Is a dramatic political night about to get more dramatic? Gary Indiana's mayor is suggesting that when the votes from his county are tallied, Senator Barack Obama could win the Indiana primary: As the fate of a nailbiter Indiana primary -- and possibly the course of the Democratic race -- hung on his city, Gary Mayor Rudy Clay said just now that it might take a while yet … [Read more...] about Gary Indiana Mayor: Possible Upset Coming In Indiana Vote Tally?
Good night Irene Hillary? (UPDATED)
In today's last-big primaries left (187 pledged delegates up for grabs of the 404 remaining) day, Sen. Barack Obama scored a decisive victory (around 15 points or more) in North Carolina and Sen. Hillary Clinton holds around a 4 point lead in Indiana with around 85% of precincts in, as of 23:00 "fast time" (EDT). Insofar as North Carolina is significantly bigger than Indiana, … [Read more...] about Good night Irene Hillary? (UPDATED)
Indiana Primary Vote: Did “The Rush Limbaugh Effect” Carry It For Clinton? (UPDATED)
Why is the man above smiling? Because, apparently, he has a RIGHT to. If all goes according to projections and Senator Hillary Clinton somewhat narrowly wins the Indiana Democratic primary (CBS has projected she will narrowly win it), he has a right to smile. Because if early indications are correct, conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh may have provided a textbook case … [Read more...] about Indiana Primary Vote: Did “The Rush Limbaugh Effect” Carry It For Clinton? (UPDATED)
Hillary needed the Black vote
Obama's speaking. He won NC. Indiana's too close to call. No upsets. Best case scenario for her, status quo ante. With that, Hillary remains mathematically challenged. Doomed even. He wins. So why have we been talking about white working-class males? Schaller suggests Hillary botched the black vote: Though a majority of black voters may inevitably have gone for Obama, … [Read more...] about Hillary needed the Black vote
Barack, It’s About What’s Best For America
I am listening on NPR to Sen. Obama's victory speech in North Carolina - he really thinks that our Democratic Party will unify behind him! Such denial of reality should automatically disqualify him from serious consideration for the Presidency. It's About What's Best For America - NOT What's Best For Barack Obama. Change? We? Can? Believe? In? - Every Word is … [Read more...] about Barack, It’s About What’s Best For America
CBS News: Clinton Wins Indiana
CBS News has projected that Senator Hillary Clinton will win the Indiana Democratic Presidential primary -- a result that means the evening of the North Carolina and Indiana primaries ended in a split decision for what increasingly appears to be a split political party: Clinton pulled off an Indiana win in what was a virtual must-win Midwestern state. With 50 percent of … [Read more...] about CBS News: Clinton Wins Indiana
ABC News: Obama Wins North Carolina But Indiana Too Close To Call
ABC News says that based on exit polling it is calling the North Carolina primary for Senator Barack Obama -- amid increasing signs that the Democratic party may be gravely split so many Democrats will stay home in November whether Obama gets the Presidential nomination or his rival, Senator Hillary Clinton. Indiana, ABC News reports, is too close to call. But the … [Read more...] about ABC News: Obama Wins North Carolina But Indiana Too Close To Call
FBI raids Special Counsel office
Steve Benen quoting the Wall Street Journal: Federal Bureau of Investigation agents raided the Office of Special Counsel here, seizing computers and documents belonging to the agency chief Scott Bloch and staff. More than a dozen FBI agents served grand jury subpoenas shortly after 10 a.m., shutting down the agency’s computer network and searching its offices, as well as … [Read more...] about FBI raids Special Counsel office
The WSJ on Campaign Finance Reform
I try to pace out my comments about Campaign Finance Reform to avoid burning out the few of you folks who care. But when the Wall Street Journal, the newspaper to the people who run the world, writes an editorial on the subject I can't let that just go by without a comment from a Moderate Voice. In The Reformers Who Ruined Politics the Journal vents that regulation is … [Read more...] about The WSJ on Campaign Finance Reform
Sarkozy’s First Year in Power: Has He Improved Franco-American Relations?
When Nicolas Sarkozy was elected president one year ago today, the US media was full of praise for him and expected a big improvement in transatlantic relations. Sarkozy's pro-American rhetoric was very much appreciated, because it was a big contrast to Gerhard Schroeder's US critical election campaigns. With Schroeder replaced by Angela Merkel and Chirac now replaced by … [Read more...] about Sarkozy’s First Year in Power: Has He Improved Franco-American Relations?
