Alan Abramowitz on Did the Wall Street Meltdown Change the Election? A Reply to James Campbell According to James Campbell, the mid-September financial crisis hit the 2008 presidential election like a bolt out of the blue, transforming it from a horserace in which John McCain had a real chance of victory into a one-sided contest in which Barack Obama enjoyed a decisive … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Did the Wall Street Meltdown Change the Election?
The Digital Switchover and The End of TV’s Mainframe Era
Earlier, Patrick posted the news about the House voting to postpone the planned transition from analog to digital television broadcasting from Feb. 17 to June 12. The news sent me back searching for Doc Searls' fascinating rumination in Linux Journal on what happens after TV's mainframe era ends. He means the digital switchover. And he sees trouble ahead: For many … [Read more...] about The Digital Switchover and The End of TV’s Mainframe Era
The ‘Bushification’ of Barack Obama: La Capital of Argentina
When it comes right down to it, is there anything Barack Obama can do to win over arch-rivals like Hugo Chavez and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad? According to this editorial from Argentina's La Capital, the answer is probably no. The La Capital editorial says in part: "The fact that the head of the U.S. empire is viewed internationally with such sympathy and admiration is for many, … [Read more...] about The ‘Bushification’ of Barack Obama: La Capital of Argentina
A Student-Loan Refund That Comes With a Fee
I get so angry hearing that Social Security and/or the rising national debt is something we are inflicting on future generations. If we're so worried about the future debt of our children why have we no qualms about subsidizing banks to give student loans to our kids? I'd rather direct from government loans. But this one takes the cake: About 6,300 students at the City … [Read more...] about A Student-Loan Refund That Comes With a Fee
Newsweek’s Hirsch: Obama Lost Control Of Agenda
Suddenly, with less than three weeks in office, to listen and watch the new and old media, President Barack Obama is on many fronts on the defensive -- reacting to some crises of his administration's own making and no longer leading by setting the agenda but reacting to it. True or not? Unless he turns it around, it's true as we noted in this post today. And now … [Read more...] about Newsweek’s Hirsch: Obama Lost Control Of Agenda
The Five Day Rule. “Well, really it was more of a guideline.”
Does anyone else remember Barack Obama's "Five Day Rule" which purported to shine more sunlight on the legislative process and give voters time to read and comment on bills? For a refresher course, the information is still available at his web site. Sunlight Before Signing: Too often bills are rushed through Congress and to the president before the public has the opportunity … [Read more...] about The Five Day Rule. “Well, really it was more of a guideline.”
Bloom Is Off The Rose
John Cole, The Scranton Times-Tribune This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on TMV. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about Bloom Is Off The Rose
Not So Fast On DTV Switchover (Bumped and Updates)
UPDATE: After an earlier delay the House has voted to approve the delay until June 12th. However broadcasters will still be able to cut things off after February 17th, they simply moved the deadline to June. As a practical matter I doubt any station will cut off analog signals early because they would potentially lose viewers. It looks like the big change to digital … [Read more...] about Not So Fast On DTV Switchover (Bumped and Updates)
Wells Fargo’s Happy Face Turns Grim
Wells Fargo Bank has a prestigious reputation as the best managed financial institution in America and yet its chief executives still don't get it. The bank Tuesday cancelled a celebration bash in Las Vegas to honor and award its mortgage brokers after a backlash of the news ripped through the business media and halls of Congress. Wells Fargo was one of eight major banks … [Read more...] about Wells Fargo’s Happy Face Turns Grim
On Maureen Dowd’s Appallingly Bad Takedown of Obama
I used to read Maureen Dowd. Once upon a time. Way back when. I can admit that, can't I? She was funny, sometimes, and her intertwining of pop culture and pop politics amused me. There was never any depth to her, but it didn't matter. Reading her Times columns, pithy drivel and all, was a fine way to pass the time -- when I had some time, didn't feel like having to think all … [Read more...] about On Maureen Dowd’s Appallingly Bad Takedown of Obama
Progress On Stimulus Bill?
The sound bites are multiplying. Your radio melts if you (dare) listen to talk radio, on the left and right. News outlets are running stories saying President Barack Obama's stimulus package might not have enough votes in the Senate. Polls show support for the measure is lagging and in one poll less than those who support it. Yet, could it be possible that politics is now … [Read more...] about Progress On Stimulus Bill?
