Rhodes Cook on THE GEORGIA SENATE RUNOFF: THE FIRST SHOT OF 2010? The 2008 election these days may seem long ago and far away. But it is worth remembering that while the Republicans had a bad time at the polls in November, they fared well in the array of contests that concluded the election cycle in December. The GOP scored two House wins last month in Louisiana, … [Read more...] about Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Georgia Senate Runoff – First Shot of 2010?
Into the Weekend
I have a ton of work to do this weekend (mostly so I can have a free next weekend with a certain special someone in Minnesota). So ... roundup time. Ha'aretz reveals an Israeli government report detailing the extent to which the settlement enterprise (even the "legal" ones) has been carried out without government permission and on private Palestinian land. Let's be clear: … [Read more...] about Into the Weekend
Will Car And Tax Problems Dash Daschle’s HHS Hopes?
Is former Democratic Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle about to see his hopes of being President Obama's Secretary of Health and Human Services about to get a flat tire due to newly discovered car and tax problems? Could this (so far) mini-scandal dash Daschle's hopes? New report from ABC News' Political Punch suggests that if the nomination isn't in trouble, it's going … [Read more...] about Will Car And Tax Problems Dash Daschle’s HHS Hopes?
A Humble Suggestion For a Lasting Legacy For Mr. Bush
Nancy Gibbs has an interesting essay in this week's TIME. She looks at "second acts," or what some former Presidents have done with their lives "when 'Hail to the Chief' stops playing." Gibbs mentions the "standard pursuits" of writing books, launching foundations, making money, and lauds efforts of former Presidents to make the world a better place. She highlights the … [Read more...] about A Humble Suggestion For a Lasting Legacy For Mr. Bush
Military Suicides on the Rise
According to the AP, "U.S. soldiers killed themselves last year at the highest rate on record, the toll rising for a fourth straight year and even surpassing the suicide rate among comparable civilians." By "highest rate on record," the AP means since 1980, when "current record-keeping began." Still, needless to say, this is a horrible development, with at least 128 soldiers … [Read more...] about Military Suicides on the Rise
Michael Steele Elected to RNC Chairmanship
The news is just filtering out that after three votes, former Maryland Lt. Governor Michael S. Steele has been chosen as the new chairman of the RNC. If you happen to be a very liberal reader, I'm not saying that you're going to fall in love with the guy, but I think that the RNC has done a fine job in this selection. Steele has stood against the wheel for election in … [Read more...] about Michael Steele Elected to RNC Chairmanship
Michael Steele Selected RNC Chair
Members of the Republican National Committee elected their first-ever African-American party chief on Friday, choosing former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele to chair the organization after six rounds of tumultuous balloting. More from CNN. … [Read more...] about Michael Steele Selected RNC Chair
Obama Undoes Some Bush Labor Policies And Vows Help To Middle Class
President Obama's systematic distancing himself from both the policies of and perceptions about the Bush administration continued full force today as he moved to undo some key Bush administration labor policies: At a White House ceremony, the president signed three executive orders that he said would “reverse many of the policies towards organized labor that we’ve seen … [Read more...] about Obama Undoes Some Bush Labor Policies And Vows Help To Middle Class
John Yoo, Torture Cheerleader
I think it's hilarious that one of the Bush Administration's leading proponents of torture -- in fact, the very guy, a DoJ official, who wrote the infamous memos that authorized the use of torture -- has come out against Obama's decision to close Gitmo and end the use of torture. That's right, John Yoo, in an op-ed yesterday in the WSJ, argues that "these actions... will also … [Read more...] about John Yoo, Torture Cheerleader
It’s the Jobs, Stupid
I may have witnessed a glimmer of hope for a productive, bipartisan solution to the stimulus bill quandary when Sen. Ben Nelson (D - Neb) came forward to speak about the upcoming Senate debate on the legislation. "What I'm hoping to do is bring together a bipartisan group of Republicans and Democrats and offer changes that will attract others and improve the bill," he told … [Read more...] about It’s the Jobs, Stupid
Is Bipartisanship D.O.A?
