October 18, 2009 - October 24, 2009 Archives
Oct 24 2009, 4:07PM
Can They Cover 350 Like They Covered Teabaggers?
There are protests all over the world today in support of reversing climate change. Sponsored by the organization 350, named after the parts per million of carbon dioxide. Scientists believe that's the limit for heat-trapping carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. We're past that now and some scientists, as the New York Times notes today, think that's probably too ambitious a goal. The whole idea began with Bill McKibben, the environmental writer. Will these protests get teabagger-style coverage? Probably not. A good fight over crowd estimates always helps and so does having a television network devoted to revving up your cause. Meanwhile, it'll be interesting to see where Congress goes on climate change and how Obama handles the upcoming meeting on climate change in Copenhagen.
Oct 24 2009, 10:45AM
Question Of The Weekend: Pick Your Pundit
If you were to be trapped on a deserted island with one conservative talk show host, who would you want it to be?
Oct 23 2009, 6:08PM
White House Denies Report That It Wants To Weaken Public Plan
The White House is denying reports that officials are pressuring Sen. Harry Reid to scale back the scope of the "public option" that'll be attached to the Senate health insurance bill. Talking Points Memo reported, based on unnamed sources close to the negotiations, that the White House is "skeptical" of a public option that includes a state opt-out choice, preferring -- and advocating for -- a public option that would kick in only if the private exchange failed to lower costs.
"The report is false. The White House continues to work with the Senate on the merging of the two bills," said Dan Pfeiffer, a top White House aide whose portfolio includes health care. "We are making good progress toward enacting comprehensive health reform."
TPM notes that Sen, Jay Rockefeller sent out a seemingly unprompted press release rejecting the "trigger" option. It claims that the White House's pressure on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is based on President Obama's desire to accommodate the wishes of Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME), who supports a trigger-only public plan and who voted "yes" on the Senate Finance Committee's health care draft.
"The report is false. The White House continues to work with the Senate on the merging of the two bills," said Dan Pfeiffer, a top White House aide whose portfolio includes health care. "We are making good progress toward enacting comprehensive health reform."
TPM notes that Sen, Jay Rockefeller sent out a seemingly unprompted press release rejecting the "trigger" option. It claims that the White House's pressure on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is based on President Obama's desire to accommodate the wishes of Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME), who supports a trigger-only public plan and who voted "yes" on the Senate Finance Committee's health care draft.
Oct 23 2009, 5:25PM
Democratic Campaign Arm Rallies Support For Public Option
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has departed from the White House and its Democratic Party brethren: it's seeking to rally its supporters around the public option.
In today's edition of a semi-regular email to supporters, called @Stake, the DCCC asked recipients to sign a petition supporting the government-administered insurance plan, touting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's pledge to pass a bill with the public option and bring it to a House-Senate conference committee.
In today's edition of a semi-regular email to supporters, called @Stake, the DCCC asked recipients to sign a petition supporting the government-administered insurance plan, touting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's pledge to pass a bill with the public option and bring it to a House-Senate conference committee.
Oct 23 2009, 5:00PM
On Nukes, Obama Plans Hands-On Approach
President Obama plans to take a more active role in preparing America's nuclear weapons strategy, helping to ensure that the final document, due out next year, reflects his priorities, rather than just the institutional views of his government, administration officials said.
Mr. Obama was said to be unhappy when the Defense Department presented to him its decision to remove a long-range missile battery from Poland and a sophisticated radar system from the Czech Republic. Obama had little time to study the issue before the vagaries of the Pentagon's budget procedures forced his hand. Responding to concerns that the Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) was being completed without enough input from his staff and from the State Department, Obama has decided to provide guidance directly, and plans to participate in several high-level meetings.
Oct 23 2009, 4:00PM
Fox News, Chapter 263
Mickey Kaus has a smart take on the Fox News flap here. He makes the point that there's a distinction between conservative and independent. Conservative doesn't bother him (or me) but lack of independence does, and thus the White House is right when it says Fox is not a standard news organizaiton, not because it's right-leaning but because it's a defacto arm of the GOP. Not entirely sure I buy the argument. But it's an intriguing nuance. In any event, I still don't see the upside to the fight for the White House unless it succeeds in galvinizing those who are bummed about closing Gitmo, deferring don't-ask-don't-tell and other compromises. Today's story in Politico that Roger Ailes himself might run for president is so absurd--I'm sure there's talk about it but the prospect is so absurd--that I hope it marks a coda to this chapter. I doubt it. Meanwhile, did all of this have the effect of deterring the MSM from going after Fox-style stories? We'll see.
Oct 23 2009, 3:34PM
Taking the Long View of the Stimulus
Oct 23 2009, 3:12PM
The World Series Might Arrest Daggett's Surge
Independent gubernatorial candidate Chris Daggett is up to 19% and 20% in polls taken by SurveyUSA and Rutgers/Eagleton. If they're right, Mark Blumenthal tells us, the parrallels to former Minnesota Gov./independent Jesse Ventura's trial heat is intriguing. But Blumenthal cautions that there are at least six reasons why Daggett's climb may be more steep than Ventura's was.
One is this:
One is this:
• Baseball. If the New Jersey news hole in those markets were not already small enough, the prospect of a Philadelphia-New York World Series during the last six days of the race diminishes it even further (the Phillies have clinched, the Yankees are one game away).
Oct 23 2009, 2:33PM
Ailes For President
Evidently some of Fox News President Roger Ailes' friends want to take the White House vs. Fox confrontation a step further...and are encouraging Ailes to run for president of the United States in 2012, according to Politico's Mike Allen. As unlikely as this sounds, it would be interesting to see how it would work. How would the massive news agency and its opinion programs interact with an Ailes campaign? And what if he said something Glenn Beck didn't like? Perhaps, one day, we'll find out.
Oct 23 2009, 1:28PM
Third Party Watch: GOP's Approval Rating Lowest In Decade
Eager to please, ready to fight, but why do they go to extremes? According to a new poll by CNN, voters' feelings for the Republican Party have chilled to their lowest levels in a decade, with 36% expressing a favorable view and 54% expressing an unfavorable view. In contrast, Democrats enjoy a fairly healthy approval rating -- 53% -- though their Congress, in general, gets much lower marks. 38% say Democrats are doing a good job in Congress. 33% say Republicans are doing a good job in Congress. What this suggests: Americans think of Democrats and think of Barack Obama and others, not just Harry Reid. Americans think of Republicans and think of...Congressional Republicans.
