Any discussion of the cost of the wars in the Middle East have to start with the price paid by U.S. troops. Thousands of died, and tens of thousands have returned home with serious injuries. But when considering “blood and treasure,” there’s also that latter part of the equation. Generally, the wars’ price tag is […]
Monday’s Mini-Report
Today’s edition of quick hits. * Stability in Pakistan is still very far away: “The government of President Pervez Musharraf ordered the detention of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, blocking the former prime minister from leading a planned protest procession from Lahore into Islamabad on Tuesday to protest Musharraf’s declaration of emergency rule. Lahore police served […]
‘The Plight of American Veterans’
In honor of Veterans’ Day, Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) and former Sen. Max Cleland (D-Ga.) wrote a joint-post for Wired’s Danger Room on the thousands of U.S. troops who return home only to find that their jobs (and benefits) are gone. In 1994, Democrats in Congress and the Clinton White House successfully passed a law […]
McCain’s friends, McCain’s scam, or both?
For years, John McCain has claimed to be a reform crusader, decrying the role of outside groups in the political process. Now, with his presidential campaign struggling, and his coffers running low, an outside group is stepping in to give McCain a hand when he needs it most. The so-called Wounded Warriors Act, legislation intended […]
Dean Broder’s double standard
I don’t care that Rudy Giuliani is a thrice-married serial adulterer. I care that there’s one level of scrutiny for Democratic presidential candidates, and an easier one for Republicans, when it comes to personal lives. Greg Sargent notes today that the Washington Post’s David Broder chatted with readers late last week, and there was a […]
The political implications of box-office receipts (or the lack thereof)
I tend not to pay too much attention to Hollywood news, better yet the details of box-office receipts, but apparently, conservatives have been closely following opening-weekend numbers for politically-themed movies. And they want to gloat. According to the AP, “Bee Movie” was #1 this week, followed by “American Gangster,” and “Fred Claus.” Coming in fourth […]
Giuliani strategery
The reason presidential campaigns focus so much energy, attention, and resources on the early primary states is painfully obvious. No one needs a PhD in poli sci to know that winning early contests gives successful candidates everything they want and need to propel their campaigns (positive media attention, money, momentum), while candidates who falter in […]
Ron Paul sees a war on Christianity?
One of Ron Paul’s selling points as a presidential candidate is his willingness to reject Republican orthodoxy. As the theory goes, the modern-day GOP has been taken over by neocons and religious extremists, and Paul’s libertarian-brand conservatism rejects both. Given that most liberals have a similar disdain for the Podhoretz and Dobson crowds, Paul has […]
Monday’s political 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: * Edwards strikes the right note on Veterans’ Day: “John Edwards will announce today a $400 million plan to increase awareness and treatment for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Edwards’ plan would […]
Biden reminds political world why he’s losing
Given his background and experience, Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.) probably expected his presidential campaign to be in better shape by now. He’s excellent in the debates, he can speak with authority on matters of foreign policy, and he’s been around long enough to know how to play the game. He’s even delivering some nice anti-Giuliani […]