Democratic

Friday Talking Points [35] -- Tim Russert Memorial Edition

Chris Weigant | Posted 06.13.2008 | Politics

Read More: White House, House Republican, Campaign Committee, Ron Paul, Mark Pryor, Tim Russert, Delahunt, Al Franken, Bob Barr, Campaign, Swiftboat, Bill Nelson, Virginia, Embezzling, New Mexico, 2008, John Kerry, Dennis Kucinich, Midotw, Smears, Audit, Most Impressive Democrat of the Week, Electoral College, Larry Hunter, Gas, Impeach, Libertarian, Massachusetts, 08, Democrats, Barack Obama, Election, 08 Election, Elections, Oil Men, Constitutional Amendment, Mddotw, Arkansas, Obstructionist, Hillary Clinton, Senate, Popular Vote, Embezzlement, Gop, Mudslinging, Impeachment, Cheney, Dianne Feinstein, Democratic, Waxman, Swift Boat, Bush, Republican, Unemployment, Smear, Most Disappointing Democrat of the Week, Obstructionism, 2008 Campaign, Wes Clark, Taxes, John McCain, Zombies, Rotting Corpse, Gas Tax, Windfall Profits, 2008 Elections, 2008 Election, Scandal, Oil Companies, Meet the Press, 08 Campaign, Tax, 2008 Presidential Race, Oil, Mtp, Politics News
Chris Weigant

Nobody seriously annoyed me this week, but I will launch a pre-emptive finger-wagging, to anyone on the left who can't resist the urge to be disrespectful of Tim Russert's memory right now.

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Clintonism of the Day

Julia Gorin | Posted 06.06.2008 | Politics

Read More: Democratic, Hillary Clinton, 2008, Julia Gorin, Democrats, Election, Barack Obama, Politics News
Julia Gorin

What's The Rush? "Hillary Rodham Clinton has decided to end her historic presidential campaign." -- Associated Press, June 4, 2008 ...

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Interview With Al Franken

Chris Weigant | Posted 06.06.2008 | Politics

Read More: Populism, Al Franken, Democratic, Democratic Farmer Labor, Campaign, Democratic Party, Paul Wellstone, Senator, Jesse Ventura, 2008, Populist, Norm Coleman, Snl, 2008 Campaign, 2008 Senate Race, Comedy, Rush Limbaugh, Comedian, Franken, Democrat, 2008 Elections, 08, DFL Party, 2008 Election, Minnesota, Democrats, Election, Interview, 08 Election, Nomination, Elections, Progressive, 08 Campaign, Nominee, Saturday Night Live, Senate, Dfl, Minnesotan, Politics News
Chris Weigant

For all the people who scoffed at the idea of a former comedian running for such a high public office, it can now be strongly stated that Al Franken's Senate campaign is definitely no joke.

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What A Long, Strange Primary Trip It's Been

Chris Weigant | Posted 06.02.2008 | Politics

Read More: Caucus, Puerto Rico, Democratic, Primary Schedule, Campaign, Delegate, South Dakota, Comeback Kid, African-American, Picks, Pledged Delegates, Primaries, Montana, Mike Huckabee, 2008, Pick, Superdelegates, John Edwards, Super Tuesday, 2008 Campaign, Black, Delegates, John McCain, Primary, Mitt Romney, Democrat, 2008 Elections, 08, 2008 Election, Barack Obama, Election, 08 Election, Elections, Contest, 08 Campaign, Vote, 2008 Presidential Race, Hillary Clinton, Politics News
Chris Weigant

Rather than a Vince Lombardi halftime pep talk about giving 110% in the second half, I'd like to review where we've been so far. This will be my final "picks" article for 2008.

