We come now to the home state of GOP nominee John McCain. Traditionally a conservative bastion it has seen a drift to the left over the past decade. President: In future years this is likely to become a battleground state. The rising Hispanic vote is boosting the Democratic base while the dominance of social conservatives has hurt the GOP with many libertarian minded … [Read more...] about Election 2008: Arizona
Election 2008: Alaska
Our next stop on the election roundup takes us to our 49th State, Alaska. President: Alaska has a long history of supporting Republican candidates. In the 50 years since it became a state it has only supported a Democrat once, and that was in the 1964 LBJ landslide. Some have speculated that Bob Barr could tap into the strong Libertarian base and hurt McCain but he still is … [Read more...] about Election 2008: Alaska
How Not to Deal with Iran
When I first saw this story on the news this morning I got that same old sinking feeling. Iran ready to strike at Israel’s nuclear heart Iran has moved ballistic missiles into launch positions, with Israel’s Dimona nuclear plant among the possible targets, defence sources said last week. The movement of Shahab-3B missiles, which have an estimated range of more than … [Read more...] about How Not to Deal with Iran
Craig & Vitter co-sponsor marriage protection amendment
Knowing that it hasn't got the slightest chance of passage, I completely ignored the introduction of a marriage protection amendment in the U.S. Senate this week. Now of course this is old news to all of you, but it only hit me just now that two of the principal sponsors are a far-right Republican who hired prostitutes and another far-right Republican who was arrested for … [Read more...] about Craig & Vitter co-sponsor marriage protection amendment
Election 2008: Alabama
This is the first post on the election campaign, as you might have guessed I am going in alphabetical order. With each state I will provide analysis of the Presidential, Senate, Governor and House races (as applicable). President: The race for President in Alabama is unlikely to provide much drama this year. Although some of Obama's more enthusiastic supporters talk about … [Read more...] about Election 2008: Alabama
Election 2008
Now that we are heading into the general election campaign I thought it would be useful to provide our readers with a rundown of the various races this November. Over the coming weeks I will post on each of the state and the prospects for November as well as providing a general summary of the projected outcomes. I will do my best to be as non partisan as possible but I am … [Read more...] about Election 2008
Mission Unaccomplished
"OK, we're in Baghdad, what next?" Before the invasion, an Army commander asked that question and never got an answer, according to a new 700-page study by the Army itself based on 200 interviews by military historians with active or recently retired officers on what went wrong in Iraq after the man in a flight jacket stood on the deck of an aircraft carrier to declare … [Read more...] about Mission Unaccomplished
Silent Witnesses provide a “human spiritual firewall” at Central PA LGBT Pride events
As lgbt pride marches step off in big cities across the country, it's important to note what takes place at some of the smaller ones.Central Pennsylvania was a focal point in the Democratic primary for its white working class voters. Those same voters are made uncomfortable by gays on the march.While this year marks the 38th pride march in San Francisco and New York, it will be … [Read more...] about Silent Witnesses provide a “human spiritual firewall” at Central PA LGBT Pride events
What’s Wrong with Alabama?
I was watching one of the Sunday morning news shows and caught a portion of an interview with Alabama Attorney General Troy King. He was talking about a potential voter fraud investigation in the western portion of his state, which seems to tie into this report from Alabama.com from this week. There were numerous allegations, including reports of absentee voter ballots being … [Read more...] about What’s Wrong with Alabama?
