Gordon Brown on Russia

Gordon Brown offers a firm but calm response to the Georgian problem, as reported at the BBC:
Mr Brown said: “When Russia has a grievance over an issue such as South Ossetia, it should act multilaterally by consent rather than unilaterally by force.”
He went on: “My message to Russia is simple. If you want to be [...]

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On Palin

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Analysis
Pros

She’ll help McCain appeal to “disenfranchised” Clinton Democrats. Probably in a big way.
She’ll re-enforce McCain’s maverick image, being a corruption-fighter, an outsider, etc., etc…
She’ll energise the conservative base of the GOP.
Every time the Democrats question her experience, Republicans can remind Americans that she has at least as much professional political experience than Obama. She’s actually [...]

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Meet Number Two

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No, seriously.
Bio here.
Commentary later.

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Sacrifice Medal

According to the CBC:
OTTAWA – The Governor General has announced the creation of a new medal equivalent to the U.S. Purple Heart.
The Sacrifice Medal will be awarded to military personnel, members of allied forces or Canadian civilians working under the authority of the Canadian Forces who suffered wounds or death caused by hostile action, on [...]

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Oh Puhleeze

Uncle Vlad’s at it again.
Here’s NYT:
MOSCOW — As Russia struggled to rally international support for its military action in Georgia, Vladimir V. Putin, the country’s paramount leader, lashed out at the United States on Thursday, contending that the White House may have orchestrated the conflict to benefit one of the candidates in the American presidential [...]

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McCain Veep Watch

Well, it’s not Pawlenty.
As I said before, I think Romney’s the guy. He’s polished, capable, bright and has presidential bearing. Of all the names that have made their way onto the Republican VP short-list, Romney’s the one I’d trust most with the presidency.
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UPDATE: Check out McCain’s campaign website. Is it just me, or does it [...]

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More on the Russian Resurgence

The Economist, anti-climactically, has a great write-up on the on-going Russian problem.
In particular, the article talks about the likely outcome of Russia recognising Abkhazia and S. Ossettia as independent states:
Russia likes to draw parallels with Kosovo—a state carved out of Serbia as a result of Western military intervention. But the parallel is superficial. Few embassies [...]

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More Fall Election Speculation

Interesting piece in G&M.
Tory insiders Tom Flanagan and Bob Plamondon offer competing perspectives on Harperite strategery.
Here’s Flanagan’s view:
“I don’t think Harper has to be thinking about a majority at all,” Mr. Flanagan said in an interview.
“Strategically, this is sort of a prolonged war of attrition.”
As Mr. Flanagan sees it, the first major battle in this [...]

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John McCain on Leno

Part 1:

Part 2:

(h/t: RCP)
This is one of the best “night show” performances I’ve ever seen a politician give. Home run.
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And for what it’s worth, here’s Mitt Romney (R-Massachusetts) on Morning Joe looking awfully vice presidential. I think he’d make the best no. 2.

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Michelle Obama’s Speech

The above is the opening few minutes of the keynote address to the Democratic Convention on Monday night by Mrs. Michelle Obama. She is to be congratulated on her delivery.
The rest is available, of course, on YouTube. Text available here.
Let’s take a look under the hood.
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Purpose and Theme
It appears [...]

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