Opinion: Against The Grain: CBSNews.com

Do Democrats Fear Winning?

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 07:00:04 EST

Is the Democratic Party semi-dysfunctional because it lacks a simple and attractive philosophic core? Or is it something about the personality of Democrats? Either way, writes Dick Meyer, the party is failing to seize a golden opportunity.

Independents Win! Bloomberg Pulls Out

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 13:30:03 EST

Michael Bloomberg's decision not to run for president marks a win for independents who actually have candidates in the main parties that they like for a change, says CBS' Dick Meyer.

The Decline of Blogs And Gaffes

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 05:40:55 EST

Dick Meyer says two things seem to be less important in the campaign of 2008 than recent campaigns: blogs and gaffes. That, he says, is a hopeful sign for the nation's political maturity.

The Death Of Late 20th Century Politics?

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 06:30:03 EST

CBSNews.com's Dick Meyer says it's worth pondering for a moment what the prospect of a presidential race between Barack Obama and John McCain would say about the United States of America - he believes it would say something very nice.

First Gentleman Bill: A Legitimate Issue

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 06:00:01 EST

There can be little doubt that Bill Clinton would play a significant role as the nation's first, First Gentleman, says CBS' Dick Meyer, who wonders how long the former president could bare to stay out of the limelight.

The Mischief of John McCain

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 10:00:02 EST

Nearly every Democrat and a lot of Republicans are dreading the idea of John McCain as the GOP nominee. But those Republicans will get over it, CBS' Dick Meyer says, once they see how scared the other party is.

Give Congress Perks And A Raise

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 09:00:05 EST

There's a lot of talk about how terrible lobbyists are. CBS's Dick Meyer says the best way to put interest groups' power in check is to make sure our politicians can afford to buy their own steak lunches.

It's Not Change, Stupid

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 09:00:05 EST

The press corps may be beating itself up over misreading the New Hampshire electorate, says Dick Meyer, but we actually blew something much bigger: understanding the central dynamic of the presidential election.

Make Primaries Secondary In 2008

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 09:30:02 EST

The pre-primary process has not produced clear leaders or sharpened the nation"s understanding of its challenges. It would be a good thing for the country if a third party or independent candidate makes a run in 2008, says Dick Meyer.

The Presidential Secondary

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 13:00:55 EST

The primary campaign will be over in less than 45 days and the candidates are bloody and their prospects deeply uncertain. Whoa, you say, the primaries haven't begun. Wrong, writes CBS' Dick Meyer.

Post-Emotional America

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 01:00:02 EST

CBS' Dick Meyer considers what HBO's "Tell Me You Love Me" tells us about the hook-up culture, modern coolness and laissez faire private morality.

Separating War And The Warriors

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 04:07:35 EST

Dick Meyer pauses to consider Veterans Day and the role that monuments can play for Americans even, or perhaps especially, in the case of wars that are deeply unpopular, such as Iraq today and Vietnam a generation ago.

Greens And God

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 04:00:02 EDT

A poll of Christian evangelicals eliciting their views on the environment, says CBS' Dick Meyer, reveals real common ground between left and right, although the question of what to do about global warming is far from settled.

Katrina And The Beast

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 17:00:05 EDT

Dick Meyer says in general the government hasn't become more competent at disaster response since New Orleans flooded. In fact, its scucess with the wildfires is an astounding anomaly for such a large organization.

The Triumph Of "Trickle Up" Economics

Thu, 18 Oct 2007 14:04:11 EDT

The gap between rich and poor is quite a precipice, says CBS' Dick Meyer, pointing to IRS data showing the richest 1 percent of Americans are earning more than a fifth of all the money. Who is to blame?

Democrats Need Courage Where It Counts

Wed, 10 Oct 2007 22:59:34 EDT

Democratic candidates on the stump are bold and gutsy, writes Dick Meyer. But Democratic members of Congress, the place that counts, are scared to sail unless the winds are perfect.

