Some interesting, if blatantly transparent spin from Ramesh. I wish Matt had pushed back more (or at all) on several of his unsupported assertions. For example, o How much has Barack Obama really changed his stance on foreign policy? o Is this really the "most liberal Congress ever?" By what measure? They sure seem not to have stood up to Bush very much. o Is it really true that the only group of conservatives that McCain has to worry about not attracting is the tough anti-immigration crowd? That is, doesn't he really have a significant problem with (1) evangelicals and (2) those who opposed his campaign finance reform efforts? And even the anti-war paleocons and Ron Paul supporter types? I forgot about the Bob Barr factor. In another thread, the possibility of Sam Nunn as a VP for Obama was raised. Interesting to think that Nunn + Barr + Obama's ability to boost black voter turnout could really put Georgia into play.

I forgot about the Bob Barr factor. In another thread, the possibility of Sam Nunn as a VP for Obama was raised. Interesting to think that Nunn + Barr + Obama's ability to boost black voter turnout could really put Georgia into play.

The Georgia clincher: A promise to make Jimmy Carter US Representative to the United Nations. (Just dreamin')

Quoting Wonderment: The Georgia clincher: A promise to make Jimmy Carter US Representative to the United Nations. (Just dreamin')

I like it. But don't you think that American Jews might not? At least the AIPAC types? Seems like you'd be writing off Florida.

Wow! He doesn't belong to any political party and hates them both! What a maverick! What a free-thinker! It always amazes me when people come on Bloggingheads and engage in straight self-aggrandizement. (I think Reihan Salaam does that too.)

Freddy: The first rule of BloggingHeads is: You do not diss the Reihan.

Some support for my earlier point that, contra Ramesh, I think McCain has a problem not just with anti-immigration types, but with evangelicals, too.

Second rule of BloggingHeads is: You do not diss the Reihan.

The second part of Michael Totten's reporting from the Balkans is no up. A Dark Corner of Europe, Part II Again lots of excellent photos and information.

"If you are a Libertarian or just have a general bad attitude." This line had me LOLing.

Did Ramesh say that this was the most liberal congress ever? I caught only that he said that the Democratic presidential candidates were much more liberal than 2004, and to defend this claim he cited their support for more government-provided health insurance and for raising taxes.

Quoting piscivorous: The second part of Michael Totten's reporting from the Balkans is no up. A Dark Corner of Europe, Part II Again lots of excellent photos and information.

Totten is another who many should have been reading for a bit of balance.
Hope others read far enough go get to: “And it’s said that the only friend we have is the United States. So that’s why each time when someone like Richard Holbrooke says that Bosnia could be a place for Al Qaeda, it scares us. It can mean that we lose our only friend.”

“It won’t happen,” Sean said.

“Historically,” Beglerovic said, “we had our friends in Austria and in Germany. But the only practical support we get is from the United States. I mean, okay, Germany accepted a lot of Bosnian refugees, and everyone helped in a way, but the most practical help is coming from the United States.” Oh and this article contains a few more recent quotes about Iraq from historian Arthur Herman.

I think that we could use more liberals like this. Newly elected House Democrats characterize budget as tax hike Then again it takes a "Blue Dog" to get elected in many states even though they are Democrats in name only.

The Brookings Institute, that bastion of right wing conspiratorial warmongers, document the improving conditions in Iraq in detail. Iraq Index with the index of all there previous reports here.

Quoting Bobby G: Did Ramesh say that this was the most liberal congress ever? I caught only that he said that the Democratic presidential candidates were much more liberal than 2004 ...

Pretty sure that's what I heard, yes.

Third rule of BloggingHeads: If you are ever tempted to diss The Reihan, see Rule 1 and Rule 2.

Wasn't going to talk out of school but...the golf gear got me... Thought both sides might find this a bit interesting, telling, or funny... At one time I mentioned that I did not really "have a dog in this hunt". Yet as I have given money in the past and worked in the past for the Republican party (oh yeah and Haliburton), I of course, have found myself to be on John McCain's mailing list looking for donations. A couple weeks ago, directly after McCain gave his global warming speech cozying up to the "Cap and Trade" idea, I responded to one of those "personal" notes from Rick Davis looking for money on McCains behalf by saying that based on the recent global warming speech I would certainly not be donating to McCain's election and that at this point was not even sure I would vote for him. Surprisingly, I received a reply from Mr. Davis (or someone on his "behalf"), linking to a bunch of McCain merchandise. Rick is a funny guy...I will be carrying that email in my pocket at the convention this year.

Matt Welch’s complaints about McCain not having a well thought out conception of the limitations of government while blithely giving the back of his hand to McCain’s commitments on confronting excess spending and entitlements in health care and retirements demonstrate the fatuousness of so many libertarians. McCain's proven commitment to do something about the real problems we face because of bloated government merits but a scoffing mention. True, McCain may be the one national figure with the proven record of taking on these problems and doing so with conviction and at great cost to himself, but what does that matter compared to his lack of a philosophy? We have lots of people who can nicely articulate theories of why government should be smaller. If the contest were to be decided in the seminar rooms or research universities we would all soon agree on cutting these entitlement programs I am sure. The problem is and has been for some time finding a politician with the courage to tell that to the voters. Finally we have found one and the people