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Category Archives: Columns
Christine O’Donnell: Exhibit A for Getting Rid of Closed Primaries – CNN.com
One year ago this week, America got a wake-up call about a core problem in our politics that empowers ideological extremists and special interests. On September 14, 2010, both Delaware Rep. Mike Castle? and Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty lost closed … Continue reading
A Tax Reform Slam Dunk – The Daily Beast
Tax Day is nobody’s idea of a good time. But get ready for a year of heated tax debates ahead. In his deficit speech last week, President Obama made clear that he intends to continue his fight to raise the … Continue reading
Wake Up, Washington! – The Daily Beast
Republican Bob Turner won the special election to succeed Anthony Weiner last night, and conservatives are crowing that it signifies a tidal shift against President Obama. It’s true that this Queens-Brooklyn district, once represented by Geraldine Ferraro, hasn’t voted for … Continue reading
Islam’s Civil War – The Daily Beast
The 10th anniversary of 9/11 is over, but America is still wrestling with the role of Islam in our society. And Islam, no less significantly, is struggling with its own internal tensions as a faith battered between radicals, reactionaries, and … Continue reading
Forty-Five Foiled Terror Plots Since 9/11 – The Daily Beast
As news of a new “credible” threat swept across the nation on the 10th anniversary of 9/11, Americans were abruptly reminded that terrorism is always one bad day away from being issue No. 1. In the latest case, one report … Continue reading
Can Obama overcome D.C.’s partisan poison? – CNN.com
In a call to action on the American economy, President Obama entered a deeply divided U.S. Capitol on Thursday to propose a decidedly bipartisan package of policies backed with an urgent message: “Pass this bill now.” The address before a … Continue reading
Church Massacre Response Reveals the True Spirit of Charleston
Tough times reveal true character. And it took the senseless slaughter of nine souls at Charleston’s Emanuel AME Church by a deranged racist to force the great state of South Carolina to finally emancipate itself from Confederate ghosts. Over the … Continue reading
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Perry’s Smash-Mouth Debate Style – The Daily Beast
So much for the 11th Commandment. At the start of the Republican debate at the Reagan Library, Mitt Romney and Rick Perry came out swinging, with the former Massachusetts governor jabbing the Texan as a career politician, followed by a … Continue reading
The Recovery – The Daily Beast
Lower Manhattan is a living symbol of civic resilience; it is evidence of how free people can triumph over fear. The neighborhood surrounding Ground Zero has become the fastest-growing in New York City. Daniel Libeskind is part of the influx. … Continue reading
Bill Clinton to the Rescue – The Daily Beast
It’s Labor Day 2011, and all eyes are on the economy—both the stubborn 9.1 percent unemployment rate and President Obama’s upcoming “job creation” speech in front of a joint session of Congress. There’s evidence that Obama may be looking for … Continue reading
Not-Ready-for-Prime-Time Palin – The Daily Beast
Sarah Palin’s “will-she or won’t-she?” act is getting pretty old. All eyes will be on her Saturday speech at a Tea Party rally in Iowa, but Palin’s 2012 expiration date is looming. The scattershot dysfunction that accompanied even this event … Continue reading
Chris Christie’s 2012 Tease – The Daily Beast
As Hurricane Irene bore down on the East Coast on Saturday afternoon, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie had a simple message: “Get the hell off the beach.” “You’re done. It’s 4:30 p.m. You’ve maximized your tan,” he bellowed from behind … Continue reading
When Good Candidates Go Bad – The Daily Beast
George Clooney is a political junkie. The son of a newsman explored the intersection of government and journalism in the Oscar-winning Good Night and Good Luck. Now he’s taking on presidential campaigns in The Ides of March, a political thriller … Continue reading
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Tagged 2012 Elections, Elections, Music, Book and Movie Reviews, The Daily Beast
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Picking Bachmann or Perry is risky for GOP – CNN.com
A day can be a long time in politics, and that was certainly true this past Saturday. Congresswoman Michele Bachmann won the Iowa straw poll in Ames, followed by libertarian Congressman Ron Paul. Tim Pawlenty’s third-place finish pushed the two-term … Continue reading
Are Republicans at War with Reality? – CNN.com
So here’s what I learned watching Thursday night’s Republican debate: States’ rights should rule the day, unless you’re gay. Small government is the rule unless a rapist impregnates his victim. Loyalty oaths should be the new normal. Ten-to-one spending cuts … Continue reading
GOP Players’ Iowa Test – The Daily Beast
If you like sweet corn, or presidential politics, this is a good time to be in the heartland. On Thursday night, the GOP field will meet for a pivotal debate in Des Moines, Iowa. On Saturday, the only straw poll that … Continue reading
Gang of 6’s Supercommittee Diss – The Daily Beast
The day before the S&P downgrading of the United States debt, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal lauded the virtues of stubbornness at the Republican National Committee summer meeting in Tampa, Florida. “It pays to be stubborn,” Jindal said. “The press is … Continue reading
Ugly to Compare Terrorists with Tea Party – CNN.com
The cycle of incitement continued this week as Democrats frustrated with the debt-ceiling deal equated the tea party with terrorists, just weeks before the 10th anniversary of 9/11. It is an ugly and unacceptable comparison, especially coming — as it … Continue reading
Alan Simpson Is ‘Disgusted’ by the Debt Deal – The Daily Beast
Alan Simpson is ‘Disgusted’ by the debt deal. Hear him blast off about Washington’s incompetence. What do you think about the debt-ceiling deal? It’s a start, and that’s all you can charitably say. It really doesn’t get to the big numbers. … Continue reading
The Extreme Grouses as the Center Wins Debt Deal – CNN.com
The center can hold. That’s at least part of the big-picture takeaway after the House passed a lopsided if 11th-hour debt ceiling and deficit reduction bill by a refreshingly bipartisan margin of 269 to 161. The extremes were united in … Continue reading