Obama and "Libertarian Paternalism"

George Will tries to explain what "Libertarian Paternalism" is and how Obama might be a conduit for it's ascension into the American mainstream. I'm not convinced. The word "Libertarian" should probably never be used in the same sentence as Obama unless you are describing how he is definitely not one. But George Will is only slightly crazy these days, so he may be onto something.

Have Gitmo Detainees Gone Back to the Battlefield?

Most research shows it's a conservative urban legend.

EURO

I just got done watching the Turkey vs. Czech Republic game on ESPN. The last half hour of the match is a great example of why so many people consider football (soccer for you Amurckans) the greatest sport in the world. Every year, whether it's the World Cup, the Euros, or the Champions League, almost a billion people around the world tune in to watch their favorite sport. Turkey, despite being down 2-0, managed to come back in the last 25 minutes and somehow win 3-2 against a side that was definitely the favorites.

If you're free, watch it on ESPN360.com and find out why people love this sport.

Ron Paul Reflects On His Campaign

Classic Ron:



I have to say: I still love this man. His campaign was such an encouragement to those who still believe small government conservatism is still possible. But the way his campaign was run, from the money-bomb days to the freaking blimp, the grassroots element was especially encouraging. Oh what could have been. I do think he was a bit too old and was a bit too wrong about subjects like the Civil War and immigration, but he was still my candidate. Here he is reflecting on his campaign and giving his speech in his "Hi, I'm your goofy neighbor" sort of way. If only there were more Ron Paul's in America...

Fin

It's hard to put your finger on when it really ended for Hillary Clinton. Lots of people will say February or March, after a string of Obama victories. But the end of her campaign began before that, whether it was moments like these or a moment like this, it was Mrs. Clinton's attitude of entitlement that turned off many voters. The "She Who Is Inevitable Meme" backfired on her and she got trumped by a freshman Senator with very little political experience. And how did Mrs. Clinton respond to Obama's wins and clear victories? By going below the belt on Obama, whether it was circulating terrible pictures or using a phrase like "change you can xerox," her Rovian and slimeball tactics are the remains of an old style of politics that Obama rightly put beneath him.

While the Democratic race was extraordinary, it was not completely unpredictable (just ask Andrew Sullivan.) Obama is a fresh, young face after we have seen two prominent political familes exact their power over the White House. It's the election after a dreadful president who has crippled the country and then a African-American male comes forward and begins to talk about "change." It's an incredible story. It's a Martin Luther King Jr. kind of story.

Now that we know who are candidates are, the real debate can finally begin. We will finally hear a real debate about issues like healthcare, Iraq, torture, and foreign policy. Obama and McCain will bear it all to the public. We finally have two presidential candidates and we're not worrying about "who's the lesser of two evils," but who is actually better. I can honestly say, for the first time in my life, that I'm an undecided voter. I don't know who I'll vote for, but I know for sure that I will think long and hard about it.

Let the games begin.