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A Feel-Good Moment: Ed Rollins Hears "Death Knell" For GOP

Chris Weigant | Posted 05.19.2008 | Politics

Read More: Schadenfreude, Puerto Rico, Gop, Face the Nation, West Virginia, Oregon, Democratic, Primary Schedule, Campaign, South Dakota, Appeasement, Republican, Bush, Picks, Primaries, Montana, 2008, Pick, 2008 Campaign, Bob Schieffer, Mississippi, Death Knell, John McCain, Primary, Charles Crist, Democrat, Kentucky, 2008 Elections, 08, Ed Rollins, Knesset, 2008 Election, Barack Obama, Election, 08 Election, Elections, Contest, 08 Campaign, Third Term, 2008 Presidential Race, Hillary Clinton, Republicans, Rollins, Politics News
Chris Weigant

John McCain "can't win" if he's seen as "the Bush third term" -- this, from a Republican?

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Democratic Landslide In November?

Chris Weigant | Posted 05.14.2008 | Politics

Read More: Moderate, Democratic Landslide, Permanent Republican Minority, Liberal, Mccain, Democratic, Permanent Republican Majority, Majority, Campaign, Nrcc, Bush, Republican, Permanent Minority, Change, Landslide Election, 2008, Permanent Democratic Majority, 2008 Campaign, Permanent, Travis Childers, Mississippi, Karl Rove, House, Optimism, Republican Brand, Landslide, Democrat, Conservative, 2008 Elections, Permanent Majority, 08, Landslide Victory, Newt Gingrich, 2008 Election, Democrats, Barack Obama, Election, 08 Election, Optimist, Elections, 08 Campaign, 2008 Presidential Race, Tom Cole, Senate, Hastert, Boehner, Hensarling, Politics News
Chris Weigant

[Those of you who prefer "all cynicism all the time" should just skip this column, since I'm about to get blisteringly optimistic here. You have been...

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New Rule For Uncommitted Superdelegates

Chris Weigant | Posted 05.12.2008 | Politics

Read More: Nc, West Virginia, Superdelegate, Democratic, Primary Schedule, Campaign, Delegate, WV, Picks, Primaries, 2008, Pick, 2008 Campaign, Uncommitted, North Carolina, Democratic Convention, Primary, Democrat, 2008 Elections, 08, 2008 Election, Barack Obama, Election, 08 Election, Elections, Bill Maher, Contest, 08 Campaign, 2008 Presidential Race, Convention, In, Hillary Clinton, Mountaineer, New Rule, Indiana, Politics News
Chris Weigant

With sincere apologies to Bill Maher for stealing his schtick, I have a new rule. My new rule is for uncommitted Democratic superdelegates. The rule ...

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Friday Talking Points [31] -- Time To Beat McCain

Chris Weigant | Posted 05.09.2008 | Politics

Read More: Cindy McCain, Motherhood, General Election, Campaign, Republican Cloth Coat, 2008, Richard Nixon, Midotw, Old, Nancy Pelosi, Cloth Coat, John Edwards, Most Impressive Democrat of the Week, Tax Return, Are You Better Off Now, North Carolina, Elitist, Gas, Upside the Head, Democrat, Presumptive, Congress, 08, Newt Gingrich, Barack Obama, Election, Teresa Heinz Kerry, 08 Election, Nomination, Elections, Apple Pie, Mddotw, Ageist, John McBush, Hillary Clinton, $1.49, Speech, Mother's Day, Democratic, Iraq, Endorsement, Republican, Mcsame, Most Disappointing Democrat of the Week, Price of Gas, 2008 Campaign, Primary Campaign, Price, 100 Years, John McCain, Gasoline, House, Louisiana, Primary, Age, War, George W McCain, Gas Price, 2008 Elections, 2008 Election, 08 Campaign, Harvey Weinstein, Third Term, 2008 Presidential Race, Nominee, Indiana, Checkers, Politics News
Chris Weigant

Now that that's all over with, can we please focus on beating John McCain? Virtually everyone (with the possible exception of Hillary Clinton -- I gue...

