We're now at the halfway point in sanctioned Democratic presidential debates, thank God, having completed the third of six this past week in Houston. Who won? Well... Once again a lower-tier candidate risked going after the front runner, and once again it had mixed results. People who follow these things will recall that Kamala Harris … Continue reading Whatever these are, they’re not debates
And every day the paperboy brings more
The lunatic is in the hall The lunatics are in my hall The paper holds their folded faces to the floor And every day the paperboy brings more -- Pink Floyd, "Brain Damage", 1973 The lunatic of the day is an as-yet unnamed individual in West Texas who, upon being pulled over on Saturday afternoon … Continue reading And every day the paperboy brings more
There must be a better way
Is it absolutely necessary for national political parties to sanction so-called presidential debates? Do they have to back candidates in House and Senate primaries? The 2016 cycle was undoubtedly a mess, with primaries leading to the nominations of two highly polarizing candidates and ending with the election of a deeply unpopular president. For 2020 the … Continue reading There must be a better way
The Oracle plays favorites in Iowa
We're now less than six months from the Iowa caucus next February 3rd. Like a lot of you, for better or worse, I've watched as much of the televised debates as I could stand, along with countless tweets, TV interviews and town halls, etc., etc. Unlike most of you, I live in Iowa, which means … Continue reading The Oracle plays favorites in Iowa
Joe Biden loses it
I'm a resident in a medium-sized city in the great state of Iowa, home of the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses. As such, I've had a lot of opportunities to see, hear, and meet presidential candidates. Since I'm kind of a political junkie and there are literally dozens of semi- to extremely recognizable candidates running around Iowa, … Continue reading Joe Biden loses it
Next 4th of July, leave the guns at home
I used to love fireworks. When I was a kid, especially, I loved watching them on the 4th of July or sometimes other occasions like New Years Eve. I loved setting them off -- smoke bombs, snakes, firecrackers and bottle rockets were personal favorites. I'm lucky to have all my fingers (no kidding) and fortunate … Continue reading Next 4th of July, leave the guns at home
What Joe Biden doesn’t get and possibly never will
“[A]s we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns—the ones we don’t know we don’t know.” — Donald Rumsfeld, February 2002 This past week … Continue reading What Joe Biden doesn’t get and possibly never will
