As Floridians go to the polls today to vote in the state's Presidential primary a new poll shows Senator John McCain widening his leading over Massachusetts former Gov. Mitt Romney -- and suggests news editors should have their political obituaries ready to run about former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani: Arizona Sen. John McCain’s lead over former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt … [Read more...] about Poll: McCain Widening Lead As Floridians Vote In Florida Presidential Primary
Ask the GOP to support Campaign Finance Reform
David Donnelly, Director, Campaign Money Watch is inviting people to sign a petition to the Republican Candidates Once we collect signatures for this petition, we’ll fax the Republican presidential candidates a letter the day before Super Tuesday, February 5th, to urge them to support full public financing of elections. From big campaign contributions to the influence of … [Read more...] about Ask the GOP to support Campaign Finance Reform
Pakistan & Democracy: A Brave Woman’s Voice…
Challenges to return of democracy in Pakistan have multiplied after the assassination of Mrs Benazir Bhutto, a former prime minister. For an independent woman, especially if she has a mind of her own, it still remains a herculean task to be heard in many countries of the world. In some countries it can become a matter of life and death. However, there are brave-hearts who … [Read more...] about Pakistan & Democracy: A Brave Woman’s Voice…
Niche debates for primary candidates?
If you peruse this list of policy initiatives provided by The White House in relation to President George W. Bush's State of the Union address last night (transcript is here; C-SPAN video is here), you may notice that two topics concern science and technology, two topics concern education and no topics concern the arts. [NB: The final topic on that list, about worldwide … [Read more...] about Niche debates for primary candidates?
Playing President
In last night's Theater of the Absurd, a Lame Duck is quacking at the podium while the ducklings-in-waiting look on, pretending to listen before they waddle out for their turn on the TV stage. You could have watched the President's last State of the Union address with the sound off and not turned it up as his would-be successors did their predictable soliloquies--Hillary … [Read more...] about Playing President
Around The Campaign 2008 Sphere
NOTE: Another in our series of special Election 2008 editions of our popular Around The Sphere link-fest where we offer readers links to weblogs of differing viewpoints -- and give you our comments on some of the political issues raised. This version will only contain election-related links. It will appear several times a week until Election Day. The Latino Vote Is Solidly … [Read more...] about Around The Campaign 2008 Sphere
Pondering The President’s State Of The Union Address
Is the address itself a meaningful report or has it now evolved into something best described as "empty state?" The great Pennywit is now back online and he gives you his always well-considered thoughts HERE. … [Read more...] about Pondering The President’s State Of The Union Address
Watching Clinton & Obama Watch Bush as I Prepare to Cast My Vote
As far as I'm concerned, the two Democratic candidates really did steal the President's show, even though neither said a word. Truly, it was a treat to see both of them react to the President's speech, especially during his comments on health care. Hillary responded with averted eyes and slow clapping, while Obama just scratched his chin thoughtfully. Neither … [Read more...] about Watching Clinton & Obama Watch Bush as I Prepare to Cast My Vote
The Story of the George Bush Presidency: Unstable, Unfinished & Uncomprehending
Hard to believe, but I still can muster a modicum of sympathy for George Walker Bush. This is because it is apparent after the last seven long years that this son of the Texas oil patch really didn't know what hit him, still doesn't know what hit him and still won't know what hit him when he heads home one year hence to his ranch to search among the scrub brush for his … [Read more...] about The Story of the George Bush Presidency: Unstable, Unfinished & Uncomprehending
Definitively, Barack Obama is the Candidate of Europe …
Why are so many Europeans so hooked on Barack Obama? According to this op-ed article from Portugal's leading business daily, Diario Economico, 'Europe sees Barack Obama as the antithesis of George W. Bush. And confronted with the state of the world, this is something that makes all the difference. Seen from the Old Continent, Obama symbolizes the American spirit in the European … [Read more...] about Definitively, Barack Obama is the Candidate of Europe …
State Of The Union
RJ Matson, Roll Call … [Read more...] about State Of The Union
The State of the Union (Drinking Game)
Time to lighten things up. Hattip to a Twitter from SpiderWebWoman. I hereby present to you the political version of The Love Boat Drinking Game, now known as, The State of the Union Drinking Game. For history buffs, visit this page at C-SPAN for previous years' SOTUs and responses. You should be able to watch this year's SOTU live here. … [Read more...] about The State of the Union (Drinking Game)
Right On Obama
I recently posted here a story by the Spanish newspaper, El Diario Exterior, about how the European left is feeling somewhat threatened by the rise of the Obama star in the U.S., as his success could weaken one of their pet claims - that racial division prevents equality of opportunity etc. and that racial prejudice is still endemic - especially in "rightist America". … [Read more...] about Right On Obama
Europeans Worried by Republican Disarray
The Republican Party’s disarray heading into the Florida primary and the recent return to favor of John McCain in the polls is causing fear in some European quarters and relief in others. Most Europeans are against the Iraq war and they fear that McCain will prefer to score some kind of victory in Iraq rather than withdraw to cut losses, regardless of what happens on the … [Read more...] about Europeans Worried by Republican Disarray
Uzbekistan, Florida, and More
Once again, the incomparable Dave Barry wields both the sharp and dull edges of humor to tell it like it is. An excerpt: Most of the candidates ignored Wyoming and focused on the New Hampshire primary, except Rudy Giuliani, who's following a shrewd strategy, originally developed by the Miami Dolphins, of not entering the race until he has been mathematically eliminated. … [Read more...] about Uzbekistan, Florida, and More
Will Maryland Break the Wall?
A bill has been introduced in the Maryland legislature to legalize gay marriage. Its passage is hardly-ensured, but it isn't dead in the water either. If it gets through, Maryland will be the first state to legalize gay marriage strictly through the democratic process -- a massive symbolic victory and an important step in the fight for equal rights. Here's hoping my state … [Read more...] about Will Maryland Break the Wall?
The Pieces Fall into Place
After delivering the State of the Union response, Kansas Governor and Democratic rising star Kathleen Sebelius will endorse Barack Obama for President. It's part of an overall good swing of endorsements for Obama, including Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) and Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-CA), the highest ranking Latino House member. The latter is particularly significant because Obama … [Read more...] about The Pieces Fall into Place
Chavez Warns ‘U.S. Pawn’ Uribe of Impending War
While people in this country and much of the world remain riveted by the U.S. election race, new trouble has been brewing between U.S.-backed Colombia and Venezuela. This comes as Condoleezza Rice leads a diplomatic mission to Colombia to push for a new free trade deal.According to this account from Argentine newspaper La Capital, President Chavez raised the stakes with his … [Read more...] about Chavez Warns ‘U.S. Pawn’ Uribe of Impending War
Media BS: Misrepresenting the Democratic Race for the White House
Just how nasty (or not) is the Democratic race? Well, you've seen it on Jon Stewart, who tells it like it is night after night, and the good people at Hullabaloo have made the same point: By historical standards, this has been an unfailingly nice primary, and only recently have tempers flared. There have been some whispers from surrogates, some opposition research dropped … [Read more...] about Media BS: Misrepresenting the Democratic Race for the White House
Anti-Obama Ad Briefly On TMV Beyond Our Control (UPDATED)
NOTE TO READERS: It has come to our attention that an anti-Obama ad was briefly on TMV under the Google Ads section. It was one of those small line ads. It was the Muslim charge that has been made against him (see previous post since it's related). If you look, you'll see THAT AD is gone now. These ads rotate. We don't inspect each ad and neither this site or any weblog by … [Read more...] about Anti-Obama Ad Briefly On TMV Beyond Our Control (UPDATED)