Get a jump-start on Sunday's New York Times by reading this op-ed from Caroline Kennedy. I want a president who understands that his responsibility is to articulate a vision and encourage others to achieve it; who holds himself, and those around him, to the highest ethical standards; who appeals to the hopes of those who still believe in the American Dream, and those around … [Read more...] about Caroline Kennedy endorses Obama
Bill: Asset or Liability?
Just in time for today's primary, Watching America.com is featuring this piece from one of the best U.S.-watchers who writes for the Netherlands' Elsevier newspaper. A couple of interesting observations from the piece. In her book, “For Love of Politics,” Sally Bedell Smith describes the Clinton’s as a major enterprise, with Hillary currently as chairman and Bill as … [Read more...] about Bill: Asset or Liability?
Bill Clinton As Victim: Says His Message is “99.99” Percent Positive
If you say something often enough ("It's a brand new pre-owned car!" "Iraq has weapons of mass destruction!" "Why, honey, that dress doesn't make you look fat!") you might get others -- and perhaps yourself -- to believe it. Perhaps that's what's behind former President Clinton's assertion that his message in the campaign has been "99.99 percent" positive. At the end … [Read more...] about Bill Clinton As Victim: Says His Message is “99.99” Percent Positive
Ohio primary will matter, say state & academic politicos
First, we have a Plain Dealer post on its political blog, Openers, that provides opinion from party people and analysts familiar with the Ohio scene. Many analysts have expected Ohio to matter in the Republican nominating contest, but most assumed the Democratic primaries would wrap up before Ohio. That's because more than 20 states, from New York to California, will hold … [Read more...] about Ohio primary will matter, say state & academic politicos
No love for South Carolina Jews in primary?
Shabbat doesn't end until 6:25pm tonight (so it just ended) but the polls are only open until 7pm. Sheesh. Jews cannot get any respect! How many voters will this issue affect? According to the Jewish Virtual Library, South Carolina has an overall population of 4,255,083 million people, with 0.3%, or just over 11,225 who are Jewish. Obviously, not all 11,000 Jews are … [Read more...] about No love for South Carolina Jews in primary?
Border Crisis: How Long Will Egypt’s Gazan Guests Stay?
One need not believe that good fences make good neighbors to think that broken fences – and ambiguous invitations – are bound to sour neighborly relations. At Egypt’s border with the Gaza Strip, the fence and Egypt’s stated security posture both broke down on Wednesday, as thousands of Palestinians streamed into the Sinai to buy goods that have become difficult or impossible … [Read more...] about Border Crisis: How Long Will Egypt’s Gazan Guests Stay?
Was That Fed Rate Cut Merely a Coincidence?
NOT TO WORRY. THE INSPECTOR IS ON THE CASE Is there a connection between Société Générale’s frantic dumping of perhaps $70 billion worth of bad bets on European stocks placed by a rogue trader and the Federal Reserve’s panicked cut in interest rates later in the same day? More here. … [Read more...] about Was That Fed Rate Cut Merely a Coincidence?
A Political Scientist’s Concise Assessment Of Campaign 2008 As Of Now
MUST READING FOR ANYONE WHO FOLLOWS THE CAMPAIGN. Political scientist Steven Taylor's latest Toast-0-Meter is up. This is required reading for anyone who follows politics. He gives you no-nonsense takes on where the campaign is, who's up and who's down and some of the best links -- all in one place. He updates it and notes changes from one Toast-O-Meter to the … [Read more...] about A Political Scientist’s Concise Assessment Of Campaign 2008 As Of Now
Zogby Poll: Obama Gaining Strength As South Carolina Votes
The last Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby daily telephone tracking poll shows Democratic Senator Barack Obama gaining strength as South Carolina votes in the 2008 Democratic presidential primary. And if the results mirror it, Obama could have an opportunity: to once again have the news media focused on him as he delivers a major speech detailing his campaign's "change" and unity themes … [Read more...] about Zogby Poll: Obama Gaining Strength As South Carolina Votes
French ‘Love Summit’ At The Taj…Postponed!!!
