Free Republic

Stacey Abrams is running a less-than-subtle campaign to be Joe Biden’s vice-presidential running mate. Republicans should hope she succeeds. If selected, she would displace Sarah Palin as the least-qualified person ever to serve on a major-party ticket. Biden should understand this, because he saw firsthand how much damage Palin’s selection did to then-Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), the Republican presidential nominee in 2008. Preelection polls showed that 6 out of 10 Americans said Palin was not qualified for the job, and a Stanford University study found that she cost McCain more than 2 million votes.

It pains me to say it, but Donald Trump is right—the media is dishonest. Sure, there are some good journalists left on cable and in print, but, among the many revelations exposed by WikiLeaks, the alliance between supposedly neutral “analysts” and “journalists” with Hillary Clinton is one of the most jarring. Donna Brazile, a Democratic Party stalwart who became the first African American to run a presidential campaign during Al Gore’s 2000 run, was tapped in July to clean up the cloud of corruption Debbie Wasserman Schultz left at the DNC. . . . The only problem: Brazile herself was...

The Department of Homeland Security has announced it will be bringing it’s "If You See Something, Say Something™" campaign to hotel rooms across the nation. Guests checking in at reputable hotels like the Marriott and Hilton will be greeted by a message featuring Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano immediately upon turning on their televisions. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the "If You See Something, Say Something™" campaign was launched in July 2010, as a “simple and effective program to raise public awareness of indicators of terrorism and violent crime, and to emphasize the importance of reporting suspicious activity...

It's Friday in the East Wing of the Obama White House, the realm of first lady Michelle Obama. Many of the cream-colored walls are still bare. The Obama administration, after all, is just one month old. But there is a growing photo collection in the hallways that charts the increasing activity of the first lady in the last two weeks as she settles in to her new role and starts expanding her portfolio of issues. The newest item on her non-controversial agenda is healthy living. That's in addition to assisting military families, pushing work-family balance, national service, women's concerns and...

As the founder and sole member of the Sheldon Award Society, I am dedicated to identifying the worst college president of each academic year. So far the presidents or chancellors of Berkeley, Georgetown, DePaul, and countless other universities have copped the Sheldon. Somewhat mysteriously, none offered to resign. snip The last of our three finalists is president of Duke, Richard Brodhead. Because Michael Nifong made himself such a spectacular villain in the lacrosse case, Mr. Brodhead escaped without much criticism. But here is what Mr. Brodhead did: On hearing the first reports, he abruptly canceled the lacrosse season, suspended the...

Suherdjoko and Blontank Poer, The Jakarta Post, Magelang, Boyolali With Mt. Merapi spewing ash overnight, residents of three districts close to the Central Java volcano prepared Wednesday morning to evacuate. Nurjahid, a resident of Srumbung in the town of Magelang, one of the three districts along with Dukun and Sawangan, said residents were getting ready and increasing the frequency of patrols. "When we hear a gong repeatedly sound, we will run to safety," he said. Many residents have moved their belongings and livestock to safer places. Gito, 30, took his seven goats from Ngablak to another village some five kilometers...

Senator Hillary Clinton yesterday accused President George W. Bush of mishandling the threat from Iran while she's been accepting money from supporters of the renegade Iranian regime. Wealthy businessmen Hassan Nemazee and Faraj Aalaei who are associated with the American Iranian Council, a pro-regime, anti-sanctions group, are vocal Clinton supporters and contributors. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Namazee has contributed $4,000 to Clinton's reelection while Aalaei contributed $1,000. Insight Magazine, published by the Washington Times, describes their lobby this way: "the American-Iranian Council [AIC], a pro-regime lobbying group [are] trying to get Congress and the Bush administration to...

I commend Senator Boxer from California for joining with members of the House, most particularly Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs-Jones, in raising the objection because it does permit us to air some of these issues, something that I believe is necessary for the smooth functioning of our democracy and the integrity of the most precious right of any citizen, namely, the right to vote. As we look at our election system, I think it's fair to say that there are many legitimate questions about its accuracy, about its integrity, and they are not confined to the state of Ohio. They are questions...

Some Hillary supporters say the former first lady may not make a bid for the White House after all. Though initial polls show Sen. Clinton as the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination in 2008, U.S. News & World Report says Hillary may not seek the job. Paul Bedard's "Washington Whispers" column in the latest edition of U.S. news reports that ". . . some friends and allies advise against placing bets that the former first lady will be the nation's 44th president." Citing these close friends to Hillary, the magazine says Hillary has made no commitment to running, and some...

A GANG of oversized women shoplifters has been terrorising shopkeepers and supermarkets in the South African port city of Durban over the past two months, police said. The gang targeted stores in the city's crime-prone business district and diverted security staff with "commotion" while others packed their bags with goodies, Inspector Michael Read told AFP from Durban. "Size is a factor in that they use it to intimidate the staff," he said, adding that the women operated in gangs of between four and 10. "The modus operandi is that some of them pick up a mock fight or cause commotion...

For education and discussion only. Not for commercial use. TRENTON, N.J. -- After more than 30 years of farming, Wickie Hom knows how to spot a trend. And lately, his small farm has adjusted to a trend toward the East -- the Far East. On Hom's 150 acres in Englishtown, he grows bok choy instead of spinach, bitter melon instead of watermelon, mustard greens instead of lettuce. There's not an ear of Jersey corn to be found. Farmers in New Jersey are growing an increasing number of diverse crops as the region's Asian population swells and residents become attuned to...