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Political Commentary

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September 3, 2008

What an Election! By Larry Sabato

Two tickets full of history, one headed by the first African-American in position to become president, the other with a woman situated to become the nation's first female vice president.

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September 3, 2008

Blue Dogs Have Their Day By Froma Harrop

Hmmm, suppose there were a liberal Democrat as president but a more conservative Democratic majority in Congress. That could happen. As Democrats scoop up seats in traditionally Republican districts, they add members quite unlike their old-time lefties with a program for every plight.

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September 3, 2008

It's Still the Economy, Stupid By Tony Blankley

The No. 1 issue (in contrast to personality) in the presidential campaign, according to every poll of voter opinion, is the economy. More than the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, more than the concerns about health care, the public's negative view of the economy is unambiguously driving the historically unprecedented 80 percent of the public who believe the country is on the wrong track.

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September 2, 2008

Convention Weathering the Storm By Dick Morris

Republicans shouldn’t mourn the loss of the first night (at least) of their convention. Sarah Palin’s warm reception by the American people and the relative success of preparations to contain the damage of Hurricane Gustav seem to have given the GOP far more bounce than it would’ve gotten from a “conventional” first night in St. Paul.

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September 2, 2008

The RNC's Unconvention - By Debra J. Saunders

"This plan makes no sense. It's the height of political correctness," railed John Ziegler, a California alternate delegate, Sunday after he heard the news that John McCain was suspending the political part of the first night of the Republican National Convention.

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August 31, 2008

Sarah Palin -- Dream Girl By Debra J. Saunders

MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL -- Bingo. For weeks, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has been the Republican whom conservatives barely dared to hope could become John McCain's pick as his running mate.

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August 30, 2008

Great Speeches By Susan Estrich

Hillary gave a great speech. Bill gave a great speech. Barack gave a really great speech. That's what everyone is saying, and who am I to disagree? Of course, I've never been to a convention, Republican or Democratic, where everybody didn't say on Thursday night that it was a really great speech. Truth is, I can barely remember most of them.

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August 30, 2008

Outrageous Vulnerabilities By Michael Barone

As this is written, with a deadline looming, I have not heard Barack Obama's acceptance speech at Invesco Field and have not learned who is John McCain's choice for vice president.

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August 29, 2008

It's All Good in Obama's "Cathedral" By Debra J. Saunders

Can he win in November? Yes, Barack Obama was the best Democrat in the field. Start with his charismatic yet cool demeanor.

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August 29, 2008

A Strategic Opening For McCain By Dick Morris

Many political campaigns run against the wrong candidate. The opportunity to pick on a vulnerable target is so tempting that they are lured into attacking someone who isn’t running. In 1992, the Republicans unleashed their convention barrage at Hillary and left Bill unscathed.

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August 28, 2008

Questions for Hillary's Zealots By Joe Conason

As the Democrats convene in Denver to celebrate Hillary Clinton and nominate Barack Obama, a tiny minority of her supporters continues to behave petulantly. They whine, they bluster, they agitate themselves and each other.

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August 28, 2008

Democrats Talkin' Like the GOP By Debra J. Saunders

In some ways, the Dems confab sounds a bit like a Republican convention. For example: Nuclear energy? It's big here. The daily convention edition of the National Journal has been running pro-nuclear energy ads on Page Two every day -- and touting the support of Democratic Party biggies.

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August 28, 2008

Hillary Can't Fix What Her Party Broke By Froma Harrop

Hillary Clinton just gave the last major speech of her 2008 campaign. Or perhaps was it the first of her 2012 campaign. She said vote-for-Barack enough times and at enough volume to protect her from accusations of trying to sabotage Obama's chances in November, not that she won't be accused.

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August 28, 2008

Only Obama Can Make the Sale By Lawrence Kudlow

There's no Obama-Biden bounce, according to the latest tracking polls. In fact, as of Wednesday morning, Scott Rasmussen reports a 47-46 one-point lead for John McCain. Gallup has the race even and indicates that conservative Democrats -- including married women -- are peeling away from Obama-Biden.

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August 27, 2008

Stellar Speech Won't Boost Barack By Dick Morris

Her words were emphatic: "Barack Obama is my candidate and he must be our next president." Hillary Clinton's endorsement was unambiguous and she held nothing back.

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August 27, 2008

The Senator By Susan Estrich

All last week there were rumors that he would not make it to Denver at all. Then on Monday there were rumors that he was in a Denver hospital receiving oxygen, and that at best he would be in a box at Pepsi Center, watching the tribute and waving to the crowd. He'll never make it to the podium, more than one person told me.

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August 27, 2008

The Middle Convention and the Under Convention By Debra J. Saunders

DENVER -- There are two Democratic National Conventions here in Denver. The first one is the official convention, which has a sole purpose: to sell Barack Obama, not as a different kind of Democrat, but as a red-white-and blue everyman. Mr. Middle America.

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August 26, 2008

Now Playing: The Four Deficits By Debra J. Saunders

Monday morning, before the Democratic National Committee launched its convention at Denver's Pepsi Center, the documentary "I.O.U.S.A." -- think: "one nation, under stress, in debt" -- played to a small but committed audience at the nearby Starz Film Center.

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August 26, 2008

Parties Afraid to Face Population Explosion By Froma Harrop

There's a burning concern in the American West -- almost an obsession -- that Democrats will not touch in their convention here. Nor will Republicans in St. Paul. It is the U.S. population explosion.

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August 26, 2008

Obama, Clinton, Biden and McCain By Debra J. Saunders

DENVER -- The goodie bag given to attendees of the Democratic National Convention includes maps, magnets and Dale Carnegie's Golden Book. The first principle for Carnegie's "How to Win Friends and Influence People" is: "Don't criticize, condemn or complain." No. 2: "Give honest, sincere appreciation."