Burma: An Update
With an estimated 40,000 lives lost in the cyclone three days ago, the Burmese dictatorship has said they will today allow humanitarian aid to come into Burma, along with aid workers. There may be tremendous good come from this horrible disaster -- that the Burmese receive sypathetic and kind touches from others for once. -- that stories come out of Burma via the aid … [Read more...] about Burma: An Update
Hillary, the Gas Tax, and the “Elitism” of the Bush Presidency
In case you missed it, here's what Hillary had to say about her idiotic gas-tax holiday proposal on ABC's This Week: STEPHANOPOULOS: Economists say that's not going to happen. They say this is going to go straight into the profits of the oil companies. They're not going to actually lower their prices. And the two top leaders in the House are against it. Nearly every … [Read more...] about Hillary, the Gas Tax, and the “Elitism” of the Bush Presidency
Indianapolis Star Blogs Today’s Primary
Indianapolis Star ELECTION2008: A Couple of Snippets... If you haven't voted yet, Marion County Clerk Beth White offered this advice just before noon: Go now. "I'd recommend they get there right now, bring their ID and prepare to be patient," White said during a news conference in the clerk's office. Polls close at 6 p.m., and White said turnout already is looking less … [Read more...] about Indianapolis Star Blogs Today’s Primary
Michelle Obama Under Siege
All the flak over the Jeremiah Wright controversy notwithstanding, Obama seems to have pretty Teflon skin. Conservatives are banking that the same is not true of his wife. Also, I have Obama's new campaign anthem. Tell me I'm wrong. … [Read more...] about Michelle Obama Under Siege
Heavy Turnout in NC and Indiana
Political Wire: Charlotte Observer: "Long lines were reported this morning at some polling places across North Carolina in the state's first significant presidential primary election in two decades... Longtime N.C. political observers say that 1.5 million voters may participate in the historic Democratic primary." Indianapolis Star: "More voters have turned out in the … [Read more...] about Heavy Turnout in NC and Indiana
Two Presidents for the Price of One: Co-Presidents Michelle, Bill and Cindy
What do you have when you have two intelligent people who are married to one another and are suddenly in the White House and it's 2008 not 1778? I think you have some amalgamation of at least a president and a half, if not a dual presidency. Can one reasonably expect in this day and age for high profile spouses to suddenly become just gravy for the biscuits? Rather than … [Read more...] about Two Presidents for the Price of One: Co-Presidents Michelle, Bill and Cindy
Some Republicans Vote Democratic In Indiana As Limbaugh Urges Indiana GOP Listeners To Vote For Clinton
Conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh has urged his Republican listeners to vote for Senator Hillary Clinton in today's Indiana primary, pointing to what he said is a double standard when it comes to cross-over voters, the Boston Globe reports -- and another newspaper reports signs of "hardcore" Republicans voting Democratic. Indiana's primary is open to Republicans … [Read more...] about Some Republicans Vote Democratic In Indiana As Limbaugh Urges Indiana GOP Listeners To Vote For Clinton
Is North Korea ready for China-style economic reform?
Yes, argues blogger Matt Dupuis; it's high time that Pyongyang was pressured to adopt the Beijing model. … [Read more...] about Is North Korea ready for China-style economic reform?
The Last First Lady: Transition from Society Balls, to Just Balls
We've seen our last First Lady of a certain kind. Genteel, always attempting to be background instead of foreground or middle ground. Laura Bush will likely be the last of a long line of smart women who stayed behind the scenes for the most part, or else led lives 'out there', like Eleanor Roosevelt who most of the time seemed as though she wasn’t married to the President, but … [Read more...] about The Last First Lady: Transition from Society Balls, to Just Balls
Clinton Camp Expectations Game In North Carolina Democratic Primary? Suspected Leak To Drudge About 15 Point Loss
There's a new SCREAMING HEADLINE!!!! on the Drudge Report -- which many suspect to be the opening salvo in a day when the camps of Senator Hillary Clinton and Senator Barack Obama will try all day to "set expectations" on how the race will turn out...in other words, give out disinformation so when the votes are counted they can then declare it a huge victory even if it is … [Read more...] about Clinton Camp Expectations Game In North Carolina Democratic Primary? Suspected Leak To Drudge About 15 Point Loss