A portion of Antarctica six times the size of Manhattan broke off
this month.
** PEW RESEARCH NATIONAL POLL: OBAMA LEADS CLINTON. In the latest Pew national poll, Barack Obama leads Hillary Clinton, 49% to 39%.
Large majorities of white Democratic voters view Obama as honest, inspiring, patriotic, and down-to-earth. Obama’s personal image surpasses Clinton’s on almost every personal attribute tested in the survey, except patriotism.
In addition, roughly twice as many white Democrats say the word “phony” describes Clinton than say it describes Obama (30% vs. 16%). And the gap is even larger in perceptions of likability; 43% of white Democratic voters say the phrase “hard-to-like” describes Clinton, while just 13% say it describes Obama.
The Wright controversy has not heightened the public’s impression that Obama’s race will undermine his chance in the general election if he is the nominee. Only 21% say Obama’s race will hurt his chances, compared with 25% who held that view in January.
One-in-ten voters believe that Barack Obama is Muslim; 14% of Republicans, 10% of Democrats and 8% of independents think he is Muslim.
Fewer Democratic voters now think that a long primary contest is a good thing for the party. Just 44% think it is a good thing for the party that the nominating contest has not been settled. A month ago 57% expressed that view.
** CRUDE OIL SHOOTS UP AMIDST IRAQ CRISIS. With John McCain and Barack Obama again concentrating their political fire on one another — both on the economy and geopolitics (Obama says McCain is a do-nothing on the economy, McCain that Obama is a tax-and-spender) — one of the key dividing lines between the two, Iraq, is in renewed turmoil.
Shiite militiamen, mostly associated with Moqtada al Sadr, are breaking away again from the main government. The heavily protected Green Zone in Baghdad is coming under rocket and mortar fire, and one American there has just been killed. Skirmishes are taking place then and in several areas of the country. Sadr has called a strike and many service and health workers are responding to his call.
The US is relying principally on Iraqi forces to put down the Shiite militia uprising. A year ago, those forces would have been totally unable to take the field, much less contest Sadr’s forces.
** A FUTURE TICKET? OBAMA AND BLOOMBERG. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s warm introduction of Barack Obama at the Democratic presidential frontrunner’s major economic address at Cooper Union in New York this morning raised that as an intriguing prospect. This is something to watch. It would certainly be an intriguing trump card with regard to Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s inflammatory comments about Israel and Palestinians. And Bloomberg, an undoubted success as New York’s mayor, not to mention a highly successful media mogul, certainly has the management chops. Perhaps he would be a different type of Dick Cheney.
NWN TECH PROBLEMS UPDATE. There are still some problems posting comments in the Forum. The problem has been intermittent, and a reader has posted a work-around in the Forum section.
** WHERE THEY ARE TODAY.
Barack Obama gave a major economic speech this morning in New York City. He was introduced at the event by independent New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Obama has a fundraiser in New York later today.
Hillary Clinton campaigns across North Carolina in Raleigh, Fayetteville, and Winston-Salem.
Bill Clinton campaigns across in Pennsylvania in Pottstown, Reading, Carlisle, Lewistown, and State College.
John McCain campaigns in Denver, Colorado and Salt Lake City, Utah where he does fundraising.
** NEW CALIFORNIA POLL GOOD FOR OBAMA, NEGATIVE ON STATE GOVERNMENT. In the new Public Policy Institute of California poll, Barack Obama runs notably better than Hillary Clinton. Obama leads John McCain, 49% to 40%. But Clinton is in essentially a statistical tie with McCain, 46% to 43%.
In California, Obama’s favorable rating is 61%. McCain’s favorable rating is 49%. Clinton’s favorable rating is far less, at 45%.
On state matters, the mood of the public and voters has notably soured. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s job approval rating has slipped to 49% among voters. This is far less than the stratospheric 60s of last year. But two years ago, 49% was a goal.
Schwarzenegger remains much more popular than the Legislature, of course. The reasons for the negativity? Economic woes and the state’s chronic budget problems. Californians appear to be moving into the embrace of a combination of program cuts and revenue increases to solve the budget issue.
On two high-profile initiatives set for the June statewide primary election, dueling eminent domain Props 98 and 99, one is headed to defeat while one may pass.
The one that is going down is Prop 98, heavily funded by landlord interests, who inserted anti-rent control and anti-renters rights language into it. 37% say they’ll vote yes, while 41% are no. On Prop 99, prospects are better, as it starts with 53% support.
** SCHWARZENEGGER LIVE WEBCAST THIS MORNING. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and state Public Utilities Commission president Mike Peevey join officials of ProLogis and Southern California at a proposed solar energy project in the Southern California city of Fontana.
