For a couple of months things have been looking pretty bleak on the Iranian front.
Republicans
Indefinite detention formalised in US — and the world is a war
A new bill in Washington formalises the power of the US military to abuct and imprison anyone, anywhere in the world.
Guy Rundle: No making light of the stupid party riding again
When CERN last week announced that it had experimental results suggesting that neutrino could travel faster than light — thus breaking Einstein’s theory of relativity — the only thing that moved faster than the particles in question was climate-change sceptics.
The GOP v Obamanomics: ideology or politics?
The only people in the US who claim that stimulus spending doesn’t stimulate the economy are Republicans. Does the GOP oppose Obama’s economic measures for ideological or political reasons? asks Jacob Weisberg.
Guy Rundle: Palin goes double rogue
The return of the irrepressible Sarah Palin has sent a thrill through the hard right, and a shudder through any Republican interested in winning in 2012.
Huckabee sees no “end game” for Afghanistan
Mick Huckabee has become one of few high profile Republicans to speak out against the war in Afghanistan, citing no confidence in the President and a landscape that looks “like the surface of the moon,” reports Sam Stein.
2012 Presidential election 
Presidential candidacy: grand fantasies from the Grand Old Party
It seems that every Republican and their dog are considering running for President in 2012. Howard Kurtz explains why: they could use the publicity, Barack Obama looks beatable and, well, they’re probably bored.
GOP rally against 9/11 Health and Compassion Act
More than 90% of congressional Republicans have rejected the ‘Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act,’ which proposed to pay health care for 9/11 rescue workers. In doing so the GOP have taken a big risk of looking heartless and stingy, writes Steven Benen.
Sarah Palin would lose, and bring the party down with her
There’s no doubt Sarah Palin is a tenacious and gutsy politician with a deft ability to manipulate the media. But if Palin ran for President she would high jack the party and turn American politics into a sickly celebrity fest, writes Mark McKinnon.
GOP endorsement: the secret to a hit TV show?
An American research company has compiled months of data that suggests a hit TV show is almost always linked to approval from people who vote Republican. The GOP even likes Desperate Housewives.
George Brandis’ idea of legitimate political comment
George Brandis declared on Q&A this week that he didn’t think anything said by people in the Tea Party or The Republicans has gone beyond legitimate political comment. Here are some examples that may suggest otherwise.
The triumph of anger over facts
Anger is the most powerful political motivation and the reason why the GOP will trump the Democrats at this year’s US midterms. Americans are experiencing hard times and they’ll have no qualms about blaming the current administration, writes Peter Hartcher.
Republicans set to win the battle but risk losing the war
Democrats are praying for an 11th hour miracle to save them at the US midterms, but everybody knows the Republicans will win big. However, if the Republicans carry out the Tea Party mandate they risk losing a much more important contest: the long-term battle for public support, writes Peter Beinart.
Democrats’ shot at maintaining majority not looking rosy
The Democrats are facing serious losses this November due to a failing US economy and the limited policy success of the Obama Administration.
The Arizona homeless candidates controversy
Arizona is a state known for its hardball political environment, but tactics may have plummeted to new lows with allegations that a Republican has recruited homeless people to run for public office simply to stymie Democrat support. Candidates include a tarot card reader who is running for treasurer.
Palin’s political career alive and prospering
Anybody who predicted Sarah Palin would dwindle into obscurity after her failed bid for the US Vice Presidency in 2008 were badly mistaken. Palin is energising the party and performing well in the polls, says Roger Simon.
Would the Republicans have managed the Gulf oil spill any better?
The Obama administration has come under fire for its response to BP’s Gulf of Mexico oil spill. But what would the Republicans have done differently, and would they have achieved a better result?
Can Republicans take control of the senate?
Just two years after the Democrats held a commanding 60 seat majority, party members now concede that the Republicans have a shot at winning back the senate during this year’s elections.
