Wednesday, February 13, 2008
The McCain Maalox Paradox
Kevin E. Dayhoff
At this point in the Republican 2008 presidential primary campaign Senator John McCain has over three times as many Republican National Convention delegates as former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. Most people have resigned themselves to the fact that Senator McCain is the de-facto Republican nominee.
When I appeared on WYPR’s Marc Steiner show to discuss the 2008 presidential campaign, just after the New Hampshire primary, it was still a wide-open race and no one could really forecast what was going to happen.
There were so many unpredictable dynamics in play, especially since the primaries were developing to be less of an exercise in intellectual voting as much as a raw-emotional vote. Some people were looking forward and others are looking backward. Some people were upside down and many uber-conservatives were looking at their navel through a cracked mirror.
Earlier in the campaign, many thought the election was going to turn on national security and the war in Iraq; but as “the surge” continues to be successful, the war in Iraq is quickly being replaced by the economy.
To be certain, immigration, or more specifically, illegal immigration continues to be a hot button issue, driving people to a particular candidate.
For some conservative Republicans, “resigned” is the operative adjective as the inevitability of Senator McCain’s nomination continues to rankle the hard rightwing.
Looking back, “they/we” have not trusted Senator McCain's moderate (liberal) positions on some issues in the past and his willingness to work to (over)reach across the aisle and work with (give-in to) Democrats in Congress. There is concern that if he had a desk in the Oval Office he will repeat those behaviors.
Many conservatives have threatened to sit out the November 2008 presidential election if Senator McCain is the Republican candidate.
Ay, caramba. I take no pleasure in pointing out the fallacy in this illogical approach which is being contemplated by some of my conservative friends.
Read the rest of the column here: The McCain Maalox Paradox
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
They Are Coming
Roy Meachum
Sheriff Chuck Jenkins shapes up as the least likely Hitler I can imagine: I know the man. His critics are way off the mark when they say he plans to turn his department into a latter-day Gestapo. It's not in him.
Our Most Important Election Isn’t for President
Farrell Keough
On February 5, your plucky columnist put together a forum at the Urbana Volunteer Fire & Rescue Station for the Board of Education candidates seeking to gain a nomination today for a seek on that body. An impressive array of candidates showed up and spent three hours taking on questions and listening to others.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Political Stupidity Masquerading as Conscience
Richard B. Weldon Jr.
So, the GOP has its presumptive nominee. With all due respect to former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, it just ain’t Hucka-happenin’!
Activist Frederick County
Steven R. Berryman
Great news! The System works. Activism is alive and well and living in Frederick County, Maryland. Where the system fails to work, it is fixing itself; and isn’t that what the system really is?
Friday, February 8, 2008
What a Ride!
Roy Meachum
Did anyone notice? Tuesday's primaries in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Virginia could be important; unlike past years when our votes came after the fact of the parties' selecting their nominees.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
The Clothes-Pin Election Nightmare
John W. Ashbury
It started too early. It might end earlier than ever before. And the choices are far from prime. Yet, a selection must and will be made in November.
Comparatively Speaking…
Tony Soltero
One of the amusing sideshows of the Republican presidential nomination fight is seeing individuals like John McCain, Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney desperately elbowing each other out of the way to stake a claim on being "the true inheritor" of Ronald Reagan's legacy.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
The SB2 Virus
Kevin E. Dayhoff
Last November the Maryland General Assembly inadvertently installed a “Trojan Virus,” now named “SB2,” on the critically important Maryland technology industry.
“To moratorium or not to moratorium…”
Alan Imhoff
Recently I had the opportunity to attend opening night of the Maryland Shakespeare Theater’s fast-paced, hilarious two hour production of the Bard’s complete works (abridged).
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Presidential Elections Past
Roy Meachum
Registered Frederick County voters received a notice from the elections board last week: Enclosed was a list of candidates for federal jobs, including wannabe delegates to next summer's party conventions and the gang trying out for the Board of Education.
The Power of Weenie Numbers
Nick Diaz
In all my years of teaching middle school mathematics, I’ve been exposed to many an “impossible” problem which can be solved by studying the pattern involved. Some people have been endowed by our Creator with the ability to notice, recognize, and apply such patterns to solve given problems. Most people, however, must be taught these skills.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Trash, Manure, and Politics
Richard B. Weldon Jr.
No, the title of this piece is NOT a game of “which of three things is not like the other,” mostly because the differences are so insignificant.
John McCain Facing Forward
Steven R. Berryman
The Florida Republican Primary contest is now behind us and it certainly was a watershed event. John McCain won large. Rudy Giuliani bowed out afterward despite having wagered heavily in that state, chock-full of retirees from New York. This may have been the arena where McCain’s age was a trump card. What does he face going forward?
