West Virginia has had an interesting political history. It was founded when it left Virginia after that state seceded in 1861. As a result, it started out as a GOP stronghold and then shifted to the Democrats during the 20th century. Today it remains basically-Democratic except for a trend to the GOP in Presidential races. President: Obama may have picked Biden in the hopes … [Read more...] about Election 2008: West Virginia
Election 2008: Washington
Washington used to be one of the most Republican states in the country, but those days are long gone as the GOP has moved from its traditional moderate roots to a much-more-conservative oriented base. President: The networks will probably wait 10 seconds after the polls close to call this one for Obama, I'll do them one better and call it now. Safe Democrat Governor: … [Read more...] about Election 2008: Washington
Russia and Georgia Redux
Kenneth Anderson, professor at the Washington Law School of American University, knows a thing or two about Russia and Georgia. He makes four key points in the wake of the Russian invasion of Georgia for current and potential US foreign policy makers: First, I share unreservedly the belief that Russia is deliberately undertaking a dangerous, threatening, imperial expansion … [Read more...] about Russia and Georgia Redux
Election 2008: Virginia
Like many southern states, Virginia was solidly-Democratic from the end of Reconstruction through the mid 1960s. It then evolved into a Republican-leaning state but now may be sliding back towards the Democrats though it still retains a GOP tint. President: Obama is making this one of his target states and certainly, of the GOP southern states, it is the best possibility to … [Read more...] about Election 2008: Virginia
About all those houses…
When the kerfuffle over the question of John McCain's housing situation erupted, there was something nagging at the back of my mind about it, but I simply couldn't put my finger on it. Fortunately for me, I no longer have to rely solely on my two remaining brain cells, as I can let the Lady Logician figure out the hard trivia questions for me. The problem with this is that … [Read more...] about About all those houses…
Democratic Convention 2008: Behind the Curtain, Um, Look Up?
Last night, the Mayor of Denver, John Hickenlooper went on TV to announce that regular Denver citizens should come downtown. That conventioneers won't get a good experience of the city if citizens don't fill the downtown and make it come alive. He said regular citizens shouldn't be afraid of the protesters. The protesters aren't afraid either. For instance: Here is what … [Read more...] about Democratic Convention 2008: Behind the Curtain, Um, Look Up?
“Biden’s refreshing lack of ideology”…
According to Foreign Policy's Blake Hounshell over at FP Passport. A sampling: ...Biden doesn't bat 100 percent. He went ahead and supported the Iraq war despite warning that President Bush was underestimating the risks (he now says he didn't realize Bush would be so incompetent and that he thought Saddam could be deposed by other means). He called the surge "a tragic mistake" … [Read more...] about “Biden’s refreshing lack of ideology”…
This Is the Joe We Know–and Need.
In his first public appearance after being picked by Obama for the vice-presidential candidacy, an energized and forceful Joe Biden hit the ball out of the ball park yesterday in Springfield--and more! It was a great first inning of what promises to be a fabulous "ball game." But what is even greater is that, knowing Joe Biden, he will do it again, and again, and again, … [Read more...] about This Is the Joe We Know–and Need.
A presidential candidate we already trust!
COURTESY OF CAFEPRESS In these times of micro-analyzing, micro-parsing, super-vetting, tit-for-tat, and overall election strangeness, we need to vote for a candidate we already trust: Santa Claus! I have joined Mr. Claus' campaign because he's tough on evil, always delivers, works hard, understands the common man and woman, great foreign policy credentials, and is just a … [Read more...] about A presidential candidate we already trust!
