Wow. Rep-elect Keith Ellison has some serious political jujitsu skills. Rep.-elect Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress, found himself under attack last month... [More]
January 3, 2007
January 7, 2007
Is It A Plan For Iraq Or An Intelligence Test?
The NYT has some details on the president's planned "surge" in Iraq. Here's the overview: President Bush’s new Iraq strategy calls for a rapid influx... [More]
If Valerie Plame's Job At The CIA Was So Unimportant....
When the Valerie Plame story first broke, one of the most common defenses offered by defenders of the administration was that she wasn't a "real"... [More]
When The NRA Is Breaking With The Republican Party
I've been going on about a western realignment for years now, but this surprises even me: SEATTLE -- After years of close association with the... [More]
January 9, 2007
About That Surge...
There are many, many, MANY things that could be said about the proposed "surge" into Baghdad, but of everything I've come across in the past... [More]
Newsflash: Santorum To Become Lobbyist
Funny. A few months back he was claiming he had no idea what K Street was. UPDATE: I missed this part: Former U.S. Sen. Rick... [More]
I Believe The Children Are Our Future
Via Andrew Sullivan... Pew has their latest survey of youth in America, and the results are absolutely fascinating. This is the first comprehensive survey that... [More]
Bringing Together Iraq?
Andrew Sullivan highlights an interesting exchange on al Jazeera (click through for the transcript). His conclusion? We are supposed to bring these people together with... [More]
Opposition From The Right
Although I realize that Ted Kennedy remarks today at the National Press Club, along with his new legislation aimed at preserving the role of Congress... [More]
Media Bias: It's Not What You Think
Matt's post isn't directly about media bias, but it captures the point so perfectly that it needs to be repeated: the media's bias isn't about... [More]
The President Has Lost Utah
Oh... my... god... President Bush has lost majority support on Iraq from residents of the reddest state in the nation. A Salt Lake Tribune poll... [More]
The Meta-Narrative
Looks like today may be the day of the meta-narrative discussion. I started in this direction with a discussion of media bias, but after coming... [More]
Obama May Announce Next Week
Political Insider: There is growing speculation in Democratic political circles that Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) will announce his presidential intentions on Martin Luther King Day.... [More]
Truth, Meet Fiction
NEW YORK (AP) - It may feel like looking into the mirror for Bill O'Reilly and Stephen Colbert next week. The Fox News Channel host... [More]
100 Hours: It Begins
WaPo: WASHINGTON -- Anti-terror legislation sailed through the House on Tuesday, the first in a string of measures designed to fulfill campaign promises made by... [More]
Fact Of The Day
Via Carpetbagger: Jobs created in the first six years of Reagan’s presidency: 9.5 million. Jobs created in the first six years of Clinton’s presidency: 17.6... [More]
January 10, 2007
Comparing Post-War Iraq and Japan?
Andrew Sullivan today approvingly posts an email from a reader comparing the post WWII occupation of Japan with Iraq. I suppose I understand the point... [More]
Credit Where Credit Is Due
SecDef Robert Gates has sent Gen. Boykin packing. Carpetbagger reminds us why that matters. An excerpt: Among Boykin’s more colorful remarks, which were delivered in... [More]
I Almost Feel Sorry For John McCain.
Almost. Like Carpetbagger, I've been wondering how he would spin his previous "this war will be an easy war" comments. But never, not in my... [More]
Dare To Be Different
When historians write the story of this administration decades from now, I suspect material like this is going to come in very handy. Although the... [More]
January 11, 2007
The Speech: The Day After
In no particular order, some things worth noting 24 hours after Bush's big speech: We are, apparently, declaring war on al-Sadr: Iraq's prime minister has... [More]
Syria and Iran: Not Next But Now?
