THE GOP'S CONSERVATIVE BASE Does John McCain need the Republican Party's atrophied conservative base to win the nomination? Wrong question. How about: Is there anything that John McCain, who for my money has the best chance of winning in the fall of any Republican, can do to win over the party's atrophied conservative base? Short of pandering, which is something … [Read more...] about John McCain & The Dinosaur Vote
Is He a Pandering, Flip-Flopping, Character Assassin?
Then, hey, what's not to like? The difficulty of dealing with a candidate like Mitt Romney, who reminds me less of his laudable father, the late Michigan governor George Romney and more of Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton, is that he can baldly misrepresent the facts about himself and others, something he's done repeatedly in this election cycle, and affect wounded rectitude … [Read more...] about Is He a Pandering, Flip-Flopping, Character Assassin?
Toughen up, Obama, or concede the White House now
The Medina County Democratic Action Committee (in Ohio)* wants Barack Obama to withstand the Clinton machine, or else be prepared to lose everything. The group's shout-out derives from this Washington Post article that examines the quality (bitter some say) of recent Clinton campaign moves and their potentially destructive results (losing the nomination, and losing the White … [Read more...] about Toughen up, Obama, or concede the White House now
So Many Friedman Units, So Little Time & Other News From George Bush’s Forever War
It seemed like only yesterday that General David Petraeus wowed the chuckleheads on Capitol Hill with his progress report on George Bush's Forever War. Well, it actually was September, at which time the commander of U.S. forces in Iraq said that any decision on beginning to withdraw his troops should "be put off for six months." I know this is going to shock – just shock – … [Read more...] about So Many Friedman Units, So Little Time & Other News From George Bush’s Forever War
US Troops For Pakistan?…And Truth Becomes A Casualty
If the news is correct that the US administration has been able to pressurise Pervez Musharraf to allow American troops to train/advise Pakistani soldiers, then this development could create more headaches for the beleagured Pakistan President. Or, will it? Further, it would erode Musharraf's credibility (of whatever is left) because he recently roared that if the US troops … [Read more...] about US Troops For Pakistan?…And Truth Becomes A Casualty
Bush’s Failure in the Wake of Annapolis
Watching America is still posting stories from the Arab world about Bush's trip. Bush doesn't have an ounce of credibility in the Arab world. WA's latest translated Arabic article, Bush's Trip ... A New Failure in the Wake of Annapolis, is about a well put-together and comprehensive list of the reasons as you're likely to find. It's genuinely not hatred for the man. It's … [Read more...] about Bush’s Failure in the Wake of Annapolis
Jihad in South America: A New Nightmare for the U.S.
According to this article from Italy's La Stampa, not only has Jihad moved out of the Middle East; it has moved closer to the U.S.' back door. Here's the thrust of the story. Although the first alarm from the Pentagon arose in 2004, the year 2007 signaled an escalation of Muslim penetration in Latin America that for the most part centers on the privileged relations between … [Read more...] about Jihad in South America: A New Nightmare for the U.S.
