Category Archives: 2016 presidential campaign
A Pox on Anti-Vaxxer Pols
Are anti-vaxxers the soccer moms of 2016? Not likely. Chris Christie gave them a shot but he’s not breaking out from the Republican pack.
Politicians often “inoculate” themselves by condemning an issue expected to be unpopular with voters. A hard line against parents who don’t vaccinate their children could be the litmus test of the day for 2016 presidential campaign. Christie may need a booster.
He’s quarantined himself from interviewers on his luxury trip to England.
State of the Union
Despite being shellacked in the mid-term elections President Obama was defiant in his State of the Union speech on Tuesday. That was in contrast to Bill Clinton’s conciliatory tone after losing Congress in the 1994 midterms. In his 1995 State of the Union Bubba proclaimed the end of Big Guv.
David Frum in The Atlantic thinks Obama’s peevishness is directed at Hillary.
Bush vs Clinton the sequel
It’s way early but as of now it’s Bush vs Clinton for president. Jeb is the leader the pack of Republican presidential candidates. Hillary remains heir apparent for the Democrats.
W paints a confusing picture of the royal bloodline by calling, My sweet Dad, a wonderful father to Bill and me.
The Week says embrace the dynasty.
At this point what difference does it make?
Paltrow Does Politics
Hollywood political fundraising has become too much even for Hollywood. Gwyneth Paltrow hosted the president and informed him, “you’re so handsome I can’t speak properly”. Then she allowed, “it would be wonderful if we were able to give this man all the power he needs”.
The Paltrow performance sent TMZ over the edge:
It’s the latest example of how demeaning it has become for Presidents to act like circus animals — performing for crowds that will feed them … in this case, feed them with money to line political coffers.
It’s revolting that celebrities and other rich people feel such a need for self-importance — contributing money but ONLY if they can have their picture taken with the president and tell their friends they had dinner with him. If they’re so committed to him, just send him a check and let him stay in Washington and do his job.
Rick Perry is not a Ham Sandwich
If you can indict a ham sandwich I guess you can indict Rick Perry.
The indictment by a special prosecutor criminalizes the intent of a political act. The act in question is the Texas governor’s use of his veto power as a threat against a political opponent.
That’s what governors do. They veto stuff. And it’s usually stuff their political enemies want. In this case that would be Rosemary Lehmberg’s job. She runs the Public Integrity Unit and Perry wants her to step down since she was convicted of drunk driving. As a prod he vetoed her $7.5 million budget.
The indictment is being mocked by some people who are unlikely to vote for Perry if he runs for president. Alan Dershowitz , Johnathan Chait, and the New York Times editorial page, all make that list.
Perry on Rye
One holdout, Jeffrey Toobin in The New Yorker, says prosecutors have broad discretion and Perry may just be out of luck. Mustard or mayo?