Oh dear god. no. Please, no. From Steve Clemmons: Washington intelligence, military and foreign policy circles are abuzz today with speculation that the President, yesterday... [More]
Standing In Opposition
Earlier today, I wrote that while I thought today's hearings on Iraq were a good start, it would nice to see something more than words.... [More]
The Dems Head West
When the realignment comes, it will come from the West. I've been saying that on this blog for years. So yes, this makes me smile:... [More]
Rep Kingston: Make Up Your Mind!
This is pretty hilarious. When Rep. Jack Kingston (R-GA) found out that the Dems were planning on reinstating a 5 day work week for Congress,... [More]
Sen. Hagel: Escalation "the Most Dangerous Foreign Policy Blunder... Since Vietnam"
From today's hearings with Sec. Rice: When you were engaging Chairman Biden on this issue on the specific question of, Will our troops go into... [More]
Obama On Today: "A Wrong-Headed Policy"
Take a look. For those interested in his presidential plans, watch all the way tot he end. It's certainly not yet official, but...... [More]
Pentagon Abandons Active-Duty Time Limit
Still don't believe that this war is breaking our military? Take a look: WASHINGTON (AP) - For the first time since President Bush mobilized the... [More]
Thomas Ricks: "Intensified Combat on Streets Likely"
WaPo: President Bush's plan to send tens of thousands of U.S. and Iraqi reinforcements to Baghdad to jointly confront Sunni insurgents and Shiite militias is... [More]
What's Wrong With Rice, In One Sentence Or Less
"It's bad policy to speculate on what you'll do if a plan fails when you're trying to make a plan work." -- Condoleezza Rice That... [More]
January 13, 2007
Obama/McCain/Lieberman Climate Change Bill
An odd combination of names on a very interesting effort: WASHINGTON - Potential presidential rivals John McCain (news, bio, voting record) and Barack Obama (news,... [More]
January 14, 2007
Compare And Contrast: Stability vs. Instability
President Bush, speaking before the United Nations General Assembly, September 19, 2006: To Understand The Struggle Unfolding In The Middle East, We Need To Look... [More]
Al-Maliki's First Move
Here's some wonderful news. Iraqi PM al-Maliki's first move after Bush's big escalation speech is, well... read for yourself: BAGHDAD — Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri... [More]
Rod Dreher: "Hadn't The Hippies Tried To Tell My Generation This?"
With apologies in advance, I'm borrowing both the title of this post and the excerpted material in full from Glenn Greenwald. You don't get much... [More]
Striking All The Right Notes
Another Bush appointment, another disaster. This time it is Abigail Kimbell, Bush's pick to head the US Forest Service. She's the one who came up... [More]
Divided Dems? Try Again
From this AM's WaPo: House Republican leaders, who confidently predicted they would drive a wedge through the new Democratic majority, have found their own party... [More]
"Silence Is Betrayal"
It looks like John Edwards is set to give one hell of a speech today. Via TPM Cafe, an excerpt: EXCERPTS OF REMARKS AS PREPARED... [More]
Obama To Announce On Oprah This Wednesday
Taegan Goddard's blog Political Wire has been dead on the last few months when it comes to Obama rumors. Which is why this is very... [More]
January 15, 2007
My Conscience Leaves Me No Other Choice
No posting today. Instead, read and remember: I come to this magnificent house of worship tonight because my conscience leaves me no other choice. I... [More]
January 16, 2007
"I hope you can forgive us, but I understand if you cannot."
Andrew Sullivan has some of the best readers around.... [More]
Terror: 'We're Going to Get Hit'
Newsweek has a short piece up today on Henry Crumpton, the outgoing State Department terror coordinator. He still has a few weeks left on the... [More]
January 18, 2007
Equipping and Arming???
If they want their civil war, I say let them have it: BAGHDAD, Jan. 17 -- The Iraqi government's need for American troops would "dramatically... [More]
Republicans Halt Ethics Legislation
What do the line item veto and anti-corruption legislation have in common? Nothing. Unless you are Mitch McConnell, I suppose: Senate Republicans scuttled broad legislation... [More]
FISA Court To Oversee Wiretapping?
