January 2008 – Page 129

Mental Health Break

Go Robert! (The former webmaster and creator of http://www.andrewsullivan.com now works at Levi’s. Can you tell?)

Now It’s A 12 Point Lead!

Obama is crushing Clinton in the second post-Iowa New Hampshire poll: 38 to 26. How can she stop this?

The Core Of The Clintons

The preternaturally jolly McAuliffe is a good man to have spinning for you in a pinch. But his good cheer dimmed when I asked him about Bill Richardson, who appears to have made an 11th-hour deal to throw his supporters to Obama.

“How many times did [Clinton] appoint him?” McAuliffe marveled. “Two? U.N. Ambassador and Energy Secretary?” He looked at me, half-glaring, awaiting confirmation. “I don’t know,” I joked, “but who’s counting?”

“I am,” McAuliffe said firmly.

The Clintons used every lever, every intimidating tactic, every legitimate threat to bully Democratic office-holders to back them … or else. Many caved. But for others, the politics of fear and parsing and petty polling are over.

Ron Paul Is Third In New Hampshire?

It’s Rasmussen, as was the Obama 10-point lead, and I’ve learned to be a little wary of them. But the latest NH data for the GOP is McCain 31, Romney 26 and Paul with 14 percent, ahead of Huckabee.

How can Fox News have a televised New Hampshire debate and exclude the guy in third place? We know why, of course: they’re afraid. They should be. But his exclusion is an outrage.

(Photo: Gabriel Buoys/AFP/Getty.)

Clinton Trying To Coopt McCain?

Bill, that is. Good luck.

Paul & Obama: Change Mirrors

A reader writes:

The country, these past seven years in particular, has seemed built upon a foundation of arrogant exceptionalism. We’re the damned best country in the world and we know it and it’s going to be shoved in everyone else’s face. Unilateralism. And the left has responded that we are most certainly NOT the best damned country in the world, look at this problem and that problem and everything’s wrong.

Paul says, we may be the best damned country in the world but that doesn’t mean we are morally required to export this excellence, and at what cost to us if we attempt it? And Obama says, we may be the best country in the world, but let’s be thankful for that, let our nation’s public face be one of humilty and magnanimity.

Both represent a restoration of faith, a clean break – though there’s a danger in investing too much faith in the idea that politicians can bring about this kind of sea change in the national outlook. I think, rather, that they exemplify the change that has already taken place in many people’s heads and hearts.

O’Reilly grabbed Nicholson’s arm and shoved him, another eyewitness said. Nicholson, who is 6’8, said O’Reilly called him "low class."

Interfering in any way with Obama’s security is unbelievably reckless.

The NH GOP Pulls Out Of Fox’s Debate

Good for them:

Today, New Hampshire Republican Party Chairman Fergus Cullen released the following statement regarding Sunday’s Republican forum on FOX:

“The first-in-the-nation New Hampshire primary serves a national purpose by giving all candidates an equal opportunity on a level playing field. Only in New Hampshire do lesser known, lesser funded underdogs have a fighting chance to establish themselves as national figures. Consistent with that tradition, we believe all recognized major candidates should have an equal opportunity to participate in pre-primary debates and forums.

“This principle applies to tonight’s debates on ABC as well as Sunday’s planned forum on FOX. The New Hampshire Republican Party believes Congressmen Ron Paul and Duncan Hunter should be included in the FOX forum on Sunday evening. Our mutual efforts to resolve this difference have failed.”

“While we understand that FOX News continues to move forward it is with regret, the New Hampshire Republican Party hereby withdraws as a partner in this forum.”

Why should grass roots Republicans be yanked around by Hannity and O’Reilly’s establishment agenda?

Month: January 2008