What exactly is the connection between these two stories? One comes from London and identifies some fairly influential Republicans who claim to like Barack Obama. The Obama-as-black-Ronald-Reagan line is a stretch. And as a fairly liberal Democrat I don’t think I’d want Obama – who I support for President – to be a “black Ronald Reagan.” Maybe in British political circles, an African American who “frequently challenges the black community to support two-parent families and encourage school students, instead of criticising them for “acting white” is a Reagan-style conservative. But that’s more of a statement of British ignorance about black American politics than it is about the “liberal media.” Remember, the point of the story was to identify prominent Republicans who support Obama. The “black Ronald Reagan” line made logical sense for the story even if it was a total stretch.

By Elrod on 05.07.07 1:52 pm

Thompson bombs in his first major speech.
H/T – TGW

By William on 05.07.07 6:25 pm

William–I love it when you libs are so concerned about our candidate. Thompson is the man to fear because many Democrats are attracted to his leadership and common sense. Some Republicans are nervous about a Thompson candidacy because he doesn’t take marching orders–he’s his own man.

Witness how he has climbed in polls–and it’s been a solo act.

But thanks for your concern, William. It’s amusing.

By Terry on 05.08.07 6:30 am

The connection, Professor Elrod, is that the media loves to inject their own angles into a story. You admit in your comments that it’s a stretch to call Obama a black Reagan. Well, exactly my point. Why was it in there?

And what about the Thompson piece? That comment was not an editorial–it was inserted into a piece on Thompson’s career. That line was Theobold’s opinion on what constitutes a “beltway insider.” Does he quote anyone?

Nope–just his opinion and he slips it in as if it’s settled.

That’s how the two stories are connected. I guess you’re maxim would be that if the stories are separated by a big pond then they can’t share any threads?

By Terry on 05.08.07 6:34 am

Conservatives cling to Thompson as their only hope now that polls show all 3 major Dem presidential contenders beating Giuliani. Thompson, the great white hope. I predict, like Gore, he won’t want to clean up the mess left by Bush. Rasmussen poll shows the number Republicans at an all time low: 31%. The result of a failed president and policy.

Hey Bush supporters, are you embarrassed yet? You should be. 2009 will mark the end of an error, a big and costly error. See what happens when Republicans are in control?

By William on 05.08.07 12:12 pm