It's becoming a pilgrimage, of sorts. First, Senator Hillary Clinton visited former Senator and former Presidential wannabe John Edwards -- seeking his endorsement and support. And now, in yet another meeting at Edwards' home, Senator Barack Obama has visited Edwards. The goal of each campaign: get Edwards' endorsement and, not parenthetically, his delegates -- particularly … [Read more...] about Now Obama Also Visits John Edwards To Seek His Support For 2008 Democratic Presidential Nomination
Threat of Failure in Afghanistan
If you are interested in what is going on in Afghanistan, and its historical and regional context, then this superb piece from France's Le Monde is well worth your time. Apparently, things aren't looking good. With shocking simultaneity, four reports by military experts recently sounded the same alarm: without a fundamental revision of current strategy (indeed, the … [Read more...] about Threat of Failure in Afghanistan
Confessions in Search of Conviction: Redux
Four days ago, I invited readers to challenge and question me as I explained why I was leaning toward an Obama vote in the general election. To say that they took me up on the offer would be a remarkable understatement -- especially in the context of my now-withdrawn post on McCain. In that post, I argued that McCain’s apparent lurch to the right -- including his vote last … [Read more...] about Confessions in Search of Conviction: Redux
Around The Campaign 2008 Sphere
NOTE: Our famous link-fest giving you links to Campaign 2008 posts from weblogs of differing viewpoints, and our pithy comments about many of them. Links and quotes do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of TMV or its co-writers. The Case For Hillary Clinton And Against Barack Obama is laid out in a MUST READ post by The Democratic Daily's JoAnne Tybinka Blasko. … [Read more...] about Around The Campaign 2008 Sphere
The Tactics of Public Campaign Financing
Centerfield and Daniel Drezner have a discussion on whether Obama should accept the funding and restrictions of public campaign funds. Other than the fact that Obama took the initiative to publicly declare this intention; if the two candidates are restricted to public funds would not their supporters look for alternate paths? For instance the Democratic National Committee, … [Read more...] about The Tactics of Public Campaign Financing
The Mother of All Mideast Scandals
Huge bribes, arms deals and threats of terrorism are the elements of an unfolding plot centering on the good friend of both Presidents Bush, Prince Bandar bin Sultan of Saudi Arabia. Testimony in a London court this week led a judge to comment that former Prime Minister Tony Blair appeared to have "rolled over" for Bandar "just as if a gun had been held to the head" of the … [Read more...] about The Mother of All Mideast Scandals
A Philosophy of Party Delegations
John Broder writes a brief overview and history of party delegates in Show Me the Delegate Rules and I’ll Show You the Party. He covers the differences between, and within, the delegate process of the GOP and Democrats. I would summarize one difference is that Democrats general aim for inclusiveness and fairness and proportional votes while the GOP aims more for and … [Read more...] about A Philosophy of Party Delegations
Nightmare on Deregulation Street
The greatest fallacy of government deregulation of financial institutions is that it's been great for the economy. That proved to be catastrophically wrong after savings and loans were deregulated and looted. That has again proved to be catastrophically wrong after banks were deregulated and allowed to dive into the subprime mortgage cesspool, which among other things has … [Read more...] about Nightmare on Deregulation Street
For Stimulus Purposes Only
John Darkow, Columbia Daily Tribune, Missouri … [Read more...] about For Stimulus Purposes Only
An Open Letter to President Johnson-Sirleaf: Capitalize On Rare Proximity to Bush
If you were the president of Liberia, one of the world's poorest nations but one founded by manumitted American slaves, what would you ask the leader of the free world when he dropped in on you for a state visit? The editorial board of Liberian newspaper The Analyst has more than a few suggestions. According to this open letter, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf must seek not … [Read more...] about An Open Letter to President Johnson-Sirleaf: Capitalize On Rare Proximity to Bush
Change and Barack, America’s First Leftist President?
