This is EXCELLENT NEWS!!! FOR HILLARY!!!

Posted at April 16, 2008 10:53 AM in response to Poll Gives Obama Narrow Lead In Pennsylvania

Every single person I have ever met who claims to have "moved beyond race" has been (1) white, and (2) tragically (and massively) ignorant of how the vast majority of non-white Americans perceive the influence of race today. It's very easy to "move beyond" a problem that has only secondary effects on you.

Posted at March 19, 2008 3:16 PM in response to E Pluribus, Unum

What I found particularly remarkable about Obama's speech was its tremendous efficacy in exposing the base quality of mainstream media analysis of race issues.

I think regardless of whether you're a Clinton or Obama supporter, we can all agree that the media has done an abysmal job of looking at how race plays a role in this campaign. They've been content to touch the topic on only the most superficial level: what level of black votes versus white votes versus Latino votes Obama or Hillary has won in each successive state; whether Gerri Ferraro "went too far"; whether Obama has a "Farrakhan problem." I haven't seen a single media personality actually evaluate the content of Wright's sermons and ask why such a large number of African Americans in the audience voiced their agreement with him. The talking heads aren't willing to take a step back and actually consider what motivates the demographic voting trends we've seen beyond simplistic references to "identity politics." And the media has been quick as ever to give voice the cretinous bamboozlers who focus on monumentally trivialities like Obama's refusal to wear an American flag lapel pin and his so-called "patriotism problem."

Obama's speech—in its breadth and depth, in its seriousness and potency—shocked me. I had become so used to the idiotic squabbling in the media that I had quite literally forgotten that this kind of measured, profound assessment of the issue was possible. And Obama offered more than an assessment; he offered a starting point, a recognition of the many identical desires held by people of all races, from which we can embark in trying to solve the problems that plague this country.

When you compare what Obama offered us last night with what Brit Hume offered us last weekend (endless commentary on Wright to the exclusion of any substantive disccusion about issues Americans face today), Hume looks like a worm. He is pathetic and petty and—most importantly—bad for America as a nation. The media's obsession with black anger has prevented us from recognizing the goals common to the vast majority of us Americans and the steps we need to take to accomplish those goals. Obama's speech allowed me to take a step back and recognize just how profoundly wretched the quality of debate is on this issue.

Posted at March 19, 2008 3:01 PM in response to E Pluribus, Unum

Are you an attorney, Fly? I see some of the language of lawyers here ("classic captive agency," etc.).

Just curious. Your writing is excellent.

Posted at March 17, 2008 12:36 PM in response to It's the Economy, Stupid

The more Wright stuff I read the more I agree with the guy. Of course, I'm sure 99% of the American public has a different perspective.

Posted at March 14, 2008 12:00 PM in response to Obama: I "Profoundly Disagree" With Pastor Over "God Damn America" Comments

No, unfortunately. The head of the EPA is appointed by the President. Many who believe in the unitary executive theory (a good portion of the Supreme Court now) think that the President can issue orders demanding that officials in those agencies take a specific action. Some also believe the President can use his executive authority to "step into the shoes" of those officials and act in their capacity without even issuing an order or directive.

Posted at March 14, 2008 11:17 AM in response to Today's Must Read

Penn's commentary has become so risible and preposterous that I can't imagine any Penn-related publicity helping Hillary at this point. More Penn!

Posted at March 10, 2008 11:49 AM in response to Penn On Obama: "We Broke His Momentum Completely"

You'll have to take my word for it, but I have no problem with women being in charge. Bush, his rhetoric, and his policies "infuriate" me; it's not the language of sexism, at least not here.

Posted at March 8, 2008 11:35 PM in response to Infuriated by Hillary? This will help!

Obama camp, please start asking why Hillary believes that McCain, who has said that "100 years in Iraq" would be "fine with him" has passed the "threshold" necessary to be Commander in Chief. Ask her explain when exactly her "lifetime of experience" provided her with the Commander in Chief experience necessary to cross that threshold? Does Laura Bush also have the experience necessary to be Commander in Chief? If not, why not?

Posted at March 7, 2008 2:32 PM in response to On Conference Call, Obama Advisers Parry More Incoming Fire

I want to point out that I think the type of accusation here is really what brought on the necessity of resignation. If Power had simply said "Hillary has proven that she'll stoop to anything to win and cares more about her nomination than about the health of the Democratic party," the story would be very different. We would have Hillary taking umbrage, but also being put on the defensive. Unfortunately, calling Clinton a "monster" is a soundbyte that is both vitriolic and a far cry from substantive or legitimate criticism. It's also extremely unprofessional, and flies in the face of the positive, reprieve-from-politics-as-usual campaign that Obama has made the centerpiece of his candidacy.

I'm glad Power is out of the Obama camp, because that squelches this issue here and now. Obama, if he plays his cards right, can spin this as an example of how committed he is to running a positive campaign. And it's not going to be hard for Power to come if Obama wins the nomination.

Posted at March 7, 2008 12:14 PM in response to Power Resigns Over Hillary-Is-Monster Comment