Free Republic

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - At O'Donnell's, a watering hole a few blocks from the fort where General "Mad Anthony" Wayne marshaled his men for war with the Indians in the 1790s, patrons were weighing in yesterday on today's battle between the Democratic presidential candidates. Only a few had heard of the old adage that people vote for whomever they'd rather have a beer with - the test that George W. Bush supposedly passed with flying colors - but some were willing to offer their preferences. "I think Hillary," said Kevin Mashaus, 43, a wine-and-spirits representative from Fort Wayne. "I think...

Hillary Rodham Clinton was asked this summer if she would describe herself as a “liberal.” The Democratic front-runner shied away, saying the “word” — noticeably not using the word — has taken on a connotation that “describes big government. “I prefer the word ‘progressive,’” she said. It has a “real American meaning.” Then she expanded the term to “modern progressive,” and, finally, clarified that she was a “modern American progressive.” These are heady days for Democrats. The party is favored by almost all measures in the coming presidential contest. But while Democrats are emboldened, they remain wary of the term...

John Edwards isn’t exactly a shrinking violet when it comes to criticizing Hillary Clinton, or bringing up the Clintons’ past scandals – recall his “the Lincoln Bedroom is not for rent” speech. In fact, that speech came on the 23rd of August, just a few days before the whole Norman Hsu mess exploded on the nation’s front pages. Yet John Edwards hasn’t yet commented on the Norman Hsu matter. There’s no mention of Hsu on his web site. (A few blog posters have mentioned it on his site, but nothing from the campaign itself.)A voice in the Edwards camp did express frustration...