We got our first less-than-subtle clue about the Bush White House’s approach to security in Iraq about a month ago. Faced with a growing insurgency and a January deadline for national elections, American commanders in Iraq say they are preparing operations to open up rebel-held areas, especially Falluja, the restive city west of Baghdad now […]
In June 2003, The New Republic’s Michael Crowley wrote an exceptional article (exceptionally well-researched and exceptionally depressing) about the misery of being a Dem in the House of Representatives. Crowley explained that, for the first time that anyone can remember, lawmakers in the minority are told by the majority that they aren’t aloud to introduce […]
When it comes to the Bush administration and civil rights, I’ve got bad news and worse news. The bad news is this president has been awful. The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights has prepared an exhaustive draft report (.pdf) on Bush’s record and determined that he “has neither exhibited leadership on pressing civil rights issues, […]
This was a story that seemed to slip through the cracks of a very busy week last week, but my friend Poppy reminded me that it’s a story that warrants additional attention. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) and Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) may not agree on much, but both have been involved with White House negotiations over various […]
Everyone’s been wondering if there’s some kind of last-minute surprise Bush or his surrogates would spring to help change the dynamics of the election. I think the shameless Sinclair Broadcast Group, in the most disturbing display of broadcasting abuse in recent history, has unveiled this year’s “October Surprise.” The conservative-leaning Sinclair Broadcast Group, whose television […]
I thought Bush had made it abundantly clear that he considered any public speculation about bringing U.S. troops home from Iraq was not only irresponsible, but dangerous. To hear the president tell it, such talk emboldens our enemies and encourages the terrorists to keep fighting. So, what did Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld do in Iraq […]
I really didn’t want to write about this. The “bulge” on Bush’s back during the first debate spurred breathless discussion among conspiracy-minded critics, but I wasn’t buying it. Yes, there clearly was something there, but I wasn’t even close to considering the notion that it was some kind of device that would allow Bush to […]
It was one of the second debate’s stranger moments. Bush was asked about whom he would chose to fill Supreme Court vacancies and why. Though the president understandably sidestepped specific names, he indicated he’d choose “strict constructionists.” Bush added that he’d select judges who agreed with him on the legality of “under God” in the […]