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Category Archives: Columns
The End of the Wingnuts? – The Daily Beast
Keith Olbermann’s abrupt signoff last night just might signify a break in the hyperpartisan media fever that has afflicted America for the past few years. Because beneath the rumors of palace intrigue and difficult behavior stands a stark fact: Keith … Continue reading
The Perpetual Tea Party: Tax Protests and the Founders – Constitution Daily
Tax protests are part of America’s political DNA. It is a time-honored tradition, rediscovered by every generation, reminding both government and citizens of the roots of our republic. At its best, it is a sign of an active citizenry trying … Continue reading
Meet the New McCains: Centrist Republicans Ease Senate Gridlock – The Daily Beast
There has been more bipartisan accomplishment in Washington over the past two weeks than in the past two years. That’s because the balance of power is back in the center of the Senate, a shift from the hyperpartisan trench warfare … Continue reading
My War With Rush Limbaugh – The Daily Beast
According to Rush Limbaugh, I’m a hard-core liberal, no different than Michael Moore who paid the bail for “the serial rapist Julian Assange.” Also, I’m not willing to admit who the terrorists are, and I’m helping to kill Christmas. It’s … Continue reading
Obama Finds His Mojo – The Daily Beast
Almost lost in the debate over the tax cut compromise this week was a striking moment of defiance and self-definition from President Obama. It came in the final five minutes of Tuesday’s afternoon press conference. With the president under attack … Continue reading
Cowards Sank the Deficit Plan – The Daily Beast
The Bipartisan Deficit Commission led by Democrat Erskine Bowles and Republican Alan Simpson voted 11 to 7 in favor of their far-sighted plan to cut the deficit by $4 trillion within the decade. But it can be classified as only … Continue reading
Mosque Money Shocker – The Daily Beast
Developers of the controversial Park51 Islamic community center and mosque located two blocks from ground zero earlier this month applied for roughly $5 million in federal grant money set aside for the redevelopment of lower Manhattan after the attacks of … Continue reading
Defusing the Terrorists’ Prison Bomb – The Daily Beast
Terrorism is always one bad day away from being the most important issue in America. With election-eve cargo plane bombing plots disrupted by information from a repentant al Qaeda member who was also an ex-Guantanamo detainee, a timely new counter-terrorism … Continue reading
Hillary and the 51% – The Daily Beast
“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 … Continue reading
The Tea Party Hurt the GOP – The Daily Beast
The lesson that hyper-partisans will be tempted to take from Tuesday’s historic “shellacking” is that the more polarizing the candidate, the better the results. Reality does not bear that theory out. In fact, the most celebrated Tea Party-supported nominees trailed … Continue reading
What New York Races Might Tell Us – CNN.com
With roughly 500 races in 50 states, there’s no shortage of indicators to keep an eye on this Election Day. But there’s an unlikely state that could help measure the extent of Republican gains Tuesday — New York. While GOP … Continue reading
Stewart Rally’s Point: Don’t Divide Us – CNN.com
At the end of a bitter political season too often hijacked by the extremes, the Rally to Restore Sanity was a heartening reaffirmation of American humor, smarts and civility. This year’s previous political rallies on the Washington mall — Glenn … Continue reading
The Case for Crazy: What the GOP Would Learn by Picking Rick Santorum – The Daily Beast
A cleansing bout of craziness in 2012 could be just what the GOP needs. I’m talking about a nominee so far to the right that conservative populists get their fondest wish—and the Republican Party is forced to learn from the … Continue reading
The Obama Haters Book Club – The Daily Beast
Hating President Obama has become its own industry—and here’s a new stat to prove it: To date, there have been at least 46 anti-Obama books published. I’m not talking about thoughtful criticisms of his policies, but hyperbolic denunciations, distortions, or … Continue reading
God for Vice President – The Daily Beast
Christine O’Donnell’s latest face-plant—asking “Where in the Constitution is separation of church and state?”—was not just cringe-inducing. It was revealing and part of a growing chorus from social conservative populist candidates running under the Tea Party banner this year. O’Donnell’s … Continue reading
China Invades the Midterms – The Daily Beast
China has emerged as a key campaign issue in 2010, invoked by Democrats and Republicans alike. But the anger isn’t just the outsourcing of jobs in this Great Recession—it’s the long-term threat to American sovereignty posed by the U.S. debt. … Continue reading
U2 Showed the Relevance of Rock Music – NY Sun
One year ago, New Yorkers were still walking around in a haze: unmoored internally, rocked by shock, anger, disbelief, and despair. The days were surreal but they were not silent – music helped see us through. And one album, more … Continue reading
We Need More Moynihans – The Daily Beast
Collections of letters are usually academic exercises or vanity projects, rarely read and containing little practical wisdom. The great exception comes from Daniel Patrick Moynihan: A Portrait in Letters of an American Visionary. This is an autobiography written in real … Continue reading
Left-Wing Crazies Take Their Turn – The Daily Beast
“We as one nation must stand together, must fight the forces of evil, the conservatives in this country across the board,” bellowed Ed Schultz, emcee of the One Nation Working Together rally on the Washington Mall Saturday. “The conservative voices … Continue reading
The Comedian Political Takeover – The Daily Beast
Stephen Colbert testifying in front of Congress. Bill Maher serving as a one-man opposition research division against Wingnut Queen Christine O’Donnell. Jon Stewart hosting a pre-election “Rally to Restore Sanity” on the Washington Mall. It’s no joke: Comedians are driving … Continue reading