This is somewhat of an addendum to my last post on the DNC so far. I was a bit surprised at Biden's speech, but I suppose I shouldn't have been. I've never watched Biden give a long speech before. I've seen his long-winded responses to questions. But I've never seen him deliver a full set-piece speech. It was very personal. It was filled not with rhetorical flourish like … [Read more...] about Joey Biden
Bill Bumps Bill
Bill Richardson had been scheduled to speak to the convention tonight but, because President Clinton ran over (big surprise there), he will now speak tomorrow (maybe). … [Read more...] about Bill Bumps Bill
Alaskan GOP Voters Give Present To Democrats
In an age of partisan politics, people are always calling for people to be kinder to the other side. In Alaska that may have happened as Republican primary voters have handed at least one gift, possibly two to the Democratic Party. In the race for US Senate, the voters have renominated probably the most-corrupt and out-of-touch member of the Senate in the form of Ted 'I … [Read more...] about Alaskan GOP Voters Give Present To Democrats
McCain Running Mate: He Wants Ridge But Ridge Says No?
As we are focused on the Democratic convention, I thought it might be worth remembering that Senator McCain is expected to unveil his VP choice sometime this week. Despite rumors of a Thursday announcement, I think he will wait till Friday. However, in terms of the VP search, I have been hearing some rumors that are pretty interesting. At the risk of sounding like a much … [Read more...] about McCain Running Mate: He Wants Ridge But Ridge Says No?
Convention Crescendo
I'm a strong Democrat and supporter of Barack Obama. And I've been waiting a long time for this convention. Finally, I am starting to feel that my anticipation was worth it. Finally. The first day was a wandering mess of themeless droning from Democratic politicians and party also-rans. Some of the speeches were actually quite compelling, including Lilly Ledbetter's tale of … [Read more...] about Convention Crescendo
Some Thoughts On Bill Clinton Speech
Former President Clinton spoke this evening and as usual it was a superb delivery. With the passing of former President Reagan, there is probably nobody out there who can deliver a speech like Clinton does. He can bring a crowd to their feet and hold them in the palm of his hand. I also thought he did a much better job of supporting Senator Obama. While some suggested that … [Read more...] about Some Thoughts On Bill Clinton Speech
Every Convention Seems To Produce A Partisan Star
And it looks like a new star has been born at the Democratic convention.. … [Read more...] about Every Convention Seems To Produce A Partisan Star
Clinton supporter at acclamation: “That was done, now we move on”
The BBC interviewed me last night and, not surprisingly, their concerns focused on Clinton holdouts and the tight race for Obama. But I got cheeky with these concerns because I've been spending hours interacting with the individual bloggers in Denver - via Twitter, direct messages and the bloggers' own posts of video, audio and writing. For example, read any of the … [Read more...] about Clinton supporter at acclamation: “That was done, now we move on”
Obama Nominated Against Backdrop Of Troubling New Poll
Illinois Senator Barack Obama is now officially the Democratic nominee for President and historically the first African-American to head a major political party's Presidential ticket. But the nomination came against a poll that will rain on the Democratic convention parade indicating Obama is losing the support of conservative Democrats. The nomination took place with chief … [Read more...] about Obama Nominated Against Backdrop Of Troubling New Poll
‘Our Future, Too, Is Partly In the Balance in Denver’: From L’Express of France
This is an interview with France's Secretary of State for Employment, Laurent Wauquiez, who is attending the Democratic Convention in Denver. He explains why he's there and why Obama appeals to him more than John McCain. About Obama, Wauquiez says in part: "When I see a candidate who is on the cutting edge of environmental issues, the defense of the middle class, the … [Read more...] about ‘Our Future, Too, Is Partly In the Balance in Denver’: From L’Express of France
Cartoonists View The Democratic Convention
Hillary Supporters Bob Englehart, The Hartford Courant Here are two more cartoons: … [Read more...] about Cartoonists View The Democratic Convention
Interview with John Martin: Republicans for Obama
Today, in the first half of our radio show, we interviewed John Martin of Republicans for Obama. Mr. Martin is a Republican living in New York City and a veteran of the war in Afghanistan. You may consider this as the second in a two part series of interviews we shall call, "People voting for people from the other party." (Tres clever, no?) In the interest of balance, we … [Read more...] about Interview with John Martin: Republicans for Obama
The Key Question About The Democratic Party And Convention
Was last night's convention a sign that the Democratic Party is now on the path to unity rather that forming a circular firing squad? The conventional wisdom seems that it's all coming together -- but some spot signs at the convention and elsewhere that the Democrats are again working overtime to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. … [Read more...] about The Key Question About The Democratic Party And Convention
After Hillary
I continue to go back and forth on Hillary's speech last night. It was, on the whole, rather impressive. As I put it last night, she did what she needed to do for Obama, for the Democratic Party, and, perhaps first and foremost, for herself and her political future. Regarding that last point, I didn't care for all the gratuitous self-promotion, but, of course, such … [Read more...] about After Hillary
Memo To Barry: Ditch The Greek Columns
PLEASE! BUT BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN STAYS, OKAY? … [Read more...] about Memo To Barry: Ditch The Greek Columns
“The worst thing to happen to journalism in 20 years.”
That's how Obama's communications director, Dan Pfieffer, described the Gallup Daily tracking poll when discussing the campaign's polling strategy. I think he's being a little hyperbolic—but only because several bad things have happened to journalism and it isn't fair to give the Gallup Daily all the credit. He's right to point out that there's too much focus (from … [Read more...] about “The worst thing to happen to journalism in 20 years.”
Smear-Hurling Romney Gets It All Backwards on Obama, McCain, and the House Flap
From yesterday's Boston Globe: Romney: McCain earned his homes; Obama didn't Yes, Romney really is a twisted partisan fool. In a speech yesterday in Denver -- of course! -- he claimed that while McCain deserved all his houses because of his and his family's "hard work," Obama "got a special deal from a convicted felon." That "convicted felon" is Tony Rezko -- and the … [Read more...] about Smear-Hurling Romney Gets It All Backwards on Obama, McCain, and the House Flap
Bill Clinton Watch
Which one will show up, the starry-eyed boy in the photograph reaching out to shake JFK's hand or the LBJ lookalike of later years, all guile, ego and appetite? Tonight will punctuate the quarter of a century we have lived with the many Bill Clintons--the centrist with ideals, the "it's the economy, stupid" realist, the target of right-wing hatred, the self-destructive … [Read more...] about Bill Clinton Watch
RFO (Republicans for Obama)
By popular demand, today on Mid Stream Radio (at 1 pm eastern 10 am pacific) we will be talking to John Martin of Republicans for Obama. We'll try to get essentially the same set of questions answered that we put to Silverio Salazar. (A Democrat who is voting for John McCain.) We'll examine the other side of the coin and what might be driving some traditional Republicans to … [Read more...] about RFO (Republicans for Obama)
Civil Rights Roundup: 08/27/08
Your daily dose of civil rights and related news The LPGA (woman's international golf organization) is requiring all of its players to be able to speak English if they want to compete. The Tour has been dominated in recent years by foreign-born players, and there are questions about whether this requirement violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. A Filipino man … [Read more...] about Civil Rights Roundup: 08/27/08