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My Primary Picks -- "The Road Goes On Forever" Edition

Chris Weigant | Posted 05.05.2008 | Politics

Read More: Caucus, NC, Superdelegate, Democratic, Primary Schedule, Gas Tax Holiday, Campaign, Delegate, Picks, Primaries, 1932, 2008, Momentum, Pick, Democratic Ticket, Hoosier, Super Tuesday, 2008 Campaign, Hillary Quits, Open Convention, North Carolina, Democratic Convention, Bowling, Pandering, Primary, Gas Tax, Democrat, 2008 Elections, Basketball, 08, Mencken, 2008 Election, Barack Obama, Election, 08 Election, Elections, Pandemonium, Contest, 08 Campaign, The Road Goes on Forever, Hillary Drops Out, 2008 Presidential Race, Convention, In, Guam, Hillary Clinton, Pander, Tar Heel, Robert Earl Keen, Indiana, Politics News
Chris Weigant

"The road goes on forever and the party never ends."--Robert Earl Keen   Tomorrow is yet another primary day in the Democratic presidential nomin...

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Friday Talking Points [30] -- "Mainstream Media Out To Lunch" Edition

Chris Weigant | Posted 05.02.2008 | Politics

Read More: Caucus, Debt, Ted Stevens, Strike, Begich, Flowers, West Coast, Gas Tax Holiday, Campaign, China, Deficit, Mark Begich, 2008, Midotw, Craig Ferguson, Most Impressive Democrat of the Week, Pork, Health Care, Union, Worst President Ever, Daniel Inouye, Delegates, Gas, Alaska, Micah Fitch, Army Field Manual, Labor, Democrat, Congress, 08, Bridge to Nowhere, Stimulus, Democrats, Election, Barack Obama, Nomination, 08 Election, Elections, May Day, Mddotw, Health, Price Per Gallon, Hillary Clinton, Republicans, Helen Thomas, Senate, Hawaii, Barbara Boxer, Tubes, Mission Accomplished, Cia, Iraq, Democratic, Dianne Feinstein, Delegate, Bush, Republican, Pledged Delegates, Environmental, Senator, Port, Protest, Price of Gas, Most Disappointing Democrat of the Week, 2008 Campaign, Ports, Protesting, Protester, Bank of China, John McCain, Gasoline, Primary, Pork Barrel, Gas Tax, Interrogation, War, Stephen Colbert, 2008 Elections, Polar Bear, Rebate, 2008 Election, Longshoremen, 08 Campaign, 2008 Presidential Race, Flowers for Helen Thomas, Health Insurance, Environment, Waterboarding, Fundraising, Stimulus Checks, Environmentalist, Torture, Guam, Politics News
Chris Weigant

If every port on the West Coast of the United States of America was shut down because of a terrorist threat, do you think it would make the news? So d...

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Obama vs. Rev. Wright: The Wrongness of Righteousness

Terry Real | Posted 04.29.2008 | Politics

Read More: Relational Life Therapy, Divorce, War, Democratic, Obama, Black, Race, Jewish, Spitzer, Barack Obama, Race Relations, Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright, Hilary Clinton, Marriage, Infidelity, Terry Real, Racism, Rev. Wright, Jr., Relational Living, National Press Club, Christian, Politics News
Terry Real

Perhaps Wright felt that Obama did not stand up for him enough and this is payback, or perhaps he feels that his cause is so righteous that devil damn the consequences.

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Friday Talking Points [29] -- Pennsylvania Fallout

