In his now-forgotten statement proclaiming Memorial Day, the now-forgotten John A. Logan, the commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, urged Americans not to forget those who had died in the Civil War. It was only three years since the guns were silenced. The country was stitched together but still torn asunder. Much grief and hurt remained. ... More »ON MEMORIAL DAY
BOSTON -- Barack Obama's opponent four years ago was a Republican who repressed his moderate and liberal instincts, who insisted he was a conservative, who seemed to be suffering from a political identity crisis, who had a sterling resume but a halting campaign style.His opponent this time can be described ... exactly the same way.So we're familiar with what the Republicans will be peddling this time, … More »INSIDE OUT
So in the end he was found wanting. Not partisan enough. Not conservative enough. Not humble enough. Not local enough. Ultimately, Richard G. Lugar, elected to the Senate during America's bicentennial celebration -- a very long time ago -- was not modern enough.Mr. Lugar just turned 80. He long ago abandoned his Indiana home if not his Indiana roots. He was that rare lawmaker living in a rarefied world, … More »RICHARD LUGAR, ELDER STATESMAN, OUTLIVED HIS POLITICAL TIME
Where to start with Douglas MacArthur? To say that he was general of the Army? To note that he was superintendent of West Point? To recall his famous exit from the Philippines and his even more famous return? To cite his role in the occupation of Japan? To refer to his time commanding U.N. ... More »THE CORPS, AND CORE VALUES
And so now we take on the question that has haunted you since the seventh grade: How important is it to be well-liked?At Shaw Junior High, where I spent my seventh grade, it was pretty important. But in presidential politics? We're about to find out.This is an unusual race for the White House in many respects. The incumbent came into office on a wave of adulation unlike any in modern times -- more … More »THE LIKABILITY FACTOR
PITTSBURGH -- This coming Tuesday was supposed to be a big showdown in the Republican presidential nomination struggle, a titanic clash between economic and social conservatives that had all the elements of a breathtaking Pennsylvania primary. It was going to be a riveting confrontation featuring an insurgent and spurned native son against a party regular struggling to regain the sense of inevitability … More »ROMNEY'S FOUR BATTLES
PITTSBURGH -- Now we're getting someplace. Over the past several days, Mitt Romney has turned his attention to the fight against Barack Obama, Rick Santorum has left the Republican race, and Newt Gingrich has signaled that he sees what's coming and will support the eventual Republican nominee.That's a start for the Republicans. But seeing the road ahead and knowing how to traverse it are two different … More »SANTORUM EXITS
SILVER SPRING, Md. -- Five different political contests are being conducted right now. Only two are evident to the naked eye.The first of the visible contests pits Mitt Romney against Rick Santorum for the Republican presidential nomination. The results here in Maryland and in Wisconsin last week tell us who has a commanding lead there.The second visible contest pits Romney against President Barack … More »THE POLITICAL BATTLES YOU CANNOT SEE
In classical music an overtone is what's present but not easily discernible. The beauty of Brahms' music is enhanced by resonances you can barely hear. The clear, inspiring musical utterances of Bach are enriched by Byzantine harmonic structures.So, too, with the unfinished symphony of the 2012 Republican presidential nomination struggle.This campaign may sound like an atonal string quartet by Schoenberg. … More »OVERTONES FROM THE 1960S
It was a meeting of a gothic genius and a political magus.Nathaniel Hawthorne, the novelist from Salem, Mass., and Abraham Lincoln, the politician from New Salem, Ill., didn't speak to each other -- one of the great missed opportunities of history -- but Hawthorne did accompany a delegation of businessmen from a Massachusetts whip factory to a White House session with the 16th president in March 1862. … More »THE WRITER AND THE PRESIDENT
Some presidential candidates surge toward a nomination; some sneak up upon a nomination in the dead of night. Former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts, believing his hour has come round at last, at best seems to be slouching toward the 2012 Republican presidential nomination.With a mixed result on Super Tuesday, Romney once again has missed an opportunity to put away the race, perhaps even to wrap … More »THE LESSONS SO FAR
BOSTON -- So it continues.Mitt Romney's daily-double followed Rick Santorum's trifecta, and now the contest moves here to Massachusetts and to nine other states that together, in a Super Tuesday rush for delegates, probably won't resolve the Republican presidential race any more than the last two rounds did.But just because the race isn't resolved doesn't mean it isn't clarified. In the muddle, some … More »WHAT THEY SEE IS WHAT THEY'LL GET
DENVER -- Where did all the voters go?Maybe to the ski slopes. Maybe to the mall. Maybe for a wintry walk along one of the spectacular mountain byways. But not to the caucus venues where, earlier this month, Colorado Republicans were invited to indicate their presidential preferences. Turnout here was down about 6 percent from 2008.But Colorado isn't alone. Turnout in Florida, where a torrid race filled … More »THE TURNOUT THREAT
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Iowa seems like scorched earth today, and not only because there has been an unusual drought of snow this winter.The caucuses are over; the candidates are gone. But a sense of anxiety, even embarrassment, lingers.Part of the extensive unease here comes from the bungled election count. Iowans and people across the country went to bed that Tuesday night last month thinking that former … More »THE WINTER'S TALE
In World War II, he tamed America's allies and conquered its adversaries. As a conservative college president, he defended liberal professors caught in a virulent red scare. As NATO commander, he projected strength without projecting force. In the White House, he presided over the sort of peace and prosperity that today's presidential candidates can't plausibly promise. ... More »WHICH IKE TO LIKE?