Birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, this has been one of the key states in recent Presidential races. The state was once a GOP bastion, shifted to the Democrats, then to a swing state. President: Pennsylvania is going to be a key battleground in 2008 and the latest polls continue to show a close race though one that is likely up to the … [Read more...] about Election 2008: Pennsylvania
Election 2008: Oregon
Oregon is not only one of the prettiest states in the Union but also a potential swing state. Although it has not voted for a Republican in 20 years, most of the contests recently have been close. President: The Republicans will work hard to make sure that the Obama campaign has to fight to keep this state in their camp, but I suspect that the effort will fall short. The … [Read more...] about Election 2008: Oregon
Election 2008: Oklahoma
Oklahoma may be the inspiration for some great music but it is unlikely to offer much in the way of excitement this November. President: The last time a Democrat won Oklahoma in a Presidential election, the castaways were just settling in on Gilligan's Island (1964, for those who wonder). Senate: Incumbent James Inhofe (R) should have little trouble with State Senator … [Read more...] about Election 2008: Oklahoma
Can You Hear Me Now?
At this rate, I'm worried that John McCain is going to need a wheelchair if the Iraqis shoot him in the foot any more. Iraq's Foreign Minister came out today with yet another statement to clarify the clarification of the enhanced explanation of the last five statements on the future of any sort of military presence by the United States in Iraq. Iraq demands "very clear" U.S. … [Read more...] about Can You Hear Me Now?
Hanoi Hilton to Paris Hilton
The Obama attacks may be damaging the John McCain "brand" in the long run, according to a growing chorus of Republican supporters and admirers, including McCain's mother who calls one of the ads "stupid." But the candidate himself isn't backing off. On radio yesterday, he compared an Obama speech to "watching a big summer blockbuster, and an hour in realizing that all the … [Read more...] about Hanoi Hilton to Paris Hilton
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: THE OTHER “HOUSE” ELECTIONS
08/07/2008: Sabato's Crystal Ball's Larry J. Sabato says, THE OTHER "HOUSE" ELECTIONS: STATEHOUSES '08 Leave the presidential contest aside for the moment. At other levels of politics, the Republicans may eventually file the 2008 campaign under the Double Jeopardy category of "It Just Keeps Getting Worse". Surely, GOP House strategists are asking themselves whether they … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: THE OTHER “HOUSE” ELECTIONS
Quote Of The Day: On The John Edwards Affair
The Political Quote of the Day comes from New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd: The president manqué [Democrat John Edwards] gives Rielle Hunter, formerly Lisa Druck, more than $114,000 to shoot vain little videos for his Web site (even though she’s a neophyte), one of which is scored with the song “True Reflections” about the Narcissus pool, which goes: “When you look … [Read more...] about Quote Of The Day: On The John Edwards Affair
Let’s Give ’em Something (dumb) to Talk About
As we've noted recently, we're in the somewhat boring days of summer - at least in terms of the campaign - and while we await fresh grist for the mill, many will be looking for something to fill the time. Cue the Right wing, with their "discovery" that Barack Obama may hold dual citizenship in Kenya. As James Joyner immediately noted, this is yet another "so what?" … [Read more...] about Let’s Give ’em Something (dumb) to Talk About
No Kidding, John. Take The Damned Test
HUNTER AND EDWARDS ALOFT John Edwards' half-assed effort to come clean about his affair with Rielle Hunter left a slew of questions unanswered. Chief among them are: * If he wasn't the father of Hunter's child and broke off the affair two years ago, why was he lurking in a stairwell of her current digs, the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, in the middle of the … [Read more...] about No Kidding, John. Take The Damned Test
Stock Market Summer Silliness
Stock markets have rallied this summer on falling crude oil prices. But is this a sane and sensible response to what these falling prices actually portend? The answer to this question is this: Only if you happen to be a Wall Street trader and playing with OPM—Other People's Money, my money and yours in mutual and pension funds. Crude prices are falling for two reasons: a … [Read more...] about Stock Market Summer Silliness
Pakistan President Musharraf’s ‘D-Day’
