A reasoned response. I think, however, that the electorate does make a distinction between the occupation and the invasion, although we don't poll in a way that reveals it. The tipoff is the Democrats inability to end the occupation and the lack of any real action in the streets. HRC and BO both propose an immediate end to the occupation. The question that remains is whom do you trust on the invasion? We are not likely to see a poll that asks people how they would feel about the invasion had we withdrawn as soon as we determined there were no wmds and Saddam was captured.

Posted at January 30, 2008 5:58 PM in response to Edwards Dropping Out Discussion

Thank you very much for some really useful information. The only thing I would add is that Edwards took Obama to task for two other things: the Obama claim that he voted against a 30% cap on credit card interest because the cap was too high, and Obama's claim that some people would not be able to afford health insurance under Senator Edwards's plan. I think the Edwards game plan now is to wring as many concessions as he can out of Clinton and Obama. It's actually pretty cool. They only way they can stop him is to make a deal between themselves. He's sitting in a position to practically dictate the Democratic platform. Very well done.

Posted at January 30, 2008 3:59 PM in response to Edwards Dropping Out Discussion

She is opposed to staying in Iraq. She's said the first thing she'll do when she takes office is get a plan to get out in 60 days. The occupation and the invasion are two different things. America hates the occupation. She'll kill McCain on the occupation, but voters will know she wouldn't hesitate one moment to defend America. Americans don't want a CIC who has to think about that. As far as the invasion goes, remember you're dealing with a human being. What was her frame of reference when she authorized force? Kosovo. Zero American lives lost and genocide ended. Limited bombing of Iraq by Bill Clinton.

I know we, with the infinite wisdom of the not responsible blogosphere, can clearly see what a mistake the invasion turned out to be. But my guess is that most Americans think the invasion wasn't worth the candle because the occupation failed. If we had pulled out of Iraq right after we caught Saddam, we would be looking at 8 more years of "Rublican" rule. As it is, we can take them down on the occupation. McCain is saddled with it. America hates it. He's a mark, but not for someone like Obama who called the invasion a "stupid" war. They are going to crucify him with that comment. Then we get the most conservative Supreme Court in the history of the country, Barbara Ann at the inaugural, real bombs on Iran maybe, and more Reaganomics -- have you listened to McCain rhapsodize on the Reagan theme?

Finally, everyone applauded that line. The applause was for the troops. This is still post-9/11 America. McCain is an authentic war hero to many Americans. We need to be very careful about who we put up against him, if we want to win the Presidency.

Want one more reason to skip Obama this time? He doesn't care if he wins the Presidency or not this time. Seizing control of the party will do.

Posted at January 30, 2008 3:48 PM in response to Edwards Dropping Out Discussion

Sorry to disappoint you, Jan, because I know you live for it, but I'm not going to get into one of your anyone should be able to see arguments. I'm not talking about me. I'm talking about the electorate. McCain will whip him like he's his daddy.

Posted at January 30, 2008 12:45 PM in response to Edwards Dropping Out Discussion

In the most horrible sense, to strip away all the BS, it's someone who thinks American lives are more importnat than Iraqi lives. But I didn't make a moral judgment about the invasion. What I said was that she is in a position to separate the invasion from the occupation, something neither Mr. Obama or you, apparently, is able to do. Like it or not, that's what it is going to take to run against McCain.

Posted at January 30, 2008 8:43 AM in response to Edwards Dropping Out Discussion

I was being polite. You're right. Edwards doesn't like him. My point about the class basis for that dislike may still be valid.

Posted at January 30, 2008 8:09 AM in response to Edwards Dropping Out Discussion

You know, I was just thinking how hard it is for us to see the humanity in our candidates. It must have been horrible for Mr. Edwards to be cast in the role of the default white male candidate by the media, including the progressive blogosphere. The snub from Kerry must have been painful. Edwards's roots and his support is working class. Can you imagine what a man like Edwards thinks of men like Kerry and Kennedy? If I thought people wouldn't vote for Mr. Obama because of his race, I would support him in his bid to lead the Democratic party. I don't think Mr. Obama's problem is his race.

I support Mrs. Clinton because she is the last Nationalist standing, and it is going to take a Nationalist to stand against McCain. She has never apologized for the invasion, while she has been extremely critical of the occupation. And she has maintained that position at enormous expense to herself with the progressive side of the party. But she has maintained it, and she is positioned to take on McCain on the failed occupation without being smeared for opposing the invasion. I don't think America is ready for a post-9/11 return to internationalism yet. It's too soon to run another internationalist like Mr. Obama.

Posted at January 30, 2008 8:02 AM in response to Edwards Dropping Out Discussion

I think this makes it very difficult for Mr. Obama. After Super Tuesday, Texas will loom large, and it would have helped Mr. Obama to have Mr. Edwards in the race there.

Personally, I think he will follow Jimmy Carter's lead and not endorse. I don't think he likes either Mr. Obama or Mrs. Clinton that much. Why saddle himself with an endorsement?

Posted at January 30, 2008 6:53 AM in response to Edwards Dropping Out Discussion

The supply siders become Keynesians in the face of a recession because, as Keynes showed, monetary policy can kill a boom, but it can't stop a bust. One point, though. It was my understanding that even though the dollar is falling, prices of imports here are not rising much, because foreign manufacturers are holding US prices steady to hold on to the US market.

Posted at January 23, 2008 6:38 AM in response to The Economy Just Keeps Going “Bump!”

I contributed to the Kerry campaign and I canvassed for Kerry with MoveOn, LCV and the Democratic party in Wisconsin. We delivered Wisconsin in spite of the fact that he turned up late to rallies, asking people if they enjoyed their brats, pronouncing it to rhyme with rats. Then I called into Ohio for several weeks at my own expense, only to see Ohio slip away election night. Ask yourself. How could anyone who really wanted to be President lose to Bush in 2004. And don't take my word for it. Read what John Edwards says about Kerry. As for his slips of the tongue, I voted for it before and get stuck in Iraq, Freud says there are no accidents.

Posted at January 18, 2008 4:55 PM in response to Let the People Vote