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Political Commentary

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May 1, 2008

The Change That Can't Be Changed By Froma Harrop

The Serenity Prayer, written by theologian Reinhold Niebuhr, hangs on countless American walls. I grew up with it. Whatever the reader's religious belief, or lack thereof, the prayer packs a world of comfort in a few simple lines.

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April 30, 2008

It Takes a Village By Susan Estrich

Hillary Clinton has been much mocked over the years for arguing that it takes a village to raise a child. On the other hand, she was right, at least some of the time.

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April 29, 2008

Codependent Addicts: States and Casinos By Froma Harrop

Loath to tax the citizenry based on income, many states have increasingly turned to cigarette smokers and gamblers for revenues. Gamblers are often smokers, and both groups tend to be of modest or low income.

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April 28, 2008

Disobeying the Pope By Robert D. Novak

In the aftermath of the visit by Pope Benedict XVI, a troublesome question is asked by traditional Catholics: Did American pro-choice politicians receiving Communion at the papal masses indicate a softening on the abortion question by the pope?

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April 26, 2008

McCain's Money Mess By Robert Novak

Big-time Republican contributors are complaining that prospective presidential nominee John McCain is poorly organized for the campaign and off to a bad start in raising money.

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April 26, 2008

Popular Vote Gives Clinton an Edge By Michael Barone

One thing many people haven't noticed about Hillary Clinton's 55 percent to 45 percent victory over Barack Obama in the Pennsylvania primary is that it put her ahead of Obama in the popular vote.

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April 25, 2008

Lilly's Dilemma By Susan Estrich

Lilly Ledbetter was nearing 60 and on the verge of retirement when someone sent her an anonymous letter telling her that for the preceding 19 years, she'd been earning less than her male counterparts at Goodyear Tire and Rubber.

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April 24, 2008

Osama Crashes the Democratic Party By Froma Harrop

What was so shocking, terrible and unfair about flashing Osama bin Laden's ugly mug on a political advertisement? Hillary Clinton's TV spot was the first Democratic ad to make pictorial reference to the al-Qaida terrorist. It was about time.

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April 24, 2008

The Ritual Flaying of Jimmy Carter By Joe Conason

Nobody with a functioning memory should be too quick to condemn Jimmy Carter for daring to speak with the leadership of Hamas, as nearly everyone along the American political spectrum suddenly has felt obliged to do.

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April 24, 2008

Deepening Democratic Dilemma By Robert Novak

When exit polls for the Pennsylvania primary came out late Tuesday afternoon showing a puny lead of 3.6 points for Hillary Clinton against Barack Obama, Democratic leaders who desperately wanted her to end her candidacy were not cheered.

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April 24, 2008

Why Not Blame Obama? By Larry Kudlow

It's rather amusing watching the liberal media launch a full-scale attack on George Stephanopoulos and Charles Gibson, with Gen. Tom Shales of The Washington Post leading the charge.

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April 24, 2008

Obama and Small Town America By Rhodes Cook

Barack Obama caused quite a stir a fortnight ago when he told a suburban San Francisco fund raiser that small-town Pennsylvania voters were "bitter" about their economic plight.

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April 22, 2008

McCain Begins to Get it Right By Dick Morris & Eileen McGann

John McCain built up massive popularity among American voters with his populist opposition to swindlers, liars and thieves, whether in business, Congress, labor or the defense community. His take-no-prisoners attitude toward corruption and his willingness to battle it wherever it crops up hasmade him an icon among our political leaders.

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April 22, 2008

Long Hot Summer in Minnesota By Froma Harrop

This city will be hosting the Republican National Convention starting Labor Day. In the interests of showing Republicans a good time, the Minnesota state legislature voted to let bars here and in Minneapolis stay open until 4 a.m. during the convention.

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April 21, 2008

What's the Matter With Obama? By Robert D. Novak

Traveling the country the past few months, I have encountered habitual Republican voters so entranced by Barack Obama's potential to lead the nation that they plan to vote for him in November. Once Hillary Clinton's defected supporters return to loyalty, Obama Republicans could produce a Democratic presidential landslide. But Obama's current missteps jeopardize their support and imperil his election.

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April 19, 2008

The Rules Are Changing for Obama By Michael Barone

Barack Obama seemed puzzled. Angrily puzzled. The apostle of hope seemed flummoxed by the audacity of the question. At the April 16 Philadelphia debate, George Stephanopoulos, longtime aide to Democratic politicians, was asking about his longtime association with Weather Underground bomber William Ayers.

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April 19, 2008

Whither Hagel By Robert D. Novak

Friends of Sen. Chuck Hagel, the Senate's sharpest critic of President Bush's Iraq policy, say there is no chance he will endorse a Democrat for president this year.

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April 17, 2008

Whose Elitism is Worse? By Joe Conason

It is hard to blame John McCain for mocking Barack Obama as an "elitist" following that silly remark about bitter folks who cling to guns and religion.

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April 17, 2008

What Price Freedom? By Lawrence Kudlow

Surprise, surprise. Having failed to puncture Gen. David Petraeus' story about great improvements on the ground in Iraq, liberals are now saying the cost of the Iraq war has somehow undermined the economy -- even caused the current slowdown. What complete nonsense.

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April 17, 2008

McCain's Economics: Pass the Dramamine By Froma Harrop

John McCain admits that economics are not his passion, and that's fine. His past instincts were mostly good. He voted against tax cuts not paid for by savings elsewhere. He fought earmarks, earning the wrath of big-spenders in his own Republican Party.