Oct 23 2009, 1:20PM
J-Street's Ben-Ami Wants To Anger The Left, Too
The chief of J-Street, the liberal Middle East peace advocacy group, has drawn plenty of ire from conservatives. Maybe too much...On the eve of its convention, the head of J-Street, Jeremy Ben-Ami, tells Jeffrey Goldberg in a fiesty interview that J-Street isn't necessarily going to please liberals all of the time either.
One -- he favors the Right of Return, always and forever. He believes that American military aid to Israel should never stop.
"I hope that we have a very strong left flank that attacks us, that Jewish Voice for Peace and other groups that are consistently upset with us for backing Howard Berman's sanctions plan and for refusing to embrace the Goldstone report and for standing up for the right of Israel to defend itself or for its military aid -- I hope we get attacked from the left because I would characterize J Street as the mainstream of the American Jewish community."
BTW: Despite a New York Times assertion to the contrary, the Jews on his staff aren't intermarried (not that that's a bad thing!).
And boy, Ben-Ami doesn't seem to like Michael Goldfarb.
Oct 23 2009, 12:56PM
Rethinking Pawlenty's Iowa Caucus Strategy
Last week, I suggested that choosing to campaign in Iowa might not be the most feasible strategy for a Republican presidential candidate like Tim Pawlenty, who, while plenty conservative, would have to compete with two candidates -- Sarah Palin and Mike Huckabee, assuming they run -- who are bound to generate much more enthusiasm among Iowa Republican caucus goers. I'm going to elaborate a little.
Oct 23 2009, 12:35PM
The 87-Year-Old's Case for Gay Marriage
Did the fight for gay marriage just find a new hero? This video of an elderly Maine veteran--heterosexual, Republican, authentic--arguing for gay marriage is going viral on the web. I found it thanks to Taeggan Goddard's Political Wire. It's quite something.
Oct 23 2009, 12:02PM
Another Industry Report Says Premiums Will Go Up
A new study from health insurance company WellPoint finds, as did the widely criticized PricewaterhouseCoopers report commissioned by America's Health Insurance Plans earlier this month, that insurance premiums will go up if Congress passes health care reform.
It's a state-by-state analysis that looks at 14 states, finding that premiums for an average age/average health individual would rise anywhere from 19 percent to 172 percent in each state. If you average all the 14 states together, you get an increase of 92.4 percent, without weighting for population.
It's a state-by-state analysis that looks at 14 states, finding that premiums for an average age/average health individual would rise anywhere from 19 percent to 172 percent in each state. If you average all the 14 states together, you get an increase of 92.4 percent, without weighting for population.
Oct 23 2009, 10:42AM
Palin For Hoffman
Sarah Palin has endorsed Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman in New York's 23rd district special election. Palin posted a statement last night on her Facebook page (her medium of choice since stepping down as governor) announcing that her political organization, SarahPAC, will donate the maximum legal amount, $2,400, to Hoffman's campaign.
It's the second high-profile endorsement Hoffman has received of late, as former House Majority Leader Dick Armey spoke in support of Hoffman in upstate New York Wednesday night.
It's the second high-profile endorsement Hoffman has received of late, as former House Majority Leader Dick Armey spoke in support of Hoffman in upstate New York Wednesday night.
Oct 23 2009, 9:53AM
Will Senate Procedure Save The Public Option?
Here's an idea that ABC News' Jonathan Karl floated this morning--or, rather, that Democratic sources have floated to him: that the public option will pass in the Senate without 60 votes. Sources tell Karl that Reid thinks this will work.
Here's how: 60 votes aren't actually needed to pass health care reform--they're only needed to break a Republican filibuster and bring a reform bill to the floor. Once 60 senators vote in favor of cloture, another round of debate begins, and the Senate votes on the actual bill. At that point, Democratic senators who oppose the public option (of which there are several) would be able to rail against the public option to their hearts' content, eventually voting against it. But the bill itself will only need 51 votes to pass.
Here's how: 60 votes aren't actually needed to pass health care reform--they're only needed to break a Republican filibuster and bring a reform bill to the floor. Once 60 senators vote in favor of cloture, another round of debate begins, and the Senate votes on the actual bill. At that point, Democratic senators who oppose the public option (of which there are several) would be able to rail against the public option to their hearts' content, eventually voting against it. But the bill itself will only need 51 votes to pass.
Oct 23 2009, 6:30AM
Question Of The Day: Antitrust Politics
Democrats are seeking to eliminate antitrust exemptions for insurance companies. Is this a good idea, a politically motivated hit job, or both?
Oct 23 2009, 6:00AM
The Rundown, 10/23
In an attempt to prove how smart he is, President Obama will go to Cambridge, Massachusetts today to hold an event on the economy at MIT, where there will be more pocket protectors in the audience than at any of his other speeches this year, and he will probably be extra careful not to mix up his stimulus numbers.
Then, continuing the trend he's set this month at fundraisers in San Francisco and New York, it's back into campaign mode: Obama will lend his money-making magic to Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick (D) at a fundraiser this afternoon...and then ANOTHER fundraiser tonight for Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT), who could use the help.
Then, continuing the trend he's set this month at fundraisers in San Francisco and New York, it's back into campaign mode: Obama will lend his money-making magic to Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick (D) at a fundraiser this afternoon...and then ANOTHER fundraiser tonight for Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT), who could use the help.
Oct 23 2009, 5:30AM
The Invisible Primary, 10/23
Tracking the GOP race to 2012:
Yet another book about Sarah Palin is in the works, as a former aide during the Troopergate days is penning an expose on the former governor, though he doesn't have a publisher; President Obama leads major GOP hopefuls in prospective 2012 matchups, according to a new Public Policy Polling survey, though Mike Huckabee performs the best, trailing the president 43 percent to 47 percent; Rick Santorum published an op-ed in the Philadelphia Inquirer criticizing President Obama's policies toward Iran; Tim Pawlenty raised money for his Freedom First PAC at the home of a lobbyist in Washington, DC last night, and he has another fundraiser lined up for Nov. 4 in Minnesota; and Newt Gingrich defended his endorsement of New York congressional candidate Dede Scozzafava.
Yet another book about Sarah Palin is in the works, as a former aide during the Troopergate days is penning an expose on the former governor, though he doesn't have a publisher; President Obama leads major GOP hopefuls in prospective 2012 matchups, according to a new Public Policy Polling survey, though Mike Huckabee performs the best, trailing the president 43 percent to 47 percent; Rick Santorum published an op-ed in the Philadelphia Inquirer criticizing President Obama's policies toward Iran; Tim Pawlenty raised money for his Freedom First PAC at the home of a lobbyist in Washington, DC last night, and he has another fundraiser lined up for Nov. 4 in Minnesota; and Newt Gingrich defended his endorsement of New York congressional candidate Dede Scozzafava.
