Following up on an earlier item, the president’s decision to veto a bipartisan bill to expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program is scandalous, but it’s not without a foundation. Bush didn’t just reject the expansion out of some kind of craven disgust for children’s health; he’s offered specific policy rationales for rejecting the legislation. […]
Following up an item from the weekend, media scrutiny of Hillary Clinton’s marriage, hairstyle, clothing, and cleavage has apparently grown stale, leading reporters to turn their attention to the Democratic frontrunner’s laugh. The New York Times has labeled it “The Cackle” — and yes, the paper of record really did capitalize it. Perhaps not surprisingly, […]
About three years ago, The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart appeared on CNN’s Crossfire to tell the hosts that the show is “hurting America.” Depending on one’s perspective, Stewart was either being pompous or delivering a much-needed wake-up call to the political/media establishment (I vote for the latter), but either way, it became something of a […]
Rudy Giuliani may think he can fool voters at large about his positions on social issues, but the former mayor isn’t stupid — he knows conning religious right leaders is impossible. Dobson & Co. are well aware of Giuliani’s background, and won’t fall for “strict constructionist” talking points. It’s precisely why some of this crowd […]
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: * John Edwards’ presidential campaign has criticized Hillary Clinton’s campaign for stealing the former senator’s ideas, and yesterday, Team Edwards went after Barack Obama for the same reason. “If you need any more […]
The president was very anxious to make his case against expanding the State Children’s Health Insurance Program in a very public way, complete with a press conference, a radio address, and a fairly aggressive media press. But when it came time to reject the bipartisan measure to provide access to care for millions of low-income […]
When MoveOn.org’s “Betray Us” ad drew a firestorm of attention, the progressive group stood by the advertisement, but it didn’t take out another, even more provocative ad. When Rush Limbaugh drew the ire of Dems and veterans’ groups for attacking soldiers who support withdrawal from Iraq as “phony,” he decided to dive right back in. […]
If Barack Obama is going to catch up to Hillary Clinton — a scenario that becomes more of a challenge all the time — he’s going to have to build on what he’s done so far this year, and add a new dimension to his campaign. There’s no shortage of suggestions, but I’d argue that […]
As a rule, national primary polls, taken more than three months before a single person casts an actual vote, are not reliable. Not only are polls from Iowa and New Hampshire far more relevant, but national data can change on a dime. In the 2004 Democratic race, Howard Dean was coasting to an easy victory, […]
Today’s edition of quick hits. * Today’s House hearing on Blackwater produced all kinds of interesting information. Here’s the AP’s lede: “Blackwater chairman Erik Prince vigorously defended his private security company on Tuesday, rejecting charges that his staff acted like a bunch of cowboys immune to legal prosecution while protecting State Department personnel in Iraq […]