Joe Conason - Joe Conason's Home on the web

GOP Senate Tsunami? Not Yet.

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 12:50:59 -0500

Article Link:
http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2010/01/07/rasmussen_senate_polls/index.html

Date Published:
January 7, 2000 - 1:00pm

Excerpt:

The tendency to exaggerate Republican prospects and Democratic woes is among the most consistent biases in American mainstream media -- as yesterday’s coverage of Senate race developments demonstrated -- and will only grow more pronounced as the midterm elections draw closer. All the headlines and analyses depicting a “vicious cycle” of Democrats retiring fell apart upon even a moment’s scrutiny of the Connecticut situation. If the polls leading up to the Dodd and Dorgan retirements were accurate, then both their seats would have leaned strongly Republican next November – and now only one of them does, leaving a net plus for the Democrats today.

Dodd's Heir--Lieberman's Nightmare

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 12:49:51 -0500

Article Link:
http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2010/01/06/blogging_again_and_blumenthal/index.html

Date Published:
January 6, 2000 - 1:00pm

Excerpt:

First, a reintroduction of sorts. Nearly every time I’ve gone back to look up a post from the Salon archive of my blog over the past few years, I felt more than a moment’s nostalgia. Writing a weekly column here has always been a privilege, but blogs have come to dominate the Internet for many good reasons that I learned back in the early days of the form. So when Joan Walsh asked me late last year if I would resume Joe Conason’s Journal, the answer was easy -- even though my life is more complicated now, with responsibilities at the Investigative Fund of the Nation Institute, a new book on Bill Clinton’s post-presidency under way, and my column for the New York Observer (plus twin toddlers at home).

Knee Jerks

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 12:31:00 -0500

Article Link:
http://www.observer.com/2010/politics/knee-jerks

Date Published:
January 5, 2000 - 1:00pm

Excerpt:

The latest atrocity attempted by Al Qaeda seems to be yet another example of history reprising a great tragedy as farce. What make the misadventure of the underpants bomber on Flight 253 seem darkly ridiculous, however, is not only his incompetence in setting himself on fire, but the hysteria and hypocrisy of the reactions set off on the right by his painful squib. Then again, the Republican exploitative response to terror is as predictable as Al Qaeda’s urge to kill.

"It's Unfair"

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:36:54 -0500

Article Link:
http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2009/12/18/dean_and_healthcare/index.html

Date Published:
December 18, 2009 - 7:00pm

Excerpt:

Howard Dean proved long ago that he marches to the beat of his own conscience. Neither personal attacks nor appeals to party -- nor mockery voiced by Washington's media establishment -- will move him when he thinks he is right. So despite a barrage of harsh reaction from the mainstream press, liberal politicians and interest groups and the White House itself, the former DNC chairman remains unswerving in his opposition to the Senate Democrats' healthcare bill.

The Democrats Blinked

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:35:04 -0500

Article Link:
http://www.observer.com/2009/politics/democrats-blinked

Date Published:
December 15, 2009 - 7:00pm

Excerpt:

By bowing to Senator Joseph Lieberman and his obstructive pals in both parties on health care reform, President Obama has confirmed what Republicans always say about Democrats: They simply aren’t strong enough to govern. Or at least the Democrats elected last year—and their colleagues in the Senate leadership—don’t seem to be.

ACORN Videos Were Propaganda

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 21:23:27 -0500

Article Link:
http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2009/12/11/acorn/index.html

Date Published:
December 11, 2009 - 10:00pm

Excerpt:

The tough report released this week (PDF) by Scott Harshbarger, the former Massachusetts attorney general asked to prepare an independent assessment of ACORN by that organization's leaders, could scarcely compete with the infamous videotapes that sparked cable drama and congressional outrage last summer.

Fair and Balanced Science

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:48:11 -0500

Article Link:
http://www.observer.com/2009/politics/fair-and-balanced-science

Date Published:
December 8, 2009 - 10:00pm

Excerpt:

Evading the challenges of climate change—and the human responsibility to save the planet—is simple enough even for the laziest citizen. Pay attention only to the theories that support the comforting skepticism of the oil industry. Focus on a set of purloined emails that prove nothing except that scientists can be as unpleasant to each other as any other group of people. Get the “facts” from Fox News Channel, the Wall Street Journal editorial page, the Moonie-controlled Washington Times and all the other conservative outlets that are as fair and balanced as an Exxon press release.

