For those of us engaged in politics, regardless of one’s ideology, perhaps the most puzzling elements of the campaign is the existence of undecided voters. When the candidates are clearly different, and offer competing ideas for the future of the country, what’s so difficult about making a decision? This is why I so thoroughly enjoyed […]
Back in March, in a classic example of GOP McCarthyism, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist effectively accused Richard Clarke of perjury. “Mr. Clarke has told two entirely different stories under oath. In July 2002, in front of the Congressional Joint Inquiry on the September 11 attacks, Mr. Clarke testified under oath that the [Bush] Administration […]
Everyone needs to read Paul Waldman’s fine piece from this afternoon. Truer words were never spoken The move by Republicans to change House rules to allow Tom DeLay to retain his leadership position if he is indicted shows more than a lack of concern with principle, a devotion to raw power above all else, or […]
No serious person could have possibly believed that Bush’s proposed changes to the federal tax code would be fair and equitable. This president has already made it clear through his tax cuts that he prefers class warfare — benefit the rich at everyone else’s expense — and a tax system that, as John Edwards reminded […]
In case the administration’s deceptive propaganda cast doubt on the question, newly released documents from a House committee investigation into the flu vaccine shortage show how breathtakingly incompetent the FDA was in addressing the problem. The Food and Drug Administration found serious problems of bacterial contamination at an influenza vaccine plant in England in 2003, […]
The fact that this year’s exit poll data was, shall we say, “flawed” is not a secret. With these problems in mind, one of the steps the networks are taking to improve the process is hiding the data until later in the day. On future election days, news organizations that pay for surveys of voters […]
Yesterday the rumor was that Joe Lieberman may be willing to give up his Senate seat and join the Bush cabinet. Today, far more credible sources are indicating that the White House has already reached out to a different moderate Senate Dem for a job. Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska has been approached about […]
Say what you will about his centrist positions and dry style, but Harry Reid, the Dems’ new Senate leader, is amazing behind the scenes. This is the kind of thing that helps explain why he’s risen through the Senate ranks. Republican Sen. Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island, a moderate often at odds with GOP conservatives, […]
The AP noted yesterday that November, which is barely half over, is already the second deadliest month for American troops in Iraq since we launched an invasion in March 2003. The worst month was last April, with 135 deaths, when the insurgency intensified and U.S. Marines fought fierce battles in Fallujah, only to be withdrawn […]
I noticed a couple of high-profile bloggers weighed in yesterday on how the Dems can and should approach faith-based initiatives, in general, as part of a broader message of support for religion. I think both were on the right track, but were missing a key piece of the puzzle. Chris Bowers at MyDD, for example, […]