The celebrated French lovebirds could not make it to the 17th century monument of love...Poor Nicolas Sarkozy sat alone on the "lovers' bench" strategically placed in front of The Taj for lovers from the world-over to pose. Indian guide at the Taj, Kamlesh Dwivedi, who showed Sarkozy around, said the French President looked "glum", suggesting that absence of Bruni had affected … [Read more...] about French ‘Love Summit’ At The Taj…Postponed!!!
A Centrist’s POV: Redistricting Round-up
California and Arizona are both preparing to vote on redistricting plans aiming to reduce political distortions. The California version focuses on trying to keep cities and counties contiguous, rather than broken up into obscure gerrymandered shapes. Perhaps these new districts can be made more competitive for candidates by pairing communities with different political … [Read more...] about A Centrist’s POV: Redistricting Round-up
Putting the Elephant Back Together Again
I agree with Peggy Noonan, the former Reagan administration speechwriter, conservative doyen (doyenette?) and Wall Street Journal columnist, about half the time. That actually is a great improvement over a few years ago when I never agreed with her. What happened? For what it’s worth, we're older and wiser, which has led me to be a bit less dogmatic and Noonan to be able … [Read more...] about Putting the Elephant Back Together Again
A Story About Terrorism
If there is a 21st century Kafka somewhere in America, he will get his inspiration not from working in an insurance company but with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement branch of the Department of Homeland Security. Consider this Kafkaesque gem from the McClatchy newspapers yesterday: "Thomas Warziniack was born in Minnesota and grew up in Georgia, but immigration … [Read more...] about A Story About Terrorism
The Secret Joy of the Hypocoristic
TMV editor and co-blogger Holly in Cincinnati noted in an email to me that the major Republican candidates have first names which are four-letter words -- as in John, Mitt, Mike and Rudy. As a former newspaper headline writer and present-day blog headline writer, this is manna from heaven. Howcum? Because of the limited amount of space in some … [Read more...] about The Secret Joy of the Hypocoristic
Hillary Clinton: Changing The Rules On Florida And Michigan Delegates?
First, there was former President Bill Clinton, upsetting some Democratic bigwigs who fear his unprecedented massive and aggressive presence in Senator Hillary Clinton's campaign could hurt party unity and chase away some voters. Now, here's Hillary Clinton challenging the DNC, making what some consider a thinly-veiled pitch to get votes in Florida where Democrats agreed not … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton: Changing The Rules On Florida And Michigan Delegates?
Washington vs. Caracas in War vs. Drugs
From Colombia at the heart of the war on drugs comes this interesting article between the conflict that is arising between Washington and Caracas... … [Read more...] about Washington vs. Caracas in War vs. Drugs
Quote of the Evening: German Assimilation Edition
No immediate link to anything currently in the news, though it does remind me of my Dartmouth L.J. paper. I just wanted to save it for later: The question of how Jews would fit in when cultural and linguistic identity became the basis of citizenship, and the Volksgeist was embodied in a Volksstaat, could be answered in only one of two ways. Either the Jews had to surrender … [Read more...] about Quote of the Evening: German Assimilation Edition
At Parade of Blacks, Boos for Hillary and Applause for Obama
What would someone from Italy think of the Hillary-Obama clash in the heart of the deep south? According to this account from La Stampa's man in the United States, Mauritzio Maulinari, in addition to taking note of the continuing controversy over the Confederate flag, 'When Hillary rises to speak, it’s impossible not to notice the difference; applause arrives, but it’s cold and … [Read more...] about At Parade of Blacks, Boos for Hillary and Applause for Obama
Fear Is Spreading Among the Republicans
The Austrian publication, Kurier, addresses the fact that Due to the open running in the Primaries, it is possible that a candidate decision might not be made before the party congress in September – a nightmare for the party. In the Republican party, according to the Austrian writer, nobody has the majority appeal and enthusiasm is lacking. Everyone has to distance … [Read more...] about Fear Is Spreading Among the Republicans
Welcome TMV’s Latest New “Voice”
All of us here at TMV are pleased and honored to welcome Dennis Sanders as our newest "Voice." Dennis describes himself as "an ordained pastor who lives in Minneapolis. I'm a moderate, gay, Black Republican involved in many moderate groups such as Log Cabin Republicans and Republicans for Environmental Protection. I live in Minneapolis with my partner Daniel and have two … [Read more...] about Welcome TMV’s Latest New “Voice”