Talk/Talk: Broder's Caution

Below are excerpts from this week's Talk Talk, Broder's Caution. Every Sunday CUIP's president Jacqueline Salit and strategist and philosopher Fred Newman watch the political talk shows and discuss them. Here are excerpts from their dialogue on Sunday, February 10, 2008 after watching "The Chris Matthews Show" and "Meet the Press".

Salit: Yes. And on that very point, there has been detailed discussion about the super delegates and about the question that the party faces, namely, what if you end up in the situation where the super delegates overturn the popular will of the voters?

Newman: If that does occur, it won't be projected that way. We have to bear in mind the distinction between what's going to happen and how what's going to happen is projected. That's never going to be projected. Might it happen? This is the age of party autonomy, so they can decide all kinds of things. The Supreme Court claims they can...

Salit: The parties can set up whatever they like.

Newman: They can set up whatever rules they like. So, ultimately they'll make the decision. It's the Democratic primary, it's not the general election. And, ultimately the Democratic Party will make the decision as to who they nominate.

Read Talk Talk in its entirety here.

Neither party has Americans' trust

Two-thirds of political independents — the swing voters — agree with the statements that Republicans are too quick to use military force instead of diplomacy and are too stubborn in refusing to negotiate with hostile countries. But by nearly as large a margin, those same independents agree that Democrats are not tough enough to do what is needed to protect America and are unwilling to use military force, even when it's necessary for national security.... (David Broder in Pioneer Press)

A bold gamble on bipartisan third party

David Broder on Unity '08 (Indianiapolis Star): Thirty-nine states allow a new party to petition onto the presidential ballot, without having a named candidate, but the deadlines and numbers of signers vary widely. The first test will be whether Unity08 attracts enough volunteers and money to carry out that effort. And then comes the challenge of recruiting a candidate or candidates for Unity08 to back....