The mothership linked to <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/06/AR200808...">David Broder's column</a> today on the recent negative tone of the presidential campaign. Does Broder ask McCain if he regrets asserting that Obama would rather lose a war and win the election? No. Rather, he...
Obama and McCain recently offered distinct definitions of patriotism. McCain said it means doing what's best for your country no matter what. Obama said it means having faith in one another as Americans.Many here are aware of a long-running survey question...
While I think Frank Rich is a bit overstated in his worries about the "complacency" of the early-summer Obama (as well as McCain--I don't think McCain is clued into reality enough to merit the charge of being "complacent": "complacent" compared...
<a href = "http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/07/07/080707fa_fact_hersh">Seymour Hersh reports</a> that Congress last year agreed to a request from Bush for a major increase in funding for covert operations in Iran aimed at destabilizing the current regime.This seems an entirely predictable Republican strategy to:*pursue actions...
Well, as a northern Virginia (inner DC suburbs) resident who previously lived in Maryland and had thought of myself as a "Maryland person" and not a "Virginia person", I have to say how delighted I am that Virginia's cup runneth over...
I would like to extend my kudos to Vice President Cheney for <a href="http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/198276.php">doing his part</a> to make a thoroughgoing Democratic landslide more possible this fall with his recent remarks about West Virginians. What other help can we look forward to receiving from senior...
Well, of course outing a CIA agent as a sitting President and Vice President would clearly be OB.But, I digress. Where to draw the lines on candidate speech?The major party nominees are of course briefed regularly on national security developments...
Do yourself a favor. Buy and read a copy of Drew Westen's The Political Brain: The Role of Emotion in Deciding the Fate of the Nation, which is just out in paperback. Westen has gotten the attention of shakers and...
*The <a href="http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/05/09/west_wing_actors_con..."> highly credible reports</a> coming out now that McCain did not vote for Bush in 2000 should be used to attack his integrity, character and credibility--the very strengths he asserts as the basis for his candidacy. The issue isn't whether he...
My good Clinton-supporting Florida friend wrote me this morning that it's "time to rethink all this":"Clinton has now won NH, NJ, NY, CA, PA, OH, TX , MA, FL, MI, MD - all the states worth counting and the states we...
Some I have seen (all available from www.Cafepress.com, among surely many other outlets) Middle-Class White Guys for ObamaI Hated Bush Way Before It Was CoolLatte-Drinking, Prius-Driving Democrat for ObamaBitch is the New Black (Tina Fey wins the award for closest-to-instantaneous journey from...
I'd like to second Josh's recommendation to read Spencer Ackerman's article at TAP, "The Obama Doctrine". I'll toss out a few random observations in case this post stays up long enough for someone to see it and want to...
Here's something that might help you think about something else--Amy Sullivan's welcome new book The Party Faithful.I found it a fascinating look deep inside a world which the mainstream media for the most part seems afraid to touch or simply does not...
Snippets from the front lines, aka peoples' homes: A report from Pennsylvania, a suburb west of Philly. My brother-in-law is a diehard Fox-washed Bush supporter who has been contributing to McCain, calling him a "Democrat" who he nonetheless sees has...
I've just finished The Conscience of a Liberal. Thank you--it was fantastic. I recommend it, along with Jacob Hacker's The Great Risk Shift, tpmcafe's Jared Bernstein's All Together Now, and tpmcafe's Elizabeth Warren The Two Income Trap, as the best books I've...
What do you see as the biggest cultural change(s) in the US over the past 15-20 years that might have a substantial impact on our politics going forward?If you know of an interesting article on this topic please feel free...
Ok. We have a presidential election year. We have what has been a deeply unpopular war going on in Iraq. We have money going out from the Bush Administration to people who in different circumstances might be referred to as--take your pick--thugs,...
(would screw up the open thread Andrew set up on account of length, so I post here instead) I wondered all along if deep down he really wanted the nomination, given Elizabeth's health issues, or was in more to try...
A friend of mine, active in Democratic politics in the Tampa area, is royally PO'd about Florida not having a say in who the Democratic nominee is. A Hillary supporter, he is blaming Howard Dean for what is another file...
Is it a) legitimate b) advisable to factor into one's decision on how to vote in the presidential primaries any of the following: Edwards Elizabeth's long-term prognosis. Is it legitimate to have qualms about voting for John Edwards based on...