Schwarzenegger will discuss his Million Solar Roofs measure and renewable portfolio standard goals, which are running behind schedule, in the event, which will be webcast live at 10 AM.
Congressman John Murtha explains why he’s for Hillary Clinton: Experience.
He’s one of a handful of superdelegates to back her since Super Tuesday.
Obama has over 60 since then.
** UNDECIDED DEMOCRATIC SUPERDELEGATES FROM CALIFORNIA. With former President Bill Clinton coming to the California Democratic Party convention this weekend in San Jose to try to pry loose some new superdelegates for his wife’s campaign, here is the list:
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Jerry McNerney, Rep. Pete Stark, Rep. Mike Honda, Rep. Sam Farr, Rep. Jim Costa, Rep. Lois Capps, Rep. Howard Berman, Rep. Henry Waxman, Rep. Bob Filner, Rep. Susan Davis, DNC state chair Art Torres, DNC vice chair Alexandra Gallardo-Rooker, DNC member Edward Espinoza, DNC member Inola Henry, DNC member Aleita Huguenin, DNC member Carole Midgen, DNC member Bob Mulholland, DNC member Christine Pelosi, DNC member John Perez, DNC member Robert Rankin, DNC member Crystal Strait, DNC member Keith Umemoto, DNC member Vernon Watkins, DNC member Steve Ybarra
** HILLARY CLINTON HITS NEW NATIONAL FAVORABILITY LOW. The new Wall Street Journal/NBC News national poll shows Hillary Clinton, not Barack Obama, hitting a new low in favorability. Clinton is down to 37% favorable in this poll, with 48% unfavorable. Barack Obama dipped from where he was two weeks, earlier, from 51% to 49% favorable. His unfavorable rating is 37%.
** OBAMA EXPANDS LEAD IN NORTH CAROLINA. A new Public Policy Polling tracking poll of the North Carolina primary shows Barack Obama expanding his lead in the wake of the Rev. Wright firestorm. It’s now Obama 55%, Hillary Clinton 34%. Clinton has been making a serious effort in North Carolina. And there was some evidence a week ago that Obama had dropped there amidst the Rev. Wright firestorm.
** 24/7 LIVE TV NEWS FEED FROM RUSSIA TODAY. Russia has re-emerged as one of the world’s great powers. Click here for a live TV news feed on your computer, bringing you English-language, jargon-free, fast-paced coverage of global and Russian news from the new Russia Today channel.
You probably already know about CNN International, BBC World, and Al Jazeera. Russia Today, which also features culture, entertainment, and sports, is based in Moscow and is owned and operated by the TV Novosti division of Russia’s state news agency, RIA Novosti.
While it’s quite foolish to expect to see, say, criticism of Vladimir Putin on Russia Today, the channel is very interesting nonetheless. The NWN live link to RT does not constitute an endorsement of the channel’s views. It’s presented as an otherwise unavailable new media window.
** TRACK GLOBAL AND U.S. ENERGY PRICES IN NEAR REAL TIME VIA BLOOMBERG ENERGY MARKET WATCH. Crude oil is trading in the $102 to $103 per barrel range on news of a freshly weakening dollar.
Your posts are welcome in the Forum.
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| Comments (104) |
There are many ways to say that Hillary Clinton is not a worthy figure.
Scrap missile defense as it’s starting to work.
You forget that the Navy shot down a satellite recently. I didn’t mention it.
>Rescind the tax breaks for the rich, plow that money into deficit reduction, education, HUMANITARIAN (not military) foreign aide and INCREASED military spending. And scrap the missile defense program and get me some more rapidly deployable marines. If I were the president, I’d want to be able to put 2,000 marines and support troops anywhere in the world in 48 hours. Peace keeping, disaster response and military intervention.
Mar 27, 2008 03:17 PM
There’s a reason why Michael Bloomberg of all people showed up to introduce Obama.
>Chris M :
Obama gave a good speech on the economy and housing/financial crisis today. Thankfully, he’s pulled back from the reckless bailout approach advanced by what’s-her-name while forcefully proposing improved regulation of the modern financial industry. He’s now well positioned with a responsible, progressive approach that compares nicely with the McCain-Hoover strategy.
[www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/ar...]
Mar 27, 2008 02:39 PM
There’s a reason why Michael Bloomberg of all people showed up to introduce Obama.
