TMV Chief Joe Gandelman has already provided a run down of the latest "Who's really out of touch?" exchange between the major-party presidential campaigns. (As has CNN.) Here's an abbreviated version: "You're out of touch." "No, you are." "No, you are." "Na-ah. You are." My un-solicited advice to both campaigns: GROW UP. Or, as I recall Sen. Obama saying, … [Read more...] about Kindergarten Politics
Reminder: Listen in to a Bob Barr conference call
We'll be on the air at a special time today, 4:30 pm eastern until 6:00 pm. In the last hour we'll be recording and broadcasting a conference call with Bob Barr. Stop by Mid Stream Radio with your questions and comments, or just listen along! … [Read more...] about Reminder: Listen in to a Bob Barr conference call
Voter Suppression Artist Hired by Civil Rights Commission
The technical term for this is sick $&%@ing joke. … [Read more...] about Voter Suppression Artist Hired by Civil Rights Commission
Veepstakes: The Silly Season for Speculation
I was away on vacation in Prince Edward Island for almost three weeks and, since my Monday return, have spent the past few days re-obsessing myself with the presidential race, including the whole Veepstakes saga, about which I've written extensively, some here and more over at my place. An announcement from Obama could come at any moment. For what they're worth, which isn't … [Read more...] about Veepstakes: The Silly Season for Speculation
Old Fuss and Feathers
America loves to elect military men to political office. Since General Washington earned the votes for the Presidency numerous other military heroes - some generals and some common soldiers - have parlayed their military prowess into political gold. Presidents Jackson, Wm. Harrison, Zachary Taylor, Ulysses Grant, James Garfield, Teddy Roosevelt, and Dwight Eisenhower are the … [Read more...] about Old Fuss and Feathers
Obama Confirms He Has Picked A VP, But Not When He’ll Announce
Word just breaking that Barack Obama has confirmed to an USA Today reporter that he has chosen a VP candidate but he did not say when he would reveal the pick. At this point it seems unlikely he will announce today so look for this weekend. … [Read more...] about Obama Confirms He Has Picked A VP, But Not When He’ll Announce
The State of the Race: Polls, Projections, and Presidential Politics
Poll-wise, the news hasn't been good for Obama in recent weeks -- and it seems to be getting worse. Although he still leads in most national polls, the gap has generally been narrowing. And the media, which love the tension that comes from high electoral drama, have dutifully (and thoughtlessly) been in full sensationalization mode. Consider the headline of Joe's post from … [Read more...] about The State of the Race: Polls, Projections, and Presidential Politics
God And Politics
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune … [Read more...] about God And Politics
Gene Upshaw (1945-2008)
THIS REALLY SUCKS. … [Read more...] about Gene Upshaw (1945-2008)
John McCain Doesn’t Know How Many Homes He Owns
Republican Presidential nominee-to-be Sen. John McCain has just made a gaffe that will test whether Democratic Party strategists are ready to contest the election or whether they will (a) be negative role models for future college political science students and/or (b) should be sued for negligence. Some of us can't tell you know many pairs of socks we have, but McCain … [Read more...] about John McCain Doesn’t Know How Many Homes He Owns
Civil Rights Roundup: 08/21/08
Your daily dose of civil rights and related news Americans of all stripes mourn the death of Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH). After graduating from Case Western University (thanks to a scholarship she attributed to affirmative action efforts), Jones went on to become the first Black woman to represent Ohio in Congress. Supporters and opponents of an initiative to ban … [Read more...] about Civil Rights Roundup: 08/21/08
Iraq Deal: Good News, Bad News, Good News
Once I am able to get past the immorality of the Iraq war, as well as the carnage in human lives and its devastating impact on stability in the Mideast and the American economy (and that ain't easy), the tentative troop withdrawal agreement reached between Baghdad and Washington is good news for Barack Obama. It also is bad news and good news for John McCain. It is bad news … [Read more...] about Iraq Deal: Good News, Bad News, Good News
Quote of the Day: Is History Repeating Itself For The Democrats?
Today's political Quote of the Day comes from Zogby International writer Paul Lomeo on a host of recent poll numbers that suggest Democratic Sen. Barack Obama's Presidential bid is systematically-deflating in the polls. It's worth quoting more chunks of this than usual: As the Democrats head into their convention, should they be singing the Eurythmics 1985 hit "Here Comes … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Is History Repeating Itself For The Democrats?
Pay for grades — does it work?
Nearly $1 million in private funds was paid out to 1,161 New York City students yesterday for scoring well on Advanced Placement exams. Still, the number who passed declined slightly: Students involved in the program, financed with $2 million in private donations and aimed at closing a racial gap in Advanced Placement results, posted more 5’s, the highest possible score. That … [Read more...] about Pay for grades — does it work?
Taking Them at their Word
This week I'm finding it increasingly odd when I compare our country's response to Iran vs. Russia. When Iran tells the world that they will "wipe Israel off the face of the map" we hear from numerous sources in our country that we will "take them at their word." This takes place while Iran, while certainly dangerous on their own turf, is widely acknowledged as not having any … [Read more...] about Taking Them at their Word
Obama Tix: When Free Costs $1,000
CNN Profiles Major-Party Candidates
I watched an hour of the McCain profile last night, then DVR'd both profiles which were repeated in the middle of the night, so I can watch them later. If you missed them, CNN offers snippets here. If the Obama profile is as balanced and competently produced as the McCain profile, then these are well worth your time. I'm sure some people will accuse CNN of either going … [Read more...] about CNN Profiles Major-Party Candidates
Iraq: One Small Step …
This is not a surprise, though the timing, right before the conventions, seems a bit odd. I wonder: Will McCain and Obama have anything left to debate? … [Read more...] about Iraq: One Small Step …
Fornigate: Why The News Media Is So Much More Hypocritical Than John Edwards
The post-post-mortems are rolling in on Fornigate as we learn more than we ever cared to know about Rielle Hunter, including how to correctly pronounce the trollop's name and the revelation that her lawyer advised her to let John Edwards take a paternity test because he would marry her after his wife Elizabeth succumbed to cancer. Yes, it all makes you want to take a really … [Read more...] about Fornigate: Why The News Media Is So Much More Hypocritical Than John Edwards
Penn Jillette, Bob Barr and the Jerome Horowitz theory of government
Are Glenn Beck and Penn Jillette ready to endorse Bob Barr for president? Well, maybe not quite yet today, but after last night's Glenn Beck program, I'd say they're both getting close. If you didn't get a chance to check out the show (even if you're not normally a big fan of Beck) then definitely check out the transcript of his interview with Jillette at the link above. First, … [Read more...] about Penn Jillette, Bob Barr and the Jerome Horowitz theory of government