Oct 23 2009, 5:00AM
Hurtling Toward 2010, 10/23
The 2010 midterms are just around the corner (sort of). Here's what's happening:
Newt Gingrich defended Dede Scozzafava, the Republican candidate in New York's 23rd district special election, on satellite radio; though several conservative publications--including the National Review and The Washington Times--have called on her to withdraw; President Obama sent an email to the Organizing for America/Democratic National Committee list asking recipients to support Democrat Bill Owens in the same race; Dick Armey, meanwhile, is backing Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman in New York's 23rd; the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee led all party committees in fundraising last month with $7 million coming in; former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka said he never actually endorsed Illinois Senate candidate Pat Hughes (D), Despite Hughes's claim to the contrary...and then he officially endorsed Hughes; and a Rutgers poll showed New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine (D) leading his reelection race with 39 percent support, while 36 percent support Chris Christie (R) and 20 percent support independent candidate Chris Daggett (HT Swing State Project).
Newt Gingrich defended Dede Scozzafava, the Republican candidate in New York's 23rd district special election, on satellite radio; though several conservative publications--including the National Review and The Washington Times--have called on her to withdraw; President Obama sent an email to the Organizing for America/Democratic National Committee list asking recipients to support Democrat Bill Owens in the same race; Dick Armey, meanwhile, is backing Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman in New York's 23rd; the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee led all party committees in fundraising last month with $7 million coming in; former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka said he never actually endorsed Illinois Senate candidate Pat Hughes (D), Despite Hughes's claim to the contrary...and then he officially endorsed Hughes; and a Rutgers poll showed New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine (D) leading his reelection race with 39 percent support, while 36 percent support Chris Christie (R) and 20 percent support independent candidate Chris Daggett (HT Swing State Project).
Oct 22 2009, 4:40PM
Snowe Suggests Health Care Can Wait
Health care reform maybe shouldn't happen by the end of the year, Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) suggests in an interview with Bloomberg's "Political Capital with Al Hunt," which will air this weekend. "Christmas might be too soon," Bloomberg quotes her as saying. "We should give it the time it deserves." Needless to say, Democrats do not want to wait that long, but Snowe is in a uniquely influential position as the only Republican who supports Democratic reform plans at this point.
And, just in case public-option supporters thought things might have changed as more polling shows the public in favor of a government-run insurance plan, Snowe says she won't support it--meaning it'll be up to Democrats to pass a public option without GOP support, if such a provision is in the cards.
And, just in case public-option supporters thought things might have changed as more polling shows the public in favor of a government-run insurance plan, Snowe says she won't support it--meaning it'll be up to Democrats to pass a public option without GOP support, if such a provision is in the cards.
Oct 22 2009, 3:46PM
Parsing The Responses To New Executive Pay Rules
Citigroup says:
"We have received the decision from the Special Master for the 2009 compensation plan for our senior executive officers and certain of our most highly compensated employees. We are pleased this decision has been issued and we will now work to comply with the plan's requirements."Yes sir. Right away sir. How high do you want us to jump?
Oct 22 2009, 3:45PM
Americans Grow Skeptical Of Global Warming. Why?
Over the last few years, consensus seemed to have coalesced around the presence of global warming: it was real, and politicians from both sides of the aisle--including the GOP's 2008 presidential nominee, John McCain--said so.
Now that consensus is slipping, according to new data from the Pew Research Center's last national survey.
While belief in climate change has been in the 70-percent range since 2006, now, only 57 percent of Americans think there is "solid evidence the earth is warming"--a drop of 14 percentage points since April 2008.
Now that consensus is slipping, according to new data from the Pew Research Center's last national survey.
While belief in climate change has been in the 70-percent range since 2006, now, only 57 percent of Americans think there is "solid evidence the earth is warming"--a drop of 14 percentage points since April 2008.
Oct 22 2009, 3:31PM
Another Celeb Quietly Takes An Administraton Position
Hunky Korean-American actor/lawyer/consultant Yul Kwon is now the deputy chief of the consumer and governmental affairs bureau of the Federal Communications Commission. His appointment has little to do with his 2006 Survivor win -- it's that the guy actually has extensive experience dealing with tech legislation and policy, having served as an aide to Sen. Joe Lieberman and worked on tech policy while a consultant at McKinsey. Kwon also has his J.D. from Yale Law School. He was a regular volunteer in Obama's campaign, much like Kal Penn, the actor, who is now a deputy public engager in Valerie Jarrett's White House shop.
Oct 22 2009, 3:25PM
What's The Matter With Texas?
Ron Brownstein's latest National Journal opus is illustrated here. Below, the Republican and Democratic districts with the highest number of uninsured Americans. It jumps out at you: a lot of these districts are in Texas, and a lot are represented by Democrats who oppose the public option and who might vote against health insurance reform.
"....the McCain Democrats are as likely as the Obama Democrats
to represent districts where the proportion of people without
insurance exceeds the national average. The share of the
uninsured is greater than the national average in 21 of the 49
McCain-Democrat districts, or just under 43 percent. The proportion
is about the same in the Obama-carried Democratic districts--
90 of 208, just over 43 percent.
Oct 22 2009, 3:08PM
What's The White House War Against Fox News All About, Really?
What's The White House War against Fox News all about, really? And could it backfire?
I've tried to ignore the questions because I'm pretty sure that no one outside the Beltway and outside Fox's audience could care one Don Whitman about it.
I've tried to ignore the questions because I'm pretty sure that no one outside the Beltway and outside Fox's audience could care one Don Whitman about it.
Oct 22 2009, 2:53PM
Net Neutrality: A Political Primer
Net Neutrality -- defined as the principle that users should control what they can access on the net -- or, from the supply side of things, that Internet service providers shouldn't be able to block content from some users or create a tiered service model. Today, the Federal Communications Commission started the long rule-making process by a unanimous vote.
It's a hot issue in tech -- one that could define the future of the net -- but it's also become a terribly important political issue. Here's why.
It's a hot issue in tech -- one that could define the future of the net -- but it's also become a terribly important political issue. Here's why.
Oct 22 2009, 1:56PM
Biotech: The Influential Health-Care Lobby No One Talks About
Time's Karen Tumulty and Michael Scherer chronicle the unseen hand of the biotech industry, which looks as if it will come out ahead in the high-stakes battle of health care reform. The industry produces biologics--drugs derived from living matter--and, since biologic drugs are expensive to research, develop, and produce, the industry stands to gain or lose a lot when Congress decides how many years of patent data exclusivity to grant to companies when they develop new ones, before competitors can use the data they have developed to produce generic versions.
As health insurers, hospitals, traditional drug-makers, and doctors have come to dominate talk of the health-care lobbying effort, biotech seems to have been lost in the wash.
