Even though it had a hideous roll-out and became -- and is -- a bigtime political football, the Los Angeles Times reports that Obamacare has brought insurance to 9.5 Americans who hadn't had any and has already set a record for the history books: President Obama's healthcare law, despite a rocky rollout and determined opposition from critics, already has spurred the … [Read more...] about Obamacare insures 9.5 million previously uninsured
Juan Williams on ACA
Fox News contributor Juan Williams shares thoughts from health care expert Jonathan Gruber on the Affordable Care Act on The Hill. The danger to ObamaCare, he says, has nothing to do with the final sign-up numbers. The plan has enrolled enough people, including enough young people, to be sustainable, he said. With more than 6 million already signed up, he insisted that the … [Read more...] about Juan Williams on ACA
The Vacuous Evil Of Donald Rumsfeld
Despite his role as the key player in the late, unlamented fool's errand known as the Iraq War, former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has remained the most elusive of subjects. A big part of this has to do with him not meeting our expectations, or in any event my own: He remains unapologetic, unrepentant and unconscionably obtuse when it comes to discussing the war, notably … [Read more...] about The Vacuous Evil Of Donald Rumsfeld
The Matrix is 15 years old… damn
I used to have debates on Twitter with @KickArseHD on the subject of what is the most important film of the past 20 or so years. I championed The Dark Knight for various reasons but Mr Arse backed The Matrix – I hate to admit it, but he was right. I’ve recently re-watched this classic – and yes it is a classic film – and I was gobsmacked at how relevant and awe inspiring it … [Read more...] about The Matrix is 15 years old… damn
Washington mudslide death toll at 25; how you can help
The deadly mudslide that brought destruction to the community of Oso, WA, last weekend has now officially claimed 21 lives (15 identified, 6 unidentified). An additional four victims have been found in the slide, but are not yet recovered, according to the Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s (ME’s) office. Scores remain unaccounted for, but the stories of rescue and … [Read more...] about Washington mudslide death toll at 25; how you can help
Who Cares about the Value of Work?
WASHINGTON -- Finding a way out of our current political impasse requires some agreement on what problems we need to solve. If anything should unite left, center and right, it is the value of work and the idea, in Bill Clinton's signature phrase, that those who "work hard and play by the rules" ought to be rewarded for their efforts. This is why one of last week's most … [Read more...] about Who Cares about the Value of Work?
Condi’s Failures on Iraq and Terrorism
In light of Michael Stickings' post on Condi Rice's criticism of Obama, it is worth looking back at her record. The following was originally posted at Liberal Values on August 18, 2007: The Economist has a quite unflattering look at Condoleezza Rice while reviewing two books on her: Ms Rice's star, which rose so fast, has plunged back into obscurity, and the reason is easy … [Read more...] about Condi’s Failures on Iraq and Terrorism
The Party of the Empty Chair
Speak the inconvenient truth, get sent to woodshed, apologize and Kiss the Ring: Chris Christie apologizes for ‘occupied territories’ remark Kenneth P. Vogel / Politico LAS VEGAS - New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie in a Saturday afternoon meeting with Sheldon Adelson apologized for stepping on a fault line in fraught Middle East politics during a speech he gave earlier in the … [Read more...] about The Party of the Empty Chair
How are Jeb Bush’s 2016 Prospects?
Now that it's a full-fledged news story that influential GOPers are trying to draft former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush as a 2016 Republican Presidential nomination contender, the question is: realistically, how are his prospects? One of the best analysis comes from Martin Longman: It's quite possible that Jeb could win the nomination in pretty much the exact same way that … [Read more...] about How are Jeb Bush’s 2016 Prospects?
