Election 2012

Nov 8, 2012 ∞

Conservatives lambast Romney, vow to take over Republican Party

The Hill’s Erik Wasson, quoting Jenny Beth Martin of the Tea Party Patriots:

She described Romney as a “weak, moderate candidate hand-picked by the country club elite Republican establishment […] They didn’t see a clear distinction so they went with what they know,” she said of voters.

"Conservatives" is not an accurate descriptor of Tea Party sympathizers. "Extremists" and "fundamentalists" are better descriptors.

Actually, I think Romney’s farthest-right positions are the very ones that lost him this election. I keep hearing and reading about a growing movement among moderate Republicans (the original and, many would argue, “real” Conservatives) to take back their party.

If that narrative is accurate, and if that movement succeeds, the Republican party has a chance to put someone in the Oval Office in 2016. Those who would prefer a president with an (R) next to their name would do well to show the extremists and fundamentalists in their ranks the door.

Nov 7, 2012 ∞

Marriage rights tide turns decisively against US bigots

I hope this is the beginning of an acceleration in the death of “traditional” marriage in the United States of America. Fear, ignorance, and religion are all equally insufficient and shameful excuses to deny universal marriage rights for one more moment.

Aug 30, 2012 ∞

I am Barack Obama, President of the United States -- AMA

I am Barack Obama, President of the United States – AMA

His most vulnerable answer (in my opinion) was with regard to a question about his most difficult decision so far as President:

The decision to surge our forces in afghanistan. Any time you send our brave men and women into battle, you know that not everyone will come home safely, and that necessarily weighs heavily on you. The decision did help us blunt the taliban’s momentum, and is allowing us to transition to afghan lead - so we will have recovered that surge at the end of this month, and will end the war at the end of 2014. But knowing of the heroes that have fallen is something you never forget.

The session may have lasted only thirty minutes, and he may have only answered ten questions, but the President of the United States’ taking questions over Reddit will be seen by history as a bold and positive statement about the importance of the internet and its native communities.

Aug 24, 2012 ∞

Microsoft's Election 2012 hub on Xbox Live heralds the interactive TV future

Microsoft’s Election 2012 hub on Xbox Live heralds the interactive TV future

Samit Sarkar, reporting at The Verge:

The interactive element of the hub is a live polling system. It will gather impressions from Xbox Live users as they watch live broadcasts of the three scheduled presidential debates between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney.

It’s not exactly the cross-examination inspired debate format pushed for by Will McAvoy in The Newsroom, but I think it’s a forward-thinking use of the platform.