Chris Weigant | Posted 04.25.2008 | Politics

Read More: Pentagon, Military Analyst, Mccain, Riots in Denver, Campaign, Primaries, Howard Dean, Military, Military Expert, 2008, Midotw, Nancy Pelosi, Political Interference, Most Impressive Democrat of the Week, Punxsutawney, Inciting, Incitement to Riot, Kitchen Sink, Gas, Propaganda, Scientist, Gas Pump, Democrat, Riot, Fema, 08, Retired General, Barack Obama, Election, 08 Election, Epa, Margin of Victory, Elections, Riots, Eight Dollars a Gallon, Groundhog Day, Bomb Iran, John Ashcroft, Mddotw, Harry Reid, Hillary Clinton, Scientists, Gas Prices, Pearl Harbor, Osama Bin Laden, Kitchen, Superdelegate, Democratic, Denver, Bush, Iran, Incitement, Most Disappointing Democrat of the Week, 2008 Campaign, Waterboard, Environmental Protection Agency, Punxsutawney Phil, Gasoline, Rush Limbaugh, Campaign Ad, Primary, Gas Price, War, Media Consultant, Katrina, 2008 Elections, Pennsylvania, Heckuva Job, Bin Laden, 2008 Election, 08 Campaign, Convention, 2008 Presidential Race, Waterboarding, Pander, Flip Flop, Torture, Politics News
Chris Weigant

It was a telling sign that neither Democratic candidate saw fit to visit Punxsutawney before the Pennsylvania primary. Nobody wanted the press to rem...

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House Republicans Overwhelmingly Desert Bush On Medicaid Rules

Chris Weigant | Posted 04.23.2008 | Politics

Read More: House, Democrat, Democratic, Wedge Issue, Veto-Proof, Medicaid, 2008 Elections, Campaign, 08, Election Issue, 2008 Election, Election, Barack Obama, Bush, 08 Election, Elections, Campaign Issue, 08 Campaign, 2008, 2008 Presidential Race, 2008 Campaign, Hillary Clinton, Veto, Override, Politics News
Chris Weigant

For an election-year issue, this is hard to beat. Which is obviously why two-thirds of House Republicans jumped ship from Bush's position.

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Taverngate: Hillary's Foreign "Whisky"

M.S. Bellows, Jr. | Posted 04.21.2008 | Home

Read More: Jack Daniel's, Beer and a Bump, Democratic, Whiskey, Clinton, Bronko's, Beer, Bourbon, Whisky, Hillary Clinton, Canadian Whisky, Indiana, Bronkos, Home News
M.S. Bellows, Jr.

Down here in Lynchburg, we've been following the Whiskeygate story with interest, and we're just puzzled as to why Sen. Clinton is drinking a Canadian brand instead of a good American whiskey.

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Place Your Bets! Call Pennsylvania And The Nomination

Chris Weigant | Posted 04.21.2008 | Politics

Read More: Democratic Convention, Primary, PA Primary, Superdelegate, Democrat, Pa, Democratic, Primary Schedule, 2008 Elections, Pennsylvania, Campaign, 08, Delegate, 2008 Election, Election, Barack Obama, Picks, 08 Election, Primaries, Elections, Contest, 08 Campaign, 2008, Pick, Convention, Democratic Ticket, 2008 Presidential Race, Pennsylvania Primary, 2008 Campaign, Hillary Clinton, Politics News
Chris Weigant

Since we've got a primary tomorrow, it's (once again) time to "put up or shut up," and make a prediction for Pennsylvania. Plus, since it's also appr...

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The New Zell Miller: The Democrats Need To Boot Joe Lieberman Before The Conventions

M.S. Bellows, Jr. | Posted 04.21.2008 | Home

Read More: Vice President, Democratic, John McCain, Zell Miller, Running Mate, Joe Lieberman, Democrats, Keynote, Republican National Convention, Vichy, Dino, Home News
M.S. Bellows, Jr.

Lieberman will likely blackmail the Democratic party come convention time, which is why he should have been thrown on his keister years ago, before he was in a position to boost the Republicans.

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Friday Talking Points [28] -- It's Debatable...

