Wow, that was fast. On Monday, I was marveling at how smoothly, and quietly, Barack Obama had co-opted the word "change" and turned it into invaluable name identification. It worked because it was not about him and campaign promises, but about us, and our need. We are Americans in the seventh year of a game between the Nation and the Bush Administration, and the Bush team … [Read more...] about For What It’s Worth
Post New Hampshire Obama Suggests: No More Mr. Nice Guy
Get ready to see an intensely fought contest for the Democratic party's Presidential nomination between Illinois Senator Barack Obama and New York Senator Hillary Clinton. In fact, in the wake of his defeat in the New Hampshire primary, Obama is basically saying: "No more Mr. Nice Guy." And there are signs this is already happening. The "issue": did Hillary Clinton REALLY … [Read more...] about Post New Hampshire Obama Suggests: No More Mr. Nice Guy
The Gender Vote
(How) can voters legitimately (and illegitimately) take gender issues into account when deciding whether to vote for Hillary Clinton? … [Read more...] about The Gender Vote
You Can’t Always Get What You Want…
The conventional wisdom regarding GOP primaries is that what the establishment wants, the establishment gets. It's part of what makes it so difficult to believe Mike Huckabee is going anywhere in the primary process, despite his impressive victory in Iowa and his meets-expectations third place in New Hampshire. After all, if there is one candidate this side of Ron Paul the … [Read more...] about You Can’t Always Get What You Want…
Barack Obama ‘Has Already Triumphed’
Has Barack Obama single-handedly transformed America's political landscape - giving it back the "passion and hope so squandered by the the last two administrations?" According to this op-ed from Spain's most widely read newspaper, El Pais, 'The doomsayers have already begun to sow doubt about how long his star will shine … But whatever happens from now on, Obama has already … [Read more...] about Barack Obama ‘Has Already Triumphed’
Romney Moves to Cash-Conservation Mode
It's probably a good thing as he may wish to use his $$$ for something else someday. The Politico Mitt Romney hasn't extended his television presence into next week in South Carolina and Florida, an aide confirms. Romney has been on TV for months in both states, owning the airwaves long before his GOP rivals purchased their first spots. But his multimillion-dollar … [Read more...] about Romney Moves to Cash-Conservation Mode
Kenya’s Odinga Rejects Negotiations on Conflict
As Kenya continues to be plagued by violence, opposition leader Riala Odinga has rejected incumbent president Mwai Kibaki's calls for negotiations. According to the New York Times, Mr. Odinga declined an invitation to meet with the president this Friday, saying that the negotiations would merely be "public relations gimmickry" meant to "deflect attention from and undermine" … [Read more...] about Kenya’s Odinga Rejects Negotiations on Conflict
Bush Throws Support Behind Turkey’s EU Bid
President Bush, speaking yesterday: I strongly believe that Europe will benefit when Turkey is a member of the European Union. I view Turkey as a bridge between Europe and the Islamic world, a constructive bridge. And so I believe it's in the interests of peace that Turkey be admitted into the EU.... I think Turkey sets a fantastic example for nations around the world to … [Read more...] about Bush Throws Support Behind Turkey’s EU Bid
Comeback Kid
Eric Allie, Caglecartoons.com … [Read more...] about Comeback Kid
It’s Time For Ron Paul to Go Bye-Bye
It's been a tough few days for Ron Paul, libertarian wetdream and exception to the Republican rule, who has done only one thing well since announcing his candidacy -- raising buckets of money on the Internet. First, everyone's favorite GOP oddball – that is except within the Republican Party itself – tanked in the Iowa caucus, finishing a distant fifth and besting only Mr. … [Read more...] about It’s Time For Ron Paul to Go Bye-Bye
Race & Reading Between the Lines
My blogging buddy Will Bunch raises a creepy question this morning: Did the Bradley Effect play a role in Hillary Clinton's strong showing against Barack Obama in New Hampshire? The Bradley Effect is the name that pundits give to a disturbing trend first noticed in elections in the 1980s where white voters told pollsters they supported a black candidate and then voted for a … [Read more...] about Race & Reading Between the Lines
Now What?
