It’s not surprising at all that the Washington Post’s David Broder would prefer to see the presidential candidates stick to responsible, substance-driven campaigns. It’s also not surprising that Broder would enjoy a series of town-hall “debates” between the two candidates. What’s odd, though, is seeing Broder try to connect the two, suggesting the lack of […]
Pelosi tells House Dems: Do what you have to do
House Republicans want, more than anything in the world, to approve the oil companies’ request for more coastal drilling. Desperate consumers aren’t sure it’ll help, but they’re willing to try anything, and look askance at those who aren’t willing to give more drilling a shot. House Dems, who feel pretty confident about their chances at […]
Madness in Memphis
When Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) was elected in November 2006, it was rather unusual. There was a four-way contest in a predominantly African-American congressional district, the top candidates generally split the black vote, and Cohen was elected with just over 30% of the vote. Less than two years later, the freshman is seeking a second […]
If the have-a-beer-with question still matters…
Following up on an item from yesterday, there’s been a flurry of national polls released over the last couple of days, and most offer relatively similar results about the state of the presidential campaign. AP has Obama leading McCain by six (47-41); CNN has Obama up by five (48-43); CBS has Obama up by six […]
Wednesday’s Mini-Report
Today’s edition of quick hits. * NYT: “A panel of six military officers convicted a former driver for Osama bin Laden of one war crime Wednesday but acquitted him of another, completing the first military commission trial here and the first conducted by the United States since the end of World War II. In a […]
On Obama-McCain polls, it depends on the meaning of ‘squeaks by’
Yesterday, Lifetime Networks released a national poll of women and their presidential preferences. Time’s Mark Halperin said Barack Obama “edged out” McCain in the poll. Obama’s lead? 11 points. “Edged out” made it sound like it was close. It wasn’t. Similarly, CNN characterizes Obama’s five-point national lead as “squeaking by” McCain. The race between Sens. […]
DNC launches ‘Exxon-McCain ’08’
As political theater goes, I think this sounds pretty good — and it’s a hell of a lot stronger than tire-gauges. Stung by Republican taunts about tire gauges, Democrats are pumping up a stunt of their own. The Democratic National Committee on Wednesday is launching an “Exxon-McCain ’08” campaign, complete with a gas-pump logo and […]
Wilmington, Ohio, probably should hear all the ‘straight talk’
A month ago, at a town-hall event in Ohio, John McCain heard first-hand about the hardship facing workers in Wilmington, Ohio, where a DHL plant was set to close. Mary Houghtaling, who runs a hospice in Wilmington, Ohio, choked up as she told McCain of DHL’s plans to close its domestic air hub in her […]
A surge for all seasons
What can I say, John McCain just loves surges. Reading from a prepared text at an event in Ohio today, McCain said, “What we need today is an economic surge. Our surge in Iraq has succeeded militarily, now we need an economic surge to keep jobs here at home and create new ones. We need […]
McCain doubles down on ‘celebrity’ attack
Arguably the most notorious campaign ad of the cycle, at least so far, was last week’s McCain campaign spot, comparing Barack Obama to Britney Spears and Paris Hilton. It was widely panned as spectacularly stupid. Today, McCain unveils the sequel, which leaves the young blondes out, but doubles down on the whole “celebrity” attack. “Is […]