This from a Washington Post-ABC News poll (July 10-13, 2008) out Saturday: Public attitudes about gays in the military have shifted dramatically since President Bill Clinton unveiled what became his administration's "don't ask, don't tell" policy 15 years ago today. Seventy-five percent of Americans in a new Washington Post-ABC News poll said gay people who are open about … [Read more...] about Surge in support for gays serving openly in the military
Musings on Barack Obama: Why The Only Question Is What His Margin of Victory Will Be
Even with the election three and a half months out, it's pretty much a foregone conclusion that Barack Obama will be the next president. This is not a particularly rash prediction given that color-blind Democrats and Independents and even some Republicans will far outnumber people who would never vote for an African-American, Obama has an enthusiastic base and will attract a … [Read more...] about Musings on Barack Obama: Why The Only Question Is What His Margin of Victory Will Be
Why the New Yorker Cartoon Matters
In the Blogosphere, issues tend to come and go. People tend to react to something rather quickly and move on. Now I am a little late on commenting on the whole New Yorker cartoon with Barak Obama in somekind of Muslim-type dress, giving a fist bump to his wife Michelle who is dressed up as a modern-day Angela Davis, with a flag burning in the fireplace and a picture of … [Read more...] about Why the New Yorker Cartoon Matters
On Barack Obama, ambition, & the greater good
I may be the last blogger to finish Ryan Lizza's 15,000 word New Yorker article on Obama's roots in Chicago politics. My chosen quote: Many have said that part of the appeal of “Dreams” is its honesty, pointing out that it was written at a time when Obama had no idea that he would run for office. In fact, Obama had been talking about a political career for years, musing about … [Read more...] about On Barack Obama, ambition, & the greater good
A Family Triumphs
This story is absolutely amazing, a must-read, if there ever was one. The author's husband is a good friend and former colleague. We had drinks in D.C., shortly after Josephine was born. It's remarkable, how much they've endured and how far they've travelled together. … [Read more...] about A Family Triumphs
Election 2008: Scoreboard
We are now through exactly half of the states, 25 down and 25 more to go. If you haven't taken a look at the state by state summaries please check the blog for each one. President: So far Senator Obama retains his lead over Senator McCain. The numbers from the first 25 states give him 162 Electoral Votes to 125 for Senator McCain. This is a net Democratic Gain of 16 over … [Read more...] about Election 2008: Scoreboard
Election 2008: Missouri
Missouri is considered a key to Presidential elections not only because of it being an important swing state but because it has voted with the winner in 25 of the last 26 Presidential elections (the only miss was in 1956). President: Polls have been very close and the state could easily go to either candidate. The Democrats hope to start with a big vote in the urban areas … [Read more...] about Election 2008: Missouri
On Obama & Cleland. And Georgia voting machine fraud
Political Wire is pointing to Robert Novak today: GOP strategists "are privately conceding that the GOP could lose Georgia's 15 presidential electors for the first time since 1992 because of Bob Barr's ballot position as the Libertarian Party presidential candidate." "Third-party presidential candidates almost always run more poorly in the actual election than their showing … [Read more...] about On Obama & Cleland. And Georgia voting machine fraud
Election 2008: Mississippi
Mississippi is one of those states that tends to vote Republican at the federal level but leans to the Democrats in many local contests. President: Some on the Obama campaign have made noises about combining a strong black turnout with reduced GOP enthusiasm to carry the state for the first time in 32 years. But recent polls have not been encouraging and it looks like … [Read more...] about Election 2008: Mississippi
Election 2008: Minnesota
Like Michigan, Minnesota will be a key battleground in November. Although it has not voted Republican since 1972, the recent contests have been quite close. President: Recent polls have shown Obama with a lead but Bush came very close to winning the state in both 2000 and 2004. Leans Democratic Senate: Incumbent Norm Coleman (R) is seeking a second term. For a time it … [Read more...] about Election 2008: Minnesota
Election 2008: Michigan