Poll: Giuliani Coming In Distant Third In Florida
Unless something changes, New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani's campaign will be mentioned in political science classes and by political consultants for years to come -- as the way not to do it. A new poll shows him coming in third -- and not a close third -- in the upcoming Florida primary: A new St. Petersburg Times poll shows the former Massachusetts governor and Arizona senator … [Read more...] about Poll: Giuliani Coming In Distant Third In Florida
Two Models of Diversity
The easy response to calls for more "diversity" is to attack it conceptually. But even defenders of diversification have often struggled to precisely articulate what, precisely, their commitment means. What counts as diversity? Do we want make sure we adequately represent everyone's favorite color? Why are certain types of diversity seemingly more important to its advocates … [Read more...] about Two Models of Diversity
The Wrong Way to Deal with Illegal Immigration
Farmers Branch, TX, a fashionable northern suburb of Dallas, has enacted an ordinance that would ban illegal immigrants from renting or owning housing. Now, don't get me wrong: I do not support illegal immigration in any way shape or form, and I furthermore believe that laws currently on the books should be used to prosecute the employers who exploit them in low-wage, … [Read more...] about The Wrong Way to Deal with Illegal Immigration
With Either Hillary or Obama, ‘We All Win’ …
By Clara Scherer Translated By Fernando Uribe January 18, 2008 Mexico - Excelsior - Original Article (Spanish) For those who wonder about the impact on America's image of the candidacies of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, one need only read foreign press overage of the U.S. election. According to this op-ed article from Mexico's Excelsior newspaper, … [Read more...] about With Either Hillary or Obama, ‘We All Win’ …
Six Months to Eternity
We knew this was coming. The surge has not worked (or only in a temporary and limited way), contrary to the claims of the warmongers, but the Great and Infallible General Petraeus wants more time -- in fact, he wants six more months, just like it was all about six months last year. It's all part of what I've called "the surge deception," with Bush and Petraeus and the rest of … [Read more...] about Six Months to Eternity
Vote, Drink, and be Merry
I almost sent the email from the party planner to my spam folder, but then (against my better judgement) I decided to open it. As a result, I learned that the Proof Bar and Lounge in New York City will be hosting: ... Debate Viewing Parties on January 30th (Republican Debates) and 31st (Democrat Debates). There will be a complimentary hour of all-American food beginning at … [Read more...] about Vote, Drink, and be Merry
Clinton lands PA Gov. Ed Rendell’s endorsement
With the governors of both Ohio and Pennsylvania now behind Hillary Clinton, can either state be kept from swinging to Obama or Edwards? Governor Ed Rendell, may have felt a little pressure: Rendell's ties to the Clintons include having served in 2000 as general chairman of the Democratic National Committee, a position made possible by then-President Bill Clinton. Sen. … [Read more...] about Clinton lands PA Gov. Ed Rendell’s endorsement
I have a surge in my pants
Chris Matthews has a long history of hitting on his female guests, having man-crushes on the likes of Fred Thompson and Rudy Giuliani, and attacking and denigrating strong women like Hillary Clinton. See Media Matters' David Brock's open letter to NBC News president Steve Capus here. I ask the question "What the hell's wrong with Chris Matthews?" here. -- I examine his … [Read more...] about I have a surge in my pants
Israel’s Best Friends
Rudy Giuliani is often considered the most pro-Israeli candidate in the presidential race. He's been given kudos for ejecting Yasser Arafat from a concert in New York city back in 1995, for numerous statements in support of Israeli policies, and for refusing a $10 million dollar check from an Israel-bashing Saudi prince after 9/11. Furthermore, his key foreign policy advisors … [Read more...] about Israel’s Best Friends
Palestinians Pour Across Egypt Border As Border Breached
A major protest is now unfolding in the Gaza strip, where thousands of Palestinians are pouring across the border after masked gunmen blew up a barrier in defiance of an action by Israel: Tens of thousands of Palestinians on foot and on donkey carts poured into Egypt from Gaza Wednesday after masked gunmen used land mines to blast down a seven-mile barrier dividing the … [Read more...] about Palestinians Pour Across Egypt Border As Border Breached
The End of Fred Thompson
At long last, Fred Thompson's sad and pathetic presidential bid has come to an end, an inglorious poof of an end. It was only a matter of time, and the time, it seems, was before Florida, which would have been yet another sad and pathetic loss for the once-celebrated answer to desperate Republican prayers. The initial hype, before he even declared, was overblown, and he was … [Read more...] about The End of Fred Thompson
Stock Market Bull Headache
Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com … [Read more...] about Stock Market Bull Headache
What Are Pakistani Generals Telling President Musharraf?
A group of retired senior military officers, including former army chief Mirza Aslam Beg and ex-ISI head Hamid Gul, have asked President Pervez Musharraf to resign in the supreme national interest since he does not represent the unity and the symbol of the federation. More here... … [Read more...] about What Are Pakistani Generals Telling President Musharraf?