Posted on November 20th, 2009 by Oskar Chomicki
The American political class is perennially obsessed with which party will come to power and what agenda it will implement, but, in some respects, this is a shortsighted view. Ultimately, victories for partisan legislation may pale in significance to constitutional changes. (Here, I use “constitutional” in the sense of the broader political system, the balance [...]
Filed under: Congress, Conservatism, Courts, Election, History, Politics, Uncategorized
Posted on November 18th, 2009 by Oskar Chomicki
We may not be sure of Sarah Palin’s ability to assume a political office of national scope, but we can be certain she is polarizing. Obviously there is a gap between left and right, but, interestingly, the conservative commentariat itself is deeply divided. Even within the Weekly Standard crowd, Palin inspires vastly diverging reactions. Matthew [...]
Filed under: Conservatism, Politics
Posted on November 9th, 2009 by Philip Giraldi
Senator Joe Lieberman, head of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, is calling for hearings on whether the army should have picked up on signs that Ft. Hood shooter Nidal Hasan had become dangerously unhinged before he went on his rampage. For once I agree with Lieberman, but the good senator goes on to describe the incident [...]
Filed under: Culture, Politics
Posted on November 6th, 2009 by Dennis Dale
A question. Has anyone yet attempted to leverage yesterday’s tragedy at Fort Hood into a defense of the Patriot Act’s “lone wolf” provision? Maybe the question is not if, but when. I’m thinking of starting a pool.
Of course it may not be necessary. Yesterday* the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to extend three provisions: roving wiretaps; [...]
Filed under: Law, Politics, liberties
Posted on November 5th, 2009 by Patrick J. Buchanan
For the Blue Dogs, Tuesday was a fire bell in the night.
Virginia Republicans led by Robert McDonnell crushed the most conservative Democrat nominee in decades, rolling up a victory that rivaled Ronald Reagan’s rout of Walter Mondale.
[...]
Filed under: Election, Politics
Posted on November 5th, 2009 by Oskar Chomicki
Whenever someone uses the term “mainstream media,” you can almost be certain it will be meant derisively. For folks on the right, “MSM” is convenient shorthand for talking about a nefarious elite bent on imposing radical leftism, both of the economic and cultural variety, on America. Indeed, despite the journalism profession’s protestations of objectivity, the [...]
Filed under: Conservatism, Politics, media
Posted on October 29th, 2009 by Michael Brendan Dougherty
I was pretty positive about J Street when it launched 18 months ago. And of course, on balance I prefer J Street to the bellicose AIPAC. The former does not advocate that America launch wars (Iraq) that are not in its interest to fight.
But J Street’s premises may be flawed. This “pro-Israel, pro-peace” lobby exists [...]
Filed under: Foreign policy, Politics, World
Posted on October 27th, 2009 by Daniel McCarthy
Barack Obama’s disapproval rating has been notching upward during the summer and fall, to the point where about 44 percent of Americans polled now have an unfavorable opinion of his performance. Republicans have rejoiced, but there’s bad news for them, too — the GOP’s favorability rating is now a 25-year-low 36 percent, according to CNN/Opinion [...]
Filed under: Politics
Posted on October 26th, 2009 by Patrick J. Buchanan
“Sometimes party loyalty asks too much,” said JFK.
For Sarah Palin, party loyalty in New York’s 23rd congressional district asks too much. Going rogue, Palin endorsed Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman over Republican Dede Scozzafava.
[...]
Filed under: Politics
Posted on October 23rd, 2009 by Patrick J. Buchanan
Four decades ago, Lamar Alexander worked in Richard Nixon’s White House. Sen. Alexander today says Barack Obama’s White House reminds him of that place, that time, that mindset and those people.
Intending no disrespect to my old colleague, these days are not at [...]
Filed under: Politics