Palin: Obama “palling around with terrorists.”
This is what happens when you don’t have anything substantive to run on, I guess.
Month: October 2008
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A recommendation
I keep meaning to link to the blog of Steven Waldman, the editor-in-chief of Beliefnet and author of a recent book on the religion of the Founders. Waldman offers thoughtful and even-handed commentary, usually focusing on the intersection of religion and politics. In other words: not like most blogs.
So there–I’ve linked to it.
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Re-thinking free trade
You should check out this TNR piece by Chris Hayes, Washington editor of the Nation (and friend of this blog). Chris talked to a bunch of economists from across the political spectrum and noted a distinct sea change in attitudes toward free trade agreements (FTA). In essence: FTAs provide a measureable, though slight, increase in a country’s wealth but tend to redistribute those gains upward. Also, economists are coming around to the need for more robust measures to compensate the “losers” and to ameliorate the widening gap between the rich and everyone else.
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Veep blogging
I don’t know that I have any unique perspective to add to the Biden-Palin debate. I think the c.w. is more or less correct that Palin avoided disaster–largely by sidestepping the questions and sticking to McCain campaign talking points (tax cuts! victory! maverick!). Probably not enough to turn the campaign around, but it may have solidified some wavering Republicans. Also: the cutesy-folksy stuff drives me up a wall (winking at the camera!).
Biden did well–he kept himself in check and on message. Loved that he made the point about the unitary executive and Cheney being the most dangerous VP in American history (though wouldn’t Aaron Burr have given him a run for his money?). I disagree with a lot of what Biden says about foreign policy, but it’s clear that he knows what he’s talking about (unlike the governor, who was at her weakest here).
Like a number of people said, nobody votes on the VP debate, and there were no major gaffes or zingers. The McCain campaign is still losing ground. They thought they got a “game-changer” (can we retire that phrase already?) with Palin, but at this point merely avoiding catastrophe is what passes as a victory for them.
A Thinking Reed 