from swimming freestyle:

"Barack Obama is a remarkably eloquent man and turning into a remarkably capable politician. But if the Senator believes it's smart to insult voters from a state critical to your success, he's hit one of the worst false notes yet in his campaign.

Yeah, I know what his campaign said, and that may have been what he meant. But a sophisticated candidate doesn't refer to voters in language that can be construed as derogatory or insulting. Obama asserted Pennsylvania voters are bitter and so simple and lacking in maturity and intelligence that they address their frustration by clinging to primitive and reactionary crutches rather than addressing their problems in constructive ways.

It's divisive. And not the way to attract the voters you need most."

http://swimmingfreestyle.typepad.com

Posted at April 11, 2008 9:16 PM in response to Hillary Hits Obama: "Pennsylvanians Don't Need A President Who Looks Down On Them"

from swimming freestyle:

"Barack Obama is a remarkably eloquent man and turning into a remarkably capable politician. But if the Senator believes it's smart to insult voters from a state critical to your success, he's hit one of the worst false notes yet in his campaign.

Yeah, I know what his campaign said, and that may have been what he meant. But a sophisticated candidate doesn't refer to voters in language that can be construed as derogatory or insulting. Obama asserted Pennsylvania voters are bitter and so simple and lacking in maturity and intelligence that they address their frustration by clinging to primitive and reactionary crutches rather than addressing their problems in constructive ways.

It's divisive. And not the way to attract the voters you need most."

http://swimmingfreestyle.typepad.com

Posted at April 11, 2008 9:05 PM in response to Obama Responds To Criticism Of Small-Town Comment

from swimming freestyle:

"I'm no psychologist, but I can't help but wonder if Bill Clinton doesn't have a self destructive streak. A couple weeks after his wife was eviscerated in the press for embellishing her version of a trip to Bosnia, Bill Clinton raised the issue again yesterday and again today."

http://swimmingfreestyle.typepad.com

Posted at April 11, 2008 7:17 PM in response to Bill Clinton: Media Acted Like Hillary Was "Just Making Up All This Stuff" On Bosnia

from swimming freestyle:

"Perhaps if we look at the problem like grown-ups, not petulant kids who demand the game be played their way or no way...

No one wants a shattered Iraq, full of sectarian militias battling each other, a nonfunctional government, and a bitter, pissed off populace. Instead of stubbornly adhering to a simplistic, "if I just wish hard enough it will happen" Bush strategy (a long term military presence to tamp down violence waiting for the Iraqi government to get it together), why not consider how we help the Iraq government function more effectively? If our current strategy is not yielding the desired results (some end point for U.S. involvement), isn't it smart to change strategy until you find one that works?

Isn't that what grown-ups do?"

http://swimmingfreestyle.typepad.com

Posted at April 9, 2008 5:49 PM in response to Petraeus: "We're Not after The Holy Grail in Iraq"

I have a post about the new "surge", Mahdi Army violence in Iraq at http://swimmingfreestyle.typepad.com
Excerpt:
"After six months of a self imposed cease fire by the Mahdi Army, all hell is breaking loose in Baghdad and Basra as the Mahdi Army is battling U.S. and Iraqi Army forces and the relative stability brought about by the "surge" of U.S. forces is now threatened.

Today, White House Press Secretary Dana Perino delivered what may be the most stunning counter perspective in ages. This, in fact, may well rank in the Hall of Fame for counterintuitive logic. Ms. Perino asserts the new violence in Iraq is not a setback but, in fact, really a positive sign."

Posted at March 26, 2008 1:19 PM in response to Today's Must Read

I blogged about this at: http://swimmingfreestyle.typepad.com
An excerpt:
If cynicism, political calculation, and manipulation were Olympic events, we'd be talking gold medals for the Clintons.

How the hell can Bill and Hillary Clinton relentlessly hammer Barack Obama as nothing more than a shell, an empty vessel that lacks the substance and experience to be the president and, in the next breath and with a straight face, suggest that Obama would make a great vice presidential choice if she's the Democratic party nominee for president?

They really do think we're stupid.

Posted at March 9, 2008 1:00 AM in response to Bill Clinton: Hillary-Obama Ticket Would Be "Almost Unstoppable Force"

This is ridiculous. I posted an entry in my blog about this topic:
http://swimmingfreestyle.typepad.com/swimming_freestyle/2008/03/suck-it-up-hill.html

An excerpt:
Jeez, Senator Clinton, this is starting to look like pro wrestling here. Lots of drama, hammy acting and over exaggerated responses to what all observing can plainly see are pulled punches and minor blows.

Suck it up Senator. Is this what you think is "tough enough" to be President of the United States? What are you going to do if you're elected, call for the firing of anyone who calls you a bad name?

Posted at March 7, 2008 12:19 PM in response to Power Resigns Over Hillary-Is-Monster Comment