Walt Minnick was one of the 22 budget-dissenting Democrats I wrote about last week. Today, Politico profiles him, shedding light on the reasons for Minnick's resistance to the Obama administration. Minnick is one face of the Democrats' larger governing dilemma, which Sean Trende reviews, in length, at RCP. Trende's conclusion: Obama still has a number of members from … [Read more...] about Walt Minnick and the Democrats’ Dilemma
Foreign perception vs. Domestic policy
CBS News is reporting that a new public opinion poll shows that 66% of the people interviewed approve of the job that President Obama has done in his two plus months on the job. The interesting thing about this poll is the timing of it... while the President is on his first major foreign trip. President Obama has accomplished the unthinkable over the past 70 days. In his … [Read more...] about Foreign perception vs. Domestic policy
Businesses Adapt
Nate Beeler, The Washington Examiner This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Businesses Adapt
Political Spines of Steel
Earlier, in his guest column, Don't Blame The Republicans For Having Principles, Dalitso Njolinjo raised some interesting points about the difference between obstructionism and principle in the political arena. Upon reading one of his conclusions, though, I found myself a bit too cynical to get on board. "In the end, isn’t that what we want from our politicians, to have the … [Read more...] about Political Spines of Steel
Don’t Blame The Republicans For Having Principles (Guest Voice)
Don't Blame The Republicans For Having Principles by Dalitso Njolinjo I’ve just been debating with my friends about the big evil in American politics, the Republican Party. To simplify the two hour debate, the argument against the Republicans boils down to this: they are sour losers. They can’t take it that they lost the last election that badly and now they are … [Read more...] about Don’t Blame The Republicans For Having Principles (Guest Voice)
Unequivocally, Obama Has ‘Conquered Europe’: Le Journal du Dimanche au Quotidien, France
Is there any doubt that Obama's trip to Europe has been a monumental PR success? In a 900-word exposition on his week in Europe, Olivier Jay and Pierre-Laurent Mazers of France's Le Journal du Dimanche au Quotidie write in part: "In five days, more than just a new leader, it is the face of a new America that has been offered to Europe. Self-assured and charismatic but … [Read more...] about Unequivocally, Obama Has ‘Conquered Europe’: Le Journal du Dimanche au Quotidien, France
CBS News/NY Times Poll: Obama’s Approval Rating Hits New High
A new CBS News/New York Times poll has President Barack Obama hitting his highest approval yet in his short-tenure in the White House -- and indicates that he has put together a coalition of Democrats and independent voters that is blunting a high level of Republican opposition: As President Obama concludes his well-publicized trip to Europe, Americans are more positive … [Read more...] about CBS News/NY Times Poll: Obama’s Approval Rating Hits New High
‘Prague Spring … Pyongyang Frost”: Financial Times Deutschland
HUNGRY MAN'S T-SHIRT SAYS: 'NORTH KOREA' Continuing with our coverage of the reaction to President Obama's proposals on nuclear disarmament, this editorial from the Financial Times Deutschland is more amenable to the president's proposals than Die Welt's Ansgar Graw, but nevertheless, it warns that overcoming those who flout the rules with impunity will be a long, hard … [Read more...] about ‘Prague Spring … Pyongyang Frost”: Financial Times Deutschland
Obama’s ‘Erroneous’ Comments on Nukes: Die Welt, Germany
It's been a marathon week for journalists following President Obama's first visit to the Europe since his election. From the G20 in London, to the NATO Summit in Strasbourg, to the U.S.-E.U. Summit in Prague and now his visit to Turkey, the president's actions and comments have made headlines around the world. Today the president's speech on nuclear disarmament, delivered in … [Read more...] about Obama’s ‘Erroneous’ Comments on Nukes: Die Welt, Germany
A Fallen Hero Returns For All to See and Honor
I have been writing about the deliberations on whether to permit media access to our returning fallen heroes when they touch American soil at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. A lot of controversy and apprehension surrounded the issue and the decision. Finally, on February 26, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced a policy consistent with what we presently have at … [Read more...] about A Fallen Hero Returns For All to See and Honor
Did Kim Jong Il “Win” In North Korea’s Rocket Launch?
