-
Search
-
Sign Up
-
More About John
FAVORITE MOVIES FAVORITE ALBUMS FAVORITE BOOKS SPEECHES -
My Columns
-
My Videos
-
Published Articles
Category Archives: Columns
No Attack Dog: Christie Heels And Plays Positive – The Daily Beast
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s keynote address is the substantive center-piece of this first night of the Republican Convention. But contrary to expectations that he will play the traditional role of attack dog, the former U.S. Attorney will instead lay … Continue reading
Posted in Columns
Tagged 2012 Elections, Elections, Republican Reformers, The Daily Beast
Leave a comment
The Swinging-est State – The Daily Beast
It must have seemed like a good idea at the time. Tampa. In August. At the height of Hurricane season. Out of the 16 cities that bid for the privilege of hosting the GOP convention, Tampa won. No, it was … Continue reading
When Did the GOP Get So White: The Republicans’ Loss of Diversity – The Daily Beast
“Zero Percent of Blacks for Romney”—Oh, that headline hurts. And the WSJ/NBC poll can’t just be dismissed out of hand as the work of partisan hacks. Of course, this doesn’t mean that no African-Americans will vote for the Romney-Ryan ticket, … Continue reading
Posted in Columns
Tagged 2012 Elections, Elections, Republican Reformers, The Daily Beast
Leave a comment
GOP Policy Is the Scandal, Not Just Akin’s Comments – CNN.com
“If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.” These were the words that got Rep. Todd Akin kicked to the curb by Republicans, ranging from Mitt Romney to Karl Rove … Continue reading
Medi-Scare: Now Ryan Budget Has Republicans Fear-Mongering Too – The Daily Beast
Republicans have long complained about Democrats playing the Medi-Scare card—trying to scare senior citizens about the affects of entitlement reform. The most vivid example of this ugly political ploy might have been the 2011 ad showing “Paul Ryan” literally pushing … Continue reading
Posted in Columns
Tagged 2012 Elections, Elections, Fiscal Responsibility, Health Care, President Obama, The Daily Beast
Leave a comment
Shays’s Rebellion: The Last Yankee Republican Fights For His Political Life – The Daily Beast
Chris Shays can’t believe this is happening. How does a longtime Newt Gingrich congressional ally who co-authored 1994’s Contract with America, helped achieve a balanced budget, and backed the Bush-era War on Terror to the hilt get called a Republican … Continue reading
Posted in Columns
Tagged 2012 Elections, Elections, Republican Reformers, The Daily Beast
Leave a comment
Obama’s ‘Romney Hood’ Tactic Reveals His Own Tax Problem – The Daily Beast
“Romney Hood.” As the president introduced that phrase Monday night, we saw the next step in the Obama campaign’s strategy that began with the Bain attacks and followed with the focus on Mitt’s taxes. The goal is now to paint … Continue reading
Posted in Columns
Tagged 2012 Elections, Elections, President Obama, The Daily Beast
Leave a comment
What We in 2012 Can Learn from Teddy Roosevelt in 1912 – CNN.com
One hundred years ago Monday, Theodore Roosevelt launched the most successful third party presidential bid in American history, declaring, “We stand at Armageddon, and we battle for the Lord!” It was the culmination of the Progressive Party Convention in Chicago … Continue reading
Posted in Columns
Tagged 2012 Elections, CNN, Elections, Fiscal Responsibility, Independent Voters, Republican Reformers
Leave a comment
Disavowal of Mark Clayton Shows Democrats’ Disarray in Tennessee – The Daily Beast
Something really strange happened in Tennessee last week. Democrats elected a fright-wing conspiracy theorist named Mark Clayton to be their U.S. Senate candidate—and the state party prompted disavowed him. It’s fair to say that if this were a Republican Senate … Continue reading
Congress Is Taking Another Vacation? Seriously? – The Daily Beast
Five full weeks of summer vacation have just begun for members of Congress. That’s after nine full weeks off so far this year—and the House gets six more away before the election. All that time off, a sweet health-care plan, … Continue reading
Posted in Columns
Tagged 2012 Elections, Elections, Fiscal Responsibility, The Daily Beast
Leave a comment
Why Sarah Palin’s Reputation Has Plummeted as Bill Clinton’s Has Grown – The Daily Beast
Time cools passions and adds perspective. This seems especially true for the tumultuous Republican love affair with Sarah Palin. It was intense, it was irrational—and it’s over. Dick Cheney is just the latest conservative icon to join the chorus of … Continue reading
Is It Still Too Soon to Talk Gun Control? – CNN.com
The bodies of the victims are being buried. The court case will continue, without cameras. The horror in Aurora has faded from the front page in favor of Olympic coverage. So it is worth asking, 10 days after the largest … Continue reading
Posted in Columns
Tagged CNN, National Security, New York, President Obama, Wingnuts
Leave a comment
What Richard Nixon Taught Romney – The Daily Beast
Mitt Romney’s missteps in London, where he managed to insult the host country of the Olympic games and earn a rebuke from the country’s two leading Conservatives—Prime Minister David Cameron and London Mayor Boris Johnson—might have brought back uncomfortable memories … Continue reading
GOP Kills DISCLOSE Act and Leaves Voters in the Dark – The Daily Beast
The DISCLOSE Act was summarily executed via filibuster in the Senate last night. But this is one symbolic vote that mattered, because it offered at least an attempt to address the flow of hidden money into our elections. But wait, … Continue reading
Posted in Columns
Tagged Fiscal Responsibility, Republican Reformers, The Daily Beast
Leave a comment
As Income Inequality Widens, Rich Presidential Candidates Dominate – The Daily Beast
In Harry Truman’s day, anyone (or at least any white male) could grow up to be president—even a failed haberdasher from Independence, Mo. Today, it’s mostly the super-rich who get as far as running for our highest office. It’s a … Continue reading
3 Bipartisan Bills That Could Get the Economy Moving – CNN.com
Welcome back to work, Congress. Hope you enjoyed your fourth full week off this year. Now find a way to work together to help get America back to work. Experts all say not to expect any constructive action from Congress … Continue reading
Posted in Columns
Tagged 2012 Elections, Elections, Fiscal Responsibility, Independent Voters, President Obama
Leave a comment
US Election 2012: Barack Obama, China and a Fight for Ohio – The Telegraph
China and Ohio are on opposite sides of the globe. But when Air Force One touched down in Toledo, Ohio on July 5, President Barack Obama had China on his mind. At the opening event of his Rust Belt Bus … Continue reading
Calls for Shake-Up of Mitt Romney Campaign Team Ignore Their Successes – The Daily Beast
Off with their heads! That’s essentially the call from influential conservatives such as Rupert Murdoch and businessmen like Jack Welch who tweeted that they want to see a Team Romney shake-up at the highest levels. It’s a reflection of frustration … Continue reading
Celebrating Independence in America – OutFront – CNN
CNN’s John Avlon asks when did “Independence” become a bad word in America in Monday’s E-Block on OutFront.
Repeal or Replace, GOP Health Care Plans – OutFront – CNN
Outfront tonight: Republicans in a corner over health care. The Supreme Court battle may be over, but has the political and policy war just begun? The House of Representatives has already scheduled a vote to repeal health care reform next … Continue reading
Posted in Columns, Videos
Tagged 2012 Elections, CNN, Elections, Health Care, OutFront, President Obama
Leave a comment