So far, none of the Republican candidates for President have addressed the NAACP or other major African American institutions. Now, we all know why they used to address them. The Republicans knew they weren’t going to get an endorsement from the NAACP, but they could reassure suburban white voters that they at least cared enough about minorities to speak to them. In other words, they were trying to assure suburban white voters that they weren’t racist.

I know we live in Texas, home of the free and land of the terrified of government, but I think it might be time to acknowledge that we live in a big state.

The term shonda is a highly evocative one in Yiddish. Basically, it means that something is a shame, but it confers a lot more than that. It means that someone's actions disgrace not only himself but his family and all those that associate with him.

Hit ‘em where they ain’t. It’s a time honored axiom for combat, sports, marketing, and politics. It means that you should attack an opponent where they’re at their weakest.

John Cornyn, to the surprise of no one here, opposes affordable health care for poor children.

A year ago, I went on an adventure through the Texas public health care system.

Everyone on our side of the aisle has heard them: Republican accusations that we don't support our troops. I have a question for my right-wing counterparts: what does supporting our troops mean?

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is surrounded by political enemies these days. The recently released report commissioned by the Israeli legislative assembly on Israel's war with Hezbollah guerillas in Lebanon during the summer of 2006 declares that the war effort was politically mismanaged and that the Israeli cause was lost. Olmert and his defense minister were highly criticized for hasty decisions and a lack of vision.

The Edwards family has some fairly tough expectations to live up to. They dealt with political defeat and life changing illness within a 24 hour period and did it with grace and strength. They've lived through the loss of a child with caring, love, and courage. How does a family live up to that legacy?

The Democrats are letting their power slip away. The White House and Congress are striking a deal so that Karl Rove and Harriet Miers can testify before Congress regarding the Federal Prosecutor firings. The White House is willing to let them be interviewed, but is being intractable about their not giving testimony under oath. Senator Schumer (D, NY) has stated that this doesn’t mean “we’re not going to try.”