Issues
An Old Problem
Years ago sitting in a Republican convention I stared at a stranger standing at a microphone – I had no idea who he was but we were on opposite sides and when he finished speaking I had no doubt he’d handed us a problem. Back then Bob Orr was what I called a Mountain Republican.…
Read MoreBiden’s Pause
Twenty-nine hundred Americans died on 9/11. Twelve hundred Israelis died on October 7. A week ago White House spokesman John Kirby voice purring told Meet the Press about Biden’s “intense effort” to get Israel to “pause” its war with Hamas. “We are still working it really hard, hour by hour, to see if we can…
Read MorePolitics Takes Control
After Roe vs. Wade for decades Republicans said, ‘Taking an innocent life is wrong. A fetus is alive. We can’t do that.’ After the Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade, Republicans lost elections in 2022 and 2023 – eyes locked on the next election Republican political gurus started telling candidates: Voters don’t like banning abortions…
Read MoreA Forgotten Memory
The first speech I heard Ronald Reagan make was six weeks after Russian tanks rolled into Saigon in 1975 and we lost the Vietnam War. Voice mellow, soothing, humble, his speech wasn’t a history lesson it was a reminiscence, a man telling a story he’d watched, lived through, remembering storm troopers goose-stepping into Vienna, the…
Read MoreAbortion
Two Republican candidates Democrats were hammering on abortion asked me before the election last year: “Should I answer those attacks – the party’s telling me to ignore them, that they don’t matter?” I said abortion mattered to swing voters, answer the attacks. Neither did. Both lost. This election Republican political wizards moved from ignoring abortion…
Read MoreTime to Turn Back the Clock?
Years ago when President Richard Nixon was in the White House politicians could take unlimited contributions and take corporate contributions. Nixon raised millions. Scowling, ruling Congress, Democrats passed laws that limited campaign donations – no one could give more than $1,000 and corporations couldn’t give at all. Thirty years rolled past. The Supreme Court upended…
Read MoreA Pause
To destroy German factories during World War II we bombed Hamburg, Berlin, other cities – bombs killed civilians but bombing tank factories meant fewer American soldiers died. Israel didn’t want a war with Hamas but got one – and it now faces the same choice we did: It bombs Gaza, civilians die, but bombs destroying…
Read MoreWho’s crazy? The Country or the Media?
Fox News showed protestors marching in Washington, graffiti scrawled on buildings: ‘Death to Israel.’ Newspapers, media websites, Facebook and Twitter were covered with stories about anti-Israel protests: Students chanting the Hamas mantra ‘from the river to the sea’ on college campuses, swastikas sprayed on synagogues, protestors in New York tearing down pictures of hostages held…
Read MoreWho’s the Leaker?
The headline across the top of the page said: ‘Trump power grab comes into focus in leaked Georgia videos.’ Someone had leaked videos of Trump lawyers Jenna Ellis and Sidney Powell being questioned by prosecutors to ABC News. The leaked videos bruised Trump but also bruised Fani Willis the D.A. prosecuting Trump. Trump claims Willis…
Read MoreTrump’s Trial
Should people be able to watch Mark Meadows sitting on the witness stand testifying against Trump on TV? The prosecutors say no. Trump says yes. Watching the trial on TV means you’ll be able to see whether Meadows sounds honest or shifty, whether the judge is fair or unfair. Not watching the trial means counting…
Read More