Every Dem has to reach their own conclusion about how seriously to take senators’ 2002 votes authorizing Bush to go to war with Iraq. I try not to use the vote as a litmus test — John Kerry and John Edwards both went the wrong way on that vote, arguably for the wrong reasons, and […]
Colombia fires Penn, finds his spin ‘unacceptable’
Clinton campaign strategist Mark Penn’s lobbying work on behalf the Colombian government continues to be a headache for the controversial pollster. His meeting, relating to the pending Colombian trade deal that Hillary Clinton opposes, not only undermined the senator’s message, it contradicted his claims about clients with whom he’s directly engaged. In some ways, his […]
The perils and perceptions of a ‘patriotism problem’
Time’s Joe Klein devotes his print column this week to Barack Obama and what Klein perceives as the senator’s “patriotism problem.” After watching Obama campaign in Pennsylvania, the columnist argues that it’s the one thing “missing” from Obama’s campaign pitch. Patriotism is, sadly, a crucial challenge for Obama now. His aides believe that the Wright […]
Whistleblowers faced threats over airline safety
This isn’t an especially political story, but I was nevertheless amazed at the government’s role in — and response to — this mess. You’re not allowed to fly with more than a few ounces of shampoo in a carry-on, but you might be amazed at what airlines can get away with. In startling disclosures to […]
McCain’s ‘bio tour’ and Karl Rove’s ethics
There’s a suspicion on the part of many Dems — including me, from time to time — that Karl Rove’s influence is felt in almost every move made by the Republican Party and its national candidates. The concerns are generally unfounded. But once in a while, Rove really might be pulling certain strings behind the […]
This Week in God
First up from the God machine this week is a church-state controversy I’ve been following for several years now, which I admit I find endlessly entertaining. Best of all, the controversy is going to be heard by the Supreme Court, which guarantees an enormous amount of interest. If a city allows a monument with the […]
Do the Clintons’ tax returns really matter?
For several weeks, the Clinton campaign has been under pressure to release the senator’s tax returns. The more she resisted, and declined to explain the delay, the greater the anticipation. For that matter, announcing that the tax records would be released late on a Friday afternoon only reinforced the notion that these returns were of […]
Friday’s Mini-Report
Today’s edition of quick hits. * The Clintons’ tax returns were released this afternoon: “Bill and Hillary Clinton earned a combined $109 million between 2000 and 2007, with the former president and first lady parlaying their White House years into hefty publishing paydays, and with his oratorical gifts bringing in more than $51 million from […]
As if ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ weren’t offensive enough
Maj. Alan Rogers, an American serviceman, was killed in Iraq in January. The tragedy wouldn’t otherwise have any real political considerations, except for the fact that Rogers was gay. And someone at the Pentagon doesn’t want people to know that. The Washington Blade reports that someone deleted mention of Rogers being gay from his Wikipedia […]
When myths fill in the gaps
When conservatives are successful in replacing comprehensive lessons on sexual health with abstinence-only, young people fill in the gaps with myths. (via Jessica and Amanda) Some Florida teens believe drinking Mountain Dew or smoking marijuana will prevent pregnancy and that swallowing a capful of bleach will prevent HIV/AIDS. One reason those dangerous myths have spread […]