Plenty of people have already passed plenty of comment on the Justice Department's recent announcement that it would "allow" the federal judiciary to oversee its... [More]
Obama's Autobiography
Andrew Sullivan asks if he has a "James Frey" problem. And he frames Obama's reaction to the story this way: I like Obama, but you've... [More]
In Your Name
In our system, even those accused of the most heinous crimes are innocent until proven guilty. Scratch that. Were: WASHINGTON - The Pentagon's rules for... [More]
Ending Support For Hezbollah and Hamas Would Be A Good Thing, Right?
Wrong: An Iranian offer to help the United States stabilize Iraq and end its military support for Hezbollah and Hamas was turned down by U.S.... [More]
Crisis At The SBA
What happens when the man tapped to run the Small Business Administration “does not have experience running a small business?” You'll never guess....... [More]
As Ohio Goes...
From Salon In a Cleveland courtroom this morning, a prosecutor is arguing that three Cuyahoga County election workers "rigged" a preliminary recount of ballots cast... [More]
Listen To The Man
Lt. Gen. William Odom: "Several critics of the administration show an appreciation of the requirement to regain our allies' and others' support, but they do... [More]
January 19, 2007
Charles Krauthammer, America Hater
A few months back, just prior to the fall election, we heard endless claims from those on the right, all the way up to the... [More]
January 20, 2007
Civilian Control... Ever Heard Of It?
Fred Kagan, the architect of the president's "surge," and Bill Kristol, the man who did more than just about anyone else outside of the White... [More]
Let's Talk? Let's Chat?
Hillary is in. But... erm... this announcement is really horrible. So... fake.... it... hurts...... [More]
Rice Is Clueless
She is our chief diplomat. And this is her definition of diplomacy: "You aren't going to be successful as a diplomat if you don't understand... [More]
Heckuva Job... (Updated)
Shock and surprise... the White House played politics with its response to Katrina. Says who? Says Brownie Brown told a group of graduate students Friday... [More]
California Uber Alles
Via Kevin Drum... it looks like California is moving its primary date up so that it falls just two weeks after New Hampshite. Although the... [More]
68% Oppose The Surge
New poll from Newsweek: 68% oppose the surge. And nearly half want our troops brought home "as soon as possible." An excerpt: Bush’s Iraq plan... [More]
Lieberman Says He Will Filibuster With Republicans
Hey Connecticut... Is this what you wanted? MS. BLOCK: Can you imagine a scenario where you would join in with a Republican filibuster to stop... [More]
Pakistan Helping Taliban Insurgents?
The NYT has a fairly extensive story tonight on the "explosive question" of whether or not Pakistan is aiding the Taliban in Afghanistan. Newsflash: The... [More]
January 22, 2007
"Let The Conversation Begin"
Hillary is kicking off her campaign tonight with a live online chat. For those of you who care, here is the link you'll need to... [More]
About Ahmadinejad
One of the things that has baffled me over the past year has been the endless focus on Iranian President Ahmadinejad. I realize that his... [More]
Putting Presidential Approval Ratings In Perspective
From today's WaPo. Emphasis mine. President Bush will deliver his State of the Union address on Tuesday at the weakest point of his presidency, facing... [More]
The Divisions Within Islam
It looks like today is going to be pick on Andrew Sullivan day. After discussing how some writers overlook the divisions within Islam, Sullivan writes:... [More]
The Difference That Matters Most
EJ Dionne has an interesting piece today on the battle between Obama and Clinton. An excerpt: Clinton, more than any other Democrat, has been both... [More]
The Netroots Primary
People are going to need to be a bit more sophisticated than this: The Wall Street Journal reports that soon after Sen. Hillary Clinton (D)... [More]
I Knew Bill Kristol Was Clueless, But Wow...
