Clinton and Obama have dramatically different visions for American foreign policy. One of the key policy distinctions between the two candidates is their differing views on the issue of negotiating with unsavory foreign leaders. Clinton has argued for a policy of continuity with the current administration -- that it is a mistake to sit down, without preconditions, with the … [Read more...] about Look Who’s Talking
A Centrist’s Election Criteria
I think of myself as a Centrist who is more interested in perfecting participatory government than I am in the specific issues: The process versus the policy. To me the path to optimizing the common good is with elected representatives who are open minded, pragmatic and collaborative; an aim that is the essential purpose of the Constitution. Policy that is for sale to the … [Read more...] about A Centrist’s Election Criteria
Hillary Clinton Reportedly Cries Again
Tomorrow is Super Tuesday, a crucial primary. Polls show Hillary Clinton neck-and-neck with Senator Barack Obama in many states and nationally. And now this story will make some wonder: "Hey, is it re-run season already?" NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Sen. Hillary Clinton teared up this morning at an event at the Yale Child Study Center, where she worked while in law school in the … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton Reportedly Cries Again
What’s in an Endorsement?
Perhaps not much. As Steve Benen put it the other day, as he has before, "there's little evidence that endorsements actually translate to votes," let alone to electoral success generally. Still, they don't hurt -- the good ones, anyway. The media report on them with disproportionate gravitas and, in general, they contribute to what all candidates, and especially candidates … [Read more...] about What’s in an Endorsement?
Britain’s Secret Deal With Taliban? Karzai Angry…
I shudder at the thought when (maybe in the not too distant future) the inside story of the bloody mess created by the key players in Afghanistan and Iraq appears in public domain. For starters a recent news report: "The Afghan government claims they (can) prove (that) British agents were talking to the Taliban without permission from the Afghan President, Hamid Karzai, despite … [Read more...] about Britain’s Secret Deal With Taliban? Karzai Angry…
Polls: Obama And McCain Gaining And Obama Pulls Ahead In California
Two new polls show Democratic Senator Barack Obama's support is growing on the eve of the Super Tuesday Presidential nomination primaries -- one shows him slightly ahead of Senator Hillary Clinton -- and that Republican Senator John McCain continues to make solid gains. CNN reports: Democratic Sen. Hillary Clinton is losing ground to Sen. Barack Obama in a national … [Read more...] about Polls: Obama And McCain Gaining And Obama Pulls Ahead In California
The Kennedying of Obama: Cautionary Note
In the desperation to be rid of Bush, this has become a year of imagery shorthand. While any Republican with a pulse claims to be another Reagan, Barack Obama is seen as a new JFK. There are parallels. As Nixon did in 1960, Hillary Clinton is invoking her experience during the eight-year tenure of a popular president. But in both cases, the actual occupant of the Oval Office … [Read more...] about The Kennedying of Obama: Cautionary Note
The Democrats: 48 Years and a Lifetime Later, In the Presence of Greatness. Again
It was the weekend before the 1960 election and my mother and I were patiently waiting in front of the tiny passenger terminal at the airport outside of Wilmington, Delaware. It didn't matter that the candidate was over an hour late when the Caroline, his powder-puff blue and white campaign plane, finally dropped out of the sky and taxied toward the chain-link fence that stood … [Read more...] about The Democrats: 48 Years and a Lifetime Later, In the Presence of Greatness. Again
The Republicans: 8 Years and One Tar Baby Later, a Comic Soap Opera Prevails
If the Democratic race heading into Super Tuesday is high drama, the Republican race is comic soap opera. The number of emergency room admissions following right-wing harpie Ann Coulter's announcement that she will back Hillary Clinton if John McCain is the nominee seem to have tapered off, but a goodly number of inmates in the conservative asylum are still locked in the … [Read more...] about The Republicans: 8 Years and One Tar Baby Later, a Comic Soap Opera Prevails
Guest Voice: Understand Us U.S.
