When Indiana passed a voter I.D. law, it was ostensibly to protect the integrity of the voting process. What better way to prevent voter fraud than to require those participating in an election to produce identification? Was there any evidence of a voter-fraud scourge in Indiana? No. Would the law make it harder for “certain […]
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: * Before the Wisconsin primary in February, Hillary Clinton made debates a central point of her campaign. She appears to be following a similar strategy now, telling audiences over the weekend that she […]
Once in a while, American politics will get so detached from reality, one wonders if news articles are part of an elaborate practical joke, meant to drive the reality-based community batty. Take, for example, John McCain’s assertion yesterday that he cares more about the needs of poor people than Barack Obama. The GOP nominee-in-waiting rapped […]
John McCain said he wouldn’t make Jeremiah Wright a campaign issue. Yesterday, he changed his mind. Senator John McCain delved on Sunday into remarks made by Senator Barack Obama’s former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., saying it was “beyond belief” that Mr. Wright had likened the Romans at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion […]
Just 10 days ago, DNC Chairman Howard Dean struck a relatively impatient note about the party’s presidential nominating contest, telling CNN that he wants uncommitted superdelegates to “say who they’re for starting now.” He added, “We cannot give up two or three months of active campaigning and healing time. We’ve got to know who our […]
Jared Bernstein of the Economic Policy Institute recently said, “I don’t think anybody’s numbers add up when they run for president. I do fear that (McCain’s) don’t add up the most.” That’s not exactly the impression the New York Times wants to convey. In a front-page piece yesterday, the NYT analyzed the fiscal plans presented […]
About half-way through his interview on “Fox News Sunday” yesterday, Barack Obama, in response to a question about his propensity to toe the party line, said, “There are a lot of liberal commentators who think I’m too accommodating.” The irony, of course, is that Obama was saying this on Fox News, which led many to […]
Time for a quick quiz. Question #1: when Barack Obama campaigned in Altoona, Pa., a few weeks ago, what was his bowling score? And question #2: name one thing — anything — about Joe Biden’s healthcare plan. Elizabeth Edwards makes the point today that, thanks to media coverage, we can all immediately answer the first, […]
The McCain campaign doesn’t seem especially concerned about Democratic attacks that he’s running to give the nation a third Bush term. He doesn’t seem to care when people highlight his age. He shrugs off questions about his reputation as a hothead with a nasty temperament who flies off the handle on a regular basis. He […]
If I were to pick a specific date for when the Clinton campaign’s tactics began to cause real consternation in Democratic circles, I’d have to go with Jan. 25. At that point, Clinton had won a couple of impressive victories (New Hampshire, Nevada), and Obama had won a couple of his own (Iowa, South Carolina), […]