Tara Wall
Articles by Tara Wall
McCain believes Iran election was rigged
Sen. John McCain, Arizona Republican, tackled some tough yet timely topics on The Washington Times' American Morning News Tuesday. Turmoil among voters in Iran, who have taken to the streets at their peril and in protest of alleged election rigging, had the senator issuing strong condemnations and a recommendation for the Obama administration. Mr. McCain said he believes Iran's presidential election was rigged and that the U.S. should do "whatever is necessary" to halt their nuclear weapons. Published June 16, 2009
Bush sees dangers closing Gitmo
President Bush said Thursday that closing the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, is "not as easy as it sounds," sending a warning to President-elect Barack Obama that he will have to find a way to prevent those released from coming back to attack the U.S. Published January 16, 2009
WALL: The president’s not-so-Secret Service
Back from vacation, well rested and ready to take the oath of office, President-elect Barack Obama - motorcade in tow - has converged on Washington. A seemingly smooth move to his temporary digs and path to a seamless transition has left most of the national press corps in awe over the "coolness" Mr. Obama exudes in all matters. Published January 6, 2009
WALL: Celebrate Christmas
"Festivus for the rest of us!" It is an arguably comedic take on an anti-Christmas celebration made popular by the show "Seinfeld." The phrase generally draws chuckles with each replay of Frank Costanza revealing his opposition to Christmas, opting instead for a celebration that emphasizes the "airing of grievances." Published December 23, 2008
WALL: Blago’s blunders
President-elect Barack Obama's initial reluctance to issue a more forceful condemnation of the acts alleged in federal charges against Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich should come as no surprise. Assuredly he knew someone from his senior staff circle (possibly Mr. Obama himself) had been in touch with the governor about his vacant Senate seat - he just didn't know to what extent. Published December 16, 2008
WALL: A way out of Iraq
The economy will have to take a backseat when Barack Obama is sworn in as the nation's 44th president, because on January 21st he will end the war in Iraq. "I intend to end this war. My first day in office," Mr. Obama said in July. However forward-thinking he may have been then, in an interview Sunday on "Meet The Press", Mr. Obama seemed to put the brakes on (or at least back pedal from) his campaign rhetoric. Published December 9, 2008
WALL: Obama — tested and untried
It didn't take six months. Yet President-elect Barack Obama has been tested, to use the words of Vice President-elect Joe Biden. Last week's terrorist attack in Mumbai, India, was aimed at America, its allies and democracy. Attacking tourist hot spots, a Jewish center and Bombay's business district, a group of Muslim extremists has claimed responsibility. Published December 2, 2008
WALL: In rough times …
A serious, stern President-elect Barack Obama told the nation this week that he will pursue an "aggressive economic recovery plan" upon taking office. It was an attempt to inject confidence into the markets and with middle Americans. The news has been grim as of late. We're on the verge of a recession, consumer spending is down, and unemployment is up and expected to increase. There are more bailouts as banks have gone bust, forecasts of a dark and dim holiday season, and analysts predict it will get worse before it gets better. With much of this unfolding during Thanksgiving week, one might question, what could we possibly be thankful for? Published November 25, 2008
WALL: A mandate for traditional, not gay, marriage
Homosexual marriage is not a civil right guaranteed by the Constitution - life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are. In fact, traditional marriage isn't even a civil right. But don't try telling that to the gay-rights activists who have descended upon the left coast to protest the passage of California's Proposition 8. Most telling is the outrage by these activists, the media and at least one washed-up celebrity being hurled at black voters in California. Published November 18, 2008
WALL: What’s next for Republicans?
The "Bradley Effect" ended with Tom Bradley in 1982. No more excuses. Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream has been fulfilled, now that a black man (OK, biracial) is poised to hold the highest office in the land. Not only did 95 percent of blacks, 67 percent of Hispanics, 62 percent of Asians and 78 percent of Jews vote for Barack Obama, according to CNN, but roughly 20 percent of self-professed conservatives voted for him, according to the Heritage Foundation. It seems that "we the people" have come full circle since "The Party of Lincoln" put an end to slavery. So what does that say about Dr. King's color-blind dream for America and the GOP's efforts to regain what it has lost? Published November 11, 2008
WALL: One last political fix
Political junkies, beware. The euphoria of an election cycle - up and down highs and lows of the primaries, poll-pumping adrenaline, sense of urgency over who's saying what about whom, rush of anxiety as the state-by-state numbers pour in - all comes to a crashing halt tonight. Published November 4, 2008
WALL: In the tank for Obama
Taking personal responsibility can be tough. Self-reflection is not the fondest of exercises toward self-improvement. Published October 28, 2008
WALL: McCain’s GOP
The issue of race in America has taken a very ugly turn. The mainstream media and pollsters have incessantly scrutinized whether race will have a place in this presidential race. What with the the first black presidential nominee, now the almost-first one endorsing him. But for all the talk about race and the wolf-crying racial games played by Democrats, this writer has been skeptical about how much actual racism (and I don't use this term lightly) would rear its ugly head. Well, it has reared and the picture isn't pleasant. Published October 21, 2008
WALL: Of values and virtues
I think it's time for Bill Bennett to write another book. America needs a kick-in-the-pants reminder of its humble beginnings. Or at the very least - our leaders need to re-read what the great guru of virtues has written in the past. A "Moral Compass," "The Death of Outrage" - both appear to be lacking in these incestuous times of greed, desperation and character assassination. What has happened to our virtue? And why does no one seem to care? Published October 14, 2008
WALL: Debating perception
The heels may be on and the gloves off for Sarah Palin, as she joked at a California rally over the weekend, but if John McCain wants to win tonight's debate (and sway more voters) he'd better keep his gloves on and let his self-professed pit bull do all the biting. Published October 7, 2008
WALL: Sarah, Sarah, Sarah!
Marcia, Marcia, Marcia! Why does everything have to be about Marcia - my inner 70s child chimes over and over, echoing the words of "Jan" the awkward, middle child of the iconic Brady Bunch. John McCain has got to be feeling a little like Jan, who just got her due. Published September 30, 2008
WALL: Rhetorical racism
In setting up a joke to a mostly Irish Catholic audience in Pennsylvania yesterday, John McCain quipped: "There is only one ethnic joke you can tell nowadays and that's an Irish joke." The dilemma is indicative of the constant, sensitive discussions surrounding "race in America," and more specifically as it relates to the race for president. Published September 23, 2008
WALL: A servant’s heart
This presidential campaign has clearly become one of moral contrasts. To take hold of this concept is to gain a better understanding of just what's at stake. Published September 9, 2008
WALL: Same ‘ole politics of the past
It's like deja vu all over again (in the words of Yogi Berra) but not the kind you want to revisit this time around. As Hurricane Gustav ripped its way through the Gulf Coast hitting New Orleans just days after the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Republicans shifted focus from a celebratory filled convention to a solemn one. All of yesterday's events were cancelled, except mandatory business. Convention chiefs are making scheduling decisions on a day-to-day basis, while media pundits readily recycle the political spin of storms past. Published September 2, 2008
WALL: Party unity
As the quintessential candidate's wife, Michelle Obama headlined the opening night of the Democratic National Convention with the patriotic theme "One Nation." Mrs. Obama has been working hard to come back from that stinging remark about not being proud of her country until her husband ran for president. While Hillary Clinton, who speaks tonight, is no doubt proud of her country, she's not so enthusiastic about her party's presidential nominee. Published August 26, 2008
