+Uncategorized | 764 days ago

2nd Prime Ministerial Debate

By Jay Newton-Small

It’s about to start in a matter of moments. I’m at a pub, The Red Lion, across from 10 Downing Street — just about the only pub in London that’s broadcasting the debate so far as I can tell. CNN also found it extraordinarily difficult to find a pub willing to switch from the big [...]

+Uncategorized | 771 days ago

A Historic Event: Britain’s First Televised Campaign Debate

By Adam Sorensen

From Catherine Mayer, TIME’s London Bureau Chief: On one topic at least there was a perfect consensus when the leaders of Britain’s three largest political parties faced each other in a 90-minute televised debate this evening, ahead of elections on May 6. This was the first ever such contest, and everyone – the protagonists Prime [...]

+Barack Obama | 1318 days ago

Who is Joe the Plumber?

By Jay Newton-Small

Any one watching tonight’s debate is surely wondering: Who the heck is this Joe-the-Plumber that both candidates keep talking about? Turns out, he’s a real guy. Obama met Joe Wurzelbacher in Ohio a couple of days ago. Here’s an interview with him by a conservative group. Update: Here’s a video link of the encounter.

+Barack Obama | 1318 days ago

Pre-Debate Thoughts

By wpcomimportuser6

Some arm-chair quarterbacking before the final debate. Obama’s mission is simple. Kill the clock. Act Presidential. Hope nothing happens. He’s winning. McCain’s job is harder. He’s up against the wall and time is quickly running out. My advice, as usual, is probably the opposite of what his people are advising him. I say ignore Obama. [...]

+Barack Obama | 1324 days ago

Dial Group Madness

By wpcomimportuser6

I was doing some cable TV duty last night and had the bad luck to follow a segment about a focus group of voters being dial tested during the debate. Dial groups are bad enough, but actually putting this madness on television as a verdict of some kind is reckless. I said as much at [...]

+Barack Obama | 1336 days ago

Debate thoughts…

By wpcomimportuser6

No game-changer; the debate essentially a tie. Maybe a slight edge on points to McCain as he did put Obama on the defensive quite a few times although at the price of a crusty tone. Both campaigns will now employ first-rate funhouse mirror logic to claim smashing victories. McCain will say this puts him back [...]

+Barack Obama | 1337 days ago

Debate Watch List…

By wpcomimportuser6

Things to watch for tonight: 1.) Will McCain project a sense of steadiness and cool control. His operatic campaign of the last two weeks has undercut this and he needs to undo the damage. 2.) Will Obama speak in the clear, direct sentences of man ready to be in command. 3.) Will McCain emerge from [...]

+Nancy Pelosi | 1389 days ago

More Hot Air

By Jay Newton-Small

A webstory today about all the hot air in the energy debate. Also, interestingly, a scoop from Politico’s Martin Kady II and Patrick O’Connor about how Pelosi behind the scenes is encouraging her members to defect, banking on passing legislation next year. Dana Milbank has loads more color on the House protest. And here’s a [...]

+Barack Obama | 1499 days ago

Not to Flog a Dead Horse…

By Jay Newton-Small

But I found it a glaring omission in last night’s debate that trade was not addressed at all. The moderators managed to dwell on why Obama doesn’t wear a lapel pin but there was nary a mention of the collapse of Columbian Colombian Free Trade deal in Congress (or the fact that Mark Penn had [...]

+Barack Obama | 1500 days ago

Tonight’s Debate

By Jay Newton-Small

A walk-up for tonight’s debate.