Via Publius, Anonymous Liberal has a great reminder of just how little Bill Kristol knows: April 4, 2003: "There's been a certain amount of pop... [More]
A "Centrist" Proposal?
Greg Sargent weighs in on Republican Senator John Warner's anti-escalation proposal: Look, the more "bipartisan" resolutions, the better. And, sure, it's good news that some... [More]
Timing Is Everything?
Salon's War Room: Friday, Jan. 19, 2007: Previewing Tuesday night's State of the Union address, George W. Bush tells USA Today: "My point is going... [More]
January 23, 2007
Putting The Fitz In Fitzmas
Opening arguments in the Scooter Libby trial began today, and wow... Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald most definitely is not playing around. Here's how ThinkProgress summarizes... [More]
January 24, 2007
Why We Fight?
Last night the President gave us an update on the state of our democracy. Today. the NYT brings us an update on the state of... [More]
House GOP Leader John Boehner Sets A Timetable For The Surge
Although he called it the "last, best, good chance" for us to succeed, last night on CNN Rep. Boehner gave the surge a fairly short... [More]
McCain Falls Asleep At The State Of The Union
Via ThinkProgress, who have the video. It's worth noting that he fell asleep during a portion of the speech devoted to the war in Iraq.... [More]
McCain Falls Asleep At The State Of The Union
Via ThinkProgress, who have the video. It's worth noting that he fell asleep during a portion of the speech devoted to the war in Iraq.... [More]
I Knew Sen. Hagel Had Had Enough, But Wow...
Two items from Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb) today.... First, via ThinkProgress, there's this from an interview in GQ. Hagel is discussing the 2002 Authorization for... [More]
Why Democrats Can Stop The War
Historian Rick Perlstein has a fascinating piece today over at Salon about what the congress can do to reign in the president's plan for more... [More]
Hagel's Speech (UPDATED)
Following up on my previous post about Sen. Hagel, here is video of his statement today: That is what politics at its best looks like.... [More]
Obama v. Fox News
One of the outstanding questions many people have about candidate Obama is how he will react to the inevitable Swift Boating of his candidacy by... [More]
January 25, 2007
Obama: "The Time Has Come For Universal Health Care In America"
With apologies to Greg Sargent, I've stolen his title for this post because, to be honest, there really isn't any better way to lead than... [More]
The Battle For Baghdad
While the nation debates "the surge," the military is already carrying it out. Its only just begun, of course, but here's how it is going... [More]
Filibuster
Carpetbagger seems shocked that Senate Republicans have already used the filibuster to block popular legislation. Wasn't it just yesterday they claimed the filibuster was a... [More]
Losing the Evangelicals
David Kuo, "special assistant to the president in George W. Bush's White House, policy director for Sen. John Ashcroft, and speechwriter for a gaggle of... [More]
"Because I told them it had to."
God help us. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said yesterday that President George W. Bush did not consult her before announcing his new strategy for the... [More]
Scooter Libby Is Toast
Libby's defense is toast. And I do mean toast. First Vice President Cheney's former public affairs director shreds Libby's supposed timeline. Then, the CIA official... [More]
January 26, 2007
Be The Change, Rhetorically Speaking...
Just a quick followup on my previous post about Obama's The Time Has Come For Universal Health Care In America" speech. Digby chronicles how there's... [More]
Here We Go Again
"I'm the decision-maker." We are, as Atrios so often says, ruled by a child.... [More]
Begala Tears Cheney A New One
Oh. My. God. PAUL BEGALA, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Really, it's stunning. It's a great interview, and — because we saw the real Dick Cheney, you... [More]
Get This: Bush Has Lost Toby Keith
Via ThinkProgress, he now claims he never supported the president in this war. I'm speechless.... [More]
Separation of Powers
Talk about getting to the point... The Bush administration has employed extraordinary secrecy in defending the National Security Agency’s highly classified domestic surveillance program from... [More]