Les Seymour's Questions

Am I right to predict that whatever the situation, and whomever the President, it will be very difficult for him or her to get Congress's approval to launch another war? That, in a sense, is both the blessing and curse of the Iraqi pursuit. It may spare us the possibility of conducting an unnecesary... Sign in to see full entry.

Is it possible that the Iraqi government is playing a game? As reported, it is not meeting benchmarks agreed upon sometime ago. Indeed, similar reports that have been given indicate the same lack of progress. Is it probable that Baghdad has made a calculation that as long as things do not change... Sign in to see full entry.

The history of Presidential Political Campaigns documents the fall from popularity of many candidates. there have been many reasons for such fall: Howard Dean shouting in Iowa; Muskie shedding tears; Dukakis Tank Ride. These falls were unforeseen and resulted from perception, not substance. The fall... Sign in to see full entry.

Senator Barack Obama is a fresh face. He has sprung upon the National political scene because he is bright, attractive, and he is yet untainted by ideology that is not his own. His appearance on the scene approximates the appearance of John F. Kennedy in the 1960s. They are alike in many respects.... Sign in to see full entry.

The history of the world records that we have had very powerful women leaders. We have had a Queen named Victoria; we have had Queens named Mary; we have had Queens named Elizabeth; we have had a queen named Isabella; and we may even include a Queen called Cleopatra. These women had enormous... Sign in to see full entry.

As the campaign goes on, I will bore you with my impressions of some of the candidates in the fields. I live in New York so I know a little about former Mayor Giuliani and Senator Clinton. I have met the former mayor; I have not met the Senator. Yet, they are both so well known here, you don't have... Sign in to see full entry.

Today, Secretary of State Rice met with a Syrian official and greeted an Iranian one. What humiliation? Except for the Neo Cons, including Vice President Cheney, all sober minds suggested the Administration initiate contact with these two countries. It didn't. It would have had more leverage had it... Sign in to see full entry.

Moderate republicans liked Senator McCain for his candour, his honesty, his common sense, and his consistency. Now such admiration is fading fast. It is a real pity. The field of candidates of the party is not very impressive. He should be way out in front in the polls. Alas, it is not so. I do not... Sign in to see full entry.

When I left you a day or so ago, I promised that I would express Concern No. 2. This may be controversial, but I hope it spurs some response. It has to do with the language that is now being used to refer to States for which The West, particularly the United States, do not have much regard. I refer... Sign in to see full entry.

CONCERN NO 1 In Friday's Wall Sreeet Journal, I read that Russia has restored its espionage capabilities in the United States to almost Cold War levels. Earlier, I read that Mr. Putin, the President of Russia had a meeting with his Chinese counterpart in which they agreed to cooperate on certain... Sign in to see full entry.