The industry's clout has grown with time and technology: in 1998, the leading biotech industry trade group, the Biotechnology Industry Organization (commonly referred to as BIO), spent $1.7 million lobbying members of Congress; last year, it spent $7.6 million, and its spending has grown at a more-or-less linear rate.
As health insurers, hospitals, traditional drug-makers, and doctors have come to dominate talk of the health-care lobbying effort, biotech seems to have been lost in the wash.
The industry's clout has grown with time and technology: in 1998, the leading biotech industry trade group, the Biotechnology Industry Organization (commonly referred to as BIO), spent $1.7 million lobbying members of Congress; last year, it spent $7.6 million, and its spending has grown at a more-or-less linear rate.
Oct 22 2009, 11:50AM
Wall Street Journal Calls Out Sudan Groups
In an editorial this morning, The Wall Street Journal calls out Sudan activists in the U.S. for not criticizing the Obama administration's new policy on Sudan, announced last week, which includes new "incentives and disincentives"--which happen to be classified--for the Khartoum government:
The larger wonder is how all of this can go down so smoothly with those in the human-rights community who have championed Darfur and assailed the Bush Administration for not doing enough. Instead, they are congratulating Mr. Obama, in part because he didn't take the even softer line on Sudan being advocated by U.S. special envoy J. Scott Gration. Perhaps the Darfur activists should ask why Khartoum instantly praised the new policy for representing the "new Obama spirit."
Oct 22 2009, 10:35AM
Musicians Protest Music At Gitmo
A handful of musicians have joined up with the movement to close Guantanamo, protesting the reported use of loud music to soften up detainees for interrogation. The group includes Trent Reznor, R.E.M., Pearl Jam, David Byrne, Jackson Browne, Rise Against, Rosanne Cash, Billy Bragg, the Roots, Tom Morello, Michelle Branch, Steve Earlie, Rise Against, the Entrance Band, Joe Henry, Rise Against, and T-Bone Burnett.
According to accounts of detainee treatment, loud music was part of the regimen for some prisoners held there, as part of the U.S. government's reverse-engineering of the SERE program, which trains officers how to resist such techniques if captured by enemies. The selection has allegedly included Metallica, Britney Spears, Eminem and Dr. Dre, Bruce Springsteen, the Bee Gees, Nine Inch Nails, and Rage Against the Machine. Music has been used along with flashing lights to disorient prisoners and deteriorate their mental faculties.
According to accounts of detainee treatment, loud music was part of the regimen for some prisoners held there, as part of the U.S. government's reverse-engineering of the SERE program, which trains officers how to resist such techniques if captured by enemies. The selection has allegedly included Metallica, Britney Spears, Eminem and Dr. Dre, Bruce Springsteen, the Bee Gees, Nine Inch Nails, and Rage Against the Machine. Music has been used along with flashing lights to disorient prisoners and deteriorate their mental faculties.
Oct 22 2009, 6:30AM
Question Of The Day: U.S. Strategy And The Afghan Election
President Obama is waiting for Afghanistan to hold its run-off election Nov. 7 before he announces any chance in U.S. strategy. If the election goes well, is that a good reason to send more troops? If it goes poorly, is that a good reason not to?
Oct 22 2009, 6:00AM
The Rundown, 10/22
President Obama will sign the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act, while Vice President Joe Biden continues his trip to Eastern Europe, meeting with Romanian leaders before traveling to Prague. The former Eastern Bloc can be a cold place, but Biden will try to warm it up with some vice presidential smiles, diplomacy, and glad-handing.
In Congress, the Joint Economic Committee will hear from Christina Romer, who chairs the Council of Economic Advisers, on the national economic outlook.
In Congress, the Joint Economic Committee will hear from Christina Romer, who chairs the Council of Economic Advisers, on the national economic outlook.
Oct 22 2009, 5:30AM
The Invisible Primary, 10/22
Tracking the GOP race to 2012
Tim Pawlenty reached out to his 49 fellow governors in a letter proposing an "Interstate Health Insurance Compact"; Mike Pence hired a new campaign finance director; Bobby Jindal remains popular in his home state, with a 64 percent approval rating; and Mitt Romney swung through Massachusetts to help raise money for fellow Republicans.
Tim Pawlenty reached out to his 49 fellow governors in a letter proposing an "Interstate Health Insurance Compact"; Mike Pence hired a new campaign finance director; Bobby Jindal remains popular in his home state, with a 64 percent approval rating; and Mitt Romney swung through Massachusetts to help raise money for fellow Republicans.
Oct 22 2009, 5:00AM
Hurtling Toward 2010, 10/22
The 2010 midterms are just around the corner (sort of). Here's what's happening:
New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine (D) and Virginia gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds (D) each got some help from President Obama today, as the president spoke at a rally for Corzine in his home state and appeared in a TV ad for Deeds; Democrats lead Republicans 51-39 in generic 2010 congressional balloting, according to The Washington Post/ABC; Florida Gov. and Senate candidate Charlie Crist (R) won't appear with Obama when the latter travels there next week; meanwhile, Crist's conservative primary challenger, Marco Rubio, has cut Crist's lead in half according to Quinnipiac, as Crist now leads 50-35; and New York 23rd district GOP candidate Dede Scozzafava had a mildly awkward photo-op.
New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine (D) and Virginia gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds (D) each got some help from President Obama today, as the president spoke at a rally for Corzine in his home state and appeared in a TV ad for Deeds; Democrats lead Republicans 51-39 in generic 2010 congressional balloting, according to The Washington Post/ABC; Florida Gov. and Senate candidate Charlie Crist (R) won't appear with Obama when the latter travels there next week; meanwhile, Crist's conservative primary challenger, Marco Rubio, has cut Crist's lead in half according to Quinnipiac, as Crist now leads 50-35; and New York 23rd district GOP candidate Dede Scozzafava had a mildly awkward photo-op.
Oct 21 2009, 4:48PM
Bankers Meeting To Be Met With Protests
The American Bankers Association will hold its annual meeting in downtown Chicago next Sunday through Wednesday, and, when they do, they'll have some company: the Service Employees International Union is planning a march and rally on Tuesday, which, it says, will include 5,000 people from across the country, all there to protest the banking industry for abetting the financial crisis and opposing financial reforms.
(SEIU's rally won't be the only political happening at the ABA meeting: speakers at the convention will include Newt Gingrich and George Will.)
(SEIU's rally won't be the only political happening at the ABA meeting: speakers at the convention will include Newt Gingrich and George Will.)
Oct 21 2009, 3:25PM
Fox News III: Enemies List? Really?
