Issues
Abortion
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 MoreStumbles and Struts
Hamas slaughtered Israelis, anger shot across the internet – Biden said he ‘had Israel’s back.’ Israel bombed Gaza, civilians died, Biden said he wanted to give Gaza $100 million. Nursing an old grievance, after Hamas attacked Israel Trump mocked Netanyahu, called Hezbollah ‘very smart’ – that backfired. About facing Trump said he stood 100% with…
Read MoreTrump on Abortion
Years ago the Supreme Court made abortion legal – after that there were no limits on abortion the first trimester (12 weeks) of pregnancy, some limits on abortion in the second trimester, and, in the third trimester states could prohibit abortions. Back then conservatives, believing a fetus was a living being, called themselves ‘pro-life,’ said…
Read More10 O’clock on Election Night
On Meet the Press Trump told Kristen Welker there were lawyers in his administration, and lawyers in his campaign, who told him the ‘election wasn’t stolen’ – but then Trump added, he knew personally, the election was stolen at ‘10 o’clock on election night.’ Now stop and think about that for a moment: At 10…
Read MoreThe Inescapable Issue
Powers beyond our control, breeding crises no one saw coming, have changed politics in the blink of an eye: Pearl Harbor did that. So did 9/11. And Covid. The ‘unexpected’ makes predicting the outcome of an election a year away risky business. For all we know Putin may invade Poland next. Or Kim Jong Un…
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