Game Changer

Barack Obama is going to get down if it kills him.

Bleeding white voters in North Carolina and Indiana, the Illinois senator headed Thursday evening to V.F.W. Post 1954 in North Liberty, Ind., consisting of a bar, a pool table, a Coors Light clock and a couple of dozen curious white guys.

Checking out what the vets were drinking, he announced, “I’m going to have a Bud.” Then, showing he’s a smart guy who can learn and assimilate, he took big swigs from his beer can, a marked improvement on the delicate sip he took at a brewery in Bethlehem, Pa.

-- Maureen Dowd for The New York Times

This week is another pair of big contests in Indiana and North Carolina. The Clintons are banking on it being a "game changer". The pundits still can't see a Hillary nomination, but they seem more uncertain these days. Personally, the more I come to know all three candidates, the less enthusiastic I become. I only know that we cannot stand another plutocratic Republican, such as McCain has become in this campaign.

Game Changer

Barack Obama is going to get down if it kills him.

Bleeding white voters in North Carolina and Indiana, the Illinois senator headed Thursday evening to V.F.W. Post 1954 in North Liberty, Ind., consisting of a bar, a pool table, a Coors Light clock and a couple of dozen curious white guys.

Checking out what the vets were drinking, he announced, “I’m going to have a Bud.” Then, showing he’s a smart guy who can learn and assimilate, he took big swigs from his beer can, a marked improvement on the delicate sip he took at a brewery in Bethlehem, Pa.

-- Maureen Dowd for The New York Times

This week is another pair of big contests in Indiana and North Carolina. The Clintons are banking on it being a "game changer". The pundits still can't see a Hillary nomination, but they seem more uncertain these days. Personally, the more I come to know all three candidates, the less enthusiastic I become. I only know that we cannot stand another plutocratic Republican, such as McCain has become in this campaign.

A Great Power?

Much nonsense has been written about how Hillary Clinton is “toughening up” Barack Obama so he’ll be tough enough to withstand Republican attacks. Sorry, we don’t need a president who is tough enough to withstand the lies of his opponents. We need a president who is tough enough to tell the truth to the American people. Any one of the candidates can answer the Red Phone at 3 a.m. in the White House bedroom. I’m voting for the one who can talk straight to the American people on national TV — at 8 p.m. — from the White House East Room.

-- Thomas L. Friedman for The New York Times

Friedman gives us an inspiriting column on how if any country needs some nation-building, it is America, living more on past laurels than current ideas and efforts.

( Friedman )

A Great Power?

Much nonsense has been written about how Hillary Clinton is “toughening up” Barack Obama so he’ll be tough enough to withstand Republican attacks. Sorry, we don’t need a president who is tough enough to withstand the lies of his opponents. We need a president who is tough enough to tell the truth to the American people. Any one of the candidates can answer the Red Phone at 3 a.m. in the White House bedroom. I’m voting for the one who can talk straight to the American people on national TV — at 8 p.m. — from the White House East Room.

-- Thomas L. Friedman for The New York Times

Friedman gives us an inspiriting column on how if any country needs some nation-building, it is America, living more on past laurels than current ideas and efforts.

( Friedman )

Some P.J. O'Rourke

P.J. O'Rourke has written a winner. Even if you don't go in for his wholesale libertarianism, it is a worthy and amusing read. Forget your idealism and make all the money you can!

( O'Rourke )

Some P.J. O'Rourke

P.J. O'Rourke has written a winner. Even if you don't go in for his wholesale libertarianism, it is a worthy and amusing read. Forget your idealism and make all the money you can!

( O'Rourke )