In the Arena

Unwise

Clinton’s poll-driven attack on Obama today seems a bit too sweaty and desperate for her current situation, which is still a dead heat in the totally unpredictable January 3 caucus, although an Obamaward ripple can be discerned. And this attack seems downright idiotic. All right, it’s true Clinton is in a tussle–I’ve talked to lots [...]

Do-Something Congress (Cont’d)

George Costanza would sympathize with Harry Reid in coming weeks, as the Senate Majority Leader sees worlds collide. The Washington Post has a good story today by Jonathan Weisman and Paul Kane summing up all the major legislation that Congress will be trying to get done before it leaves for the year, dealing with: warrantless [...]

In the Arena

Gentry Liberalism?

This LA Times piece, by two people I respect–one of whom, Fred Siegel, is a good friend of mine–is pretty far off the mark. It describes Democratic candidates of the recent past, but not the current campaign. For one thing, all of the Democrats are far more populist than they’ve been in the past. They’ve [...]

In the Arena

Today in Iraq

This article about corruption in Iraq is stunning, but not surprising. And it doesn’t even mention the oil sector–where, I’m told, the 30% rule applies: at least 1/3 of the revenues are, literally, siphoned off. Two points: Obviously, there is absolutely nothing the U.S. military presence can do about this. And less obviously, there is [...]