John McQueen's blog

About "Wednesday Wire"

John McQueen's "Wednesday Wire" is required reading for Democrats all over the world. Highly respected for accuracy and objectivity, we are proud to be able to offer it here.
John McQueen has been following American politics every day since the day in 1956 when John Kennedy asked the Democratic National Convention to nominate Estes Kefauver for Vice President (thereby saving his own career). 
 
He was a Republican - until Goldwater - and is a pragmatic Progressive Democrat.  John has been active with Democrats Abroad for fourteen years, and has been writing Wednesday Wire since November, 2004.  John lives in Heidelberg, Germany.

How we imagine Wednesday Wire is put together...

 

Wednesday Wire No. 146

Volume CXLVI

Dear Democrats Around the World,
 
This is Wednesday Wire No. 146, 23 July 2008
 
This week’s edition is sponsored by Diane Shoup, member of the Frankfurt Chapter, Democrats Abroad Germany. Thank you Diane!!
 
On becoming a WW Sponsor or Associate, a dollar check to my address below; PayPal (Euros) (click at www.wednesdaywire.com ) or Euro bank transfer (for details write me).  Remember, the 2008 WW Election Guide will be yours around the first of September.
 
Congratulations to Carole Bell of Americans Away from Home and largest Obama group leader in the UK for her great interview on Sky News.
 
Topics this Week:
1. Taking the Middle East out of the election
2. VP Notes
3. Senate Fundraising for competitive seats (except Kansas)
4. State by State
5. Reading Recommendations
And finally…
 

Wednesday Wire No. 145

Volume CXLV

Dear Democrats Around the World,
 
This is Wednesday Wire No. 145, 9 July 2008
 
This week’s edition is sponsored by Anonymous from Garmisch, but who wants everyone to contact their US Senator TODAY to try to stop the FISA bill from passing the US Senate. 
 
On becoming a WW Sponsor or Associate, a dollar check to my address below; PayPal (Euros) (click at www.wednesdaywire.com ) or Euro bank transfer (for details write me). Remember, the 2008 WW Election Guide will be yours.
 
Topics This Week:
 
1. Ups
2. …and downs
3. Webb drops out of VP race- who’s ahead now?
4. McCain’s campaign woes
5. Reading Recommendations
And finally…
 

Wednesday Wire No. 144

Volume CLXIV

Dear Democrats Around the World,
 
This is Wednesday Wire No. 144, 2 July 2008
 
This week’s sponsor, of what is now a gross of Wednesday Wires, is Stanley Grossman, DAUK and Democrats Abroad Treasurer and DNC Member-Elect. For Stan’s very special interest, see “A Giving Opportunity.2” below.
 
For information on how to become a WW Sponsor or Associate (we are at 30% of our goal), read below the “And finally…” item.
 
Topics This Week:
 
1. You don’t believe 400 Electoral Votes?! Here are the numbers
2. A Giving Opportunity.2  
3. State By State
4. Reading Recommendations
And finally…
 

Wednesday Wire No. 143

Volume CLXIII

Dear Democrats Around the World,
 
This is Wednesday Wire No. 143, 11 June 2008
 
This issue of WW is sponsored by Michael Gill, “…a happily retired Department of the Army environmentalist, former professor of political science, and Opa, indulging in the stimulating environment of Heidelberg, Germany…”
 
As a part of a secret agreement with a future Sponsor, WW congratulates Boston Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez for hitting his 500th home run!!
 
Wednesday Wire has gone through the longest stretch without a break in its history. With the primary season done, political speculation rife; real events rare, WW 144 will appear on 2 July.  In the meantime, please keep sending in your All-time top 5 Political book picks. With summer vacation coming, you certainly will want your Democratic friends around the world to only read the very best ones!
 
Topics This Week:
 
1. Hillary’s class withdrawal – the party starts the unity push.
2. The Dem VP list updated.
3. The Campaign Week in brief
4. Kucinich the Hero.
5. Reading Recommendations
And finally…
 

Wednesday Wire No. 142

Volume CXLII

Dear Democrats Around the World,
 
This is Wednesday Wire No. 142, 4 June 2008
 
The WW Sponsor this week is Chris Hansen. Chris is a former Vice Chair of DAUK and was a Kerry delegate to the national convention in Boston in 2004.  He is working in Dubai on energy and environmental policy issues and where ‘…Over the next several months, I will be working to start a DA Country Committee in the UAE and can be contacted at cjhansen@alum.mit.edu if anyone knows interested Americans in the UAE.”
 
Topics This Week:

1. The Next President – A June prediction
2. Final Primary Numbers – the race is finally over.
3. The McCain attack plan
4. The VP list – The Short list, in the running and long shots
5. A giving opportunity
6. State by State
7. Reading Recommendations
And finally…

Wednesday Wire No. 141

Volume CXLI

Dear Democrats Around the World,
 
This is Wednesday Wire No. 141, 28 May 2008
 
This week’s WW sponsor is Don Hunneman from DA Germany and a founding member of the Göttingen chapter.   
 
Topics This Week:
 
1. The Rules and Bylaws Meeting this Saturday – Who Knows What Will Happen?
2. The Clinton gaffe – Everyone Was Wrong
3. The “Bush Dog” Democrats – Who are they?
4. State by State
5. Reading Recommendations
And finally…
 

Wednesday Wire No. 140

Volume CXL
 
Dear Democrats Around the World,
 
This is Wednesday Wire No. 140, 21 May 2008
 
This week’s sponsor is ‘Anonymous from Munich” 
 
Topics This Week:
 
1. The Kentucky and Oregon Results. Obama at the Finish Line
2. Hillary for VP – it won’t happen.
3. Reconciliation - what each side and we must do. A WW Editorial
4. Ted Kennedy
5. The State Blogger for Democrats Abroad
6. The Edwards Delegates
7. State by State
8. Reading Recommendations
And finally…
 

Wednesday Wire No. 139

Volume CXXXIX

Dear Democrats Around the World,
 
This is Wednesday Wire No. 139, 14 May 2008
 
WW 139 is sponsored by Ron Schlundt and Amy Peaceman from DA Germany. Ron is a former two term member of the DNC, former EMEA Vice Chair and many times Chair of DAG; as well as the current Treasurer. His wife Amy is a former Chair and Vice Chair of DAG and was a delegate to the 2000 Los Angeles convention. Ron and Amy are WW’s first sponsors! See below for how you can be a WW Sponsor (or Associate).
  
Topics This Week:
 
1. West Virginia Results
2. A big win in Mississippi – Just how big is it?
3. Paul, Barr and Nader – which one will hurt the candidates most?
4. The GOP VP Watch – The Top Ten right now
5. State by State
6. Reading Recommendations
And finally…
 

Wednesday Wire No. 138

Volume CXXXVIII, May 7th 2008

Dear Democrats Around the World,

This is Wednesday Wire No. 138, 7 May 2008

Topics This Week:
 
1. The North Carolina and Indiana results. 
2. Let’s Do the math…again.
3. A (not so bold) Prediction and what will happen if it isn’t correct.
4. A further look at the Jeremiah Wright affair
5. The Carter Center and the Bush Library
6. State by State
7. Reading Recommendations
And finally… 
 
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