I had wanted to wait until we got a little closer to the Pennsylvania primary on April 22 to discuss and diss a state in which I have lived, worked and traveled at various times for many years, but the mainstream media will soon be encamping there and I should get in my two cent’s worth before Wolf Blitzer starts interviewing shy Amish folk, brawny coal miners and flatulent … [Read more...] about The Keystone State As Clinton’s Last Stand
Who, Pray Tell, Is That Man In the Middle?
‘Wine-Track’ & ‘Beer-Track’ Democrats: Cheers To Both!!!
It is being argued that the famous divide between 'wine-drinking' Democrats and 'beer-drinking' Democrats threatens the party's fortunes in the run-up to the presidential nomination this year. While Bill Clinton during his race for presidency reportedly managed to successfully bridge the divide, it is an altogther different story this time. The Economist describes the … [Read more...] about ‘Wine-Track’ & ‘Beer-Track’ Democrats: Cheers To Both!!!
Obama: Avoiding the Fate of Segolene Royal
Is Barack Obama in danger of going the way of ill-fated French Socialist Party candidate Ségolène Royal - who was defeated by another member of an unpopular incumbent conservative party - namely, Nicolas Sarkozy? In this note of caution from a Socialist member of the French Assembly, Mr. Obama is duly warned. From the pages of the French newspaper Liberation, Jean-Jacques … [Read more...] about Obama: Avoiding the Fate of Segolene Royal
Hillary makes a primary gaffe
Ronald Reagan often spoke of the 11th Commandment: "Thou shalt never speak ill of another Republican." Of course, as a competitor in the 1976 GOP primary Ronald Reagan certainly spoke ill of Gerald Ford and Rockefeller Republicanism in general. But he never compared a Democrat favorably to Ford or any other Republican. He understood that however vigorous internal party … [Read more...] about Hillary makes a primary gaffe
Is India’s ‘Tigrish Economy’ Under Threat?
Economists now tend to agree that India has begun to influence the world economy. That is why the annual ritual of the presentation of the country's federal budget February end is viewed with great interest not only within India but also in the corridors of economic powers worldwide. The Indian Budget this year becomes important for yet another reason...By the end of 2008 the … [Read more...] about Is India’s ‘Tigrish Economy’ Under Threat?
One Can’t Compare Russian and American Democracy
It has become quite common in some parts of the world to wonder whether American democracy continues to be head-and-shoulders above Russia's. But according to Patrik Etschmayer of Switzerland's Nachrichten newspaper, Russia's recent presidential 'election' and America's ongoing presidential race should put any such chattering to rest. Etschmayer writes in part, 'American … [Read more...] about One Can’t Compare Russian and American Democracy
Math and Pedestals
So today I receive a follow-up mass email from the Obama campaign, purportedly written by Senator O himself. It started as follows: I want to add some more news to David's note about the state of the race. As you know, we've won 27 of 41 contests and have maintained our commanding lead among pledged delegates. But today I want to share another staggering number: … [Read more...] about Math and Pedestals
Common Cause, Washington Monthly Explore Partnership
Jeffrey Birnbaum of the Washington Post writes that these two liberal institutions are considering some kind of merger. Common Cause has a subscriber list that the Washington Monthly might use to build subscribers. And the Washington Monthly is a well regarded liberal institution that can add voice to the mission of Common Cause. I am posting on this because it highlights … [Read more...] about Common Cause, Washington Monthly Explore Partnership
Terrorists Murder Students; Gazans Celebrate
Ynet: Terrorists kill 8 in Jerusalem Two terrorists infiltrate rabbinical seminary in Kiryat Moshe quarter, open fire at dozens of students. At least eight people reported killed. Police still in pursuit of second gunman. Celebrations already underway in Gaza This is why Egypt should take over Gaza and Jordan should take over most Arab portions of the West Bank. Neither … [Read more...] about Terrorists Murder Students; Gazans Celebrate
An Interview With An Internet Political Guru (Revised Post)
Could it be that the Obama's campaign's knowledge and use of the Internet could mean the Illinois Senator raises close to $1 billion? Details in an original blog interview with media guru Phil Noble of Politics Online HERE. The previous post had errors which have been corrected. … [Read more...] about An Interview With An Internet Political Guru (Revised Post)
House Candidate Hopes for Obama Coattail Effect
The Wall Street Journal reports that Sen Obama appears in a campaign ad running in the Chicago area for Democratic House candidate Bill Foster, running for former Republican House Speaker Rep Hastert's seat. I suspect that a survey of Superdelegates would confirm that Sen. Obama can do more to help Democrats attract swing and cross over voters than can Sen. Clinton. If the … [Read more...] about House Candidate Hopes for Obama Coattail Effect
NOTA: Addendum
As I work on the next installments to my "None of the Above" series -- the first was published yesterday -- this essay by Roger L. Simon caught my eye. It deserves a full read, though the following passages struck me as the most familiar and (perhaps) comforting to folks like me who refuse to stand firm on the ground of any so-called ideology. No wonder, like Linus clinging … [Read more...] about NOTA: Addendum
Where are Obama, Clinton on Mental Health Parity Reconciliation Effort?
