Nate Beeler, The Washington Examiner … [Read more...] about Obama And The Media
India’s Prime Minister: We Are Not A US Puppet
In a spirited defence of his stand in the Indian parliament regarding his support to the India-US nuclear deal on Tuesday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said: "Our critics falsely accuse us, that in signing these agreements, we have surrendered the independence of foreign policy and made it subservient to US interests. In this context, I wish to point out that the cooperation … [Read more...] about India’s Prime Minister: We Are Not A US Puppet
SNP Stuns Labour
In another blow for British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the Scottish National Party has won a bedrock Labour seat in a by-election. The seat had a Labour majority of over 13,000 votes but went to the SNP by a narrow margin. In US political terms the swing was 23%, which is even bigger that some of the upsets that the GOP has seen over the last few months. Speculation … [Read more...] about SNP Stuns Labour
Obama’s Speech In Germany
So now you've read blog posts about the controversy surrounding Democratic presumptive Presidential party nominee Sen. Barack Obama's speech in Germany. Was it cravenly political? A campaign document? Was it reminiscent of JFK's or Ronald Reagan's speeches from Berlin, or was it clearly anchored in a different time and generation? Did you hear or read about it on talk shows … [Read more...] about Obama’s Speech In Germany
Sabato’s Crystal Ball – ANYBODY’S BALL GAME
A Response to Alan Abramowitz, Thomas E. Mann, and Larry J. Sabato on THE MYTH OF A TOSS-UP ELECTION: 07/24/2008 James E. Campbell on RESPONSE: ANYBODY'S BALL GAME In their examination of the fundamentals and the polls to this point in the 2008 election, my esteemed colleagues Alan Abramowitz, Tom Mann, and Larry Sabato indicate that they believe that the presidential … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball – ANYBODY’S BALL GAME
Two Anniversaries, Two Presidential Candidates’ Positions
(Author's Note: In the excitement created by Obama's overseas travels and successes, we may be overlooking two important anniversaries this week, and two different views by the presidential candidates on one of the "anniversary" issues...Their opinions at the end of the post) July 26 marks the 60th anniversary of the desegregation of our armed forces. It was 15 years … [Read more...] about Two Anniversaries, Two Presidential Candidates’ Positions
Bush Euphemistic on Iraq
Nate Beeler, The Washington Examiner … [Read more...] about Bush Euphemistic on Iraq
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: THE MYTH OF A TOSS-UP ELECTION
07/24/2008 Alan Abramowitz, Thomas E. Mann, and Larry J. Sabato on THE MYTH OF A TOSS-UP ELECTION "Too close to call." "Within the margin of error." "A statistical dead heat." If you've been following news coverage of the 2008 presidential election, you're probably familiar with these phrases. Media commentary on the presidential horserace, reflecting the results of a … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: THE MYTH OF A TOSS-UP ELECTION
UPDATED: Robert Novak’s Unfortunate Accident (includes Daily Show video)
Apparently the pedestrian Robert Novak ran down isn't doing too well. Novak feels 'terrible.' But probably not as terrible as the man he hit. Meanwhile, Novak's had a $50 traffic citation. Jonathan Turley has some details of the aftermath and discussion of the legal ramifications. Turley notes: Novak admits that he was a block away the accident when he was … [Read more...] about UPDATED: Robert Novak’s Unfortunate Accident (includes Daily Show video)
‘A Landmark Day for Torture Disclosure’ (Updated)
The ACLU has released some crucial memoranda which reveal the tortuous path by which the Bush Administration's Department of 'Justice' taught the CIA to rationalize its way to a distinction between 'enhanced interrogation' and plain old-fashioned 'torture.' The Justice Department told the CIA that agents would be safe from prosecution if they they believed 'in good faith' … [Read more...] about ‘A Landmark Day for Torture Disclosure’ (Updated)
Veepstakes: Further Reflections
