Michael Hughes is a freelance journalist and geopolitical analyst whose work often appears in Examiner.com, Ruse the.magazine and The Huffington Post. Mr. Hughes has also appeared as an expert analyst to discuss Afghanistan on Alhurra TV, a Middle East news network sponsored by the U.S. government that is broadcast throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Michael graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in political science.

Blog Entries by Michael Hughes

Ad Wars Finale: Courage and Experience vs Hope and Unity

Posted November 2, 2008 | 08:19 PM (EST)


McCain and Obama aired television ads this past weekend that emphasized themes that have been the backbone of their campaigns from the outset. Obama himself predicted this final weekend would be filled with smears from McCain, yet McCain refrained from mentioning Ayers, Jeremiah Wright, and even refused to comment on...

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This Election, Plates of Human History Will Shift

Posted October 30, 2008 | 07:51 AM (EST)


Never before have we faced a Presidential election with such potential to tilt the plates of human history. Regardless the tally, a historic shift will take place on November 4, 2008, to what extent is uncertain. Will the shift be slight - or tectonic?

Months ago, on a cold January...

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Ad Wars: McCain Quotes Biden; Obama Quotes Reagan

Posted October 27, 2008 | 03:15 PM (EST)


"Hi, I'm John McCain and I approve this message. But, before we begin, I have to admit...I can't believe my opponent's running mate said this. Making this ad was so easy, I almost feel guilty. It pretty much wrote itself - literally."

That is what John McCain probably thinks about...

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Ad Wars: Obama Condemns Gambling With Healthcare As McCain Proposes Laissez Faire Economic Plan

Posted October 19, 2008 | 05:48 PM (EST)


Political communications consultant Mike Hughes, special to OffTheBus, deconstructs the latest campaign ads, frame by frame.

In his latest ad, Obama "spins" details of the McCain health care plan to frighten senior citizens by using crafty symbolism and stark facts. Obama's ad equates McCain's proposal to buying a lottery ticket....

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Ad Wars: McCain ACORN Assault - Obama Must Fill In The Blanks

Posted October 12, 2008 | 07:41 PM (EST)


Political communications consultant Mike Hughes, special to OffTheBus, deconstructs the latest campaign ads, frame by frame.

McCain launched a creative and timely web ad recently, attacking Obama for his ties to ACORN, a voter registration organization that is currently under investigation in eight states for fraud. After analyzing the ad's...

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Ad Wars: McCain Dishonorable and Obama Untrustworthy

Posted October 7, 2008 | 11:20 AM (EST)


Political communications consultant Mike Hughes, special to OffTheBus, deconstructs the latest campaign ads, frame by frame.

Obama's recent ad backs up his declaration that "we don't throw the first punch, but we'll throw the last." Obama responded to recent attacks with an ad accusing McCain of focusing on smearing Obama...

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Latest McCain And Obama Ads Play On Fear In Time Of Crisis: Out Of Touch Versus Unprepared

Posted September 29, 2008 | 10:31 AM (EST)


Political communications consultant Mike Hughes, special to OffTheBus, deconstructs the latest campaign ads, frame by frame.

An Obama TV ad that aired the day after the McCain-Obama Ole Miss debate opens up with the sound of touch-typing, as bold white letters fill a black screen, like someone typing an email....

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