ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Republican National Convention is over (let's hear a loud shout-out for St. Paul!). All the 2008 presidential primaries and caucuses are history. Barely eight weeks remain before the nation's voters — in the civic sacrament of democracy we call a national election — will choose a new American leader. Republic...

ST. PAUL, Minn. — If you didn't know that John McCain was a Republican, you might think he was running against the Republicans. "We were elected to change Washington, and we let Washington change us," McCain told the Republican National Convention Thursday night. "We lost the trust of the American people when some Republicans g...

John McCain's choice of Sarah Palin was the most inspired decision of his long race for the White House. The ads lampooning Barack Obama's messianic pretensions were skillful as well. But the Palin pick accomplished several goals at once. It is, it must be acknowledged, a terrible year to be a Republican. A decidedly unpopular Republican president ...

If I were an aspiring sexist or racist — God forbid — yet still cared what people thought about me, I'd make sure I became a conspicuous liberal. I'd also make sure my targets were conservative. That's the ticket to immunity for all kinds of outrageous conduct and statements. If you are a liberal darling, like Bill Clinton was for a dec...

The Republicans have made it clear where their focus is this week with their convention slogan, "Country First." With the abundance of flags, chants of "USA, USA" and tributes to those in the military, they have been laying it on thick, which is traditional at GOP conventions. Sen. John McCain often has talked about the need for...

ST. PAUL, Minn. — On behalf of the media, I would like to say we are sorry. On behalf of the elite media, I would like to say we are very sorry. We have asked questions this week that we should never have asked. We have asked pathetic questions like: Who is Sarah Palin? What is her record? Where does she stand on the issues? And is she is qua...

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The American Right has just died and gone to heaven. Last night's convention address by Sarah Palin here in St. Paul has confirmed the bold decision of John McCain to choose the Alaska governor as his co-pilot and united the Republican Party as it has not been since the second term of Ronald Reagan. A wild enthusiasm for Sar...