Sen. Lamar Alexander weighed in on the Fox News controversy today, accusing the White House of "street brawling" and likening their actions to a modern day "enemies list." Alexander noted that he was a young aide in the Nixon White House who saw the culture of attack and paranoia infect the presidency. All I can say is, "Really?"
I've written that the attacks on Fox are misguided and likely to backfire. But it's hard to see how the White House's jostling with its political foes is anything like an enemies list. And if you look at the crazy attacks on the president from the right--socialist, foreign agent, etc--they seem like pretty small efforts to push back. The genial Alexander will get a lot of attention for his lengthy remarks and call for more bipartisanship. Does that ever go over poorly? But the Obama-Nixon parallel seems more than a little strained. What do you think?
I've written that the attacks on Fox are misguided and likely to backfire. But it's hard to see how the White House's jostling with its political foes is anything like an enemies list. And if you look at the crazy attacks on the president from the right--socialist, foreign agent, etc--they seem like pretty small efforts to push back. The genial Alexander will get a lot of attention for his lengthy remarks and call for more bipartisanship. Does that ever go over poorly? But the Obama-Nixon parallel seems more than a little strained. What do you think?
Oct 21 2009, 3:10PM
Heather Graham Runs For The Public Option
Heather Graham stars in a new TV ad for the public option, put together by MoveOn.org. It's set at an outdoor track, and Graham supplies a juxtaposition to the fat, lazy, anti-competition representations of health insurance CEOs:
Oct 21 2009, 2:44PM
Palin PublishPalooza In November
If you can't get enough of Sarah Palin or you can't get enough mocking of Sarah Palin, boy, are you going to love November.
No less than four major books on Palin will be released, including, of course, Palin's own tome, Going Rogue, where she promises a take-no-prisoners approach to the 2008 campaign and the story of her life. Palin plans to appear on Oprah on November 16, the day before her book is published.
Here's a brief guide to the rest of the books:
No less than four major books on Palin will be released, including, of course, Palin's own tome, Going Rogue, where she promises a take-no-prisoners approach to the 2008 campaign and the story of her life. Palin plans to appear on Oprah on November 16, the day before her book is published.
Here's a brief guide to the rest of the books:
Oct 21 2009, 1:50PM
Obama, Mainstream Reporters and Fox News, Pt. II
Yesterday's post on Fox News provoked an interesting discussion, and I wanted to follow up today with a few thoughts. Dave Weigel at the Washington Independent thought I'd missed the point of the White House's derisive comments about Fox. "You miss the point. It's specifically about the WH pressuring reporters not to take seriously/chase Glenn Beck scoops/stories," he Tweeted. Fair enough. The White House doesn't want less ideological news outlets going bananas over ACORN or the Czars. Media Matters has a very funny and telling video about Fox News here. But is the best way to "cauterize," to use Weigel's term, the wound a public attack on Fox? We'll see. Mother Jones's David Corn has his doubts, too. I think the whole episode will only elevate Fox. Politico has a much talked about story today that suggests the Fox comments are part of a larger White House effort to redefine the GOP.
Oct 21 2009, 12:41PM
Doug Hoffmann: The Next (Unlikely) Conservative Superstar
Here is Doug Hoffman's claim to fame: at the tender age of 27, he became corporate comptroller of the Lake Placid Winter Olympic Games. That, and the 1955 Chevrolet he rebuilt when he was 16. Hoffman is an accountant, which makes him an unlikely public figure. He is even less likely as a political candidate, much less one who can win a nationally-watched special election in New York State. Less likely still is his new identity: conservative superstar of the future. And yet, here he is: a slow-talking, kindly-uncle-like, nerdy-looking optically challenged Republican Party savior. And he isn't even running as a Republican.
Oct 21 2009, 11:52AM
Get Motivated With George W. Bush
If you've ever wanted motivational tips from the former president of the United States, now's your chance: President George W. Bush will be the featured guest speaker at a Zig Ziglar "Get Motivated!" business seminar at the Fort Worth Convention Center this coming Monday, Oct. 26. The lineup will also include Colin Powell and Rudy Giuliani, both of whom have participated in Ziglar's events before, Giuliani between the end of his mayoral tenure and his presidential run. Laura Bush will join the Ziglar crew for an event in Jacksonville Nov. 2, so it's possible an ongoing affiliation between Ziglar and the Bushes will emerge.
Oct 21 2009, 11:16AM
Mr. Singh Goes To Washington
Chances are if you're brown or live in DC you've read this piece on the emergence of the Indian-American political scene, which was published Tuesday in Roll Call. I don't normally read RC since I have access to the vastly superior CongressDaily, but this piece does not serve as a great introduction to their work.
The article covers familiar ground, dealing mostly in stereotypes and the same cast of desi Democratic insiders who should be familiar to anyone who lives inside the Beltway. Toeplitz discusses three desi Democrats (two of whom are doctors, of course) running for Congress next year and their varying levels of success in fundraising. Again, nothing new here. I would be interested to know the source for this statement, however:
The article covers familiar ground, dealing mostly in stereotypes and the same cast of desi Democratic insiders who should be familiar to anyone who lives inside the Beltway. Toeplitz discusses three desi Democrats (two of whom are doctors, of course) running for Congress next year and their varying levels of success in fundraising. Again, nothing new here. I would be interested to know the source for this statement, however:
Oct 21 2009, 10:15AM
How Kevin Jennings Survived
A few weeks ago, Kevin Jennings was in trouble.
After social conservatives at the Family Research Council had opposed his nomination as director of the Education Department's Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools earlier in the year, he came under a firestorm of criticism from conservative bloggers and Fox News pundits for counseling an underage student--a 15 year-old boy, it was reported--on a sexual relationship with an older man.
After social conservatives at the Family Research Council had opposed his nomination as director of the Education Department's Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools earlier in the year, he came under a firestorm of criticism from conservative bloggers and Fox News pundits for counseling an underage student--a 15 year-old boy, it was reported--on a sexual relationship with an older man.
Oct 21 2009, 9:36AM
Igniting The Debate Over Obama's Secret War
Barack Obama's use of Predator drones in Pakistan represents, according to Hina Shamsi, a human-rights lawyer at the New York University School of Law, "targeted international killings by the state." In the New Yorker, Jane Mayer takes the first in-depth look at a major part of Obama's counter-terrorism strategy: the classified but widely reported-on CIA/Air Force program that targets Al Qaeda and Taliban leaders for death. As Mayer notes, since the beginning of the Obama administration, Predator strikes have dramatically increased, as has the conviction among many analysts that the rate of civilian casualties is backstopping radicalism and engendering hatred against the United States. Among Mayer's revelations: the CIA's counter-terrorism center (CTC) has the authority to decide whether its target is legitimate -- and then authority, without consulting the White House, to launch the Predator's Hellfire missiles.
