By Andrew L. Jaffee

“The state government can also play a role in redistribution, the allocation of wages and jobs.” Did Obama speak of “redistribution” of wealth in 1996, or did an over-zealous DSA member, Bob Roman, put this word into Obama’s mouth? Whatever the case, Obama appeared before the Chicago Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) on February 25, 1996, a group whose platform is to “reject an economic order based on private profit, alienated labor, gross inequalities of wealth and power, discrimination based on race and sex, and brutality and violence in defense of the status quo.”

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By Andrew L. Jaffee

Barack Obama has found another inflammatory ally, Rep. John Lewis, Democrat from Georgia, to add to his long list of his extremely dubious supporters and connections. In a very ugly smear, Lewis today “likened the politics of Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin to segregationist Gov. George Wallace” and claimed that McCain and Palin were “sowing the seeds of hatred and division.” John McCain is no racist and has never fanned the flames of bigotry. In actuality, it is the Obama campaign which consorts with racists and seeks to create ugly racial divisions all in pursuit of the American presidency.

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By Phyllis Chesler

The Dow is falling just as the Twin Towers once fell. Obama’s campaign soars on the wings of this crisis. Some Obama supporters no longer care about facts and become exceedingly aggressive when one tries to offer any. “I dare you to prove that,” they yell, their faces all a-snarl. “That’s a right-wing racist lie.” … (Continue reading…)

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By Thomas Drewing

My friends, (I know… but he always says that!) I want to bring up a painful lesson I learned some 20 years ago. I had what I thought was a friend in a man who turned out to be a criminal — a very smart one, but a criminal nevertheless. I was taken in by John Keating, as were some others. And while it was quickly determined by Democratic investigators that I was innocent of any wrong-doing, just the fact that I had been taken in like that, was disturbing to me, and very sobering.

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By Phyllis Chesler

How long can one election go on? In the future, will elections begin at birth and end after the next life? I am serious. Even I, who am not a political junkie, already know — no, I can predict — the favorite words, phrases, slogans of each candidate. This is political theater at its worst and I must ask: What kind of person does this, day-in-day-out, year after year, traveling from city to city, from one television studio or stadium to another, getting up at dawn, never stopping? Only actors, models, musicians — and politicians. By now, everyone, including the politicians, consider themselves entertainers. … (Continue reading…)

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by Michael Rubin*

On November 4, Americans will go to the polls to elect their next president. But even as rival candidates Barack Obama and John McCain spar over who can bring change at home and restore America’s image abroad, on the most immediate foreign policy challenge facing the next inhabitant of the Oval Office - Iranian nuclear development - there will be no change.

In their first debate, both candidates said their administrations would negotiate with the Islamic Republic, albeit not at the presidential level. Whether Obama or McCain authorises his secretary of state or some lesser official is irrelevant, however, as it takes two to tango. Too often, US politicians and commentators navel-gaze: they assume decisions in Washington shape world events and that a change in policy will be enough to alter the international milieu. Reality, though, is opposite. Washington more often reacts to international events rather than leads them. Not so Tehran. While American leaders play chequers, their Iranian counterparts play chess, planning strategy several moves in advance.

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By Phyllis Chesler

I admit it: The debate bored me. I even nodded off–something I never do while on duty. And yet: This election has taken up too much space. It has been a cross between a long running soap opera and a personality contest, a spectacle instead of a solution — spectacle as the solution. … (Continue reading…)

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By Andrew L. Jaffee

I hope Barack Obama distances himself from Rep. Alcee Hastings and his very ugly remarks directed at Sarah Palin. From CNN:

Rep. Alcee Hastings told an audience of Jewish Democrats Wednesday that they should be wary of Republican VP nominee Sarah Palin because “anybody toting guns and stripping moose don’t care too much about what they do with Jews and blacks.” …

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By Phyllis Chesler

Yes, that man is coming back on September 22nd to address the UN. Of course, Jewish groups are holding protest rallies and politicians are being hastily invited and are dis-inviting themselves as speakers. Hillary has now declined to speak on the same platform as Palin, Palin is still planning to speak, the Democrats are trying to persuade the various Jewish groups to cancel Palin, and McCain, in his signature “anti-partisanship” style, is trying to persuade the Democrats to join the Republicans in speaking out against a nuclear and genocidal Iran. According to spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt, “Governor Palin believes that the danger of a nuclear Iran is greater than party or politics. She hopes that all parties can rally together in opposition to this grave threat.” … (Continue reading…)

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By Phyllis Chesler

I watched ABC News Anchorman Charlie Gibson interview Governor Palin last night and was horrified by his blatant disdain for her and by the grand inquisitorial nature of the interview. He was not there to draw her out but to trap, shame and expose her as an unqualified fraud. He never smiled. He never paused. He literally looked down at her as he peered through his half-lowered glasses. He grilled her relentlessly, on and on, and when he thought she did not have the right answer, e.g., as to what the Bush Doctrine really is, he “failed” her right on camera. … (Continue reading…)

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by Jonathan Schanzer*

Ingrid Mattson, a 45-year-old Canadian-born convert to Islam, caused an uproar in the blogosphere after she was invited by the Democratic party to a gathering of religious leaders in Denver on the eve of the convention. Other notable participants included Bishop Charles E. Blake, (Church of God In Christ) and Rabbi Tzvi Weinreb (Orthodox Union).

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By Phyllis Chesler

I admit it, call me crazy, but I was utterly charmed by Governor Sarah Palin which is to say that, despite her beauty, her smiles, and her humor, I saw that she was also Annie Oakley-deadly and no man’s pushover; indeed, I would not mess with her. (Well, did you think this veteran feminist would be charmed by a woman because she is a lightweight?)

After all, Palin represents a state that gave women the right to vote in 1912 — New York State enfranchised women in 1917; a state in which women like Libby Riddles and Susan Butcher have won the incredibly difficult dog sled race known as the Iditarod. Butcher won it three times in a row — something that no man has ever done. The race covers 1,161 miles of Alaskan wilderness and the racer, known as a “musher,” often faces 100 mile an hour winds, blizzards, wild animals, thin ice, avalanches, snow blindness, and sleep deprivation. … (Continue reading…)

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WASHINGTON (September 2008) – In this contentious election season, one thing that’s taken for granted is that American citizens will be the ones choosing the next president.

But a new paper from the Center for Immigration Studies reveals a concerted effort gathering force to allow new immigrants to vote without becoming citizens. It is being mounted by an alliance of academics and law professors, local and state political leaders, and community and immigration activists.

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By Phyllis Chesler

Each of the Presidential candidates and those who support them are fighting for the soul of America. Each has a radically different worldview; each inhabits a radically different culture. They listen to different music, watch different movies, read different media. Each mainly socializes only with others who are like themselves. They do not talk to those with whom they disagree and when they do, it is often with anger and contempt. … (Continue reading…)

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By Phyllis Chesler

The decision about whom to vote for in the race for President and Vice-President is a wrenching one for many Americans. It is for me.

I agree with Joe Lieberman that this is neither an ordinary election nor an ordinary historical moment. (Yes, he also said that John McCain is no ordinary candidate.) I also agreed with Fred Thompson who said that, unlike their opposition, McCain and the Republicans believe that we live in the best country in the world, one worth defending with honor (as opposed to viewing America as the worst country in the world and making speeches abroad to please America’s enemies). In addition, I agree with Thompson that character, judgment, courage, humility, a sense of duty, wisdom and honor are traits that a war-time President requires. … (Continue reading…)

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