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GOP: Be Careful What You Wish For
Tweet Share on Facebook October 29, 2007 CommentThe Republican candidates for president are throwing red meat to partisan audiences by denouncing Sen. Hillary Clinton at every opportunity. Of course, they are assuming she will be nominated and easy to defeat.
They may live to rue the day.
Clinton has high negatives, no doubt about it. She also must deal with the persistent questions of the role her husband would take in her presidency. And some Democrats are indeed fearful she can't win the general election.
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Bush Beats the Castro Drum
Tweet Share on Facebook October 25, 2007 CommentAt arguably the weakest point in his presidency, George W. Bush decided to beat the drums on Cuba and Fidel Castro—again.
The president may have pleased the dissidents in South Florida, many of whom thought we should have invaded Havana long ago. But the speech this week accomplished little else.
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Bush as Albatross
Tweet Share on Facebook October 22, 2007 CommentWith about 15 months left in his presidency, George W. Bush has little time left to:
- Manage the war in Iraq beyond years of stubborn policy and now rattling sabers over Iran.
- Prove he is relevant beyond the use of his veto pen and arrogance toward Congress.
- Save vulnerable Republicans facing the voters next year when their necks are on the line and his isn't.
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If Cheney Were in the Race...
Tweet Share on Facebook October 18, 2007 CommentIt is a shame Vice President Cheney is not running for president to test his ideas on democracy with Republicans as well as Democrats and independents. He would be a disaster as a candidate.
Forget Cheney's dismal poll numbers based on popularity alone. Far more important, and even dangerous, are how he regards the Constitution, Congress, and virtually anyone who disagrees with him.
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A Nominating Timetable in Crisis
Tweet Share on Facebook October 15, 2007 CommentThe two political parties and their intrepid hucksters in the states are making a farce out of our presidential testing ground.
The candidates will now be spending most of the holiday season in Iowa and New Hampshire, with some added time in South Carolina and Florida.
Will voters be listening or watching? Chances are they will be more focus on Santa Claus, New Year's Eve party preparations, and college football bowl games.
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What About the Other Tennesseean?
Tweet Share on Facebook October 11, 2007 CommentMuch has been written about the dissatisfaction among Republicans with their current presidential field. Witness the late entry of former Sen. Fred Thompson, who is already doing well in the polls. How about the Democrats?
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Bad Actors Reinforce Low Esteem for Congress
Tweet Share on Facebook October 9, 2007 CommentSen. Larry Craig, caught up in his own tragic comedy by changing his tune three times on resigning from Congress, is a shining example of why lawmakers are held in such low esteem.
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Congress Tries to Muzzle Free Speech
Tweet Share on Facebook October 4, 2007 CommentIt's almost comical to watch both political parties, but especially the Republicans, act selectively about the First Amendment. We still have one.
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Clarence Thomas Spews Out His Anger
Tweet Share on Facebook October 1, 2007 CommentIt was just a matter of time before the pent-up anger in Clarence Thomas came spewing out in a newly published memoir.
Mr. Justice Thomas has finally let that towering rage go public. Evening scores would be too tame to call most of his tirades.
Thomas blames racism, the abortion issue, Democratic members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Anita Hill, and the Roman Catholic Church in his lineup for skewering. Everyone else is to blame but, of course, himself.
John W. Mashek covered politics in Washington for four decades with U.S. News & World Report, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and the Boston Globe. His primary beats were Congress, the White House, and national politics. He covered every presidential election from 1960 to 1996. He was a panelist in three televised presidential debates in 1984, 1988, and 1992.