The Best-Case Afghanistan Scenario

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:45:26 -0500

Article Link:
http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2009/12/04/afghanistan/index.html

Date Published:
December 4, 2009 - 10:00pm

Excerpt:

Deep within the jargon-encrusted, repetitive prose of Gen. Stanley McChrystal's official assessment of the situation in Afghanistan lies a little-noticed clue to the puzzling plan announced by President Obama this week. In a brief section on "reintegrating" insurgent fighters into Afghan society, the commander of the International Security Assistance Force reviews the most basic reality of counterinsurgent warfare.

Mike Huckabee's Fatally Bad Judgment

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:40:10 -0500

Article Link:
http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2009/11/30/mike_huckabee/index.html

Date Published:
November 30, 2009 - 10:00pm

Excerpt:

If clemency for Maurice Clemmons were the only fatal error committed by Mike Huckabee as governor of Arkansas, he might be able to shift blame to the state's law enforcement system and even run for president again in 2012. Yet the Clemmons commutation that he granted nine years ago is only one among several cases that raise serious questions about Huckabee's judgment.

Masking Inaction With Drivel

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:23:57 -0500

Article Link:
http://www.observer.com/2009/politics/masking-inaction-drivel

Date Published:
November 23, 2009 - 10:00pm

Excerpt:

The puzzling thing about politicians of either party who claim to be “centrist” or “moderate” is how much they sometimes sound like right-wing Republicans. Distinguishing among these different species of politicians on Capitol Hill can often be difficult during the current struggle over health care reform, especially when a senator like Blanche Lambert Lincoln of Arkansas tries to explain herself. Like so many of the Republicans they try to emulate, these Democrats claim to worry about spending and deficits—except on programs that benefit them, their favorite constituents and the lobbyists who pay their campaign expenses.

A Wobbly Democrat's Moment of Truth

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:22:10 -0500

Article Link:
http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2009/11/20/blanche_lincoln/index.html

Date Published:
November 20, 2009 - 10:00pm

Excerpt:

On the very same day that Blanche Lambert Lincoln will finally vote on whether to allow healthcare reform to reach the Senate floor, thousands of the dithering Arkansas Democrat's uninsured constituents will be lining up to see doctors at a free medical clinic in Little Rock. Anticipating this remarkable coincidence, Lincoln may even realize that conservative ideologues and insurance lobbyists are not the only voices that should command her attention during this debate.

What Are They Afraid Of?

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:13:52 -0500

Article Link:
http://www.observer.com/2009/politics/what-are-they-afraid

Date Published:
November 17, 2009 - 10:00pm

Excerpt:

The loudest voices on the right never tire of telling us that they are the truest patriots. They claim to be the deepest believers in our system, the strongest defenders of our Constitution, the most upbeat, bold and courageous Americans anywhere. But now that the government is finally prepared to put the perpetrators of the 9/11 terror attacks on trial, these same patriots are the first to spread doubt, instigate anxiety and abandon constitutional principles.

Lou Dobbs for President!

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:08:06 -0500

Article Link:
http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2009/11/12/lou_dobbs/index.html

Date Published:
November 12, 2009 - 10:00pm

Excerpt:

The evening of Nov. 11, when Lou Dobbs formally ended his career in journalism, may mark the beginning of a political nightmare for conservatives. In his departing remarks, he surely hinted at bigger ambitions when he said that "some leaders in media, politics and business have been urging me to go beyond the role here at CNN and to engage in constructive problem solving as well as to contribute positively to the great understanding of the issues of our day."

The War On Facts

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:10:03 -0500

Article Link:
http://www.observer.com/2009/politics/war-facts

Date Published:
November 10, 2009 - 9:00pm

Excerpt:

Within hours after the House of Representatives approved health care reform by a narrow margin, Republicans predicted retribution at the polls next fall. They promised to make every Democrat regret that historic vote as the first step toward the reversal of power in Washington. And as the current debate has proved, they aren’t going to let honesty become an obstacle.

Joe Lieberman Undercuts His Wife

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:09:08 -0500

Article Link:
http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2009/11/05/hadassah_lieberman/index.html

Date Published:
November 5, 2009 - 9:00pm

Excerpt:

When Joe Lieberman announced his threat to filibuster against any healthcare reform bill that includes a public option, it was natural to suspect the influence of his wife, Hadassah, and the insurance-pharmaceutical-lobbying complex that employed her for decades. But perhaps the problem is that the Connecticut senator isn't listening to her -- or the organization she now represents -- as attentively as he should.