There are, of course, many factors that go into picking a running mate, and the game for us junkies isn't just about picking a name or ranking names but trying to figure out what factors are most important to a candidate. Take McCain: It doesn't seem to make all that much sense for him to pick someone like himself, that is, old, with a military background, and experienced in … [Read more...] about Veepstakes: Further Reflections
A Gentle Reminder: Obama is Not God
Barack Obama may become the next President. He may even be qualified for the job. I don't do endorsements, as regular readers of my blogging will know. But the Obamamessiah stuff, well-documented here, is outrageous. He's a politician, folks, not some special otherworldly life form. I don't use the term "politician" disdainfully, either. I'm one who believes that … [Read more...] about A Gentle Reminder: Obama is Not God
Obama Controversy
Adam Zyglis, The Buffalo News … [Read more...] about Obama Controversy
Repairing The American Brand Abroad
While the right-of-center chattering class, with a leg up from the struggling McCain campaign, has been in high dudgeon for days over Barack Obama's not-a-campaign speech campaign speech today in Berlin, my memory is a little longer and my perspective a whole lot less narrow. As a world traveler, it has always mattered to me how America is perceived abroad, and not just … [Read more...] about Repairing The American Brand Abroad
Obama Claims Credit for the Wrong Thing; Meanwhile, McCain Demonstrates Once More that Experience Doesn’t Always Matter
Obama's getting called out for embellishing because of a misstatement to the Israeli Prime Minister. Responding to an Israeli reporter’s question Wednesday on his commitment to protect the Jewish state, Barack Obama pointed to a bill “we passed” in the U.S. Senate Banking Committee that tightens sanctions and authorizes divestment from Iran. “My committee,” he called it. … [Read more...] about Obama Claims Credit for the Wrong Thing; Meanwhile, McCain Demonstrates Once More that Experience Doesn’t Always Matter
Oh What A Lovely War: 132 Buildings In Historic Pa.-N.J. Valley To Be Destroyed
THE HISTORIC PETERS HOUSE WOULD BE SAVED AND REHABBED The ghosts of the Tocks Island disaster of the early 1970s when hundreds of homes, barns, a church and other structures were destroyed to make way for a dam that was never built are about to write another sad chapter in the saga of the Minisink Valley with the resumption of destruction in the historic area straddling the … [Read more...] about Oh What A Lovely War: 132 Buildings In Historic Pa.-N.J. Valley To Be Destroyed
Civil Rights Roundup: 07/24/08
Your daily dose of civil rights and related news An interesting profile of the Prince Williams County Police Chief, who is tasked with enforcing his counties unusually harsh anti-immigrant policies. Conservative columnist Robert "Hit and Run" Novak has a column up alleging Democrats are blocking legislation that would make it easier for soldiers serving abroad to vote. A … [Read more...] about Civil Rights Roundup: 07/24/08
Edwards’ love child and the hetero/homo double standard divide
A gay man, I had lots of interest in the Larry Craig story; far less in the John Edwards story. But I don't see the double standard that my co-blogger Shaun does (be sure to check out the comments); or that Jack Shafer articulates in his Slate piece. In fact, I see Schafer stipulate the differences that count: A cop charged Craig with a misdemeanor, and he pleaded guilty. … [Read more...] about Edwards’ love child and the hetero/homo double standard divide
Will Portman or Kasich Be McCain’s Thursday Surprise?
John McCain's abrupt decision to scrub events on Wednesday and Thursday and instead, fly to Columbus, has Taegan Goddard speculating that the presumptive GOP nominee is going to try upstaging Barack Obama's Berlin speech to announce that an Ohioan will be his running mate. Goddard speculates that it could be Rob Portman or John Kasich. If McCain is coming to Columbus to … [Read more...] about Will Portman or Kasich Be McCain’s Thursday Surprise?
John McCain Digs An Ever Deeper Hole
At least when John McCain screws up it's in English. (Wink, wink.) Mr. Foreign Policy Expert's latest discombobulations are false claims that the Surge began well before it began (he apparently confused the Surge with the Anbar Awakening) and that a major Sunni sheik wouldn't be around if it hadn't been for the Surge. Alas, the sheik was actually offed by Al Qaeda-led … [Read more...] about John McCain Digs An Ever Deeper Hole