George W. Bush - Stealing Second

Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland brought down the house at the Democratic National Convention Tuesday night with a crack about President Bush -- and John McCain -- that harked back to one of the sharpest verbal stones ever thrown at Bush's father.

"You know, it was once said of the first George Bush that he was born on third base and thought he'd hit a triple," Strickland said. "Well, with the 22 million new jobs and the budget surplus Bill Clinton left behind, George W. Bush came into office on third base, and then he stole second."

As the crowd roar, Strickland added, "And John McCain cheered him every step of the way."

The first version of the line was delivered with a wry smile at the 1988 Democratic convention in Atlanta by the first President Bush's fellow Texan Ann Richards, then the state's treasurer and later its governor.

From the Boston Globe.

History, Hurricanes and Birthdays

Newseum

Last night, Barack Obama made history in Denver. He accepted the nomination of the Democratic Party for President of the United States. Today's front page of The Times-Picayune as featured at the Newseum is shown above - both celebrating Obama's nomination and warning of the approach of Hurricane Gustav.

National Hurricane Center

Today is also John McCain's 72nd birthday. Here is a photo of him celebrating three years ago with George Bush - while New Orleans was drowning.

Firedoglake

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Obamacans and Foreign Policy

In tomorrow's Financial Times you can read why some prominent Republicans are endorsing Barack Obama.

Foreign policy lures 'Obamacans'

By Edward Luce in Washington

Published: August 13 2008 03:00 | Last updated: August 13 2008 03:00

Barack Obama yesterday netted the endorsement of three prominent Republicans, including Jim Leach and Lincoln Chafee, both of whom lost their congressional seats to Democratic opponents in the 2006 mid-term elections.

The announcement boosts the ranks of so-called "Obamacans" and is likely to fuel speculation about the possibility of bigger names - such as Colin Powell, former secretary of state, and Chuck Hagel, the Republican senator for Nebraska - also endorsing the presumptive Democratic nominee.

Describing Mr Obama's call for change as "more renewal than departure" and thus in line with traditional conservative principles, Mr Leach said: "This is simply not a time for politics as usual . . . I have no doubt that a lot of Republicans will be attracted to Obama in spite of the flaws in this year's primary process."

The two Republicans, along with Rita Hauser, a former White House intelligence adviser, stressed foreign policy as their principal motivation for endorsing Mr Obama. Ms Hauser described as "bellicose" the response of John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, to Russia's conflict with Georgia.

Most "Obamacans" come from the so-called realist wing of the Republican party which has fallen into deep disenchantment with the -foreign policy of George W. Bush, the president.

Some have stressed their hope that Mr Obama would take a more aggressive approach to solving the Israeli-Palestinian crisis even though the Democrat has taken a strongly pro-Israel line. All said they supported Mr Obama's pledge to talk to US adversaries, including Iran.

"There is a deepening split between the traditional Nixonian realist wing of the Republican party and the neo-conservatives that has become more pronounced with John McCain's hardline anti-Russia rhetoric," said Steve Clemons at the New America Foundation.

"I have good reason to believe that there will be other Republicans, such as James Baker [the former secretary of state], who may withhold endorsement from McCain rather than endorse Obama directly."

Electoral analysts say there is unlikely to be a large switch of Republican voters, although Mr Obama's endorsement by prominent Republicans could help sway independents into the Democratic column or encourage others to stay at home.

Mr McCain is working hard to win over hawkish Democrats to his camp, following his endorsement by Joe Lieberman, the former vice-presidential candidate, this year.

There is a possibility that both Mr McCain and Mr Obama could choose running mates from opposition ranks in a bid for centrist voters. Mr Hagel is thought to be an outside choice for Mr Obama's ticket and Mr Lieberman is on Mr McCain's shortlist. Mr Hagel is leaving the Senate in January.

John McCain - Mr. Excitement!

Hat tip to Devilstower.

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