In hitting Barack Obama because of his perceived 'celebrity,' is John McCain missing something essential about the world we live in? Using the work of famed war reporter Nick Ut, who worked in Vietnam and recently made news by photographing Paris Hilton crying on her way to prison, Joao Pereira Coutinho of Portugal's Expresso newspaper writes in part: "I'm stupefied by John … [Read more...] about ‘John McCain – Sadly, More Out of Touch than Paris Hilton’: From Expresso of Portugal
Ted Kennedy’s Likely Last Big Hurrah
Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy, the last of the legendary Kennedy brothers and keeper of the torch of legacy who is battling a brain tumor, surprised 'em and wowed 'em at the Democratic convention -- appearing after a day of speculative reports in what could be his last hurrah in front of a huge national convention crowd. There were two key strands in this appearance. … [Read more...] about Ted Kennedy’s Likely Last Big Hurrah
God Bless Edward Kennedy
I just finished watching the short speech by Senator Edward Kennedy to the Democratic convention. It was noteworthy not because of the content but because he was there to give it live. Doctors and family members urged him not to make the trip to Denver as it was literally a life-threatening decision. Now any of the four or five people who read my musings know that I probably … [Read more...] about God Bless Edward Kennedy
Latest Speculation: McCain Could Announce Vice Presidential Pick Thursday
Fox News reports that sources contend Republican Presidential nominee Sen. John McCain could announce his Vice Presidential choice on Thursday -- as rival Democratic Sen. Barack Obama accepts the Demmies nomination for President: Presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain may announce his choice for a running mate earlier than expected, sources told FOX News on … [Read more...] about Latest Speculation: McCain Could Announce Vice Presidential Pick Thursday
Self-doubt, Obama and Biden
Joe Biden’s virtues as a foreign policy stalwart, especially his personal access to foreign leaders, are being overstated. Despite the opining of American analysts, he is not well known in Europe and even less so in other parts of the world. Obama is the star feted by the world. He is the one who pounded Hilary Clinton and put the Republicans in a defensive crouch. Now … [Read more...] about Self-doubt, Obama and Biden
Australia Bans “Sex” Ads
The recent ban on advertisements on "longer lasting sex" is being described as the triumph of public opinion in Australia. And the best part is that the advertiser has accepted the ban in good grace. "Three weeks after billboards advertising 'longer lasting sex' were banned in Western Australia, the slogan has been outlawed nationwide," says a news report. A company … [Read more...] about Australia Bans “Sex” Ads
Latest Clinton Flap: Clinton Advisers Will Leave Before Obama Speech
Unless the Democratic Party convention's show-of-unity is truly overwhelming, the Democratic gathering is now turning into what seems to be Democrats shooting themselves in the foot and the Clinton camp shooting the party via a growing number of news stories that you usually don't see during most national political conventions. Even contentious ones. For instance, you don't … [Read more...] about Latest Clinton Flap: Clinton Advisers Will Leave Before Obama Speech
Bill Loves Hillary—Bill Kristol, that Is.
Idaho Senator Larry Craig, after years of demonizing and legislating against gays and lesbians, finally came out of the closet---or, as the British would say, the "water closet"---at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport a little over a year ago. Similarly, Conservative Bill Kristol, who for years has been demonizing Hillary Clinton (and her husband), has come out … [Read more...] about Bill Loves Hillary—Bill Kristol, that Is.
McCain’s VP Pick?
Pat Bagley, Salt Lake Tribune … [Read more...] about McCain’s VP Pick?
When going negative, be funny
Ok, the McCain campaign has certainly put out a raft of negative ads against Obama recently, some with greater success than others and on a variety of topics. It's only fair that Team Obama get in on the fun, and I have to admit, this one was pretty amusing. It's only 30 seconds. Give it a look. … [Read more...] about When going negative, be funny
Overseas Politics and News
As we in the US prepare for the organized chaos of the Democratic and Republican conventions, there is a bit of political chaos of a more serious kind taking place overseas. In Pakistan the government coalition has collapsed with the withdrawal of the Pakistan Muslim League-N from the ruling coalition. Party leader Nawaz Sharif cited broken promises by Asif Ali Zardari’s … [Read more...] about Overseas Politics and News
Cults (plural) of personality
I know your anger, I know your dreams I've been everything you want to be I'm the cult of personality Like Mussolini and Kennedy I'm the cult of personality - Living Colour The latest round of polls in the post-Biden announcement era have left me scratching my head yet again. On the rare occasions when I turn out to be wrong, (who... me?) I at least try to make some … [Read more...] about Cults (plural) of personality
Civil Rights Roundup: 08/25/08
Your daily dose of civil rights and related news An observant Jewish engineer was vindicated after being hounded by spying accusations, after a probe found he was targeted on basis of religion. The Washington Post had a nice article up over the weekend on the experiences of other Black "firsts" (first astronaut, first Miss USA, first NBA player, etc.). Also from the … [Read more...] about Civil Rights Roundup: 08/25/08
C-SPAN gets interactive; text messaging benefits Dems
Sarah Lai Stirland at Wired's Threat Level, reporting on tech Gadgetry at The Democratic National Convention: It's not only C-Span and the television networks that will cover the convention this year. Bloggers, video-loggers, and even party delegates themselves are promising to provide their take on the events at the Democratic National Convention. This could be the most … [Read more...] about C-SPAN gets interactive; text messaging benefits Dems
Welcome TMV’s Newest Co-Blogger
The Moderate Voice is pleased to welcome Elyas Bakhtiari whose blog Ablogistan has been noted for its thoughtful posts. He's a Boston-based writer and editor who works as a health care journalist by day and blogs about politics, policy, and issues by night. He previously lived in San Antonio, Texas, where he attended Trinity University and worked briefly for the San Antonio … [Read more...] about Welcome TMV’s Newest Co-Blogger
Polls: Race Dead Even Now After Biden Pick Apparently Irks Clinton Supporters
The latest CNN poll shows that Democratic Sen. Barack Obama's choice of Sen. Joe Biden has proven to be a "step backwards" because supporters of Sen. Hillary Clinton are unhappy about the choice and balking at supporting the ticket. And the CNN findings of a dead heat after the Biden announcement is now confirmed by the latest Gallup Daily tracking poll which finds the race … [Read more...] about Polls: Race Dead Even Now After Biden Pick Apparently Irks Clinton Supporters
Interview with Silverio Salazar: Making the Jump From Hillary to McCain
This weekend I had the opportunity to interview Silverio “Silver” Salazar. Silver is the cousin of both Senator Ken Salazar (D-Colorado)and Congressman John Salazar (D- Colorado 3rd). He is a former supporter of Senator Hillary Clinton but is now endorsing John McCain’s presidential bid. I found Silver to be an engaging individual who is deeply-passionate about government and … [Read more...] about Interview with Silverio Salazar: Making the Jump From Hillary to McCain
12 Hot Button Thoughts On Joe Biden
(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