A new Reuters/Zogby poll indicates Republican Senator John McCain has now shaken up the Presidential race: he is no longer the underdog and has taken a 5 point lead over Democratic Senator Barack Obama -- who is seen as steadily weakening in a series of other recent polls. McCain's lead in the polls means the race's dynamics have now changed. The "given" that, with the … [Read more...] about Poll: McCain Overtakes Obama With Five Point Lead Amid Other Polls Showing Obama Weakening
Gorbachev Discusses the Georgian Crisis, Blames Saakashvili
In 1988, he was TIME's man of the year and in 1990---for his role in the dissolution of the Soviet Union-- the Man of the Decade. In 1990, he won the Nobel Peace Prize. He's weighing in on the current crisis. I was curious to see what he had to say. Before doing so, I thought it would be interesting to start with a ride on the Wayback Pony. It's instructive to recall how … [Read more...] about Gorbachev Discusses the Georgian Crisis, Blames Saakashvili
‘To Explain the Kremlin’s Behavior is Not to Support It’: From Brazil’s O Globo
There's an expression that goes something like, "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you." Such is the view of O Globo of Brazil's chief foreign columnist, William Waack, in regard to Russia and its recent behavior. Waack writes in part: "To those who weren't in Moscow in the moments that followed the implosion of the Soviet Empire, it's … [Read more...] about ‘To Explain the Kremlin’s Behavior is Not to Support It’: From Brazil’s O Globo
LeRoi Moore (1962-2008)
MORE HERE. … [Read more...] about LeRoi Moore (1962-2008)
Bye Bye Barry (Guest Voice)
This is another Guest Voice by Joel S. Hirschhorn, who is highly critical of both major political parties and who advocates a constitutional convention. Should we save this post for use on election day? Guest Voice posts do not necessarily reflect the opinion of TMV or its writers. Bye Bye Barry by Joel S. Hirschhorn The final results are in on this historic November … [Read more...] about Bye Bye Barry (Guest Voice)
Will McCain’s “Game Changing” Vice Presidential Pick Be Lieberman?
Will Republican presumptive Presidential nominee Sen. John McCain's Vice Presidential pick be independent Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman? Several reports have suggested over the past few weeks that it could be -- including this latest one. And each report is stronger than the last... Given the number of stories about Al Gore's 2000 running mate being in serious … [Read more...] about Will McCain’s “Game Changing” Vice Presidential Pick Be Lieberman?
The Final Decision of Barack Obama on the VP Slot
While I hate to disprove co-author Pete Abel or John F. Harris or the venerable Tribble Ad Agency, I now have the final results in hand as to who Obama's running mate will be in this race. As many have suggested, the final choice comes as a great surprise and is likely driven in large part by Obama's recently-slipping poll numbers. Be that as it may, on Thursday afternoon, … [Read more...] about The Final Decision of Barack Obama on the VP Slot
“Caroline: Pull a Cheney!” An Open Letter to Caroline Kennedy from Michael Moore
Amid all our talk about VP picks, look what just popped up in my inbox: Dear Caroline, We've never met, so I hope you don't find this letter too presumptuous or inappropriate. As its contents involve the public's business, I am sending this to you via the public on the Internet. I knew your brother John. He was a great guy, and I know he would've had a ball during this … [Read more...] about “Caroline: Pull a Cheney!” An Open Letter to Caroline Kennedy from Michael Moore
Ralph Nader: Political Prognosticator?
So who will Democratic Senator Barack Obama pick as his Veep? Here's Nader's prediction. P.S.: It's likely that he's as right about this as he was in 2000 about it not mattering which party won, since there was no difference between the two political parties. … [Read more...] about Ralph Nader: Political Prognosticator?
Some Thoughts On Democratic Frontrunners and Dark Horses
Media pundits have been spending today speculating over and analyzing the various VP picks for Senator Obama. A lot of ink has been spilled on people like Biden, Richardson, Sebelius and the like. While I am far from being an impressive media pundit, I do have time to kill so I thought I'd take a little time to downplay the frontrunners and offer a few thoughts on some of … [Read more...] about Some Thoughts On Democratic Frontrunners and Dark Horses
McCain Goes Negative
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune … [Read more...] about McCain Goes Negative
‘McCain and Obama – Sucking Up at the Mega-Church’: From Nachrichten of Switzerland
So what does a secular European think of Saturday's Presidential election event with evangelicals at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church? Writing for Switzerland's Nachrichten newspaper, Patrik Etschmayer writes in part: "The absurdity of this entire affair was best illustrated when John McCain called for coastal oil-drilling and was cheered for it by his … [Read more...] about ‘McCain and Obama – Sucking Up at the Mega-Church’: From Nachrichten of Switzerland
Biden
If Barack Obama was not already inclined toward him as a running mate, John McCain and Vladimir Putin in the past week should have helped make up his mind to choose Joe Biden. His trip to Georgia as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee underscored his credentials to complement Obama's idealism with the experience and know-how to navigate through a world of … [Read more...] about Biden
Biden The Frontrunner For VP ?
According to Howard Fineman, Senator Joe Biden is the frontrunner to be the VP pick for Barack Obama. The word is that Obama wants to go with a 'seasoned Beltway type' and that would be Biden. I'm not so sure about this. Obviously, Biden is one of the top contenders and I would not be surprised if he ends up being the choice. But Obama has based his campaign on change and … [Read more...] about Biden The Frontrunner For VP ?
Georgia And NATO
Another must read post by Kevin Sullivan, writing on Real Clear Politics' impressive new Real Clear World international affairs news site. … [Read more...] about Georgia And NATO
Bad Rhetoric
I don't like hearing it under any circumstances, but John McCain sure seems to find the worst situations to use the phrase "Judeo-Christian", doesn't he? … [Read more...] about Bad Rhetoric
Downsizing the News And Pretending to Increase Quality (Guest Voice)
This is a Guest Voice on the declining -- some would flatly say failing --- state of American newspapers by journalism professor and author Walter Brasch who is also an award-winning syndicated newspaper columnist and radio commentator, and president of the Pennsylvania Press Club. Downsizing the News And Pretending to Increase Quality by Walter Brasch Executive … [Read more...] about Downsizing the News And Pretending to Increase Quality (Guest Voice)
Going Back to Rick’s Cafe Americain
Being a hard-core fan of classic movies, particularly those with Bogie in them, I've long had Casablanca in my list of the top five movies of all time. Today, I will get to indulge one of my greater pleasures as I shall be one of the guests on a panel discussing trivia regarding this timeless film. At 4 pm Eastern, you can join me on Betty Jo Tucker's Movie Addict Headquarters … [Read more...] about Going Back to Rick’s Cafe Americain
Civil Rights Roundup: 08/19/08
Your daily dose of civil rights and related news The highest court in California has ruled that doctors cannot refuse to treat gay and lesbian patients due to religious objections. The federal government is starting to push to make sure apartments are handicapped-accessible. A vandalism spree in Staten Island is not being characterized as a hate crime, despite concerns … [Read more...] about Civil Rights Roundup: 08/19/08
Dreams Of Turning Democratic Convention 2008 Denver Into Democratic Convention 1968 Chicago?
There are some who apparently dream of doing just that and they're organized with details on websites. … [Read more...] about Dreams Of Turning Democratic Convention 2008 Denver Into Democratic Convention 1968 Chicago?