After nearly a week of Republican excitement, the Great Tire Debate of 2008 has, thankfully, apparently run its course. Six days ago, Barack Obama mentioned to voters that there are things individuals can do to help conserve energy, including bringing their cars in for regular tune ups, and keeping their tires properly inflated. The remarks […]
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: * Evan Bayh told the Indianapolis Star that Obama has not asked him to be on the Democratic ticket. Asked if he will be asked at some point, Bayh said, “I have no […]
In any party or political movement, there’s bound to be a mainstream and a fringe. As a rule, the fringe looks to the mainstream for validation, and the mainstream looks at the fringe as kind of icky. Things get interesting, of course, when the line between the mainstream and the fringe blurs. Take the Republican […]
There’s been a fair amount of interest lately about John McCain’s contributions from the oil industry. It’s not surprising some of the donations raised eyebrows — that’s what happens when a middle-class family that rents their home in Queens donates more than $60,000 to the Republican campaign. The concern, of course, is whether McCain’s generous […]
Last week was all about John McCain’s campaign going on the offensive, launching negative ads, and trying to define Barack Obama by exploiting cultural insecurities. This week, apparently, is all about Obama turning the tables and going on the offensive himself. On Monday, the Obama campaign unveiled its first “contrast” ad of the general election, […]
I’m reluctant to post this because it’s a celebrity web video, and I hate celebrity web videos. But given that it’s a celebrity web video that actually relates to politics, explores an important policy issue, and has instantly become something of a political sensation, it’s probably worth taking a closer look at this Paris Hilton […]
For nearly a week now, Republicans, including John McCain, his surrogates, and his aides, have been mocking the notion that routine auto maintenance can contribute to fuel efficiency. Yesterday, at an event in Ohio, Barack Obama mocked them back. For those who can’t watch clips online (and in the unlikely event you haven’t seen the […]
Today’s edition of quick hits. * Uh oh: “The possibility of a mistrial emerged on Tuesday in the United States’ first war crimes trial at Guantanamo, after prosecutors said the judge gave flawed instructions to a jury of military officers in the case against Osama bin Laden’s driver. Prosecutors asked the judge to revise the […]
Call it a hunch, but I don’t think John McCain’s remarks at a biker rally in Sturgis, South Dakota, yesterday are going to help him win over women voters. McCain felt so comfortable at the event that he even volunteered his wife for the rally’s traditional beauty pageant, an infamously debauched event that’s been known […]
I really didn’t intend to return to the whole “tire gauge” nonsense, but let’s do one more. This one’s amusing. After Barack Obama noted that routine auto maintenance can improve fuel efficiency, John McCain told a group of voters, “[Obama] suggested we put air in our tires to save on gas. My friends, let’s do […]