Motley Moose – Archive

History lesson: writing a biography can be a team effort.  While writing “American Sphinx,” author Joseph Ellis had a lot of input.  In an attempt to uncover the “truth” about Thomas Jefferson, Ellis faced an onslaught of “helpful” advice.  The furnace repairman hoped that Ellis would remind his readers how devout a Christian Jefferson was; a poet hoped he would focus on Jefferson’s concern with language.  A local high school teacher presented Ellis with a “little blue book” of Jeffersonian thought  designed to “serve as a democratic alternative” to the teachings of Communism;  historical groups of various stripes begged him to circumvent the Sally Hemings affair.  Every person, it seemed, had a stake in Mr. Jefferson, and wished to make their point of view the prominent one.  Jefferson the Everyman.  

Much has been made over the past few days about Obama taking McCain to the mat on the economy, and rightfully so.  The pundits are worried.    Can Obama seize the moment?  Can he make his plan resonate with the American people?  Can he get to the “kitchen table issues?”  A first response will come in the form of a two minute ad that will be airing beginning today.  

Much has been made over the past few days about Obama taking McCain to the mat on the economy, and rightfully so.  The pundits are worried.    Can Obama seize the moment?  Can he make his plan resonate with the American people?  Can he get to the “kitchen table issues?”  A first response will come in the form of a two minute ad that will be airing beginning today.