This Sunday’s LA Times carried an interesting column, “McCain may have conflict brewing.” As the title hints to, the article deals with the possible conflicts of interest that the business dealings of some of the McCain family members--such as Cindy and Andrew McCain--may create for John McCain, should he be elected President. While most of us know what those business … [Read more...] about A Brewing Conflict
Blue, Blue Oregon
Over at Newshoggers, my old colleague Ron Beasley shows up with one of the more arcane bits of political news in a season already ripe with weirdness. It appears that Republican Senator Gordon Smith is running television ads for he reelection bid showing how much he is in line with... Barack Obama? In the ad, Smith, running hard away from Bush, associates himself at length … [Read more...] about Blue, Blue Oregon
Corn On The Cobama
RJ Matson, The St. Louis Post Dispatch … [Read more...] about Corn On The Cobama
Sunstein’s Nudge, “Choice Architecture”, and Obama
The Times of London looked at Nudge by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein last weekend in a piece titled politicians are devouring the work of academics who explain why the carrot beats the stick. The research shows that while people claim social norms are the weakest of influences on them, the evidence indicates they are among the strongest. It's good to see the pols picking … [Read more...] about Sunstein’s Nudge, “Choice Architecture”, and Obama
Vertebrate Democratic Senators Gear Up to Oppose Telecom Amnesty
As a follow-up to some deeply cynical speculation about the 94 Dems who 180'd on FISA, I'd like to add that some Democrats in Congress can apparently still find their spines. That's cheering, right? Senator Harry Reid is supportive of efforts to strip the retro-active immunity from the new FISA bill. This won't keep it from shredding the fourth amendment, but … [Read more...] about Vertebrate Democratic Senators Gear Up to Oppose Telecom Amnesty
But Why Did 94 House Democrats Change Their Votes on FISA?
In March, the House passed an amendment that rejected retroactive immunity for telecoms that assisted the NSA in illegal wiretapping. Most of us have wondered what happened to change the minds of 94 Democrats. What happened between June 20 and March 14 to change 94 Democratic hearts and minds? The answer might well be simple: money. Could it be that … [Read more...] about But Why Did 94 House Democrats Change Their Votes on FISA?
Barack Obama: From Messiah to Pariah?
There is something comical but ultimately rather sad about the widespread dropping of jaws over Barack Obama's support of the expansion of government surveillance powers and other recent actions that reveal him to be someone whom he has been all along -- a hard assed and thoroughly pragmatic politician who does not walk on water but has been astute at harnessing this image to … [Read more...] about Barack Obama: From Messiah to Pariah?
Egypt, Israel And Academia (Guest Voice)
The following Guest Voice post is by Charlie Gandelman, a student who studied in Egypt and is an Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies Major at Brandeis. Editor's Note: I never met Charlie but he found me and TMV on the Internet. When I saw his writing, I invited him to do a Guest Voice post. This is his first and is cross posted on his blog. Guest Voice posts do not necessarily … [Read more...] about Egypt, Israel And Academia (Guest Voice)
Take A Peek
....at Countdown To Crawford, a new blog by the Los Angeles Times that is detailing the last days of the Bush administration. Yes, it's from the L.A. Times, the same newspaper that has the highly lively and addicting Top of the Ticket weblog. The Times is one of several newspapers that is launching itself quite comfortably in terms of content and style into the … [Read more...] about Take A Peek
China Pushes for Olympics Summit Between Bush and Kim Jong-il
It emerged in the East Asian press on Sunday that China is seeking to arrange a meeting between George W. Bush and North Korean despot Kim Jong-il, which would take place during the Opening Ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. According to this news account from the South Korean newspaper the Daily North Korea, several Japanese publications published the details over the … [Read more...] about China Pushes for Olympics Summit Between Bush and Kim Jong-il
A Little Morning Music
Admittedly it is a bit early for the 4th of July but I thought I'd post this as a little morning pick us up. Enjoy everyone … [Read more...] about A Little Morning Music
The Close of the Conservative Era (for now)
John McCain can't get a break. In 2000, he ran up against the Bush machine that slimed him and ran his campaign off the rails. Eight years later, he is now makes it to the top spot as the GOP nominee and has to run against someone that seems to be more popular than Jesus. While I support John McCain, there is a sense that this is a losing battle. He is a good man stuck … [Read more...] about The Close of the Conservative Era (for now)
Polls: Obama 12 Points Or 3 Points Ahead Of McCain?
Two new polls again show how polls can come up with truly contradictory findings. A new Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg shows Democratic presumptive presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama 12 points ahead of GOP presumptive presidential nominee Sen. John McCain. And a Gallup Daily Tracking poll finds Obama 3 points ahead. The partisans of each candidate will point to the one that … [Read more...] about Polls: Obama 12 Points Or 3 Points Ahead Of McCain?
Disney’s involuntary contribution to the peaceful evolution in China
On The Media did its program from China last week. A story on pitching brand China to the world took a fascinating tour of that nation's emerging business, fashion and cultural media. Almost in passing, there came this important truth: BROOKE GLADSTONE: Publisher and blogger Hong Huang says that the deepest generational divide separates those born before 1980 and those born … [Read more...] about Disney’s involuntary contribution to the peaceful evolution in China
Bill Clinton Endorses Obama Amid Announcement He’ll Play “Big” Campaign Role
What a difference a few (political) days makes. Several days ago Reuters reported that former President Bill Clinton smilingly -- and pointedly -- didn't answer when pressed by reporters whether he'd endorse Democratic presumptive Presidential nominee Barack Obama. But things happen and change in politics. Perhaps the Reuters report raised some eyebrows (and perhaps some … [Read more...] about Bill Clinton Endorses Obama Amid Announcement He’ll Play “Big” Campaign Role
Bittersweet Iraq Success Story
The good news is that roadside bomb fatalities last month were down by almost 90 percent from the last year, largely as a result of almost 7,000 heavily armored Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles being rushed to Iraq since then. The sad news is that four months ago members of Congress were seeking whistle-blower protection for a Pentagon analyst who claimed that … [Read more...] about Bittersweet Iraq Success Story
How America Generates its Political Superstars …
As has been repeatedly demonstrated over the past year, the world is riveted by the way Americans are choosing their president. This op-ed from France's Liberation examines the primary process and how it results in the selection of America's 'highly-trained' political athletes. Anne-Lorraine Bujon writes for Liberation: "The 2008 Democratic primary race illustrated … [Read more...] about How America Generates its Political Superstars …
GOP Wipeout ?? Not So Fast….
Political pro Stuart Rothenberg has a very interesting post up today where he calls into question the idea that things are going to be a disaster for the GOP in November. He does not give entirely encouraging news to Republicans, pointing out that the Democrats are certain to gain seats this November. But he points out that things have seemed to improve somewhat for the GOP … [Read more...] about GOP Wipeout ?? Not So Fast….
Palestinians Must Campaign to ‘Alter Obama’s Position’ …
Let the Arab-Israeli battle for Barack Obama's heart and mind begin ... For Yemen's Al-Wahdawi newspaper, Ziyad Abu Shaawish writes of the crushing disappointment felt by Palestinians when Obama appeared before the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee calling for a united Jerusalem under Israeli control. … [Read more...] about Palestinians Must Campaign to ‘Alter Obama’s Position’ …
Obama Flip Flop
Mike Lester, The Rome News-Tribune … [Read more...] about Obama Flip Flop