Entries for May 2007

It is a new day in Washington when the usually unified and tightknit Republicans are fighting one another.

Too many old bulls in the House of Representatives consider themselves masters of all. They regard their seniority as a right to dominate and bully others.

CAPE TOWN--For a stunning example of a young democracy on the rise, South Africa is a nation to behold.

In the short 15 years since apartheid was abolished and Nelson Mandela took over as president in a free election, the country has experienced a remarkable boom.

The 2008 presidential primary process is already a mess. And it could get even worse.

Too many states continue to jockey for position to try for more influence in the decision. They are making a mockery of selecting our leader and run the risk of turning off voters long before anyone casts a vote.

My colleague, David Broder of the Washington Post, had it right. He wrote that it borders on the criminal if the parties don't fix this by 2010. It is too late this year.

The unwieldy field of candidates in both parties has already raised tens of millions in dollars. That figure will balloon into the hundreds of millions before year's end.

How much money is too much?

What a shame President Bush doesn't listen more to GOP Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska instead of Vice President Cheney and his obstinate advisers on Iraq.

Some journalists, bloggers, and even news organizations are beating their chests about reporters and editors mingling with politicians at a few fancy dinners in Washington.

Common sense dictates some more thought here of right and wrong. Journalists should not be socially chummy or even close to members of Congress or the White House staff. But let's not get silly or grandstand about it.