Last week, Shaun Mullen attempted to remind us that the McCain-NYT flap was less about sex, more about lobbyists and hypocrisy. Separately, Patrick Appel (filling in for Andrew Sullivan) noted: "... the sex scandal, if real, would sink [McCain]. Arguing about lobbyists is somewhat academic; a sex scandal any voter can understand." Despite the efforts of writers like Shaun … [Read more...] about Sex and Lobbyists
Ralph Nader Will Run For President Again But Faces Different Political Landscape
Onetime iconic consumer advocate Ralph Nader has announced yet another run for the White House -- but past-campaign political hubris plus a loss of a big chunk of his previous voting constituency is unlikely to make him a major factor. Even so: his presence in the race threatens to siphon some votes away from the Democratic Party's 2008 nominee. Several factors have … [Read more...] about Ralph Nader Will Run For President Again But Faces Different Political Landscape
Michelle Obama’s Pride
Those who were perplexed, annoyed and/or enraged by Mrs. Obama's statement that "for the first time in my adult life I'm proud of America" may want to take a look at HBO's contribution to Black History Month, a documentary about Joe Louis. Called, without irony, "a credit to his race," the heavyweight champion was exalted in 1938 for beating the exemplar of Nazi Germany, Max … [Read more...] about Michelle Obama’s Pride
The Idle Hands of Potential Predators
Thomas P.M. Barnett writes in Scripps Howard News about Foreign Direct Investment If you're America waging a long war against radical extremism, then helping to create those estimated 100 million new jobs in Middle East and North Africa over the next two decades is of paramount importance. Otherwise, there are a lot of "idle hands." Barnett, a national security expert, … [Read more...] about The Idle Hands of Potential Predators
Half of Bankruptcies due to Medical Bills
Cascade of losses doesn't end with death - Bankruptcies for medical reasons on the rise and expected to continue growing as economy dips. This is barbaric. My instructions to my wife are to not authorize any medical care for me that is not covered by insurance. I can't bare the thought that after the tragedy of declining health I would leave my wife persecuted by creditors … [Read more...] about Half of Bankruptcies due to Medical Bills
Obama Assassination ‘Would Leave Road Paved for McCain’ …
One of the most disturbing questions that Barack Obama's candidacy raises is this: What if he were murdered? If Barack Obama won the Democratic nomination and was gunned down before November, what effect would this have on the presidential race? In this uncomfortable op-ed from Mexico's Excelsior newspaper, Francisco Martín Moreno outlines what he sees as the danger to the … [Read more...] about Obama Assassination ‘Would Leave Road Paved for McCain’ …
Clinton Supporter Kathleen Kennedy Townsend Says Obama Will Get Nomination
Political Wire has this item about comments by Clinton supporter Kathleen Kennedy Townsend -- and Townsend's analysis makes us wonder if she reads The Moderate Voice. Most of this analysis is what we've been saying on this site: Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, a supporter of Sen. Hillary Clinton, spoke at St. Mary's college in Maryland last week and offered a very frank … [Read more...] about Clinton Supporter Kathleen Kennedy Townsend Says Obama Will Get Nomination
He can’t be President of Black America!
Taylor Marsh just doesn't get it. She says Senator Barack Obama ducked out of today's State of the Black Union conference basically because he's "misaligned and hypocritical". The meat: This is all so predictable. Even taking Clinton out of the equation -- because not everything is about Hillary Clinton -- there is nothing about Obama's choices that are surprising. Again, … [Read more...] about He can’t be President of Black America!
