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Hillary Rodham Clinton was asked this summer if she would describe herself as a “liberal.” The Democratic front-runner shied away, saying the “word” — noticeably not using the word — has taken on a connotation that “describes big government. “I prefer the word ‘progressive,’” she said. It has a “real American meaning.” Then she expanded the term to “modern progressive,” and, finally, clarified that she was a “modern American progressive.” These are heady days for Democrats. The party is favored by almost all measures in the coming presidential contest. But while Democrats are emboldened, they remain wary of the term...

The story isn't that the Democrats finally took on Hillary Clinton. Nor is it that they were gentlemanly to the point of gingerly and tentative. There was an air of "Please, somebody kill her for me so I can jump in and show high minded compassion at her plight!" Barack Obama, with his elegance and verbal fluency really did seem like that great and famous political figure from his home state of Illinois--Adlai Sevenson, who was not at all hungry, not at all mean, and operated at a step removed from the grubby game. Mr. Obama is like someone who...

BEGIN TRANSCRIPT RUSH: Mrs. Clinton got the next question from Bill Maher. "Senator Clinton, all the Senators here except Senator Obama voted for the Iraq war resolution in 2002 saying their decision was based on intelligence they believed to be accurate at the time. In other words, George Bush fooled you. Why should Americans vote for somebody who can be fooled by George Bush?" HILLARY: (Cackling). Well, Bill, it was a little more complicated than that. I sought out expert opinions from a wide variety of sources, people inside and outside the government, people in my husband's administration, and I...

Forbes also noted that voters should look at the effect of Giuliani's policies while in office. "Thanks to Giuliani's success on welfare reform, where rolls were cut 60%, the abortion rate in New York City fell faster than the national average," Forbes said. "Rudy may be pro-choice -- and I happen to be pro-life -- but the policies he pursued help the pro-life cause."In an interview yesterday, publishing mogul and former Republican Presidential candidate Steve Forbes elaborated on his endorsement last week of Rudy Giuliani for President. In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, Forbes said Giuliani was the "real fiscal...

It's time for John McCain to go under the microscope. There is a quote from his past on the issue of abortion that raises questions as to just how committed McCain is when it comes to supporting the repeal of Roe vs. Wade. This is welcome news to Mitt Romney, who, so far, has been the only candidate under the microscope for his past statements on abortion and would like nothing better than McCain to be seen as a flip flopper. It may be a tough sell but there is some potential data to consider. McCain has always said he...

LANDSTUHL, Germany — U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton said on Monday that Afghanistan has made some progress, but the country is “tottering” and needs more troops to finish off Taliban and al-Qaida forces. Clinton, D-N.Y., was in Germany on Monday with Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., and U.S. Rep. John McHugh, R-N.Y., after traveling to Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan over the weekend. The congressional delegation met with wounded servicemembers at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and Ramstein Air Base before heading back to the United States. “I’m encouraged by the progress in Afghanistan, but Afghanistan is tottering,” Clinton said. “We’ve got to...

Israel's air attack on Qana on July 30 resulted in the death of 37 children. Hezbelloh has been accused on using civilians, including children, as human shields. The Israeli government claims that the death of innocent children was a "tragic mistake." Regardless of the underlying facts, 37 precious children are dead. Victims of non-ending war in the Middle East. Media images of those dead and mutilated children are haunting reminders of the horror of war and the carnage visited upon the most innocent and vulnerable among us. Seeing dead and suffering children also brings to mind the stern warning issued...

We all know and understand that budget management and leadership requires flexibility, common sense and cooperation. Representing common principles and conviction, Republicans and Democrats were elected to positions of trust and have sworn to serve their constituents. Somehow, many in Sacramento have forgotten their pledges, or ignored them altogether. I am speaking about our state budget fiasco, irresponsibility and double talk we have sadly grown accustomed to. We all remember the golden “surplus years” in California. California Republican Governors have historically; overcome huge and impossible budget deficits. They proceeded to prepare for the future and to protect a golden surplus...

Questioned about the national debate over ''intelligent design,'' [Florida] Gov. Jeb Bush last week said he's more interested in seeing some evolution of the science standards that Florida public school students must meet. He wants those standards to become more rigorous -- and raising the standards should take priority over discussing whether intelligent design has a place in the public schools' curriculum, he said. Nationally, the discussion over whether to teach intelligent design -- a concept that says life is too complex to have occurred without the involvement of a higher force -- in public school classes heated up after...

