Skip navigation.
The Texas Blue
Advancing Progressive Ideas

Blogs

Iraq Prime Minister: Obama's Right

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki gave an interview with the famous German news weekly Der Spiegel yesterday where he named Barack Obama's 16-month withdrawal plan specifically as the "the right time frame for a withdrawal."

The Netroots Nation Halftime Show

There's a sort of trend in most multi-day conventions that can be seen as they progress. Every passing day, the crowds walking into the morning keynote tend to get a little thinner, their eyes a little blearier, their attention perhaps a little, well, less attentive. This is often worst on Saturday mornings, as folks are recovering from the full frontal assault of Friday night parties.

The Netroots Nation organizers, clever folks that they are, seem to have found the cure for that. No matter how bleary-eyed, nobody was going to miss the question-and-answer session this morning with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi — and if there was anyone still unimpressed, that quickly ended when Al Gore made a surprise appearance.

Netroots Nation

In case you've been living under a rock, Netroots Nation is well underway in Austin. I'm not there, but George is busy with some panel appearances and, no doubt, other high-octane netroots activities. He'll have some reports for you soon, but until then you can check out some great coverage from our friends at Burnt Orange Report, and see some great interviews from Talking Points Memo.

Another Bad Day for Banks

Within 24 hours, Merrill Lynch announced a $5 billion second quarter loss and Citigroup announced $2.5 billion in losses for the same period, along with heavy job cuts. It is hard out there for a bank.

Al Gore and the Energy Moonshot

Al Gore is calling for the United States to be producing carbon- and fossil-fuel-free electricity in ten years. As a guy who looks at political risk pretty closely, I'm of the same opinion that many people seem to be these days: the energy problems we have will only get worse, and they present serious security vulnerabilities for the United States. Gore's right on the money here, and his challenge is an exciting one.

The Money Race, Continued

In June, Barack Obama raised $52 million. They have $72 million cash on hand. I'm not the only one that has a problem wrapping my brain around those kinds of numbers, right?

It's (semi-)Official: Chris Bell for SD 17

The Associated Press got some choice words from the former gubernatorial candidate on his decision to run for the state Senate seat in District 17 being vacated by Kyle Janek. Bell says he'll be making the official announcement Sunday evening.

The RNC (Manufactured) Critical Issues Survey

The RNC and John McCain have sent out an email blast imploring everyone to fill out their "RNC Critical Issues Survey 2008". It is not so much a survey as a loyalty pledge and ideological map.

A Simple Request

Can someone please explain to me how you can, as president, do the following: 1) deny that any real economic trouble exists; and 2) blame that allegedly imaginary economic trouble on the Democratic Party? I was amazed by today's presidential press conference, and I think you will be, too.

Some Uncomfortable Questions

I am a big fan of Henry Waxman, and I specifically enjoy his work on the House Oversight committee. I knew that Homeland Security, as the newest department in town, was going through some growing pains, but I didn't expect it to become a focal point for Waxman at any time in the near future. And yet, yesterday's news tells us that is precisely what's happening in the wake of a cash-for-access scheme being uncovered.

Syndicate content