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Category Archives: Columns
The Human Rights Abuses in Sudan Continue – The Daily Beast
The human rights abuses in Sudan continue—and a harrowing new video captures the attack on a Nuba Mountain village in real time. The Satellite Sentinel Project, working with the Sudanese journalist group Nuba Reports, brought the video to an international … Continue reading
Moderate Mitt’s Rise and Conservatives’ Cognitive Dissonance – The Daily Beast
It’s a conundrum for conservatives—Mitt Romney couldn’t get traction while he was playing to the base with his vice-presidential selection or his convention speech. But once he broke out the big Etch A Sketch in his first debate against President … Continue reading
Foreign Policy Should Take Center Stage – The Daily Beast
It is time for the presidential candidates to say what they see as America’s place in the world. Few aspects of the president’s job have as large an impact on as many people as his role as commander-in-chief, and while … Continue reading
Posted in Columns
Tagged 2012 Elections, Elections, National Security, President Obama, The Daily Beast
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The Gaffe Master Beats the Policy Wonk – The Daily Beast – CNN.com
Joe Biden didn’t just meet expectations Thursday night, he completely surpassed them. Before the vice presidential debate, I’d thought that Paul Ryan would have the upper hand — a young, smart policy wonk and great communicator paired off against an … Continue reading
Final Factor: Loudoun County – Virginia’s Bellwether Battleground – The Daily Beast
This election will be decided by swing voters in swing districts of swing states. The second installment of OutFront’s election series The Final Factors took me to the key swing district of Virgina – Loudoun County. This is the heart … Continue reading
Mitt Romney’s Military Budget Hypocrisy – The Daily Beast
In the wake of Mitt Romney’s deft first debate there’s been a lot of belated questions about whether his promises make sense in terms of, you know, math. After all, a core claim of the Romney campaign is this: “Getting … Continue reading
In Virginia’s Crucial County, Military Cuts Worry Swing Voters – CNN.com
Take it from President Barack Obama — Virginia’s Loudoun County is a must-win swing district in a must-win swing state. “We won last time in Loudoun County, and if we win again, we win Virginia,” Obama declared at a rally … Continue reading
Posted in Columns
Tagged 2012 Elections, CNN, Elections, National Security, President Obama
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As Presidential Contest Tightens, State Races Could Prove Crucial – The Daily Beast
As you nervously pour over swing-state presidential polls, don’t forget to factor in one crucial variable—the rest of the statewide ticket. Call it down-ticket coattails. Because President Obama and Mitt Romney are not running in a vacuum. They are going … Continue reading
In 2012 Election, Centrists Move Left As Independents Stay Split – The Daily Beast
Mitt Romney’s debate debut of his new, centrist political persona may be no deeper than an Etch-a-Sketch drawing, but it might prove effective. After all, elections in America are won by the candidate who connects best with centrists and independents, … Continue reading
The Audacity of Romney’s Etch-a-Sketch – CNN.com
The Etch a Sketch was in full effect at the first presidential debate in Denver on Wednesday night. Mitt Romney put forward a strong performance, transforming back into his 2002 Massachusetts moderate mold, a belated advocate of bipartisan leadership. It … Continue reading
Are Karl Rove and Crossroads Propping Up the Romney Campaign – The Daily Beast
Brand new data on super-PAC spending is out courtesy of the Wesleyan Media Project, and conservative groups are still considerably outspending liberal organizations, despite an overall ad-buy advantage from the Obama campaign over the Romney campaign as the Tsunami of … Continue reading
Benghazi Backlash, Mideast Implosion, Jobless Numbers: The Real Potential October Surprises – The Daily Beast
October Surprise. It’s defined by Safire’s Political Dictionary as a “last minute disruption before a November election; unexpected political stunt or revelation that could affect an election’s outcome.” America was treated to a lame attempt to manufacture just such a … Continue reading
Posted in Columns
Tagged 2012 Elections, Elections, President Obama, The Daily Beast
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For GOP, It’s the Social Issues, Stupid – CNN.com
This election is about the economy — not social issues or other distractions. At least, that’s the mantra we’ve consistently heard from conservative candidates this election cycle. We heard the same thing during the “tea party election” of 2010. But … Continue reading
GOP Keeps Social Issues in the Closet – OutFront – CNN
The Obama campaign woke up to good news today with new polls in three swing states that has President Barack Obama exceeding 50% support among like voters. Obama also holds a lead of nine to 12 points over Republican opponent … Continue reading
Obama’s Stirring U.N. Speech – The Daily Beast
President Obama can be, if anything, overrated as an orator. Some of his heavily hyped speeches—such as his Charlotte convention address—fall flat or fall short. That was not the case with his U.N. address Tuesday. Certainly, the stakes were high—two … Continue reading
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Tagged National Security, New York, President Obama, The Daily Beast
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Political Independents: The Future of Politics? – The Daiy Beast
In the final stretch of this play-to-the-base presidential election, it is strange to say that the 40 percent of Americans who identify as independent are currently close to an afterthought. With so few undecided voters left, even most independents have chosen … Continue reading
Posted in Columns
Tagged 2012 Elections, Elections, Independent Voters, The Daily Beast
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Free Speech, Civility Collide on the New York Subways – The Daily Beast
This Monday, 10 subway stations throughout New York City will be adorned with this welcoming message: “In any war between civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man. Support Israel. Defeat Jihad.” It is paid for by the American … Continue reading
Mitt’s Likability Problem – The Daily Beast
Less than 50 days from the election, it’s still Mitt Romney’s biggest mystery. He is an exemplary husband and father—the kind of man you would want as a member of your church or would trust to run your business. So … Continue reading
Our Toothless Campaign Finance Watchdogs – The Daily Beast
This is the third and final installment in a series by The Daily Beast, in partnership with the Center for Responsive Politics, on the influx of money into the 2012 campaign. To read part one, click here. To read part … Continue reading
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Tagged 2012 Elections, Elections, President Obama, The Daily Beast
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Will More Democrats Follow Rahm Emanuel in Chicago and Take On Unions? – The Daily Beast
The Chicago fire is out for now. The teachers’ strike is over. But the beyond the question of winners and losers in this negotiation is the larger state of play—will more Democrats follow Rahm Emanuel’s lead and declare independence from … Continue reading