A Spork in the Drawer

Everything Old Is Old Again

2008-05-20T15:00:14-04:00

What could be more mavericky than supporting a continuation of a policy that has been a failure for 50 years?

Obama suggested that he would support lifting the embargo on Cuba when he ran for the U.S. Senate in 2003 but now says it should stay in place. He does, however, favor talking to the communist government and allowing Cuban Americans to travel freely to the island in hopes of instigating democratic reforms.
''These steps would send the worst possible signal to Cuba's dictators -- there is no need to undertake fundamental reforms, they can simply wait for a unilateral change in U.S. policy,'' McCain said. ``I believe we should give hope to the Cuban people, not to the Castro regime.

Kevin asks rhetorically, "For a guy of McCain's age, I guess that half a century of failure is just the blink of an eye. So why not give it another half century?" Or 100 years. That's more McCain's style.

And another point worth noting: The original batch of Batista-istas have pretty much died off; even if their children carried the torch on the subsequent generations mostly consider themselves to be - gasp! - Americans. That is, the "Cuba Card" is rapidly losing its resonance. Via Steve Benen, Michael Tomasky notes:

[I]n electoral terms, it makes them think that Obama has thrown away Florida, home of a large, conservative Cuban-American community. But Florida's Latino population is no longer majority-Cuban. And just this month, the news broke that more Latinos in Florida are Democrats than Republicans - a major historical shift. Could it be that Obama is on to something?

Could be. And if Obama's stance prevails it would be a welcome change.

Ted Kennedy

2008-05-20T13:57:36-04:00

Malignant brain tumor.

Math Is Hard!

2008-05-20T09:56:19-04:00

The Barbie™ ethos in action.

Oy.

The New Gucci Gulch*

2008-05-20T09:22:19-04:00

The WaPo takes a look at Straightalk McMaverick's lobbyist problem:

Over the past week, McCain has publicly purged his ranks of several advisers who have lobbied for countries and corporations in an attempt to retain his reputation as a reformer on questions of ethics and influence in Washington. But several former lobbyists, including campaign manager Rick Davis and political strategist Charles R. Black Jr., remain as top advisers.
[...]

On Sunday, the new rules ensnared McCain's top finance chief, former congressman Tom Loeffler (Tex.), who became the fifth adviser to publicly leave the campaign because of ties to lobbying or outside political groups. Former senator Phil Gramm (Tex.), another top McCain adviser, officially delisted himself as a registered lobbyist on April 18 so that he could stay with the campaign, records show.

The policy leaves in place Davis and Black, both of whom have had lucrative careers as lobbyists and campaign operatives. Black said he has retired as a partner at BKSH & Associates, a Washington lobbying firm. A spokeswoman said Davis has taken a complete leave of absence from Davis Manafort, his lobbying firm. Both are "in compliance" with McCain's new policy, the campaign said.

This would be the same Charlie Black who lobbies from the "Straightalk Express" itself. I guess that's "in compliance" with with the new policy.

I spoke too soon:

McCain's policy leaves the door open to lobbyists who serve as volunteers as long as they do not lobby him or his staff. Several who were contacted Monday said they are "in compliance" with the policy, including Bonilla and fundraiser Wayne Berman, a lobbyist with Ogilvy Government Relations.

Of course, all of those lobbyist "volunteers" could end up running parts of the federal government in a McCain administration. That's pretty enticing.

Top aides said the idea is to ensure that McCain is not distracted by controversies surrounding his advisers and fundraisers.

Mission accomplished!

"The most interesting thing in every campaign is the self-inflicted wound. This is a great case," said one GOP fundraiser, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss McCain's campaign decisions candidly.

I reckon we'll be seeing many more self-inflicted wounds. Yay!

They noted that "just a few years ago when Barack Obama was beginning his career in politics he was launching it at the home of William Ayers, an unrepentant domestic terrorist who his chief strategist said Senator Obama was certainly friendly with."

That's a really peachy non-sequitor. And it indicates that they don't have a good response.

Hit 'em again, Barack!

*A blast from the past.

Headline Of The Day

2008-05-20T08:19:08-04:00

Bush and McCain's Awkward Embrace

"Awkward"? Looks rather loving to me:

Please Welcome The New Japanese Amabassador

2008-05-20T08:11:19-04:00

(AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)

Well, sorta.

Monday Poll

2008-05-19T00:01:00-04:00

A Bit Of Nanna Hänninen

2008-05-18T10:40:51-04:00

New Graffitti #1 (Churchyard), 2005

nannahanninen.com

Saturday Palate Cleanser

2008-05-17T13:59:24-04:00

Because I'll be seeing him this Thursday:

Hope For The Best

2008-05-17T13:40:32-04:00

Sen. Ted Kennedy

A Short Break

2008-05-16T15:09:36-04:00

Everybody's written what I would have written any way so why be redundant?

Normal weekend features remain scheduled and my regular brilliant insights will return Tuesday.

I Got Nuthin'

2008-05-14T09:04:59-04:00