Boldness is in the eye of the beholder, but the most provocative choice both McCain and Obama could make is not to choose at all--to revert to the time when convention delegates were free to argue and advocate for the candidates they wanted. Both McCain and Obama have disaffected members of their own parties to win over, the most conservative Republicans and disappointed … [Read more...] about NEWSWEEK RUCKUS ASKS: “What would be the boldest Vice Presidential Choice John McCain and Barack Obama Could make?”
The Smear, The Rebuttal, and the Faux Pas—Follow-Up
I contacted Defense News this morning to inform them about the "faux pas" on Barack Obama. They were quick to respond on the "unfortunate error." (see e-mail, below) Although there have been one or two insinuations to the contrary in the "Comments" section, and although there have been plenty of serious (intentional) smears by others against Obama, I do believe that this … [Read more...] about The Smear, The Rebuttal, and the Faux Pas—Follow-Up
NEWSWEEK RUCKUS ASKS:”What would be the boldest Vice Presidential Choice John McCain and Barack Obama Could make?”
There are different sorts of boldness in politics, as in life. Boldness can describe acts of folly. Selecting Senator Clinton as his vice presidential running mate would represent that kind of boldness on Senator Barack Obama's part, for example. There are so many voters who regard Clinton negatively and many of the first-time voters who have been attracted to Obama would … [Read more...] about NEWSWEEK RUCKUS ASKS:”What would be the boldest Vice Presidential Choice John McCain and Barack Obama Could make?”
NEWSWEEK RUCKUS ASKS: “What would be the boldest Vice Presidential Choice John McCain and Barack Obama Could make?”
In my humble opinion, in life as in politics, "bold" is a courageous, adventurous, plucky, intrepid move or action that rejects the "we have always done it this way" mentality; that goes against political, racial, religious, gender, age, etc., conventions and prejudices and whatever other walls, barriers, taboos there may be that keep rational, intelligent men and women from … [Read more...] about NEWSWEEK RUCKUS ASKS: “What would be the boldest Vice Presidential Choice John McCain and Barack Obama Could make?”
NEWSWEEK RUCKUS ASKS:”What would be the boldest Vice Presidential Choice John McCain and Barack Obama Could make?”
This is a tough question to field, since the word "bold" could very easily be interpreted as either "visionary" or "stupid" depending on the context. With that in mind, I'll take a shot at this one. For Obama, my choice might fall into both the visionary and stupid categories, but I would say Bill Richardson. He's hugely popular in his home state of New Mexico, but this … [Read more...] about NEWSWEEK RUCKUS ASKS:”What would be the boldest Vice Presidential Choice John McCain and Barack Obama Could make?”
What Germans Think of Barack Obama: Continuity We Can Believe In
The majority of Germans support Barrack Obama for the US presidency, not because they believe he will radically change US policy, but because he is expected to return it to the familiar pre-Bush trajectory. This is the conclusion from my colleague Ben Heine over at Atlantic Community. Ben and I have interviewed the attendees of the Obama rally in Berlin yesterday. Here's our … [Read more...] about What Germans Think of Barack Obama: Continuity We Can Believe In
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: TRACKING THE 2008 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
07/24/2008 Alan Abramowitz on TRACKING THE 2008 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: If you're a political junkie like me, and if you're reading this article there's a pretty good chance you are, then you're probably addicted to the Gallup and Rasmussen tracking polls. Where else can you follow the ups and downs of the presidential race every day? I can hardly wait to get my daily fix … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: TRACKING THE 2008 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
McCain Team Energy Update
A blogger conference call was held today, hosted by McCain policy adviser Nancy Pfotenhauer, to discuss energy issues in election 2008. Nancy started off by stressing the need to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and the impact of rising fuel prices on not only gas, but almost all goods owing to rising transportation costs. "It is irrational and irresponsible to ignore safe, … [Read more...] about McCain Team Energy Update
No Party For The Parties
Jeff Parker, Florida Today … [Read more...] about No Party For The Parties
