The McClatchy-MSNBC poll just released has Lincoln Chafee one point higher than Democratic challenger Sheldon Whitehouse in the Rhode Island senate race. I am for the Dems winning everywhere else, practically, in the country other than this seat.

Of course, he is guilty. Hussein was always guilty, whether established by a court of peers or not. What irritates is how the trial of this strong-man has become the face of both the Bush administration’s biggest triumph and largest mistake in the war against Iraq.

Now, the perpetrators of the Iraq War, of the “axis of evil” speech, of the “Iraq will be a cake-walk” line are dumping on Bush, Rumsfeld and Cheney. They are jumping ship in order to try and save themselves and opportunities for neocons to influence future governments.

(photo credit: The Online Newshour) In the latest issue of Foreign Policy, Joshua Muravchik — a neoconservative fellow traveler — has published a remarkable article, “Operation Comeback” that combines an offering of a mea culpa for much of the neocon-generated foreign policy mess America is in and then stunning bravado with encouragement that the President…

George Bush said this out on the campaign trail: Democrats have no plan for victory. They have no idea how to win. Harsh criticism is not a plan for victory in Iraq.

At first glance I thought it was Mark Twain, though some know him as Samuel Clemens. But sure enough, the Cheney button (though misspelled — not Bolton’s fault he told me) and the resume gave it away. Happy Halloween.

100 Americans dead in Iraq this month and there is another day left. I wonder how many Iraqis are dying each month now. That statistic should be required reporting.

Paul Krugman will be headlining a conference I have helped organize titled “Back to the Economy: Confronting America’s Growth Challenges” that will take place at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington from 9:30 am until 2:00 pm.

The next two years are going to be politically bloody and difficult ones for the nation and the world. There is a somewhat understandable, yet naive, hope that Democratic success in the coming election will somehow corner President Bush and his team into a more rational national security posture. To some degree this is true….

This blog has highlighted both the weaknesses and strengths of Senator Lincoln Chafee — occasionally in very strong terms.