Decorated Vietnam War veteran and two-term United States Senator Chuck Hagel spent 8 hours on the witness chair, trying to convince 26 members of the Senate Armed Services Committee that his love for Israel was sufficient to warrant confirmation as Secretary of Defense. Everything else was of secondary importance for the Committee. I watched the

In the United States Senate, all members get a vote, but all members are not equal. Just like in George Orwell's Animal Farm, some senators are more equal than others. On matters involving the US-Israel relationship, Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer of New York is as equal as you can be. He's Jewish and he represents

Chuck Hagel is a decorated Vietnam War veteran. He's a former Republican two term Senator from Nebraska. He has close ties with President Obama and Vice President Biden. He's generally considered to be the President's first choice to be the next Secretary of Defense. Like many who have seen combat, he is reluctant to advocate

It's close to a sure bet that a social gathering during the holiday season will result in a confrontation with a distant relative, in-law, or friend of a friend who feels compelled to share with any and all their worldview and why they know that the US is going to hell in a handbasket and

Great win, Mr. President. You scared us in the first debate. I'm sure I'm not the first person to tell you that, but you kept your eye on the prize. I think you demonstrated what many people have felt about you for a long time. You have a steady hand, you plan your work, and

Today's Republican party values candidates with a strong jaw, well-kept hair, deferential wives, and an absence of curiosity about world affairs. Curiosity is dangerous. It leads to study, which reveals complications and nuance, all of which erode certainty. Today's Republicans don't mind if their leaders are wrong as long as they are certain, they lead,

I've been observing Mitt Romney off and on for a few years, and quite closely since I started this website in February of this year. Up until the last couple of weeks, I've viewed him as awkward, a bit odd, but basically harmless and even somewhat amusing. He has a slightly weird way of looking

The 13 days since the first debate seemed like an eternity for Obama people. Their man got roughed up and barely fought back. The polls showed slippage for Obama, and Romney had a bounce in his step. Joe gave the faithful a couple of days of relief, but that was not enough. They needed to

Yes, I know he's out there at fundraisers and rallies, clinging to Big Bird for dear life. I guess he has to do something. Polls show a tightening race. My gut tells me it's in danger of falling apart. David Axelrod, Obama's longtime aid and campaign guru, has said that a Presidential campaign is an

Voting is underway in swing states Iowa and Ohio. Most of the rest of the swing states will start voting between October 18 – 27. In 2008, early voting in four swing states accounted for more than 50% of the total vote in those states. Nate Silver, the highly regarded pollster for the New York