Oct 21 2009, 7:34AM
Hero Of The Press Cycle: Sen. John Kerry
Has Sen. John Kerry ever had as good a press cycle?
He's Politico's "Man Of The Hour".
David Ignatius, the well-regarded spokes-columnist for the hard-bitten CIA case officer set**, called it Kerry's "Star Turn," noting how his outsider credentials and insider trust helped him with over Karzai and smooth tensions between Karzai and Richard Holbrooke, the Af-Pak emissary.
Indeed, most of the stories devoted to Kerry have the exact same analysis: Kerry was reluctantly thrust into the role of negotiator. Kerry developed Karzai's trust. Kerry had the diplomatic skills that current ambassador Karl Eikenberry lacked. Kerry's importuning proved to be the turning point. Oh, and it compares favorably to Kerry's brokering of a dialog between the U.S. and Syria earlier in the year.
He's Politico's "Man Of The Hour".
David Ignatius, the well-regarded spokes-columnist for the hard-bitten CIA case officer set**, called it Kerry's "Star Turn," noting how his outsider credentials and insider trust helped him with over Karzai and smooth tensions between Karzai and Richard Holbrooke, the Af-Pak emissary.
Indeed, most of the stories devoted to Kerry have the exact same analysis: Kerry was reluctantly thrust into the role of negotiator. Kerry developed Karzai's trust. Kerry had the diplomatic skills that current ambassador Karl Eikenberry lacked. Kerry's importuning proved to be the turning point. Oh, and it compares favorably to Kerry's brokering of a dialog between the U.S. and Syria earlier in the year.
Oct 21 2009, 6:30AM
Question Of The Day: How Significant Are '09 Races?
How significant, nationally, are the three major campaigns going on right now--the New Jersey and Virginia gubarnatorial races and the special House election in New York's 23rd district? Can we call them referendums on President Obama and Democratic governance, or are they only important in the states where they're taking place?
Oct 21 2009, 6:00AM
The Rundown, 10/21
Vice President Joe Biden is in Europe today, working his Bidenly charms on Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and President Lech Kaczynski. Poland wasn't too happy about the White House's decision to pull out of Bush-era plans for a missile defense system partly based there; we'll see if Biden can put his foreign policy expertise and famed affability to work in allaying those concerns.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, meanwhile, will deliver a major policy address on nuclear nonproliferation to the United States Institute of Peace in Washington, DC.
With his deputies thusly occupied, President Obama will be in campaign mode: after attending a fundraiser for Democrat Bill Owens in New York's 23rd district last night, Obama will stump for New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine (D) at a rally at Fairleigh Dickinson University, seeking to boost the governor in his tight re-election race with some patented Obama eloquence.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, meanwhile, will deliver a major policy address on nuclear nonproliferation to the United States Institute of Peace in Washington, DC.
With his deputies thusly occupied, President Obama will be in campaign mode: after attending a fundraiser for Democrat Bill Owens in New York's 23rd district last night, Obama will stump for New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine (D) at a rally at Fairleigh Dickinson University, seeking to boost the governor in his tight re-election race with some patented Obama eloquence.
Oct 21 2009, 5:30AM
The Invisible Primary, 10/21
Tracking the GOP race to 2012
Sarah Palin will appear on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," in an episode airing November 16; she'll also speak at a Wisconsin Right to Life event in suburban Milwaukee November 6; and at the College of the Ozarks in southwest Missouri December 2; Mitt Romney will help Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) raise money next week, appearing at a fundraiser in Charleston, South Carolina; and before Sarah Palin releases her memoir, Mike Huckabee will publish a book on Christmas.
Sarah Palin will appear on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," in an episode airing November 16; she'll also speak at a Wisconsin Right to Life event in suburban Milwaukee November 6; and at the College of the Ozarks in southwest Missouri December 2; Mitt Romney will help Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) raise money next week, appearing at a fundraiser in Charleston, South Carolina; and before Sarah Palin releases her memoir, Mike Huckabee will publish a book on Christmas.
Oct 21 2009, 5:00AM
Hurtling Toward 2010, 10/21
The 2010 midterms are just around the corner (sort of). Here's what's happening:
In New York's 23rd-district special election, President Obama attended a fundraising dinner for Democrat Bill Owens last night; New York Gov. David Paterson still has terrible poll numbers in a new Siena survey, which reports a 19 percent approval rating; a Monmouth University/Gannett poll shows Chris Christie (R) and New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine (D) tied at 39 percent in the state's '09 gubernatorial contest; Ohio Secretary of State and U.S. Senate candidate Jennifer Brunner (D) failed to raise more than $150,000 in the third quarter; and Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) leads Democratic challenger Rep. Charles Melancon by 12 percentage points in his reelection bid, according to a Southern Media and Opinion Research poll.
In New York's 23rd-district special election, President Obama attended a fundraising dinner for Democrat Bill Owens last night; New York Gov. David Paterson still has terrible poll numbers in a new Siena survey, which reports a 19 percent approval rating; a Monmouth University/Gannett poll shows Chris Christie (R) and New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine (D) tied at 39 percent in the state's '09 gubernatorial contest; Ohio Secretary of State and U.S. Senate candidate Jennifer Brunner (D) failed to raise more than $150,000 in the third quarter; and Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) leads Democratic challenger Rep. Charles Melancon by 12 percentage points in his reelection bid, according to a Southern Media and Opinion Research poll.
Oct 20 2009, 4:00PM
50 Years Of Pentagon Studies Support Gay Soldiers
In a new paper on the efficacy of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" published in this month's Joint Force Quarterly, Col. Om Prakash boils down half a century of Pentagon-commissioned studies on gays in the military into seven short pages. Reviewing the research, he finds that the facts of gay servicemembers' fitness to serve have changed little over 50 years. But the reports themselves reveal something more: The Defense Department's own criticisms of military policies toward gay soldiers have remained consistent, too.
The DoD has funded studies on the impact of gay servicemembers as far back as 1957, when the Navy's Crittenden Report found "no factual data" to support the idea that they posed a greater security risk than heterosexual personnel. Straight officers boasting secrets due to "feelings of inadequacy" were a realer threat, it found. Despite these findings, the report recommended no changes to dismissal policies, for a reason that would define the department's stance on open service into the 21st century: "The service should not move ahead of civilian society nor attempt to set substantially different standards in attitude or action with respect to homosexual offenders."
