Tim Fernholz

The final panel of “McCain University” dealt with the Senator’s energy policy, which is based entirely on gimmickry and a false reputation as a moderate, according to Joe Romm. Fast facts: Romm refers to McCain‘s stance as “The Placebo Energy Policy” because of his tendency to discuss the psychological boost provided by his announcements, without […]

There are not a lot of surprises in the Foreign Policy panel, since McCain considers it his strength and talks about it frequently. Indeed, Faiz Shakir quoted from Matt Yglesias‘ excellent cover story on McCain’s foreign policy when introducing the panel. One recurring theme of this entire event is that McCain has not explained the […]

Peter Harbage introduces the discussion of McCain’s healthcare proposals by pointing out that the Senator’s goal is cost containment, not universal healthcare. Two nuggets: Karen Pollitz outlines how McCain’s campaign will essentially deregulate the insurance industry by allowing insurers to choose which state they are licensed in (and regulated by), giving them the opportunity to […]

Here at McCain University (a Wonk Room production) the message is clear: A McCain presidency would be a third term for the Bush administration. Our first panel is on economic policy, with Robert Gordon moderating a discusion between Gene Sperling and Jared Bernstein. Some notes: The number to know is $300 billion, a conservative estimate […]

Well, it’s not quite a crisis, but this piece chronicling the Senator’s support for failing affordable housing that is publicly funded and privately managed is certainly problematic for the Senator’s campaign. It brings to the fore, once again, his connection to jailed developer Antonin Rezko, it sullies his former-community organizer/good government image and it raises […]

The big debate this week, certainly in presidential campaign press releases and conference calls, centers around which candidate is more bipartisan. Both candidates claim it’s them. Pundits, inevitably, have their own opinions. Marc Ambinder argues that “Obama’s record is solid, but he simply hasn’t risked as much as McCain has.” Obama has worked with conservatives […]

Ross Douhat discusses post-Surge/post-Election Iraq strategy and seems to posit that, even though a McCain presidency would have more full-throated imperialists in positions of influence, his administration represents a more modest direction in foreign policy because … he’d reduce troops a little bit over time (a doubtful claim since his website says that the preconditions […]

It’s nice to wake up and see North Korea destroying a nuclear tower on the New York Times frontpage. It’s even nicer to (belatedly) see Bush administration officials waking up to reality— “I think one of the things we did in this process, to be honest, is I think we learned a bit,” Mr. Bush’s […]

Editors’ Note: We’re thrilled to introduce our new writing fellow Tim Fernholz. His work has been published by The New Republic, The Nation, American Lawyer, and the Washington City Paper. He is also a contributing writer at Campus Progress. After Barack Obama opted out of public financing, it was a little worrisome to see John […]