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 response to Iranian missile tests this morning, John McCain said the developments “cry out for collective action,” and insisted the U.S. should end “trade and diplomatic” activities. Barack Obama said in […]
About those 300 McCain-loving economists…
On Monday, the McCain campaign triumphantly released a joint statement from 300 economists who “enthusiastically support” the senator’s economic plan. Almost immediately, the statement looked a little sketchy, given they only endorsed his plan after taking out two of the more transparently stupid centerpiece ideas of the plan — the gas tax holiday and his […]
A ‘Bubble Boy’ for a new generation
If the conventional wisdom is right, John McCain would at least be a slight improvement over George W. Bush on the issue of The Bubble. The current president famously goes to comical lengths to avoid competing ideas or those he might disagree with. McCain couldn’t possibly be that bad. But at this point, McCain seems […]
Note to McCain: comedy is hard
I know a lot of people in politics find John McCain quite charming, thanks in large part to his biting sense of humor. If he hosts a town-hall forum, for example, and someone asks a challenging question, McCain calls the voter a “little jerk.” It’s not my cup of tea, but it’s apparently all part […]
Edwards would ‘seriously consider’ any offer from Obama
Getting a read on John Edwards’ willingness to join the Democratic ticket as Obama’s running mate has been a little tricky. In fact, I suspect Edwards has personally changed his mind on the subject, probably more than once. In January, after ending his campaign, Edwards was asked he would accept a VP slot. He said, […]
John McCain labels the Social Security system a ‘total disgrace’
It’s possible John McCain decided he doesn’t really want to be president after all. It’s a tough, demanding job, and maybe McCain came to the conclusion he’s just not up to the task. It seemed like a good idea to him last year, but maybe he bit off more than he could chew. It’s too […]
Tuesday’s Mini-Report
Today’s edition of quick hits. * A hint of progress, now that Bush won’t have to deal with the follow-through: “The United States joined its allies Tuesday in committing for the first time to try to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2050, as the Group of Eight major industrialized nations approved a plan […]
It’s just a stadium
The DNC and the Obama campaign, confirming a week of rumors, announced yesterday that Barack Obama will accept the party’s presidential nomination at Denver’s Invesco Field at Mile High. The stadium, home to the Denver Broncos, can accommodate more than 75,000 people, more than triple the number in the arena where the rest of the […]
Health Care For America Now gets to work
The Health Care For America Now initiative formally kicked off at the National Press Club today, and it sounds like a group with its eyes on the prize. A consortium of progressive groups, think tanks, trade unions and activists are set to launch a $40 million health care campaign to prepare the ground for the […]
Iraq NSA wants U.S. troop withdrawal timetable
When Nouri al-Maliki first indicated yesterday that he’d like to reach an agreement with the Bush administration on either the “departure” of U.S. forces from Iraq or “a timetable on their withdrawal,” the administration initially suggested the remark may have been a transcription error. It looks like the Iraqis actually mean it. Iraq’s national security […]