+Congress | 326 days ago

On Libya, a Split in Congress Means an Obama Win

By Massimo Calabresi

The Obama administration continues its effort to outmaneuver Congress on the ongoing mission in Libya this week. On Tuesday afternoon the Senate will hold a cloture vote on the bill approved last week 14-5 by the Foreign Relations committee. It’s a narrow bill that authorizes Obama’s Libya war for a year.

Administration and Congressional officials predict the cloture vote will easily clear the 60-vote requirement; Sen. John McCain, one of the original co-sponsors has told administration officials he has more than 70 votes in favor.

+Barack Obama | 1312 days ago

Ready for Prime Time…

By wpcomimportuser6

In the category of more unsolicited advice they didn’t ask for, are tired of getting, and will certainly ignore, I’ll holler one more pitch from my armchair to the McCain campaign (I’m a political consultant, I can’t help it). There is no state by state way to break out of the campaign’s current spiral. Trips [...]

+Uncategorized | 1312 days ago

Zing the Bling…

By wpcomimportuser6

I saw the RNC statement on Gov. Palin’s $150,000 clothing bender on the RNC’s tab. This caper is gonna make for a long day at the office for the good folks at the RNC/McCain press operation. Thought I’d offer a little help in a humorous vein; some other possible spin lines for the RNC. 1.) [...]

+Barack Obama | 1313 days ago

McCain Curtails Ads in NH and WI

By Jay Newton-Small

A Democratic source tells TIME that John McCain is stretching his media buys in New Hampshire and Wisconsin, spacing out ads they’ve already bought to last through the rest of the election. The move would mean they would not spend any more ad money in the states, effectively pulling out without taking the hit in [...]

+Barack Obama | 1314 days ago

Wright off?

By Jay Newton-Small

Remember when John McCain said that Rev. Wright was off limits? Apparently, that was a pledge with caveats.

+Barack Obama | 1314 days ago

Voter Harrassment

By Jay Newton-Small

If you’re gonna accuse your opponent of supporting voter fraud, heckling and harassing early voters is maybe not a great idea.

+Barack Obama | 1315 days ago

Powell

By wpcomimportuser6

I am not normally of the view that endorsements mean much in Presidential politics. But Colin Powell’s endorsement of Obama today is a real sledgehammer blow to the already staggering McCain campaign. Not just because a Powell endorsement shores up Obama’s shaky foreign policy bona fides, but even more because of the content of Powell’s [...]

+Barack Obama | 1315 days ago

Powell Endorses Obama

By Jay Newton-Small

Colin Powell today announced on NBC’s Meet the Press he’s crossing party lines and to become the highest-ranking Republican to endorse Barack Obama. The former general and secretary of state under President Bush said that after following the race closely for the last two months, he was left troubled by the McCain’s handling of the [...]

+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 | 1319 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. [...]