Independent Voters

Hillary Clinton and the 51% – The Daily Beast – Women in the World

April 5th, 2013

“Extremism thrives on anger and ignorance,” Hillary Clinton declared at the Women of the World Summit, taking aim at the Taliban and the repression of women and girls worldwide—what she called “the great unfinished business of the 21st century.”

This wasn’t a campaign speech. Put 2016 political horse-race handicapping out of your mind for a moment (I know, it’s hard). Instead, this was an address (you can read it in full here) that illustrated how Hillary Clinton has transformed herself from a polarizing political figure into an icon for feminists around the world and why she is surfing a global wave that could lead to the White House if she decides to run. Read More…

South Carolina Special Election Has All the Makings of a Scandal-Filled Telenovela – The Daily Beast

April 4th, 2013

This is one local election that’s going to get national attention.

With Mark Sanford’s victory in the Republican runoff Tuesday night, South Carolina’s May 7 congressional special election will be packed with enough scandal, redemption, and gender-war themes to fill a telenovela. To sweeten the pot, polls show that the Democratic candidate, Elizabeth Colbert Busch (sister of talk-show host Stephen Colbert), might have a real shot at winning what has traditionally been a safe Republican seat. Fasten your seat belts—this is going to be a wild four-week ride.

The view from outside South Carolina too often sees Lowcountry politics as a strange circus, a perspective confirmed for some distant observers by the elevation of Mark Sanford from the Appalachian Trail–hiking governor to a serious contender for his old congressional seat. Holding his primary-night victory party at a barbecue joint called Sticky Fingers didn’t exactly help his cause to be taken seriously again. Read More…

Frank Luntz, Ray LaHood, and More at The Daily Beast Bipartisan Brunch – The Daily Beast

January 20th, 2013

The Daily Beast bipartisan brunch, in partnership with Credit Suisse, lived up to its billing: Democrats, Republicans, and independents, shoulder to shoulder at Cafe Milano, chowing down and toasting the start of a new term.

With the second inaugural address one day away, I asked some of the assembled what they were hoping to hear from President Obama.

Frank Luntz, Republican pollster and author of Words That Work: The president should say “We’re not Republicans. We’re not Democrats. We’re Americans. And I extend my hand”—as he actually physically does it—“I extend my hand to the speaker, the minority leader of the Senate and their colleagues. Let us make a commitment on this great day to get great things done for great Americans.’” Read More…

Republican Politicians Must Stop Pandering to Conservative Populism – The Daily Beast

November 21st, 2012

Republicans need to “stop being the Stupid Party.” That was a blunt postelection declaration of independence by Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal.

“We’ve also had enough of this dumbed-down conservatism,” continued Jindal. “We need to stop being simplistic, we need to trust the intelligence of the American people, and we need to stop insulting the intelligence of the voters.”

Amen.

After being demographically left in the dust by President Obama, conservatives are regrouping, reassessing, and recognizing the need to evolve on social issues if they are going to connect with the millennial generation. Read More…

Bipartisian Policy Center – Now We Govern: Transitioning from the Campaign to Office

November 17th, 2012

Now We Govern: Transitioning from the Campaign to Office

John Avlon moderates this panel on the transition from campaign to office and the challenges that lie ahead for Congress and the President.

Featuring: Maria Cardona, Brendan Daly, Sara Taylor Fagen, Secretary Dan Glickman, Trey Grayson and Senator Trent Lott
Moderator: John Avlon

The uniqueness of our democratic process is our historical ability to transfer power peacefully. With such divisive campaign rhetoric behind the candidates and the country today, how can the work of governing successfully begin? What hard feelings and hold-over from negative campaigning will impede this progress? If campaigning is about highlighting differences, governing should, in turn, be about finding ways to work together. This panel will address the obstacles to a successful transition of power and the key issues that prevent compromise. Additionally, we’ll discuss the importance of the preparation of the President’s Inaugural Address and first State of the Union Address, and what to expect in the highly touted “First 100 Days.”