Democrats Need A Message
One reason that the Republicans get people to turn out to vote in off year elections, often to vote against their economic self-interest, is that they have a message. The message might be based upon dishonest claims and incorrect views as to how the economy and government work, but it is a message. In contrast, many Democratic voters feel less interested in turning out to vote, … [Read more...] about Democrats Need A Message
Tilting at windbags
WASHINGTON -- I had no idea so many Republicans were nostalgic for the Cold War. President Obama should dust off the zinger he used in a campaign debate against Mitt Romney: "The 1980s are now calling to ask for their foreign policy back." Poor Mitt. It seems he never got over Obama's putdown of his view that Russia is the "number-one geopolitical foe" of the United … [Read more...] about Tilting at windbags
The budgetary fix we’re in
The budgetary fix we're in by Ruth Marcus Washington Post Writers Group Columnist WASHINGTON -- The capital's dysfunction has its unfortunate exceptions. Gridlock yields to interests powerful enough to trump habits of obstruction. The result is compromise of a peculiarly distasteful variety -- bipartisanship in the form of can-kicking, budgetary obfuscation and … [Read more...] about The budgetary fix we’re in
SNL: Obama at Healthcare.Gov meeting (Video)
[twitter name="name"] SNL had fun with a sketch depicting its view of President Barack Obama at a meeting of healthcare.gov trying and find ways to increase enrollment. … [Read more...] about SNL: Obama at Healthcare.Gov meeting (Video)
Republicans and voting: And if you’re black, get back
...Or if you're brown, white, poor, or appear to be a Democratic voter, Ohio and Wisconsin (swing states) have now enacted laws that put serious barriers between you and the voting booth. North Carolina is worse, now, than either Ohio or Wisconsin. Some laws have already kicked in. Some may not start skewing the vote to the right and far right until the next presidential … [Read more...] about Republicans and voting: And if you’re black, get back
Capital punishment in America: Stiff figures (Guest Voice)
Capital punishment in America: Stiff figures (via The Economist) AMERICA carried out 39 executions last year. This puts the country in some unsavoury international company; only China, Iraq, Iran and Saudi Arabia put more people to death (albeit by a fairly large margin in China and Iran). Our colleagues over at… … [Read more...] about Capital punishment in America: Stiff figures (Guest Voice)
Sheldon Adelson (Cartoon)
See great cartoons by all the top political cartoonists at http://cagle.com. To license this cartoon for your own site, visit http://politicalcartoons.com … [Read more...] about Sheldon Adelson (Cartoon)
An excuse to do nothing
WASHINGTON -- Blaming poverty on the mysterious influence of "culture" is a convenient excuse for doing nothing to address the problem. That's the real issue with what Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said about distressed inner-city communities. Critics who accuse him of racism are missing the point. What he's really guilty of is providing a reason for government to throw up … [Read more...] about An excuse to do nothing
The Plane! The Plane!
The Plane! The Plane! By Peter Funt The other night I got into bed later than usual and wondered if I had missed the nightly installment of this month's hottest talk-radio topic: the missing Malaysian plane and wild theories about its fate. Silly me. The talkers were still at full throttle, ranting about, The plane! The plane! Daytime talk shows on radio and TV tend to … [Read more...] about The Plane! The Plane!
Influential Republicans Move to Draft Jeb Bush for 2016
In a way, it's the political non-story of 2014, but definitely worth reporting, because what has long been predicted is now happening: the Washington Post reports that influential Republicans are now working to move to draft Jeb Bush to get him to jump into the 2016 Republican Presidential nomination sweepstakes. Many of the Republican Party’s most powerful insiders and … [Read more...] about Influential Republicans Move to Draft Jeb Bush for 2016
Poll: Paul, Huckabee are ahead for 2016 Republican Presidential nomination
A new poll finds Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee leading as prospective 2016 Republican presidential candidates. I gave this take here in The Week about how Paul might get the nomination. Some strongly disagree. But polls show Paul is way up there which is still no guarantee he'll make it to the GOP heap's top. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and … [Read more...] about Poll: Paul, Huckabee are ahead for 2016 Republican Presidential nomination