Do You Want Gravy on Your Palin?Ammunition for your holiday political spats.
Posted Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008, at 7:49 PM ET
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StumbleUponHorrible idea: Drama! She'll put her interests above the president's. Bill's conflicts of interest will be impossible to overcome. Powerful women don't do well in the Middle East.
The New Congress
Get ready for left-wing madness: Congress dominated by Democrats is going to run roughshod over Obama and push crazy liberal policies, which will lead to even bigger deficits and big losses for Democrats in the midterm. How reckless will they be? Listen to what House ways and means Chairman Charlie Rangel said: "Don't ask me where the money will come from. I'm going to the same place Paulson went."
We're all incrementalists now: Eighty-one Democrats were elected in districts George Bush won in 2004. One-third of Democrats hold seats that have Republican leanings. So nothing too crazy will happen. With such low approval ratings, Congress needs to, you know, actually pass a few bills, which means they'll need bipartisan support.
Obama Surge in Black Voters Passed Proposition 8*
No, they didn't: There's no evidence that new black voters inspired by Obama made the difference on the measure reversing the California Supreme Court allowing gay marriage. New voters actually voted against the measure.
Yes, they did: How new voters behaved is not at issue. Seventy percent of African-Americans voted for Prop 8. Ninety-four percent of black voters supported Obama. The increase in turnout among African-Americans supporting Obama made the difference.
Will a Woman Ever Become President?
Sure: Hillary's campaign was a thorough mess, her husband was off message constantly, and yet she still almost beat Obama.
Not for a while: Geraldine Ferraro was right—in politics, it's harder to be a woman than a black man. It's still a sexist world. Just look how terribly everyone treated Sarah Palin.
Young Voters Decided the Election
Wrong, Sonny: They didn't turn out in greater numbers than before.
It's true, Pops: Yes, but they gave a big share of their vote to Obama.
The Republican Party Is Dead
Call the coroner: Demographically, Democrats are winning larger shares of growing populations: Latinos, unmarried voters, and those with college degrees. All Republicans have is the South.
It's just resting: Pundits declared Democrats all but dead in both 2004 and 1994. Parties don't die; they restructure. (See Detroit Bailout, above.) Historical patterns suggest a pickup in House and Senate seats in 2010.
Palin Ruined McCain's Chances
No, She Didn't: Look, just because she doesn't visit the Met and drink microclimate wine doesn't mean she's not smart. McCain lost for other reasons in a bad year for Republicans. McCain's problem with the base would have been worse without her. Exit polls showed that a majority of voters who cared about the Palin pick went for McCain.
Yes, She Did: Please keep believing she's a viable candidate. Keep her on the campaign trail. She's so entertaining. An interview while a turkey is being slaughtered? She's not fodder for a Saturday Night Live skit. She is an SNL skit. But on the merits, 41 percent of those voters said she was an important part of their voting decision, and McCain just barely won among those voters (51-48). A vice-presidential pick is supposed to really help a ticket, not be a wash.
Bush Is the Worst President of My Lifetime
Born before 1932: Son, let me tell you about a man named Herbert Hoover.
Born between 1932 and 1974: You think he was worse than that paranoid liar Nixon? There have been no attacks since 9/11. Iraq is turning around and may become a beacon for democracy in the Middle East. Bush is like Truman: unpopular now, but history will vindicate him.
Born after 1974: No need to elaborate. Use the time to get a second helping of pie.
Correction, Nov. 26, 2008: The article originally and incorrectly said that African-American voters killed Proposition 8. The issue in question was whether black support helped pass the measure that reversed the California Supreme Court allowing gay marriage. (Return to the corrected sentence.)
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