Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Ref's Best Political Stories
- McCain Should Target Media as Clinton Backers Boil | Political Ref
- (Edwards Mistress) Rielle trashes Elizabeth Edwards: 'She does not give off good energy' | NY Daily News
- Centrist voters tilt from Obama | Wash. Times
- Obama Tax Plan Would Balloon Deficit, Analysis Finds| Wash. Post
- Affair Put Press in A Touchy Situation | Wash. Post | Ref's Comment: The story on the Edwards affair is more about the media than Edwards. It confirms the remarkably one-sided bias of the media and deepens American cynicism about their objectivity.
- (Democratic Senator) Feingold praises McCain | Politico | Ref's Comment: Obama will have a very difficult time painting McCain as another Bush, and current praise from Democrats is a big reason why. See Key Obama Strategy Threatens His Chances.
- Bush visits Beijing church | Wash. Times
- An Indifferent Tourist Becomes an Enthusiastic First Fan | Wash. Post
- Democrats Stay Brave in Face of Potential Clinton Challenge at Convention | FNC
- Russians Push Past Separatist Area to Assault Central Georgia | NYT | Ref's Comment: This is an invasion of a sovereign European nation. The Obama camp almost certainly hopes that the Russians pull back. If not, foreign policy and military matters will dominate the election.
- On Slog to Safety, Seething at West | NYT | Ref's Comment: Georgia has every right to hold the West in contempt. They have helped the US in Iraq and deserve a stronger stance from the West in support of their independence from an increasingly dictatorial Russia.
- Mistress' Family Challenges Edwards to Take DNA Test | ABC News
- Russia Clashes With Georgian Forces on Land and Sea | FNC
- Iraq Demands 'Clear Timeline' for U.S. Troop Withdrawal | FNC | Ref's Comment: Contrary to conventional wisdom, Iraq's desire for a timeline ultimately helps McCain because it highlights the success of the surge. Obama called for a timeline even before the surge, when it would have resulted in chaos.
- The Early Word: Examining the Edwards Delay | NYT | Ref's Comment: The New York Times examines its own bias in this story with respect to having ignored the Edwards affair story.
- All the world an Olympic venue for sportsman Bush | AP | Ref's Comment: Some good photos here.
- McCain Takes No Vacation From Pummeling Obama | FNC
- Edwards Ex-Mistress Rules Out Paternity Test | FNC | Ref's Comment: If John Edwards is as sure as he suggests he is that this is not his child, then her refusal to allow the test is a cruel denial of Edward's request to clear his name. Of course, if Edwards knows he is the father then she's doing him the favor. Which scenario seems more likely?
- Georgia and Russia Nearing All-Out War | NYT
- Georgia Rails at Russia for 'Aggression,' Claims 'State of War' | FNC
- McCain Presses Argument That Obama Is Shallow Celeb | FNC
- Candidates take strikingly different positions on Georgia | Politico
- Presidential Candidates Call for End to Fighting in Georgia | FNC
- John Edwards Admits Sexual Affair; Lied as Presidential Candidate | ABC News
- (Radio) Interview with National Enquirer Reporter | Wash. Post
- Iraqis excited about Olympics, regret small team | Townhall
- Will Young Voters Turn Out for Obama | Nate Silver, NY Post
- Putin Makes His Move | Robert Kagan, Wash. Post | Ref's Comment: If this article is correct, it's hard to see how Obama can win this election.
- Will Russia Get Away With It? | William Kristol, NYT
- Why I also didn't write on John Edwards | Michael Calderone, Politico | Ref's Comment: Would journalistic standards have been as large a consideration if a Republican candidate's fidelity was at issue? The New York Times bogus story on a McCain affiar suggests that they would not.
- Independent voters | Wash. Times
- The War in Georgia Is a War for the West | Mikheil Saakashvili, WSJ
- An educated electorate | Nat Hentoff, Wash. Times
- Whose Democratic Party? | Wash. Times
- China's Olympic-size muzzle | Wash. Times
- Republican Energy Fumble | Kimberly A. Strassel, WSJ
Ref's Best Non-Political Stories
- Obese Men Face Twin Threat From Prostate Cancer | Wash. Post
- Bernie Mac: Two Sides, but One True Self | Wash. Post
- Stabbing incident alters Olympic course | Houston Chronicle
- 38 People in Venezuela Die After Being Bitten by Vampire Bats | FNC
- Whole Foods Recalls Beef Processed At Plant Long at Odds With USDA | Wash. Post
- American fatally stabbed in Beijing | Wash. Times
- Mexico Border City Fines U.S. Drivers Seeking Cheap Diesel | FNC
- Babies born 8/8/08 at 8:08; 8 pounds, 8 ounces | AP, Yahoo
- Whole Foods recalling possibly contaminated beef | AP, Yahoo