First, a hattip to this post by PunditMom for BlogHer for cluing the clueless (that would be me) into the fact that Maine's GOP caucus is February 1-3 (that would be, this weekend). At just after 9pm, Saturday evening, February 2, with 64% reporting, check out how close Ron Paul and John McCain are - 18.9% to 21.5%, respectively. Ah, New Englanders (Romney is over … [Read more...] about Maine GOP Caucus results
Super Tuesday neglects Pakistan at America’s peril
Heading towards Super Tuesday, Pakistan has dropped off the radar of the primaries although it is the most likely place for the next civil war between Islamic terrorists and civilians. It might even become a cause of war with India and near total loss of American influence in the entire region. Terrorism by Islamic fundamentalists supported by the Taliban and Al Qaeda has … [Read more...] about Super Tuesday neglects Pakistan at America’s peril
The Clinton-Obama Conundrum
Two weeks ago, I proclaimed "clarity at last" when announcing my favorites for the primaries, Obama and McCain, and the likelihood that I'd vote for the latter in the general election. While I remain strongly in favor of these two candidates for the primaries, I'm now less sure about the general. I'd like to see more from both men, and hopefully, I'll be able to, although … [Read more...] about The Clinton-Obama Conundrum
Presidential Required Reading
The field has narrowed a bit since the last time I posted on the presidential candidates' reading choices (back in May, when they were asked to name the most recent fiction book they'd read). This week, Katie Couric asked the candidates "If you were elected president, what is the one book other than the Bible you would think is essential to have along?" (In fact I should note … [Read more...] about Presidential Required Reading
Gallup Daily Tracking Poll: McCain And Clinton Make Gains
The Big Mo has (for now at least) shifted to Arizona Senator John McCain on the GOP side and New York Senator Hillary Clinton on the Democratic side in the battles for their parties' respective Presidential nominations, a new Gallup Daily tracking poll shows: John McCain continues to be the primary beneficiary of Rudy Giuliani's recent exit from the Republican race for … [Read more...] about Gallup Daily Tracking Poll: McCain And Clinton Make Gains
Candidate Evaluation: A Tip from PoliticalWire
Free comparison of the candidates: PoliticalWire: Still Undecided? For a limited time, you can read a complete digital version of The Undecided Voter's Guide to the Next President by Mark Halperin for free by clicking here. … [Read more...] about Candidate Evaluation: A Tip from PoliticalWire
‘What Does Bill Clinton Want?’ …
What is Bill Clinton doing? Or to put it another way, What does the man want? It isn't only Americans that are asking these questions. In this op-ed from Austria's Die Presse, columnist Eve Male writes, 'He supports his wife, but with his rude demeanor he pees on her leg. What does Bill want? Is he simply trying too hard to compensate Hillary for staying with him during the … [Read more...] about ‘What Does Bill Clinton Want?’ …
Loosen That Tie, Mr Olmert: Political Disaster Narrowly Avoided
The Israeli press is alive with discussion of the Winograd Report, a study that assessed the conduct of Olmert's government during the Israeli-Hezbollah war. Most analysts agree that the findings are much less harsh than had previously been expected. Via Reuters:The Winograd Commission's final findings issued on Wednesday described "serious failings" by political and army … [Read more...] about Loosen That Tie, Mr Olmert: Political Disaster Narrowly Avoided
Bill Clinton Reportedly Will Soon Apologize At Black Churches (Super Tuesday Is Coming Up)
Once again, former President Bill Clinton seems poised to be pitchforked into the headlines right on the eve of a crucial primary vote amid a report that he's going to "repent" by going to some black churches. Almost on the EVE of the Super Tuesday primaries, Clinton will garner attention that could be focused on his wife Hillary Clinton: Once again, Bill Clinton is ready … [Read more...] about Bill Clinton Reportedly Will Soon Apologize At Black Churches (Super Tuesday Is Coming Up)
New Cast Members On Lost
RJ Matson, The St. Louis Post Dispatch … [Read more...] about New Cast Members On Lost
Dueling debates, Batman! MSNBC in Houston conflicts with CNN in Ohio
