Steve Clemons predicts there will be ramifications for both due to the way it was handled by both the mainstream media and many weblogs until Edwards' admission that he lied. NOTE: This item was in yesterday's Around The Sphere but the link was wrong. It could not be corrected until last night. So we corrected it and are running it as a separate item today. … [Read more...] about The John Edwards Affair And The Old And New Media
Political Sex Scandals: Down Resignation Road
The Times of London makes an interesting study of 10 political personalities who were involved in sex scandals. Of these 10 leaders, five got away with it and five couldn't. Beginning with the Profumo Affair in Britain in 1963 to the latest one concerning John Edwards in the US, the affairs have attracted a lot of public attention. More here... … [Read more...] about Political Sex Scandals: Down Resignation Road
John Edwards’ Two Americas
John Darkow, Columbia Daily Tribune, Missouri … [Read more...] about John Edwards’ Two Americas
‘Georgia Can Kiss NATO Goodbye’: From Cotidianul of Romania
Having labored under the yoke of Soviet domination in the very recent past, the countries of Eastern Europe and the Caucasus have a visceral feel for the politics of the now blossoming conflict between Russia and its former territory Georgia. As far as this situation ending well for Georgia, the editorial board of Romania's Cotidianul newspaper has little of comfort to … [Read more...] about ‘Georgia Can Kiss NATO Goodbye’: From Cotidianul of Romania
The Battle Between Hard Core Hillary Clinton Supporters And Obama
It goes on. QUESTION: If there were a situation where Clinton's most dedicated supporters managed to wrest the nomination away from Barack Obama at the convention, do they seriously believe Obama supporters would then vote for Clinton? How could she win with so many Obama people staying home? And if they sit on their hands in November or vote for McCain, and exit polls … [Read more...] about The Battle Between Hard Core Hillary Clinton Supporters And Obama
The Popular Candidate (Guest Voice)
In this Guest Voice column, author Martha Randolph Carr looks at some of the recent criticism aimed at Democratic presumptive nominee Sen. Barack Obama and how "bridge-building" is being painted by some as a negative. The Popular Candidate By Martha Randolph Carr It has been a long time since we’ve had the possibility of a president who is well-received both at home … [Read more...] about The Popular Candidate (Guest Voice)
‘Between America and Russia, the E.U. is On the Front Line’: EDITORIAL from Le Figaro
Continuing with our coverage of the unfolding crisis in the Caucasus, Le Figaro's Pierre Rousselin grapples with the question of how the conflict began and what France and the E.U. should do about it. He writes in part: "The entire relationship between Russia and the West hangs in the balance ... Did Georgia deliberately initiate the conflict in wanting to regain control of … [Read more...] about ‘Between America and Russia, the E.U. is On the Front Line’: EDITORIAL from Le Figaro
War in the Caucasus … Georgia ‘Doesn’t Stand a Chance’: Editorial from Le Figaro
With French leader Nicolas Sarkozy occupying the rotating seat of the EU presidency, what do the French have to say about the widening crisis in the Caucasus and America's role in it? Outlining what's at stake, Pierre Rousselin writes for Le Figaro: "South Ossetia might seem like beautiful, distant confetti lost in the Caucasus, but the fighting taking place there must … [Read more...] about War in the Caucasus … Georgia ‘Doesn’t Stand a Chance’: Editorial from Le Figaro
McCain’s Somewhat Smart Negative Campaign
There has been much made about how bad it is for John McCain to release several negative ads attacking the Democratic nominee, Barack Obama. At some time earlier, I would have agreed that such ads like the "Celebrity" or "The One" ads were mean-spirited while lamenting the sad state of politics. But the reality is that politics have always been a rough game and, within … [Read more...] about McCain’s Somewhat Smart Negative Campaign
‘Medaling’ With Free Speech at the Olympics (Guest Voice)
