Lost somewhere in the wall-to-wall coverage of the Democratic Convention is an interesting development coming out of Iraq: Iraq and the United States have agreed that a planned security pact will require all U.S. troops to leave by the end of 2011, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said on Monday, while Washington said no final deal had been reached. "There is an agreement … [Read more...] about Maliki Says U.S. Withdrawal from Iraq by 2011
More on C-SPAN’s innovative Convention Hub
Bill Beutler writes to fill in some of the blanks I left yesterday on what makes C-SPAN's Convention Hub particularly interesting and unique: C-SPAN is putting a spotlight not just on national bloggers, but on state-based bloggers, which never make Memeorandum -- delegates, credentialed and uncredentialed bloggers. And we're working in shifts 18 hours a day (6a-12a). The … [Read more...] about More on C-SPAN’s innovative Convention Hub
Hillary’s mission: Fire up the VRWC
I see that Robert Stein has beaten me to this post. But I'll go ahead with my advice anyway. Most pundits say that Hillary Clinton must emphatically show her support for Barack Obama. I certainly agree with that. But I think her task is much greater. She needs to become the biggest and most memorable attack dog of the convention. She must do to John McCain what Zell Miller … [Read more...] about Hillary’s mission: Fire up the VRWC
Cindy McCain, Heroic Peacemaker
I'm being facetious, of course. But she's apparently on her way to war-torn Georgia, if she isn't there already. "McCain has been a staunch supporter of Georgia in that country's clash with Russia, and sending his wife there underscores his commitment," notes the AP. "It also could deflect attention from Michelle Obama's convention speech in Denver as the Obama campaign … [Read more...] about Cindy McCain, Heroic Peacemaker
What Hillary Should Say Tonight
Fellow Democrats, I had hoped to be standing here under different circumstance, but I am proud to be with you and thank those who worked with me to change the face of American politics. That we have done and, although the face this time is not mine, there is still much more for us to do. A decade ago, I saw first-hand the politics of personal destruction and the lengths to … [Read more...] about What Hillary Should Say Tonight
Civil Rights Roundup: 08/26/08
Your daily dose of civil rights and related news Ms. Magazine gives its quick take on the appointment of Hans von Spakovsky to a staff position on the US civil rights commission. Inside Higher Ed has the scoop on the higher education elements of the Democratic Platform, including (among other things) a restatement of their support for affirmative action. .... And … [Read more...] about Civil Rights Roundup: 08/26/08
Clinton Campaign Sniping Through Media Reports Continues
The Politico has yet another story that is clearly-sourced from within the Clinton campaign complaining about how Obama treated the Clintons. This is truly something of a first - where a party is settling on a nominee who is days within giving his acceptance speech and complaints are coming from one side. Even the section about sourcing from people who have relations with the … [Read more...] about Clinton Campaign Sniping Through Media Reports Continues
Russia Recognizes Independence of Georgian Separatists
Well, anyone who has been paying attention knew this was coming. President Dmitry Medvedev has declared that Russia formally recognises the independence of the breakaway Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. The move follows a vote in both houses of parliament on Monday, which called on Moscow to recognise the regions. The move, in defiance of a specific plea … [Read more...] about Russia Recognizes Independence of Georgian Separatists
4 Arrested in Possible Assassination Plot Against Obama
In Denver, four men have now been arrested in connection with an apparent assassination plot against Obama (9 News.com). The police are downplaying the threat, saying that the man who made the threat was trying to sound important. (9 News.com) A press conference is scheduled for 4 pm today. … [Read more...] about 4 Arrested in Possible Assassination Plot Against Obama
Quote Of The Day: Michelle Obama Saved Democratic Convention
The political Quote of the Day comes from CNN senior political analyst David Gergen, a Republican who has served as an adviser to Presidents from both parties: The Democrats should be enormously grateful to Michelle Obama: after a very slow start to the convention, punctuated by a moving tribute to Teddy Kennedy and his own rousing speech, the first evening was in danger of … [Read more...] about Quote Of The Day: Michelle Obama Saved Democratic Convention
On the media-whipped PUMA phenom & a one-word directive: CHILL
