Twitter -- that succinct means of social communication that is becoming increasingly popular with the famous and not-so-famous -- has been all a twitter over the highly touted health care reform summit featuring President Barack Obama (can he duplicate the success he had when he met with GOP Congressional bigwigs), Republicans (will they be prepared this time to match or trump … [Read more...] about Twitter All A-Twitter Over Obama Democrats Republicans Health Care Summit
Health care summit: dysfunction but not decline
Congressional wars underlying the health care summit are making cynical headlines around the world but the US still has what it takes for domestic and foreign policy success. Its economy is 25% of global GDP and it has the ability to project power forcefully across oceans and continents. Combined with these unique powers, are two other great strengths. The US has the most … [Read more...] about Health care summit: dysfunction but not decline
Is NATO Threatened by Diverging Priorities of its Members?
Robert Kagan’s thesis “Americans are from Mars and Europeans are from Venus” was not based on transatlantic disagreements in the Bush era, but described developments that became already evident during the Clinton administration. The trend continues during the Obama presidency, even though Obama is often described as very “European.” Germany’s Foreign Minister Guido … [Read more...] about Is NATO Threatened by Diverging Priorities of its Members?
The Problem Of Making Assumptions In Health Care Reform
In looking at the debate over health care reform both on the TV and here on the internet I couldn't help thinking how part of the problem is that many people on both sides are coming in to the debate with assumptions that prevent any real discussion. For many on the left it is just a given that passing a large scale package with a public option and/or single payer will lower … [Read more...] about The Problem Of Making Assumptions In Health Care Reform
Quote of the Day: Health Care Summit
"I think the point of this conference is to make sure no one asks for any backroom discussion to be broadcast ever again." -- Comment shared at 11:24 a.m. ET on The Hill's live blog of today's health care summit … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Health Care Summit
Gallup Poll: Americans Will Turn on Democrats’ Health Care Reform if Bipartisan Summit Fails
For weeks the real big assumption has been that today's health care reform summit would be riskier to Republicans than Democrats. But a new Gallup poll indicates the summer is packed with political danger for the Democrats -- perhaps moreso than for the Republicans. And, specifically, it contains a big, fat political warning flag: most Americans will not be happy if the … [Read more...] about Gallup Poll: Americans Will Turn on Democrats’ Health Care Reform if Bipartisan Summit Fails
Health Care: The TV Show
Bipartisan breakthrough: The table for the health summit has been changed from U-shaped to O, allowing more Republican face time for TV cameras. Such symbolism typifies an encounter in which the White House will try to put back together a bill that was blown apart by hand grenades from monolithically opposed Republicans and nakedly greedy Democratic swing Senators. In the … [Read more...] about Health Care: The TV Show
Quote of the Day: the Political Reality of Today’s Health Care Reform Summit
The build up has been intense: right and left (and center) new and old media pundits have said today's health care reform summit -- the kind of clearly defined "confrontation" that TV and 21st century American political junkies love so much -- can be pivotal because of what is said there. But is that a it-really-sounds-nice assertion or does it fly in the face or … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: the Political Reality of Today’s Health Care Reform Summit
Live Streaming Video: Health Care Reform Summit
Here's live streaming video of today's health care reform summit. This will remain at the top of TMV until the summit is over. JOIN THE LIVE CHATVISIT WHITEHOUSE.GOV … [Read more...] about Live Streaming Video: Health Care Reform Summit
Health Care Summit Sirens
RJ Matson, The St. Louis Post Dispatch This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Health Care Summit Sirens
Can We Talk?
Due to scheduling issues, Mid Stream Radio will take to the air this morning at 10 am eastern, rather than our usual Saturday slot. We'll be covering health care via reconciliation, PETA's latest craziness, a couple of hot primary races and more. Ed Morrissey will be stopping by to brag about his Blogger of the Year award or something too. Join our lively chat room and/or call … [Read more...] about Can We Talk?
The Next New Dealers (Guest Voice)
WASHINGTON -- Young Americans are the linchpin of a new progressive era in American politics. So why aren't Democrats paying more attention to them? The relative strength of conservatives in American politics since the 1980s was built on generational change: Voters whose views had been shaped by the New Deal were gradually replaced with the more cautious souls who came … [Read more...] about The Next New Dealers (Guest Voice)
A Brief History of Reconciliation
With the presidential, bi-partisan health care summit rapidly approaching, anyone with a drop of political blood in their system has already heard the term "reconciliation" being tossed around as a way to ram the Democrats' health care bill through Congress. This seems to have led to a lot of confusion and, very likely, deliberate obfuscation among the punditry class. Some … [Read more...] about A Brief History of Reconciliation
Where to Watch the Summit
Expectations for today's health summit could hardly be lower. Details of Obamacare Plan B are here and the WSJ is saying he's got a Plan C: His leading alternate approach would provide health insurance to perhaps 15 million Americans, about half what the comprehensive bill would cover, according to two people familiar with the planning. It would do that by requiring … [Read more...] about Where to Watch the Summit
Rise of the Buyer-Beware Society
"All Toyota vehicles bear my name," the president and grandson of the founder writes. "When cars are damaged, it is as though I am as well...I, more than anyone, want Toyota's cars to be safe." A heartfelt OpEd, written by the best hired gun money can buy, and in testimony before Congress, Akio Toyoda amplifies his regret and sincerity. Yet a criminal investigation of … [Read more...] about Rise of the Buyer-Beware Society
Afghanistan Pullout Damages Dutch Reputation – and President Obama: de Volkskrant, The Netherlands
Now that the Dutch government has collapsed over the issue of its deployment of troops to Afghanistan - and hence that they will soon be withdrawn - what are the political and military consequences? This editorial from Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant warns that the biggest victim of this turn of events isn't The Netherlands - it's Barack Obama. The de Volkskrant editorial … [Read more...] about Afghanistan Pullout Damages Dutch Reputation – and President Obama: de Volkskrant, The Netherlands
Hooray for Hollywood
Hooray for Hollywood.... A tribute to the movies: And another tribute, this time with the full vocal (Doris Day): And -- believe it or not -- the REAL Brady Bunch featured the song on their (short lived) variety hour: Meanwhile, people still play the tune on various instruments: … [Read more...] about Hooray for Hollywood
Another Sign of Crazy California
We all know California is amazingly dysfunctional. But here's a new one that I heard today. A friend needs a new catalytic convertor on their car. The repair quote is around $ 700. When they mentioned this cost at work one day someone (from out of state) said they had the work done and it only cost $ 70. The reason is because we have such strict emissions laws … [Read more...] about Another Sign of Crazy California
Fair Wages for Two Centuries of Work
I was doing some research on African Americans learning to read and write in slavery and after the Civil War, and I came upon this gem: … [Read more...] about Fair Wages for Two Centuries of Work
Poll: Swing Voters Still Favor Democrats But Could Go Either Way
A new Public Policy Polling poll confirms several points we've made here on TMV over the past few months: Swing voters are not a monolithic group. Swing voters are no monolithic on the issue of health care reform. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is voting booth poison when it comes to swing voters. Swing voters are still evaluating Barack Obama. Swing voters … [Read more...] about Poll: Swing Voters Still Favor Democrats But Could Go Either Way