Russian Relations Become a Hot Campaign Topic | Newsweek Politics: Conventions

LETTERS
Peace of Mind
11/15/2008 12:00:00 AM
Readers marveled at what cognitive neuroscientists are uncovering about the biology of the brain and its impact on human feelings, part of our HEALTH FOR LIFE package. One pointed to the intangible, transcendent "dimensions of consciousness." Another stated simply: "Science reveals more mysteries than it explains."
WORLD REACTION
A Vote Heard 'Round The World'
11/5/2008 12:00:00 AM
The winner takes it all. I have loved ABBA's "Mamma Mia" musical since I first saw it in New York's Winter Garden theater a few years ago. And those were the lyrics sounding in my head when it became clear that Barack Obama won the White House race. Wow, a night to remember! Certainly, it was a long night, waiting for the results in Warsaw as well. I spent it jumping from one TV station to another, where I was commenting on the elections, and then a longer while at the Warsaw Intercontinental Hotel, where the U.S. Embassy had its election-night party. It was hugely crowded, with a few hundred excited Americans and Poles: discussing, drinking—even dancing. The clear majority there wore Obama-Biden badges ...
CAMPAIGN 2008
Projections of Power
Andrew Nagorski 11/3/2008 12:00:00 AM
So the seemingly endless U.S. presidential campaign is finally ending. If it started with a high level of excitement, it soon began to feel like Mao's Long March, a grueling journey where only the true believers could maintain their enthusiasm. Now, there will be more than just relief that the journey is over: there will be a new burst of excitement. This happens whenever a new president takes office, but it'll be doubly the case here. The weariness with eight years of the Bush administration and fears about the global economy guarantees that, at least for a while, the new team will inspire new hope at home and abroad, almost a dizzying sense of new possibilities.
LETTERS
Madame Vp?
10/18/2008 12:00:00 AM
Sarah Palin remains a curiosity for readers. "She came out of near obscurity with no real agenda but to win this for the Republicans," one said. Another questioned the choice given other "smart and experienced women." And one gushed of having a new "Jackie Kennedy in the form of Sarah Palin."
THE LAST WORD
Randy Scheunemann: How Mccain Sees the World
Adam B. Kushner 9/6/2008 12:00:00 AM
GOP presidential hopeful John Mccain's top foreign policy adviser, Randy Scheunemann has a history as an advocate for democracy promotion. An early supporter of the Iraq War, he also lobbied Washington (for a time even while working for McCain) on behalf of the Republic of Georgia. He talked with NEWSWEEK's Adam B. Kushner at last week's Republican convention in St. Paul, Minn., about Russia, Iran and Jet-Skiing with Mikheil Saakashvili. Excerpts:
What Palin Needs to Know
Michael Hirsh 9/3/2008 12:00:00 AM
Enough already. When it comes to Sarah Palin, we need to get beyond Troopergate, Bridgegate and, above all, Daughtergate. Can we dabble in substance for a moment? Palin's experience in domestic policy—from energy issues to managing budgets—is fairly well-established. There is a record to judge. But when it comes to foreign affairs, she is unmolded clay. Even those who follow Alaska politics closely say they have no idea what Palin thinks about the world. "She has no experience in foreign policy, other than meeting trade delegations" from Russia and Asian countries, said Gerald McBeath, a University of Alaska political scientist who praises her first two years as governor and calls her a "quick study." Adds McBeath: "We are a very parochial state. Our campaigns focus almost exclusively on state issues."