The finalists emerge:Now that Iowa, Wyoming, New Hampshire, Michigan, Nevada, and South Carolina have voted, at least in one party, one thing is perfectly clear: While the identities of the two major-party nominees are not yet certain, the ranks on both sides have thinned dramatically and the finalists have emerged. For the Democrats, the nominee will either be Hillary Clinton … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: THE RACE FOR PRESIDENT
Stimulus Package Round-Up
Last week, when President Bush outlined his proposed stimulus package, someone asked me what I thought. My reply: First, it will raise the national debt and deficit during "wartime". FDR was more fiscally conservative. Second, as it sits 40% of people won't get the whole "rebate" because they didn't pay enough taxes. Those 40% of people are the same people most likely to … [Read more...] about Stimulus Package Round-Up
Who Would McCain, Romney, or Huckabee Choose as Running Mate? (Part 1)
Unless Rudy Giuliani pulls off a Florida surprise in next Tuesday's primary, there are now three Republicans with some chance of winning their party's presidential nomination: John McCain, Mitt Romney, and Mike Huckabee. Recently, I speculated on who might be the vice presidential running mates of Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama in the event that one of them becomes the … [Read more...] about Who Would McCain, Romney, or Huckabee Choose as Running Mate? (Part 1)
Ed Schultz’s Contention Bill Clinton “Lying” Underscores Former President’s Polarization Among Democrats
Progressive talk show host Ed Schultz is highly critical of former President Bill Clinton. In fact, except for the use of a strong word (see headline) that we prefer not to use in posts (it is overused by partisans on both sides and sometimes people in politics are absolutely convinced that what they say is reality) his conclusion echoes the conclusion of yours truly as this … [Read more...] about Ed Schultz’s Contention Bill Clinton “Lying” Underscores Former President’s Polarization Among Democrats
Ron Paul, Libertarian
There's a lot to love about Ron Paul. And he is appreciated far afield, as evidenced by this op-ed from Siglo XXI, a Guatemalan Spanish-language daily, translated as ever by Watching America.com. … [Read more...] about Ron Paul, Libertarian
Condoleezza Rice: ‘Naive’ American
Is American optimism just foolish naivety, or does it actually have the power to change realities on the ground? According to Andreas Theyssen of the Financial Times Deutschland, the answer is pretty clear that whatever mistakes American optimism results in, the record shows that it's nothing to sneeze at. “God has a special providence for fools, drunks and the United … [Read more...] about Condoleezza Rice: ‘Naive’ American
Obama’s Campaign Uses Bill Clinton Campaigning For Funds Appeal
The war between the camps of Senator Barack Obama and the Billary campaign of Senator Hillary Clinton and the person who is emerging as her Campaigner In Chief, former President Bill Clinton, is heating up. BIG-TIME. The Clinton campaign has started to make some in the Democratic Party uneasy about the unfettered co-campaign of Bill Clinton, a figure long-beloved throughout … [Read more...] about Obama’s Campaign Uses Bill Clinton Campaigning For Funds Appeal
BREAKING: Kucinich drops out
Of the presidential race. From the Plain Dealer's blog, Openers: Cleveland Congressman Dennis Kucinich is dropping out of the Democratic race for president. Kucinich will make the announcement Friday at a news conference in Cleveland. In an exclusive interview with Plain Dealer editors and reporters, Kucinich said he will explain his "transitioning" tomorrow. "I want … [Read more...] about BREAKING: Kucinich drops out
Freedom Digitized
The Internet is like alcohol in some sense. It accentuates what you would do anyway. If you want to be a loner, you can be more alone. If you want to connect, it makes it easier to connect. -- Esther Dyson, Interview in Time Magazine, October 2005 That quote above outlines why I laugh at the viewpoint that the Internet is evil. Like any medium, it is affected by the … [Read more...] about Freedom Digitized
Republican Misogynist Hatred of Hillary Clinton, Part 36
This time, it's from someone with deep, deep party roots. … [Read more...] about Republican Misogynist Hatred of Hillary Clinton, Part 36
The B-Ball Coach vs. The Archbishop
If you live in the St. Louis area, you've already heard this story. If you don't live here, read on. The Archbishop of the St. Louis Diocese, Raymond Burke, is well known for his uncompromising views on Catholic doctrine and his flat-out inability to make his case without sparking an uproar. Among other grating acts, Burke once criticized a local Catholic hospital for … [Read more...] about The B-Ball Coach vs. The Archbishop
Like Poland, Romania Must Tell America What it Wants!
How important an issue is America's missile-defense shield to Eastern Europeans? According to this frustrated op-ed from Romania's Ziarul newspaper, given the increasingly shrill nuclear threats coming from Moscow, Romania must demand more from Washington to assure its own security - just as Poland and others already have. “The government of Romania had absolutely no reaction … [Read more...] about Like Poland, Romania Must Tell America What it Wants!
Pope Calls For More Ethical “Info-Ethics” Media
EVERYBODY is a media critic these days: Pope Benedict XVI has called on the media to underpin its work with ethical considerations and do more to promote the "dignity of the human being". The pontiff said there was a need for what he called "info-ethics" - as much as bio-ethics in the fields of medicine and biological research. He said the media was often used to … [Read more...] about Pope Calls For More Ethical “Info-Ethics” Media
Republicans Wrestle With Pork
A generation gap is dividing GOP members of Congress over the classic conflict between doing good for the country and doing well for the voters who sent them there. According to Washington insiders' bible, The Hill, "earmarking funds back home is becoming the most divisive issue facing congressional Republicans. "The fight largely pits junior conservatives--arguing that … [Read more...] about Republicans Wrestle With Pork
John McCain & The Dinosaur Vote
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