I like Rebecca Traister's piece on the Party Unity My Ass loyalists in Salon very much but I love this woman. The setting: Whether they knew it or not, the PUMAs who had congregated next to the MSNBC stage were making the night of the man who has done everything in his power to destroy their purported heroine. They held aloft Clinton signs and hand-markered cards reading … [Read more...] about On the media-whipped PUMA phenom & a one-word directive: CHILL
Thank You For Everything, Senator Kennedy
I'm more or less with Jazz on the political spouses thing, but wild horses wouldn't have been able to drag me away from Senator Ted Kennedy's valedictory last night. For some people of a certain age, Kennedy will always be the rich drunk who drove off the Chappaquiddick Bridge and sent Mary Jo Kopechne to her watery death. For others like myself, he will always be the … [Read more...] about Thank You For Everything, Senator Kennedy
Jon Stewart: cable news a ‘brutish, slow-witted beast’
I was disappointed to find that The Daily Show was not back last night; tonight's the night. Jon Stewart's in Denver for Indecision 2008 convention coverage. He spoke there yesterday at a breakfast with reporters. Howard Kurtz was there: Jon Stewart ripped the cable news networks Monday as a "brutish, slow-witted beast" and castigated Fox News in particular as "an appendage of … [Read more...] about Jon Stewart: cable news a ‘brutish, slow-witted beast’
Why Michelle’s Speech Matters
I perfectly understand the objection to the "spouse speech" at the convention. Neither Michelle nor Cindy will be President and neither will set Presidential policy, no matter how passionate their support may be for a particular issue. The most active First Ladies in history - Abigail Adams, Eleanor Roosevelt, Hillary Clinton - all advanced policy positions their husbands … [Read more...] about Why Michelle’s Speech Matters
On Not Watching Michelle Obama
I did not stay up past my bedtime on a school-night on Monday, and thus missed out on the opportunity to hear Michelle Obama address the nation from the Democratic Convention in Denver. And, if I may give my apologies in advance, should Cindy McCain address the GOP convention in Minneapolis (as I assume she will) I will be busy washing my hair. Why? Because it simply doesn't … [Read more...] about On Not Watching Michelle Obama
Why John McCain’s Veep Choice Is So Tough
While Joe Biden brings a fair amount of baggage to the Barack Obama ticket, he was the best choice as a vice presidential running mate because of the balance he offers. Pity poor John McCain, because his choices will be exceedingly limited if he hopes to balance his ticket. My tears are of the crocodile variety, of course, and McCain has no one to blame but that guy looking … [Read more...] about Why John McCain’s Veep Choice Is So Tough
‘What If Our Darling Obama Doesn’t Win?’: Rue 89 of France
It seems that Europeans are starting to get the jitters over the likelihood that their preferred American presidential candidate could once again be defeated. For France's Rue 89, Samuel Ghiles Meilhac writes of French adherence to Barack Obama: "In France, the matter is settled: Barack Obama, our idol, the candidate of us all, in the strange political unanimity that we … [Read more...] about ‘What If Our Darling Obama Doesn’t Win?’: Rue 89 of France
DNC: “Discourse” with Michelle Malkin, Did the MSM Get It Right?
First, scan this from The Denver Post online: Protesters at a Recreate 68 event at the Denver Mint this afternoon swarmed conservative commentator Michelle Malkin, circling around her and shouting at her until she left the area. Malkin, a blogger, syndicated columnist, sometimes Fox New commentator and author of a controversial book defending racial profiling in the war … [Read more...] about DNC: “Discourse” with Michelle Malkin, Did the MSM Get It Right?
Erasing Michelle Obama, Some Pundits’ Comments on DNC Speech
Look, maybe pundits are just tired from the altitude in Denver... many come from sea level of zero. Here is it 5280 feet above sea level. Enough to noticeably augment the effects of alcohol imbibing; enough to make many feel short of breath; even faint. It takes about a year at this altitude to acclimate. Or, maybe it's because I myself 'don’t get it,'....don’t get the deep … [Read more...] about Erasing Michelle Obama, Some Pundits’ Comments on DNC Speech
My Nomination for Most Interesting Speech of Dem Convention’s First Night
What was the most interesting speech of the first night of the Democratic National Convention in Denver? Well, the short, heroic address of Senator Edward M. Kennedy was certainly the most emotional, eliciting an enthusiastic response from the crowd in the hall. Michelle Obama, wife of the presumptive nominee, hit all the buttons she needed to hit in what has become a … [Read more...] about My Nomination for Most Interesting Speech of Dem Convention’s First Night