Entries for June 2009

By John Aloysius Farrell, Thomas Jefferson Street blog

John McCain's advisers thought Sarah Palin was pretty goofy. That is, after they almost put her in the White House as vice president of the United States, a heartbeat from the Oval Office. "No serious vetting had been done," writes Todd Purdum, in a new article by Vanity Fair. The McCain team was shocked, afterwards, to discover a certain "slipperiness—about what the truth was and whether the truth even mattered" to the Alaska governor.

By John Aloysius Farrell, Thomas Jefferson Street blog

The Supreme Court's ruling today on behalf of a group of white and Hispanic firefighters from New Haven, Conn., is the latest proof that it's time for our increasingly diverse nation to start dropping affirmative action programs based on race, and move toward a color-blind society.

The court ruled that the white and Hispanic candidates who aced their exam, but were denied promotion by New Haven because no black candidates qualified, were the victims of reverse discrimination. The case is particularly relevant because, in reaching their decision, the justices overruled a decision by a federal appeals court that included Judge Sonia Sotomayor.

By John Aloysius Farrell, Thomas Jefferson Street blog

It's looking highly likely that the 2012 Republican presidential nominee will be a retread.

With Gov. Mark Sanford at wit's end, and Sen. John Ensign joining Sanford at adultery camp, and Gov. Jon Huntsman going to China, and Gov. Bobby Jindal flopping in his first big national TV appearance, and Gov. Mitch Daniels saying he doesn't want to be president, and Gov. Sarah Palin running such an undisciplined operation up there in Alaska, the prospect for fresh blood is thinning.

We got some old party leaders from down South—Gov. Haley Barbour and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich—and a couple of former governors who couldn't beat John McCain last time out—Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee.

And then there is Jeb.

By John Aloysius Farrell, Thomas Jefferson Street blog

I have a regret to share.

No, not about my Argentine mistress.

By John Aloysius Farrell, Thomas Jefferson Street blog

Nationals Park was Fenway South, and riding the Metro was like taking the T last night, as the Boston Red Sox made a rare visit to the nation's capital, and the displaced members of Red Sox Nation gave the Washington Nationals their biggest crowd ever.

By John Aloysius Farrell, Thomas Jefferson Street blog

I have criticized, and proclaimed the need for, an end of race-based affirmative action programs. So why am I pleased with the decision announced yesterday by the U.S. Supreme Court, preserving the Voting Rights Act?

By John Aloysius Farrell, Thomas Jefferson Street blog

It is stunning to me that, with an event of such potential importance as the Iranian election, critics who know nothing about what's going on in Tehran are so quick to criticize President Obama for being insufficiently vocal in his support for the protesters.

That kind of critique seems sentimental and self-indulgent.

Sure, it might make us feel good. But would it have helped the marchers?