McCain’s Fudge House
So McCain -- understandably, perhaps, given how little attention he's getting these days -- dumped on Obama's speech in Berlin yesterday: "I would rather speak at a rally or a political gathering any place outside of the country after I am president of the United States," he said. In other words, presidential candidates should stay at home, in the U.S., where the voters are, … [Read more...] about McCain’s Fudge House
Beaker Does Beethoven
Ok strictly speaking this isn't political but as a Muppet fan its a lot of fun … [Read more...] about Beaker Does Beethoven
The Smear, The Rebuttal, and the Faux Pas
As if Barack Obama is not having enough fault-finding of his foreign tour... First, there was the smear. According to the Daily News on July 24: "The latest chain e-mail smear against Barack Obama: He "blew off" troops at an Afghan base to shoot hoops for a publicity photo. The letter was apparently written by a Utah Army National Guard intelligence officer in a … [Read more...] about The Smear, The Rebuttal, and the Faux Pas
Civil Rights Roundup: 07/25/08
Your daily dose of civil rights and related news Congress is questioning the use of expedited trial procedures against suspected illegal immigrants picked up in an Iowa raid on a meat processing plant. E.J. Dionne asks: Is this the year the youth vote finally arrives? Rep. Mark Souder wants to control DC's gun laws. Mark Souder is from Indiana, which, thanks to the … [Read more...] about Civil Rights Roundup: 07/25/08
Sad Hearts at the Supermarket
David Brooks this week tried to explain the gap between social pressures and personal responsibility in "The Culture of Debt" by insisting that, in digging America out of its mountain of debt, "the important shifts will be private, as people and communities learn and adopt different social standards. "After the Depression, a savings mentality set in. After the dot-com … [Read more...] about Sad Hearts at the Supermarket
A Dirty Little Secret: Pro Sports and Gangs
Some recent stories have emerged indicating that the NFL is going to start an investigation into whether or not NFL players have been flashing gang signs during TV broadcasts. There has been the predictable reaction on both sides, with some saying they are overracting. I am not sure what is going to happen with this investigation but I am willing to let the process evolve … [Read more...] about A Dirty Little Secret: Pro Sports and Gangs
Obama Not Closing Sale With Some Key Voters Or Clinton Supporters
The emerging pollster conventional wisdom is that Democratic party presumptive nominee Senator Barack Obama is now stuck in a political ditch: he isn't closing the deal with many voters and some Clinton supporters are still dragging their heels and -- an increasing number of news stories suggest -- some Clintonistas seem to be looking for reasons to drag their heels. In … [Read more...] about Obama Not Closing Sale With Some Key Voters Or Clinton Supporters
McCain’s Energy Policy Gains Traction in COPM
Despite the perceived dire climate for Republicans nationally, I continue to watch the COPM (Colorado, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Michigan) states for an indicator of how the general election will play out. While the media focuses on the various stops of the Obama team across Europe, John McCain continues to hammer on energy policy and the economy in some of these states, and the … [Read more...] about McCain’s Energy Policy Gains Traction in COPM
Obama speaks in Berlin
Patrick Corrigan, The Toronto Star … [Read more...] about Obama speaks in Berlin
From O Globo of Brazil: Obama’s World Tour – Unsubtle, But Effective
So how are people in other parts of the world, for example Brazil, interpreting Barack Obama's global tour. And is this trip - as John McCain charges - simply an 'electoral caravan' on the part of Obama's campaign? And if it is, does it matter? William Waack writes for Brazil's leading daily: "John McCain is right when he says that his adversary is only committed to … [Read more...] about From O Globo of Brazil: Obama’s World Tour – Unsubtle, But Effective
David Addington: A Patriot Or A Traitor?
One of the underreported and unappreciated aspects of the Age of Bush is that despite the appearance of unanimity some administration officials, typically careerists and not political appointees, were horrified at the embrace of torture and other extralegal actions and spoke up. They were silenced and in some case were fired, demoted or resigned. When an official whose … [Read more...] about David Addington: A Patriot Or A Traitor?