Dems Fret Over School Ruling

Party faithful split on politics but united in distrust

(NEWSER) - Vastly different crowds appear at the rallies of the candidates who started their campaigns calling for bipartisan unity, a roving New York Times reporter finds. Republican rallygoers shout to a country-pop soundtrack; the Democratic faithful dance to folk and Motown. Flag pins, pompoms, and patriotic songs define GOP gatherings, while Dems favor buttons and the word "change." More»

Instead of putting conflict behind us, Dem's crowd perceives insult just about everywhere

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama is allegedly helping America “transcend race,” Jonah Goldberg writes in the National Review, but if moving beyond race “would involve making race less of an issue,” why are Obama’s fervent supporters obsessed with bringing it up? One columnist sees racism in descriptions of the Democrat as “skinny"; the Kansas City Star’s editorial board sees it in those who call him “socialist.” More»

And Obama can't make the media look dumb on this one, or it'll get really bad

(NEWSER) - The only way to contain the new power that is Sarah Palin (the power conferred by Democratic attacks) is to start ignoring her and return to the basics, Peggy Noonan advises in the Wall Street Journal. To overcome the "catastrophe" of the last two weeks, Barack Obama needs to focus on giving electrifying speeches, on the actual issues, with Joe Biden alongside. More»

(NEWSER) - Joe Biden accepted his party's nomination to be vice president tonight, then took to the podium to pound the theme that John McCain will offer nothing more than a third Bush term, CNN reports. "John McCain doesn't seem to get it," said Biden, stressing his own humble roots and decrying the dire financial straits of blue-collar families. "Americans need more than a good soldier," he said, referring to McCain's war record. "They require a wise leader." More»

Under-the-radar pick Sidney Thomas gets Oval Office meeting

(AP) - President Obama has accelerated his search for his next Supreme Court nominee, meeting in the Oval Office with one of the candidates, federal judge Sidney Thomas of Montana, a person familiar with the conversation says. Obama's meeting with Thomas yesterday was his first known formal interview for the upcoming vacancy on the court. He's holding conversations with other candidates, but it's unclear whether he's had any other face-to-face meetings. More»