(12.) Anyone scratching the surface of Joe Biden's financial history will become acquainted with Delaware's growth industry -- usury in the form of credit card-bank-friendly state laws written for some of his biggest contributors. (11.) Too much will be made in the coming weeks of Biden's humble roots, but he can connect with blue collar Americans and help shore up Obama … [Read more...] about 12 Hot Button Thoughts On Joe Biden
Super Model’s Rendezvous With Dalai Lama
The Beijing Olympics is over, and the world seems to have forgotten Tibet and its exiled leader, the Dalai Lama. But not France. It recently witnessed an exotic event --- "a mixture of religious service, saffron diplomacy and Woodstock-like happening. The venue: The Lerab Ling sanctuary, home of Europe's biggest Tibetan temple." The French president Nicolas Sarkozy sent his … [Read more...] about Super Model’s Rendezvous With Dalai Lama
Bill Clinton Reportedly Upset Over His Convention Speech Assignment
It's becoming increasingly clear that, if Democratic-nominee-to-be Sen. Barack Obama loses the election, some members of the Democratic Party will blame the Clintons and some of their supporters, particularly with this LATEST twist: on the eve of the convention, Bill Clinton is reportedly upset behind-the-scenes about his speech assignment. It's worth looking at this piece … [Read more...] about Bill Clinton Reportedly Upset Over His Convention Speech Assignment
‘Reasons Europe Should Hope for An Obama Victory’: From Le Figaro
Why would historian Alexandre Adler, who is often characterized as France's foremost neo-con and who greatly admires John McCain, want to see Barack Obama elected president of the United States? After discussing the many things that Obama is wrong on - and it's quite a list - Adler writes in part: "If I was an American voter, I would campaign enthusiastically for the … [Read more...] about ‘Reasons Europe Should Hope for An Obama Victory’: From Le Figaro
Obamanomics: my kind of tax & spend
If I were to quote just one passage from the NY Times Sunday Magazine piece, Obamanomics, it would be this: There have now been two presidents in the last 30 years — Bush and Reagan — who cut taxes and promised that deficits would not follow. But the deficits did come, and they went away only after two other presidents — George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton — raised taxes. It … [Read more...] about Obamanomics: my kind of tax & spend
Shedding Tears for Hillary
Memo to disaffected Clinton Democrats arriving in Denver: Forty years ago at the convention in Chicago, as a delegate supporting anti-war candidate Eugene McCarthy, I was tear-gassed by the police of Mayor Richard Daley, a supporter of Hubert Humphrey. The Democrats lost that election and Richard Nixon moved into the White House. The internal strife will be less riotous this … [Read more...] about Shedding Tears for Hillary
Another Chance to Support Our Troops
In the "lull" between Obama's announcement of his vice-presidential pick, and the opening of the Democratic Convention in Denver tomorrow, I am going to try to briefly re-direct the readers' attention to what I feel is a shameful situation. There have been many---too many---instances where an administration that claims to "support the troops," falls woefully short of doing … [Read more...] about Another Chance to Support Our Troops
Election 2008: Scoreboard
We have now finished all 50 states and can detail the projected outcomes for each of the categories. President: In the Presidential race Obama is projected to defeat McCain by a margin of 293-245 or a gain of 41 votes over 2004. In the popular vote, I expect Obama to win by 1-2 percentage points. Senate: Democrats will gain five seats in Alaska, Colorado, New Hampshire, … [Read more...] about Election 2008: Scoreboard
Biden “does no harm” but does he help?
Gallup has immediately gotten to work polling the populace on Barack Obama's selection of Joe Biden as his running mate. (And let's face it... what else do they have to occupy their time in August until the conventions begin?) Pollsters have been taking this body temperature check immediately following the VP announcements for more than twenty years, so we have some decent … [Read more...] about Biden “does no harm” but does he help?
