The American request for more troops for Afghanistan from Europeans is a very serious story in Europe, and especially in Germany, which refused to accede to it. According to some Germans, this piece from Junge Welt, a German daily, translated as ever by Watching America, fairly captures the mainstream mood in that country. There is so much animus not only because of … [Read more...] about War Without End
This Probably Means Obama Will Not Get The Democratic Nomination
Dick Morris predicts Barack Obama will get the Democratic nomination. … [Read more...] about This Probably Means Obama Will Not Get The Democratic Nomination
New Anti-McCain Video Parodies Pro-Obama Video
That "Yes We Can" pro-Obama video that was sweeping the Internet has now been parodied in a new video -- an anti-John McCain video. And it is also sweeping the Internet, now appearing on websites and weblogs: This actually underscores a serious point: in each of the past elections (2004, 2006) the communication and advertising tools at the disposal of almost anyone with a … [Read more...] about New Anti-McCain Video Parodies Pro-Obama Video
Super Delegates
John Darkow, Columbia Daily Tribune, Missouri … [Read more...] about Super Delegates
Meta on Congressman Tom Lantos, (D, CA-12), RIP
All the announcements and tributes mention Congressman Tom Lantos' distinction as being the only Holocaust survivor ever elected to Congress. I don't know how many Holocaust survivors have ever run for congress, but regardless, the fact that he will no longer bring the ideas and experience of that distinction to the legislative branch of our American government is … [Read more...] about Meta on Congressman Tom Lantos, (D, CA-12), RIP
Colin Powell Suggests He Might Vote Democrat Against Republican Nominee
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell has hinted the GOP may not get his vote in the 2008 Presidential election in remarks that contained some thinly-disguised barbs aimed at President George Bush: Former US secretary of state Colin Powell said Sunday he was weighing his options in the 2008 White House race, hinting he may cross party lines and vote against the … [Read more...] about Colin Powell Suggests He Might Vote Democrat Against Republican Nominee
Asfandyar Wali Khan: Pakistan’s Civilian Leader Under Attack?
There is one Pakistani politician to watch in the coming months. He hails from the so-called tribal badlands of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border area, and could play an important role at the national level...that is, if he survives... Asfandyar Wali Khan, an MBA, who hails from a distinguished family of politicians and is the leader of Pakistan's Awami National Party (ANP), … [Read more...] about Asfandyar Wali Khan: Pakistan’s Civilian Leader Under Attack?
Rep. Tom Lantos, Z.L.
Z.L. (usually lowercase) stands for Zachor Livracha (may his memory be for a blessing). Washington Post: Rep. Tom Lantos, 80, a California Democrat whose experience during the Holocaust shaped his concern for human rights and his staunch view in favor of U.S. military intervention abroad, died early this morning, a spokeswoman told the Associated Press. He had esophageal … [Read more...] about Rep. Tom Lantos, Z.L.
Archbishop Of Canterbury: Sharia Controversy
An embattled Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams will confront anger within the Church of England as, on this most critical day of his five years in office, he tries to justify his remarks about Islamic law (and same-sex relationship). For the full report in The Times of London please click here... A comment that follows this report deserves a mention: "I suspect … [Read more...] about Archbishop Of Canterbury: Sharia Controversy
The Presidential Campaign: Good Change, Bad Change, No Change & Spare Change
Change is the lodestar of this presidential campaign season. The notion of change is, of course, an integral part of the campaign of practically every non-incumbent candidate, but the degree to which it suffuses the 2008 contest is extraordinary. For starters, the Democratic nominee will be either a woman or an African-American for the first time, and there is a very good … [Read more...] about The Presidential Campaign: Good Change, Bad Change, No Change & Spare Change
Roy Scheider ‘JAWS’ Passes Away
Roy Scheider, a two-time Oscar nominee, died on Sunday. He was best known for his role as the police chief in Steven Spielberg's 1975 film, Jaws, the enduring classic about a killer shark terrorising beachgoers. And that film won him millions of fans. The New York Times's obit: "Besides his wife, his survivors include three children, Christian Verrier Scheider and Molly … [Read more...] about Roy Scheider ‘JAWS’ Passes Away
