Populist

Updike at Rest

Karen Heller — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:59:32 GMT

John Updike, born and raised in Shillington, PA, was one of America's greatest writers and polymaths, interested in almost everything from faith and baseball, art and sex.

The perks of politics

Karen Heller — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:11:03 GMT

Let us now praise famous local politicians. Oh, what are we thinking? The problem with, say, City Council is that they make it so very, very hard.

The McGreeveys: An American Divorce Story

Karen Heller — Thu, 29 May 2008 20:52:28 GMT

While you were working, New Jersey's former Luv Guv Jim McGreevey and his not-yet-former wife Dina Matos McGreevey, four years after the Gay American speech, continued to produce sound and fury in state Superior Court in Union County.

Turns

Flipping the Birds

Karen Heller — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:00:22 GMT

Here's a helpful, holiday tip that won't cost you a cent. It will restore hours to your life and joy to your heart. This Thanksigiving, give up the Birds.

Garden of dispute

Karen Heller — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:29:43 GMT

With all the problems in the world, and especially in our fair city, you might think that Andrew Rosenberg's garden might not amount to more than a bunch of weeds. But here, you would be wrong.

Contemplating the Mayor's Cuts

Karen Heller — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 13:17:24 GMT

Ed Rendell jokes that when he was mayor and "the Eagles were in the playoffs, I could've raised the city wage tax and nobody would've cared." This week, with the city euphoric from the World Series, Mayor Nutter did not joke. Instead, faced with a $1 billion deficit in five years, he ruined many a resident's lunch.

One November Night, Two Great Speeches

Karen Heller — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:09:11 GMT

A memorable night when both candidates gave terrific speeches.

Make Every Vote Matter

Karen Heller — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:14:17 GMT

By the time polls opened, there were 170 voters waiting at our local polling location. The neighborhood cafe was bringing coffee to voters. Inspiring. The candidates have spent record amounts of time, money and stars courting Pennsylvania voters. The least we can do is return the favor by turning out in record numbers.

How to prepare a Halloween Phillies Parade

Karen Heller — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:32:51 GMT

Serves 1 million! To begin, start with 25 premium players, Grade A talent

Closure Interruptus

Karen Heller — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 17:49:31 GMT

Who is to blame for Monday night's baseball debacle: Bud Selig or Rupert Murdoch. Oh, let's just say both.

Green in Council

Karen Heller — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:51:09 GMT

Politicians are in the popularity business. It's how they get elected, get things done. Freshman City Council members are supposed to be quiet, observant, respectful. Bill Green doesn't play that game.

Be a candidate for veep, win a new wardrobe!

Karen Heller — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 20:03:19 GMT

The RNC purchased $150,000 worth of clothes for Sarah Palin in a matter of weeks. Run for veep and win valuable prizes!

Waiting for Daycare

Karen Heller — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 20:03:40 GMT

Parents looking for urban daycare centers with the highest accreditation can wait up to two years for their infants to be accepted. The problem is that by that time, their babies are no longer babies.

Oliver Stone's W.

Karen Heller — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 17:15:34 GMT

Oliver Stone's new movie, W., has a short title but it may be a case of too much too soon.

The last question of the last debate

Karen Heller — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 15:29:52 GMT

So, in the last question of the last debate -- both candidates have cumulatively debated 40 times, a Bblical number that -- education finally came up.

Tonight: Phils or Politics?

Karen Heller — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:38:20 GMT

So, what do you watch? Baseball or politics?

Whatever happened to Florida?

Karen Heller — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 17:56:58 GMT

Remember the Sunshine State? The place that turned the 2000 presidential election into one of history's longest dramas?

Let Us Now Praise

Karen Heller — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 02:28:28 GMT

Paul Newman was more than a great movie star. He was a sublime actor, an indelible character and a man of immense charity and purpose.

On the final day: McCain Accepted

Nathan Gorenstein — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 05:59:30 GMT

Sixty days to the election. Counting now.

