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February 13, 2012
Binyamin Rose: Back to the Bunker: How a life-risking act by a Christian family during the Holocaust saved a family and built a thriving community a world away
Menachem Wecker: Business Schools Teach Real Estate Despite Troubled Housing Market
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
February 9, 2012
Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
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)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
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
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
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
June 23, 2008
20 Sivan 5768
‘New’ politicians up to old tricks
By
Michael Goodwin
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http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
Which of these descriptions is correct?
No. 1: The campaign between Barack Obama and John McCain is off to a great start. It is refreshing to see candidates keep their promises to run positive, substantive races.
No. 2: The campaign is already a distressing example of negative-politics-as-usual. Each day brings withering attacks and counterattacks as both candidates break their promises to wage a different kind of contest.
If you picked No. 2, you got it. You're probably also disgusted with the squabbling between two men who crossed their hearts and pledged to be different.
They've been different in only one way: They started attacking early and show no signs of letting up. By November, America could be sick of them.
Part of the turn-off is that the presidential campaign is already the longest in history. After a year of run-up to the primaries, five months of actual voting was exhilarating at times, but ultimately exhausting for candidates and voters.
We needed a break, and I thought we would get it. After Obama won his epic battle over Hillary Clinton, the time was right for a lull before the sprint to the conventions and the general election. Instead, the tone between Obama and McCain instantly turned rancid and has stayed that way.
Even their daily campaign e-mails are loaded with barbs. "McCain: Out of touch on trade," was the headline on one Obama release. "A timeline of reversal" was how McCain began one on Obama.
Throw in the attacks by the national parties and advocacy groups and the mud bath is nonstop.
Call me naïve, but I believed we could get a different kind of campaign because it seemed in the candidates' interests, as well as their natures.
Both made much of their plans to appeal to independents and expand the number of toss-up states. Because neither was central to the partisan battles that have gridlocked Washington, the stage appeared set for a contest where the big issues would take precedence.
The issues are there, but they are overshadowed by the demoralizing and often personal tone. If history is any guide, it's a screech many voters will deal with by tuning out everything the candidates say.
Of the two, Obama is the greater disappointment. He railed against our divides, racial and otherwise, and pledged to be a uniter. Those claims made him an attractive alternative to Clinton, who, despite the historic nature of her run, came off as more a bridge to the past than the future.
But since he defeated Clinton, Obama seems to have lost interest in being different. His explanation for his decision to drop out of the public finance system was laughably disingenuous and suggests a readiness to embrace the situational ethics that defined the last two decades.
His partisan attacks on McCain aim to rally the Democratic base instead of appealing to those outside the party, a conclusion reinforced by the hand-me-down members of past Dem administrations surrounding him now. The only fresh faces are the teenagers swooning at his rallies.
McCain, too, has been relentless in his attacks, although they are generally grounded in genuine policy differences. His criticism of Obama's remarks that law enforcement is key to fighting terrorism was a legitimate point, even if it was wrapped in a mud ball.
Most important, McCain has proposed the one idea that could alter the tone of the race. His invitation for Obama to join him at 10 town-hall meetings, in addition to three debates, could force them to address voter concerns without personal barbs. Having them on the same stage would end the long-distance sniping and give ordinary Americans a reason to listen to them.
Fearing the idea would benefit McCain, Obama has said yes to only one town-hall appearance. He ought to think again, for his sake and ours.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in Washington and the media consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
Michael Goodwin is a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for the New York Daily News. Comment by clicking here.
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