From WebMD: The House passed a broad bill guaranteeing better mental health coverage for people with private insurance Wednesday, handing a victory to patient and medical groups that championed the bill. ... Many mental health patient groups and medical societies have long fought for the bill. Congress has tried and failed to pass similar legislation for more than a … [Read more...] about Where are Obama, Clinton on Mental Health Parity Reconciliation Effort?
Report: Canada PM Aide Said Clinton Campaign Gave Assurances On NAFTA
One of the late breaking issues that hurt Democratic Senator Barack Obama in recent Texas and Ohio primaries involved allegations that his campaign gave winking private assurances to Canada not to worry about his anti-Nafta campaign rhetoric -- a controversy the Clinton camp used to it's advantage. But now it turns out that the allegation focused more on Hillary Clinton's … [Read more...] about Report: Canada PM Aide Said Clinton Campaign Gave Assurances On NAFTA
Obama’s Move to Disarm Clinton
If he wants to end it sooner than later, Barack Obama should announce now that he intends to ask Hillary Clinton to share the Democratic ticket with him. Clinton herself opened the door for such an invitation yesterday. Asked about the possibility on CBS' "Early Show," she answered "that may be where this is headed, but of course we have to decide who is on the top of the … [Read more...] about Obama’s Move to Disarm Clinton
Cough ‘Em Up, Hillary. Cough ‘Em Up
Now that Hillary Clinton says that her campaign "has turned the corner," it's time for she and Bill Clinton to turn one of their own and come clean about their financial holdings as have Barack Obama and John McCain. The only reason for not releasing their tax returns is not the bureaucratic gobbledygook that Mrs. Clinton's campaign claims is the hang-up, but because she and … [Read more...] about Cough ‘Em Up, Hillary. Cough ‘Em Up
Hillary Clinton…”Women Smarter Than Men In Every Way”
I was driving in the hills when my wife placed a vintage Harry Belafonte audio cassette into the car stereo player... Belafonte's magical voice never fails to refresh me during strenuous drives. Nearly 40 years ago this wonderful musician had swept American women off their feet with his broad smile and throbbing Caribbean songs...Somewhat like Obama, the politician, who has … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton…”Women Smarter Than Men In Every Way”
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: THE REAL THREAT TO MCCAIN?
Guest columnist Alan Abramowitz of Emory University steps up to the Crystal Ball to say that "Disgruntled GOP moderates could impact party unity" Both Virginia and Wisconsin are likely to be battleground states in the November election. The fact that one seventh of Republican voters in Virginia and one fourth of Republican voters in Wisconsin chose to participate in the … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: THE REAL THREAT TO MCCAIN?
Pro-America, Anti-Direction
Holly forwarded this post to several us via email, from Carol Platt Liebau writing at Townhall.com. Liebau concludes: ... as the campaign drags on, there will be more opportunities for voters to decide that [Sen. Obama] and his wife share a profoundly negative perspective on America that ill-becomes a presidential couple, and which differs radically from the views of the … [Read more...] about Pro-America, Anti-Direction