Chris Weigant | Posted 04.18.2008 | Politics

Read More: Debate, Amendment XXVII, Don Young, Campaign, Capital Gains Tax, Cap, Howard Dean, 2008, Midotw, Domestic Policy, Most Impressive Democrat of the Week, Candidates, Democratic Debate, John Conyers, Democrat, 08, Bridge to Nowhere, Barack Obama, Election, 08 Election, Elections, Constitution, Martin Luther King, Mddotw, Hillary Clinton, Payroll, Debates, Social Security, Barbara Boxer, Amendment, Cia, Middle Class, Democratic, Iraq, Mike Stark, Bush Tax Cuts, No New Taxes, Tax Policy, Charlie Gibson, Gregory Watson, Most Disappointing Democrat of the Week, 2008 Campaign, Capital Gains, Philadelphia, Abc, Karl Rove, John McCain, DREAM Act, Roe v Wade, Mlk, War, 2008 Elections, 2008 Election, Flag Pin, ABC Debate, 08 Campaign, George Stephanopoulos, Tax, 2008 Presidential Race, Earnings Cap, Warren Buffett, Candidate, Amend, Waterboarding, Flip Flop, Amendment XXVIII, Torture, Fica, Politics News
Chris Weigant

The twenty-first debate of the Democratic presidential nomination race happened this week. Much fulminating in the blogosphere immediately followed. ...

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Mark Penn, Designated Scapegoat?

Chris Weigant | Posted 04.09.2008 | Politics

Read More: Negative Campaigning, Democrat, Atonement, Democratic, 2008 Elections, Campaign, 08, Democratic Party, Mark Penn, 2008 Election, Election, Barack Obama, 08 Election, Democratic Nominee, Unite, Elections, 08 Campaign, Scapegoat, 2008, 2008 Presidential Race, 2008 Campaign, Hillary Clinton, Nominee, Bury the Hatchet, Party Unity, Attack Ads, Geoff Garin, Mark Penn Colombia, Colombia, Politics News
Chris Weigant

This is an interesting move for Clinton: it could truly be an effort to reunite the party by distancing herself from the mudslinging -- which will help the party whether she's the nominee or not.

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Friday Talking Points [26]

Chris Weigant | Posted 04.04.2008 | Politics

Read More: Feinstein, Tammy Baldwin, Campaign, Shiite Militia, History, Bush Legacy, Dccc, Military, 2008, Alphonso Jackson, Midotw, Nancy Pelosi, Most Impressive Democrat of the Week, Levin, Donors Letter, Miserable Failure, Addington, Worst President Ever, Jay Rockefeller, Petraeus, Democrat, 08, Biden, Barack Obama, Election, 08 Election, Elections, Iraq Army, Schumer, Mddotw, Jay Leno, Harry Reid, Donor, Bush Sewage, Dodd, Hillary Clinton, Maliki, April Fools, Historians, Bill of Rights, Hud, John Yoo, Tonight Show, Bush Failure, Democratic, Iraq, Basra, Najaf, Presidential Memorial Commission, Shiite, Bush, Questions for Petraeus, DADT, Robert Gates, Donors, Most Disappointing Democrat of the Week, 2008 Campaign, April Fool, Sewage, John McCain, Crocker, Democratic Donors, Bush Sewage Plant, Mahdi Army, 2008 Elections, 2008 Election, 08 Campaign, Don't Ask Don't Tell, Berkeley, Sadr, 2008 Presidential Race, San Francisco, Leahy, Stabenow, Torture, Politics News
Chris Weigant

Since the campaigns of both Senator Hillary Clinton and Senator Barack Obama have seemingly taken my advice earlier this week, and are both concentrat...

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Campaign To Beat McCain

Chris Weigant | Posted 03.31.2008 | Politics

Read More: Democratic Convention, John McCain, Attack Ad, Primary, Democrat, Democratic, 2008 Elections, Campaign, 08, 2008 Election, Election, Barack Obama, Nomination, 08 Election, Elections, Primaries, 08 Campaign, 2008, Convention, 2008 Presidential Race, 2008 Campaign, Candidate, Hillary Clinton, Attack Ads, Politics News
Chris Weigant

Obama and Clinton should declare a one-week truce, roll out the best anti-McCain talk they can think up, and compete to see who is better at it.

