Politics
Term Limits, Sen. Kennedy?
In a much-hyped rally announcing his endorsement of presidential hopeful Barack Obama, Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) piled heaps of praise on the young Illinois senator Monday. Obama, Kennedy said, will be a fighter, an inspirer, a great uniter in the image of Kennedy's brother Jack, who came to power in another era of ideological bickering.
Gender Betrayal
Suffering a divided conscience, Clinton's generational sisters grapple with loyalty versus the appeal of the new kid on the block.
Fast and Loose With the Facts
Bush and Cheney will probably leave office with a sad legacy, while two prominent reporters who backed the war have seen their careers flourish.
Clinton Devised Both Pro-war and Anti-war Candidacy
Ten minutes in Hollywood on Thursday could prove to be Clinton's Waterloo -- if not now, then perhaps in November.
What's Wrong With Perseverance?
Seldom do we see a woman so fiercely serve her own ambition, but there's a flip-side. Clinton is flirting with seriously damaging her party's likely nominee.
Clinton, Obama Already Courting Edwards Supporters
Even before John Edwards officially ended his campaign, the Democratic front-runners issued statements praising his efforts and making not-so-subtle pitches to his supporters.
Clinton Undermining His Elder Statesman Standing
Bill Clinton’s ever increasing role in the presidential campaign has stirred much discussion. Has an ex-president ever taken so aggressive a part in his party’s nominating contest?
Rockefeller's Apology Doesn't Excuse Washington Culture
What Rockefeller's McCain statement and subsequent apology reveal about Washington.
McCain Foreign Policy: Bush Doctrine Plus
Why does McCain's foreign policy ideas sound so much like Bush's -- because they were his first.
McCain Speeches Don't Deliver
McCain greets his audience with "my friends," but the teleprompter is always his closest ally.
Complexity, Intellectuals and Iraq
George Packer has an amazing essay in the debut issue of the revamped World Affairs foreign-policy journal. Summarizing it is beyond my abilities, so just read it. But the gist is that most Americans have a reductive view of Iraq that can't account for the complexity of the country. Our understanding, and what facts we emphasize, tracks with whether or not we think the Iraq war was just or wise. I don't really disagree with that. But something about the piece rubbed me the wrong way. (Full disclosure: Both Packer and WA's editor, Lawrence Kaplan, are friends of mine. Kaplan has also commissioned a piece from me.)
The Party Leader
Obama will likely be crowned the nominee at the Denver convention, where he's expected to be the one in charge.
First Lady Fine Line
After months of campaigning, Clinton's eight years in the West Wing have come to be viewed in a different light.
When Advocate Turns Advisor
Samantha Power's "monster" comment may have undermined her future as a political advisor, but was the result of her success as a journalist.
McConnell: Buckley's Death Inspires Me!
Lillis is on the phone reporting or something, so I'm going to steal his thunder on this press release Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell just sent out about the late William F. Buckley.
Bill Buckley inspired us with the passion and conviction of his life. And when we learned that he had died in his study, he inspired us by his death.
Um, dude. What were you inspired to, you know, do?
FISA Battle Is More Politics than Policy
Call it a game of political chicken: Four days after the Bush administration lost its authority to sidestep the courts when eavesdropping on some U.S. residents, House Democrats and the White House remain embroiled in a high-profile rhetorical battle over what the change means for the nation's security.
McCain Sets Timeline for Iraq Withdrawal
John McCain is in the magical mystical state of Ohio today, and he's looking ahead to what he plans on accomplishing in his first term in the White House.
Interestingly, despite his consistent refusal in the past to set a timeline for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, he is telling his swing-state audience something a little different.
From The Washington Post's preview:
Edwards to Endorse Obama
There's a sudden buzz that John Edwards will endorse Barack Obama at a Wednesday evening rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
It's nice timing for Obama -- a day after Hillary Clinton trounced him in West Virginia. And the setting is good, too, as Obama tries to shore up support in a swing state loaded with the kind of Reagan Democrats who really might pay attention to what Edwards has to say. It's also an early delivery from Obama on his campaign's promise to work hard in Michigan, even as the state's Democratic party tries to sort out how to handle its disputed delegates.
Elitist Charge Not New for Obama
Obama attended Punahou, a private school built for Hawaii's upper class.
Obama's Wright Problem Persists
Rev. Jeremiah Wright made some Jewish voters pause a few weeks ago. Friday he is back in the spotlight.
