Political insiders and pundits seem to enjoy arguing over which presidential candidate won the day, and even more often, who won the week. In theory, the idea is that the candidate who wins more days and weeks tends to ultimately win the election. I have no idea if that’s true, or if the exercise is […]
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 Wall Street Journal reported this morning that the Obama campaign only raised $30 million in June, a number the Journal described as “underwhelming.” Soon after Obama spokesperson Dan Pfeiffer responded, “The […]
Just moments ago, John McCain kicked off a campaign event in Wisconsin, the focus of which “will be women in business and the economic challenges they face.” It makes sense that McCain would target women voters, who, if polls are any indication, prefer Barack Obama by a fairly strong margin. But I don’t think McCain […]
Long-time readers may recall that I wrote a Washington Monthly piece two years ago about the apparent double standard the media applies to politicians’ marital difficulties. Bill Clinton’s personal difficulties dominated the media landscape for more than a decade — indeed, in some instances, his alleged proclivities are still of interest, 16 years after reporters […]
In April, Joe Lieberman explained that he’s open to delivering the keynote address at the Republican National Convention in September. “If Sen. McCain, who I support so strongly, asked me to do it, if he thinks it will help him, I will,” Lieberman told The Hill. (The remarks came just days after Lieberman praised Rush […]
If Dems were as willing to stand up to Republicans on foreign policy as they are on domestic policy, we’d all be a lot better off. It’s a common refrain in Democratic circles: in the major political disputes in DC, Dems will say the right things, and endorse the right policies, but when push comes […]
I saw some headlines yesterday about Bush departing the G8 summit this week, with many news items noting, “Goodbye from the world’s biggest polluter.” I assumed it was some kind of sarcastic paraphrase, with international news outlets poking fun at the Bush administration. According to some accounts, it was actually a direct quote. George Bush […]
Today’s edition of quick hits. * Not surprisingly, Bush didn’t waste any time: “President Bush signed a bill Thursday that overhauls rules about government eavesdropping and grants immunity to telecommunications companies that helped the U.S. spy on Americans in suspected terrorism cases. He called it ‘landmark legislation that is vital to the security of our […]
You can’t give Barack Obama a slow, hanging curve, right over the middle of the plate, and expect him not to swing. “One of his top economic advisors, former Sen. Phil Gramm, said that we’re merely in a ‘mental recession.’ That’s what he said,” Obama said, smiling. “Said we’re in a ‘mental recession.’ He didn’t […]
For quite a while, there was considerable public confusion over Barack Obama’s Christian faith. Thanks to an email chain and right-wing whispers, a few too many people were led to believe Obama is, or was, some kind of secret Muslim. In the ensuing months, there’s been an aggressive push to help people hear the truth. […]