Lousiana is another of the states that tends to vote a mixed bag, Democratic for many offices but often Republican for President. President: Obama would like to target the state but after Katrina the African American vote has been seriously reduced. With or without Governor Jindal on the ticket this should be a strong state for McCain. Safe Republican Senate: This is … [Read more...] about Election 2008: Louisiana
Election 2008: Kentucky
Kentucky is a unique state politically, voting Republican for the most part at the federal level but supporting Democrats for state offices. There is therefore a strong base for both parties in the Presidential race. President: This will be a prime target for both parties, the state supported Clinton twice and Bush twice. Obama will try to take advantage of the minority vote … [Read more...] about Election 2008: Kentucky
Election 2008: Kansas
Kansas is traditionally one of the most Republican states in the nation and I would expect that to remain the same, though there is a chance that could change. President: No Democrat as come even close to carrying Kansas in 40 years and unless Obama picks Governor Sebelius that is unlikely to change. Even with her on the ticket the GOP would have a slight edge. Safe … [Read more...] about Election 2008: Kansas
America Returns to the Heart of Berlin: ‘It is High Time’
After 70 years, the United States has re-opened its embassy in Berlin - and despite local complaints about the architecture - Germans are taking it - along with the impending arrival of Barack Obama - as a sign of renewal. As Jochim Stoltenberg puts it in this article from the Berliner Morganpost, its an opportunity to renew German-American relations and for the United States … [Read more...] about America Returns to the Heart of Berlin: ‘It is High Time’
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: CONGRESSIONAL COMBAT, CONTINUED
I missed several Sabato’s Crystal Ball emails due to accidental unsubscribing. Here is one of many make-up posts. 06/12/2008 Larry J. Sabato on CONGRESSIONAL COMBAT, CONTINUED: 2008 contests for the U.S. House - June update Last December, when we first sketched out the upcoming House elections, we suggested that Democrats were likely to have a good year. Nothing … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: CONGRESSIONAL COMBAT, CONTINUED
IndyMac & the Apocalypse of Banks (for the Banking-Impaired) (Updated)
(I see that Bridget Magnus has just posted a well-informed piece on the evolving crisis. You should most definitely read that first.) Federal regulators seized IndyMac bank, a major player in the housing boom, on Friday (WSJ). Banking regulators are bracing themselves for 'a slew' of such failures (WSJ), which means that ordinary borrowers had better brace themselves … [Read more...] about IndyMac & the Apocalypse of Banks (for the Banking-Impaired) (Updated)
Fannie, Freddie, and Indy
No, this is not Indiana Jones fan fiction. This morning I'd like to take a few minutes to talk about Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and IndyMac. Let's start with a little background. Fannie and Freddie are federally chartered entities that buy mortgages from the banks and mortgage companies that write them. The original mortgage holder gets (most of) their money right away … [Read more...] about Fannie, Freddie, and Indy
Toothpaste-Tube Terrorism
Squeeze them out of Iraq, and they squirt into Afghanistan and Pakistan tribal areas. What's clear is that the Bush-McCain mantra of "fight them there [Iraq] so we don't have to fight them here" has turned out to be an oversimplification of the war on terror the US will be fighting through the next Administration and beyond. This week, A US Marines commander reported his … [Read more...] about Toothpaste-Tube Terrorism
Contradictory Polls: Obama Falling, Obama Rising
Several polls within 24 hours paint a dramatic if contradictory portrait of the state of the race for the Presidency between the presumptive party nominees -- indicating that the novelty has worn off for Democratic Senator Barack Obama who at worst is falling faster than the stock market (well, perhaps not THAT fast) and at best making lukewarm headway in increasing his … [Read more...] about Contradictory Polls: Obama Falling, Obama Rising
10 Years
As Joe G. shared this morning, and as most of you probably know by now, Tony Snow has died. He was 53. I'm 43. When Tony was my age, if he'd known he had 10 years left, would he have done anything differently? If I could look in to the future and know the date of my death, would I do anything differently? Would I work less, spend more time with my family? Would I stop … [Read more...] about 10 Years
