a hamburger. But they're pivotal names -- and now the federal government has taken them over. In this Guest Voice post, author Martha Randolph Carr looks at the economic realities out there. Taking The Pulse by Martha Randolph Carr This weekend the federal government took over the two mortgage … [Read more...] about Taking The Pulse (Guest Voice)
The Media As A Campaign 2008 Issue
Over the past few weeks Republicans have suggested that the media and its treatment of Republican Sen. John McCain is an issue -- and now a longtime Democratic strategist says the same thing....but for a different reason. … [Read more...] about The Media As A Campaign 2008 Issue
Republican strategist: facts don’t really matter
Jonathan Weisman, writing in the WaPo, says that As Campaign Heats Up, Untruths Can Become Facts Before They're Undone. A sad truth: John Feehery, a Republican strategist, said the campaign is entering a stage in which skirmishes over the facts are less important than the dominant themes that are forming voters' opinions of the candidates. "The more the New York Times and … [Read more...] about Republican strategist: facts don’t really matter
The Festival Express: Summer of ’08 Edition
RHYTHM & ROOTS BREAKOUT DONNA THE BUFFALO The DF&C and I are hopeless music heads, especially when it comes to American roots music -- folk, blues, jazz, bluegrass, soul, Cajun, zydeco, swing, and so on and so forth. But we long ago tired of arena- and stadium-sized concerts. We catch the occasional gig at a theater or club, but in recent years have mostly gotten our fix … [Read more...] about The Festival Express: Summer of ’08 Edition
Barr on McCain-Palin Response to Freddie and Fannie
John McCain the anti-lobbyist guy? John McCain the change Washington guy? That's like saying Mitt Romney the bald guy. That's like Barack Obama the fat guy. That quote comes to us from MSNBC's Rachel Maddow during her introduction to an interview with Bob Barr. The Congressman was invited on the show to discuss the response of the McCain - Palin campaign to the Fannie and … [Read more...] about Barr on McCain-Palin Response to Freddie and Fannie
Australia: Kevin Rudd’s Asian Honeymoon
Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd recently unveiled his vision for making Australia the most "Asia-literate country" in the West. In continuation of this theme Rudd would be the keynote speaker at the fortnight-long OzAsia cultural festival at Adelaide that showcases arts, music and dances of Asia-Pacific region. A special symposium would be held on the occasion "to … [Read more...] about Australia: Kevin Rudd’s Asian Honeymoon
Left Misses McCain’s Assets: The Economy, Iraq and Congress – Le Figaro, France
How good are McCain's chances of winning on November 4th? It's a question on the lips of many - and not only in the United States. French author and political scientist Nicolas Lecaussin makes a persuasive case - chock full of the latest economic and war statistics - to show that the chattering classes and "the Left" couldn't be more wrong - and that between the two candidates, … [Read more...] about Left Misses McCain’s Assets: The Economy, Iraq and Congress – Le Figaro, France
What’s in a Name?
Since the selection of Sarah Palin as John McCain's running mate, I've heard people I know and people on blogs immediately pigeonhole the governor. The governor has been pinned with the view that she is a card-carrying member of the religious right and that she is mean-spirited and nothing more than a Christian version of the Taliban wanting to teach creationism and banning … [Read more...] about What’s in a Name?
Remix America: Make thee a mashup as fast as you can!
Kaltura Wired's Threat Level brings word of an ambitious new nonprofit organization. Remix America is headed by Emmy Award-winning comedy television writer Fred Graver, and was co-founded with Norman Lear. Their goal is to use mashups to engage an online audience in political ideas and expression. And, through a licensing arrangement with Kaltura for an online video … [Read more...] about Remix America: Make thee a mashup as fast as you can!
My day with Brooks Jackson of Factcheck.org
I had the distinct pleasure today of hosting Brooks Jackson, Director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center's Factcheck.org at Maryville College today. He gave a 10 minute interview with our local NPR affiliate in Knoxville, WUOT, and then gave a great talk in front of a lively group of students, faculty and members of the community. I also had the chance to chat with Brooks … [Read more...] about My day with Brooks Jackson of Factcheck.org
“You can’t put lipstick on a pig” CRAZINESS!
There were time, when I was a wee lad, my father and I tried to make the messes we made in the garage (working on something) look better by scooting boxes around, throwing a sheet over an obscure hunk of metal, etc. And I remember clear as day, my mother saying to both of us many times: You can't put lipstick on a pig... Come to think of it, my grandparents were fond of … [Read more...] about “You can’t put lipstick on a pig” CRAZINESS!
India and America: ‘Howdy Pardner!’ – The Hindustan Times, India
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh: By obtaining a waiver for India's nuclear program which operates outside the rules of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty -with powerful American help - he has just won the greatest victory of his entire career. Some Indians are asking, 'Why is Washington so good to us?' What's behind the Bush Administration's overwhelming support for … [Read more...] about India and America: ‘Howdy Pardner!’ – The Hindustan Times, India
Ron Paul to Shake Things Up! (For Bob Barr?)
Apparently some of the rumors running around are true. Ron Paul is going to make a "major announcement" tomorrow. His presidential campaign may be ended, (except in Montana where the Constitution Party has conscripted him as their candidate without so much as a by-your-leave) but he still seems to be mixing things up in the final weeks of the election. I just contacted Bob … [Read more...] about Ron Paul to Shake Things Up! (For Bob Barr?)
Palinomics in Alaska – Taxing and spending
I was surprised at how hard Republicans hit Obama on taxes last week. Of all the problems that have been on voters' minds in the last few months—Iraq, health care, the housing market, gas prices, etc.—I would guess that high taxes are pretty low on the list of concerns. And it seems like an easy enough issue for Obama to counter. Most Amercians would receive a … [Read more...] about Palinomics in Alaska – Taxing and spending
John McCain is No George Bush
John McCain is desperate to put some distance between himself and that guy with totally-opposite policies and philosophy, George W. Bush. Unlike George W. Bush, McCain wants to bring "change" to Washington. He wants to change the way we do business in Washington. Unlike this President, McCain wants to reach across the aisle, to his friends Democrats and Independents … [Read more...] about John McCain is No George Bush