Barack Obama reminded an audience yesterday that American consumers can save money and improve fuel efficiency by keeping their tired inflated and getting regular tune-ups. I thought this was just common sense, and one of those simple steps that everyone already knew about. Apparently, Republicans have decided that it’s worthy of mockery. “[Obama] suggested we […]
A McCain campaign aide described this new web video as “a little Friday fun,” hoping, desperately, that major news outlets will pick this up and air it for free. So, why am I playing along? Featuring the latest inanity from the single most annoying presidential campaign in modern history? For a few reasons. One, I’m […]
In April, Minority Leader John Boehner told the House Republican caucus they had nothing to worry about. Republicans knew, he said, precisely how to keep “red” districts in GOP hands — nationalize the races, tie the Dems to Obama and Pelosi. After Boehner’s strategy failed miserably three times in three months in three reliably-Republican districts, […]
John Ellis, George W. Bush’s first cousin, said after the 2000 election that he never understood why Al Gore didn’t say, “What is it, Gov. Bush, that you don’t like about peace and prosperity?” I think about that from time to time, especially in the context of the current presidential election. Somehow, Bush’s name and […]
There’s probably a general impression among voters that the House of Representatives is a silly, dysfunctional institution, made up of a few too many people who love to hear themselves talk, but aren’t especially fond of governing. Today is perhaps the single best example in recent history of lawmakers going out of their way to […]
In February, in an observation that seemed truly ridiculous, even at the time, Mark Halperin argued that Barack Obama benefits from an electorate that “seems oddly indifferent” to Obama’s alleged failure to offer “detailed policy prescriptions despite the grave problems confronting the nation.” Soon after, John McCain said of Obama, “I respect him and the […]
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: * So far, the media narratives haven’t quite reached the public: “37% think Obama is arrogant (34% think McCain is arrogant.); 63% do not think Obama is arrogant. 44% think he’s acting as […]
Under the leadership of the Associated Press’ DC bureau chief, Ron Fournier, reporters are now “encouraged to throw away the weasel words and call it like they see it when they think public officials have revealed themselves as phonies or flip-floppers.” The AP now prefers more of an aggressive, plain-spoken style of writing that Fournier […]
About a month ago, Newsweek reported that Wal-Mart, after years of embracing conservative politics, was beginning to draw some criticism from the right. In particular, some conservatives believe the retail behemoth was “being too nice to unions.” It seemed like an odd complaint, given that Wal-Mart has been vehemently anti-labor since, well, forever. But in […]
In the spring, Democratic primary voters didn’t fall for misguided gimmicks on energy policy. But if recent polling is any indication, Americans in general are so worried about gas prices, many of them are actually falling for the scam being pushed by John McCain and the rest of the Republican establishment. A CNN poll this […]