Despite trial balloons that the Hillary Clinton campaign might go after 2008 Presidential nomination rival Barack Obama's pledged delegates and put a full-court-press on collecting Superdelegates if she fizzles out in the March 4 primaries, Mrs. Clinton now has some political pundits abuzz with a new twist: she reportedly avoided vowing to keep her campaign going after March 4. … [Read more...] about Political Tea Leaves: Clinton Has Not Vowed To Continue Campaign Beyond March 4
Mind the Gap — It’s Closing
New poll numbers, via The Plank: "The new ABC News/WaPo poll has Clinton ahead of Obama by 7 in Ohio and 1 in Texas. She had double-digit leads in both states last week. Meanwhile, Rasmussen has Clinton up three in Texas (last week he had the New York senator up 16)." RealClearPolitics is a good resource for state-by-state polling. Here are Ohio and Texas. The trend in both … [Read more...] about Mind the Gap — It’s Closing
I Did Not Plagiarize This Article
If the biggest hit that Barack Obama took during last night’s debate with Hillary Clinton was her repeating her already shop-worn plagiarism allegation, then her campaign is in even worst shape than I thought. Josh Marshall cites a great example of Clinton’s own phrase borrowing at Talking Points Memo: “I mentioned at the end of my debate blog that the pivot of … [Read more...] about I Did Not Plagiarize This Article
Florida’s Public Finance of Campaigns At Risk
State rethinks use of public money to help campaigns and causes In a move I would characterize as cutting off your nose to spite your face, The Florida Legislature may end the practice of giving public assistance to candidates for statewide office, as a remedy for a State budget deficit. Public financing -- which took effect in 1987 -- was supposed to limit the … [Read more...] about Florida’s Public Finance of Campaigns At Risk
Oops! They Lied Again
The number of occasions in which the Bush administration has resorted to deceit and lying to protect its own interests, as opposed to the national interest, is staggering, while the damage it has done to the U.S.'s image abroad is incalculable. The New York Times' John Burns reports from London that: "In tones freighted with frustration, Britain's foreign secretary, … [Read more...] about Oops! They Lied Again
Fact, Fiction, Fickleness, and Fanaticism
I've questioned some of Senator McCain's decisions, and I've retracted some of those questions. I've defended him, and later reconsidered some of my defenses. Accordingly, on the matter of the already (in)famous NYT story about McCain's relationship with a female lobbyist, I plan to generally withhold judgment until the matter has played itself out -- with the exception of … [Read more...] about Fact, Fiction, Fickleness, and Fanaticism
(Update 4) John McCain, D.C. Lobbyists & Fixating On the Bun, Not the Burger
My defense yesterday of The New York Times story on John McCain and lobbyist Vicki Iseman was pretty tepid. The story does, after all, have all the earmarks of an over-edited investigative mishmash with a fair amount of loaded “wink wink, nod nod” language from which the reader is to infer things that the story never comes right out and says. But one thing that the story did … [Read more...] about (Update 4) John McCain, D.C. Lobbyists & Fixating On the Bun, Not the Burger
Eyebrows Raised Over Hillary Clinton’s Final Dramatic Debate Statement
In last night's Democratic presidential nomination debate, one of the key highlights that brought the audience to its feet was Senator Hillary Clinton's dramatic and moving final statement. But now, in the wake of the issue that the Clinton campaign made about rival Barack Obama lifting parts of another politician's speech and calling that act plagiarism, some say her final … [Read more...] about Eyebrows Raised Over Hillary Clinton’s Final Dramatic Debate Statement
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: DEMOCRATS AND THE POPULAR VOTE
Popular Vote? It's in the eye of the beholder As the closely fought Democratic presidential contest between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama moves deeper and deeper into the primary season, there is a growing sentiment that the nomination should go to the candidate that ultimately wins the popular vote. Fair enough. Ever since the current primary-dominated era of … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: DEMOCRATS AND THE POPULAR VOTE
Great Comedians: Jack Benny And Mel Blanc Do The “Si” Routine