The provocative claim of this piece from Mexico's La Jornada is that Barack would be the U.S.' first true leftist president - a conclusion drawn after broad (and generous) surveys of both Democratic candidates' strengths and qualifications. Of Hillary, She can move with agility and fluidity among the heads of established power. She is among her peers. She masters … [Read more...] about Change and Barack, America’s First Leftist President?
America Prepares to Turn the Bush Page
The French daily, Le Figaro, offers a review of U.S. electoral themes, which captures of the flavor of the political times... ... How all are ready for Bush to leave, ... How there is too much money in the American political process, ... How the candidates are divided, but not by policy, ... How programs count less than personalities. ... How both parties are … [Read more...] about America Prepares to Turn the Bush Page
Gallup Poll: Obama Opens “First Statistically Significant Lead” Against Clinton
A new Gallup poll shows Illinois Senator Barack Obama widening his national lead against Senator Hillary Clinton in their increasingly heated battle for the 2008 Democratic Presidential nomination -- a lead Gallup says is Obama's first "statistically significant" lead. Meanwhile, a top adviser to Clinton said today that in effect it doesn't matter what happens in the … [Read more...] about Gallup Poll: Obama Opens “First Statistically Significant Lead” Against Clinton
Faded Red
Honestly, what's the world coming to when "Socialized Medicine" doesn't scare people anymore? Incidentally, the first time I ever heard the term "socialized medicine", it was in a text book discussion of the Polio Vaccine -- specifically, where Eisenhower-era Republicans objected to distributing the vaccine for free on that grounds. So that may be why I don't find the term … [Read more...] about Faded Red
This is sexist? Really? For real?
According to Big Tent Democrat at Talk Left, the remarks by Senator Obama about Senator Clinton, in the video below, are sexist: For those that can't see the video, here is the meat: I understand that Senator Clinton, periodically when she's feeling down, launches attacks as a way of trying to boost her appeal. - Senator Barack Obama, February 15, 2008 I'm … [Read more...] about This is sexist? Really? For real?
“How to Make Great Teachers”…
I was a full-time journalist for more than two decades. And have been a teacher for a decade now. I enjoyed the article below, especially as a weekend read...A welcome relief from the almost morbid fixation on thrills/sensationalism related to politics (as if nothing else matters in life!!!)... "We never forget our best teachers - those who imbued us with a deeper … [Read more...] about “How to Make Great Teachers”…
Bizarre That We Keep Missing the Point
Bizarre is one of the most misused words in the news media, and CNN really hit the ball out of the park with this one: "A firearms dealer in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Friday confirmed a bizarre link between the graduate student accused of killing five people at Northern Illinois University and the gunman in last year's deadly shootings at Virginia Tech. "A Web site used … [Read more...] about Bizarre That We Keep Missing the Point
Guest Voice: Bill Clinton: Threat or Menace?
This Guest Voice column is by Will Durst, a political comedian who performs around the world. Guest Voice posts do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Moderate Voice or its writers. Bill Clinton: Threat or Menace? Raging Moderate, by Will Durst It’s desperation time in Hillaryville. They’re putting out fires faster than a Rocky Mountain ranger station during … [Read more...] about Guest Voice: Bill Clinton: Threat or Menace?
Politics & Never Having To Say You’re Sorry
For someone whose handlers said they didn't expect to win any more February primaries, Hillary Clinton is campaigning in Wisconsin like her life depends on it. Which politically speaking, it does. Despite numerous promises to take the high road after his mudslinging backfired in South Carolina, Bill Clinton is at it again, assailing Barack Obama because he wasn't a part of … [Read more...] about Politics & Never Having To Say You’re Sorry
Pakistan Elections: A PPP Candidate Escapes Unhurt
Just two days before Pakistan goes to poll, at least 12 people have been killed in a blast outside the late Benazir Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP) office in Kurram Agency in North West Frontier Province (NWFP). Several people, too, have been injured while the PPP candidate Riaz Hussain Shah, who was in the office, reportedly escaped unhurt. Read here... Violence … [Read more...] about Pakistan Elections: A PPP Candidate Escapes Unhurt