Archive for January 2008

Enough self-flagellation, already. The media and all of us in the “chattering class” are in full mea culpa frenzy. We have sinned. We have over-reacted and over-reached and over-relied on polls. We have jumped to hasty conclusions. We have talked when we should have listened. We have been too quick to anoint winners and condemn…

The Democrats got the infection first. But it didn’t take long for the Republicans to catch the bug too. The symptoms: Uncontrollably saying the word ‘change’ passionately a dozen times in each sentence. Hillary says she’s been fighting for change all her life. John McCain has too. Barack Obama’s a fresh face which makes him…

An experienced ocean-swimmer knows what to do in a riptide. Don’t panic, and don’t fight it. Swim parallel to the shore until you’re out of trouble. Then get back to dry land. That’s what Hillary Clinton and John Edwards should do now. They’re caught in a Barack Obama tide. There’s no fighting it. But there…

Ten polls yesterday in New Hampshire; John McCain led in nine; Barack Obama in all ten. The press loves a good story and Obama’s given them one: David slaying the Clinton Goliath. And the press has gone a little berserk. Hillary’s best hope is to hold on until the wave passes. Which takes two things:…

OK, OK, we’ve answered one question. The presidential race is all about “change.” But here is a baker’s dozen (plus one) other questions about New Hampshire Tuesday: Will New Hampshire voters be content to “finish what Iowa started,” as Obama suggests? Or will these notoriously independent Yankees revive the Clinton campaign? Obama says his campaign…

Only in America. After Iowa, the leading Presidential candidates are: An African-American man. The real thing, with a father from Kenya. A Southern Baptist preacher with a sense of humor and a populist streak. Both Obama and Huckabee get two prizes for winning: a big boost and a big bullseye. Put on your Kevlar, gentlemen.…