Posts by Gary Pearce
Iraq Exit Strategies
Now all the Big Shots have an exit strategy – politically speaking, of course. Bush: He apparently will link the surge – or escalation, if you prefer – with deadlines for the Iraqis to take over. If his plan doesn’t work, he blames them. John McCain: He’s always called for more troops. If it doesn’t…
Read MoreWill the Center Hold?
American politics oscillates between centrism and polarization. Two straws in the wind suggest that centrism is coming back: Arnold Schwarzenegger and Gerald Ford. A hobbling (physically, anyway) Schwarzenegger said at his inauguration last week that centrist “does not mean watered down or warmed over, it means well-balanced and well-grounded.” In 2005, he said: “Like Paul…
Read MoreA New Direction: Home
“A new direction” is the Bush Administration’s latest grasp for an Iraq message. But there are only two directions: In deeper Or out. And Bush is headed the wrong way. To comment, send us an email to comment@talkingaboutpolitics.com.
Read MoreFirst Madam Speaker, Then Madam President?
My wife and daughter were happy to see Speaker Pelosi sworn in. I’m sure a lot of women felt the same way. So many, in fact, that we could see Madam President sworn in two years from now. Dick Morris – who may or may not be an expert on women – has written that…
Read MoreNewt McHenry
North Carolina Congressman Patrick McHenry is the early favorite for this Congress’ Newt Gingrich Hysterical Hypocrisy Award. “Waving his hands and stomping his feet,” according to news reports, McHenry decried House Democrats’ plans to quickly act on their key priorities. Such as ethics reform, stem cell research and raising the minimum wage. Railed McHenry: “If,…
Read MoreA Hanging Offense
Saddam Hussein got what he deserved. But did America? The hanging scene was disturbing on many levels. The masked hangmen looked like the guys who chop off heads in hostage videos. The shouted curses hardly lent an atmosphere of justice being carried out. And what was the big rush? I’m not bothered by a brutal…
Read MoreEdwards
John Edwards’ presidential announcement last week demonstrated why it’s better to be lucky than smart in politics. The Edwards team had a good strategy: a two-day made-for-TV announcement in New Orleans. And what seemed like good timing: the news-dead week between Christmas and New Year’s. Then Gerald Ford died. And Sadaam Hussein was hanged. And…
Read MoreGerald Ford
Gerald Ford proved that a leader’s character can be more important than brains. Right after Richard Nixon proved that brains without character can be dangerous. The TV coverage I’ve seen rightly emphasized Ford’s role as a healer after Watergate. Lord knows, the nation needed it. But a fuller picture needs to be drawn: Even I…
Read MoreWhat Would Jesus Do?
At Christmas, I want to reflect on the Christian example being set by Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas. He’s a Republican who wants to be the Christian Right candidate for President. Brownback had held up the confirmation of a federal judge because the nominee – horror of horrors! – had attended a same-sex commitment ceremony.…
Read MoreBackward, March!
News reports suggest that President Bush may overrule military commanders and order more American troops into Baghdad. Which makes sense. After all, he and Rumsfeld overruled military commanders and sent fewer troops when the war started. So at least he’s consistent in ignoring military advice. If Bill Clinton had done this, Republicans would have started…
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