former speechwriter for Senator Joe Biden
Senior advisor to Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and former chief speechwriter for Senator Joseph Biden
(D-DE)
PROFILE
Mathew Littman
Guest
FROM Mathew Littman
To the Point
Day Three of the DNC: Joe Biden's Night Hillary Clinton's much awaited message last night was billed as her chance to demonstrate party loyalty by putting an end to the much reported "tensions" resulting from a primary season that was dramatically historic and dramatically close. Hillary might be a hard act for Bill Clinton to follow, but that's his job tonight. Barack Obama reportedly told him to say whatever he wants to. The rest of the night is choreographed to highlight vice presidential candidate Joe Biden and America's relationship to the rest of the world. Are continued tensions between Obama and Clinton forces exaggerated by reporters hard up for a story? What does Biden bring to the ticket and how was he chosen?
To the Point
Rhetoric and Reality in Presidential Campaigns "Maybe I've lived a little long, but I have no illusions about how hard this is going to be. You are not going to wave a magic wand and have the special interests disappear." That's according to Hillary Clinton , referring directly to fellow Democrat Barack Obama , but her comments could apply just as well to Republican John McCain . Both leaders in this year's presidential nomination battles have denounced lobbyists and claim to have embraced public financing for political campaigns. But McCain's campaign manager and his chief political advisor are lobbyists and Obama uses lobbyists as consultants, and both take money directly from corporations and unions that employ lobbyists on Capitol Hill. How far have the two presidential front-runners distanced themselves from business as usual in Washington and on the campaign trail?
To the Point
Barack Obama: The Phenomenon and the Candidate With Barack Obama making inroads with every Democratic constituency, Time magazine is asking, " Is it Too Late for Hillary? " At the same time, the Economist, with a picture of Obama on next week's cover, asks, " But Could He Deliver? " Obama's appeal is based, in part, on race, rhetoric and the promise of national unity. What does he want to do on Iraq, the economy and other issues the next president will be faced with? Can he withstand the scrutiny that goes with his current front-runner status?
To the Point
Presidental Politics and the Promise of Change Barack Obama has been talking about "change" since the outset of his presidential campaign. After he won the Iowa caucuses, other candidates began using the word so often it's become a mantra—not just for Democrats, but Republicans too. Are they all saying the same thing, or are they using the same word to convey different messages? Does "change" mean hope? Is it the opposite of experience? Does it mean seeing the last of George W. Bush or doing the same things, only better? Do voters want real change or a vague promise they can invest with their own expectations? We talk about the language and substance of politics.
Recommended
To the Point
The Trump agenda: where's the beef? President Trump says big things are happening. After celebrating a House bill on health care, he doesn’t yet have Senate agreement. With James Comey’s public testimony scheduled tomorrow, the President today tweeted his selection of a new FBI Director. Is the Chief Executive all style and no substance? Later, terror attacks in Iran and conflicting claims about who’s behind them.
Left, Right & Center
The week that wouldn't quit Will next week get even weirder? (Special one-hour episode)
To the Point
The longest US war: Will Trump send more troops to Afghanistan? The Trump White House is divided over the Pentagon's request for more troops in Afghanistan—where the US has been fighting for the past 16 years. Is there a formula -- either for "victory" or a political settlement? Is there an end in sight for America's longest war?