When Freedom’s Watch burst upon the political scene last month, it was part of a coordinated effort to rally support for staying the course in Iraq. The group unveiled four slick TV ads, including one featuring a veteran who lost a leg in Iraq who argued that we have to stay in Iraq because “they […]
Giuliani may generate conservative third-party campaign
About a year ago, I was working on a Washington Monthly piece about the historical oddity of admitted adulterers running for president as Republicans. I ended up speaking with about a half-dozen prominent conservative leaders affiliated with the religious right movement — include representatives of Focus on the Family and the Family Research Council — […]
McCain stumbles on religion — again
Perhaps the moral of the story is that Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) would be far better off avoiding religion as a campaign issue. It’s been dogging him for years, and his fall from grace continues. In 2000, the Arizona senator gambled that denouncing religious right leaders like Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson would pay off, […]
Bush’s EPA letting polluters off the hook
I don’t want to alarm anyone, but it appears that the Bush administration is dropping the ball, intentionally, in prosecuting polluters. Who could have imagined it? The Environmental Protection Agency’s pursuit of criminal cases against polluters has dropped off sharply during the Bush administration, with the number of prosecutions, new investigations and total convictions all […]
Newsweek poll in Iowa shows Democratic race far from over
When it comes to the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, national polls show Hillary Clinton with a significant lead. In New Hampshire, the latest CNN/WMUR poll showed Clinton way out in front with 43% support, followed by Barack Obama with 20%, and John Edwards with 12%. (It’s worth noting that 55% of poll respondents […]
The most well-connected ‘outsiders’ in the country
The headline on the AP report on Freedom’s Watch reads, “Outsiders aim to frame political debate.” If there’s a less accurate description of the powerful conservative activists behind this new group, I can’t think of it. Freedom’s Watch and MoveOn.org could be the left and right bookends not only on the war, but on a […]
No laughing matter
The scrutiny of Hillary Clinton’s marriage has been excessive. The scrutiny of her hairstyle has been absurd. The scrutiny of her cleavage has been offensive. The scrutiny of her clothing has been almost comical. And so I suppose it was only a matter of time before the media turned its attention to her laugh. [S]he […]
Gingrich bows out
On Thursday, Newt Gingrich told supporters that if “they pledge at least $30 million to his campaign over a three-week period starting Monday and ending Oct. 21, he will compete for the nomination.” Today, the effort is over before it begins. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich will not run for president in 2008 after determining […]
Fox News runs column attacking U.S. military generals
In light of the controversies surrounding the MoveOn.org “Betray Us” ad and Rush Limbaugh slamming U.S. troops who support withdrawal as “phony soldiers,” you’d think Fox News wouldn’t publish a piece called, “Top Military Officials are a Disgrace to Those They Lead.” And yet, as Glenn Greenwald noted, that’s the headline on the latest piece […]
Larry Craig to try and stick around
It’s Sept. 29; do you know where your Larry Craig resignation is? Based on a self-imposed deadline announced a month ago, the Idaho Republican, who pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct after making advances towards an undercover police officer in a Minneapolis airport men’s room, was supposed to step down from the Senate tomorrow. That’s clearly […]