This is a Guest Voice original-report post by journalism professor and author Walter Brasch who is also an award-winning syndicated newspaper columnist and radio commentator, and president of the Pennsylvania Press Club. ‘Medaling’ With Free Speech at the Olympics by Walter Brasch President Bush sounded just like a liberal. Yes, you read … [Read more...] about ‘Medaling’ With Free Speech at the Olympics (Guest Voice)
The Diplomacy Gap
A convergence of events--the Russian crackdown in Georgia, Musharraf's imminent impeachment in Pakistan, the continuing impasse over Iran's nuclear ambitions--is underscoring the damage of the bellicose Bush foreign policy to America's relations with the rest of the world. As the McCain campaign mocks Obama's willingness to negotiate with rather than bully adversarial … [Read more...] about The Diplomacy Gap
Pro-Edwards Press
Gary McCoy, Cagle Cartoons … [Read more...] about Pro-Edwards Press
The Perils of Endorsement
It may come as a surprise to many political observers that Angelina Jolie has not yet decided which candidate will receive her vote this November. Her stated reasons would indicate that she's weighing her options carefully and waiting to hear more from the candidates on the issues most important to her. (These will come as no surprise to those familiar with her extensive work … [Read more...] about The Perils of Endorsement
Obama’s New McCain Is Celebrity Too Campaign Ad
What could be more of a measure of the state of American political discourse than the current campaign 2008 debate over whether Barack Obama is a celebrity and whether if that's true it means he's somehow unfit for the Oval Office? The popular -- and apparently effective -- ad by Republican Senator John McCain's camp has now been countered by a new Barack Obama ad noting … [Read more...] about Obama’s New McCain Is Celebrity Too Campaign Ad
Civil Rights Roundup: 08/11/08
Your daily dose of civil rights and related news A nice article about attempting to register ex-felons to vote. Self-deportation has few takers. Really? The Boston Globe: Being multi-lingual is a good thing, not a threat to American values. The Santeria, a religion which has been at the center of more than a few free-exercise cases over the past several decades, are … [Read more...] about Civil Rights Roundup: 08/11/08
Clinton Campaign Memos: Cliff Notes Version
Mark Penn is a shameless thug. Props to Hillary for not buying totally into his dark vision. McCain has. Longer version here. Apologies to Oliphant for colorizing © 2008 Universal Press Syndicate … [Read more...] about Clinton Campaign Memos: Cliff Notes Version
“Traditional marriage” is a moving target
Kevin Drum points to McClatchy today: 11,000 couples later, gay marriage largely a nonevent in Mass. Says Kevin, "Good." Ampersand quotes from the California court ruling (pdf) that proposition 8 can be officially described as “Changes California Constitution to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry” (opponents and advocates both recognized that the change of … [Read more...] about “Traditional marriage” is a moving target
Around The Campaign 2008 Sphere
Left, right and center blogs are abuzz with the John Edwards Affair, continued/decreased (choose which one you believe) tensions between Barack Obama and the Clintons, and John McCain's increasingly-effective campaign. Here are links to websites of varying viewpoints: John Edwards' False Assertion On TV has been caught by the HP's Sam Stein, who first reported on the … [Read more...] about Around The Campaign 2008 Sphere
Thrills and history in the pool!
I witnessed the most thrilling swimming competition ever! And I watched history at the same time. The US Men's swimming relay team of Cullen Jones, Jason Lezak, Michael Phelps and Garrett Weber-Gale set a world record (3:08.24) on their way to winning the 4x100 free relay. And Jason Lezak had to come from behind in the anchor leg to win it for the Americans. What a … [Read more...] about Thrills and history in the pool!
Front & Center: Should Bush Torture Regime Architects Be Charged As War Criminals?
Despite the excesses of the Age of Bush -- notably the embrace of torture and willful subjugation of the rule of law -- the U.S. remains a substantially open and just society. So it was inevitable that the consequences of the administration's foulest deeds would begin nipping at the heels of the perpetrators sooner or later. As far back as 2004, participants in White House … [Read more...] about Front & Center: Should Bush Torture Regime Architects Be Charged As War Criminals?