The DoD has funded studies on the impact of gay servicemembers as far back as 1957, when the Navy's Crittenden Report found "no factual data" to support the idea that they posed a greater security risk than heterosexual personnel. Straight officers boasting secrets due to "feelings of inadequacy" were a realer threat, it found. Despite these findings, the report recommended no changes to dismissal policies, for a reason that would define the department's stance on open service into the 21st century: "The service should not move ahead of civilian society nor attempt to set substantially different standards in attitude or action with respect to homosexual offenders."
Oct 20 2009, 3:54PM
So What If Fox Is Conservative?
On Sunday, two of Barack Obama's top aides took shots at the Fox News Channel. Rahm Emanuel said it was "not a news organization," and David Axelrod said it was "not really a news station." The White House is shunning the network. When the president made the rounds of Sunday shows recently he ostentatiously skipped Fox. White House Communications Director Anita Dunn has called FNC "an arm of the Republican party." Over at Slate, my friend Jacob Weisberg has urged mainstream journalists to avoid appearing on Fox. I think both the White House and Weisberg are making a mistake.
I wouldn't argue that Fox is "fair and balanced." It's a conservative news outlet, and to argue that it's not is ludicrous. That said, there's obviously a spectrum of bias ranging from the straight-style reporting of a Major Garrett at the White House to the rantings of Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity, and some anchors are more Foxy than others. I like it when Media Matters for America calls Fox on its bias, although it's a little bit like calling Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for being anti-Israeli. I don't disagree that Fox News Channel is like the New York Post or The Weekly Standard, which was, until recently, another Rupert Murdoch property.
I wouldn't argue that Fox is "fair and balanced." It's a conservative news outlet, and to argue that it's not is ludicrous. That said, there's obviously a spectrum of bias ranging from the straight-style reporting of a Major Garrett at the White House to the rantings of Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity, and some anchors are more Foxy than others. I like it when Media Matters for America calls Fox on its bias, although it's a little bit like calling Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for being anti-Israeli. I don't disagree that Fox News Channel is like the New York Post or The Weekly Standard, which was, until recently, another Rupert Murdoch property.
Oct 20 2009, 3:25PM
The Head Says Romney, But The Heart Says Palin
That's what Matt Lewis suggests in a column today at Politics Daily: that conservatives' heads will tell them to vote for Mitt Romney in the 2012 primary, but that their hearts will tell them to vote for Sarah Palin. It might feel better for conservatives to vote for Palin as an emotional favorite, and, since it's historically difficult to take down an incumbent president, Lewis asks the philosophical question: "If you're going to lose anyway, is it better to lose atop the horse you really want to ride?" It's a different question altogether who conservatives would actually want to be president; emotionally, even, and putting aside their respective chances of winning, Palin might not be tops in that regard.
Oct 20 2009, 2:58PM
Why Some 2012 Candidates Might Skip Iowa
Unless you're beloved by conservative Christians, don't bother campaigning in Iowa. That's one lesson learned by some strategists allied with several potential 2012 presidential candidates. Others see it differently. The question applies most to Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN) and Ex-Gov. Mitt Romney (R-MA).
Oct 20 2009, 1:54PM
NRA's New Ad: McDonnell Protects You From "Them"
The National Rife Association's political action committee takes aim at gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds in new ad that's running across the state of Virginia. The spot isn't just about guns. And it doesn't actually mention Deeds -- who opposes gun control -- by name.
A deep-voiced narrator intones that "they" are creating "mountains of debt" and heavy spending and "unprecedented government intervention" that chips away at "Your Rights" and "Your Freedom," including "Our Second Amendment." Who's "them?" Not defined.
But, the viewer is told, "you can stop them right now." How? By voting for Bob McDonnell on November 2.
Kind of sneaky -- although sneaky in a fairly obvious way -- to cast Bob McDonnell as the defense against unknown malevolent forces who are trying to take away your guns...even though the reality is that neither Democrats in Virginia nor Democrats in Washington have any appetite for gun control legislation.
Oct 20 2009, 12:45PM
Conundrum Continues: Support For Public Option, Not For Congress's Plan
Another note on today's Washington Post poll: once again, Americans reportedly support the public option, but they don't back the overall plan being developed in Congress, just like the last time the Post polled on health care.
This cuts, pretty directly, against the concerns that both observers of the legislative process and key members of the Senate have voiced: that Democratic plans might go too far--that anything but the most conservative incarnation of Democratic health reform (the bill put out by the Senate Finance Committee) will be too liberal to earn consensus, i.e. the support of centrist senators like Ben Nelson (D-NE), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), and Olympia Snowe (R-ME).
According to the Post, that's not how the public sees it--they think Congress's current plans don't go far enough:
This cuts, pretty directly, against the concerns that both observers of the legislative process and key members of the Senate have voiced: that Democratic plans might go too far--that anything but the most conservative incarnation of Democratic health reform (the bill put out by the Senate Finance Committee) will be too liberal to earn consensus, i.e. the support of centrist senators like Ben Nelson (D-NE), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), and Olympia Snowe (R-ME).
According to the Post, that's not how the public sees it--they think Congress's current plans don't go far enough:
Oct 20 2009, 12:03PM
Political Hoaxes For Dummies
Probably because it didn't involve balloons, yesterday's hoax---in which several major media organizations, including Reuters, were duped into reporting that the Chamber of Commerce had suddenly embraced climate-change legislation--didn't get wall-to-wall cable coverage. But the stunt, perpetrated by a group of activists called the Yes Men, marked the latest in what seems to be a growing number of successful political hoaxes. First, hats off to the Yes Men for pulling it off. But I'm surprised that anyone fell for their bogus press release, since even a quick scan sends up all sorts of red flags. For example, the press release described the move as "an about-face on climate policy for the Chamber." As even the lowliest PR lackey is aware, press releases must always present even blatant shifts in policy as seamlessly following from whatever the organization was doing previously--the last thing any organization does in making an about-face is to describe what its doing as "an about-face." So dock some points for presentation.
Oct 20 2009, 11:26AM
Balance Of Power Clash At The Supreme Court
The Supreme Court will decide whether the president can keep detainees in custody even after it acknowledges that they do not pose a threat to the United States. The case, Kiyemba v. Obama, asks whether courts ought to defer to the executive branch and Congress on all matter of detainee disposition. 17 Chinese Uighers were ordered released by a federal judge. 11 remain in custody. Earlier this year, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit said that courts didn't have the authority to force the U.S. to free the Uighers inside the United States. The court held, in essence, that once the Uigher's habaes corpus petitions were sustained, they became refugees -- aliens of some sort -- and U.S. courts have never had the authority to order the executive branch -- immigration officials -- to admit them legally into the United States.
