I mostly agree with Joe Gandelman's take on the Saddleback Forum. Both candidates did well, though McCain beat the lower expectations set for him. I'd only add that the event took place on hardcore GOP home turf, so McCain's policy answers are naturally going to please more of the crowd than Obama's. Either way, McCain came out of it looking safe on the issues for the … [Read more...] about Saddlegate?
Before Georgia, It is Europe that Needs Mediation: Financial Times Deutschland
Everyone agrees that the Georgia-Russia crisis requires European mediation. But the question is, who'll settle the dispute among Europeans about what to do? As WORLDMEETS.US and The Moderate Voice readers have seen from around the continent over the past two weeks - Eastern and Central Europeans are completely split over what to do about the resurgent Russian bear. This … [Read more...] about Before Georgia, It is Europe that Needs Mediation: Financial Times Deutschland
Election 2008: Scoreboard
With 45 of the 50 states completed, we now have some outright majorities to report and they are unlikely to give the Republicans much comfort. President: Not only does Senator Obama retain his lead, he has now reached a majority for election. The numbers from the first 45 states give him 272 Electoral Votes to 224 for Senator McCain. This is a net Democratic Gain of 41 … [Read more...] about Election 2008: Scoreboard
Election 2008: Vermont
In the 102 years between the birth of the Republican Party in 1854 and the year 1956, the state of Vermont had a 100% record of electing Republican governors, senators, congressman and Presidents. Since then, the trend has shifted to the point that the state is now a Democratic stronghold. President: One word, Obama. Safe Democrat Governor: Although the state is a … [Read more...] about Election 2008: Vermont
Election 2008: Utah
Interestingly when Utah became a state it was dominated by the Democrats to a degree only rivaled in the solid south. Mormon leaders openly joined the GOP in order to try and establish a more balanced state (well some other ideas worked). President: The networks can save some time and project Utah for McCain now. Safe Republican Governor: They can also projected … [Read more...] about Election 2008: Utah
Election 2008: Texas
There are many ways in which Texas is unique among the states, but one of the lesser-known ones is the fact that it has the right to subdivide into as many as five states should it choose to. This would give it 8 more Senators and probably more House seats and electoral votes. President: Senator Obama has a decent base in Texas between minority voters and urban liberals but … [Read more...] about Election 2008: Texas
Election 2008: Tennessee
This week the state of Tennessee is probably best-thought-of as the home of Elvis Presley but in November it will probably be a second-tier state in most political analyses. President: Although Obama is going to make a real effort to win, or at least keep the GOP spending money there, the state usually votes Republican and even rejected native-son Al Gore. Leans … [Read more...] about Election 2008: Tennessee
Election 2008: South Dakota
South Dakota is home to Mount Rushmore, Republicans and a populist streak that sometimes overcomes the GOP nature of the state. President: Senator Obama may want to use the state for a photo op but he has little chance of winning it in November. Safe Republican Senate: Incumbent Senator Tim Johnson (D) is something of the Mark Phelps of politics in South Dakota. Two … [Read more...] about Election 2008: South Dakota
Did McCain Best Obama At The Faith Forum?
So how did presumptive party nominees Democratic Sen. Barack Obama and Republican Sen. John McCain fare at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church faith forum? The answer is in the eye -- and active political agenda -- of the beholder but there seems to be an emerging consensus in the media and in the blogosphere: Once again, McCain has proven to be far stronger than some predicted … [Read more...] about Did McCain Best Obama At The Faith Forum?
