The questions swirling around the political and punditry classes since Republican certain Presidential nominee Sen. John McCain picked Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin have been: why...and exactly when? The New York Times provides some answers which should give McCain's fans and foes plenty of ammunition. The bottom line: McCain realized he could face a virtual party revolt if he … [Read more...] about Why John McCain Picked Sarah Palin For Vice President
Sarah Palin: Settling for the face of feminism while trading in its soul
American Princess writes on BlogHer and on her own blog. I'm not that familiar with it, but I spent a few moments there this morning. I like what I found - even though I disagree with it. If I were a conservative woman, particular in her generation (let's just say I could be her mom - I'm finding I could be the mom of a lot of women who let me befriend them lately though!), I … [Read more...] about Sarah Palin: Settling for the face of feminism while trading in its soul
Gallup Poll: Obama Speech Went Over Well With Public
A new Gallup Poll indicates Democratic Presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama's acceptance speech went over well with the public and was better received than the speeches of recent past Democratic Presidential nominees and Senator Hillary Clinton: Fifty-eight percent of Americans give Barack Obama's speech a positive review, including 35% who describe it as "excellent." … [Read more...] about Gallup Poll: Obama Speech Went Over Well With Public
The Life-Story Election
With the emergence of Sarah Palin, this is officially the year of personal narrative in national politics--no more Bush or Clinton dynasties, but a quartet of compelling biographies to let voters choose from a menu of American success stories. Last week it was all about Obama's mixed racial heritage with heartland grandparents and an idealistic single mom, paired with Joe … [Read more...] about The Life-Story Election
Who Are The Ten Most Athletic Democrats?
Can you guess? Check out the list from RealClearSports. We'll provide a link to the list of the 10 most athletic Republicans when it comes out.. … [Read more...] about Who Are The Ten Most Athletic Democrats?
A Microcosm of Local Political Shifts?
Much discussion has taken place over the theory that large, generational shifts in American politics do not happen overnight with a shooting star grabbing the biggest brass ring in national government, but down at the state and local levels. From one of the small town papers out near my neck of the woods, there is a brief story which might provide a look at this type of … [Read more...] about A Microcosm of Local Political Shifts?
As Gustav Churns, Russia Simmers
Even as all eyes turn to the impending storms in the south with their possible impact on the upcoming Republican convention, and lips are flapping over Sarah Palin’s nomination, it is worth remembering the unfolding story on the Russo-Georgian border. No matter who next occupies the West Wing, they will need to step into the office with an effective, comprehensive plan for … [Read more...] about As Gustav Churns, Russia Simmers
Barack Obama: Electoral Life Imitating Hollywood?
Nalaka Gunawardene, Sri Lanka's leading journalist, asks an interesting question: "From Chris Rock to Barack Obama: Will electoral life imitate Hollywood art?" Gunawardene recalls that "while the Democratic Party convention was underway on the other side of the planet, I re-watched the 2003 Chris Rock movie Head of State - and realized how prescient it has been in some … [Read more...] about Barack Obama: Electoral Life Imitating Hollywood?
McCain-Palin: The Maverick Team?
Like everyone else, John McCain's pick of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate was a complete surprise. Personally, I was hoping for long-shot, former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge as his running mate, but his pro-choice stance on abortion might have been a nonstarter for the base. Of course, Palin presents some risks: she's only been Governor for less than two … [Read more...] about McCain-Palin: The Maverick Team?
Conflicting Polls On Obama Convention Bounce And McCain Palin Pick
Get ready...set...and once again choose the poll that fits your particular political bias and scream it to the world (but be sure not to draw attention to contradictory ones)... But in reality, polls now surfacing are painting seemingly-conflicting pictures of where the race between Democratic Senator Barack Obama and his running mate Senator Joe Biden and Republican Senator … [Read more...] about Conflicting Polls On Obama Convention Bounce And McCain Palin Pick
The Cost of Gustav to Bloggers?
