China Taking Baby Steps

The Chinese government has announced, today, that it will hold talks with representatives of the Dalai Lama about the situation in Tibet.

The announcement may be in response to international critics and threats of boycotts of the upcoming Olympic games in Beijing, yet it seems to be a step in the right direction. It may only be a baby step as we will have to see how the talks play out and if the situation itself actually improves. Any willingness to more towards compromise, though, is a good sign.

More Waiting...

We thought the waiting might be over, but the only thing the Pennsylvania primary showed us is that we will have to wait some more.

Though Obama was able to close, what polls showed to be a 20% gap, he could only cut it in half. Clinton won Pennsylvania with about 55% of the popular vote. Though many still say that Clinton's chances of winning the nomination are slim, it certainly helped her keep the race going strong.

North Carolina and Indiana are the next two big states on the docket though everyone is keeping their eyes focused on the latter state. Obama is the heavily favored winner in N.C. but Indiana, with demographics similar to Pennsylvania, will be a tight race according to the polls.

The way things are looking it doesn't seem as though we will know anything more any time soon, no matter who wins the primaries on May 6th.

News That Does Not Include the Pope

In case you haven't opened a newspaper or turned on a TV in the past week or more the Pope is in America. Of course, this is newsworthy, but come on now. The way its been covered in the DC metro area, you might think the man cured cancer or ended the war or perhaps that everyone in the world had converted to Catholicism. Sorry to seem anti-religion (I'm not, so don't worry) but the man is everywhere and its slightly annoying...

But anyway, while the Pope has been here the world has continued functioning, perhaps poorly, but functioning all the same:

-There are food riots happening around the world. One of the most notable countries rioting is Haiti.

-The Democratic debate took place in Philadelphia. The first hour or more was focused solely on issues of zero depth, aka bitter feelings and fake Bosnia sniper fire. I was very disappointed with my man Charlie (Gibson- the moderator).

-A Texas polygamist ranch was raided after a 16-year-old girl reported being abused. An unprecedented case about child abuse and religion is likely to ensue.

-The Kenyans came to an official conclusion regarding the election, with the opposition party publicly being offered and accepting the position of PM.

Stirring up bitterness

Obama has been slammed in the press and by both Clinton and McCain for recent comments he made. During a session in San Francisco Obama was recorded saying that people in small, rural towns are "bitter" and "cling to guns and religion" as a result of the failure of the government on their behalf.

He has now been labeled as an "elitist" and apparently "out of touch" with Democrats. To show that she is one of the people Hillary recently was spotted at a bar drinking beers and downing a shot with a bunch of average joes.

For more on the subject I will again turn to my good friend Jon Stewart. I don't believe I will be able to give an unbiased account of the controversy, and though he won't either, atleast he's funny:

Iraq Hearings in the Senate

General David Petraeus testified in front of two Senate committees yesterday alongside Ambassador to Iraq, Ryan Crocker. Today, the pair will face the House of Representatives.

The pair talked about their recommendations for the future of the military in Iraq and discussed their assessment of the situation. They faced questions from members of the committees, some tough, others not so tough.

The hearings certainly hosted a clash of ideologies and strategies for the war in Iraq, yet as the LA Times pointed out , "...there was no real decision at stake: President Bush is expected Thursday to endorse Petraeus' recommendation for a suspension of withdrawals in July, insisting that security gains over the last 15 months can lead toward a sustainable future, with continued U.S. help."

Among the questioners were all three of the Presidential nominees. Appropriately, most primary politics stayed out of the hearing, though each candidate tried to take the opportunity to stake their stance on Iraq more clearly.

McCain, the highest ranking Republican, was the only presidential candidate that got to make an opening speech before taking his time for questions.

For me, of the parts I saw live, Senator Edward Kennedy had the quote of the day: "A year ago, the president said we couldn't withdraw because there was too much violence. Now he says we can't afford to withdraw because violence is down."

A Strategist with a Bad Strategy

Mark Penn, pollster and strategist for Hillary Clinton's campaign has "stepped down" due to an unsavory business relationship with Colombia.

Penn met with Colombian officials, while acting in his role of chief executive for Burson-Marsteller Worldwide, to work on a strategy to help aid in getting a Colombian trade agreement through Congress.

The trade deal is something Clinton opposes and Penn's link could be potentially damaging for her in Pennsylvania where other international trade deals, like NAFTA, are not viewed in a favorable light.

Penn was an integral Hillary's campaign strategy, and was a big part of Bill Clinton's campaigns and administration.

Not only has Penn lost his position as chief strategist for the Clinton campaign, but Colombia fired Burson-Marsteller Worldwide after Penn apologized for his link with the deal.

All is not lost for Penn, however, as his campaign communications firm Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates, will remain on the Clinton campaign in order to provide polling data.

USA Today has a great list of media reactions to the potential fallout (or perceived lack thereof) from the Penn ordeal.

Democratic Race to Be Decided In an Alley...

...Not a dark alley. A bowling alley.

After Barack Obama got media attention for going bowling in Altoona, Pennsylvania Hillary Clinton decided she needed to get in on the action challenging Obama to a bowl-off.

It was, of course, an April Fools joke but she milked the metaphor for all it was worth.

"Today I am challenging Senator Obama to a bowl off, a bowling night, right here in Pennsylvania winner take all... I will even spot him 2 frames. It’s time for his campaign to get out of the gutter and allow all of the pins to be counted. I am prepared to play this game all the way to 10th frame. And when this game is over the America people will know when that phone rings at 3am they will have a president who will be able to bowl on day one so let’s strike a deal and go bowling for delegates," CBS news quoted.

It seems that Clinton is reading into Pennsylvanian culture as she also compared herself to Rocky Balboa recently.

We will soon see if Rocky and bowling are in fact keys to Keystone stater's hearts- or at least their votes.