America's Next Top Villain: The Media

Karen Heller — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:09:59 GMT

It was only a matter of time before the politicians turned on the only group less popular than they are: the media. On Wednesday, the Republicans stoked the embers of anti-press sentiments with a vengeance.

Palin: A television ratings hit

Karen Heller — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 21:25:01 GMT

Is anyone watching the Republican National Convention? It's been up against the second season premiere of Gossip Girl, a new version of 90210, and the latest installment of Project Runway.

Hockey Mom / Vice President

Karen Heller — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 04:18:13 GMT

Life is a matter of expectation management. Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin entered the Xcel Energy Center Wednesday night with exceedingly low expectations from an electorate that had only been introduced to her as a September Surprise last Friday.

Romney gives wiftiest convention speech of recent memory

Karen Heller — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 01:38:26 GMT

That would be Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts moderate who now swings hard-right. Could George Bush be a liberal?

Tonight's GOP theme: Reform

Karen Heller — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:12:31 GMT

Taking a cue from presumptive nominee John McCain, the Republican convention qualifies for maverick status, only putting out its theme and schedule a few hours before starting.

Quote of the day, so far, Wednesday edition

Karen Heller — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:59:26 GMT

There's only eight weeks to go until the election. Former candidate and New York mayor Rudy Giuliani issues a grace period before knocking the Republican's presumptive vice presidential nominee.

"A task that is for God"

Karen Heller — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:12:20 GMT

That's what Sarah Palin called the war in Iraq. Snippets of the Alaska governor's speeches are emerging on YouTube.

Prepping Palin

Karen Heller — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:00:32 GMT

How is Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin preparing for the political speech of her career? By being holed up in a hotel room and getting a crash course by McCain's top advisers.

Service with a smile

Karen Heller — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 04:26:23 GMT

The GOP's Tuesday night theme was service. Also, country first. And, then again, the story of John McCain's courage and original maverick status. Also, keeping the current White House occupant as far away from St. Paul as possible.

These are the days, my friends

Karen Heller — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 23:33:02 GMT

So, for the Dems, the drinking game centered around "change." This week, hoist a St. Pauli Girl or two whenever the words "my friends are uttered."

Which vice presidential candidate is like none other?

Karen Heller — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:50:45 GMT

Trying to relate to Sarah Palin.

Flying by the seat of their pants

Karen Heller — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:51:15 GMT

Amazing. If you check the website for the Republican National Convention at this very moment, there's no schedule posted.

Quote of the day, so far

Karen Heller — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 18:51:02 GMT

Hot air or frank talk? Some politicians, like Sen. Lindsay Graham of South Carolina, know how to speak the latter.

GOP Day Two: Do over

Karen Heller — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:09:00 GMT

Do you know this guy? This is Arizona Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee of the United States.

GOP Day One: Game called due to rain

Karen Heller — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 23:13:40 GMT

This was to have been a big day, with the president and the vice president scheduled to speak. Instead, the game was cancelled due to rain.

Gustav and McCain

Karen Heller — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:11:36 GMT

What if they gave a convention and nobody came? Or, rather, they held a convention and all of the delegates showed, much of the press, but everyone’s attention was turned elsewhere.

That's rich

Karen Heller — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:47:17 GMT

What, precisely, constitutes being rich? As the two presidential candidates and their campaigns sparred over real estate, what makes someone better off than anyone else?

Real real estate

Karen Heller — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:51:37 GMT

Hmmm, do you need to check with staff to know how many houses you own? Because that's precisely the answer John McCain gave a reporter today.

Populist Political Incompentence Challenge

Karen Heller — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:14:04 GMT

New to the Metro column, I headed out on a hot summer night to the best farce on either bank of the river: one of two limited shows of the Delaware River Port Aurthority rate-increase hearings.

You can read the column I wrote here: Visited Stephen Starr's latest boite, Parc, on Rittenhouse Square Thursday night. The place is extremely lively and incredibly loud.

This is clearly the place to be seen these days. Near us was a table of five blond

Too #*&% Hot

Karen Heller — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:17:05 GMT