Today’s edition of quick hits. * Why is the GOP fighting a non-binding resolution with such intensity? Because the public relations involved with a presidential rebuke are awful. * Speaking of which, the House will kick off its debate on a resolution against escalation next week. * Following up on a post from the weekend, […]
Giuliani still swimming up stream
In light of Rudy Giuliani’s all-but-announced presidential campaign — he told Fox News last night, “I’m in this to win” — high-profile conservatives are stepping up to welcome him to the race. For example, there’s Tony Perkins, head of the far-right Family Research Council. Tony Perkins… said Monday if Rudy Giuliani wins the GOP presidential […]
In defense of vagueness and ambiguities
Kevin Drum touched on a point today I’ve been kicking around for a long while. I’d love to get some feedback on this. In light of John Edwards’ decision to unveil a fairly detailed health care plan, Mark Schmitt suggests it’s a bad idea — not because of the policy, but because it’s a health […]
Gates contradicts Rice on the possibility of a Plan B
Defense Secretary Robert Gates made a couple of interesting comments today while answering questions from the Senate Armed Services Committee. (thanks to S.W. for the tip) Defense Secretary Robert Gates held out hope Tuesday that U.S. forces might be able to start leaving Iraq before the end of the year, if daunting conditions including subdued […]
Chuck Norris explains what it takes to be president
Actor Chuck Norris (yes, that Chuck Norris) wrote a lengthy column this week for World Net Daily that has to be seen to be believed. Norris, who as far as I can tell does not have a background as an historian, explained to conservative readers the appropriate qualifications for the presidency. Rev. Daniel Fosters’ [sic] […]
Haggard is now ‘completely heterosexual’
An awful story has managed to get even more pathetic. (via K.Z. and K.M.) Rev. Ted Haggard emerged from three weeks of intensive counseling convinced he is “completely heterosexual” and told an oversight board that his sexual contact with men was limited to his accuser. That is according to one of the disgraced pastor’s overseers, […]
Tuesday’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: * As part of his ongoing pandering to the religious right, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) recruited Guy Rodgers, a former national field director for the Christian Coalition, to serve as deputy director of […]
Requiring married couples to have children?
Last summer, the Washington state Supreme Court upheld a ban on same-sex marriage in a ruling that emphasized procreation as a rationale. The 5-4 opinion, written by Justice Barbara Madsen, concluded that “limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples furthers the state’s interests in procreation and encouraging families with a mother and father and children biologically related […]
Isn’t this the GOP’s excuse?
Just yesterday, I mocked a top GOP aide for accusing Dems of “stealing” Republican ideas. As it turns out, I may have been too hasty. Just days after disclosing his affair with a staff member married to one of his top political aides, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom admitted Monday he has a drinking problem […]
‘Dean’ Broder smears Dems with vicious lie
The WaPo’s David Broder is frequently called the “dean” of the Washington media establishment. He’s moderate to a fault, tepid in his criticism, but influential enough to help reflect and shape the conventional wisdom. With this in mind, it was disheartening to see Broder take a cheap and unnecessary shot at the Democratic Party in […]