Yesterday we learned that the Joint Chiefs of Staff are unanimous in their opposition to the president’s apparent escalation plans for the war in Iraq. It puts Bush in a tough spot — he wants to show a change in course, but bucking the recommendations of the nation’s top uniformed leaders is a tough hurdle. […]
Last week, we talked about how the right, anxious to smear Barack Obama but unsure how, had come with a variety of uninspiring attacks, including criticizing Obama for having mainstream Democratic beliefs, attending a Christian church that isn’t right-wing enough, and having big ears. They’re hardly the kind of criticisms that will undermine Obama’s popularity. […]
In Bob Woodward’s latest book, State of Denial, we learned that former Secretary of State Henry [tag]Kissinger[/tag], of all people, had become an important advisor to the Bush White House on the war in Iraq. Kissinger perceived “wobbliness” within the administration on Iraq, and told the president that the overriding lesson of Vietnam is to […]
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: * That recent Newsweek poll showing Hillary Clinton leading all the major GOP 2008 contenders — you know, the one the magazine chose not to publish — wasn’t the only one with encouraging […]
Back in September, The Daily Show’s Jason Jones sat down with Paul Cameron, one of the nation’s leading anti-gay activists, to ask about a defense for the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. Specifically, Jones asked about Bleu Copas, a decorated sergeant and Arabic language specialist who joined the Army after the 9/11 attacks, but was […]
Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine (D) recently told the WaPo that Sen.-elect Jim Webb (D-Va) doesn’t have the “finesse” of most experienced politicians and isn’t a “backslapper.” Webb acknowledged around the time that he’s not particularly interested in ingratiating himself to the president. Webb continues to make that perfectly clear all the time. “He’s a failed […]
Rep. Virgil Goode (R-Va.) has always been one of those far-right lawmakers who only make headlines for doing dumb things. In 2004, for example, Goode co-sponsored a ridiculous bill that would empower Congress to reverse Supreme Court decisions with which lawmakers disagree. In March 2006, he came to the political world’s attention when Randy “Duke” […]
It strikes me as rather unfortunate that we’ve reached a point in which it’s literally front-page news when the president is willing to acknowledge that we are not winning the war in Iraq. Talk about your soft bigotry of low expectations. Indeed, it’s now considered progress when Bush dodges the question. Consider this exchange during […]
Today’s edition of quick hits. * The news continues on Sen. Tim Johnson’s (D-S.D.) condition continues to be encouraging. Doctors noted today that the senator has regained consciousness and has met key recovery benchmarks. Brendan Johnson, one of the senator’s sons, told his hometown paper, “From my conversations with the doctors and based on the […]
Well, this should certainly be interesting. Vice President Dick Cheney will be called as a defense witness in the CIA leak case, an attorney for Cheney’s former chief of staff told a federal judge Tuesday. “We’re calling the vice president,” attorney Ted Wells said in court. Wells represents defendant I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby, who is […]