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: * John Edwards turned up the heat a little on the Clintons yesterday, criticizing the former president for his NAFTA policy, which Edwards apparently believes was a mistake. The former senator also continued […]
The DLC’s vague advice to Dems
There’s been plenty of discussion of late about the Democratic presidential candidates steering clear of the DLC’s annual convention this year. I won’t rehash the debate, but I think it’s interesting that the DLC seems to be making a concerted effort to reassert its relevance in Democratic politics. Today, for example, DLC Chairman Harold Ford […]
Giuliani-nomics
One of the more confusing moments of the Republican presidential debate in Iowa the other day came when the Des Moines Register’s David Yespen, one of the most respected political journalists in the country, noted to Rudy Giuliani that Gov. Pawlenty (R) in Minnesota is open to raising taxes in order to address infrastructure concerns. […]
National Review’s limitless chutzpah
I’ve generally avoided criticizing Iraq war supporters who, despite their enthusiastic hawkishness, have never served in the military. It’s tempting to suggest that if they believe the war is the key to the future of civilization, they would walk into their local recruiting station and sign up, but I try to resist that temptation — […]
Crossing that bridge when we get to it
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) has been a favorite of the Grover Norquist crowd for quite a while, in part because of his fealty to the far-right agenda on taxes and spending. But once in a while, reality gets in the way of conservative talking points. In the past two years, Gov. Tim Pawlenty of […]
Monday’s Mini-Report
Today’s edition of quick hits. * The White House censure resolutions were officially unveiled today: “U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) and U.S. Representative Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) have introduced two censure resolutions in their respective chambers condemning the president, vice president and the attorney general for misconduct regarding our military involvement in Iraq and for their […]
I watch debates — so you don’t have to
(This post was delayed until I could track down a reliable transcript.) The Republican field met for only its fourth debate yesterday, the first in two months, at a relatively low-key event in Iowa. As the early-morning debate (8am local) got underway, George Stephanopoulos told the candidates, “Our goal today is to get a real […]
Worst. Excuse. Ever.
About a month ago, Florida State Rep. Bob Allen (R), a co-chairman of John McCain’s presidential campaign in the Sunshine State, ran into a little trouble with the law. He was arrested in a public park after allegedly offering to pay to perform oral sex on an undercover police officer. Not a good career move. […]
How not to defend new FISA law
The White House has every reason to be pleased with the results of the latest “debate” over surveillance powers in Congress. Bush wanted sweeping new powers to spy on Americans without court orders or oversight, and at least for the next six months, lawmakers delivered. Now, from the Bush gang’s perspective, there’s an easy spin: […]
Knowing the candidates by their aides
Historically, the political world didn’t pay too much attention to who presidential campaigns brought on as policy advisors, but it’s hard to deny the significance of these staffers. For one thing, they help shape the candidates’ worldviews (particularly among the Republicans’ top tier, made up of men who lack ideas and principles of their own). […]