The president’s trip to Vietnam wrapped up a couple of days ago, but an alert reader sent me a heads-up on this report, from the International Herald Tribune, about the “connection” Bush made with the Vietnamese people. On Saturday, Mr. Bush’s national security adviser, Stephen J. Hadley, conceded that the president had not come into […]
Perhaps the biggest flaw of Republican rule of Congress wasn’t the misguided legislation, unhinged rhetoric, or dictatorial style; it was the GOP’s inability to actually govern. Even when lawmakers have no real policy agenda to pursue, there are certain measures Congress needs to pass — such as a federal budget. In this respect, 2006 Republicans […]
Today’s edition of quick hits. * Keith Olbermann had another one of his special commentaries last night, this time on the president, his trip to Vietnam, and the lessons Bush hasn’t yet learned. “There are dozens central lessons to be learned from our nightmare in Vietnam,” Olbermann said, “but ‘we’ll succeed unless we quit’ is […]
Criticizing Richard Cohen columns has become something of a parlor game, and most of the time, I don’t partake — because I’ve found it easier just to skip most of Cohen’s pieces. But I noticed Hilzoy’s take of Cohen’s latest piece and I have to say, she’s quite right; this new column is “pretty extraordinary.” […]
The president’s father has been in the news quite a bit lately, due in large part to the fact that many of his old aides (Baker, Gates, et al) seem to be running to Washington to give the current president a desperately needed hand. But the rescues notwithstanding, Bush 41 seems to be taking a […]
I can appreciate the fact that military recruiting in the midst of an unpopular war is difficult. I can even appreciate the need to alter minimum standards in order to make it easier to fill the ranks. But “moral waivers“? (thanks to K.Z. for the tip) A CBS4 investigation shows how the U.S. Army is […]
Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich, who apparently has a blog, ran into John McCain on Sunday in ABC’s green room. As Reich explained it, they had an interesting chat. (via Atrios) I asked him why he continued to call for more troops for Iraq when he must know it’s a political non-starter. He said he […]
We’ve been hearing for months about outgoing Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney’ (R) religion “problem,” as it relates to his likely presidential campaign, but a new Rasmussen poll shows that the hurdle he’ll have to clear is awfully high. Mitt Romney (R) begins the 2008 campaign season in fourth place among those seeking the GOP Presidential […]
Of all the things to get excited about, I’ve never quite understood why conservatives seem a little fixated on animated cartoons. The #1 movie in the country, the animated film “Happy Feet,” is “an entertaining story about a young bird’s journey toward self-acceptance.” But to Fox News’ Neil Cavuto it’s insidious “far left” political propaganda. […]
Today’s installment of campaign-related news items that wouldn’t generate a post of their own, but may be of interest to political observers: * The extremely narrow race in Florida’s 13th congressional district is now heading to court. Local election officials declared Vern Buchanan (R) the winner by a 369-vote margin yesterday, prompting Christine Jennings (D) […]