Now for the pause that refreshes. George W. Bush is off to China, where with a little luck he'll hear nary a discouraging word and the skies will be cloudy for only part of the day. He let the Democrats have the other barrel of double-ought buckshot just as he left on the long flight to Asia, reprising the harsh rhetoric of last week targeting critics for sending mixed signals to both the troops and to an enemy that needs no encouraging. "Reasonable people can disagree about the conduct of the war," he said, "but it is irresponsible for Democrats...

I am the odd loner in my community who enjoys hearing tales of our American founding fathers, our heroes and was always completely fascinated by the letter of Sullivan Ballou by the civil war, the human struggle for an ideal they, themselves perhaps know little of... I would not go into detail what promted me to write this, perhaps I needed a channel to spout out my intense discomfort after having to constantly listen to and deal with professors in my college and their utter hypocrisy. I Love this country, I love it personally. I love the people; I love...

A Mozilla Foundation employee has lashed out at Opera Software for claiming it won a best-browser award, saying the award was actually won by open-source browser Firefox. Opera sent out a press release last week claiming it had been named the best Web browser by technology magazine PC World. "A winning streak: Opera once again wins PC World's World Class Award for best Web browser," according to the release. A few days later, Asa Dotzler, an employee at the Mozilla Foundation, claimed that PC World had named Firefox as the best browser. "Firefox not only won the coveted Product of...

The administration is crunching numbers like crazy, but it can't obscure the giant holes being created We are now about to see the Bush administration carry out some maneuvers with respect to the budget level for this year that will call to mind an NFL quarterback being chased by three or four vicious linemen wanting to sack him, and break some bones as well, if possible. The problem for President Bush, with his inauguration and State of the Union speeches coming up, is this: During the campaign, sincerely or insincerely, he pledged to do something about the soaring budget deficit,...

The Two Johns: So What Do You Want for Lunch? (election levity) Written by Gregory Borse Sunday, October 17, 2004 A new reality television series is being launched by Al Gore's fledgling cable channel. Titled ''The Two Johns,'' the series will capture the riveting behind-the-scenes action as two rich, white liberals plot their run for the White House during the 2004 presidential campaign. While the series is still in production, a special screening of previously filmed footage was made available to the press for review. Here's a snip: John: ''So what do you want for lunch?'' John: ''You know, we...

I apologize for the vanity. I was reading a CNN review of the debates. If the quote they attribute to Kerry is correct, then it is a smoking-gun bombshell. During the repartee regarding Supreme Court appointments, did sKerry really say "I would look for someone who would interpret the Constitution according to the law" Excuse me?!?!Ah, Lurch, it is supposed be the other way around.Can this be confirmed????Semper Curious

"I voted for the war, before I voted against it," John Kerry admitted. Fast forward to the Larry King show and Kerry admitted that he was not yet briefed on national security issues. Kerry stated that he was too busy for a national security briefing. "Well, I haven't been briefed yet, Larry. They have offered to brief me. I just haven't had time," Kerry explained. Then, last week, there was some talk in Washington about the possibility of postponing the presidential election in case of a significant terrorist attack on the United States. Suddenly, Kerry found the time to make...

By now I'm sure you've heard of www.democraticunderground.com ... a website where your Democrat neighbors can go to trade ideas and thoughts about this year's election. One of our alert listeners lifted a few postings on this website that I thought you might enjoy. Here, my friends, are your loving, compassionate Democratic neighbors at work. Why don't we all sit back and let them chose our next president ... waddaya say? Here's the first post: As we've heard again and again recently, if we are going to beat this bunch of rule breaking GOP misanthropes, we're going to have to...

Freepers, You can help give Bush an early advantage in the general election with his near-certain opponent, Howard Dean. Over the last few days, I've put together a feature called "Dean vs. Dean" which shows what it would sound like if Howard Dean debated himself. All the quotes are taken directly from Howard Dean himself (all quotes are followed by their source to validate their origins). It's a humorous read. Here's what we can do: create an e-mail campaign where we get this piece out to as many people as possible. Please forward it to your friends, family - even...

<p>Evidence that Russia has sold advanced weapons to Iraq in recent months is a serious accusation against a putative ally of America. But, it should come as no surprise. While posing as a key ally ever since September 11, Vladimir Putin's Russia has covertly, but systematically, counteracted American national interests in the Middle East, as well as in Central and Northeast Asia. The Bush administration has been aware of Russia's actions, but downplayed rather than confronting them to keep relations at a good level. It is now time to re-evaluate Russia's role in American foreign policy and to end a potentially counterproductive policy of appeasement.</p>