Bush Nominee Under Fire Over Anti-Gay Paper

Onetime supporter bashes Obama, who needs more of Lincoln's 'chill'

(NEWSER) - Gore Vidal is 83 and uses a wheelchair now, but the legendary American writer hasn't lost any of his strong opinions—not least on Barack Obama, who is doing "dreadfully" and has "fucked up" health reform. Vidal supported Obama after originally backing Hillary Clinton, but now thinks she'd be the better president: "Hillary knows more about the world and what to do with the generals." Vidal foresees a GOP victory in 2012, but that's nothing compared to the "military dictatorship we'll have fairly soon." More»

Kennedy's death left a void—and no one is stepping up to fill it

(NEWSER) - As Democrats fight among themselves over health care, it’s becoming painfully clear that they lack a clear public leader on the issue, writes Manu Raju for Politico. In part it’s because, with a number of House and Senate committees involved, there are too many cooks stirring the pot, and in part because there’s no Ted Kennedy-esque figure who commands respect. Liberals distrust Max Baucus; Chris Dodd, who stepped in for Kennedy and drafted a competing bill, is more focused on financial reform. More»

Decision to back global decriminalization reverses Bush policy

(AP) - The Obama administration will endorse a UN declaration calling for the worldwide decriminalization of homosexuality that President Bush refused to sign, reports AP. The US was the only western government that refused to back the declaration last year, triggering stinging criticism of the Bush administration. Some 70 UN nations still outlaw homosexuality, and homosexual acts can be punished by execution in several countries. More»

Senate seat the perfect ending to her 'fairy tale'

(NEWSER) - Sure, you can make a case against it, but Caroline Kennedy becoming a senator would be the perfect ending to a "modern fairy tale," Ruth Marcus writes in the Washington Post. Putting aside her tendency to "recoil from political dynasties," Marcus points out that there are plenty of politicians who didn't exactly pay their dues—does Jesse Ventura ring a bell? More»

Watch for Clinton supporters, Jesse Jackson

(NEWSER) - Here's what to watch at the Democratic National Convention tonight, Politico reports:

1. Ted Kennedy, still recovering from surgery, "is definitely speaking tonight," one Dem said, and plans a memorable torch-passing to Barack Obama.
2. Michelle Obama will try to sell herself as a strong but inoffensive first lady; whether America buys it may determine how she is used on the trail.