Deborah Simmons

SIMMONS: D.C. and Obama

Expectations are unreasonably high. Democrats are hoping the Obama administration and the House and Senate deliver the world. Republicans want Democrats to fail miserably so that they can come back in 2010 and 2012 and say we told you so. "Americans got what they asked for just as they did with [Bill] Clinton," a conservative told me. "In the midterms we can ride to the rescue." Published November 14, 2008

SIMMONS: Where to now, America?

The election is over, but our job is not. President-elect Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain laid out in their respective victory and concession speeches what now lies ahead. Published November 7, 2008

SIMMONS: Illegals vs. American taxpayers

More than a few pundits and commentators have called the Oct. 7 debate between Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama a snoozer because the two candidates didn't go at each other. Whether you concur or not with their assessment, one thing is certain, the candidates are not being grilled on the issue of illegal immigration and its inextricable link to our economic well-being and our national security. Published October 10, 2008

SIMMONS: Republicans’ tug of war

The Republican Party ain't what it used to be. Sure, it still takes on the Democratic Party and can be counted on to fight the good fight when it comes to faith, family and freedom. But Republicans have lost considerable ground with the very working-class and middle-class Americans who have delivered resounding victories to them since Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush took on Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale in 1980. The shift in relationship with those same voters began in 2006, when Democrats gained control of Congress, and it continues as the election draws near. This doesn't bode well for the McCain-Palin ticket and the two dozen House Republican seats that are looking more purple than red. Published October 3, 2008

SIMMONS: Public schools failing

. Published September 19, 2008

SIMMONS: Obama vs. Obama vs. Obama

Back in the 1950s, when televisions with picture tubes and huge consoles with small screens were the norm, there was a popular show called "To Tell the Truth." The premise was four panelists would question three contestants, and at the end of the questioning the host would say, "Will the real (fill-in-blank) please stand up." Sometimes the panelists were completely stumped (Rosa Parks pulled that off in 1975) and sometimes they weren't. Much, of course, depended on what each panelist looked for in search of clues. "Are you famous or well known?" was a frequent question. "For what?" was a logical follow-up. Can Barack Obama "tell the truth?" If he has the answer, will he reveal himself to America? Published September 12, 2008

SIMMONS: All’s fair in politics

Well, well, dear readers. Here we are. Published September 4, 2008

SIMMONS: The political games begin

You've got to give Hillary Clinton credit. She made politics a contact sport - swatting off critics and standing by her man who had been caught with his pants down and, all these years later, winning a hand-wrestling match with Barack Obama. She (and her man, Bill) reluctantly handed over the baton this week. But hand it over she did. The fun at last begins. Published August 29, 2008

SIMMONS: Ralph Nader’s losing hand

Mr. Nader pretends to run against the grain of Washington every four years. This election year is no different - except the outsider card that Mr. Nader has repeatedly played has landed in Barack Obama's winning hand. Published June 27, 2008