>Chris M :
Obama gave a good speech on the economy and housing/financial crisis today. Thankfully, he’s pulled back from the reckless bailout approach advanced by what’s-her-name while forcefully proposing improved regulation of the modern financial industry. He’s now well positioned with a responsible, progressive approach that compares nicely with the McCain-Hoover strategy.
[www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/ar...]
Mar 27, 2008 02:39 PM
There’s a reason why Carville and Begala were running mates.
And did that horrible CNN Crossfire show.
>Kandy Kid :
The Republicans for Hillary krewe would like to hoist a glass of Lynmar to former Clinton aide Paul Begala for his outstanding Wayne’s World allusion:
“Hillary dropping out is as likely as monkeys flying out of my butt.”
We sure hope so Paul.
Mar 27, 2008 02:33 PM
There’s a reason why Carville and Begala were running mates.
And did that horrible CNN Crossfire show.
>Kandy Kid :
The Republicans for Hillary krewe would like to hoist a glass of Lynmar to former Clinton aide Paul Begala for his outstanding Wayne’s World allusion:
“Hillary dropping out is as likely as monkeys flying out of my butt.”
We sure hope so Paul.
Mar 27, 2008 02:33 PM
Paul, I’m afraid you need to work on getting more rhetoric into your sentences …
>Paul Burton :
If McCain is a statesman, then Attila Hun was a supreme diplomat. McCain is a dangerous lunatic who would send several more generations of American youth to be slaughtered for US imperialism and the greed of the military industrial oil complex.
True. Although three other polls I’ve discussed demonstrated that Obama had clearly survived Rev. Wright.
>Brasky :
“HILLARY CLINTON HITS NEW NATIONAL FAVORABILITY LOW.”
According to the link provided, this poll was intended to quantify the damage Obama sustained from the Rev Wright issue. Instead, the timing nicely captured the Hillary Bosnia issue.
Things move fast these days.
Mar 27, 2008 12:54 PM
True. Although three other polls I’ve discussed demonstrated that Obama had clearly survived Rev. Wright.
>Brasky :
“HILLARY CLINTON HITS NEW NATIONAL FAVORABILITY LOW.”
According to the link provided, this poll was intended to quantify the damage Obama sustained from the Rev Wright issue. Instead, the timing nicely captured the Hillary Bosnia issue.
Things move fast these days.
Mar 27, 2008 12:54 PM
Still problems. It’s been quite distracting, especially as I’m on the road.
>Brasky :
up and running again?
Mar 27, 2008 12:40 PM
It’s not the computer’s fault.
>Kandy Kid :
Does the computer get to use the popular “only human” excuse for its failures?
Mar 27, 2008 11:01 AM
It’s not the computer’s fault.
>Kandy Kid :
Does the computer get to use the popular “only human” excuse for its failures?
Mar 27, 2008 11:01 AM
Isn’t that another stacked deck example, just like some previous demonstation attempts? It was our satellite so we controlled how and when it would be in range to be shot down. A real attack wouldn’t be like that.
And a rather modest result after how much has been invested? Is it promising or just something some folks have hung their careers on?
>Bill Bradley :
Scrap missile defense as it’s starting to work.
You forget that the Navy shot down a satellite recently. I didn’t mention it.
HAL tells me “It can only be attributable to human error.”
>Bill Bradley :
It’s not the computer’s fault.
HAL tells me “It can only be attributable to human error.”
>Bill Bradley :
It’s not the computer’s fault.
My use of the “B” word was merely an allusion to the fundraising party at which McCain was asked what to do about the female dog running against him…
I would never otherwise use profanity like that to describe anyone, let alone a serious presidential candidate. :
But seriously, Brasky, McCain mentioned just yesterday his intentions to engage the European Democracies and other responsible nations in the efforts, so I don’t think he really is going to be Rambo out there if he were president.
Missile defense is a pipe dream. A satellite isn’t a missile attack. Dana points out a lot of problems with that particular “success.”
If someone wants to launch a nuclear attack on us, they will launch more than one missile and each missile will have more than one warhead. Even if that nation has only one nuclear bomb, missile defense could be tasked with stopping dozens if not hundreds of inbound targets.
If you want to stop something MORE than a rogue nation (oh, like China or Russia), then missile defense is very bad indeed. Those guys have the resources to build THOUSANDS if not TENS of THOUSANDS of additional targets for an inbound system to try to shoot down. Plus, they would have resources to try and blow-up or blind some or all of the system prior to or during the attack.
And each new nuclear missile they deploy is another chance Failsafe-type mishap or a terrorist group walking-away with an unguarded warhead in some backwater military installation.
Missile defense is a pipe dream. A satellite isn’t a missile attack. Dana points out a lot of problems with that particular “success.”
