Month: January 2008

Even Joe Klein – perhaps the shrewdest of all Clinton observers over the years – is a little taken aback by Bill Clinton’s current shamelessness.

"George W. Bush destroyed the Republican Party, by which I mean he sundered it, broke its constituent pieces apart and set them against each other. He did this on spending, the size of government, war, the ability to prosecute war, immigration and other issues. Were there other causes? Yes, of course. But there was an immediate and essential cause," – Peggy Noonan today.

Mexico innovates single-sex transportation – to provide a haven from leering men.

My take here.

Peggy Noonan’s take on the GOP race:

Mr. McCain is in the middle of a shift. Previous strategy: I’m John McCain and you know me, we’ve traveled through history together. New strategy: I’m the old vet who fought on the front lines of the Reagan-era front, and I am about to take on the mantle of the essentials of conservatism—lower spending, smaller government, strong in the world. He is going to strike the great Reagan gong, not in a way that is new but in a way that is new for him…

Do conservatives take inspiration from Mr. Romney’s newness? Or do they take comfort and security from Mr. McCain’s rugged ability to endure, and to remind?

William Greider on the Clintons’ formula:

The recent roughing-up of Barack Obama was in the trademark style of the Clinton years in the White House. High-minded and self-important on the surface, smarmily duplicitous underneath, meanwhile jabbing hard to the groin area. They are a slippery pair and come as a package. The nation is at fair risk of getting them back in the White House for four more years. The thought makes me queasy.

A Red Stater says that since Bill Clinton isn’t a candidate for federal office – like George W. Bush – unlimited money can be spent attacking him in the campaign. Yes: it really is back to the 1990s.

I suppose there are worse ways for Milwaukee to spend $85,000.

"This is good practice for me so, you know, when I take on these Republicans I’ll be accustomed to it," – Barack Obama on the Clintons’ tactics.

A noun:

The inability to become aroused over any of the choices for president put forth by either party in the 2008 election year.