LIFSON: Obama’s Next Two Years
Matthew Lifson, Columnist
When Republicans storm Congress, we will learn whether Obama is a leader capable of growing his office or just a lucky figurehead temporarily enabled by overwhelming Democratic majorities.
BAIN: The Blame Game
Sam Bain, Columnist
When a grown man acts immature, you have what is called a man child. And when you have a President who blames the opposition party instead of tackling problems, you have Barack Obama. President Obama’s two year mark in office is coming up quicker than he seems to know. With his approval rating dropping to 41% and democrats breaking ranks with the party, the president has nowhere to look but inward when considering what went wrong.
MARIN & PETERSON: Recovering the Civil-Military Relationship
Paul Marin & Tim Peterson
To optimize the civil-military relationship is to reinforce its mutual incentive: victory. Both sides must uphold strategies of success over tactics of dominance to ensure a shared objective and recover trust.
McCAFFREY: First Their Hearts, Second in the Cities
A staple in Illinois politics, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley announced Tuesday that he would not seek re-election for his position. Daley has served twenty-one years as mayor, following in the footsteps of his father, Richard J. Daley, who also served as mayor for twenty-one years. While I have a strong contention for the type of Chicago “machine style” politics that the duo made famous, I am impressed by their ability to do what no recent Mayor of New York City has been able to do – retain popularity past a second term.
SIEFF: Austerity and the American Economy
Adam Sieff, Columnist
European nations, facing crisis, have adopted extreme austerity measures and there is a growing call in the US for sharp reductions in funding. But not all austerity is created equal. Hopefully, we won’t find out the hard way.
STROSTER: Craigslist Censorship to Stop Human Trafficking
Lianna Stroster, Columnist
Craigslist users have seen a change in the website’s homepage over the past few days. Under the “services” section, there is now a black “censored” label over the “adult services” tab. Is this new “censored” label a violation of the website’s First Amendment right, or is it not protected because the section has been aiding human trafficking through the World Wide Web?
RUSHFORD: She’s a Lady—But Is That All?
Stephanie Rushford, Columnist
Yesterday was Women’s Equality Day, a day Congress designated to commemorate the ratification of 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. However, as revolutionary as the ratification of the 19th amendment was, there are still many ideological battles for women to fight and win in 2010.
PETERSON & ROGERS: The Left’s Battle Cry Should Be a Dean Scream
Tim Peterson, Left-Independent
Conor Rogers, Center-Right
A smattering of pundits have argued that Democrats lack a salesman, someone to not simply counterbalance conservative criticism but to argue the progressive cause. Heading into November and beyond, the left needs its own Sarah Palin, its own Glenn Beck. They need Howard Dean.
BILBO: Arizona, BP and a Golden Opportunity for the GOP
Tyler Bilbo, Columnist
Can the GOP accomplish the herculean task of reclaiming the House and the Senate? Thanks to Obama’s failure to intensify Democrats, it’s looking like they can.
LIFSON: Republicans Make the Center a Moving Target
Matthew Lifson, Columnist
If Democrats want moderate bills, they must make liberal arguments and then move to the center only though debate and negotiations. Otherwise, Republicans will just continue to choose new, more conservative positions and move the center with them.
BILBO: The Rise of the “P” Word
Tyler Bilbo, Columnist
As Democrats sit idle, Glenn Beck and the right have turned a neutralizing political label into a pejorative.
BILBO: A Teachable Downfall
Tyler Bilbo, Columnist
In 2007, Alabama Congressman Artur Davis became the first non-Illinois politician to publically endorse Barack Obama. Longtime friends from Harvard Law School, Davis and Obama share a lot in common. As youthful black politicians whose aspirations take them beyond majority-black constituencies, the two have de-emphasized traditional minority issues for the sake of building multi-racial and politically viable coalition.
BILBO: The End of an Era
Tyler Bilbo, Columnist
The retirement of Wisconsin Congressman Dave Obey signifies the end of an era and the passing of Congress’ Old Guard.
NEAL: The Party of ‘No’ Nonsense
Malik Neal, Conservative
There is something noble and necessary about saying “no” in Washington. The GOP should continue to say “no” to excessive pork barrel projects and irresponsible spending. By saying no to nonsense, the Republicans can have numerous victories in the upcoming mid-term elections. When elected the GOP must say yes to prudent policies such as advocating for smaller government, lower taxes, and responsible spending.
BILBO: Every Democrat Should be Thankful for Bill Halter
Tyler Bilbo, Yellow Dog Democrat
Blanche Lincoln’s vulnerability transcends the ideological preferences of Arkansas’s conservative electorate. For the sake of keeping Lincoln’s seat in Democratic hands, Bill Halter cannot afford to feed into an ideological dichotomy that distracts voters from Lincoln’s corrupt presence in Washington. Even if Halter does play into this liberal vs. conservative game, however, his primary will ultimately help Lincoln by making her appear more conservative in the general election.
BARON: What Progressive Strategy?
Noah Baron, Religious Progressive
I would much rather have one more moderate Democrat in the Senate and a Democratic majority than a failed progressive Democratic candidate, and no majority at all.
HOLLINSHEAD: A To-Do List for Obama, Dems
Kevin Hollinshead, Progressive
If an anti-reform Republican was able to win the seat of universal health care’s greatest champion, what do this November and November of 2012 hold for Democrats? Unless the Obama administration shakes things up, they’re on thin ice.
CUEVAS: America the Despot?
Jesse-Justin Cuevas, Liberal
When Alexis de Tocqueville visited the United States in 1830 he found a profound fascination with American politics. Following his visit, he wrote Democracy in America’s first volume. In it, Tocqueville reveres the American system for its positive valuation of participation that manifests in the practice of townships and municipal institutions.
BARON: A History Primer for Republicans
Noah Baron, Religious Progressive
Lately, many prominent Republicans have been pretending that the events of September 11, 2001 either didn’t happen, or did not happen during the Bush administration. Sounds like these folks need a brief lesson in recent history.
BARON: No Such Thing as a “Stolen Vote”
Politicians regularly take the money and votes of their constituents, and then turn around and ignore their concerns. Yet come next election-day, they cry foul when a third-party candidate challenges them because they failed to govern honestly or in accordance with the values of the people who supported them.
JACOBS: Palin Right, Left Wrong on Healthcare
Republicans have healthcare solutions, regardless of what Alan Grayson claims.