http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dick_polman RSS Feed for Inq Col Dick Polman en-us Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:55:00 GMT http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dick_polman/20120209_The_American_Debate__Gay_marriage_is_a_dead_political_issue.html Eight years is an aeon in politics. Witness the waning potency of the gay-marriage issue. During the 2004 campaign, Republican strategists put gay marriage on referendum ballots in key swing states, as a "wedge" issue to unnerve Democrats and gin up the conservative base for President George W. Bush. The Massachusetts high court had just ruled for legalization, and hostility toward the concept was the centrist position in America. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dick_polman/20120205_The_American_Debate__Groups_are_changing_the_political_landscape.html Pop quiz! Identify these political heavy hitters: Edward Conrad, Robert Mercer, John Paulson, Bob Perry, Julian Robertson, Paul Singer, Sheldon Adelson. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dick_polman/20120126_The_American_Debate__Our_leaders__not_Colbert__made_the_mockery.html Mark Twain once remarked, "Humor is the great thing, the saving thing. The minute it crops up, all our irritations and resentments slip away, and a sunny spirit takes their place." http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dick_polman/20120122_The_American_Debate__Romney_s_POLITICAL_MISFORTUNE.html When Mitt Romney was talking about his money the other day - a very rich topic, as it were - he casually remarked, "I get speakers' fees from time to time, but not very much." http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dick_polman/20120112_The_American_Debate__Republicans_hitting_Romney_where_Obama_would.html From: The Obama reelection team To: Newt Gingrich and Rick Perry Message: Thank you, thank you, thank you! It's not often that President Obama gets to applaud Republicans for carrying his water. The president has long intended to paint Mitt Romney as a soulless predator who racked up huge profits during the '90s while frequently laying people off. He has long http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dick_polman/20120112_The_American_Debate_.html Dick Polman: GOP Bain-bashing. A3. Focus shifts to South Carolina. A8. At philly.com/politics, keep up with the latest campaign news. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dick_polman/20120108_The_American_Debate__In_the_long_run__it_s_still_Romney.html There's an old saying that Republicans don't fall in love, they fall in line. And sooner or later, they'll probably align for Mitt Romney. http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dick_polman/20111222_The_American_Debate__Will_Paul_break_the_spell_.html Every four years around this time, the 99 percent of Americans who don't live in Iowa begin to ask themselves, "Why on earth does the presidential primary calendar begin in Iowa?" http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dick_polman/20111218_The_American_Debate__A_quiz_on_2011_s_politics_of_the_absurd.html Was 2011 wacky, or what? See what you remember, and no fair peeking at the answers! 1. Donald "The Donald" Trump, commander in chief of Celebrity Apprentice, said that if he ran against Barack Obama, "there's a good chance I won't win." He said that he would be victimized by: http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/dick_polman/20111208_The_American_Debate__A_case_for_TV_in_top_court.html After much digging, I have unearthed an issue that draws bipartisan support and landslide public approval. It even puts me on the same side as conservative legal eagle Kenneth Starr.