National Democrats
Easley Steps Back
Governor Easley has taken two steps back – and one step forward – in his confrontation with The News & Observer. Last week, the Governor poked a stick in the N&O’s eye at a press conference – especially when he evaded Pat Stith at the Capitol. He also maintained – evidence to the contrary –…
Read MoreIt Ain’t Over Until It’s Over
Once again, Barack Obama had a chance to close the deal last night. Once again, he could not. Just as in New Hampshire and on Super Tuesday, Hillary Clinton stayed alive. Voters in Ohio, Texas and Rhode Island weren’t ready to put Obama over the top. Maybe it was the ad about the 3 a.m.…
Read MoreEchoes of 1972
Hillary and Bill Clinton have come full circle. Their political ambitions now rest where they started in presidential politics 36 years ago, working in a hopeless campaign for George McGovern in Texas. Ironically, the Clintons might see themselves – although they don’t quite say it – as trying to keep the Democratic Party from making…
Read MoreCue the Ugly Campaign
Barack Obama got a taste this week of what’s coming. The picture of him decked out in Somali gear. The McCain emcee who repeatedly called him “Barack Hussein Obama.” The Louis Farrakhan question at the debate. It’s time for the Obama campaign to strap on the seat belts. It’s going to be a rough ride.…
Read MoreHilary’s Blues
In the beginning was the word. Senator Barack Obama’s rhetoric has accomplished what we Republicans have failed to do for years. He’s undone Hilary Clinton. It understates Obama’s achievement to simply say his rhetoric is articulate. To a certain, surprising, extent American politicians all oddly seem to sound the same. Sometimes listening to, say, Hillary,…
Read More‘Dirty Harry’ vs. ‘Mr. Smith Goes to Washington’
The other night, lying in bed, I stopped clicking long enough to watch an old black and white movie. Talk of the Town it’s like Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, only with Ronald Coleman appointed to the Supreme Court rather than Jimmy Stewart appointed to the Senate. The good guys (and Jean Arthur, in both…
Read MoreThe Circus Might Not Be Coming
We apparently got all excited over nothing. North Carolina’s presidential primary may not matter after all. If Hillary Clinton loses Texas next Tuesday – as looks increasingly likely – the air will go out of our balloon. Obama campaign insiders are confident about Texas – and expect a close race in Ohio. Clinton campaign insiders…
Read MoreIraq in October
Imagine this: Barack Obama and John McCain are debating in October. Senator McCain says: ‘As I said at the time, early in the war we made mistakes in Iraq. But we’ve learned. We’re on the right track. The surge is working.’ Obama says: ‘It that’s correct then tell me one thing – give me one…
Read MoreObi-wan Obama
Senator Barack Obama told supporters Sunday in Ohio: “I don’t think NAFTA has been good for American’s, and I never have.” But, four years ago, during his Senate race in Illinois, “Obama touted the benefits from United States exports under NAFTA” and the Associated Press reported “that Obama favored pursuing trade deals such as NAFTA.”…
Read MoreBad News Piles Up
Hillary Clinton did not turn the tide in Thursday night’s debate. Bill Clinton says she has to win both Texas and Ohio to win the nomination. Her campaign advisers are divided. Her spending and strategy are being criticized. So here is one more piece of bad news, looking back to Tuesday’s primary in Wisconsin: Obama…
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