Jack Benny was one of the 20th century's most beloved comedians: a star of vaudeville, the golden age of radio, movies and television. He actually invented the situation comedy on radio. And he could milk a laugh by scanning (slowly turning and looking at) the audience -- extending a laugh seconds longer than any other comedian. He helped pioneer 20th century comedy that was … [Read more...] about Great Comedians: Jack Benny And Mel Blanc Do The “Si” Routine
About That Whole Plagiarism Thing
[HT: Instapundit] See our earlier and longer debate analysis and roundup HERE. … [Read more...] about About That Whole Plagiarism Thing
African Press on Bush’s Visit
Bush's visit to Africa is prompting a range of opining and writing in that continent that puts up an unusual mirror to the United States, and offers serious insights into Africa. Watching America.com has collected a wide range of this commentary. Interesting articles include A Tale of Two Elephants (Ghana) (The elephants are the U.S. Republican Party and Ghana's New … [Read more...] about African Press on Bush’s Visit
Clinton Obama Texas Debate: Studious, Some Fireworks But No One’s Alamo
It was billed as what could potentially be a debate for the political ages: a debate in Texas, where polls show Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in a dead heat -- a debate where some predicted Clinton would have to pepper Obama with zingers, provoke him into some kind of overreaction, or hit a home run herself. But in the end, it proved to be largely a studious … [Read more...] about Clinton Obama Texas Debate: Studious, Some Fireworks But No One’s Alamo
Michelle Obama: Those Who Say: “I Ain’t Voting For No Nigger”
I hoped it wouldn't come into being. But, in my bones I knew this was coming. But, it was still like taking an unexpected gut-shot to the spirit. I was at a Starbucks yesterday, not a normal occurrence for me. I mostly stay in the cave. But, as I've mentioned here on TMV before, I am trying to learn to draw. So, I went with my conte and pages to draw passersby out the … [Read more...] about Michelle Obama: Those Who Say: “I Ain’t Voting For No Nigger”
Fresh pre-debate poll results for Democratic candidates: too close to call
KXAN in Austin, TX has commissioned two polls related to the Austin debate this evening. Read more here. The results of the first poll, pre-debate, look like this: If the election were held today, who would you vote for? Democrats: Clinton 46% Obama 45% Undecided 9% Margin of error: +/- 4% If the election were held today, who would … [Read more...] about Fresh pre-debate poll results for Democratic candidates: too close to call
Portugal’s Leader Quotes Obama
Admiration for Barack Obama's oratory has reached Portugal's executive mansion. According to this news account from Portugal's Diario Digital, Prime Minister José Sócrates has adopted the phrase 'Yes we can' from the senator, along with other phrases from the campaigns of Democrats. Translated By Brandi Miller February 20, 2008 Portugal - Diario Digital - … [Read more...] about Portugal’s Leader Quotes Obama
McCain Romance
Adam Zyglis, The Buffalo News … [Read more...] about McCain Romance
McCain’t Get The Facts Straight
Count me as less than enthralled with McCain's foreign policy agenda. For one thing, he typifies the kind of badly-reasoned Cold War realism that is all-too-eager to embrace foreign dictators. Consider, for example, what he had to say about Pervez Musharraf back in December of 2007: Prior to Musharraf, Pakistan was a failed state. They had corrupt governments and they would … [Read more...] about McCain’t Get The Facts Straight
McCain: It’s Not About the Sex, Stupid
While attitudes toward adultery have softened in the U.S., it still never would be confused with France or Italy, to name two countries where the extramarital affairs of public officials are no big deal. Hence a report that presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain, whose philandering destroyed his first marriage, fooled around with a lobbyist during his second … [Read more...] about McCain: It’s Not About the Sex, Stupid
The Obama Sweep
Even at my most optimistic, I thought Obama would win Wisconsin by 8-12 points. Turns out I was wrong. The won by 17, yet another decisive victory on a night when he won his ninth and tenth contests in a row, a post-Super Tuesday sweep. Let's add the latest votes to our table: -- Louisiana (2/9): CHECK (57-36 -- 21 points) -- Nebraska (2/9): CHECK (68-32 -- 36 points) -- … [Read more...] about The Obama Sweep