Former White House Press Secretary Tony Snow Dies (UPDATED)
Tony Snow, the slick, telegenic conservative writer and broadcaster who left Fox News to become White House press secretary and who was generally well-liked by the press, has lost his long -- and highly public -- battle with colon cancer: After a long, candid and public battle with colon cancer, former White House press secretary and radio talk-show host Tony Snow died early … [Read more...] about Former White House Press Secretary Tony Snow Dies (UPDATED)
The Big Obstacle To Obama Picking Hillary Clinton For Vice President
Even though some pundits insist that the chance of Senator Hillary Clinton being presumptive Democratic party nominee Senator Barack Obama's Vice Presidential nominee is about as great as oil selling for $100 a barrel next week, there are informed reports that she is still on the list and a possibility. But there is a big, main obstacle. Can you guess who HE is? … [Read more...] about The Big Obstacle To Obama Picking Hillary Clinton For Vice President
Bye Bye Jesse (Guest Voice)
This Guest Voice post is by talk show host Michael Reagan, who is also the son of the late President Ronald Reagan. In it, he writes about Jesse Jackson's political suicide by mouth. Guest Voice posts do not necessarily represent the opinions of TMV or its writers. Bye-Bye, Jesse by Michael Reagan It’s no wonder Rev. Jesse Jackson wants to neuter Barack Obama -- after … [Read more...] about Bye Bye Jesse (Guest Voice)
You May Already Be A Whiner
John Darkow, Columbia Daily Tribune … [Read more...] about You May Already Be A Whiner
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: PRIMARY CONCERNS
I missed several Sabato’s Crystal Ball emails due to accidental unsubscribing. Here is one of several make-up posts. 06/12/2008 Rhodes Cook's PRIMARY CONCERNS: McCain, Obama have some base building to do For the first time in 40 years, the Democrats and Republicans are each on the verge of nominating a candidate who failed to attract even half of their party's … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: PRIMARY CONCERNS
The G-8’s ‘Impotence’
It's fair to say that at the just-concluded G-8 Summit in Japan, the world's leading industrialized nations haven't covered themselves in glory. Pierre Rousselin writes for France's Le Figaro newspaper: "Confronted with skyrocketing oil prices, the rising cost of food, the financial crisis, chaos in the money markets and finally, global warming, the powerful have no … [Read more...] about The G-8’s ‘Impotence’
Time To Balance The Budget Process
Like many states around the country we in California are currently engaged in our annual budget battle. This process is always something of a mess and passage is invariably late by days, weeks or month. This year the process is being made more difficult by the fact that we have a $ 15 billion dollar deficit. While my discussion focuses on California the fact is that this … [Read more...] about Time To Balance The Budget Process
RIP: Byron R. Fouty & Alex R. Jimenez
BYRON R. FOUTY (TOP) AND ALEX R. JIMENEZ On May 12, 2007, the early morning calm at a small U.S. Army outpost in the village of Quarghouli hard by the Euphrates River southwest of Baghdad was shattered by rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire. A dozen or so insurgents, led by Al Qaeda regulars, overwhelmed the seven soldiers from the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry … [Read more...] about RIP: Byron R. Fouty & Alex R. Jimenez
Obamarama? Vroom!
Have we come to THIS? Sports Illustrated: Presidential candidate Obama to sponsor Cup car at Pocono race SI.com has learned that for the first time in history, a major presidential candidate may sponsor a race car in NASCAR's premier series. According to sources, Barack Obama's campaign is in talks to become the primary sponsor of BAM Racing's No. 49 Sprint Cup car for … [Read more...] about Obamarama? Vroom!
No Mezuzot Means No Observant Jews
The 7th Circuit has held that a condo association rule which prevents Jews from putting up Mezuzot does not violate the Fair Housing Act. The opinion and dissent are here, my thoughts on the case are here. The rule, of course, was defended on the grounds that it was "neutral" (it banned all objects on doors, not just Mezuzot). I just call that a data point for the … [Read more...] about No Mezuzot Means No Observant Jews