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
From Germany’s Frankfurter Rundschau: Obama at the Victory Column – After All, Isn’t That What He’s After? …
The debate in Germany goes on! Is Berlin's Victory Tower a fitting place for Barack Obama's long-awaited speech on transatlantic relations? Writing for Germany's Frankfurter Rundschau, Eckart D. Stratenschulte suggests that since the Brandenburg Gate has been counted out, the Victory Tower may be even better: "With the Victory Column, another good place has been found for … [Read more...] about From Germany’s Frankfurter Rundschau: Obama at the Victory Column – After All, Isn’t That What He’s After? …
Obama Love
Eric Allie, Caglecartoons.com … [Read more...] about Obama Love
These Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days
Last night I penned a column on whether or not Duncan Hunter wants to shoot wildebeests. Earlier I posted a picture of my basset hound. This morning I began my morning ritual of screening the headlines of Google Political News and the hot topics on Memeorandum, while flipping back and forth between Morning Joe, CNN Headline News and Fox News, and found myself totally uninspired … [Read more...] about These Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days
Obama’s German Rally Poster In The Eye Of Beholder
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but what about a political poster? Its charm, brilliance --or its insidiousness and crassness --- depends on the political eye of the beholder. Today, the international media's eyes will be on Democratic presumptive nominee Sen. Barack Obama who will speak in Berlin to what is expected to be a huge crowd. His speech has been … [Read more...] about Obama’s German Rally Poster In The Eye Of Beholder
(Updated) John Edwards, Larry Craig & Sex: The News Media’s Double Standard
It is a story with three of America's favorite subjects -- celebrity, sex and hypocrisy -- but you'll have to look awfully hard to find it. When Senator Larry Craig was arrested for allegedly playing footsie with an undercover cop in a Minneapolis-St. Paul airport men's room stall, the mainstream media was all over it like a bad suit. After Roll Call broke the story last … [Read more...] about (Updated) John Edwards, Larry Craig & Sex: The News Media’s Double Standard
China ‘Prepares’ For The Olympics
The Olympics are only a few weeks away and the friendly leaders of the 'Peoples Republic' of China are getting ready for things in their usual friendly and loving manner. They have anticipated the fact that there will be people from countries who are used to having human rights, so they are setting up 'protest pens'. You will still have to apply to the government for … [Read more...] about China ‘Prepares’ For The Olympics
Obama In Israel: A Tough Sell As He Moves To Shore Up U.S. Jewish Support
Despite his official reception, it's a tough sell. Watch the CBS Report below. The Israeli commentator who pointedly insisted on using Obama's middle name sounds like he's been listening to too many webcasts of conservative talkers Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity... Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Times reports that Obama is working to shore up his support among Jewish voters in … [Read more...] about Obama In Israel: A Tough Sell As He Moves To Shore Up U.S. Jewish Support