Over the years Michigan has seemed to be a Democratic stronghold, voting with the party in the last 4 Presidential races. But most of the races have been close and this will be a key battleground in November. President: Michigan may be one of the few states where there are competing downdrafts. As in much of the country, the Republican brand is not popular here but neither … [Read more...] about Election 2008: Michigan
Election 2008: Massachusetts
A Republican in Massachusetts is sort of like a unmarried Mormon, they exist but there aren't very many of them. President: Since 1960, only one Republican has carried the state and that was Ronald Reagan. Otherwise, the state has voted solidly Democratic and the trend is toward being even more liberal. Safe Democratic Senate: John Kerry may not have made it to the … [Read more...] about Election 2008: Massachusetts
Hard to be the Basset Hound
If you're an old (14 years) hound who naps 18 hours a day and not prone to moving around a lot, cruel people will occasionally dress you up and take pictures of you. Oh... the indignity. … [Read more...] about Hard to be the Basset Hound
Quote Of The Day: On Maliki’s Being “Misquoted” About Supporting Obama Iraq Pullout Timetable
The Quote of the Day from The Politico's Ben Smith: It's almost a convention of politics that when a politician says he was misquoted, but doesn't detail the misquote or offer an alternative, he's really saying he wishes he hadn't said what he did, or that he needs to issue a pro-forma denial to please someone. The Iraqi Prime Minister's vague denial seems to fall in … [Read more...] about Quote Of The Day: On Maliki’s Being “Misquoted” About Supporting Obama Iraq Pullout Timetable
Obama’s Afghanistan Visit Already Reaping Political Dividends
Although his overseas trip in many ways resembles a political minefield, you can already see how Democratic presumptive Presidential nominee Barack Obama's overseas trip can earn him political dividends in a news cycle containing stories about him sounding the alarm on the increasingly difficult situation in Afghanistan. Look at this AP story: Democratic presidential … [Read more...] about Obama’s Afghanistan Visit Already Reaping Political Dividends
From the Financial Times Deutschland: Michelle Obama: A ‘Revolutionary’ That’ll Be Good for America
As revolutionary as the change that a President Barack Obama would bring, Thomas Klau of Germany's Financial Times Deutschland thinks that his wife Michelle as first lady would herald an even greater revolution - but not the type that involves a Kalashnikov slung over her shoulder. Klau writes that throughout American history, "As in a monarchy, the wife of America's head of … [Read more...] about From the Financial Times Deutschland: Michelle Obama: A ‘Revolutionary’ That’ll Be Good for America
Your reminder concerning death from above
The conference on Global Catastrophic Risks is meeting in the U.K. this week, and Reason Magazine provides a rundown of the major threats we face from outside the planet, and more to the point, what industrialized nations like ours are doing about it. In 1998, Congress charged NASA with surveying the skies to detect 90 percent of near earth asteroids (NEAs) greater than 1 … [Read more...] about Your reminder concerning death from above
Our Sorry Economy — Interview with Allan Meltzer (Guest Voice)
In this Guest Voice post, columnist Bill Steigerwald interviews Carnegie Mellon University economics professor and veteran economics consultant Allan Meltzer on the economy. Our Sorry Economy -- Interview with Allan Meltzer by Bill Steigerwald Carnegie Mellon University economics professor Allan Meltzer has served as a consultant on economic policy for Congress, the … [Read more...] about Our Sorry Economy — Interview with Allan Meltzer (Guest Voice)
Media/Blogs & Iraq: In A Make-Believe World?
This question was raised by a reader in India who takes an avid interest in the American blogs/media. She marvels at the manner the media/blog pundits cling on to the statements issued by Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. Who is this chap? Do the pundits need to be reminded that Mr Maliki is the creation of the present Bush administration? The reader then reminds that Mr … [Read more...] about Media/Blogs & Iraq: In A Make-Believe World?
Maliki’s Comments: Exceeding the Spin Limit
Following the remarkable comments regarding America's future in Iraq by Prime Minister Maliki, I found myself (along with many others) wondering how long it would be before somebody reminded Maliki that he had wandered a bit too far off leash (which didn't take long) and how the McCain team would try to spin this body blow to their campaign. (Again, we weren't kept waiting.) No … [Read more...] about Maliki’s Comments: Exceeding the Spin Limit