If someone wants to launch a nuclear attack on us, they will launch more than one missile and each missile will have more than one warhead. Even if that nation has only one nuclear bomb, missile defense could be tasked with stopping dozens if not hundreds of inbound targets.
If you want to stop something MORE than a rogue nation (oh, like China or Russia), then missile defense is very bad indeed. Those guys have the resources to build THOUSANDS if not TENS of THOUSANDS of additional targets for an inbound system to try to shoot down. Plus, they would have resources to try and blow-up or blind some or all of the system prior to or during the attack.
And each new nuclear missile they deploy is another chance Failsafe-type mishap or a terrorist group walking-away with an unguarded warhead in some backwater military installation.
I think nearly all military installations are backwater military installations, at least the very few at which I spent time were (in my very short time 2-year enlistment term)
I don’t think that missile defense systems are a substitute for diplomacy and conventional military policing-style actions, but I wouldn’t like to see development of the technology discontinued
Backwater military installations?
Backwater military installations?
This isn’t the ’80s.
This the 21st century.
And in the 21st century, the satellite shoot-down was a demonstration to Beijing that US ASAT commands the theater of space.
And in the 21st century, the advancing promise of missile defense is real enough to Moscow that it is ready to risk Cold War II.
>Brasky :
Missile defense is a pipe dream. A satellite isn’t a missile attack. Dana points out a lot of problems with that particular “success.”
This isn’t the ’80s.
This the 21st century.
And in the 21st century, the satellite shoot-down was a demonstration to Beijing that US ASAT commands the theater of space.
And in the 21st century, the advancing promise of missile defense is real enough to Moscow that it is ready to risk Cold War II.
>Brasky :
Missile defense is a pipe dream. A satellite isn’t a missile attack. Dana points out a lot of problems with that particular “success.”
No, McCain is not Rambo.
>Hap Hazard :
But seriously, Brasky, McCain mentioned just yesterday his intentions to engage the European Democracies and other responsible nations in the efforts, so I don’t think he really is going to be Rambo out there if he were president.
Mar 27, 2008 04:33 PM
All change is not good.
>Dana :
HAL tells me “It can only be attributable to human error.”
>Bill Bradley :
It’s not the computer’s fault.
Mar 27, 2008 04:14 PM
All change is not good.
>Dana :
HAL tells me “It can only be attributable to human error.”
>Bill Bradley :
It’s not the computer’s fault.
Mar 27, 2008 04:14 PM
No.
>Dana :
Isn’t that another stacked deck example, just like some previous demonstation attempts? It was our satellite so we controlled how and when it would be in range to be shot down. A real attack wouldn’t be like that.
And a rather modest result after how much has been invested? Is it promising or just something some folks have hung their careers on?
>Bill Bradley :
Scrap missile defense as it’s starting to work.
You forget that the Navy shot down a satellite recently. I didn’t mention it.
Mar 27, 2008 04:05 PM
Hap – I was referring to missile bases with minimal ground force protection at the perimeters of countries like China and Russia where the only tactical purpose to their geography is providing the shortest flight time to enemy targets. And, perhaps more alarmingly, Russian Topol-M mobile nuclear missiles and their ilk.
“This isn’t the ’80s… the advancing promise of missile defense is real enough to Moscow that it is ready to risk Cold War II.”
Have you watched the Russian propaganda films from the 80′s on missile defense? They freaked people out.
I think Moscow can’t get past these old fears. Plus, it’s a potential hole in their defense budget.
If missile defense can shoot down hundreds of targets at once, it’s feasible.
Skeet shooting is hard – it takes a lot of skill and years to learn. The US learned how to shoot down one clay pigeon, after the instructor told us where to look and asked if we were ready.
Unexpectedly fill the sky with little targets all at once and you’ve got problems.
Anyone can beat missile defense with one thing – more missiles. Russia certainly has the resources to build them and they’re pretty good at it. Do they want to? No, they’d rather spend it on something else. But if we force their hand, we are going to have real problems — especially given their growing nationalism.
“This isn’t the ’80s… the advancing promise of missile defense is real enough to Moscow that it is ready to risk Cold War II.”
Have you watched the Russian propaganda films from the 80′s on missile defense? They freaked people out.
I think Moscow can’t get past these old fears. Plus, it’s a potential hole in their defense budget.
If missile defense can shoot down hundreds of targets at once, it’s feasible.
Skeet shooting is hard – it takes a lot of skill and years to learn. The US learned how to shoot down one clay pigeon, after the instructor told us where to look and asked if we were ready.