Some perspectives HERE. … [Read more...] about Did Kim Jong Il “Win” In North Korea’s Rocket Launch?
A Real, Big Problem in Michele Bachmann’s District
That is, real as in "not imaginary," and big as in "very significant." What is that real, big problem? Foreclosures. In fact, Andy Birkey of the Minnesota Independent tells us, Bachmann's district and Keith Ellison's district, which is right next to hers, have the highest and second-highest foreclosure rates, respectively, in the state. But the two House members are responding … [Read more...] about A Real, Big Problem in Michele Bachmann’s District
AP Threatens To Sue To Protect Newspaper Content From Being Used On Websites Without Licensing
In an era when the Internet, economy, and changing habits of young people in how and where they get their information is decimating the standard newspaper and news agency business models, it sounds as of the Associated Press is throwing down the gauntlet to Google -- and to weblogs and other sites -- and threatening to sue sites that use it's content without licensing. This … [Read more...] about AP Threatens To Sue To Protect Newspaper Content From Being Used On Websites Without Licensing
Much Ado About Nothing
Two things caught my eye today after a 10-day hiatus with computer problems and pressing business and health issues. One is the flap over touching Queen Elizabeth. The other is the worst fast-food restaurants in America. Americans have a fetish for both. We must live dull lives if our heroes are royalty, actors, musicians and athletes. Yes, they play a role in our lives. … [Read more...] about Much Ado About Nothing
New York Gov. Paterson Sets Record: Lowest Poll Rated Governor Ever
Some politicians toil hard to go down in history and stand out in their chosen profession. This news proves that Democratic New York Governor David Paterson now truly stands out in his: New York State voters disapprove 60 - 28 percent of the job Gov. David Paterson is doing, the lowest approval ever for a New York Governor, and say 63 - 22 percent that he does not deserve … [Read more...] about New York Gov. Paterson Sets Record: Lowest Poll Rated Governor Ever
UPDATED: Major Earthquake in Italy
UPDATED AGAIN: BBC: Floodlights are aiding rescuers sifting rubble for signs of life after the devastating Italian earthquake, while thousands face a night in shelters. At least 150 people are dead, dozens missing, 1,500 injured and some 50,000 homeless after the pre-dawn quake struck L'Aquila and its region. Emergency crews have reportedly pulled 60 people alive … [Read more...] about UPDATED: Major Earthquake in Italy
Opening Day
Jeff Parker, Florida Today This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Opening Day
The Germans Are Too Generous
For a Jewish World War II veteran, it's comforting to learn from a New York Times OpEd that "There Are No Hurt Feelings in Germany." Our new president, a German novelist reveals, is still much admired, even though "current warnings that Mr. Obama must inevitably disappoint the hopes we’ve placed on him will probably turn out to have been somewhat justified." He goes on to … [Read more...] about The Germans Are Too Generous
Report Card On Obama’s European Trip: Success? Failure? Or Mixed Bag?
So how did President Barack Obama really fare on his European trip? It depends on the criteria used to judge the answer to that question -- but by most accounts: quite well. Think of the reports of Obama acting as a kind of peacemaker between other world leaders. The generally positive response to his press conferences and to his town hall. And that one intangible: the … [Read more...] about Report Card On Obama’s European Trip: Success? Failure? Or Mixed Bag?
In Which Sarah Slowly Self Destructs
By SHAUN MULLEN GUEST VOICE Watching Sarah Palin self destruct is a thing of beauty and, I daresay, inevitable considering what an extraordinary lightweight she was to begin with and how she not only has failed to grow on the national stage but has turned making a fool of herself into a cottage industry. We also can be thankful that it is increasingly likely that Palin will … [Read more...] about In Which Sarah Slowly Self Destructs