Chavez Threatens U.S. Oil Cutoff After Legal Victory By ExxonMobil
A $12 billion judgment on behalf of ExxonMobil against Venezuela's state oil company has once again set off President Hugo Chavez, who, according to this news account from Venezuela's leading newspaper El Universal, said, amongst many other things, 'If you end up freezing (Venezuelan assets) and it harms us, we're going to do harm to you. Do you know how? We aren't going to … [Read more...] about Chavez Threatens U.S. Oil Cutoff After Legal Victory By ExxonMobil
Clinton Campaign Shakeup: Patti Solis Doyle Gone As Campaign Manager
Hillary Clinton's campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle has quit/been fired (choose the version you believe) and will be replaced by longtime Clinton adviser Maggie Williams -- in a shake-up the campaign insists is not a really shake-up but one that has in fact been hinted at in some news reports ever since Mrs. Clinton lost in Iowa. And with the string of losses this weekend … [Read more...] about Clinton Campaign Shakeup: Patti Solis Doyle Gone As Campaign Manager
Obama’s Super Saturday
What a day for Obama, culminating with yet another awesome speech, both inspirational and presidential. If you're scoring at home -- and who isn't? -- here's the list of (upcoming) primaries and caucuses we examined yesterday: -- Louisiana (2/9): CHECK -- Nebraska (2/9): CHECK -- Washington (2/9): CHECK -- Virgin Islands (2/9): CHECK -- Maine (2/10) -- D.C. (2/12) -- … [Read more...] about Obama’s Super Saturday
Maine Democratic Caucus Results coming in
If you are looking for places to see the results of today's Maine Democratic Party Caucus, try CNN here, the New York Times here and the Maine Democratic Party here. 5:26pm: With 44% of the precincts reporting, Obama leads with 57% to 42% for Clinton. 5:15pm: With 11% of the precincts reporting, Barack Obama leads with 51% to 48% for Hillary Clinton. … [Read more...] about Maine Democratic Caucus Results coming in
One Scenario for a Clinton/Obama Standoff
Blair-Brown deal The Blair-Brown deal, also known as the Granita Pact, is a shorthand term for a widely-held belief in British politics that Tony Blair and Gordon Brown made a gentlemen's agreement after the death of Labour leader John Smith in 1994.[1] According to several authors,[2][3] Gordon Brown agreed not to stand in the Labour Party leadership election, … [Read more...] about One Scenario for a Clinton/Obama Standoff
Independents in Play
David Broder writes in A Strategic Choice for Democrats Both Clinton and Obama are now framing their campaigns as a riposte to John McCain. Clinton argues that, given McCain's authority as a warrior and as a defense expert, her experience and toughness are essential for the Democrats to have a chance. Obama counters with the claim that it is only by providing the … [Read more...] about Independents in Play
Poll: McCain And Obama Have Whopping Leads In Virginia
A poll brings good news to Republican Senator John McCain and for Democratic Senator Barack Obama heading into Tuesday's Virginia primary: Barack Obama and John McCain may be cruising toward blowout wins in Virginia's presidential primary Tuesday. Among the Democrats, the poll conducted for the Richmond Times-Dispatch and other Virginia newspapers shows Obama leading … [Read more...] about Poll: McCain And Obama Have Whopping Leads In Virginia
Around The Campaign 2008 Sphere
NOTE: This is a special campaign 2008 edition of our famous Around The Sphere link-fest where we offer readers links to weblogs of differing viewpoints and give you our comments on the issues raised. Links do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of TMV or its co-writers. More On Hillary Clinton Versus MSNBC's David "Pimped Out" Shuster whose whore-able choice of words … [Read more...] about Around The Campaign 2008 Sphere
Hillary Clinton and the Recession … Real or Imagined
Is there actually a recession in the United States. People around the world have been arguing over the issue for months. But one thing is certain: people believe that there is one or that one is imminent, and according to this wide-ranging analysis by Thomas Fricke, Chief Economics Editor at the Financial Times Deutschland, 'For U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, it's … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton and the Recession … Real or Imagined