Whether the particulars are accurate or not, it's clear that McCain's fundamental miscalculation had to do with the fact that the Republicans are a MINORITY party, ergo, the leadership is with Obama. If the GOP still controlled both houses, his gambit would have worked--but he was at Pelosi's mercy from the get-go.

Posted at October 1, 2008 10:30 AM in response to The Speaker Outfoxes The Maverick?

Webb is viewed by many women as misogynist--not a good follow-up to the primary.

Schweitzer, Edwards or...what about Jay Rockefeller?

Posted at May 28, 2008 2:10 PM in response to Veepstakes Open Thread

Agree that this story is way out of proportion re: some nefarious intent on Hillary's part. That said, I also agree with all the comments about the distortion implicit in her self-justifying argument that the length of this primary is not unusual. Not unusual? We have never seen anything like the length, cost and intensity of this primary. Never! In addition, I am even more annoyed at what preceded this disingenuous (for the umpteenth time) argument about "staying in the race." When asked in the interview about why people are urging her to get out of the race, she claims she doesn't know why. Then makes her ill-conceived point using RFK. She doesn't know why? Here is the place where she really jumped the shark. She knows why. The reason is simple. She is playing this out against all logic and all math. Thus, she is forced into the "anything can happen" point. Remember Huckabee? "I don't do math, I do miracles." Is it an Arkansas thing? Goodness.

Posted at May 25, 2008 9:46 AM in response to Hillary Hits Critics For Taking Her RFK Assassination Remarks "Out Of Context"

Hillary is from everywhere...don't forget the Texas roots and hot chili peppers. Have mercy.

Posted at April 29, 2008 5:08 PM in response to Obama And Clinton Both Play Up Illinois Roots In New Indiana Ads

My Recollection of Hillary Clinton at the 1995 Camp David MeetingTheda Skocpol, 04.17.2008

Hillary Clinton was among the most cold-blooded analysts in attendance. She spoke of ordinary voters as if they were a species apart, and showed interest only in the political usefulness of their choices.

I've been thinking about the word "elitist" for several days and mostly think it is being misused. Obama's comments were not inherently elitist. What brands the Dems as elitists is the streak of anti-intellectualism in the US that George Wallace captured with "pointy-headed perfessors" as the ultimate pejorative. So Hillary learns to leave off the "g's" and sound like she's from Arkansas. That is condescending. Certainly the cookie-baking comment was condescending. All politicians speak in condescending ways because, as Dr. Skopol's comments affirm, that's the tank they swim in. People become "voters" and "those folks" and before you know it, there is stereotyping and generalizing about who people are. It is always condescending to characterize the experience and nature of other people. Obama did that in his remarks, no matter how well-intended they were. Hillary does it, McCain does it, Bill does it--they ALL do it. WE all do it! For most of us, it doesn't make the news. For those who would lead us, they should be held to a higher standard.

Posted at April 17, 2008 7:46 PM in response to He Said, She Said

Check out the full quote on thefield.com. It's a powerful statement and needs no defense. Hillary lunged at another shadow.

Posted at April 11, 2008 6:57 PM in response to Hillary Hits Obama: "Pennsylvanians Don't Need A President Who Looks Down On Them"

The old expression as it went in Texas is:

"You don't fatten a pig by weighing it."

Posted at April 10, 2008 1:57 PM in response to Hillary's Lead In Pennsylvania Dropping Fast, CNN Average Of Polls Finds

Let the reinvention begin...er...continue.

Posted at April 8, 2008 12:30 PM in response to Hillary Rolls Out Major New Post-Penn Ad Campaign In Pennsylvania

Great post! Thought Noonan was brilliant and on point. Agree with your analysis re: MSM role. Reminds me of Warren Buffett's comment that, by the time there is official declaration that "we're in a recession," we've been in one for six months. The death spiral is now irreversible. NC and Indiana will be it.

Posted at March 29, 2008 12:22 PM in response to "She is having the worst case of cognitive dissonance in the history of modern politics."

I agree with the substance of this post. I have a slightly different take on HRC. She is first, last and foremost a lawyer--a tough litigator. Every good lawyer puts his/her client first and will stop at nothing to pursue the client's interests. Hillary's client is herself. Seen this way, yes, she is tough (relentless, reactive and combative). She also believes in burying the opposition with data and research (e.g. case law). She's plenty smart. It's easy to see that being combative and smart does not equal success in elective politics. Having done her homework and "worked hard" she is simply baffled that she is not winning. Must feel bad. Peggy Noonan's current analysis in the WSJ is must reading re: HRC.

Posted at March 29, 2008 12:16 PM in response to The Mythic Clinton Narrative