The F-22 Raptor, It’s Almost Time To Punt
A couple of weeks ago, in "The F-22 Raptor, Obama’s First Major Weapon Systems Decision," I wrote that one of the first major weapon systems-related decisions the Obama administration will have to make is whether to purchase additional Lockheed-Martin F-22 Raptors, after the last one of a 183 aircraft order has been delivered. Well, the date for that decision is rapidly … [Read more...] about The F-22 Raptor, It’s Almost Time To Punt
Rasmussen Poll: Only 37% Now Support Existing Stimulus Plan
Pollsters vary in their findings, and Rasmussen's polls don't always agree with Gallup's -- but this clearly shows a steep drop in support for the present incarnation of President Barack Obama's economic stimulus plan: Support for the economic recovery plan working its way through Congress has fallen again this week. For the first time, a plurality of voters nationwide … [Read more...] about Rasmussen Poll: Only 37% Now Support Existing Stimulus Plan
Gov. Crist on Hardball: ‘We’re All in The Same Boat Now’
Joe noted the meme on Sunday. Justin Gardner picked up on it today, prompted by yesterday's Chris Matthews interview with Florida Gov. Charlie Crist. Justin applauds Crist's willingness to buck many of the Republicans in Congress, despite the Governor's potential 2012 presidential aspirations. Meanwhile, I'm prompted to unproductively ponder the imponderable -- i.e., how … [Read more...] about Gov. Crist on Hardball: ‘We’re All in The Same Boat Now’
The Bipartisan Fiasco
Public support for the President's stimulus package is fading fast. And the reason should be obvious to the people in his new Administration but clearly isn't. The plan's popularity is a victim of bipartisanism. Obama was elected because of a single word: Change. The public wanted change. Big change in a host of fields. That was what everyone who listened to the public with … [Read more...] about The Bipartisan Fiasco
[poll] OH US Senate race: The win, the women & the apportionment board
Other than my extreme distaste for Mark Naymik's use of the word "delicious" in this Plain Dealer column about Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher and Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner and the Democratic options for filling retiring U.S. Senator and Republican George Voinovich's seat, it does a decent job outlining the reality that, when you say yes to one … [Read more...] about [poll] OH US Senate race: The win, the women & the apportionment board
Cheney Says Obama’s Policies Will Make U.S. Vulnerable To Terrorist Attack
So whoever seriously thought that former Vice President Dick Cheney would go quietly into the night or give the new President more than just two weeks to prove himself? If you did then here's proof that those who practice the kind of baby-boomer-era derived "smart good guys us versus dumb and weak and dangerous guys them" politics won't give it a rest -- not even for a single … [Read more...] about Cheney Says Obama’s Policies Will Make U.S. Vulnerable To Terrorist Attack
Stimulus Schmimulus
Cued by Andrew Sullivan, I briefly commented on this subject in the parenthetical conclusion to this post -- but the issues raised by Sullivan and his colleague, Megan McArdle, deserve more than that; hence, the following. To recap: Yesterday, Megan went semi-nuclear on some of her readers who suggested the primary “burden of proof” should be placed on the stimulus opponents … [Read more...] about Stimulus Schmimulus
Remember the Moderates: Thomas Dewey
This is the second in a series of articles on New Majority.com by Geoffrey Kabaservice on this history of moderates in the Republican Party. He focuses on Thomas Dewey, the former Governor of New York and the GOP candidate for President in 1944 and 1948. Here is an excerpt: Unlike the stalwarts who continued to dominate what little remained of the Republican representation … [Read more...] about Remember the Moderates: Thomas Dewey
BREAKING NEWS: Canada on the Verge of Imminent Collapse!
No, not really. But that's the view of one Stephen Marche, who in The New Republic a couple of weeks ago wrote that Canada is about to become... the Balkans. Or Italy. Or something: If Canada does collapse -- and the parliamentary crisis is pointing us in that direction -- the U.S. will end up with something like a Balkans to the North. Canada has become ungovernable, … [Read more...] about BREAKING NEWS: Canada on the Verge of Imminent Collapse!