All-Purpose NuILX thread for American Politics

Maybe Peretz doesn't pay close attention or maybe Obama's just too new to him, but there is definitely something odd going on with Obama's habit of responding to all sorts of questions in the second person.. "Well, you do this, then you think this, and you don't want to react this way" like he's constantly observing his own behavior from somewhere offstage. Because he is. And there's nothing wrong with that. And there's nothing wrong with Hillary doing the same except that she isn't as good at faking candor.

Right now, today, I'd prefer Edwards or Obama were nominated over Hillary but some folks' views of her can border on the pathological

if you'd like some evidence that her scheming long ago went off the rails see: HER FUCKING DISGUSTING RECORD ON THE IRAQ WAR.

obama's thing, shockingly, contains a large element of actual thoughtfulness.

that Marty Peretz article has some points worth considering, but I tend to avoid anything expressing irrational-obsessive hatred of the Clintons from either side, especially when it's often personal axe-grinding (like Dick Morris being forever remembered for his toe fetish). With Peretz it's hard to figure out given that it's a guy who both sided with Bush on the war as late as '04 and was a big Gore fan. But I imagine it might have something to do with the impact the Clintons had on the Third Way and its import for TNR - maybe they weren't centrist enough for him, or maybe they so embodied and Democratic-branded the movement that he lost his brand.

The second person thing *might* also be an inclusive gesture, as if he is inviting the questioner to occupy his shoes and thus seems more reasonable as a result. Obama does 'reasonable' very well.

Kerry didn't - and dry wit doesn't play well in a politician outside of his/her core supporters.

hotter

marty peretz is the ed-in-chief of TNR, right? the one who kinda went unhinged due to summertime joementum?

R:
Romney
Giuliani
Brownback(?)

D:
Edwards
Vilsack
Kucinich

http://electioncentral.tpmcafe.com/blog/electioncentral/2007/jan/02/edwards_coins_new_phrase_for_escalation_the_mccain_doctrine

lol

bad news: Iraq is worth it, and never mind how much blood & treasure we waste on it.

good news: America is ready for a black president

Ed Kilgore argues that there will be no "True Conservative" horse to show this time around, and I still think that this faction ultimately grudgingly comes around to Romney. But maybe there will be a Perot-sized Buchanan in '08?

http://www.spatcave.com/lineandespn/mDSC05442.jpg

When's the election down there, anyway?

http://time-blog.com/swampland/2007/02/nicorette.html
Obama responded that Australia currently has 1400 troops in Iraq and if Howard feels so strongly about "fighting the good fight" he should "send 20,000 more Australians to fight in Iraq."

I know Atrios (for one) has been on a neverending shit-fit since the Swampland blog started with Joe Klein as one of its contributors, but it's actually been pretty good.

Not soon enough! Labor are surging out in front now they have a decent leader. What Howard said about Obama is so fucking embarrasing.

Conservatives having second thoughts about Romney

Moveon.org making plans for 07 elections in LA

Giuliani appeals to midwest. O RLY?

Dodd & Biden plan to be more than wallflowers.

I sure can make a bunch of fake links when I want to.

http://www.barackobama.com/page_elements/08_logo2.jpg

And here's the main campaign placard:

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/afp/20070212/capt.sge.rnm42.120207153227.photo03.photo.default-512x349.jpg?x=380&y=259&sig=_Egu1w4yzYIpPiGOefKlWg--

I like it.