The Daily Brief — Saturday, August 9, 2008
In today’s Daily Brief… the price of oil dips, the Euro declines, McCain plays offense, and Krugman publishes another inanity.
THE GOOD…
Oil prices slide beneath $114
AFP
Crude prices continued their dizzying spiral down on Friday, shedding nearly four dollars to trade below 114 dollars a barrel as the US currency strengthened amid concerns about energy demand, dealers said… more»
It’s Simple: Drill and Conserve
RealClearPolitics · Charles Krauthammer
Let’s see: housing meltdown, credit crunch, oil shock not seen since the 1970s. The economy is slowing, unemployment growing and inflation increasing. It’s the sixth year of a highly unpopular war and the president’s approval rating is at 30 percent. The Italian Communist Party could win this election. The American Democratic Party is trying its best to lose it… more»
Euro Falls the Most in 8 Years on Reduced Bets for Higher Rate
Bloomberg · Ye Xie and Anchalee Worrachate
The euro fell the most in almost eight years against the dollar as traders pared bets the European Central Bank will raise interest rates as the economy slows… more»
Political Cycles
The Wall Street Journal · Peggy Noonan
For the first time the idea began to take hold that John McCain can win this thing. You saw the USA Today-Gallup poll this week, with Mr. McCain gaining six points since late June among those Gallup dubbed likely voters. Mr. McCain took the lead, 49% to 45%. Among registered voters, it’s still Barack Obama, 47% to 44%. A poll came out saying people are tired of hearing about Mr. Obama. Mr. McCain took the lead in YouTube hits. Small stuff, and there will be a lot of twists and turns before this is over, but there’s movement down there beneath the crust of the Earth… more»
McCain contrasts celeb Obama with average Americans
Politico · Jonathan Martin
Continuing its portrayal of Barack Obama as a lofty celebrity, John McCain’s campaign is going on the air today with a new ad that juxtaposes images of the Democrat as a rock star with claims that he wants to impose fiscal hardships on workaday Americans… more»
Obama’s Winning, But Not By Much
RealClearPolitics · Michael Gerson
There is now one question in American politics: With the Republican Party in such bad shape — measured by polls, voter registration and general enthusiasm — why isn’t Barack Obama in better shape?… more»
THE BAD…
There Won’t Be ‘Peace’ Without Democracy
The Wall Street Journal · Natan Sharansky and Bassem Eid
A tragic peace process turned to farce last weekend. After bloody clashes between Hamas and Fatah loyalists in the Gaza strip killed 11 Palestinians and injured 120 more, nearly 200 Palestinians associated with Fatah sought asylum in Israel. Some have been transferred to the West Bank cities of Jericho and Ramallah, where they are now under the jurisdiction of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas… more»
…AND THE UGLY!
John Edwards’ fellow Democrats see silence as a bad move
Daily News · Celeste Katz
Big-name Democrats don’t know if John Edwards really has a love child - but some think he’s definitely got a problem. For two weeks since renewed but unproven reports that he fathered an illegitimate daughter appeared in the National Enquirer, Edwards has kept silent other than to denounce “tabloid trash.” Bad move, party pros say: His role at the Democratic convention, just 17 days away - and his political future - are now in peril… more»
Edwards Admits Sexual Affair; Lied as Presidential Candidate
ABC News · Rhonda Schwartz and Brian Ross
John Edwards repeatedly lied during his Presidential campaign about an extramarital affair with a novice filmmaker, the former Senator admitted to ABC News today… more»
Statement of Senator John Edwards
Politico · John Edwards
In 2006, I made a serious error in judgment and conducted myself in a way that was disloyal to my family and to my core beliefs. I recognized my mistake and I told my wife that I had a liaison with another woman, and I asked for her forgiveness. Although I was honest in every painful detail with my family, I did not tell the public. When a supermarket tabloid told a version of the story, I used the fact that the story contained many falsities to deny it. But being 99% honest is no longer enough… more»
Know-Nothing Politics
The New York Times · Paul Krugman
So the G.O.P. has found its issue for the 2008 election. For the next three months the party plans to keep chanting: “Drill here! Drill now! Drill here! Drill now! Four legs good, two legs bad!” O.K., I added that last part. And the debate on energy policy has helped me find the words for something I’ve been thinking about for a while. Republicans, once hailed as the “party of ideas,” have become the party of stupid… more»
You know, I have to tell you, I really enjoy this blog and the insight from everyone who participates. I find it to be refreshing and very informative. I wish there were more blogs like it. Anyway, I felt it was about time I posted, I