By Barbara Slavin The battle for the Republican presidential nomination this year has made many Americans squirm as they watch grown men fling potty-mouthed playground insults at each other in lieu of serious discourse. Overseas, however, concerns are mounting at the prospect of a possible presidency by New York real estate magnate Donald Trump, whose […]
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Politics, Punditry and Puffery
Posted February 26th, 2016 at 3:40 pm (UTC-5)
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Time is running out for Republican Party establishment figures to execute a “Stop Trump” strategy. Next week’s Super Tuesday primaries in 12 states will go a long way in determining whether Trump and Hillary Clinton will be the presumptive presidential nominees. And less than 24 hours after a debate in which Marco Rubio was declared the winner by most political experts, Donald Trump stole the spotlight from him by winning an important endorsement from former presidential candidate Chris Christie. Trump’s ascension — and, to a lesser extent, that of Democrat Bernie Sanders — has upended conventional wisdom in American politics. But political blind spots have allowed Trump’s anti-establishment message to take root.
Wising Up to Big-Money Bribery of Both Parties
Posted February 24th, 2016 at 12:22 pm (UTC-5)
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It’s harder to get out than to get in because you have people who have invested their time, their money, and their sweat and reputations to help you. You want to give them your best and leave it all on the turf for them.
Young Voters, Motivated Again
Posted February 22nd, 2016 at 3:29 pm (UTC-5)
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This is the first presidential campaign in which people age 18 to 29 make up the same proportion of the electorate as do baby boomers — about one-third. This year, the youth turnout for both parties in the primaries so far is rivaling 2008, the year of Barack Obama’s first campaign.
Hillary Clinton Will Win Because She’s the True Conservative in the Race
Posted February 22nd, 2016 at 2:39 pm (UTC-5)
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A new order is coming, and there are no guarantees about what will come next, whether the new order will bring more liberty, equality, peace and prosperity, or less…. That is essentially Hillary Clinton’s argument against Bernie Sanders: Change is hard.
Setting the Record Straight on Benghazi
Posted February 12th, 2016 at 12:24 pm (UTC-5)
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A closer look at Islamist politics in Libya reveals that this singular event was part of a larger plan to create an Islamic State within Libya after the fall of former leader Muammar al Qaddafi.
The Race for the Democratic Presidential Nomination Is Just Beginning
Posted February 11th, 2016 at 10:30 am (UTC-5)
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Clinton has essentially, and successfully, defined herself as a continuity Democrat, arguing that incremental improvement is all we can hope for. Sanders … believes that in order to bring about change on the scale needed to make a real difference in people’s lives, it will require overturning the prevailing economic and political order…
Clinton’s Iowa Performance Reveals New Fault Lines for Democrats
Posted February 5th, 2016 at 4:48 pm (UTC-5)
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Both candidates have claimed, in different ways, to be the proper heir to Obama’s legacy. They’ve argued about how they’ll build on his accomplishments while altering the status quo…. The status quo doesn’t mean the same thing to all Democrats. Those who haven’t prospered during the Obama years may be ready for a bigger change.
A Possible Last Stand for John Kasich
Posted February 5th, 2016 at 9:01 am (UTC-5)
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In a year when most Republican rivals have vied to match frontrunner Donald Trump’s often outrageous proposals, highly personalized attacks and establishment bashing, Ohio Gov. John Kasich stands out as a voice of moderation and compromise.
Marco Rubio and Bernie Sanders were the Real Winners in Iowa
Posted February 2nd, 2016 at 8:26 am (UTC-5)
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The real winners were Marco Rubio, with his remarkably strong third-place showing, and Bernie Sanders, with his virtual tie…. if the legacy of Iowa is to propel Rubio to the nomination — granted, a big if at this point — the biggest loser could be Hillary Clinton.
Finally, Voters Speak
Posted February 1st, 2016 at 3:18 pm (UTC-5)
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We’ve heard the speeches, watched the debates, read the polls. Today, the Iowa caucuses take place and the first votes in the 2016 U.S. presidential election are finally cast. Tonight’s exercise in democracy is not tidy, requiring detailed explanation for even the savviest political junkie. But it is the start of a process to determine who will represent the Democrats and Republicans in the race to be President of the United States. The polls show the race in Iowa tightening. But it’s not just about who finishes first. Exceeding expectations can be just as important, creating momentum for next week’s primary contest in New Hampshire.
Next Stop: Iowa
Posted January 29th, 2016 at 2:32 pm (UTC-5)
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A year ago, the 2016 presidential race was a bit of a yawn. Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush was the presumptive Republican nominee and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was headed for a landslide on the Democratic side. A lot can change in a year’s time. Clinton is locked in a tight race with Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, and Donald Trump’s wildly unconventional campaign has sucked up all the air in the Republican Party. On Monday, the Iowa caucus will turn polling data into actual votes. Historically, an Iowa win has not guaranteed a White House win. But as everyone agrees, this is no ordinary American election season. And with so many other local factors – a majority white population, rural, active evangelicals, the cold weather – predicting the outcome is especially difficult.
President Bloomberg?
Posted January 27th, 2016 at 9:51 am (UTC-5)
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The former New York mayor is considering a run as an independent. His thinking reportedly is that if the two major parties shun experienced and relatively centrist contenders, there will be a big gap in the middle of the political spectrum that he could fill.
Why Hillary Clinton Could Easily Lose to Donald Trump
A strong opponent would leave him in the dust. But Hillary Clinton is not a strong opponent — against Trump, or anyone else.