Past political campaigns have had their share of people associated with candidates who are placed on the defensive -- but seldom has one in any year had one as proactively insistent on keeping himself alive and injected into an excruciatingly close race as the political albatross now dangling around Democratic Senator Barack Obama named Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Aside from the … [Read more...] about Wright’s Wrong Timing For Obama Campaign (UPDATED)
Clinton, McCain, Obama and the Political Third Rail of Taxes
Regular gas was $3.55 a gallon here in southeastern Ohio yesterday. Many people I know are curbing their summer travel plans. They're even doing more planning when it comes to everyday errands, combining them so as not to waste gas. This, of course, as average fuel prices climb, is happening across the country and the three leading presidential candidates have noticed. … [Read more...] about Clinton, McCain, Obama and the Political Third Rail of Taxes
Blackwaters Run Deep: New Questions On America’s Favorite Security Contractor
The more things change the more they stay the same, and that's downright scary when it comes to Blackwater Worldwide. If you’re under the impression that this most right-wing of defense contractors has been laying low since its goons mowed down 17 Iraqis last September, you would be wrong. Despite the outcry, Condoleezza Rice's State Department dutifully renewed … [Read more...] about Blackwaters Run Deep: New Questions On America’s Favorite Security Contractor
Notes From San Diego
This is a new once-in-a-while feature of non-political items. SAN DIEGO TOURISM GETS BACK TO NORMAL OR WILL IT? Beaches are open today and many residents are breathing a sight of PARTIAL relief. When 66 year-old triathlete David Martin died Friday of blood loss after being bitten once by what is believed to have been a 15 foot long great white shark shark the idea that … [Read more...] about Notes From San Diego
On Confederate Memorial Day
It's worth noting that today -- the day on which the Reverend Jeremiah Wright soaked up so much of the media spotlight -- was the day that several southern states (including Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia) observed Confederate Memorial Day. Some of us wonder why. Matthew Yglesias: It seems that April is Confederate Heritage month. Why one would want to celebrate a … [Read more...] about On Confederate Memorial Day
Muqtada al-Sadr’s Free Ride is Over: It’s About Time
How do Iraqis feel about Muqtada al-Sadr's Mahdi Army, and the fact that for the past three years, it has been permitted to operate as a de-facto part of the Iraqi state - in the process driving away a good portion of Baghdad's non-Shiite population? Now that Baghdad seems serious about putting a stop to the Mahdi Army, Fateh Abdusalam asks in Iraq's Azzaman newspaper: "One … [Read more...] about Muqtada al-Sadr’s Free Ride is Over: It’s About Time
Obama Pastor Pesters
Nate Beeler, The Washington Examiner … [Read more...] about Obama Pastor Pesters
Noose reported found at Secret Service training center
The Austin American-Statesman is reporting a white secret service agent has been placed on leave after an African American employee reported finding a noose hanging at the service’s main training facility outside Washington D.C. Making matters worse: The alleged incident happened as U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah A. Robinson is expected to decide next month whether to … [Read more...] about Noose reported found at Secret Service training center
For Fear of Iran, Arabs Keep Iraq at Arm’s Length
Why is it that Iraq's wealthy Arab neighbors refuse to forgive its debts or restore full relations with in the country, while Western and Asian countries have forgiven billions and long ago reopened their Baghdad Embassies? According to this analysis of the results of the Third Expanded Ministerial Conference of the Neighboring Countries of Iraq, which was held last week in … [Read more...] about For Fear of Iran, Arabs Keep Iraq at Arm’s Length
Rev. Wright squanders goodwill
After I watched Rev Wright on Bill Moyer's on Friday I was inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt that he was collateral damage in a political war. Then he spoke to the National Press Club today and squandered much of this goodwill. And I feel as disappointed as Andrew Sullivan, and agree that it appears necessary for Senator Obama to speak out to put more distance … [Read more...] about Rev. Wright squanders goodwill
The Politics of Poorness
Hillary Clinton and John McCain, each of whom has a hundred times the family money of Barack Obama, are out there claiming he is out of touch with the poor. After drinking boilermakers with the boys a while back, Sen. Clinton is now telling Indiana's blue-collar voters that "politics has become too abstract, too generalized" in Obama's elitist world. “Most people get a … [Read more...] about The Politics of Poorness
Gallup Daily: Obama Clinton Race Stalemated Tie (Obama Ahead By 1)
How close is the race between Senator Barack Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton among Democrats in the increasingly divided Democratic party? It remains a virtual tie...a stalemate...where one slip by one candidate could change the high-stakes dynamics of a race being closely watched by convention superdelegates. Just look at the latest Gallup Daily tracking poll: Gallup … [Read more...] about Gallup Daily: Obama Clinton Race Stalemated Tie (Obama Ahead By 1)
Pedophile Priests and Latinos: A Diminishing U.S. Flock
Much has been written in the foreign press about the real purpose of Pope Benedict XVI's unprecedented election-year visit to the United States. Some charge that he came to bolster the only pro-life candidate, John McCain. Others have surmised that the Pope came to make common cause with President Bush to oppose the perceived threat of an expanding Islam. Writing for … [Read more...] about Pedophile Priests and Latinos: A Diminishing U.S. Flock
Vetting Al Franken
While national attention continues to focus on the blood feud between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, I've been watching Ladies Logic for updates on Al Franken's bid for the Senate in the Midwest. One question leaps to mind. In a year when Democrats should be running unbound like some sort of Politicians Gone Wild video, how did Franken become the frontrunner in this … [Read more...] about Vetting Al Franken
Supreme Court Upholds Voter Identification Law in Indiana
The New York Times reports the 6-3 decision to this controversial issue. As I understand it those who presume to represent the disadvantaged have resisted Voter Identification because they consider it an unreasonable barrier to voting access. Those supporting Voter ID maintain that in these modern times a requirement to have a photo ID is not unreasonable or unusual. Between … [Read more...] about Supreme Court Upholds Voter Identification Law in Indiana
Obama: The Moderate Voice
h/t Mickey Kaus at Slate "McCain will have trouble beating the Obama who showed up on Fox News Sunday, giving a highly effective interview to Chris Wallace. It included this bait for Hillary: "I think there are a whole host of areas where Republicans in some cases may have a better idea." Obama cited not just "merit pay" but also "experimenting with charter … [Read more...] about Obama: The Moderate Voice
Stop Presses! Giant Inflatable Pig For Obama
Rove Schools Obama
Would you take advice from Karl Rove? Should Sen. Obama? I don't know. But this set of suggestions actually strikes me as sound counsel. … [Read more...] about Rove Schools Obama
The Hmong: Last American Army in Vietnam
AMERICA'S FORGOTTEN WARRIORS AND THEIR FAMILIES One of the ongoing tragedies of the Iraq war is Washington's refusal to allow Iraqis who have actively helped the American effort into the U.S. in all but the smallest numbers, exposing them to possible persecution and death. The fate of many of the Hmong mountain people who fought against the communist-nationalist Pathet … [Read more...] about The Hmong: Last American Army in Vietnam
Media polarization good or bad?
Yet another study finds Democrats and Republicans going to our separate media corners. This one from University of Georgia associate professor of journalism Barry Hollander as reported by the AJC's Political Insider: What he documented was a quiet stampede. In 1998, 27 percent of Republicans and 25 percent of Democrats tuned in regularly to Atlanta-based CNN. Eight years … [Read more...] about Media polarization good or bad?