Bill Kristol to Hillary partisans: Put her name in for VP. (UPDATED)
UPDATE: Turns out I should have seen it coming. He foretold his comments last night in the Democrats' glass ceiling at The Weekly Standard. . Steve Benen, "The transparently shameless stunt here is for far-right Republicans to incite as much intra-party tensions among Democrats as humanly possible... I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if these tactics have the opposite … [Read more...] about Bill Kristol to Hillary partisans: Put her name in for VP. (UPDATED)
Why McCain Should Not Pick Romney For Vice President (Guest Voice)
Now that Democratic Sen. Barack Obama has selected Sen. Joe Biden to run with him as Vice President, the attention is turning to Republican Sen. John McCain and his pick. Much speculation has centered on former Gov. Mitt Romney. In this Guest Voice post, New York storyteller Saurabh Tak argues that Romney would be a poor choice and could be counterproductive. Guest Voice posts … [Read more...] about Why McCain Should Not Pick Romney For Vice President (Guest Voice)
New Speculation On McCain’s Running Mate: Colin Powell?
How topsy-turvy is this campaign? A little more than a week ago there was a flap over a report by Weekly Standard bigwig and New York Times columnist conservative William Kristol, indicating former Secretary of State Colin Powell might endorse Democratic Senator Barack Obama -- and even show up at the Democratic convention. But now -- not even two weeks later -- comes a … [Read more...] about New Speculation On McCain’s Running Mate: Colin Powell?
The Moderate Voice And The Democratic Convention
TMV will be covering the Democratic Convention this week from outside the convention hall with posts by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes. Her first two posts are here: Democratic National Convention: Politics Makes Strange Beheadfellows Some Say The Democratic National Convention: A Bit of Oz NOTE: TMV tried for several months through various avenues (directly, indirectly, … [Read more...] about The Moderate Voice And The Democratic Convention
Proper Treatment from Obama or McCain: Europe ‘Can Always Dream’: Les Dernieres Nouvelles d’Alscace
Republicans Seek To Fan Clinton Supporters Obama Resentments
A key target of the GOP in the soon-to-be-official Presidential race between Democratic Sen. Barack Obama and Republican Sen. John McCain: Clinton voters, who now being openly wooed in a McCain ad that seeks to stir up resentments at the same time when a top conservative columnist is taking the same approach. These developments come on the heels of several news reports -- … [Read more...] about Republicans Seek To Fan Clinton Supporters Obama Resentments
The Wisdom of Choosing Joe Biden
To read the swing state of Ohio, listen to its delegates in Denver on the choice of Joe Biden as Barack Obama's running mate (h/t Ohio Daily Blog,): Attorney Jan Roller of Cleveland, a Clinton delegate, said Biden "adds great strength for the experience he brings to the ticket, especially in foreign policy." Justin Zollars, a college instructor from Bowling Green, said he's … [Read more...] about The Wisdom of Choosing Joe Biden
Three Hours and the Revenge of Sinbad
Three hours. As predicted, it didn't take long for Team McCain to seize on the selection of Joe Biden like a pride of lions identifying the slowest wildebeest in the herd. OK... we knew it wasn't going to be very long, but you have to admit that three hours is pretty quick off the starting blocks. Just three hours after the Obama campaign sent out its text announcement, the … [Read more...] about Three Hours and the Revenge of Sinbad
What Happened To Mary’s Face?
THE ANSWER IS HERE. … [Read more...] about What Happened To Mary’s Face?
India’s TV Channels: Towards Some Sanity?
The aggressive/obscene/trivial performance of the TV channels in India during the past decade created a public disquiet/uproar. Despite government efforts/threats these channels continued to compete in trashing the basic tenets of journalism. Finally, the private television broadcasters have realized the folly inherent in such a strategy and have announced their own code of … [Read more...] about India’s TV Channels: Towards Some Sanity?
Democratic National Convention: Politics Makes Strange Beheadfellows Some Say
For the past week, Denver talk radio hosts have been fissioning and steaming like a bunch of live lobsters tossed into the roil, about The Grizzly Rose, a local cowboy-motorcycle dance hall being 'rented' for ka-jillion dollars a night by a mysterious force which is present at The Democratic National Convention this week. At the Democratic Convention Hall, in front of the … [Read more...] about Democratic National Convention: Politics Makes Strange Beheadfellows Some Say