Obama’s Crossover Appeal
I just came back from a local Precinct Meeting for Obama in preparation for the Caucus on Election night March 4. Of the the 10 of us there, half were not Democrats. Two of us were around 60. Two were around 20. 4 were women. One from Israel. One from Ethiopia... … [Read more...] about Obama’s Crossover Appeal
Candidates on Public Financing of Elections
Here is a summary of the relative positions of the leading Presidential Candidates and Public Financing of Elections We are realistic about promises and charges made in the midst of a campaign. We know all the candidates have made and will continue to make the pragmatic choices that best fit their strategy for winning the presidency. I wish I could tell if McCain is still … [Read more...] about Candidates on Public Financing of Elections
America’s Democratic Primaries: As Transparent as the ‘Theory of Relativity’
From WORLDMEETS.US, some more evidence from abroad of the perplexing nature of the Democratic primaries. Dieter Degler of Germany's Sueddeutsche Zeitung writes, 'Until a few weeks ago, I though myself fairly well-versed in American electoral laws. … So what is my current state of knowledge?: The nominating procedure used by Democrats is as transparent as a combination of … [Read more...] about America’s Democratic Primaries: As Transparent as the ‘Theory of Relativity’
Hillary Clinton for VP
This week's debate pushed front and center the question of whether the Democratic Party can do what it did in 1960, nominate an inspiring young leader paired with a Washington veteran in the workings of government. John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson persuaded voters that they could open a New Frontier with the first Catholic president in American history. This year, the … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton for VP
Talking Smack
(Hat tip: Saint in Exile) … [Read more...] about Talking Smack
Is Negative Campaigning Losing Its Positive Punch? (UPDATED)
It's a given that when things get tough in a campaign, or when a candidate needs to drive up a popular opponent's "negatives" that he or she will be advised to "go negative." But has Campaign 2008 underscored negative campaigning's risks and limits? McClatchy Newspaper's David Lightman thinks so and details some of the reasons why negative campaigning this season ain't what … [Read more...] about Is Negative Campaigning Losing Its Positive Punch? (UPDATED)
The Saga of the Cedars: When Bad Things Happen to Good Christian Conservatives
Harvey and Harriet Cedars are not just the breadwinners in a typical conservative Christian Republican family. They're hard working middle-class folk who have been going through some very difficult times but were confident that their president, his government and the Supreme Court that he has molded over the last seven years were on their side, which is to say God's side. This … [Read more...] about The Saga of the Cedars: When Bad Things Happen to Good Christian Conservatives
We Need an International Afghanistan Study Group
We need an International Afghanistan Study Group, modeled after the Iraq Study Group, but with representatives from Europe and Asia as well. To save the NATO mission in Afghanistan, we have to conduct a thorough, frank and honest evaluation of all our political and military strategies in Central Asia. We have to debate fresh and controversial policy alternatives, which … [Read more...] about We Need an International Afghanistan Study Group
Fatima Bhutto……Who?
In January this year the CNN interviewed the 25-year-old Fatima Bhutto, a claimant to the legacy of her grandfather former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. She is the neice of the late Benazir Bhutto, from whom she was estranged. She is an author/poet and also writes column for a wellknown Pakistani group of newpapers. Does she have a political ambition? More here... … [Read more...] about Fatima Bhutto……Who?
Iraq Attack: From ‘Shock & Awe’ To ‘Duck & Cover’
On Saturday rockets and mortars were fired towards the U.S.-protected Green Zone, leaving huge scars on the citadel of US occupation forces, and sending yet another strong signal that this immoral war begun years ago would have no end until the US troops go home. It is becoming clear that the continued US presence has spawned resistance groups that have become bolder by the … [Read more...] about Iraq Attack: From ‘Shock & Awe’ To ‘Duck & Cover’
Message In A Bottle: Scottish Thoughts on Election 2008 USA… Rock & Roll, Baby
This is one of the funniest/most cringe-poignant articles I've read recently. It's 'good medicine' after a week when a good deal of media 'news' about candidates looked somewhat like a two parakeet flap-fest going on inside a single-legged trouser. This article that bobbed across the ocean and landed on the shore of my desk, is about USA political contenders' tastes in … [Read more...] about Message In A Bottle: Scottish Thoughts on Election 2008 USA… Rock & Roll, Baby
Australia’s Murray River-System: A Looming Crisis…
The river-systems in the world are under heavy strain with many facing serious crisis owing to a variety of reasons. Many civilisations prospered on the banks of the mighty rivers...and then perished when the rivers suffered. Although Murray-Darling is Australia's longest river system, draining a basin the size of France and Spain combined, it no longer carries enough water to … [Read more...] about Australia’s Murray River-System: A Looming Crisis…