The AP’s Ron Fournier, one of the more influential voices in the political media establishment, has a surprisingly pointed piece today, taking on Mitt Romney on the issue of “authenticity.” Mitt Romney’s victory in Michigan was a defeat for authenticity in politics. The former Massachusetts governor pandered to voters, distorted his opponents’ record and continued […]
Wednesday’s campaign 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: * Barack Obama picked up a somehwat helpful endorsement in Nevada today, earning the backing of the Las Vegas Review Journal. The state’s largest newspaper wasn’t exactly complementary to any of the Dems […]
Giuliani still isn’t where he wants to be
As recently as the summer, Rudy Giuliani was leading the field in Michigan’s Republican primary. As recently as early December, a Rasmussen poll showed him within two points of first place. Yesterday, the former mayor finished a distant sixth, with a pathetic 2.8% of the vote. Consider this: Giuliani not only had well under half […]
Is there anything to be learned from the Michigan Democratic primary?
Last year, the DNC was not at all pleased when Michigan blew off the agreed-upon rules and moved its presidential primary to January 15. As part of its drive to maintain the integrity of its calendar, the DNC punished the state by stripping it of its delegates. In keeping with their commitment to play by […]
Worst. Moderators. Ever?
While political observers are understandably divided about who “won” last night’s Democratic debate in Las Vegas, it seems everyone who watched can come together in agreement on one underlying point: the moderators were truly awful. About a half-hour into the debate, an angry man started shouting, interrupting the event while security personnel intervened. Usually, these […]
I watch debates, so you don’t have to
The Democratic presidential primaries have, in recent weeks, taken an ugly, often acrimonious, turn. There have been some unusually bitter disputes about race, gender, unions, history, abortion, and the media, and one couldn’t help but wonder if perhaps the campaign would get too nasty for the candidates’ own good. With that in mind, I imagine […]
Romney wins Michigan, throws GOP chessboard in the air
Once again, the stage was set for a predictable result. John McCain had just won the New Hampshire primary, and was widely considered the undisputed frontrunner for the Republican nomination. The next key contest was the Michigan primary, which seemed to be McCain’s kind of place — it has an open primary, McCain enjoyed a […]
Tuesday’s Mini-Report
Today’s edition of quick hits. * Subprime mania continues to take its toll: “Citigroup announced a steep cut in its stock dividend and another big investment by foreign investors on Tuesday after taking more write-downs related to subprime securities and posting a $9.83 billion loss for the fourth quarter. Beginning what is expected to be […]
Bush embraces ‘democracy, schamocracy’ attitude
After the president’s rationale(s) for the war in Iraq fell apart, the White House crafted a post-hoc rationalization for the invasion — the United States was committed, above all else, to spreading democracies and toppling dictators across the globe. For Bush, this met our idealistic goals (spreading freedom), and our practical goals (more democracy means […]
FISA fear-mongering flies from Fratto
The on-again, off-again debate over the Bush administration’s surveillance powers is, with Congress soon returning to work, on again. And with it, comes White House demagoguery. As readers no doubt recall, Congress approved a FISA revision — called, believe it or not, the “Protect America Act” — last fall, but given how tilted it was […]