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February 10, 2012
Lisa M. Krieger: Man with defibrillator demands access to his own heart's information
David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
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Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
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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February 6, 2012
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Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
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
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
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
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
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
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
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'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
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
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
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
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
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
Nov. 9, 2009
/ 22 Mar-Cheshvan 5770
Centrist Dems beware
By
Jack Kelly
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http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
WHY should I die on this hill he's chosen?
If you were a cavalryman with Custer at the Little Big Horn on the afternoon of June 25, 1876, it was a little late to be asking this question.
But if you're one of the 84 Democrats who represent districts carried either by George W. Bush in 2004 or John McCain last year, the time to ponder this is before casting a potential career- terminating vote on health-care "reform."
The gubernatorial elections Tuesday in Virginia and New Jersey Tuesday were, for Democrats in swing districts, either a nightmare or a wake-up call, depending upon their state of wakefulness.
In Virginia, a "purple" state Barack Obama won by 7 percentage points last fall, Republican Bob McDonnell crushed Democrat Creigh Deeds by nearly 18 points.
In New Jersey, a deep "blue" state Mr. Obama won by 15 percentage points, Republican Chris Christie ousted incumbent Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine (who outspent him by more than three to one), 49 percent to 45 percent, with independent Chris Daggett winning 6 percent.
The White House says both races were decided by local factors, that neither should be seen as a referendum on the President or his policies.
But you, swing-district Democrat, you know that's just spin. You recall that four years ago, when Democrats won the gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey, Rahm Emmanuel, now the White House chief of staff, heralded them as the beginnings of a national trend toward the Democrats (which they turned out to be).
Mr. Corzine was arguably the most unpopular governor in the country, quite capable of losing in a heavily Democratic state all by himself. In the end, that's what I think happened. Mr. Obama shouldn't be blamed for his defeat.
But Mr. Obama didn't help. He campaigned hard for Mr. Corzine, appearing with him three times in the final two weeks of the campaign. Mr. Corzine lost by a slightly larger margin than he was trailing in polls at the time the President began his campaign push.
So if you get in trouble with your constituents, swing-district Democrat, can you count on the President to bail you out? The evidence from New Jersey suggests no. But it's the results in Virginia that more greatly concern you. That' s because the Old Dominion is a swing state, like the district you represent.
Mr. Deeds had been sinking like a stone in the polls for a month and the White House publicly washed its hands of him two weeks before the election. Mr. Deeds was losing, two "senior White House officials" told the Washington Post, because he didn't tie himself closely enough to the President and his policies.
Whatever Mr. Deeds' shortcomings might be, he wasn't the only Democrat in Virginia who suffered. For the first time in modern history, one party, the GOP, now controls all statewide offices. And the Republicans gained six seats in the House of Delegates, to take a 59-39 edge. Two independents usually vote with the GOP.
The economy was the biggest concern for voters in New Jersey and Virginia, according to exit polls. But in Virginia health care was the second-largest issue.
Three freshmen Democrats were elected in Virginia last year. In the 2nd district, Glenn Nye won by 5 percentage points. Mr. McDonnell won there by 24 points Tuesday. In the 5th, Tom Perriello won by two-tenths of 1 percentage point. Mr. McDonnell won there by 22 points. In the 11th, Gerry Connolly won by 12 points, Mr. McDonnell by 10. And in the 9th, represented since 1982 by Democrat Rick Boucher, Mr. McDonnell won by 34 points.
Even Mr. Boucher has to wonder how often he can vote for something his constituents strongly oppose and expect to be re-elected.
Scott Rasmussen was the pollster who most accurately predicted the result in New Jersey. His polling indicates 42 percent of Americans favor Obamacare; 54 percent oppose it.
Politicians tend to prefer their perpetuation in office to passage of any particular bill. The Chicago Way is to get the votes necessary through bribery and intimidation. But congressmen cost more than aldermen, and scrutiny is greater on the national stage.
Besides, it is both unseemly and ineffective to bully from a position of weakness.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
Comment by clicking here.
JWR contributor Jack Kelly, a former Marine and Green Beret, was a deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force in the Reagan administration.
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