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February 10, 2012
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David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
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The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
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Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
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Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
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Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
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January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
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Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
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Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
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Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
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Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
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Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
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January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
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John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
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January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
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David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
April 30, 2007
/ 12 Iyar 5767
Dancing with the Dems
By
Clarence Page
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http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
Watching a presidential debate in the video age is a lot like watching a stock car race: Everyone says they're watching in order to learn something, when in fact they're waiting to see someone screw up in a spectacular way.
None of the eight Democrats in the first televised presidential debate of the 2008 race managed to destroy themselves. The frontrunners, in order of their standing in the polls, Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York, Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois and former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina, played it safe by avoiding direct confrontations with each other. The only ones who didn't play it safe were the long shots Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio and former Sen. Mike Gravel of Alaska. They had nothing to lose and therefore with refreshing shoot-from-the-lip candor said what they really think.
Kucinich, holding on to the left tip of the party's left wing, sounded his proud call for Vice President Cheney's impeachment. He was joined in his position by exactly none of the other candidates. His call for immediate withdrawal from Iraq found company with his fellow long shot, Gravel, whose prospects can be measured by the legions who responded to the mention of his name, as I did, with "Who's he?"
Yet he provided valuable comic relief and captured the tone of the evening when moderator Brian Williams of NBC asked Gravel why anyone should take his campaign seriously. He compared joining the race to his early days in the Senate. "You know the first time you get there you're all excited 'My God, how did I ever get here?' " he said. "And then, about six months later, you say, 'How the hell did the rest of them get here?' "
That's how I felt, as an impatient viewer, about every one of the eight who was not Clinton, Obama or Edwards. This was the first time for voters to compare the three frontrunners on the same stage, and I wanted to see them have at each other. That would be a real debate, which is precisely what candidates have tried to avoid having in the TV age. Too many opportunities for a car wreck.
Instead, the "second-tier" candidates, as the political commentators pundits call them because it sounds nicer than "also-rans," got a valuable opportunity to share the spotlight with the frontrunners. Beyond looking good and sounding smart, Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware, Sen. Christopher Dodd of Connecticut and Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico accomplished little more than to enhance their chances to be somebody's running mate.
That's because the frontrunners performed for the cameras like seasoned veterans of "American Idol" or "Dancing with the Stars." They strengthened their standing by hitting their marks and not tripping up. You could have called this show "Dancing with the Dems."
A particularly revealing example came after Williams fired a hypothetical zinger as to how each would respond after a catastrophic al-Qaida attack in two cities. Clinton responded like she's been thinking about that hypothetical for a while, as one would hope she has been. "I think a president must move as swiftly as is prudent to retaliate," she said. Once we determine who was behind the attack and what nations might have given material aid to the attackers, "I believe we should quickly respond," she said.
By contrast, Obama's directed his first words toward the need for a strong response by emergency teams and how a lack of that strong response spelled disaster for victims of Hurricane Katrina. I am sure that response played well to members of the Democratic base who care about taking care of the needy, but the question was about national defense. In a moment that called for a blood-stirring vow to avenge America against all attackers, he seemed to change the subject.
Fortunately for Obama and others who are vying to beat Clinton, this is only the first debate. As a warm-up, it served the frontrunners well. The long shot candidates made them look like moderates, which plays well with swing voters. Clinton sounded strong, knowledgeable and confident enough to restore many of those who want to vote for her but wonder whether she can win. Obama showed he could hold his own with the other contenders while he refines his policies and programs.
Edwards, who has staked out the most a detailed position on health care, showed his experience, too. If Obama or Hillary falter, he's waiting to move up. So far, the frontrunners haven't done much to hurt themselves. But it's early. Give them time.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
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