08 Campaign

Precedent George Bush

Chris Weigant | Posted 06.25.2008 | Politics


Chris Weigant

Bush's term in office will be remembered for the precedents it set, particularly in relation to the presidential power, and the separation of powers between the three branches of U.S. government.

Friday Talking Points [36] -- End The Media's Pro-McCain Bias! Now!!

Chris Weigant | Posted 06.20.2008 | Media


Chris Weigant

McCain has joked that the media is "his base" of support. It was a funny line, but there is a truth at its core: the media has been hard on Obama but unbelievably light on McCain. And this has to stop. Now.

Where Is Hillary On The Campaign Trail?

Chris Weigant | Posted 06.18.2008 | Politics


Chris Weigant

Hillary Clinton needs to start making some campaign appearances for Barack Obama and get on board the bandwagon in order to help this process along.

Obama Should Go North To Alaska

Chris Weigant | Posted 06.16.2008 | Politics


Chris Weigant

Alaska is going to be very close this year. This stems from Republican office-holders apparently trying to take the "first in political corruption" award away from Louisiana.

Friday Talking Points [35] -- Tim Russert Memorial Edition

Chris Weigant | Posted 06.13.2008 | Politics


Chris Weigant

Nobody seriously annoyed me this week, but I will launch a pre-emptive finger-wagging, to anyone on the left who can't resist the urge to be disrespectful of Tim Russert's memory right now.

The 269-269 Electoral Tie Scenario

Chris Weigant | Posted 06.11.2008 | Politics


Chris Weigant

So what would happen if the Electoral College tied? Well, it goes to the House of Representatives. And since the Democrats have an advantage in the House, you'd think "President Obama." But you'd be wrong.

Interview With Al Franken

Chris Weigant | Posted 06.06.2008 | Politics


Chris Weigant

For all the people who scoffed at the idea of a former comedian running for such a high public office, it can now be strongly stated that Al Franken's Senate campaign is definitely no joke.

Hillary Supporters: Which Side Are You On?

Chris Weigant | Posted 06.04.2008 | Politics


Chris Weigant

Every time I visit an unabashedly pro-Hillary website and read the comments posted thereon, I keep thinking: Which side are you on?

What A Long, Strange Primary Trip It's Been

Chris Weigant | Posted 06.02.2008 | Politics


Chris Weigant

Rather than a Vince Lombardi halftime pep talk about giving 110% in the second half, I'd like to review where we've been so far. This will be my final "picks" article for 2008.

Friday Talking Points [34] -- General Election Preview

Chris Weigant | Posted 05.30.2008 | Politics


Chris Weigant

As the primary election season sinks slowly in the West (South Dakota and Montana, to be exact), we turn our eyes (finally!) to the general election c...

Friday Talking Points [33] -- If It Quacks Like A Lame Duck...

Chris Weigant | Posted 05.23.2008 | Politics


Chris Weigant

President George W. Bush, asked in a press conference why Republicans in the House and Senate are increasingly defying him, proven by the fact that do...

Interview With Political Science Professor Kenneth Janda

Chris Weigant | Posted 05.21.2008 | Politics


Chris Weigant

Last Thanksgiving, I took a vacation from the blog and (while I was gone) I ran a series of speech transcripts from all eight of the Democratic candid...

A Feel-Good Moment: Ed Rollins Hears "Death Knell" For GOP

Chris Weigant | Posted 05.19.2008 | Politics


Chris Weigant

John McCain "can't win" if he's seen as "the Bush third term" -- this, from a Republican?

Friday Talking Points [32] -- Democrats Throw Bush A Few Elbows

Chris Weigant | Posted 05.16.2008 | Politics


Chris Weigant

Borah Peak, at 12,662 feet high, is the highest point in Idaho. [That may sound like a strange place to begin this column, but please bear with me.] I...

Democratic Landslide In November?

Chris Weigant | Posted 05.14.2008 | Politics


Chris Weigant

[Those of you who prefer "all cynicism all the time" should just skip this column, since I'm about to get blisteringly optimistic here. You have been...

New Rule For Uncommitted Superdelegates

Chris Weigant | Posted 05.12.2008 | Politics


Chris Weigant

With sincere apologies to Bill Maher for stealing his schtick, I have a new rule. My new rule is for uncommitted Democratic superdelegates. The rule ...

Friday Talking Points [31] -- Time To Beat McCain

Chris Weigant | Posted 05.09.2008 | Politics


Chris Weigant

Now that that's all over with, can we please focus on beating John McCain? Virtually everyone (with the possible exception of Hillary Clinton -- I gue...

August 28th -- A Good Date For Historic Speeches

Chris Weigant | Posted 05.07.2008 | Politics


Chris Weigant

August 28th will be the final day of the Democratic National Convention. Unless Hillary Clinton soon acquires the ability to perform miracles, the nominee giving the acceptance speech is going to be Barack Obama.

My Primary Picks -- "The Road Goes On Forever" Edition

Chris Weigant | Posted 05.05.2008 | Politics


Chris Weigant

"The road goes on forever and the party never ends."--Robert Earl Keen   Tomorrow is yet another primary day in the Democratic presidential nomin...

Friday Talking Points [30] -- "Mainstream Media Out To Lunch" Edition

Chris Weigant | Posted 05.02.2008 | Politics


Chris Weigant

If every port on the West Coast of the United States of America was shut down because of a terrorist threat, do you think it would make the news? So d...

A Challenge To John McCain: Buy Your Own Health Insurance

Chris Weigant | Posted 04.30.2008 | Politics


Chris Weigant

I challenge McCain to be the first to do what he is asking all Americans to do: give up his employer-based health care, and purchase his own health insurance on the open market.

299 Superdelegates On The Wall...

Chris Weigant | Posted 04.28.2008 | Politics


Chris Weigant

Since Super Tuesday, every time Hillary picks up one superdelegate, Obama picks up three. If this continues, he is going to pass her very soon, and gain the lead in superdelegates.

Friday Talking Points [29] -- Pennsylvania Fallout

Chris Weigant | Posted 04.25.2008 | Politics


Chris Weigant

It was a telling sign that neither Democratic candidate saw fit to visit Punxsutawney before the Pennsylvania primary. Nobody wanted the press to rem...

House Republicans Overwhelmingly Desert Bush On Medicaid Rules

Chris Weigant | Posted 04.23.2008 | Politics


Chris Weigant

For an election-year issue, this is hard to beat. Which is obviously why two-thirds of House Republicans jumped ship from Bush's position.

Place Your Bets! Call Pennsylvania And The Nomination

Chris Weigant | Posted 04.21.2008 | Politics


Chris Weigant

Since we've got a primary tomorrow, it's (once again) time to "put up or shut up," and make a prediction for Pennsylvania. Plus, since it's also appr...