Many Democrats have had reason to comment lately on the conventional wisdom that Democrats must always tack to the center to win an election in this country. Count me among those who want to see more challenges to that conventional wisdom (which to me just means 'last year's assumptions'). While I understand the reasons why candidates do it, the fact is that eight years … [Read more...] about When The Center Cannot Hold: A Moderate Democrat’s Thoughts on Obama’s Current Strategy
The Campaign Fundraising Industry
The Boston Globe has this revealing profile of how a Firm gets big cut of campaign donations. Apparently the candidates realize only a modest percentage of the money raised in their name. So along with special interests trying to game our system of public policy we have the political operatives who make their money off of the current private campaign financing fiasco. I … [Read more...] about The Campaign Fundraising Industry
Talking Veepstakes (Guest Voice)
In this Guest Voice "Raging Moderate" political comedian Will Durst takes a look at the Vice Presidential sweepstakes in the Democratic and Republican parties. Talking Veepstakes by Will Durst This seems like a good time to talk about the race for the vice presidency. Not because of the overwhelming excitement involved in what is essentially a backstage safari. And … [Read more...] about Talking Veepstakes (Guest Voice)
Presidential fundraising from small donors enhances perceptions of candidate
So says a report covered here by the Center for Media Research. A new BYU/Harris Poll of 2,602 U.S. adults surveyed in May by Harris Interactive shows that small individual contributions which may limit the "corrupting" influence of large contributions, especially from PACs and lobbyists, could have a lasting impact with the voters. This latest study looks at candidates who … [Read more...] about Presidential fundraising from small donors enhances perceptions of candidate
Clark, Day, and a ‘Licence to Loathe’
Some of you chided me (in a friendly sort of "get-a-grip" way) for my last post. Therein, I confessed my revulsion at the "discovery" that our newest presidential aspirants are nothing more than the same old politicians, after all. To those who scolded, I can only say "point taken, lesson learned" -- which is precisely why I yawned at the maelstroms surrounding the … [Read more...] about Clark, Day, and a ‘Licence to Loathe’
I support the rights of states to choose, unless that doesn’t work out
I do not agree with all of the cases where opponents of Barack Obama have characterized him as "flip flopping" on various issues, and throwing various people or subjects "under the bus." (And no, I do not subcribe to "This Week in Bus and Driver") However, it certainly does appear that the Illinois Senator has once again taken up the issue of gay marriage and done a double back … [Read more...] about I support the rights of states to choose, unless that doesn’t work out
Disassociate
Eric Allie, Caglecartoons.com … [Read more...] about Disassociate
Memo To MoveOn: Tone It Down Or Move On
I don't suffer fools gladly, so I kept MoveOn at arm's length in 2004 and 2006, but after the General Betrayus ad controversy last year finally concluded that these trash talking and tone deaf so-called progressives are bound to do more harm than good as Barack Obama leads the charge to end the Republican hegemony in Washington. And so it was gratifying when the presumptive … [Read more...] about Memo To MoveOn: Tone It Down Or Move On
Tom Schaller says: The South Will Fall Again
Tom Schaller's by the numbers analysis always wreaks of often elicits southern bashing to me. (Who wrote that headline?) He repeats it again today on the OpEd page of the NYTimes: Two pervasive and persistent myths about racial voting in the modern South are behind the notion that Mr. Obama might win in places like Georgia, North Carolina and Mississippi. The first myth is … [Read more...] about Tom Schaller says: The South Will Fall Again
Another Day, Another Story. Foreign Policy in the Lead.
Roughly a week ago, much hay was being made of Barack Obama's lack of a "bounce" following Hillary's exit stage left. While many polls at the time still showed Obama with some sort of lead, the closely watched Gallup Daily tracking poll showed him in what was effectively a statistical dead heat with John McCain. I somehow doubt we'll see the same sources pointing to that poll … [Read more...] about Another Day, Another Story. Foreign Policy in the Lead.
