Far too wonky to publish on a respectable blog like this one, I've written a brief analysis of the connection between Yemen, terrorism, and American policy over at Foreign Policy Watch. The post, I should add, includes some rare praise for the Bush administration. … [Read more...] about Dancing With Yemen
Rebranding The Left
In Haaretz, Rami Livni notes an unusual change that is beginning to develop amongst the Israeli left: The traditional peace-camp solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict - two nations, two states - has fallen out of favor, and its supporters' ranks have dwindled. Instead, other voices have been advocating, with increasing confidence, a single bi-national state. The … [Read more...] about Rebranding The Left
A Big Bowl of Symbolism Just Won’t Do It
I was all fired up to write a deep-thinking post on Barack Obama's continuing indifference (or inability) to put meat on the bones of his otherwise captivating hope-and-change mantra after Daniel Larison cited this terrific quote from Joshua Foa Dienstag, a deep thinker whose specialty is the study of pessimism, which certainly would seem to be a growth industry in … [Read more...] about A Big Bowl of Symbolism Just Won’t Do It
Kennedy Passes Torch To Obama
RJ Matson, The St. Louis Post Dispatch … [Read more...] about Kennedy Passes Torch To Obama
McCain Florida Victory: Some Warning Signs For Democrats
Arizona Senator John McCain's victory in the Florida primary can't yet be called "decisive" in terms of the GOP 2008 Presidential nomination race being over -- but the way he won does contain some warning signs for Democrats who might think he'd be a pushover if he runs against Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama in a decidedly anti-Bush year: Drawing heavily on votes from … [Read more...] about McCain Florida Victory: Some Warning Signs For Democrats
From Florida to SuperTuesday: Riding Straight, All Tack Flanging, Hell Bent For Leather Into the Homestretch
Horses running a race can be most easily injured in the home stretch. Why? Because their jockeys can become over-enthused with the thrill of the neck and neck, with the small gains made on the inside curve of the track, losing focus on riding the horse evenhandedly, and instead being swept away in a thrall of jerking speed and imagined glory... aiming too soon for the … [Read more...] about From Florida to SuperTuesday: Riding Straight, All Tack Flanging, Hell Bent For Leather Into the Homestretch
Edwards Over and Out
AP reports (via MSNBC) that John Edwards is dropping out of the presidential race. That's fine with me! Now, will he endorse either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton? CNN: Announcement at 1 pm in New Orleans. … [Read more...] about Edwards Over and Out
Super Tuesday Looms Large: Can It Be We’re Only A Week From the End Of the Game?
Is it possible that a week from today that the Democratic and Republican presidential races will be over bar the shouting? The likelihood the 22-state Super Tuesday primaries will produce prohibitive favorites in either let alone both parties would not seem to be great. But big-state wins by Hillary Clinton and John McCain would make them the presumptive nominees because it … [Read more...] about Super Tuesday Looms Large: Can It Be We’re Only A Week From the End Of the Game?
Obama and the Jewish Question
Jews in Israel are very interested in Obama's position on the problems in their country, as seen here and here. Note the use of his full name, Barack Hussein Obama, in the caption at the top of one of the articles. H/T Watching America.com … [Read more...] about Obama and the Jewish Question
India between China and the U.S.
According to this article from France's Le Monde, India’s strategic priorities are fixed very clearly upon the two main actors in the Asian stage: the United States and China. India's objective is to ... work out its newly minted collusion with Washington without upsetting China The U.S. has a role in South Asian geopolitics that is as important as it is … [Read more...] about India between China and the U.S.
McCain Yes; Obama No?
Obama is stimulating not only the youth to get out and vote, but also the world’s journalists to produce some great op-eds. Watching America is featuring a piece translated from the Spanish-language Mexico’s daily, Excelsior, entitled “McCain Yes; Obama No?”, which touches effectively on so many fundamental themes in U.S. politics. Here are a few quotes. American … [Read more...] about McCain Yes; Obama No?
