Fresh Loaf

As the DNC continues, big moments for the Democrats, like Hillary Clinton’s speech, are in abundance.

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

(Sony Pictures Classics)

It feels like it’s been a decade since “The West Wing” went off the air, and I’m still waiting for a TV show that matches its blend of wonkish politics and lofty idealism whipped into a compelling and witty dramatic narrative. Maybe that’s because, in 2008, I’m pining for Jed Bartlet as my president, because Martin Sheen portrayed a greatest-hits/composite president that was one part John F. Kennedy, one (small) part Bill Clinton and bits of other Democrats who deserved a closer look but never made it to the White House.

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The environment’s one of the most important issues our country and world face, but to this point has gone relatively uncovered. This is the best rundown on the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates’ positions I’ve seen yet. It’s filled with links to other articles and resources. Brookings did a great job on this.

CL Editor Ken Edelstein, Senior Writer Andisheh Nouraee and I will be watching the idiot box tonight and typing away while Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama spar off in a battle to determine who will rule the most powerful country of all time for the next four years. Join us for “change,” “hope” and “experience.” Plus, some more “change.” Maybe a little “solution” in there, as well.

We’ll start the blogging experience around 7:32 p.m. The debate starts at 8 p.m. on CNN. Andisheh will blog from home with his fellow anarchists, Ken will be hunkered down at the top-secret clubhouse where the liberal media cognescenti gather, and I will be with the far-left lunatics who converge on Manuel’s Tavern in Poncey-Highland for beer and politics. Or in other words, it’ll be just another Thursday night at Manuel’s.

We’re stealing a page from Wonkette and some dude who writes about movies, and laying down the guidelines for the official Feb. 21 Democratic Debate Drinking Game! After the jump, the rules. Follow at your own risk.

(Photo courtesy of Ishkur.com)

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Are you tired of always watching the debates alone and yelling at the television set? Your cat looks at you confused, wondering why its food-provider is cursing at the thing he/she always rubs its face against? Well, you might not be, but we sure as hell are! So we take it to the Series of Tubes!

Just like we did on Super Tuesday, CL Editor Ken Edelstein and I — and maybe some other CL folks — will be live-blogging CNN’s Democratic debate on Thursday, Feb. 21. The shindig is co-sponsored by Univision, which means we’ll finally be able to put to rest the age-old question about Anderson Cooper and Jorge Ramos. You know, how they’re the same person. What did you think I was talking about?

Details on drinking-game rules, dress code, etc., will follow in the days to come. But be sure to visit here and chime in. We don’t have to go through this dreary process alone, people.

I’ve watched the debates, followed the race closely and read position papers. To me, the choice is obvious.

Both Democrats are good candidates. But one was wrong when it came to the most momentous decision of her public life. And Hillary Clinton continues to compound her poor judgment on Iraq by pretending her vote wasn’t what everyone knows it was: political cover.

It’s the dissembling that bothers me. Clinton reminds me too often of the gamesmanship that diminished her husband’s presidency. Take last week’s CNN debate. When asked about Bill Clinton’s role in her campaign, she guffawed loudly. She said something like, “Well, we all have spouses.”

But behind the laugh was someone avoiding legitimate questions: What exactly is the former president’s role in her campaign, and what will it be in the White House? Do we really want a high minister who’s unaccountable and unimpeachable? Do we want the same family to control the Democratic Party for more than two decades?

And when it comes to the election, do Democrats really want to cede to Republicans the most salient message that voters are sending this year — that they yearn for change, for leaders who’ll do things differently? Do Democrats want to be tagged as the status quo party (when it in fact is the party that’s been out of power) in an election year that features neither peace nor prosperity? Do they really want to bank this election on the only couple that’s sure to unite and motivate a dispirited opposition?

The rap on Obama is that he’s unproven. True enough. But it shouldn’t disqualify him. When you stop and think about it, he’s handled almost every challenge thrown at him in a way that inspires confidence.

It’s he, not Hillary, whose campaign is outperforming expectations. It’s he, not the Clintons, who has consistently taken the high road. And it’s he who not only opposed the war from the start, but also avoided sinking into simplistic sloganeering when he’s called for a withdrawal.

At times, Obama has waffled more than I’d like. When he tells voters in Idaho he won’t push hard for gun control or when he compromises with power companies on nuclear-plant safety, I wonder how fast he’ll hold to his principles once he’s president. But, by and large, Obama is a remarkably straight shooter. While both he and Hillary are legit policy wonks, it’s Barack who articulates nuanced positions that don’t necessarily conform to orthodoxy.

Since the 1950s, liberals have pinned their hopes on a parade of similarly straight-talking, brainy reformers. Adlai Stevenson. Eugene McCarthy. Paul Tsongas. Bill Bradley. All in vain.

Obama’s in that mold, but with a built-in advantage: He has the charisma and background to add millions of black, young, and never-before voters to a base of latte-drinking progressives.

Two presidents come to mind who also were labeled as inexperienced dreamers but managed to broaden their base beyond the idealistic intellectuals of their eras. One, of course, was John F. Kennedy. The other was Lincoln. That’s pretty good company.

Your thoughts?

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

Online environmental news site Grist partnered with Outside and produced a succinct rundown of where the 2008 presidential candidates stand on global warming, energy and the environment. Grist also hosted a global-warming debate with the Democratic candidates on Saturday. Well, with three of ‘em — John Edwards, Hillary Clinton and Dennis Kucinich. They’re the only ones who accepted the invitation. I’m looking for a link to the debate but am coming up short — if anyone has it, please post it in the comments.

Here’s a LiveBLOG (Part I, Part II) from DailyKos detailing what went down.