We already know that when it comes to healthcare, the Republican presidential candidates aren’t exactly on firm footing. In the cases of McCain, Thompson, and Giuliani, for example, each of whom have been treated for different kinds of cancer, they would likely be denied healthcare insurance under their own healthcare plans. Better yet, the GOP […]
Clinton and Obama and Iraq … oh my
All things being equal, seeing and hearing the top two Democratic presidential hopefuls fight over Iraq policy is far preferable to a debate between the two over race. But given the last few days, it’s only slightly preferable. We got a very good sense of the Clinton campaign’s basic pitch on Obama’s Iraq position during […]
Giuliani, prayer, and the last refuge of a scoundrel
How far has Rudy Giuliani’s slipped? Put it this way: the former mayor has, all of a sudden, discovered religion. Rudy Giuliani began his Sunday in an unusual place for him – at church – and with an unusual fellow congregant, the controversial former Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris. The former mayor, whose second […]
Bush ‘disowns’ intelligence estimate on Iran
Most of the world experienced a collective sigh of relief recently when the Bush administration released the conclusions of a National Intelligence Estimate on Iran, and the collective judgment of U.S. intelligence officials is that Iran halted its nuclear-weapons program more than four years ago. Without an imminent nuclear threat, the neocon dream of a […]
How a ‘political hitman’ sleeps at night
I suspect most Dems have a caricature in their mind of devious Republican smear artists, who help GOP candidates pander to the public’s worst instincts. These operatives specialize in opposition research — or, “oppo” — which, as the caricature tells us, involves political hitmen digging through dirt and peddling in innuendo, all in the interests […]
Monday’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: * In South Carolina, Rep. James Clyburn (D) had hinted last week that he would endorse a presidential candidate, but he’s since backed off. On Friday night, Clyburn said he will remain neutral. […]
Clinton and Obama and race … oh my
After playing very little role in the election for the better part of 2007, race, racism, and racially-charged rhetoric has suddenly become one of the central focuses of the Democratic presidential race. To see this unfold is painful and disappointing, to put it mildly. Given what we’ve seen, particularly over the last couple of weeks, […]
A dubious lawsuit undermines Nevada caucuses
Late Friday, the Nevada State Education Association, which is backing Hillary Clinton in the state’s upcoming caucuses, filed an interesting lawsuit that deserves a closer look. The Nevada caucuses are a week away, and the state teachers’ union has decided to throw a monkey-wrench into the legalities of the process. The Nevada State Education Association […]
Off to a Kristol-esque start
It’s hardly fair to condemn a newspaper columnist after publishing just two op-eds. Maybe the columnist is just getting warmed up. Perhaps he or she needs a few pieces to get comfortable. Or, in the case of Bill Kristol, maybe the New York Times just made a ridiculous decision that the paper is likely to […]
Taking the presidential race in a cheap and ugly direction
About a month ago, the Huffington Post’s Tom Edsall reported that Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign may be subtly, quietly targeting Barack Obama over his teenaged drug use. Ridiculous, said the Clinton campaign, who insisted Edsall’s report was baseless. Shortly thereafter, Billy Shaheen, the then-co-chairman of Clinton’s campaign in New Hampshire, went after Obama on the […]