Month: September 2011

GOP candidates continue to try to gain traction in debates

Posted by dcrim – September 23, 2011

Questions to ponder while wondering who is Gary Johnson and why was he on the stage for Thursday night’s Republican presidential debate:

Politico notes that while it’s not quite time for his camp to panic, Rick Perry — in his third debate in a month,  nearly as many as he’s done in the entire decade he’s served as Texas governor – demonstrated why so few presidential candidates who parachute into the race mid-campaign win the nomination. Click here for the story.

To Walter Shapiro, what was most striking about the debate is that never before in memory have so many presidential candidates crowded on the same stage who have no visible route to the nomination.

Whatever happened to Michele Bachmann?

An excerpt from an editorial in the Miami Herald:

Running against Washington is a tried and true campaign tactic in the primaries. But running against government and offering flippant remarks in place of good ideas is a horrible strategy for anyone who wants to lead a major national party into a presidential election. That requires a broader vision from the candidates. They have to show they’re ready to govern, not just running to win an election.

Click here for the entire editorial.

How some GOP candidates can remain relevant for 2012

Posted by dcrim – September 22, 2011

Matt Latimer of The Daily Beast offers some suggestions for how members of the Republican second tier — everyone except Mitt Romney and Rick Perry — can make their precious moments on camera sparkle tonight in yet another presidential debate. Click here for the story.

In case you were wondering, Bill Gates is still the richest American. For the complete list of the top 400, click here.

GOP field must figure out how to stop Perry steamroller

Posted by dcrim – September 21, 2011

The frontrunner for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination has dipped in the polls and faces a Google gauntlet at Thursday’s debate. Howard Kurtz of the Daily Beast explains why Rick Perry’s rivals need some fresh ammunition—and fast. Click here for the story.

Lewis Black: ‘My belief is drunks make better leaders’

Posted by dcrim – September 20, 2011

Comedian Lewis Black sums up the presidential nominating process:

“No other country does what we do. The process is so disturbingly long for no reason. It’s not like they define themselves. It’s not like they get better. … By the time they nominate someone, you already hate them because they’ve been in your face way too long.”

Click here to see Black’s take on President Obama, the GOP field and Rick Perry.

Doctors’ fees linked to higher health care costs in U.S.

Posted by dcrim – September 19, 2011

Research conducted by two professors of public health at Columbia University clearly illustrates what should be obvious about the disproportionately large percentage of the U.S. economy — 16 percent — that goes to health care: We spend more in the United States for doctors’ services because U.S. doctors charge higher prices than doctors in other countries. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch explores the issue in this editorial.