Unexpectedly fill the sky with little targets all at once and you’ve got problems.
Anyone can beat missile defense with one thing – more missiles. Russia certainly has the resources to build them and they’re pretty good at it. Do they want to? No, they’d rather spend it on something else. But if we force their hand, we are going to have real problems — especially given their growing nationalism.
You’re making a different argument now.
I don’t think so – it’s still a numbers game. Russia can play it, but they don’t want to. I don’t want them to play it, because it means they put more warheads into the field.
You can’t deploy a system until it can stop EVERY missile, otherwise, what’s the point? We are a LONG ways from that, so what do you get except MORE chance of nuclear showdown.
Missile defense is a timewarp back to the arms race. And given current technology, it’s impossible to win.
I don’t think so – it’s still a numbers game. Russia can play it, but they don’t want to. I don’t want them to play it, because it means they put more warheads into the field.
You can’t deploy a system until it can stop EVERY missile, otherwise, what’s the point? We are a LONG ways from that, so what do you get except MORE chance of nuclear showdown.
Missile defense is a timewarp back to the arms race. And given current technology, it’s impossible to win.
Nah. First you said missile defense is a flop, with faked results. Then you said it is a failure unless it is absolutely perfect and shoots down everything conceivable.
None of the above.
Incidentally, Russia is not the only factor here. There are other countries that want to have offensive missile capability. Some of them get mentioned from time to time.
Nah. First you said missile defense is a flop, with faked results. Then you said it is a failure unless it is absolutely perfect and shoots down everything conceivable.
None of the above.
Incidentally, Russia is not the only factor here. There are other countries that want to have offensive missile capability. Some of them get mentioned from time to time.
I will also point out that it is only somewhat ironic that your defense of missle defense come while this website is having technical difficulties.
BTW, when they converted the AEGIS cruiser Yorktown to Windows NT, it went almost as smoothly.
Great polls for Obama!
Scrap the Internet. It’s a bust.
>Brasky :
I will also point out that it is only somewhat ironic that your defense of missle defense come while this website is having technical difficulties.
BTW, when they converted the AEGIS cruiser Yorktown to Windows NT, it went almost as smoothly.
Mar 27, 2008 06:54 PM
Scrap the Internet. It’s a bust.
>Brasky :
I will also point out that it is only somewhat ironic that your defense of missle defense come while this website is having technical difficulties.
BTW, when they converted the AEGIS cruiser Yorktown to Windows NT, it went almost as smoothly.
Mar 27, 2008 06:54 PM
“Scrap the Internet. It’s a bust.”
I said the same thing by carrier pigeon last week — didn’t you get it?
Sorry. I only use the Pony Express …
Sorry. I only use the Pony Express …
Egads! I think my quill pen has a blunt point. You can’t trust this newfangled technology.
Still not sure whether missle defense is real-deal or just to keep everyone off balance. Maybe one problem is Bush is so gung-ho, and most of us have a reflex to think if he likes it it can’t be of much use…
More promising perhaps is the recent enthusiasm for de-nuclearization. Perhaps that should be the world’s priority.
Surely no NATION would be so foolish as to shoot a missile at us. They’d be history before the end of the hour. Among nation-states, only N. Korea possesses anything like the capacity and intent. Mind you, I’m not cheering Iran’s progress towards the bomb, but if we can live with a nuclear Pakistan, India, etc…
Plus, money spent on missile defense is not money not spent on the intelligence, police or diplomacy we need to defuse global tensions and stop small-scale attacks.
Our nation’s resources are not endless; we must choose wisely.
More promising perhaps is the recent enthusiasm for de-nuclearization. Perhaps that should be the world’s priority.
Surely no NATION would be so foolish as to shoot a missile at us. They’d be history before the end of the hour. Among nation-states, only N. Korea possesses anything like the capacity and intent. Mind you, I’m not cheering Iran’s progress towards the bomb, but if we can live with a nuclear Pakistan, India, etc…
Plus, money spent on missile defense is not money not spent on the intelligence, police or diplomacy we need to defuse global tensions and stop small-scale attacks.
Our nation’s resources are not endless; we must choose wisely.
On the broader topic of military spending, Ike offers his $.02:
http://tinyurl.com/387yln
On the broader topic of military spending, Ike offers his $.02:
http://tinyurl.com/387yln
Did anybody see what Bill Clinton said today?
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/03/27/830276.aspx
This man needs some rest.
What video today?
I could spend half my time writing about Bill Clinton …
>Chris M :
Did anybody see what Bill Clinton said today?
[firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/...]
This man needs some rest.
Mar 27, 2008 10:17 PM