As Jerid at the Buckeye State Blog might write, Rut-roh. From the Houston Chronicle: The Partnership and the Sierra Club Foundation have long planned to hold a presidential debate at the George R. Brown Convention Center on Feb. 28, just five days before the March 4 Texas primary. MSNBC has promised to air the event, with NBC News Washington Bureau Chief Tim Russert as … [Read more...] about Dueling debates, Batman! MSNBC in Houston conflicts with CNN in Ohio
The Landmark Battle over Joyce’s ‘Ulysses’
I have on the desk before me a copy of this rare first edition of Ulysses by James Joyce. It is perhaps the most influential novel of the 20th century and probably the book more people have claimed to have read but never finished. Although parts of Ulysses had been serialized in The Little Review, a literary journal, the post-modernist masterpiece was first published in its … [Read more...] about The Landmark Battle over Joyce’s ‘Ulysses’
A Centrist’s POV: The new Party of Pork
In the LA Times Editorial "The new Party of Pork" the duplicity of both the Democrats and the GOP is laid bare. There is a collusion to protect earmarks to gain favor with constituents. So I wonder if the geometry of the situation can be altered so that it is less about eliminating earmarks and more about the reasonable and fair management of earmarks. Instead of arguing … [Read more...] about A Centrist’s POV: The new Party of Pork
Which Of These Men Are Heroes?
Yesterday was the 40th anniversary of the publication of this Eddie Adams photograph, one of two images that arguably did more than any others to turn the American public against the Vietnam War. (The other photo is here.) Taken by the late great Adams during the 1968 Tet offensive, it shows Nguyen Ngoc Loan, South Vietnam's national police chief, shooting a prisoner who was … [Read more...] about Which Of These Men Are Heroes?
AT&T to Serve Democratic Convention Goers
From the Rocky Mountain News: The Democratic National Convention Committee named AT&T this morning as the official wireless service provider for the party's convention in August. AT&T's agreement with the DNCC will require it to provide smart devices, hardware, software and air cards that allow direct connection to the Internet. ... The deal comes a couple of weeks … [Read more...] about AT&T to Serve Democratic Convention Goers
Blog Amnesty Day And The IMPORTANCE Of Linking To Smaller Blogs
We studiously try to avoid doing posts about blogging itself on TMV, because we consider it a news commentary and news information weblog, but here is a worthwhile exception: skippy the bush kangaroo (who invented the word "blogtopia') and Jon Swift have launched Blog Amnesty Day where they're asking weblogs to link to five or six smaller blogs. (See their logo … [Read more...] about Blog Amnesty Day And The IMPORTANCE Of Linking To Smaller Blogs
The AG & Torture: Same As It Ever War
It is now beyond obvious that Michael Mukasey blew beaucoup smoke up the collective asses of the senators who grilled him regarding the Bush administration’s embrace of torture during his confirmation hearings to replace Alberto Gonzales as attorney general. Beyond being wishy-washy on the use of waterboarding, Mukasey promised that he would review the legality of the … [Read more...] about The AG & Torture: Same As It Ever War
U.S. President Will Change. Russia Policy Will Not
The Russian daily Novosti has this commentary on the implications of the American choice of President on America's policy toward Russia. The conclusion is that it will have almost no implication whatsoever! ”Any American president would not love Russia and would be active act against it, I am sure,” said Director of the USA and Canada Institute Viktor Kremenyuk. "The … [Read more...] about U.S. President Will Change. Russia Policy Will Not
Obama: End of the Baby Boom Generation
It's a beautiful thing when the internet lives up to its promise as a platform for the global sharing of information and exchange of ideas. A while ago, Andrew Sullivan, the now-famous British-born American resident commentator wrote a very interesting piece on Obama and the advantages he offers the United States as someone who is not of the baby boom generation. That … [Read more...] about Obama: End of the Baby Boom Generation
The Discarding of Candidates
It's a little too soon to say "And now there are three"... but according to this article from Spain's ABC Journal, the only three candidates worth talking about are Clinton, Obama and McCain. The whole world has a horse in this race and so reacts when one of the participants falls at a hurdle. Of the Republican Race, During the primaries, we can clearly see that … [Read more...] about The Discarding of Candidates