Holly already updated you on Hurricane Gustav, which is shaping up to be monster and setting its sights on the Gulf Coast. (Right on its heels, we may have Hurricane Hanna shooting up the same pipe, sadly.) And John McCain is already hinting that he may either postpone the GOP convention this week, or drastically alter the format and schedule to reflect the serious nature of … [Read more...] about The Cost of Gustav to Bloggers?
UPDATED AGAIN: Gustav Grows
UPDATED AGAIN & Moved Up: MSNBC: Mayor Ray Nagin is ordering the mandatory evacuation of New Orleans, turning informal advice to flee from the approaching Hurricane Gustav into an official order to get out. NOLA: Mayor Ray Nagin late Saturday warned that Gustav is the "mother of all storms" and ordered a mandatory evacuation for the West Bank of New Orleans for 8 … [Read more...] about UPDATED AGAIN: Gustav Grows
My Appearance On Margaret Cho’s “The Cho Show” On VH1 (UPDATED)
Yes, that was indeed me in my other incarnation on Korean-American comedienne Margaret Cho's new reality-sitcom show "The Cho Show" on VH1. And in response to the question: yes, the ventriloquism lesson I gave her was most assuredly for real with NO script, no instructions about what to say or do -- and Cho was as much fun in person as she appears to be on the TV screen. The … [Read more...] about My Appearance On Margaret Cho’s “The Cho Show” On VH1 (UPDATED)
Experience Doesn’t Matter For the No. 2 On the Ticket—or Does it?
Even after eight years of service in the Illinois State Senate, where he served as chairman of the Public Health and Welfare Committee; after almost four years of service to the nation in the U.S. Senate, where he served in several committees, including Foreign Relations, Environment and Public Works, Veterans' Affairs, Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, Homeland Security … [Read more...] about Experience Doesn’t Matter For the No. 2 On the Ticket—or Does it?
The Executive Experience Canard
One of the most absurd defenses of Sarah Palin as VP nominee is that "at least she's RUN something." Never mind for a moment that that same charge disqualifies John McCain as it does Obama and Biden. Never mind that Palin-watchers in Alaska say she's poor at delegating responsibility. Never mind that her experience running Wasilla resulted in a disastrous $20 million debt, … [Read more...] about The Executive Experience Canard
Bush Says Economy Is On The Upswing
Americans can breathe a sigh of relief and stop whining. President George Bush now says the economy is on the upswing: President Bush said Saturday that Americans may have cause this Labor Day weekend to start worrying less about the nation's — and their families' — economic health. "There have been some recent signs that our economy is beginning to improve," Bush said in … [Read more...] about Bush Says Economy Is On The Upswing
More Risks Ahead for Palin
Another problem looming for the McCain campaign: Palin fits right in with the Democratic attack that McCain is in the pocket of big oil. … [Read more...] about More Risks Ahead for Palin
Michelle Bernard Looks For The Right McCain (Guest Interview)
This is a guest interview by Pittsburgh Tribune-Review columnist Bill Steigerwald with MSNBC conservative pundit Michelle Bernard looking at the Democratic convention, the upcoming GOP convention and Republican Presidential nominee-to-be John McCain: Michelle Bernard Looks For The Right Mccain by Bill Steigerwald MSNBC, which has tried to position itself as a liberal, … [Read more...] about Michelle Bernard Looks For The Right McCain (Guest Interview)
My Cat And McCain’s VP Pick
A couple of election cycles back I decided to have some fun and ran my cat, Colette, for President. Her main qualification for the post, according to the press release that went out as part of this jest, was that she could work a room wonderfully. Everyone loved Colette. She was not only feisty but a real charmer, that cat. To put at rest concerns about Colette's obvious … [Read more...] about My Cat And McCain’s VP Pick
Obama Campaign Spokesperson: Palin Inexperienced…Huh?
The Columbus Dispatcharticle on John McCain's announcement yesterday that he had selected Alaska Governor Sarah Palin for his vice presidential running mate contained this about the reaction of a campaign spokesperson for the Democratic presidential nominee, Senator Barack Obama: The Obama campaign criticized Palin as too conservative on issues such as abortion and argued … [Read more...] about Obama Campaign Spokesperson: Palin Inexperienced…Huh?