On Thursday of this week I was participating in chat during the taping of Ed Morrissey's show when the discussion turned to speculation regarding Obama's upcoming VP selection. He was talking to Duane Patterson, the producer of Hugh Hewitt's radio program, and Joe Biden's name popped up. (Keep in mind that both of these gentlemen are staunch conservatives and supporters of John … [Read more...] about A GOP Bidenpalooza
David Brooks’ Hopes Are Realized (So Are Mine): Biden’s the One
In yesterday's New York Times, David Brooks starts his column "Hoping It's Biden" with: "Barack Obama has decided upon a vice-presidential running mate. And while I don’t know who it is as I write, for the good of the country, I hope he picked Joe Biden" and concludes with "Biden’s the one. The only question is whether Obama was wise and self-aware enough to know that." … [Read more...] about David Brooks’ Hopes Are Realized (So Are Mine): Biden’s the One
Obama Makes the Right Choice
As the selection of Joe Biden becomes clear, the only remaining mystery is how political observers could have possibly doubted that Obama would make it. Stooping to self-quotation, "It is more than Biden's years in the Senate that recommend him. During the Democratic primary debates, the phrase 'Joe is right' was heard so often that it became the theme of his ultimately … [Read more...] about Obama Makes the Right Choice
Pakistan After Musharraf: What’s New…?
Pakistan's democratically-elected government, despite the dire predictions/propaganda in the western world, is functioning no better or worse than under the military dictator Pervez Musharraf's regime. However, a democratically-elected government has a moral and popular platform to wage a war on terror. "The Election Commission on Friday set September 6 as the date lawmakers … [Read more...] about Pakistan After Musharraf: What’s New…?
The Joe Biden That I Know & Admire
2008: The Dream Team; 1972: Biden celebrates his 30th birthday with his sons and wife, who was killed a month later While Delaware has its charms, notably its great beaches, it is mostly a place to go through to get to somewhere else, and its mark on American politics since it became the first signatory to the Constitution 225 years ago has been as negligible as the state is … [Read more...] about The Joe Biden That I Know & Admire
A Big Deal For Little Delaware
Senator Joseph R. Biden is the first Delawarean to appear on a major-party presidential slate although several residents of the tiny state have run for president under (very) minor party banners. Delaware's representation in the upper reaches of national government also is on the thin side: One state senator became Senate president pro-tem and another secretary of state, but … [Read more...] about A Big Deal For Little Delaware
VP Rumors and Rumblings (AKA Obama/Biden)
UPDATE: 12:00 PST: Not that it is really breaking news anymore, but it's now up on the Obama web site UPDATE #2: 9:45 PST: CNN is now officially reporting Biden has been offered the spot on the ticket. They cannot cite the official sources but the reporter indicates these are 'very very solid sources' that have confirmed Biden will be the nominee. So much for surprises … [Read more...] about VP Rumors and Rumblings (AKA Obama/Biden)
Correction-McCain Gaffe
Eric Allie, Caglecartoons.com … [Read more...] about Correction-McCain Gaffe
A Starbucks’ Last Burst Of Glory In The California Desert
Baker, CALIFORNIA -- I was driving along the I-15 from Las Vegas at the end of an 8 week trip away from home-base San Diego that took me in my Chevrolet Venture extended mini-van to Wyoming, Montana and Iowa doing shows in my other incarnation. I did some of these "gigs" by driving back and forth between the states. One day I drove 650 miles. And suddenly, this afternoon, … [Read more...] about A Starbucks’ Last Burst Of Glory In The California Desert
A Solution to Russia’s Belligerence?
While we are waiting for Barack Obama to announce his vice-presidential pick, and while we are waiting for Russia to pull all its troops out of Georgia---what was it that Adlai Stevenson said to Russia's Zorin at a Security Council meeting during the Cuban missile crisis? Something like "...until hell freezes over"?---I want to say just a few words on a good opinion piece by … [Read more...] about A Solution to Russia’s Belligerence?
McMansions
John Darkow, Columbia Daily Tribune, Missouri … [Read more...] about McMansions
A Pre-Nomination Thought
As the two major political parties stand ready to nominate their candidates for President, a thought suddenly occurs to me. Why would any sane, non-masochistic individual want this job? Burrowing out the foreign policy Augean stable that Bush and Cheney leave behind will take years, perhaps decades of remedial effort. Just cutting through its baked hard top crust would … [Read more...] about A Pre-Nomination Thought
Barack Obama is ‘In Trouble’: Le Figaro Editorial
Europeans have taken note of Barack Obama's ever-more apparent vulnerability. Given the tightening of the polls, how dire is his situation - in the eyes of people across the Atlantic? According to Pierre Rousselin of France's Le Figaro: "The international crisis in Georgia has reminded Americans that they should perhaps choose a president with experience, who is able to … [Read more...] about Barack Obama is ‘In Trouble’: Le Figaro Editorial
Pervis Jackson (1938-2008)
THE BASS VOICE OF MY YOUTH (FAR RIGHT) HAS PASSED … [Read more...] about Pervis Jackson (1938-2008)
Around The Campaign 2008 Sphere
The campaign is boiling. Yesterday's screaming story: McCain and his houses. Today's percolating screaming story: a report Obama didn't vet Hillary Clinton for Veep. Here's a roadmap to some great links to political posts from sites of varying viewpoints. Karl Rove Loses A Republican: Susan Eisenhower is leaving the GOP for good due to Rove-style politics. It's reported … [Read more...] about Around The Campaign 2008 Sphere
Key Iraq Strategy in Peril?
Just as it seems that the Bush administration is on the point of signing off on that draft security agreement with the Iraqi government (WSJ), there are disturbing allegations that a cornerstone of the surge---the success of the "awakening groups"---may be on the point of collapse (McClatchy). … [Read more...] about Key Iraq Strategy in Peril?
Why Tim Kaine Should be the Dem VP Pick
Not because of his experience, his influence in Virginia, or his poll numbers. No, it's because of his thirteen year old daughter. (From The Onion) "Oh, sure, yeah, [Kaine] is definitely ready to fill out the ticket by appealing to white blue-collar workers and Latinos," said Tim Kaine expert and daughter Annella Kaine, 13. "Not! He'll probably be like, 'Vote for me and I'll … [Read more...] about Why Tim Kaine Should be the Dem VP Pick
Civil Rights Roundup: 08/22/08
Your daily dose of civil rights and related news Ward Connerly's petition to ban affirmative action in Arizona has been thrown out, after election officials found that he fell far short in obtaining the number of valid signatures required to put the measure to a vote. A federal judge stayed the execution of a Texas inmate, ruling that the state grossly erred in refusing … [Read more...] about Civil Rights Roundup: 08/22/08
The Accent Game
Where I live, the southern drawl can be so thick that I can't make out what is being said. It's part of what I like about the place. In 28 years in NYC I never picked up an accent. There is no Manhattan accent. (Try telling that to a southerner!) Recently Megan McArdle wondered: It's odd that an entire American accent disappeared virtually overnight: the upper class … [Read more...] about The Accent Game
Mahmoud Darwish (1941 – 2008)
The Economist pays tribute to Mahmoud Darwish, "the voice of Palestine", who died on August 9th, aged 67, three days after heart surgery at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas. "In his last poem, Mr Darwish described Palestinians and Israelis as two men trapped in a hole: He said: Will you bargain with me now? I said: For what would you bargain In this … [Read more...] about Mahmoud Darwish (1941 – 2008)