I saw some headlines yesterday about Bush departing the G8 summit this week, with many news items noting, “Goodbye from the world’s biggest polluter.” I assumed it was some kind of sarcastic paraphrase, with international news outlets poking fun at the Bush administration. According to some accounts, it was actually a direct quote. George Bush […]
Today’s edition of quick hits. * Not surprisingly, Bush didn’t waste any time: “President Bush signed a bill Thursday that overhauls rules about government eavesdropping and grants immunity to telecommunications companies that helped the U.S. spy on Americans in suspected terrorism cases. He called it ‘landmark legislation that is vital to the security of our […]
You can’t give Barack Obama a slow, hanging curve, right over the middle of the plate, and expect him not to swing. “One of his top economic advisors, former Sen. Phil Gramm, said that we’re merely in a ‘mental recession.’ That’s what he said,” Obama said, smiling. “Said we’re in a ‘mental recession.’ He didn’t […]
For quite a while, there was considerable public confusion over Barack Obama’s Christian faith. Thanks to an email chain and right-wing whispers, a few too many people were led to believe Obama is, or was, some kind of secret Muslim. In the ensuing months, there’s been an aggressive push to help people hear the truth. […]
Earlier this week, Ben Adler and Avi Zenilman noted, “Despite his background as a lawyer and law lecturer at the University of Chicago, Barack Obama has said little from the stump about legal issues, particularly what sort of justices he’d want on the Supreme Court, whose makeup is likely to be shaped for decades to […]
Following up on an earlier item, former Sen. Phil Gramm (R-Texas), described as John McCain’s “brain” on economic matters, and the man whose financial deregulation efforts make the market meltdown possible, told the far-right Washington Times that the economy is great; Americans just don’t realize it. Gramm said we’re in the midst of a “mental […]
As a rule, Karl Rove’s word isn’t worth much, but today he did exactly as promised — he said he’d blow off a House Judiciary Committee subpoena, and that’s precisely what he did. Former White House adviser Karl Rove defied a congressional subpoena and refused to testify Thursday about allegations of political pressure at the […]
I’ve been following John McCain for quite some time, but my single favorite McCain story of all time came in March 2007, when the senator was chatting with some reporters aboard his campaign bus. The subject turned to sexual health and contraception — and McCain hadn’t the foggiest idea what to say. Asked whether federal […]
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: * A new USAT/Gallup national poll shows Barack Obama leading John McCain by six, 48% to 42%. Among the key details, once again, is the enthusiasm gap: “In all, 67% of Obama supporters […]
Given economic conditions, the housing crisis, the energy market, dispiriting employment numbers, and the value of the dollar, you’d think the McCain campaign would be going to extraordinary lengths to show that John McCain a) recognizes the seriousness of the problem; and b) has a plan to help turn things around. But that’s not quite […]