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Mon Sep 06, 2010 at 07:34:25 AM EDT
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Unions have helped you, whether you know it or whether you're willing to admit it.
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Sun Sep 05, 2010 at 08:16:43 AM EDT
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OK, want to hear why Game Change is problematic? Briefly, the technique of telling the story from inside the campaigns, while fascinating, doesn't tell enough of the story. Events are generally scored by how the campaigns and what bloggers like to call The Village (Washington officials and the Washington press corps) saw them.
For example, there is discussion of Barack Obama as a phenomenon, but it's dismissed too easily, almost a curiosity but not something real in the electorate. And when John McCain invokes "being tied up at the time" as a slam at Hillary Clinton supporting a Woodstock Museum, his campaign cheered and it may have thrilled some GOPers, but that was a mistake. Nobody wanted to continue the culture war.
I enjoyed it, though. I think anyone who follows politics closely enough to read a blog would enjoy it too. It might be easier to read if you supported Obama than if you supported someone else, because he comes across the best.
I didn't plan to read it as the fall campaigns were kicking up, but the timing was interesting in that way. Inevitably it's affecting the way I view the current races. As annoying as 2008 was at times, I miss it.
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Sat Sep 04, 2010 at 06:51:21 AM EDT
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This is a leisurely open thread. Only the candidates should be talking about work. And they really should.
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Fri Sep 03, 2010 at 07:23:30 AM EDT
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Nobody does weather quite like the Duct Tape News Hour.
This is an open thread.
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Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 22:45:45 PM EDT
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President Barack Obama:
Ending this war is not only in Iraq's interest -- it is in our own. The United States has paid a huge price to put the future of Iraq in the hands of its people. We have sent our young men and women to make enormous sacrifices in Iraq, and spent vast resources abroad at a time of tight budgets at home. We have persevered because of a belief we share with the Iraqi people -- a belief that out of the ashes of war, a new beginning could be born in this cradle of civilization. Through this remarkable chapter in the history of the United States and Iraq, we have met our responsibility. Now, it is time to turn the page.
As we do, I am mindful that the Iraq War has been a contentious issue at home. Here, too, it is time to turn the page. This afternoon, I spoke to former President George W. Bush. It's well known that he and I disagreed about the war from its outset. Yet no one could doubt President Bush's support for our troops, or his love of country and commitment to our security. As I have said, there were patriots who supported this war, and patriots who opposed it. And all of us are united in appreciation for our servicemen and women, and our hope for Iraq's future.
The greatness of our democracy is grounded in our ability to move beyond our differences, and to learn from our experience as we confront the many challenges ahead.
(Hat tip to Dean Barker, whose title I stole. What other word is there?)
Thank you, Mr. President.
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Tue Aug 31, 2010 at 07:05:40 AM EDT
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In the movie version of Return of the King, all evil vanishes when the Ring and Sauron are destroyed. But in the book, the Hobbits return home to find the Shire under the rule of a dictator, who must then be vanquished.
This has been your fall campaign motivational speech for the day.
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Mon Aug 30, 2010 at 07:03:20 AM EDT
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I am reading Game Change, which is highly entertaining -- and a bit problematic, but I don't have time to get into that the moment. It's entertaining because it's almost exclusively the views of people working inside the campaigns -- the people who usually don't talk.
According to the authors, the Clinton team believed politics is "total war." The Obama team may have believed the same thing, but their candidate -- almost naively, the authors suggest -- insisted that his campaign be different. He wanted to emerge from it, win or lose, with his head held high. They would mix it up if need be, but only if they had to.
Two points:
1. It's pretty clear that the Obama approach had broader appeal in 2008. I think it still does.
2. For those of us dedicated Democratic types, it's actually a good time to think about the high road, remember that the president wants to stay on it, and remember -- Hmm, where did I read this recently? -- that merely being better than the other side is not good enough.
A prominent Republican -- it might have been Dick Armey -- once said, "Moral victories don't count." Yeah, not during elections, but wins that are also moral victories feel great.
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Sun Aug 29, 2010 at 09:41:55 AM EDT
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That means improvements in the inner cities, right? And some infrastructure investment?
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Sat Aug 28, 2010 at 08:52:15 AM EDT
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This bugs me.
If it were me, I'd want a cut.
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Fri Aug 27, 2010 at 06:48:10 AM EDT
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Great, and kudos to President Carter.
Good.
And slightly an off year, by the high historical standards, but still impressive.
This is an open thread.
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Thu Aug 26, 2010 at 23:54:59 PM EDT
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World Wrestling Entertainment considers its wrestlers "independent contractors," not actual employees, and so the very profitable corporation does not actually provide its wrestlers with health insurance.
Maybe someone could make a video like this about any sport. Maybe not.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
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Fri Aug 20, 2010 at 07:15:18 AM EDT
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One place the better is not good enough effect can be seen is journalism. I think the Globe has resurged since its near death last year, but for years it coasted on being better than the long-suffering Herald (not that the Herald doesn't have its good points -- it does, and always did -- but that's a topic for another time). And I am quite sure that many news organizations comfort themselves that they are better than Fox.
Life may be competitive, but that doesn't mean it's sports. Winning has to serve a purpose.
So it is with politics, and so with blogs. And with that, here's a goofy video that made me laugh. Hope it makes you laugh too.
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Thu Aug 19, 2010 at 06:57:23 AM EDT
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A while back, I saw a clip of Morning Joe, and Mika Brzezinski was talking about some poll saying regard for the Republicans was low. Joe Scarborough, who occasionally makes sense, said that didn't matter. What mattered was that regard for Democrats was almost as low.
I had a sinking feeling, knowing he was right. This is the inherent flaw in a two-party system. The only alternative to the Democrats is the Republicans. If the bums are thrown out, it's our bums. We may be better at governing, more respectful of the rules, etc., but none of it matters if voters don't like us.
Put another way: in a climate of anti-incumbent sentiment, incumbents have to step up. We have to get better than we are -- or, better put, we have to be at our best. We have to do more (maybe do less, in some cases), work more effectively, strut our stuff.
It's not a matter of holding our base, which I believe we will do. It's a matter of being the better choice for people who don't pay as much attention. It may seem counterintuitive, but the best way to get independents excited is to get the Democratic base excited. Enthusiasm is infectious.
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Wed Aug 18, 2010 at 06:43:19 AM EDT
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Better is still good. I'm trying to be hopeful here. And it's worth noting that this administration and the Congress have accomplished things.
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Tue Aug 17, 2010 at 22:11:32 PM EDT
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Continuing on the better is not good enough theme, one objection that could be raised to what could be called my pie in the sky visionary wishing is ... isn't there a place for ordinary, work-a-day Democratic thinking? Jobs, jobs, jobs, cut the deficit, all that?
My answer is: yes, absolutely.
But pragmatism has to work. And in the current climate, it is not working, so pragmatism is not being its pragmatic self.
I feel like the president gets this. The Congress may get it, but Congress is Congress.
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