Politics Roundtable

BARBOUR EXPLAINS THE SOUTH WITH BASELESS, REVISIONIST HISTORY.... For much of the 20th century, America's Southeast, now the Republicans' strongest region, was closely aligned with Democratic politics. The shift began quickly after the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act,...

BREWER'S PAINFULLY LONG PAUSES.... I've seen politicians freeze on the air when confronted with a tough question for which they're unprepared, but going blank during a debate's opening statement? This is a new one. Ben Smith reported, "Arizona Governor Jan...

THURSDAY'S CAMPAIGN ROUND-UP.... Today's installment of campaign-related news items that wouldn't generate a post of their own, but may be of interest to political observers. * As was rumored yesterday, Bud Chiles ended his independent gubernatorial campaign in Florida today,...

GEORGE WILL'S BAD HABIT.... Over the last several months, George Will has written a series of columns about some of the most extreme politicians in Republican politics. In each instance, he seems to go out of his way to ignore...

THE WISDOM OF A LIBERATED REPUBLICAN, CONT'D.... This week, congressional Republican leaders did their best to downplay the end of combat operations in Iraq, insisting President Obama was wrong and that President Bush deserves credit for recent progress. It was,...

MARK KIRK SYNDROME SPREADS TO OTHER GOP CANDIDATES.... When it comes to candidates with an almost pathological tendency to exaggerate their backgrounds, Illinois Senate candidate Mark Kirk (R) is obviously in a league of his own. But there are others...

ADL STEPS AWAY FROM MESS IT HELPED CREATE.... The controversy surrounding the Park51 project in lower Manhattan has been disheartening, but perhaps no moment was as disappointing as the Anti-Defamation League's statement in late July. The organization committed to combating...

THERE'S NO POINT IN ADVERTISING AN UNPOPULAR AGENDA.... A couple of months ago, Jonah Goldberg argued that it's time for the GOP to go beyond the "party of no" approach, and "call Obama's bluff and offer a real choice." James...

WEDNESDAY'S MINI-REPORT.... Today's edition of quick hits: * The first peace talks in nearly two years: "President Obama on Wednesday began the arduous process of coaxing and pressing the main Middle East participants to define and embrace a comprehensive peace...

DEGREES OF ACCURACY, DEGREES OF ERROR.... The debate over the efficacy of last year's stimulus doesn't produce two clear camps: supporters and critics. Paul Krugman and John Boehner may both offer scathing criticism of the Recovery Act, but for very...