National Democrats
Out of Iraq? Not so much.
Wait ‘til the blogroots get this. The New York Times says: “Even as they call for an end to the war and pledge to bring the troops home, the Democratic presidential candidates are setting out positions that could leave the United States engaged in Iraq for years.” The Times said all three top candidates –…
Read More“I Can Win.” A Winning Strategy?
John Edwards might well be the Democratic Party’s strongest candidate against any Republican in 2008. But he can’t make that argument. Some Republican strategists say Edwards is their perfect nightmare: a smart, articulate Southerner who taps into voters’ anger against Bush, overzealous right-wingers and overreaching corporations. But this Edwards strategy dares not speak its name.…
Read MoreWiretaps
There’s been a big flap in Washington about wiretaps. The Bush Administration wants to listen in on ‘foreign communications’ it suspects may be tied to terrorism without court orders (The New York Times, 8-4-07). That sounded reasonable even to a fair amount of Democrats (who voted for it). But a lot didn’t and the usual…
Read MoreThe Next Political Tidal Wave?
The Democrats in Washington are thinking long term and they may have found an issue they can ride to victory after they’ve finished milking the war in Iraq. They’re moving to pass retaliatory trade legislation against China. For years, free trade has been a sacred cow for both Democrats and Republicans. No one seemed to…
Read MoreA Line in the Sand
The Iraq battle lines are drawn in the presidential race. Republicans made clear in their debate this weekend that they want to keep troops in Iraq. Democrats are just as clear that they want troops out. So the American people will get to make a clear decision on the war next year. That should be…
Read MoreWill John Edwards Smile or Frown?
John Edwards’ campaign is either finding its groove or spinning out of control. The New York Times reported this week: “In a slow but striking power shift, advisers who champion the political power of the Web have eclipsed the coterie of advisers who have long dominated Mr. Edwards’s inner circle, both reflecting and intensifying his…
Read MoreHillary’s Makeover
It’s a baby-boomer politician’s worst nightmare: The New York Times gets holds of personal letters you wrote to a close friend back when you were a self-absorbed college student trying on different personas and personalities. It happened to Hillary Clinton Sunday. This came right after the national media dissected the political and fashion significance of…
Read MoreBig Business a Big Target
Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama got the most attention after this week’s Democratic debate. But John Edwards had the most pointed message. And it’s why he remains a big threat to the Big Two. The first two questions he got, almost the first words out of Edwards’ mouth were “big insurance companies, big pharmaceutical companies…
Read MoreThe Great Democratic Debate
Last night on CNN and the Democratic Candidates ‘You-Tubed’ their way through the latest debate. Afterwards the pundits said Obama won. Then they said Hillary won. Then they said Edwards and Biden won. So much for pundits. Here’s my two cents worth. I hate to say it but I thought John Edwards won. Hands down.…
Read MoreEdwards and Poverty
Leaving aside all the falderal about John Edwards’ $400 and $1250 haircuts, beneath Edwards’ posturing about poverty there may be a subtle – and powerful – political point. While Edwards pirouettes through Mississippi, New Orleans and Appalachia with reporters in tow, his stance on poverty is providing a positive window-dressing that allows him to talk…
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