Over the last couple of months, much of the political discussion regarding the U.S. policy in Iraq has been centered around the perception of progress. Civilian casualties are down. Military casualties are down. Political progress doesn’t seem quite as elusive. Iraq 2008 appears more like Iraq 2005 than Iraq 2006. No matter what the specifics […]
Up until the summer of 2006, I was completely unfamiliar with John Solomon, then a reporter with the Associated Press. What caught my attention, of course, was a series of odd and misleading articles Solomon wrote attacking Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.), accusing him of ethical lapses. The closer one looked at the criticisms, the weaker […]
The intensity of the race-based debate surrounding the two leading Democratic presidential candidates seemed poised to get worse, not better. The tone and volume of the dispute was not only driving a wedge in the party, it seemed like the kind of clash that could do lasting damage. Fortunately, before matters got out of control, […]
Today’s edition of quick hits. * The de-Baathification law passed in Iraq might not be quite as encouraging as once thought. Spencer Ackerman explains that the measure is basically “phony”: “The Sunnis are outraged: one Sunni parliamentarian calls the law “a sword on the neck of the people.” But the Shiites throw their hands up […]
We already know that when it comes to healthcare, the Republican presidential candidates aren’t exactly on firm footing. In the cases of McCain, Thompson, and Giuliani, for example, each of whom have been treated for different kinds of cancer, they would likely be denied healthcare insurance under their own healthcare plans. Better yet, the GOP […]
All things being equal, seeing and hearing the top two Democratic presidential hopefuls fight over Iraq policy is far preferable to a debate between the two over race. But given the last few days, it’s only slightly preferable. We got a very good sense of the Clinton campaign’s basic pitch on Obama’s Iraq position during […]
How far has Rudy Giuliani’s slipped? Put it this way: the former mayor has, all of a sudden, discovered religion. Rudy Giuliani began his Sunday in an unusual place for him – at church – and with an unusual fellow congregant, the controversial former Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris. The former mayor, whose second […]
Most of the world experienced a collective sigh of relief recently when the Bush administration released the conclusions of a National Intelligence Estimate on Iran, and the collective judgment of U.S. intelligence officials is that Iran halted its nuclear-weapons program more than four years ago. Without an imminent nuclear threat, the neocon dream of a […]
I suspect most Dems have a caricature in their mind of devious Republican smear artists, who help GOP candidates pander to the public’s worst instincts. These operatives specialize in opposition research — or, “oppo” — which, as the caricature tells us, involves political hitmen digging through dirt and peddling in innuendo, all in the interests […]
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: * In South Carolina, Rep. James Clyburn (D) had hinted last week that he would endorse a presidential candidate, but he’s since backed off. On Friday night, Clyburn said he will remain neutral. […]