My prediction perfection in Iowa ended in New Hampshire. It was nice while it lasted, comparable I assume (on a much smaller scale) to the sensation of being ranked #1 in the just-concluded college football season. On the bright side -- if misery does, in fact, love company -- I am blessed this morning with many confused and humbled "friends." And like those friends, my … [Read more...] about Now What?
Tears in New Hampshire: Ed Muskie and Hillary Clinton
Going into the 1972 campaign to become the Democratic Party's nominee for president, the acknowledged Dem frontrunner was Maine's senator, Edmund Muskie. Muskie had wowed the country four years before as Hubert Humphrey's vice presidential running mate with his soft-spoken eloquence. But it wasn't to be. First, came defeat for Muskie in the Iowa caucuses. Anti-Vietnam War … [Read more...] about Tears in New Hampshire: Ed Muskie and Hillary Clinton
Rumors of Clinton’s Death Greatly Exaggerated; McCain Rises From Ashes
Long story short, the 25 days until Super Tuesday are shaping up to be a make-or-break period for a presidential candidate who had arrogantly campaigned as Ms. Inevitable and had to scramble to reinvent herself, and another candidate whose astounding momentum suffered a glancing blow -- if not hit a granite wall -- in New Hampshire yesterday and cannot reinvent … [Read more...] about Rumors of Clinton’s Death Greatly Exaggerated; McCain Rises From Ashes
Clinton And McCain New Hampshire Wins: Tales Of Two Comebacks
The political pundits, political operatives and political scientists will be analyzing the New Hampshire primary results for days but there is one thing that won't be in dispute: the victories of Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton and Republican Senator John McCain are the tales of two comebacks. (Be sure to read our co-blogger The Talking Dog's excellent take on all the … [Read more...] about Clinton And McCain New Hampshire Wins: Tales Of Two Comebacks
Polling, Schmolling: Biggest News Not Hillary NH: But Seduction of Major Pundits/ Newsmen by Polls
It’s not stunning that Hillary won New Hampshire. What is stunning is the gullibility of the press and pundits following corporate polls that were as off as Roseanne singing the Star Spangled Banner on the baseball diamond. After Iowa too many pollsters leaned out of their windows like old Mrs. Goldberg gossiping, calling out that the funeral dirge was playing for Senator … [Read more...] about Polling, Schmolling: Biggest News Not Hillary NH: But Seduction of Major Pundits/ Newsmen by Polls
Hillary’s New Voice? Let’s Hear It.
Hillary’s just finished her victory speech, and I have now picked myself off the spot on the floor where I fell when she began her speech with the comment, “I listened to you and in the process I found my own voice”. Did she really just tell me that she has been campaigning all this time to become the leader of the free world, without having found her voice? Why … [Read more...] about Hillary’s New Voice? Let’s Hear It.
Comeback Codgers
Yes! What a night for AARP! Two of its members, seventy-one year old John McCain, who as late as a few weeks ago, was written off as (politically) dead, and sixty-year old Hillary Clinton, who just yesterday was believed to be crushed to death under Omnibus Obama... have both emerged to win their respective parties' primary in New Hampshire. On the Democratic side of the … [Read more...] about Comeback Codgers
One Gauge of Foreign Interest in Our US Presidential Race
I am now reading a live chat/analysis (from earlier this evening) on the Washington Post's website. In addition to the many questions and comments from US citizens, we have them from: Copenhagen, Denmark Kangerlussuaq, Greenland Bogor, Indonesia Caborca, Mexico Sydney, Australia Montreal, Canada Hong Kong Darwin, Australia Brisbane, Australia London, England Tokyo, … [Read more...] about One Gauge of Foreign Interest in Our US Presidential Race
Clinton Wins in New Hampshire: Egg on My Face…for Now
I thought that Barack Obama would beat Hillary Clinton in New Hampshire today...and handily. That wasn't to be. Why? Apparently, female voters went for Clinton in a big way today. But the reason for that isn't manifestly obvious to me. My wife went to dinner tonight with two other women, all college educated baby boomers. My wife, for one, is ready to vote for a Democratic … [Read more...] about Clinton Wins in New Hampshire: Egg on My Face…for Now