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There Shan't Be Blood: An Outline to a Democratic Drama in 3 Acts

Will Bower | Posted 03.12.2008 | Home

Read More: President, Convention, Democratic, Obama, Mccain, Election, Denver, Gore, Clinton, 2008, Delegates, Superdelegates, Vice, Reid, Senate, Majority, Carter, Leader, Offthebus, Home News
Will Bower

Is there a chance for a happy ending to the Democratic nominating drama?

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Which Dream Ticket?

Chris Weigant | Posted 03.10.2008 | Politics

Read More: Clinton/Obama, Superdelegate, Democratic, Primary Schedule, Campaign, Delegate, Picks, Obama Clinton, 2008, Pick, Democratic Ticket, Veep, 2008 Campaign, Mississippi, Obama/Clinton, Democratic Convention, Vice President, John McCain, Clinton Obama, Running Mate, Democrat, 2008 Elections, 08, Dream Ticket, 2008 Election, Barack Obama, Election, 08 Election, Elections, 08 Campaign, 2008 Presidential Race, Convention, Hillary Clinton, Vp, Politics News
Chris Weigant

The only chance Hillary will have to stave off a complete fracturing of the Democratic Party's base is to offer a "dream ticket," with her name at the top.

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Friday Talking Points [22] -- Hillary Sweeps The Awards!

Chris Weigant | Posted 03.07.2008 | Politics

Read More: Caucus, Primary Schedule, Campaign, Revote, 2008, Midotw, Racism, Arrest Bush and Cheney, Most Impressive Democrat of the Week, Bush Vacation, Kitchen Sink, 3:00 AM, Democrat, 3am, 08, Campaign Strategy, Barack Obama, Election, 08 Election, Elections, Mddotw, Michigan, Wyoming, 527, Hillary Clinton, 3:00 a.M., Misogyny, 3 a.M., Ronald Reagan, Vermont, Democratic, Campaign to Defend America, Iraq, Arrest Bush, It's Saturday Night, Bush, McCain/Bush, Bush/McCain, Pick, Ohio, Most Disappointing Democrat of the Week, Snl, 2008 Campaign, Rhode Island, 100 Years, John McCain, Florida, Primary, Campaign Ad, Plagiarism, Texas, 2008 Elections, 2008 Election, 3 AM, It Is Saturday Night, 3A.M., 08 Campaign, Third Term, 2008 Presidential Race, Saturday Night Live, Ken Starr, Marlboro, Goeglein, Mcsame, Brattleboro, Politics News
Chris Weigant

A quick primary pick here, before we get on to the awards and the talking points. Wyoming will be holding its Democratic caucus tomorrow. This one is...

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My Final (?) Primary Picks

Chris Weigant | Posted 03.03.2008 | Politics

Read More: Providence Plantations, John McCain, Vermont, Democrat, Texas, Democratic, Primary Schedule, 2008 Elections, Campaign, 08, 2008 Election, Election, Barack Obama, Picks, 08 Election, Elections, 08 Campaign, 2008, Ohio, 2008 Presidential Race, 2008 Campaign, Hillary Clinton, Rhode Island, Politics News
Chris Weigant

This could well be the last installment of my primary picks series of articles -- because both parties may wrap things up tomorrow. My guiding princi...

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Friday Talking Points [20] -- Populism 101

Chris Weigant | Posted 02.22.2008 | Politics

Read More: Social Security, Charity, Democratic, Campaign, Income, Cap, Television, Minimum Wage, Cable, 2008, A La Carte, 2008 Campaign, Capital Gains, Populism, John McCain, Tuition, Minimum Wage COLA, Neo-Populism, Democrat, 2008 Elections, 08, Satellite, 2008 Election, Democrats, Scandal, Barack Obama, Election, 08 Election, Income Tax, Elections, 08 Campaign, Credit Card Interest Rates, College, Tv, 2008 Presidential Race, Earnings Cap, Warren Buffett, New York Times, Hillary Clinton, Populist, Tax Deductible, Politics News
Chris Weigant

No awards this week A few quick thoughts this week before we get to the talking points. First, I will not be awarding the Most Impressive Democrat Of...

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