Editor's Note: This Guest Voice column was written for TMV for the Pakistan-based website The Pakistani Spectator. Understand us US By The Pakistani Spectator by The Pakistani Spectator There is a vast chasm between the West and the Pakistan. The West simply doesn't understand what Pakistan is all about, and why despite so much aid and donations Pakistanis don't become … [Read more...] about Guest Voice: Understand Us U.S.
Bush Economy
Paul Zanetti, Australia … [Read more...] about Bush Economy
Germany Leaves USA Stranded in Afghanistan
According to the German publication Berliner Morgenpost, US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, recently sent a letter to several NATO nations including Germany, demanding they send an additional 3200 reinforcements to southern Afghanistan. The EU loudly criticized the tone of Gates’ demand. The German response was conclusive. Despite massive pressure from the United … [Read more...] about Germany Leaves USA Stranded in Afghanistan
Iraqis Look to the Flag … the American and Iranian, but Certainly Not the Iraqi!
Like everything else in Iraq these days, changing the nation's flag to remove any traces of Saddam Hussein has created tremendous controversy. Instead with the way it has handled the matter, a government with an already tattered reputation seems to have discredited itself even further among its own people. In his latest op-ed article from Iraq's Azzaman newspaper, columnist … [Read more...] about Iraqis Look to the Flag … the American and Iranian, but Certainly Not the Iraqi!
Poll: Public Increasingly Uneasy About Bill Clinton Back In White House
A new poll suggests the public is increasingly uneasy about the idea of former President Bill Clinton back in the White House -- and that independent voters are more-and-more turned-off by the idea. If you look at the large increase in Republicans who now don't want Bill Clinton back in the White House it's clear that, if Hillary Clinton gets the Democratic nomination, the … [Read more...] about Poll: Public Increasingly Uneasy About Bill Clinton Back In White House
John McCain: Will U.S. Republicans Let Him Save Them? …
Will Republicans allow John McCain to save them from 'an election that was said to be lost in advance?' Le Figaro's deputy editorial editor Pierre Rousselin wonders whether Republicans will grasp perhaps their last and best opportunity to retain control of the all-important White House. "He has managed to exasperate the most traditional Republicans with his positions … but … [Read more...] about John McCain: Will U.S. Republicans Let Him Save Them? …
USA & Iraq: Then & Now…
In the din and cacaphony of the presidential campaign/election in the US of A, two recent news stories are likely to be overshadowed, if not drowned. First, "Baghdad is drowning in sewage, thirsty for water and largely powerless, an Iraqi official said on Sunday in a grim assessment of services in the capital five years after the US-led invasion," reports AFP. (More … [Read more...] about USA & Iraq: Then & Now…
Who Deserves What?
I watched a lot of today's Super Bowl matchup between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots. Like anyone who saw this game, I was impressed by the 80-yard-plus winning drive led by Giant quarterback Eli Manning in its final minutes. But as I watched the post-game presentation of the Lombardi Trophy to the Giants, I was more than a bit put-off. Fox analyst and … [Read more...] about Who Deserves What?
Super Bowl: The Kids Pull It Off!
The NY Giants and the entire Manning family are very happy! Somebody who's eating crow. … [Read more...] about Super Bowl: The Kids Pull It Off!
The Obama “Join” Ad
I know some people are just going to want to rip into me for saying this, but after reading this piece in The Caucus about the Barack Obama ad being shown during the Super Bowl this evening (the link has the video there), I know why the Obama phenomena just isn't appealing to me (sadly for Hillary Clinton, there isn't much she's doing that's appealing to me either). It … [Read more...] about The Obama “Join” Ad
Pre-Super Tuesday Pre-Jitters
It is ON. The race between Obama and Clinton is tightening (Gallup currently describes it as a "statistical dead heat," 46-44%) and McCain may---or may not--- be on the verge of solidifying his hold. Or not. As Gandelman says, "Polls have been hideously wrong this year." Shut up, polls. Meanwhile, I'm gearing myself up to … [Read more...] about Pre-Super Tuesday Pre-Jitters