Do Americans understand our principles?
By DAVID BRODER - Thursday, July 3, 2008WASHINGTON -- The ideas that define this country are found in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, as amplified by Supreme Court decisions and statutes in subsequent years. Those ideas have been tested in crisis and in war. What disturbs scholars in a new report is the evidence that our generation is failing to educate the next one on the essentials of the American experiment.
'Dumbing-down': Presidents serving us simplistic speeches
By DAVID BRODER - Sunday, June 29, 2008
WASHINGTON --
In a slim book titled “The Anti-Intellectual Presidency,” scholar Elvin T. Lim argues that the real problem is not the increased quantity of words coming out of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. but the sharp decline in content—especially of logical argument.
Congressional safe havens work to suppress votes
By DAVID BRODER - Thursday, June 26, 2008
WASHINGTON --
Gerrymandered, one-party districts tend to send highly partisan representatives to the House or the legislature, contributing to the gridlock in government that is so distasteful to voters. This week, another count was added to the indictment, with a report from the Democratic Leadership Conference titled “Gerrymandering the Vote.”
It makes the point that these rigged districts have the effect of suppressing the vote.
Two strategic moves could trouble Obama
By DAVID BRODER - Sunday, June 22, 2008WASHINGTON -- A pair of strategy decisions made in the last two weeks could prove troublesome for Barack Obama. The first was Obama’s turning down McCain’s invitation to join him in a series of town hall meetings, where they would appear together and answer questions from real voters—without a formal agenda, press panel or professional interviewers.
Biden, Lugar lead focus on foreign affairs
By DAVID BRODER - Thursday, June 19, 2008
WASHINGTON --
Despite all the static in the political atmosphere, Sens. Joseph Biden and Richard Lugar left me believing that there is hope of overcoming the divisive legacy of the past six years—in large part because of the work these two have done together to prepare the way.
Russert's death leaves large void
By DAVID BRODER - Monday, June 16, 2008
WASHINGTON --
When Tim Russert took over “Meet the Press” in 1991, we didn’t know what kind of a journalist Tim would be—or even if he were serious about being one. It didn’t take long to figure out that he would be one of the best—and most fearless—in the business.
Ross Perot returns with charts showing dire finances
By DAVID BRODER - Sunday, June 15, 2008WASHINGTON -- In recent weeks, when I have found myself in conversations with David Walker and other economists who know how grim the long-term budget picture really is, I have mused aloud, “We need Ross Perot back.” Turns out, he was quietly preparing his return.
Some day, some woman will reach the White House
By DAVID BRODER - Thursday, June 12, 2008WASHINGTON -- Being Hillary Clinton, the candidate is unbowed. She has not allowed herself to indulge the self-pity or voice the bitterness heard too often from her husband. She fell a couple hundred delegate votes short of wresting the nomination from Obama, but, she said, look at what she did achieve.
Clinton drama overhyped nonsense
By DAVID BRODER - Sunday, June 8, 2008WASHINGTON -- It's pretty obvious what was the most overhyped political story of the past week. The honors clearly go to the Hillary Clinton drama.
Obama enjoys great political ride
By DAVID BRODER - Thursday, June 5, 2008WASHINGTON -- From Iowa in January through South Dakota and Montana in June, Barack Obama has enjoyed one of the great rides in American political history, breaking precedents and setting records along the way.
Presidential race not satisfying the myth-makers
By DAVID BRODER - Sunday, June 1, 2008WASHINGTON -- As dramatic as the contests have been for the Democratic and Republican presidential nominations, they have not been enough to satisfy the myth-makers. With the general election imminent, the fiction writers in both parties insist on versions of the battle that bear little resemblance to reality.
Obama paralleling Carter’s rise—and risks
By DAVID BRODER - Thursday, May 29, 2008WASHINGTON -- A year after Jimmy Carter lost his re-election race to Ronald Reagan, Hamilton Jordan, his former White House chief of staff, sat down for a lengthy interview with scholars at the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
Speculation season: Who would make the best running mates?
By DAVID BRODER - Sunday, May 25, 2008
WASHINGTON --
I am as addicted to the speculation about vice presidential choices as anyone. So, when the McCain campaign announced last week that he would be entertaining former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, my imagination cranked into overdrive.
Why so many feel so strongly about the news on Sen. Kennedy
By DAVID BRODER - Wednesday, May 21, 2008WASHINGTON -- In his 46 years in the Senate, Kennedy has probably touched more people, in more cherished ways, than any other public figure. And his illness threatens to alter, for the worse, the prospects of every other politician—starting with Barack Obama and John McCain.
If Obama can earn trust of voters, McCain faces tough road to White House
By DAVID BRODER - Sunday, May 18, 2008
WASHINGTON --
If Barack Obama can make it past the credibility threshold, as Ronald Reagan did, a happy prospect awaits him. The voters clearly are ready to expand the Democratic numbers in the House and Senate.
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