Two words:

Grow up.

A candidate emphasizes one aspect of his policy, often in a broad way, during a primary and then emphasizes a different aspect of what is essentially the same policy, perhaps with more particularity, once in the general. Shocking!! Never happened before!! I can no longer support this person!!!

Example:

Obama primary:

Consulting with commanders on the ground so that it can be done in a careful and safe way, I will have our combat troops out if Iraq in 16 months.

Obama general:

Consulting with commanders on the ground so that it can be done in a careful and safe way, I will have our combat troops out if Iraq in 16 months.

If you think this is a "flip flop" or a despicable "move to the center," you need to get out more. If this confuses you, it is not Obama's fault.

Posted at July 5, 2008 2:15 PM in response to Will the Real Sen. Obama Please Stand Up

Let us not forget that telecom immunity refers only to civil liability. It does not address criminal liability which can only be prosecuted by the government.

Also, civil liability in this case, immunity or no, is a tough case to prove in terms of actual damages. A corporation can not be sued for violating constitutional rights as the constitution only refers to limitations on the government itself, not individuals or corporations absent a law that requires them to follow certain procedures, such as non-discrimination, for example. Therefore, I can tell you to shut up without violating your First Amendment rights. I could also tell everybody you wear woman's underwear (which, of course would be no big deal if you are a woman) without violating your privacy rights as long as you couldn't prove any damages, or that the allegation was false which would be slander, and face no penalty.

The best way to ensure our rights, especially given the dismal record of Congress in caring for them, is to elect leaders that actually care about them, not pressing civil suits that may well end up pointless exercises.

As for the civil suits exposing the egregious violations of the Bush administration, admittedly their main value, a real Justice Department headed by an honest lawyer, could do a much more efficient and speedy job of that as well.

Posted at July 4, 2008 12:41 PM in response to FISA Amendment Is Now Redundant

Clark Kerfuffle is Clark Kent's original name. He changed it when he went to work at the Daily Planet.

Posted at July 3, 2008 10:24 AM in response to A Different View on the Clark Kerfuffle

This will end badly for McCain.

Clark, and then Webb, put the idea out there that being a POW is not a qualification for the Presidency nor being Commander-in-Chief. Well, duh.

Instead of shrugging it off the McCain campaign went ballistic and made a bit deal out of it giving the story legs. Stupid. What people will remember is that war service, even heroic war service, does not equal the needed judgment or temperament for the top job. This toothpaste can not be put back in the tube.

All the mischaracterization by the media that Clark "denigrated" McCain's service just proves this.

Posted at July 1, 2008 3:57 PM in response to McCain Campaign Accuses Obama Camp Of Coordinating With Webb To Attack McCain

Whatever else we may have thought about Russert, he was, after all, human and as a human made mistakes and had biases which sometimes could not either overcome nor hide well. Nonetheless, he appeared a genuinely decent man and was incontestably a giant in his field and a force on the political scene. I can not think of anyone who could easily replace him.

The sudden death of one so young and seemingly vibrant is always a shock. May I add my name to those who offer the deepest sympathy to his family and loved ones. Perhaps I could write more, but these lines come to me:

Bear with me;
My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar,
And I must pause till it come back to me.

Posted at June 13, 2008 4:42 PM in response to Tim Russert Has Passed Away

In any case, it is just plain wrong to look at an underdog candidate, who managed to build a winning coalition that crosses lines of race and region, campaigning in the face of the biggest political machine in Democratic politics, and blame him for his lack of support in one segment of the electorate in the context of a primary.

Thank you. This alone destroys Wilentz's whole argument.

Posted at May 26, 2008 1:49 PM in response to BREAKING: Obama can't win the Election of 1828!

Word.

Posted at May 26, 2008 12:58 PM in response to Poll: Hillary Beats McCain In Kentucky, Obama Loses Big

In a real democracy, opposing candidates names actually appear on the ballot. Or were you unaware of that?

Posted at May 25, 2008 11:49 AM in response to Hillary Hits Critics For Taking Her RFK Assassination Remarks "Out Of Context"

Well said, except for one thing. That "difference" is not just "interesting," it is enormous and clearly points out the contrasts between the two. And that contrast not only does not paint Hillary in a flattering light but gives reason to the lack of sympathy for her.

Posted at May 25, 2008 11:32 AM in response to Hillary Hits Critics For Taking Her RFK Assassination Remarks "Out Of Context"

why did Obama feel compelled to lie 3 times?

Posted at May 17, 2008 11:57 AM in response to Busting Popular Obama Myths