Like fashion and bad haircuts, Bush’s historical analogies come back into style

With the war in Iraq now in its sixth year, the White House keeps running into an awkward dilemma — it’s run out of arguments. In trying to spin a policy that doesn’t work, the Bush gang has relied on every argument imaginable, and with little success. So, left with no other choice, the White […]

Obama may make Iraq visit — but not with McCain

It’s almost entertaining, in an academic sense, to watch multi-faceted Republican attacks unfold before our very eyes. This week, for example, the GOP decided that it was really important that Barack Obama hasn’t traveled to Iraq over the last couple of years. It started over the weekend, with Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of McCain’s most […]

Wednesday’s Mini-Report

Today’s edition of quick hits. * No big surprise: “For the 2nd time this year, a federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit filed by a Florida democrat delegate angry over party rules that have threatened to keep Florida Delegates from being seated at the upcoming Democratic Convention. Once again US District Judge Richard A. […]

McCain voted with Bush 100% of the time

The fine folks at Progressive Media USA have an interesting item about John McCain’s voting record in relation to the Bush White House’s wishes. CQ’s Presidential Support studies try to determine how often a legislator votes in line with the President’s position: CQ tries to determine what the president personally, as distinct from other administration […]

Too nutty for McCain, just right for Lieberman

Max Blumenthal had a much-discussed report yesterday in which he noted that Joe Lieberman “is scheduled to headline Pastor John Hagee’s 2008 Christians United For Israel Washington-Israel Summit this July 22. In accepting Hagee’s invitation, Lieberman became the most senior elected representative confirmed to appear at the annual gala.” I was actually curious to see […]

Clinton/Obama, Florida/Michigan, and confusion over ‘popular will’

Given recent campaign rhetoric, the upcoming meeting of the DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee, and the airing of HBO’s “Recount,” there’s been quite a bit of talk this week about popular political will, some of it misguided. National Review’s Rich Lowry, for example, seems confused. Back in 2000, Democrats were contemptuous of rules and technicalities […]

The inevitable pushback against Scott McClellan is already underway

On those rare instances in which top Bush administration officials leave and denounce their former colleagues, the loyal Bushies have a handful of go-to attacks they rely on to blame the messenger. The options include calling the former official “disgruntled” (used against former Treasury Secretary Paul O’Neill); “out of the loop” (used against former counter-terrorism […]

Dunkin’ Donuts caves to the right’s fear of scarves

Good news — as far as a few unhinged conservative activists are concerned, you can now go back to enjoying Dunkin’ Donuts without inadvertently supporting a terrorist-sympathizing ad campaign. For those of you who don’t read reactionary right-wing blogs, Dunkin’ Donuts recently unveiled an ad featuring television personality Rachael Ray, holding a latte, standing in […]

Far-right GOP base balks at a possible McCain running mate

Over the weekend, John McCain hosted an event at his home, ostensibly as a social occasion, but what actually appeared to be something of an audition opportunity for three possible Republican running mates — Gov. Charlie Crist of Florida, Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, and former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts. By some estimations, Crist […]

Wednesday’s campaign 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: * There’s been some movement on the superdelegate front over the last 24 hours. If my count is right, Barack Obama has picked up four new supporters, worth 3.5 superdelegate votes — Colorado’s […]