Monday would be a crucial day for President Pervez Musharraf when impeachment proceedings against him begin in the Pakistan Parliament. However, there are reports that all-powerful Pakistan army would like to avoid the public humiliation of Musharraf and ask him to resign within a week. The Telegraph reports: "The claim was supported by a former military aide to the … [Read more...] about Pakistan President Musharraf’s ‘D-Day’
Book Review On ‘Mirage: Napoleon’s Scientists And The Unveiling of Egypt’
Iraq certainly wasn't the first war where the invaders sought moral cover to justify their actions, but you have to go far to top Napoleon's claim that he was going into Egypt as a mission civilsatrice in order to bring French-style culture and democracy to all those unwashed Arabs. But as Nina Burleigh writes in Mirage: Napoleon's Scientists and the Unveiling of Egypt, … [Read more...] about Book Review On ‘Mirage: Napoleon’s Scientists And The Unveiling of Egypt’
Admiral Fallon Discusses US Foreign Policy on BBC’s Newsnight
Highly recommended.Fallon is the CENTCOM Chief who resigned last year. Fallon opposed the “surge” in Iraq and...consistently battled the Bush administration to avoid a confrontation with Iran, calling officials’ warmongering rhetoric “not helpful.” (Think Progress) Whatever he may have thought before, he says that the situation in Iraq generally is greatly improved. He also … [Read more...] about Admiral Fallon Discusses US Foreign Policy on BBC’s Newsnight
‘Narco-Killers Saved By Extradition to the United States’: From Colombia’s El Tiempo
[Caption: Uncle Sam's Sign Says: 'Sentences of paramilitaries' Murdered Victim says: 'I would also like a shorter sentence'] Indignant Colombians are asking themselves why they bother extraditing narco-trafficking members of right-wing paramilitary groups, when they receive lighter prison sentences in the United States than they do in Colombia. Daniel Samper … [Read more...] about ‘Narco-Killers Saved By Extradition to the United States’: From Colombia’s El Tiempo
Gallup Daily Tracking: Obama Ahead By 5 Percent
The latest Gallup Daily Tracking poll continues to show that neither Democratic Sen. Barack Obama or Republican Sen. John McCain has shaken up the race enough to take a significant lead -- a finding notable in other polls as well. Obama has a 5 percent lead, but the race appears basically deadlocked. Gallup reports: The latest Gallup Poll Daily tracking update finds … [Read more...] about Gallup Daily Tracking: Obama Ahead By 5 Percent
Louis Vuitton goes after Dave Navarro for fake guitar strap
While vacationing, Navarro wrote: It appears that after eight years of touring and playing shows with my faux LV guitar straps (which were a gift), Louis Vuitton have decided that they have a problem with it and have made it clear that they will sue me if I continue to use them. I was shocked by the tone in their letter. So heavy and serious!!!! Lighten up guys! My favorite … [Read more...] about Louis Vuitton goes after Dave Navarro for fake guitar strap
John Edwards Trash
Gary McCoy, Cagle Cartoons … [Read more...] about John Edwards Trash
WSJ Market Watch Lists Reasons Why McCain Would Make a Mediocre President
The Wall Street Journal's Market Watch points out that the McCain meme "Is he ready to lead?" begs the question whether McCain is. Rex Nuttimg lists several reasons McCain would be a mediocre president. The quoted material which follows is all extracted from the Nutting piece, which provides quite the brutal reframing of McCain's career. As Ron Beasley says at Newshoggers, … [Read more...] about WSJ Market Watch Lists Reasons Why McCain Would Make a Mediocre President
Georgia Declares War & Conflict Expands: A News Round-up (and Some Background)
The Georgian Parliament "has approved a presidential decree declaring that the country is in a state of war for 15 days." (BBC News) The crisis started when "Georgian forces launched a surprise attack on Thursday night to regain control of South Ossetia, which has had de facto independence since the end of a civil war in 1992" (BBC News) South Ossetia voted for independence … [Read more...] about Georgia Declares War & Conflict Expands: A News Round-up (and Some Background)
Wake me for the debates
Saturday brought us yet another rousing, back and forth war of radio ads, this time featuring the voices of both Barack Obama and John McCain themselves. Both, of course, were yet more disappointing examples of the tones of the campaigns trending downward. McCain took to the wireless with yet another tired, no-sale tirade about how Obama is a celebrity. "Taking in my … [Read more...] about Wake me for the debates