Doubling Down on Standards
Earlier today, I told you about the Denver Post's response to something John McCain said about water rights in a newspaper interview. Since writing that column, something has been tugging at the back of my mind and I only now realized what it was. Let's take another look at a portion of the paper's editorial which I previously quoted. Forget about winning our nine electoral … [Read more...] about Doubling Down on Standards
John Edwards And The “Too” Americas (Guest Voice)
This Guest Voice is by "Raging Moderate" Will Durst -- a take on the John Edwards affair. "Too" Americas by Will Durst Not content to be viewed as your ordinary run-of-the-mill hypocritical oaf, former vice-presidential candidate John Edwards compounded his monumental weaseldom by trying to sneak an overdue admission of serial monogamy infractions under the cloak of … [Read more...] about John Edwards And The “Too” Americas (Guest Voice)
In Colorado, it’s like oil and water
As regular readers know, I've been watching the COPM states (Colorado, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Michigan) to get a feel for who will be moving into 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. next January. Whichever candidate can carry at least three of those four will make the path to victory for their opponent a virtual impossibility. The first of those, Colorado, has been generating a lot of news … [Read more...] about In Colorado, it’s like oil and water
Book Review: Max Hastings’ ‘Retribution’ & The Pacific War. Paybacks Were A Bitch
I didn't think I had it in me, but I have just finished yet another book about World War II, probably the hundredth or so that I have read in a lifetime of interest in the myriad angles, intricacies and strategies of that great conflict fought by my parents' generation. I am glad that I did what with the dust-up in Georgia and a war in Iraq that has lasted considerably longer … [Read more...] about Book Review: Max Hastings’ ‘Retribution’ & The Pacific War. Paybacks Were A Bitch
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Getting More Out of the Polls
Sabato's Crystal Ball's James E. Campbell says, Getting More Out of the Polls Political observers have become more sophisticated in their reading of polls in recent years. They know enough now not to read too much into summer polls. Poll leaders in June are not any more likely to win than their opponents who trail them in the summer polls. By the time of the conventions, … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Getting More Out of the Polls
The People’s Republic Of Michael Phelps
HE FINISHES WITH A RECORD-BREAKING 8 GOLDS, MORE THAN ALL BUT 14 COUNTRIES IN THE MEDAL COUNT. MORE HERE. Photograph by David J. Phillip/The Associated Press … [Read more...] about The People’s Republic Of Michael Phelps
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: THE DEMOCRATIC GROUND GAME
Sabato's Crystal Ball's Justin M. Sizemore says, THE DEMOCRATIC GROUND GAME: Can New Voters Make the Difference? From the time Barack Obama declared his candidacy for president, his campaign realized it would benefit from what came to be called the enthusiasm gap. "In most campaigns, it's a challenge to drag people out," Western States Field Director Buffy Wicks told a group … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: THE DEMOCRATIC GROUND GAME
East Europe Best Not Depend on ‘Obsolete’ NATO
As we've seen over recent days, there are two diametrically opposed positions within Europe about what has cause the Georgia crisis and what should be done about it. The first, which has been perhaps best enunciated by the Polish, is that NATO must be strengthened and that the Alliance must stand up to Russia with ever-greater determination. The other, well represented by … [Read more...] about East Europe Best Not Depend on ‘Obsolete’ NATO
McCain & Obama Visit Saddleback
Here's a report by The Caucus Blog of the New York Times: It was the handshake shown around the country. At about 9 p.m. Eastern time, Senators Barack Obama and John McCain briefly crossed paths in a rare moment in the presidential campaign (the Senate floor doesn’t count, and besides, neither of them has been there much lately). They shared the stage for 36 seconds at … [Read more...] about McCain & Obama Visit Saddleback
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Third parties to have an impact in ’08?
Sabato's Crystal Ball's Rhodes Cook says, GOING FOR THE BRONZE: Third parties to have an impact in '08? When political reporters run low on topics to write about, they often turn their attention to third parties--the "lovable losers" of American politics. They never win at the presidential level but often are called upon to add color to campaigns that are sometimes badly in … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Third parties to have an impact in ’08?
Al-Qaeda Attacks Pervez Musharraf
The woes of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf seem to be unending. While the Parliament has begun formulating the impeachment proceedings against Musharraf, Al-Qaida's number two Ayman al-Zawahiri slammed "Pakistan's embattled President Pervez Musharraf as an enemy of Islam in a first audio message in English posted online on Saturday," reports NDTV, India's influential TV … [Read more...] about Al-Qaeda Attacks Pervez Musharraf