Betrayal, War and the Fury of a Woman
Double betrayal; War between Dynasties, the Fury of a woman like a lioness in a cage! It sounds like an Italian opera. In fact, it is a super Italian article from Corriere della Sera, translated by the invaluable Watching America.com, on the Kennedys' endorsement of Obama. The betrayal is that of the Clintons by the Kennedys, (the two Dynasties), and the lioness in a cage … [Read more...] about Betrayal, War and the Fury of a Woman
What the Sunshine State Foreshadows
Mitt Romney loses a primary to John McCain that would have knocked a less loaded man out of contention for the Republican nomination, but Romney will buy his way on to Super Tuesday. Hillary Clinton arrives for a made-for-TV celebration, complete with walls of printed placards, of "winning" a phantom contest for no delegates that she and other Democrats had promised to … [Read more...] about What the Sunshine State Foreshadows
McCain Would Be the Best Republican President for Europe
Considering the general suspicion and negativity towards Europe among the Republicans, it is great news that John McCain is the frontrunner. For Europe he would be better than any other Republican candidate. The Atlantic Community reviewed the Republican candidates' statements on Europe and transatlantic affairs and concludes: Huckabee claims Europe is (unintentionally) to … [Read more...] about McCain Would Be the Best Republican President for Europe
McCain Wins Florida Primary But Now Must Battle Conservative Talk Radio
With his Florida primary victory over chief rival former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Arizona Senator John McCain is now seemingly the GOP's front-runner for the 2008 Presidential nomination, but he still faces a foe that's determined to pull out all stops and to shout warnings to try and stop him: conservative talk radio. On a 500 mile drive Tuesday from San Diego to … [Read more...] about McCain Wins Florida Primary But Now Must Battle Conservative Talk Radio
Republican Hardliners Not Happy About McCain’s Florida Win
Here in Florida, Hillary and McCain carried the day. Giuliani apparently is planning to drop out of the race and give the nod to McCain. And some conservatives ain't happy, to put it mildly. At The Corner, Michael Graham says, "Assuming there is no shocking revelation or health issue, the GOP nomination is over. Conservatives need to start practicing the … [Read more...] about Republican Hardliners Not Happy About McCain’s Florida Win
Who Would McCain, Romney, or Huckabee Choose as Running Mate? (Part 2)
On Tuesday, Florida clarified what was already apparent in the race for the Republican presidential nomination: The nominee will either be Senator John McCain or former Governor Mitt Romney. Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, overplaying the evangelical hand in a bid to win the South Carolina primary, lost whatever chance he had of winning the nomination by suggesting … [Read more...] about Who Would McCain, Romney, or Huckabee Choose as Running Mate? (Part 2)
No more Rudy redux, expected to endorse McCain
Republican presidential primary candidate and former Mayor of New York City Rudy Giuliani's concession speech this evening, after a third place finish in the Florida GOP primary, is being called indicative of an imminent withdrawal from the race. From Politics on the Hudson: Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani gave a last hurrah speech tonight following his third place … [Read more...] about No more Rudy redux, expected to endorse McCain
Margaret Truman Daniel
She died today in a week when Caroline Kennedy endorsed Barack Obama and Chelsea Clinton was on the campaign trail for her mother. First Families have changed since Margaret Truman's time, but she was a kind and caring woman whose books about the place, including murder mysteries, will be a lasting part of Washington lore. She was an only child in the White House, a Daddy's … [Read more...] about Margaret Truman Daniel
Florida Fight: McCain Beats Romney
Republicans: McCain at 36 percent gets all 57 delegates, Romney 31 percent, Giuliani 15 percent & Huckabee 13 percent. Giuliani to withdraw from the race and will reportedly endorse McCain. Democrats: Hillary Clinton whomps the field but may not get any delegates. CNN … [Read more...] about Florida Fight: McCain Beats Romney