Tuesday’s political 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: *Former Massachusetts Gov. [tag]Bill Weld[/tag] (R), struggling in his New York gubernatorial bid, is under pressure to drop out of the race, and will reportedly end his campaign this afternoon. “His heart is […]

Different kinds of presidential visits

Apparently, former President [tag]Bill Clinton[/tag] is in demand this campaign season. In what promises to be his most intensive [tag]campaign[/tag] season since he left office, former President Bill [tag]Clinton[/tag] is scheduled to appear at more than two dozen fund-raisers for Democrats around the country, hoping to collect at least $20 million for his party’s drive […]

It’s getting worse

Dennis Hastert may be impressed by some electricity in Baghdad at 4 am, but conditions in the city are growing increasingly horrifying. In [tag]Baghdad[/tag], leaving home to work, shop or visit family has become an increasingly dangerous proposition. [tag]Violence[/tag] rears up without warning; residents navigate a citywide obstacle course of roadside [tag]bombs[/tag], shootouts and security […]

Safavian ‘probably not’ qualified

In terms of the criminal trial, it’s important that [tag]David Safavian[/tag], the Bush administration’s former top procurement official, acknowledged yesterday that he provided “a lot of insight and advice,” including government information not available to the public, to [tag]Jack Abramoff[/tag]. Since [tag]Safavian[/tag] was arrested last September for doing secret favors for [tag]Abramoff[/tag], his former employer, […]

‘It all relates back to the family’

As far as the political debate goes, [tag]Republicans[/tag] seem to have a little trouble offering a compelling explanation for why the [tag]Federal Marriage Amendment[/tag] is necessary now. Senate Democrats are effectively sidestepping the issue itself by asking, “Aren’t there better things we can do with our time right now?” So, what’s the right’s response to […]

By all means, mess with Texas

It’s going back a few years, but in 2000, the reality-based community got a good look at what grassroots conservative activists wanted in the way of government action when the [tag]Texas Republican Party[/tag] published a party platform. Among other things, it called for a return to the gold standard; the abolishment of the Federal Reserve, […]

‘I need to get a more precise definition’

One of the first lessons they teach at right-wing talking-points school is to never equate [tag]gay rights[/tag] and [tag]civil rights[/tag]. It drives the base crazy and makes it harder to justify intolerance. Apparently, [tag]White House[/tag] [tag]press secretary[/tag] [tag]Tony Snow[/tag] missed the lesson entirely. Consider, for example, this exchange from today’s press briefing (via John Byrne): […]

It depends on what the meaning of ‘moral’ is

If you ask Americans if they support [tag]gay marriage[/tag], a slim majority will say they don’t (in fact, a new ABC News [tag]poll[/tag] will be released in a couple of hours saying just that). But the far more important question is where this issue ranks on the nation’s moral radar. Despite the hype, culture-war issues […]

Run, Newt, Run

I find it hard to believe Dems would get this lucky, but these results are encouraging anyway (via Stakeholder). Former House Speaker [tag]Newt Gingrich[/tag] was the easy winner of a straw poll Friday night that tested [tag]2008[/tag] presidential candidate support at the Minnesota Republican Party state convention. Gingrich got about 40 percent of the 540 […]

Making it a little tougher to leg-press 2,000 pounds

When TV preacher [tag]Pat Robertson[/tag] claimed a miraculous ability to [tag]leg-press[/tag] 2,000 pounds, he didn’t attribute his dubious abilities to a divine blessing; he credited his “age-defying [tag]protein shake[/tag]s.” In fact, Robertson never tired of telling 700 Club viewers how they could purchase said shake at [tag]GNC[/tag] stores nationwide. Pat may keep making audacious claims […]