Power Made Easy: What Not To Do

Some witnesses in front of Congressional committees seem determined to rescue defeat from the jaws of victory, whether through their demeanor, their preparation or their sheer refusal to go along with the gag, even when the facts are on their side. The last post detailed the recent testimony of Maura Harty, Assistant Secretary of State […]

Power Made Easy: How to Testify Before Congress

Speaking to a Congressional committee is a gold-plated bragging right for anyone who wants his opinion heard or expertise plumbed. While any lucky tourist can get a meet and greet with a member of Congress, only a player gets asked to testify. But why has it looked so difficult lately?Why have so many Administration officials […]

The IED's of Presidential Politics

Nothing embodies asymmetrical warfare in the 21st century better than the improvised explosive device- the IED. Anybody can make one, and after it’s done its damage, there’s usually nobody to blame. Even with the best trained, best funded, most sophisticated military in the world, the United States is struggling to defend itself and its soldiers […]

Shiny Objects on the Campaign Trail

Dear Political Bloggers, Did you know that some political campaigns have a tactic called “the shiny object theory” to manage their critics in the blogosphere? That theory presumes that opponents of a campaign can be distracted from large, important issues (like war, taxes and the ins-and-outs of the federal deficit) by smaller, salacious items that […]

Is Pelosi Walking a Tightrope over Sugarcandy Mountain?

In George Orwell’s “Animal Farm,” Sugarcandy Mountain is a pretend land of sweetness promised to the animals by Moses, a pet raven who belongs to the owner of Manor Farm. The only promise more enticing to the collection of pigs, horses and assorted working animals is the even bigger idea that if the farmer went […]

Independents' Day

Just over a week before the mid-term elections, House Majority Leader John Boehner told George Stephanopoulos that he did not worry about the Republicans retaining their majority in the House. “Where Republicans are being hurt most is among independents,” he said. “But independents don’t show up in the off year.” What Boehner said is true, […]

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