Impotence Corrupts

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 07:00:04 EDT

It's said that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Looking back on the GOP's handling of voting rights in Washington, D.C., Dick Meyer wonders whether in politics lately, impotence corrupts even more.

Lighten Up

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 11:00:06 EDT

Political correctness, observes CBS' Dick Meyer, is now thoroughly bipartisan, with the right and the left deftly matching each other in humorlessness, pomposity and anger - dogma for dogma.

The Foley-Vitter-Craig Plot To Save GOP

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 07:30:04 EDT

Nervous Democratic opposition researchers are trying to connect the Foley-Vitter-Craig dots writes Dick Meyer in fears that the scandals are just ploys to help the GOP take the White House in 2008.

The White House "C" Team

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 17:00:04 EDT

White House personnel changes could improve President Bush's Cabinet from a "D+" to a "C" roster, writes Dick Meyer. Unfortunately, any improvement in the White House GPA is basically irrelevant to the country at this point.

A CHIP On Bush's Shoulder

Thu, 23 Aug 2007 09:30:05 EDT

President Bush has taken aim at the Children"s Health Insurance Program, writes Dick Meyer. And his justification is mind-boggling.

Fatal Flaws And Great Expectations

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 06:00:00 EDT

The unusually diverse crop of candidates now seeking the presidency, says CBS' Dick Meyer, each with a "flaw" for electability, may be a tribute to the march of brains and goodwill over prejudice in America.

Boys Should Be Girls

Thu, 05 Jul 2007 11:30:05 EDT

CBS' Dick Meyer notes that women do better in college and right after it, and suggests that the Life Potato Syndrome may be to blame. It's only the gender gap that has men earning more than women later in life.

Life Potatoes

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 10:30:03 EDT

Have the instincts of our species atrophied so completely that parents need to be told to have their kids play outside? Apparently, says CBS' Dick Meyer, who is appalled by both increasing idleness and a decline in common sense.

Tell Us Why, Mr. Bush

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 15:00:10 EDT

As a deadline looms to renew a health insurance program for millions of low income children, President Bush is backing funding dramatically lower than that proposed by even some members of his own party. His reason doesn't impress Dick Meyer.

The Bloomberg Terminal

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 07:41:47 EDT

CBSNews.com's Dick Meyer thinks New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg's decision to abandon the Republican Party could prove to be a historic move that undermines the two-party system in American politics. Or not.

Confessions Of A Neo-Mugwump

Thu, 14 Jun 2007 07:00:02 EDT

Neo-Mugwumps like campaign and lobbying reform and they don't like PACs, fundraisers, fat cats and special interest groups. CBS' Dick Meyer finds the label describes him in some ways - but his opinions have evolved.

The Press At The Polls

Thu, 07 Jun 2007 09:00:06 EDT

The problems of competence and trust that besiege American government also apply to the press, says Dick Meyer. A new president could bring an increase in trust in government. The press has virtually no chance for such redemption.

Barry Bonds: Cheater

Thu, 24 May 2007 10:30:04 EDT

Dick Meyer won't be cheering when Barry Bonds breaks Hank Aaron's home run record this summer. The reason? Bonds, says Meyer, is a cheater.

Speed It Up

Fri, 18 May 2007 17:00:06 EDT

CBS's Dick Meyer sees no good reason to wait until November 2008 to elect a new president. Are you really and truly looking forward to another 10 months of primary campaigning and then 11 more months of a general campaign?

Counting The Bentleys

Mon, 14 May 2007 11:30:03 EDT

Conspicuous consumers need to think about the message they intend to send, writes CBSNews.com's Dick Meyer.

Rupert Riles Reds! Repubs Rejoice!

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 02:45:42 EDT

Media mogul Rupert Murdoch's bid to buy Dow Jones & Co., publisher of the Wall Street Journal, may seem like a sinister plot, but there are much worse alternatives for the news business, writes Dick Meyer.