The Second in Series of Bipartisan Congressional Debates to Focus on Health Care will take place April 28 and will be live streamed. I watched the first of these debates and it is refreshing to enjoy a sustained partisan discussion relatively free of posturing and mere sound bites. It gives a glimpse of how a closed door negotiation might begin. And it gives a glimpse of how … [Read more...] about Bipartisan Congressional Debates
Peace Posturing
There's a dance going on between Syria and Israel over the resumption of peace talks. It's a jig that's complicated by the various military maneuvers of each side, the resistance of the Bush administration, and the demands of the Olmert government. Ultimately, peace overtures are likely to fall short – at least for the time being. First, some background. Israel invaded the … [Read more...] about Peace Posturing
McCain Opposes Equal Pay for Women
If you liked Reagan, the odds are you don't think McCain is too old to be president. And if you liked Reagan, the reason he gave for opposing a bill that would ensure women equal pay for equal work might even make sense to you. Here's McCain, 'reasoning': "I am all in favor of pay equity for women, but this kind of legislation, as is typical of what's being proposed by my … [Read more...] about McCain Opposes Equal Pay for Women
The Iraq Conundrum
Michael Crowley of the New Republic, has a good article about Senator Obama and his Iraq policy. You will want to read the whole thing, but in short he says that while Obama is talking about getting out of Iraq, it might be more likely to see a reduced presence in Iraq. I think that no matter who gets into the Oval Office in 2009, Iraq is not going to be easy to deal with … [Read more...] about The Iraq Conundrum
Moyers and Wright, Tomorrow on PBS
I rely on them frequently, but honestly, I hate summaries. That's why, on this subject, I intend to DVR* the interview (if I don't forget), watch all of it as soon as I can, and provide my reaction (here) afterward -- not to prolong the ridiculousness, but simply to learn. I'm anxious to see and hear the Rev. Wright in a more complete (and secular) … [Read more...] about Moyers and Wright, Tomorrow on PBS
Democrats’ Sickly Approach to Health Care
Even as their presidential candidates debate differences between plans for universal coverage, Congressional Democrats are waving white flags in the coming battle to get anything done. Leaders of the party that should gain decisive control in November, according to The Hill, are busy explaining the expected defeat of health care reform. “We all know there is not enough … [Read more...] about Democrats’ Sickly Approach to Health Care
Twisting the Truth: Hillary, the Popular Vote, and Clintonian Ethics
Good for ABC News. Here's Jake Tapper calling out the Clinton campaign for twisting the truth: In [yesterday]'s edition of "The Note," ABC News' Rick Klein wrote that "By one (rightly disputed) metric -- the popular vote, including Florida and Michigan -- Clinton has pulled ahead of Obama. But without the rogue states, Obama is still up by 500,000 -- and if you can find … [Read more...] about Twisting the Truth: Hillary, the Popular Vote, and Clintonian Ethics
Voters Without Borders
MORE HERE. … [Read more...] about Voters Without Borders
Too Convenient?
For the cynics responding to my McCain post yesterday -- and there were several of you -- Andrew Sullivan channels the Politico's Jonathan Martin channeling a commenter at Martin's blog, vetting your collective smirks. That said, I think Martin hits the right balance, in the end: "I'm not sure that is how the RNC and McCain exactly wanted it to play out, but they'll need to … [Read more...] about Too Convenient?
Dream Ticket
RJ Matson, Roll Call … [Read more...] about Dream Ticket
On the Road With Hillary
Nate Beeler, The Washington Examiner … [Read more...] about On the Road With Hillary
Five Weeks, Five Days
That's all. From today to Guam; from Guam to South Dakota. Five weeks until May 29, and five days after that it's June 3 and the end of the Democratic primary season. Some will argue that it will take another three months, through the convention, to end this race. I doubt it. I doubt it, in part, because I think the superdelegates will follow the DNC's lead and swarm … [Read more...] about Five Weeks, Five Days
Hillary’s Tarnished Feminist Credentials
One of the more maddening threads of the Democratic presidential campaign concerns Hillary Clinton’s feminist credentials: Has she done enough for women? Can successes such as her Pennsylvania primary win be considered victories for feminists? Is she in fact a feminist? And so on and so forth. I have hesitated riffing on this because along with writing about anything to do … [Read more...] about Hillary’s Tarnished Feminist Credentials
Election Psychosis
Symptoms: --Following all the pundits and pollsters even as their affect so often seems to be more about placing bets on the ponies or that the elections are just a longer version of the Superbowl, rather than analyzing for content, context, subtext... --watching some on TV who seem to be experiencing a second college-hood, using 'candidates-gone-wild' tones of … [Read more...] about Election Psychosis
Obama excites MSM
Eric Allie, Caglecartoons.com … [Read more...] about Obama excites MSM
Brazilian Assumptions of a McCain Victory ‘Premature,’ ‘Reckless’
Republicans might be interested to know that there are some people in the world, in this case in Brazil, who already assume that John McCain will beat either of his Democratic challengers. But according to Paulo Sotero who writes for Brazil's Estadoa, Brazilian elites should not only give up the idea of forecasting a U.S. election still six months away, but they should … [Read more...] about Brazilian Assumptions of a McCain Victory ‘Premature,’ ‘Reckless’
Note to Obama: Stay positive!
Most Obama supporters are eager to end this primary and get on to the general election. The math, as I posted below, makes it close to impossible for Hillary to win at this point. She is sticking it out, it seems, just to knock him down so that he'll be unelectable in the eyes of superdelegates. Much of Barack Obama's appeal has been his positive messaging. For most of the … [Read more...] about Note to Obama: Stay positive!
If Obama gains 22% of remaining superdelegates it’s over
Implicit in much of the discussion about Hillary Clinton's chances at the nomination is the behavior of superdelegates. Though only 20% of the total delegates necessary to determine the Democratic nominee, superdelegates have the unique privilege of switching their vote until the convention. Pledged delegates are, for all intents and purposed, pledged to a candidate. As many … [Read more...] about If Obama gains 22% of remaining superdelegates it’s over
Why Obama Can’t Close the Deal
Pennsylvania had the possibility of turning a corner in one direction or another, but it didn't happen. Things might have really gotten interesting if Clinton had surged ahead and grabbed a large number of delegates. Yet not only did that fail to happen, but Obama failed to deliver a knockout punch. Why? I was reading one possible explanation at The Lady Logician which gives … [Read more...] about Why Obama Can’t Close the Deal
Gallup Daily Tracking: McCain As Flawed Republican Candidate?
The latest Gallup Daily tracking poll is out and while it still shows Senator Barack Obama with a healthy lead over Senator Clinton in the battle for the Democratic presidential nomination, the numbers have also sparked a discussion about whether a pattern is emerging: Republican presumptive nominee Senator John McCain as a candidate who can't get much above a certain … [Read more...] about Gallup Daily Tracking: McCain As Flawed Republican Candidate?