Stirring, smart, and (properly) safe! Very impressive, even in the somewhat subdued atmosphere of an outdoor speech.

Posted at July 24, 2008 1:50 PM in response to Full Text Of Obama's Berlin Speech

McCain apparently could give a shit about looking small. He's become the Tom Thumb of this presidential race, pulling stunt after stunt for his Republican Barnums.

McCain's running on nothing but envy and resentment. It is kind of sad to see.

Posted at July 24, 2008 12:11 PM in response to McCain To Be In German Restaurant While Obama Gives Berlin Speech

That's a great video. I wish more people could see it!

Posted at July 23, 2008 1:15 PM in response to McCain On Reporters: "Little Jerks"

McCain has a record of referring to anyone following up with him as a "little jerk." In this case, I have to agree with the staff members that it is used comically (though somewhat patronizingly).

My father-in-law, whose age and naval career exactly corresponds to McCain's, uses this phrase all the time when his grandchildren beat him at chess, point out an inconsistency, eat the last piece of pie, etc.

McCain has so many genuine flaws in his candidacy. I don't think we need to make the case that this is one of them.

Posted at July 23, 2008 10:41 AM in response to McCain On Reporters: "Little Jerks"

Nice connection to Orwell, Greg. That phrase --"within measurable distance of its end" -- is better than Olbermann's memorable comment last night about the purpose of the war in Iraq is staying in Iraq.

Posted at July 22, 2008 12:36 PM in response to McCain Surrogate: He Might Withdraw From Iraq Sooner Than Obama!

I just went to CNN.com to see what others wer talking about, and the headline they are now offering is: "Could an Obama victory hurt black Americans?" Interesting question, but CNN is the wrong place to puzzle through an answer.

Posted at July 22, 2008 12:02 PM in response to At Presser In Jordan, Obama Details His Conversation With Petraeus

This seems inevitable, and I'm sure the McCain camp and WH are pushing this meme hard. It used to be that Obama couldn't possibly be president. It will soon be Obama isn't president YET.

Obama needs to reiterate his comment that there is only one president at a time; he's there to listen. The press conference invited him to speculate -- perhaps unfortunately -- and he needs to get back into the listening and learning mode.

Posted at July 22, 2008 11:51 AM in response to At Presser In Jordan, Obama Details His Conversation With Petraeus

I agree. Greg, you may want to revise your post b/c it does give the impression that Obama has already assumed he is CiC. I read the summaries and, like others, was immediately worried that he stepped over the line from senator/ presumptive nominee to inaugurated president.

Posted at July 22, 2008 11:27 AM in response to At Presser In Jordan, Obama Details His Conversation With Petraeus

TPM is following this story with great tenacity (and a bit of hand-wringing). I'm expecting to see a headline within the hour saying "Obama vetting Maliki and al-Dabbagh for VP."

Posted at July 21, 2008 3:43 PM in response to L.A. Times Gets It Right: Iraqi Leaders Agree With Obama

I'm not too worried about the WaPo story. This story changes every four hours, and anyone reading the WaPo in the middle of the summer is either local or well-informed. Maliki and his crew will coordinate their statements so that they appear neutral but their real sentiment is as clear as day.

Is anyone struck by the irony of the White House insisting that Iraq not meddle in the American presidential race after all we've done to their various systems of government?

Posted at July 21, 2008 3:22 PM in response to Washington Post Spins Iraqi Official's Call For Troops Out By 2010 As Against Obama