Le Monde Editorial: Obama the Realist
Put this editorial in the category of political wisdom from the French. In abandoning or modifying some of his most cherished political positions, has Obama lost his soul or discovered his vocation? According to the editorial board of Le Monde: "Will the one who wants to be the bringer of 'change we can believe in' keep his promise if elected on November 4? To win this … [Read more...] about Le Monde Editorial: Obama the Realist
Iraqis Who Oppose U.S. Security Deal Are Not Patriots
What's behind the resistance of Iraqis to the U.S. Iraq Security deal - is it a matter of patriotism or sectarianism? Criticizing Iraqi leaders for fanning public suspicion by not releasing the details of the security deal with the U.S. to the public, Malum Abu Ragheef writes for Iraq's Sotal Iraq newspaper: "If for political and tactical reasons, the American … [Read more...] about Iraqis Who Oppose U.S. Security Deal Are Not Patriots
Gutter Politics 2008: Email Tries To Image-Link Obama To Hitler
Of course, if a candidate is a good orator you MUST image-link him to Hitler (if you can't debate a candidate on issues, just raise that wild, loudmouthed guy with the mustache who murdered so many of my Russian and Polish relatives). And that's part of the content of the latest email sent out to smear Democratic presumptive nominee Sen. Barack Obama. Read the details … [Read more...] about Gutter Politics 2008: Email Tries To Image-Link Obama To Hitler
Tunguska Anniversary
Today marks the 100th anniversay of one of the enduring mysteries of the modern era. On June 30, 1908 an object of some sort exploded above some distance above near the Tunguska River in Siberia. The exact nature of the object remains a mystery but the effects were mind boggling. For an area of close to 1,000 square miles everything was flattened. Upwards of 80,000,000 trees … [Read more...] about Tunguska Anniversary
Update — The New G.I. Bill
President Bush today signed the $162 billion war funding legislation that includes the $63 billion New G.I. Bill. According to ABC News, "The GI Bill measure, authored by Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., had such extraordinary support from both Democrats and Republicans that White House objections were easily overridden." The New G.I. Bill, which will be officially known as the … [Read more...] about Update — The New G.I. Bill
The New G.I. Bill — From Someone “on the Ground”
I have written several articles in support of the New G.I. Bill, which--after much unnecessary, partisan wrangling--has finally passed Congress and is now on its way to the President, hopefully for his signature. Having been retired from the U.S military for a long 30 years, there is the possibility that my views may be somewhat dated, or politically slanted. It was thus … [Read more...] about The New G.I. Bill — From Someone “on the Ground”
The Murky Evidence For and Against the Death Penalty as Deterrence
The Supreme Court looked at death penalty as deterrent arguments before ruling to reaffirm its constitutionality in Baze v. Rees this term. The opinion [pdf] cited research by both Cass R. Sunstein (arguing that the data points to deterrence) and Justin Wolfers (no deterrence). Justin Wolfers: As two of the supposed flag bearers for the competing views cited by the court, … [Read more...] about The Murky Evidence For and Against the Death Penalty as Deterrence
SCOTUS, McCain-style
From yesterday's WaPo: A Win by McCain Could Push a Split Court to Right Huh, you think? ********** It's obvious, yes, but it needs to be said. Many people still seem to regard McCain as some sort of moderate, a maverick moderate who isn't like most Republicans. While he's broken with his party in the past, though, he isn't nearly the maverick or moderate his media … [Read more...] about SCOTUS, McCain-style
Obama Hating the Wimminfolk!
CNS News jumped out today with a provocative article titled, Obama's for Equal Pay, Yet Pays Female Staffers Less Than Males. In it we find a horrible tale of woe, where Obama (who "has vowed to make pay equity for women a top priority if elected president") has a lower percentage of female employees on his staff and they ear less, on average, than their male co-workers. On … [Read more...] about Obama Hating the Wimminfolk!
Georgia Supreme Court considers proportionality in sex offender case
The AJC: The judge had only one option when he sentenced Cedric Bradshaw: life in prison. Bradshaw had not committed murder, rape or armed robbery. His offense was failing to properly register as a convicted sex offender for a second time — even though he had repeatedly tried to follow the law.... On Monday, the state's highest court will consider whether the law is … [Read more...] about Georgia Supreme Court considers proportionality in sex offender case