Her response to the dynastic question – a difficult one – was the first time she has ever brought a smile to my lips. She’s so much better a debater and performer than she used to be. You know how much I hate to say this: but she destroyed the opposition tonight: out-classing it, out-debating it, and avoiding the usual pitfalls. I wish it weren’t so, but it’s what I saw. If she keeps this up, it’s hers.
Raise Taxes or Cut Benefits?
A simple, vital question. No one answers. A polity that cannot address its own fiscal viability is a polity that needs to be rebooted.
The Best Question Yet
Putting the Democrats on defense:
For the record: the lamest phrases yet are Obama’s "diplomatic surge" and Dodd’s "aggressive diplomacy." Only Biden seems like a grown-up. The rest are soundbiting.
No US Ground-Troops in Darfur
Clinton rules it out. That’s a relief.
The Marriage Question
It still frustrates. They still won’t actually answer the simple question: Why do you oppose equal marriage rights? I’m sorry but I’m not interested in John Edwards’ "personal journey". In fact, I’m extremely uninterested. I want to know what his argument is. He disavows the religious rationale but offers no other. If it’s the "ick" factor, let us know. If you can’t justify that, then live up to your own convictions. Obama was just as evasive. Richardson came closest in talking about what’s "achievable." But what does that mean? The answer is: they’re too afraid to say what they believe. They still smell of fear. As long as candidates are too afraid to stand up for what they believe, why should anyone support them? We’re not electing a focus-group or a consultant. We’re supposed to be electing a president.
YouTube Debate
I’m watching. I can’t say I see anything that interesting thus far. Except Clinton’s disavowal of the word "liberal" and Gravel’s loopy aggression. Stay tuned for more reax. But I can’t be the only one feeling debate fatigue.
Von Hoffmann Award Nominee
"We are tempted to comment, in these last days before the war, on the U.N., and the French, and the Democrats. But the war itself will clarify who was right and who was wrong about weapons of mass destruction. It will reveal the aspirations of the people of Iraq, and expose the truth about Saddam’s regime. It will produce whatever effects it will produce on neighboring countries and on the broader war on terror. We would note now that even the threat of war against Saddam seems to be encouraging stirrings toward political reform in Iran and Saudi Arabia, and a measure of cooperation in the war against al Qaeda from other governments in the region. It turns out it really is better to be respected and feared than to be thought to share, with exquisite sensitivity, other people’s pain. History and reality are about to weigh in, and we are inclined simply to let them render their verdicts," – Bill Kristol, March 17, 2003.
(Hat tip: Anonymous Liberal. Award glossary here.)
British Hunks
Oxymorons no more, baby.
Christianism Watch
"I had one letter from a vicar in England — this is the difference — saying would I please not put Christmas trees at Hogwarts as it was clearly a pagan society. Meanwhile, I’m having death threats when I’m on tour in America," – J.K. Rowling on the reception given the Harry Potter books.
Jihadism Watch
A lovely Jihadist website argues that the vast global Jewish conspiracy is also behind the homosexual rights movement. Even the gays need the Jews, apparently. They have the list. Oy.
