Republicans are fervently trying to smear President-elect Barack Obama with Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s mess. But are their charges credible and productive? Washington Post blogger Chris Cillizza calls it a “guilt-by-association tactic that represents a significant gamble for a party still looking to pick itself up off the electoral mat.” Sen. John McCain said Sunday, “With all due respect to the Republican National Committee, we should try to be working constructively together.” But according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll, just 51 percent of Americans think Obama has said enough on the Blagojevich matter.
President-elect Barack Obama’s choice for education secretary, Chicago schools chief Arne Duncan, doesn’t look like a placeholder – especially not with Obama calling failing schools “morally unacceptable for our children” and Duncan calling education the “civil rights issue of this generation.” Duncan’s tricky mission will be to satisfy three passionate camps – reformers, teacher unions and No Child Left Behind critics. Good luck with that.
The angry Iraqi TV journalist whose name-calling and shoe-hurling upstaged President George W. Bush’s surprise visit to Iraq illustrated Iraq’s progress toward democracy, at least for columnist Roger L. Simon. He wrote: Iraq is “turning into a (somewhat) decent place to live. That buffoon-like shoe chucker – his name is Muntadhar al-Zeidi from Al-Baghdadia channel which broadcasts from Cairo – proved it. No matter what happens to al-Zeidi now (and it won’t be much if anything), it will be nothing like what would have happened to him if he had hurled a shoe at the president during the previous Iraqi administration of Saddam Hussein.”
Since WaterWalk’s conception six years ago, Wichitans have learned not to count on everything working out as planned for the multiuse riverfront development. A hoped-for Bass Pro Shop morphed into a Gander Mountain store. And a costly boat canal, once central to the project, gave way to promises of a significant water feature and an amphitheater. Now, the amphitheater is targeted for elimination. At today’s meeting, Wichita City Council members will consider that and other proposed changes to the WaterWalk plan. Citizens can’t be blamed for wondering what, if anything, remains from the original vision. But costs are rising and the city’s financial commitment to the development isn’t. Plus, the amphitheater always risked being redundant, given the long-proposed permanent replacement for the West Bank Stage. WaterWalk certainly can still succeed without an amphitheater, as long as what was once promised to be “Wichita’s next great gathering place” still has places to gather. It’s important that the recently quickened pace of progress continues at WaterWalk, meaning City Hall also must make a decision soon on the future of the Boathouse.
The following satirical headlines come from borowitzreport.com:
YANKEES SIGN IRAQI HURLER; Shoe-throwing Right-hander Impresses Scouts
NBC TO REPLACE ENTIRE PRIMETIME SCHEDULE WITH PEACOCK LOGO; Bird Symbol to Air From 8 to 10
ILLINOIS GUV OFFERS SENATE SEAT TO ARRESTING OFFICER; Daring Escape Attempt Caught on Tape
POLL: AUTO CEOS NOT WORTH $1 A YEAR; Would Be ‘Overpaid,’ Survey Says
ANGRY KUCINICH REMINDS OBAMA HE WAS RIVAL; Hail Mary Bid for Postmaster General
If The Wichita Eagle’s Holiday Open House is on your calendar from 4 to 7 p.m. today at 825 E. Douglas, stop by the editorial board offices and say “hello.” All questions, comments, criticisms, holiday greetings are welcome.
Republicans are fervently trying to smear President-elect Barack Obama with Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s mess. But are their charges credible and productive? Washington Post blogger Chris Cillizza calls it a “guilt-by-association tactic that represents a significant gamble for a party still looking to pick itself up off the electoral mat.” Sen. John McCain said Sunday, “With all due respect to the Republican National Committee, we should try to be working constructively together.” But according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll, just 51 percent of Americans think Obama has said enough on the Blagojevich matter.
