msnbc.com BREAKING NEWS: Dow Jones Industrial average closes up more than 400 points Well, they credit it to other things. … [Read more...] about Market Reacts to Spitzer Scandal?
The Purpose of Campaign Finance Reforms
The Center for Competitive Politics posted a comment entitled Money well spent? that pointed out that the Pew Charitable Trusts wasted a lot of money underwriting efforts to enact restrictive campaign finance laws. A study by the Trust found that there was no relationship between the professional management of the 50 states and the existence of these restrictive campaign … [Read more...] about The Purpose of Campaign Finance Reforms
Hypocrisy and Moralism: The Fall of Eliot Spitzer and the Rise of the Double Standard
(See my previous post here for background and initial comments.) Greenwald asks: "Who cares if Eliot Spitzer hires prostitutes?" -- "[A]re there actually many people left who care if an adult who isn't their spouse hires prostitutes? Are there really people left who think that doing so should be a crime, that adults who hire other consenting adults for sex should be … [Read more...] about Hypocrisy and Moralism: The Fall of Eliot Spitzer and the Rise of the Double Standard
Eliot Spitzer: Is he a sex addict? Just human
You know, people say they are stunned, shocked. On and on. A close personal friend of mine who is a lawyer in NYC responded to an e-mail I wrote asking for an opinion on Eliot Spitzer's alleged dalliances like this, "A topic better discussed off-line." No doubt. No doubt.
How many times do I have to write about how "rising star" is the kiss of death? About how expectations … [Read more...] about Eliot Spitzer: Is he a sex addict? Just human
Ferraro’s ‘Power Play’
It's definitely not a good week for NY Democrats. In case you missed this non-Spitzer story, see here for the basics. And, for the Obama campaign response, see here. Will HRC respond in kind? … [Read more...] about Ferraro’s ‘Power Play’
Obama Picks Up Four More Delegates From California
Just when you thought you were reading solid delegate counts in the 2008 Democratic nomination battle you find out you haven't: it now turns out that Senator Barack Obama has picked up an additional four delegates, according to TMP Election Central: We've just confirmed with the California Democratic Party that reports in the blogosphere, which said that Barack Obama … [Read more...] about Obama Picks Up Four More Delegates From California
Borowitz Report on Spitzer Scandal
This just in from investigative reporter Andy Borowitz: Spitzer Resigns From Emperors VIP Club Client Number Ten to Succeed New York Guv Amid calls for him to resign, embattled New York Governor Eliot Spitzer held a hastily-scheduled press conference in Albany today. “After much deliberation, I have decided to resign my membership in the Emperors VIP Club, effective … [Read more...] about Borowitz Report on Spitzer Scandal
The Sound of One Hand Thunderclapping
We all know that the news media is breathlessly waiting for the other shoe to drop in Albany, but there is other big news today and I hope you're sitting down as you read this: The Pentagon has concluded that there were no ties between Saddam Hussein and Al Qaeda. In Pentagon-speak, there were no "operational links" between the bad man and the bad terror group found in a … [Read more...] about The Sound of One Hand Thunderclapping
Running Mate
Mike Lester, The Rome News-Tribune … [Read more...] about Running Mate
Spitzer to Resign or NY GOP Calls for Impeachment (UPDATED)
According to the New York Times, it is likely that Gov. Spitzer will resign: Top aides to Gov. Eliot Spitzer said Tuesday morning that they expect the governor to resign his office, although the timing of the resignation remains uncertain. Lt. Gov. David A. Paterson and his staff have begun laying the groundwork for him to take over as governor and are reaching out to … [Read more...] about Spitzer to Resign or NY GOP Calls for Impeachment (UPDATED)
Spitzer: Little Green Men Want To Know
While out riding my trail bike this morning I encountered a Little Green Man who was anxious to quiz an Earthling about the Eliot Spitzer scandal. Q: Why is this such a big deal? A: Because people love to see politicians get tripped up, especially other politicians. Q: On my planet everyone pays for sex. A: Hmm. Interesting. Q: So your leaders punish people for … [Read more...] about Spitzer: Little Green Men Want To Know
Hillary Clinton & The Power of Four
And so after enough "turning the corner" spin to level a small city, endless speculating over how many Republicans limbaughed over to vote for her and the effect that a most excellently timed "Saturday Night Live" appearance might have had, Hillary Rodham Clinton picked up a mere four delegates after the five primaries and caucuses last week and will lose more than that today … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton & The Power of Four
Obama Calls Clinton’s “Kitchen Sink” Campaign “Republican Tactics”
This time he didn't mince words: Democratic Senator Barack Obama directly addressed chief 2008 Democratic nomination rival Senator Hillary Clinton's charges recent charges against him -- saying they smacked of the old politics and Republican tactics. Obama's language was clear, right to the point -- and well "edited". CBS News reports: Barack Obama continued to go … [Read more...] about Obama Calls Clinton’s “Kitchen Sink” Campaign “Republican Tactics”
Europe Would Do Well Not To Dismiss McCain’s Chances
Have Democrats - and Europeans - become too comfortable with the inevitability of a Democratic President in 2008? Financial Times Deutschland columnist Thomas Klau writes in part, 'The dramatic struggle between two exceptional Democratic politicians has drawn attention away from the fact that McCain's candidacy is also a turning point - a break in the position of Republicans … [Read more...] about Europe Would Do Well Not To Dismiss McCain’s Chances
Eliot Spitzer Calls Prostitute
Adam Zyglis, The Buffalo News … [Read more...] about Eliot Spitzer Calls Prostitute
What Is Ralph Nader’s Third Party Run REALLY About?
The great Penny Wit thinks he knows. And he could be right. … [Read more...] about What Is Ralph Nader’s Third Party Run REALLY About?
Lt. Governor Could Replace Spitzer in NY
Lt. Governor David Paterson is suddenly in line to be only the third black governor since Reconstruction, and the first in New York. This guy sounds terrific. … [Read more...] about Lt. Governor Could Replace Spitzer in NY
Hillary Clinton Now Downplays Talk Of Clinton-Obama Democratic Ticket
Should we call it "the trial balloon that quickly popped?" New York Senator Hillary Clinton, whose bigwig supporters -- including her husband Bill -- have touted a Clinton-Obama Democratic ticket's glories is now expressing surprise that the talk (which started from her side) has taken on "a life of its own." It was given life by the Clinton side, Obama repeatedly and today … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton Now Downplays Talk Of Clinton-Obama Democratic Ticket
Obama, Clinton join McCain vs. earmarks
It's only a one year moratorium, but it's a start. Earmarks aren't a big deal in the larger scale of budget issues, and many of them may even be good investments in the national interest. But while the GOP would like to think that they are seizing this issue to their advantage I would point out that it was under GOP control that earmarks exploded out of reason, and now, under … [Read more...] about Obama, Clinton join McCain vs. earmarks
Has Colombia Become the ‘Israel of South America?’
Is there any truth to the charge made by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez last week, when he said that Colombia had become the 'Israel of Latin America'? According to this EDITORIAL from Uruguay, which is another of Washington's presumed allies, this is a question on many South American lips. The Editorial board of La Republica writes, 'Undoubtedly, Colombia's military … [Read more...] about Has Colombia Become the ‘Israel of South America?’