Thursday’s political round-up

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: * Elizabeth Edwards had some curious comments in an interview this week about her husband generating less attention than Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. “We can’t make John black, we can’t make him […]

‘I’m just glad I’m not out there running’

The president sat down with Fox News’ Neil Cavuto last night for a variety of softball sycophantic compelling questions about the political landscape, but I was struck by Bush’s take on the 2008 presidential race. He wouldn’t comment on candidates or predictions, of course, but he spoke more generally about the landscape. CAVUTO: But a […]

Democrats can praise military progress — but still support withdrawal

I’m a little surprised conservatives are all excited this morning about a CNN interview yesterday with Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.). It looks like the AP has led the right to the wrong conclusion. One senator said U.S. troops are routing out al-Qaida in parts of Iraq. Another insisted President Bush’s plan […]

A ‘complicated father-son dynamic’

I tend not to dwell on the Oedipal complexities of the president’s relationship with his father — Maureen Dowd seems to have the beat pretty well covered — but the NYT had a noteworthy piece today on the complex family dynamic. There are times in the life of George Herbert Walker Bush, the 41st president […]

A jukebox that only plays one song

The deficit is high, the debt is growing, the war’s financial costs are exorbitant, and the nation is just coming to grips with the need for a sizable investment in the nation’s bridges and infrastructure. Given this environment, the president has a plan: more tax cuts. President Bush said yesterday that he is considering a […]

Wednesday’s Mini-Report

Today’s edition of quick hits. (There’s something odd about the database’s clock today. I’m posting this at 5:30 EST, but the timer may show otherwise) * Leahy’s patience is running thin: “Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) Wednesday set an Aug. 20 deadline for the Bush administration to produce documents related to the panel’s […]

It’s come to this: praising an informative news article

For all the complaining I do about poor journalism, I should note that this AFP article is well-written, factual, objective, and best of all, informative. (via Beutler) US President George W. Bush charged Monday that Iran has openly declared that it seeks nuclear weapons — an inaccurate accusation at a time of sharp tensions between […]

Dems are not ‘charging forward’ to Pakistan

The extent to which Barack Obama’s comments about Pakistan have been twisted beyond recognition continues to astound me. The problem is not just that American voters are gong to be confused by the errors, but also that an international audience will be misled. This truly bizarre piece, for example, ran in the Pakistani press. United […]

Romney’s sons on the front line — of their father’s campaign

This is as bad as it sounds. Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney on Wednesday defended his five sons’ decision not to enlist in the military, saying they’re showing their support for the country by “helping me get elected.” Romney, who did not serve in Vietnam due to his Mormon missionary work and a high draft […]

Presidential voting — before Christmas?

As of today, the New Hampshire primary is scheduled for Jan. 22, eight days after the Iowa caucuses. South Carolina’s primary is supposed to take place 10 days later, on Feb. 2. But with Florida officials ignoring the national parties, the calendar is about to get ridiculous. South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Katon Dawson will […]