John McCaslin

Inside the Beltway

If Ronald Reagan were alive "he could deal with a lot of today's problems." So remarked ABC newsman Sam Donaldson, master of ceremonies for the 2008 Ronald Reagan Freedom Award Dinner.

September 19, 2008

Inside the Beltway

Hurricane coverage is costly enough. Have you tried buying terrorism insurance?

September 18, 2008

While other reporters flocked to Denver for the Democratic National Convention, Weekly Standard senior writer Matt Labash fly-fished with Vice President Dick Cheney on the South Fork of the Snake River in Idaho.

September 17, 2008

Inside the Beltway

Imagine if it were possible for 16 of this nation's most distinguished presidents, past and present, to come together in a relaxed setting, roll up their shirtsleeves, and sit down for a few friendly rounds of poker.

September 16, 2008

Inside the Beltway

Roberta McCain, 96-year-old mother of Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain, never ceases to amaze, if not outpace those she encounters on the campaign trail.

September 15, 2008

Inside the Beltway

What do Barack Obama and Jack Kemp have in common?

September 12, 2008

Inside the Beltway

On Wednesday morning, the eve of the seventh anniversary of the Sept.11 terrorist attacks, CIA Director Michael V. Hayden sent the following message to agency employees: "Tomorrow, we mark the seventh anniversary of one of our nation's most difficult days. To see America under attack, as it was then, is something none of us can ever forget. In an office here at CIA headquarters, in a unit crucial to the fight against terrorism, a prominent sign still reads: 'Today's date is September 12th, 2001.' That stark, simple reminder speaks to the spirit of determination that defines our agency. There can be no finer way to honor the victims of 9/11 than to continue working with that full dedication to protect our country and uphold its values of freedom and decency in the world."

September 11, 2008

Inside the Beltway

Not since its famous alumnus Bill Clinton launched his bid for the presidency nearly two decades ago has an American politician been the subject of so much curiosity among faculty and students of England's Oxford University.

September 10, 2008

Inside the Beltway

Bill Frenzel, chairman emeritus of the GOP research and policy group the Ripon Society, hit the nail on the head when writing in advance of the Republican National Convention that despite being "highly scripted events, where nothing is left for chance and the outcome is preordained," there is still plenty of unexpected "high drama" to take stage.

September 5, 2008

Inside the Beltway: Babe and ‘baby’

The controversy swirling around CNN's Campbell Brown's on-air "takedown" this week of Tucker Bounds, spokesman for Sen. John McCain centers on the interviewer's relentless pursuit of answers surrounding vice-presidential pick Gov. Sarah Palin's foreign policy experience.

September 4, 2008

Inside the Beltway: Babe and ‘baby’

The controversy swirling around CNN's Campbell Brown's on-air "takedown" this week of John McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds, resulting in the Republican candidate pulling out of a scheduled interview with the network, centers on the interviewer's relentless pursuit of answers surrounding vice president pick Sarah Palin's foreign policy experience.

September 3, 2008

Inside the Beltway

With Hurricane Gustav reduced to a swirling rainmaker, the RNC is cramming the remainder of its political business into two busy days, concluding with Sen. John McCain accepting his party's nomination for president.

September 3, 2008

Inside the Beltway

It didn't take long for John McCain-Sarah Palin bumper stickers, T-shirts, apparel and gear to appear, including items featuring our favorite slogan: "McCain-Palin: A Hero & A Hottie."

September 2, 2008

Inside the Beltway

Cable news giant CNN is on cloud nine after making TV history during the Democratic National Convention.

September 1, 2008

Inside the Beltway

Independent presidential contender Ralph Nader remains on track to be on 45 state ballots by next month, a candidacy that could influence the outcome of the November election.

August 29, 2008

Inside the Beltway

So what if outspoken attendees of the Democratic convention in Denver weren't overly impressed with the keynote address by Mark Warner?

August 28, 2008

Inside the Beltway

Renowned copy editor Merrill Perlman comes to the defense of outspoken Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. in the Columbia Journalism Review; her headline: "Comma Suture: A little punctuation mark can hold things together, or rend them asunder."

August 27, 2008

Inside the Beltway

Renowned copy editor Merrill Perlman comes to the defense of outspoken Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. in the Columbia Journalism Review; her headline: "Comma Suture: A little punctuation mark can hold things together, or rend them asunder."

August 26, 2008

Inside the Beltway

Democrats are boasting about the pair of "prominent Republicans" addressing this week's Democratic National Convention, including former Iowa Rep. Jim Leach Monday night and Jim Whitaker, mayor of Fairbanks, Alaska, on Tuesday night.

August 26, 2008