by Benjamin J. Kirby
So it's starting to look like things in the presidential race are changing, morphing a bit.
On the Romney side, he's branching out a bit from attacking Obama on the economy.
"I understand the economy is the top issue, but you don't want to be so maniacally focused that you ignore everything else," said Keith Appell, a Republican consultant who advises conservative groups. "There's always a risk of becoming too focused – a horse with blinders – and not seeing some of the other things around you. Campaigns need focus. But there's something to be said for peripheral vision when you're trying to hold a coalition together."
We're not supposed to make fun of the goddam dressage horse, Keith!
Oh, wait... nevermind.
On the Obama side, they're feeling comfortable enough to start rolling out the Republicans for Obama.
Advisers to President Barack Obama are scripting a Democratic National Convention featuring several Republicans in a prime-time appeal to independents — and planning a blistering portrayal of Mitt Romney as a heartless aristocrat who “would devastate the American middle class,” Democratic sources tell POLITICO.
Both are pretty bold moves as the candidates look to start persuading independents.
Frankly, I think they're both moving a little early on that, but here we are. This election has been moving at a fairly rapid clip, so maybe both campaigns are feeling a little pressure to move on some new stuff. Usually the play for independents wouldn't happen until after the conventions.
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I really like Fareed Zakaria, and this whole plagiarism thing (the second one involving The New Yorker in a few weeks) has just bummed me out.
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So I guess Jon Huntsman, Jr. isn't in the VP running...
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I was so sorry to hear of the passing of author and essayist David Rakoff. I still have Fraud at home, in among my David Sedaris collection, and count it as one of my favorites.
Maybe that would be a good one to re-read this coming week.
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Just wanted to give a shout out to the good men and women of the United States Coast Guard Cutter Spencer. I came across them Googling the name of my own blog (which is either better or worse than Googling your own name, depending on your point of view), and found their cool newsletter [PDF.
Early during my tenure in the Clinton Administration, I had the opportunity to come aboard the CGC Red Cedar, tour the vessel, meet the captain and crew, and see amazing work they did. Ever since, I've always had a great deal of respect for the diverse -- and demanding -- workload of the United States Coast Guard.
We write about very different things, but I am honored to share the name with the United States Coast Guard, and the brave crew of the CGC Spencer! Thank you for your service!
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It's finally Friday.
And because you're awesome, you get a double-shot of Zep. You're welcome.
...and here:
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