Is there anything left to damage?
What do you think? Will the Alaskan legislative findings that Palin broke ethics regulations have any effect on the race?
Friday, 10/10/08
Tuesday, 10/07/08
Campaign Assessment: Obama on track to land slide win
At the end of two presidential debates and one vice presidential debate, Obama maintains a commanding lead. He has continued to project presidential temperament and proficiency. He is closing his last gap in voter's minds, is he ready to be president, do I feel safe electing him to be president. These three debates have uniformly been victories for Obama. McCain was not able to dent Obama, nor change the game. In contrast, McCain continues to make Obama look more presidential.
As of this moment, the presidential election is on trajectory for a landslide victory for Barrack Obama. If McCain is not able to change the inflection of this trajectory, he is going to lose: McCain 200 Obama 338 electoral votes.
[update 10-09-2008 1pm: Bold Added]
As of this moment, the presidential election is on trajectory for a landslide victory for Barrack Obama. If McCain is not able to change the inflection of this trajectory, he is going to lose: McCain 200 Obama 338 electoral votes.
[update 10-09-2008 1pm: Bold Added]
Tuesday, 10/07/08
Brooks: Testing Time
I highly recommend David Brooks Column today, The Testing Time. He writes that the international financial system is at a crossroads and the reorganizing of this system will be the test of the next president.
It will take, he suggests, a global leadership class that can answer essential questions: How much leverage should be allowed? Can we preserve the development model in which certain nations pile up giant reserves and park them in the U.S.?
Until these and other issues are addressed, the global markets will lack confidence in asset values. Bankers will cower, afraid to lend. America’s role as the global hub will be threatened. Europeans will drift toward nationalization. Neomercantilists will fill the vacuum.
This is the test. This is the problem that will consume the next president. Meanwhile, the two candidates for that office are talking about Bill Ayers and Charles Keating.[bold mine]
Monday, 10/06/08
The focus on the economy, it is not going away
McCain is perhaps swimming against a tidal wave trying to shift attention away from the economy.
Monday, 10/06/08
And the Race Goes Personal
As pundits have been predicting for more than a week, the presidential race has shifted to the personal. McCain/Palin have been touting Obama's association with William Ayers as palling around with terrorists who attack their own country this weekend, eagerly trying to shift the campaign off of the economy where they are bleeding badly. Obama/Biden this morning launched KeatingEconomics.com to bring McCain's Keating Five savings and loan scandal into the spotlight.
In addition, Obama yesterday put up an ad hitting McCain for trying to change the focus:
In addition, Obama yesterday put up an ad hitting McCain for trying to change the focus:
Sunday, 10/05/08
Sunday, 10/05/08
American Exceptionalism
If there are any conservative readers left who would be willing to make the case, could you please explain why it is acceptable for Republicans to trumpet American Exceptionalism?
I began my voting career registered as a Republican and remained so for several years. I am frustrated by our hubris as a country. I can not think of anything as a moderate that would drive me away from the Republican Party as quickly as an unashamed, unqualified and unapologetic embrace of the American Exceptionalism.
I appreciate many great things about our country. I think we have made unique contributions to the world. I think we should hold the greatest generation in great honor for thier sacrifice for the sake of Europe in WWII. I think our relatively low tax system, strong entrepreneurial spirit, substantially superior college level education and superior access to capital make us one of the most prosperous nations that has ever existed. I understand why people would want to come here. I appreciate our position as a model of democracy. I appreciate our tolerance for religious pluralism.
Still, when I hear people like Sarah Palin and Rush Limbaugh unapologetically make the claim, "These people just don't get American Exceptionalism," I am left contemplating how we would have responded to this in the Expatriate Community I lived in for two years in Japan. I assure you the responses would not have been affirming.
It is the most internationally tone deaf assertion I can recall in years.
I began my voting career registered as a Republican and remained so for several years. I am frustrated by our hubris as a country. I can not think of anything as a moderate that would drive me away from the Republican Party as quickly as an unashamed, unqualified and unapologetic embrace of the American Exceptionalism.
I appreciate many great things about our country. I think we have made unique contributions to the world. I think we should hold the greatest generation in great honor for thier sacrifice for the sake of Europe in WWII. I think our relatively low tax system, strong entrepreneurial spirit, substantially superior college level education and superior access to capital make us one of the most prosperous nations that has ever existed. I understand why people would want to come here. I appreciate our position as a model of democracy. I appreciate our tolerance for religious pluralism.
Still, when I hear people like Sarah Palin and Rush Limbaugh unapologetically make the claim, "These people just don't get American Exceptionalism," I am left contemplating how we would have responded to this in the Expatriate Community I lived in for two years in Japan. I assure you the responses would not have been affirming.
It is the most internationally tone deaf assertion I can recall in years.
Friday, 10/03/08
Check your voter Registration
I encourage everyone to go to this site: www.voteforchange.com.
It will verify your voter registration, tell you where you will vote, tell you where you can go for early voting (if it is available in your state), and I am sure get registered or correct your registration if it is in error.
It will verify your voter registration, tell you where you will vote, tell you where you can go for early voting (if it is available in your state), and I am sure get registered or correct your registration if it is in error.
Are you registered to vote?
Make sure you are.Friday, 10/03/08
Friday, 10/03/08
The first draft is done.
This morning I emailed the first draft of my project to my editor. It is a strange feeling to let a project that big out of my hands. It is only 165 pages, but it felt like 250.