The Exchange
CNN reports that Israel has agreed to a prisoner swap with Hezbollah, which hopefully will bring home two Israeli solidiers abducted by the terrorist group when it sparked the 2006 war between Israel and Lebanon. Reports are sketchy, however, on whether the two solidiers are alive, and on the contours of the deal itself. CNN notes (accurately) that Hezbollah's top priority in … [Read more...] about The Exchange
Obama’s Obstacle With Clinton Supporters: Fingers In The Ears
Maureen Dowd's account of the Unity rally bringing Democratic presumptive nominee Sen. Barack Obama and former rival Sen. Hillary Clinton's camps (purportedly) closer together has this telling and symoblic excerpt about the reaction of one Clinton supporter: When it was Obama’s turn to speak, Carmella [Lewis] announced loudly, “I wish I had ear plugs.” Then, as Obama tried … [Read more...] about Obama’s Obstacle With Clinton Supporters: Fingers In The Ears
Quote Of The Day: Gun Control And Political Values
Dick Polman has a MUST READ post on the Supreme Court's decision on nixing Washington D.C.'s handgun ban. The first part deals with the McCain camp's reaction but the broad and specific points he makes at the end is our Quote of the Day: Have you noticed that, whenever Republicans don't like a judicial decree, they complain about how "unelected judges" are "legislating … [Read more...] about Quote Of The Day: Gun Control And Political Values
John McCain’s Gas Gaffe
Lately, when I read about the silly mistakes, mangled interviews and bumbling comments of our presidential candidates, I'm used to seeing Barack Obama stumbling over his tongue. This story, however, found John McCain coming down with a momentary but severe case of foot in mouth disease. When was the last time you pumped your own gas and how much did it cost? Oh, I don’t … [Read more...] about John McCain’s Gas Gaffe
McCain And Gas Prices: He Needs To Brush Up
This kind of thing can hurt a candidate: In a telephone interview with the Orange County Register earlier this week, John McCain acknowledged he was unaware of the price of gas. The OC Register’s Martin Wicksol reports: WICKSOL: When was the last time you pumped your own gas and how much did it cost? MCCAIN: Oh, I don’t remember. Now there’s Secret Service … [Read more...] about McCain And Gas Prices: He Needs To Brush Up
Mugabe Wins
Patrick Chappatte, NZZ am Sonntag … [Read more...] about Mugabe Wins
Your obligatory “McCains are tax deadbeats” column
So our Sunday morning political festival will apparently be opening up with a late breaking story from Newsweek. In it, we find a tawdry tale of tax scofflaws thumbing their nose at their civic responsibilities... sort of. Mrs. McCain, San Diego County Would Like a Word When you're poor, it can be hard to pay the bills. When you're rich, it's hard to keep track of all … [Read more...] about Your obligatory “McCains are tax deadbeats” column
Torture Detained By the American Supreme Court
While the reaction to last week's Supreme Court decision affirming the right of detainees held at Guantanamo to challenge their detention may well be described as a global sigh of relief, the fact that things were permitted to go so wrong in the Land of Liberty remains shocking to many. Marc Zarrouati writes for France's Rue 89 newspaper: "This is an opportunity for us to … [Read more...] about Torture Detained By the American Supreme Court
Led by Columbus, OH, Obama supporters change name to Hussein
From the New York Times: Jeff Strabone of Brooklyn now signs credit card receipts with his newly assumed middle name, while Dan O’Maley of Washington, D.C., jiggered his e-mail account so his name would appear as “D. Hussein O’Maley.” Alex Enderle made the switch online along with several other Obama volunteers from Columbus, Ohio, and now friends greet him that way in … [Read more...] about Led by Columbus, OH, Obama supporters change name to Hussein
Where Have All the Values Voters Gone?
It is funny how the mind can wander, especially on a slow, hot, lazy Saturday afternoon. Joe Windish’s column, “Gay plot for hijacking America uncovered!” certainly got my mind “awandering.” My mind started thinking of the infamous Senator Larry Craig, then of Conservatives, then of hypocrisy, and then of “family values and moral values”--perhaps not in that exact … [Read more...] about Where Have All the Values Voters Gone?
Why Bill — and Certain Hillary Supporters — Should Let Hillary Drive the Car
Don't get me wrong. In my opinion --- and as a Clinton supporter, I followed the exchanges extremely closely while they were happening--- Bill Clinton has every right to be angry about the way Hillary was treated by the Obama campaign. I don't think his anger is productive, mind you; and I think he is undermining Hillary's chances. But if Hillary values her … [Read more...] about Why Bill — and Certain Hillary Supporters — Should Let Hillary Drive the Car