Election 2008: Wyoming
Wyoming remains one of the least-populated states in the nation as well as one of the most Republican. It also features 2 Senate races due to the death of Senator Craig Thomas earlier this year. President: McCain wins. 'Nuff said Safe Republican Senate #1: Incumbent John Barrasso (R) was appointed to the Senate earlier this year and will probably face attorney Nick … [Read more...] about Election 2008: Wyoming
Election 2008: Wisconsin
Wisconsin is probably one of the most interesting states from a political standpoint. Over the years it has been a GOP bastion, a socialist beachhead, a progressive stronghold and, more recently, a Democratic-leaning state. President: Although it has been 24 years since the Republicans last won the state in a Presidential election, it has been very close in the last couple … [Read more...] about Election 2008: Wisconsin
Election 2008: West Virginia
West Virginia has had an interesting political history. It was founded when it left Virginia after that state seceded in 1861. As a result, it started out as a GOP stronghold and then shifted to the Democrats during the 20th century. Today it remains basically-Democratic except for a trend to the GOP in Presidential races. President: Obama may have picked Biden in the hopes … [Read more...] about Election 2008: West Virginia
Election 2008: Washington
Washington used to be one of the most Republican states in the country, but those days are long gone as the GOP has moved from its traditional moderate roots to a much-more-conservative oriented base. President: The networks will probably wait 10 seconds after the polls close to call this one for Obama, I'll do them one better and call it now. Safe Democrat Governor: … [Read more...] about Election 2008: Washington
Russia and Georgia Redux
Kenneth Anderson, professor at the Washington Law School of American University, knows a thing or two about Russia and Georgia. He makes four key points in the wake of the Russian invasion of Georgia for current and potential US foreign policy makers: First, I share unreservedly the belief that Russia is deliberately undertaking a dangerous, threatening, imperial expansion … [Read more...] about Russia and Georgia Redux
Election 2008: Virginia
Like many southern states, Virginia was solidly-Democratic from the end of Reconstruction through the mid 1960s. It then evolved into a Republican-leaning state but now may be sliding back towards the Democrats though it still retains a GOP tint. President: Obama is making this one of his target states and certainly, of the GOP southern states, it is the best possibility to … [Read more...] about Election 2008: Virginia
About all those houses…
When the kerfuffle over the question of John McCain's housing situation erupted, there was something nagging at the back of my mind about it, but I simply couldn't put my finger on it. Fortunately for me, I no longer have to rely solely on my two remaining brain cells, as I can let the Lady Logician figure out the hard trivia questions for me. The problem with this is that … [Read more...] about About all those houses…
Democratic Convention 2008: Behind the Curtain, Um, Look Up?
Last night, the Mayor of Denver, John Hickenlooper went on TV to announce that regular Denver citizens should come downtown. That conventioneers won't get a good experience of the city if citizens don't fill the downtown and make it come alive. He said regular citizens shouldn't be afraid of the protesters. The protesters aren't afraid either. For instance: Here is what … [Read more...] about Democratic Convention 2008: Behind the Curtain, Um, Look Up?
“Biden’s refreshing lack of ideology”…
According to Foreign Policy's Blake Hounshell over at FP Passport. A sampling: ...Biden doesn't bat 100 percent. He went ahead and supported the Iraq war despite warning that President Bush was underestimating the risks (he now says he didn't realize Bush would be so incompetent and that he thought Saddam could be deposed by other means). He called the surge "a tragic mistake" … [Read more...] about “Biden’s refreshing lack of ideology”…
This Is the Joe We Know–and Need.
In his first public appearance after being picked by Obama for the vice-presidential candidacy, an energized and forceful Joe Biden hit the ball out of the ball park yesterday in Springfield--and more! It was a great first inning of what promises to be a fabulous "ball game." But what is even greater is that, knowing Joe Biden, he will do it again, and again, and again, … [Read more...] about This Is the Joe We Know–and Need.
A presidential candidate we already trust!
COURTESY OF CAFEPRESS In these times of micro-analyzing, micro-parsing, super-vetting, tit-for-tat, and overall election strangeness, we need to vote for a candidate we already trust: Santa Claus! I have joined Mr. Claus' campaign because he's tough on evil, always delivers, works hard, understands the common man and woman, great foreign policy credentials, and is just a … [Read more...] about A presidential candidate we already trust!