The Democratic Debate

Sometimes eight is more than enough. Such was the curt, confused debate of the Democratic candidates in South Carolina last night.

The questions were often downright silly and took up precious time from the major issues of the day. MSNBC should have focused on the war, medical coverage and the envirnoment and tried to get some responses in-depth from the candidates. Instead, only some of the people could answer, and then they were restricted in the time they had.

At several points, the moderator actually asked candiates to raise their hands, including on the idea of impeaching the vice president. That was a low point in the history of debates. If these are supposed to have been based on the famed Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858, can you imagine how those men would have rebelled if told to raise their hands to designate if they favored slavery???

Bush Fatigue or Establishment Fatigue?

Obama over McCain 45 to 39% in latest poll. What is happening? There is an increasing anti-Washington sentiment. Or as George Bush Sr. has said, there is “Bush fatigue” in this country. Oh, really....

War in Iraq

The Democrats in Congress will send the President a bill on the war and its deadline, which they know he will veto. He holds a meeting with them in which he seeks their advice, which he knows they won’t consider. There is no wonder why people are so cynical about people in Washington. Meanwhile nine more brave men and women in the 42nd Division of the Airborne Paratroopers died in Iraq; the total is now 3,333.

Clinton and the Black Community

Recent polls show that among African Americans there is movement from Hillary Clinton to Barack Obama. The Clintons had expected that their long courtship of the black community might secure some guarantees, but it appears that this is not going to be so.

At Iraq's Edge

There used to be a saying that politics stopped at the water's edge, but that is not true with Iraq. The Democrats, not sure why they won and what to do with the war, and the President, who is totally without a clue as what to do, are involved in a titanic battle on prerogatives. Should there be a timetable to leave or should there be benchmarks? Somehow that is supposed to be a major defining moment for the parties and also one in which the entire Middle East is at stake. But the Iraqi government has already said that it wants the U.S. out of the country by the end of this calendar year. That is their government responding to their public opinion.

Presidential Candidates

John Edwards had a 400 dollar haircut from a Beverley Hills stylist. Good by Iowa. McCain was singing a tune about bombing Iran. Is he really ok for the presidency?

Monmouth University Poll

The Monmouth University Polling Institute, in conjunction with the Hall Institute, has released a poll today showing how the 2008 presidential race is shaping up in New Jersey. Following the trend of prior presidential polls, the two most familiar NY candidates continue to lead the pack.

Michael P. Riccards, executive director of the Hall Institute think tank, which has held forums on New Jersey's 2008 presidential primary, said voters are going with who they know.

"I don't think either McCain or Obama are very well known in New Jersey; they haven't spent much time here," Riccards said. "Familiarity is important in figuring out how people will vote."

- Asbury Park Press 4/18/2007