Rachel Maddow just asked perhaps the most insightful question of this bailout to date: Is this economic crisis global warming or the Iraq War? Is it a real crisis that builds slowly that people fail to acknowledge, or is it a bunch of hype and hysteria over what is,...
This is truly a fascinating bit of rhetoric from the Russians:Russia called Saturday for a revival of the global anti-terrorism coalition that formed after Sept. 11, 2001 but started to unravel with...
1. McCain did make one major strategic mistake in the debate. Although he may have thought that he was pushing his "change" theme by invoking his status as a "Maverick," distancing himself from...
It sure looks like it. The good (unreliable) instant polls for Obama are already framing the narrative in an interesting way: given how many pundits called the debate for McCain, the question is why...
Peter's already made some good points about the debate, but I thought I would weigh in as well.I should start out with a confession. I'm a politics junkie and an international affairs geek. But I was bored stiff by this debate. And if even I was bored stiff, I imagine a lot of people out there tuned out of the debate before it ended.Now that I've gotten that out of the way, let me turn to some quick impressions.Worst MomentsObama: "Well, let me just make a closing point. You know, my father came from Kenya. That's where I get my name...." And so began a weak, weird, and incongruous statement...
Really, I think it ends up a push. Both candidates held their own, both got in some solid points, both responded to direct attacks.So, tactically a push. Strategically, though, I think the tie goes to Obama. Foreign policy is McCain's strong suit, and where Obama is seen as the weakest. Obama is significantly ahead in the polls. McCain needed a knock-out blow, and he didn't get it. Obama needed to keep his position and look like he could be president, and I think he did that.I also think that there are going to be a few things, like "John is Right..." and "you just don't understand" and...
The further it goes, the more I like this free-wheeling style that allows the candidates to actually go back and forth a bit, responding to each other. I think it gives a bit of insight as to how well they can box their own corner.Again, Obama says "McCain is right..." I think this might be one of those things that plays better to non-pundit viewers than it does to the talking heads, in that it makes Obama look agreeable. Obama is able to start with an acknowledgment of McCain but then assert his own position. We'll have to see on this, I guess.Both of them are landing some solid punches....
Who needs a MSNBC when you can have these guys giving post-debate analysis?!?!?!If this prompts a moment of nostalgia, try this.
The FDIC just took over Washington Mutual.Meanwhile, the Kabuki continues.Question for Brad DeLong: is this the painful end of the Age of Central Bankers?
Paranoia strikes deepInto your life it will creepIt starts when you're always afraidYou step out of line, the man come and take you away---- Buffalo Springfield, 1967The Army Times reported on September 8 that the Army has a brand new mission -- and potential battleground: American soil.The 3rd Infantry Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team has spent 35 of the last 60 months in Iraq patrolling in full battle rattle, helping restore essential services and escorting supply convoys.Now they’re training for the same mission — with a twist — at home.Beginning Oct. 1 for 12 months, the 1st BCT will...
I can't imagine how postponing the Friday debate will have any substantive impact on the nature or character of the bailout negotiations, so I'm going to go with the conventional wisdom and assume that this is basically a very dramatic attempt to get Rick Davis out of the headlines, give McCain a chance to close those 10+ points on economic leadership, and shift the momentum of the campaign.But really now, could the 2008 election get any more bizarre?... Apparently, yes. What is this, some sort of poker game? Obama: "I bid two bipartisan chips." McCain: "I'll see your chips.... and raise you...
While I am never one to question the wisdom of the great Yogi Berra, we're starting to get a picture of how this Presidential election will play out--and it looks like Obama is clearly in the driver's seat.*Take Nate's analysis of the electoral map and today's Washington Post poll that gives Obama a 9 point lead.Two factors are working in Obama's favor. First, historically, early September polls--after the convention bump has dissipated-- tend to give a pretty solid read on the eventual outcome (PDF). Despite the high profile of the Debates, endless important speeches, millions of dollars...