BBC: US Suffers Heavy Afghan Losses Nine US soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan in clashes with Taleban militants. US commander Daniel Dwyer told the BBC the soldiers had been killed in clashes in the north-east of the country. The BBC's Martin Patience in Kabul says it is one of the biggest single losses in a day for the coalition since the start of military … [Read more...] about Major Attack on US Soldiers in Afghanistan
After the G-8: It’s Every ‘Man’ for Himself
[Cartoon Caption: 'Nicolas Sarkozy says to store attendant in Japan, 'It's too small!! - let's try a size G-13!!'] So what message have developing countries received now that the 2008 G-8 Summit of the largest economies has ended? Rolf Kuntz writing for Brazil's Estadao newspaper sums up the proceedings this way: "Out of everything that was said during the summit, … [Read more...] about After the G-8: It’s Every ‘Man’ for Himself
Debating Kennedy’s Life-and-Death Decision
His dramatic return this week to cast the deciding vote for a crucial Medicare bill brought tears and cheers in the US Senate, even as some medical ethicists question Ted Kennedy's decision to undergo life-prolonging (and expensive) surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. On the New York Times Freakonomics blog, an internist involved in public health issues suggests Sen. … [Read more...] about Debating Kennedy’s Life-and-Death Decision
Georgia: a very, very Christian state
Georgia's 10th Congressional District is among the most conservative in the state. Just a year after being elected to fill the unexpired term of the late Rep. Charlie Norwood, freshman Paul Broun faces a challenge Tuesday from State Rep. Barry Fleming. The winner will take the House seat in November. Have they no shame? U.S. Rep. Paul Broun (R-Athens) is questioning the … [Read more...] about Georgia: a very, very Christian state
McCain Says His GOP Role Model Is Teddy Roosevelt
Republican presumptive Presidential nominee Sen. John McCain's interview with the New York Times is sparking much online discussion -- and derision -- for his comments about not being a computer user or big computer fan. But it skirts the interview's key point: in this interview McCain answered the question about what kind of Republican he wants to be -- and it is NOT in the … [Read more...] about McCain Says His GOP Role Model Is Teddy Roosevelt
Carly Fiorina on MTP
I'm sitting here watching Ms. Fiorina on Meet the Press, responding to a question about Phil Gramm's "inartful" statements on the recession this week. This has to be one of the all time great moments in American political television. (Transcribing as it goes, so this may not be word for word accurate.) "I don't think Americans are paying attention to what's being said by … [Read more...] about Carly Fiorina on MTP
What’s Hot in Florida?
According to a rather amusing analysis from the Sun Sentinel the hot seller in Florida right now is the Democratic Party, who are "outselling" the Republicans in terms of new voter registrations by more than a two to one margin. An escalating number of voters registering as Democrats is providing evidence that the 2008 election could produce a wave of support for Barack … [Read more...] about What’s Hot in Florida?
Make Big Donation To Bush Library And Get Administration Access
Hey, you! Make a six-figure or so donation to the Bush Library and you can get access to key administration figures! Dick Cheney and Condoleezza Rice could meet with you but George Bush barely sees anybody.... That's what the Sunday Times says Stephen Payne, a Bush pioneer and a political appointee to the Homeland Security Advisory Council more or less told an undercover … [Read more...] about Make Big Donation To Bush Library And Get Administration Access
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: SENATE SENSIBILITIES – The Update
I missed several Sabato’s Crystal Ball emails due to accidental unsubscribing. Here is one of many make-up posts. 06/19/2008 Larry J. Sabato on SENATE SENSIBILITIES - The Update: The '08 battles for the U.S. Senate Lots of exciting changes have occurred in the nation's Senate races since we last reviewed them in December 2007. Yet overall, the outlook hasn't … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: SENATE SENSIBILITIES – The Update
Book Review: ‘Amerigo,’ The Story Of Undeserved Acclaim For A True Scoundrel
NO ONE KNOWS WHAT VESPUCCI LOOKED LIKE Has there ever been a more unlikely story of how a major piece of real estate got its name, and undeservedly so, than that of America and Amerigo Vespucci? Absolutely not. America is so named because in 1507 Martin Waldseemüller, a German cartographer who made a cut-out map for do-it-yourself globemakers, fell for a forgery called … [Read more...] about Book Review: ‘Amerigo,’ The Story Of Undeserved Acclaim For A True Scoundrel
Election 2008: Scoreboard
We have now gone through 20 of the 50 states and the tally stands as follows President: Senator Obama leads Senator McCain 123-108, which is up 16 from the 2004 contest. Senate: The Democrats are up 1 seat which would give them 51 seats (with Senator Sanders of Vermont) to 48 seats for the GOP and then Senator Lieberman who could go either way. House: So far the … [Read more...] about Election 2008: Scoreboard
Election 2008: Maryland
Maryland has long been a solid state for the Democrats though it does from time to time support the GOP. But not very often. President: If Obama has any trouble winning Maryland then he is on his way to a massive defeat. I don't expect this to happen. Safe Democrat House: Democrats will retain the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th and 8th. Republicans should hold their seats in … [Read more...] about Election 2008: Maryland
Election 2008: Maine
When FDR ran for re-election in 1936 the only two states to oppose him were Maine and Vermont. Both states have changed considerably since then, moving far to the left from 1936. President: Senator McCain has been popular in New England while Senator Obama has not. But since the 1960's, Maine has a long history of supporting Democrats for President. McCain could make … [Read more...] about Election 2008: Maine
Election 2008: Louisiana
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