In America's hyperactive new and old media, what isn't there AT THIS VERY INSTANT!! may never exist. And it is still early in Obama's term. Plus: whoever said you could change decades (particularly the last two decades) of political behavior in one whole week? Still, if it was a drug on the market, the FDA would insist it be withdrawn for false advertising (so far). But … [Read more...] about Is Bipartisanship D.O.A?
Economists Who Live In A Bubble
I recently saw a debate on Public Television between two economists. One strongly recommended a payroll tax holiday as a very good way to immediately get money into the hands of both businesses and consumers—with Social Security funded by the payroll tax funded instead during this holiday by TARP money. This is an idea that I and a fair number of other people have advocated for … [Read more...] about Economists Who Live In A Bubble
No Majority In Republican Chairman Vote
And the winner in the closely watched race for the Republican National Committee chairman is....nobody so far. And, most notably, not the person President George Bush preferred: Neither former President George W. Bush's hand-picked national party chairman nor his four challengers got the required 85 votes needed to become party chief on the first or second tally, pushing … [Read more...] about No Majority In Republican Chairman Vote
PTSD and The Purple Heart: The Final Word
Yes, it's me again, plugging for the rights, benefits and care of our active duty and retired military and veterans, just as hard during the first eight days of the Obama administration as I did during the last eight years of the Bush administration---when I tried, in my own little way, to have them put teeth into their slogan "Support our Troops." Fortunately, this plaint … [Read more...] about PTSD and The Purple Heart: The Final Word
Time To Cowboy Up, President Obama
There is much analysis on the House passing the $819 billion stimulus package. Fellow TMV colleagues Michael Stickings and Jazz Shaw have posted their interesting thoughts here and here. But what I'm also seeing is how "crappy" attitudes won out over President Obama's words of bipartisanship. I'm not portraying President Obama as an innocent victim here. He's the POTUS … [Read more...] about Time To Cowboy Up, President Obama
Health Care: Too Big to Fail
In the frenzy over jump-starting the economy, the House stimulus bill includes, among other straws being grasped, $117 billion of spending for health care, most of it to maintain coverage for the disabled and newly poor. Otherwise, the political consensus is that we can't "afford" to reform the system. If anything, there is a stronger case to be made that we can't afford not … [Read more...] about Health Care: Too Big to Fail
Exxon Shatters U.S. Annual Profits Record But Profits Now Way Down
It's nice to see that some company posted record breaking profits for 2008. But that was then...and now is now. Looking at THEN: Exxon Mobil Corp. on Friday reported a profit of $45.2 billion for 2008, breaking its own record for a U.S. company, even as its fourth-quarter earnings fell 33 percent from a year ago. The previous record for annual profit was $40.6 … [Read more...] about Exxon Shatters U.S. Annual Profits Record But Profits Now Way Down
GOP Stimulus Opposition
Daryl Cagle, MSNBC.com This cartoon is copyrighted and licensed to appear on this site. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. … [Read more...] about GOP Stimulus Opposition
Debating the Stimulus Package
Today, on Mid Stream Radio, (at our new time of 10:00 am Eastern) we will be inviting some special guests from each end of the spectrum to discuss this week's House vote on the stimulus package. The topic has certainly drawn a lot of attention and debate, so we'll see if we can't sort out the details for you. I'll be joined, as always, by my lovely co-host, Cindy the Lady … [Read more...] about Debating the Stimulus Package
Is the CERN Miniature Black Hole Debate Dead?
Yet another group of scientists don't think so. Still worried that the Large Hadron Collider will create a black hole that will destroy the Earth when it's finally switched on this summer? Um, well, you may have a point. Three physicists have reexamined the math surrounding the creation of microscopic black holes in the Switzerland-based LHC, the world's largest … [Read more...] about Is the CERN Miniature Black Hole Debate Dead?