Oct 20 2009, 11:17AM
That New Washington Post/ABC Poll
It's wrong to put too much stock in any poll of the moment or to get caught up in Washington's kerfuffle du jour. But the new Washington Post/ABC poll really is worth noting for the way it would seem to stand conventional wisdom on its head. 57 percent of respondents support a public option. More than half--51 percent to be precise--want it passed and don't care if it gets a single Republican vote. Only 20 percent of respondents identified themselves as Republicans, the fewest in 26 years. Such moments may prove ephemeral, but it's a reminder that the gyrations of elite opinion don't always match what's going on in the country. Certainly all the attention paid to teabaggers and other Obama haters wasn't entirely misplaced. There were and are real expressions of anger. Still, Obama's slow-and-steady approach seems to be paying off.
Oct 20 2009, 10:14AM
WaPo: The Public Still Loves the Public Option
Another opinion poll of the public option is out. And guess what? The public still loves it. This is surprising to nobody except, it seems, the Washington Post. Dan Balz writes:
A new Washington Post-ABC News poll shows that support for a government-run health-care plan to compete with private insurers has rebounded from its summertime lows and wins clear majority support from the public.Those "summertime lows" were sixty-two percent support in June, 52 percent support in August, and 55 percent in September. Those would be summertime lows if they were measuring, say, Washington, DC, temperature in Fahrenheit, but as support for a "controversial" and revolutionary health insurance reform, I'd call it a lasting majority.
Oct 20 2009, 9:04AM
For His Decision On Troops, Obama Has Leeway, The White House Says
President Obama won't decide whether to send more troops to Afghanistan until the country's political disputes settle down, senior administration officials said. On the advice of several key members of his war council, including National Security Advisor Gen. James Jones and Vice President Joe Biden, Obama plans to wait until Afghanistan holds a run-off presidential election on November 7, these officials said. (Officials, later in the day, said that no hard decision had been made about when to make the decision; the president "will announce the decision when he's ready," an aide said.) Speaking to reporters late yesterday, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that the new administration strategy couldn't wait on a new Afghan government because the political situation might not be resolved for months, according to the Associated Press.
Oct 20 2009, 6:30AM
Question Of The Day: Can Fox News Be Ignored?
Rahm Emanuel told CNN on Sunday that his boss, President Obama, doesn't want "the CNNs and the others in the world [to] basically be led in following Fox." Fox News has interpreted this as a call to ignore the station outright. But can that be done? Even if you don't like Fox, is it possible to ignore it?
Oct 20 2009, 6:00AM
The Rundown, 10/20
After raising $3 million in San Francisco last week, President Obama gets back into money mode as he hits the trail again today, attending fundraisers for Democratic 23rd-district congressional Candidate Bill Owens, and another for the Democratic National Committee, in New York.
Demonstrating a knack for unity of form and function, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano will deliver remarks on cybersecurity via webcast, as cybersecurity awareness month continues.
Congressional committees turn a sympathetic eye to the little guy today, as the House Financial Services Committee marks up consumer financial protection legislation, while the Senate Judiciary Committee considers whether bankruptcy reform could help Americans dealing with medical debt.
Demonstrating a knack for unity of form and function, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano will deliver remarks on cybersecurity via webcast, as cybersecurity awareness month continues.
Congressional committees turn a sympathetic eye to the little guy today, as the House Financial Services Committee marks up consumer financial protection legislation, while the Senate Judiciary Committee considers whether bankruptcy reform could help Americans dealing with medical debt.
Oct 20 2009, 5:30AM
The Invisible Primary, 10/20
Tracking the GOP race to 2012
A Rasmussen poll shows Mike Huckabee (29%) leading Mitt Romney (24%) and Sarah Palin (18%) in a prospective three-way 2012 presidential primary matchup; Mitt Romney gave a speech on Iran at an AIPAC forum in San Diego; Bobby Jindal traveled to New Jersey last night to raise money for gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie; Sarah Palin posted her resume on LinkedIn; she also posted a health care essay on Facebook; Tim Pawlenty addressed the Western Conservative Political Action Conference in California on Friday; and he'll also hold a fundraiser in Washington, DC on Thursday.
A Rasmussen poll shows Mike Huckabee (29%) leading Mitt Romney (24%) and Sarah Palin (18%) in a prospective three-way 2012 presidential primary matchup; Mitt Romney gave a speech on Iran at an AIPAC forum in San Diego; Bobby Jindal traveled to New Jersey last night to raise money for gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie; Sarah Palin posted her resume on LinkedIn; she also posted a health care essay on Facebook; Tim Pawlenty addressed the Western Conservative Political Action Conference in California on Friday; and he'll also hold a fundraiser in Washington, DC on Thursday.
Oct 20 2009, 5:00AM
Hurtling Toward 2010, 10/20
The 2010 midterms are just around the corner (sort of). Here's what's happening:
The Washington Post endorsed Democrat Creigh Deeds in the 2009 Virginia gubernatorial race; The Club for Growth will start airing a TV ad today in New York's 23rd district supporting Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman, who is running against Republican Dede Scozzafava and Democrat Bill Owens; the DCCC outraised the NRCC 2-1 in September; conservative GOP Senate candidate Marco Rubio scored an endorsement from Sen. James Inhoge (R-OK) in his primary against Gov. Charlie Crist; and Rasmussen has Democrat Alexi Giannoulias and Republican Mark Kirk tied in a putative race for President Obama's old Senate seat.
The Washington Post endorsed Democrat Creigh Deeds in the 2009 Virginia gubernatorial race; The Club for Growth will start airing a TV ad today in New York's 23rd district supporting Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman, who is running against Republican Dede Scozzafava and Democrat Bill Owens; the DCCC outraised the NRCC 2-1 in September; conservative GOP Senate candidate Marco Rubio scored an endorsement from Sen. James Inhoge (R-OK) in his primary against Gov. Charlie Crist; and Rasmussen has Democrat Alexi Giannoulias and Republican Mark Kirk tied in a putative race for President Obama's old Senate seat.
Oct 19 2009, 6:40PM
What Did The Moon Scientist Want To Tell The Israelis? Some Clues
There's nothing like a good, diverting spy scandal. The FBI today arrested an eminent space scientist, Stewart
David Nozette, and charged him with espionage. He allegedly agreed to sell information about American nuclear weapons to an operative of Israel's Mossad -- only the agent turned out to be an uncover FBI agent. Nozette was the principal investigator on the NASA team that discovered water on the moon. But he spent years as a top scientist at the Department of Energy, where he specialized in satellite technology. According to CBS News, his work for an Israeli defense/aerospace consulting company owned by the Israeli government -- work that involved providing unspecified but presumably sensitive technical assistance -- brought him to the attention of investigators. The affidavit alleges that Nozette secreted two computer drives out of the company and brought them to a third country. What he did with them -- and what was contained on those disks the FBI isn't saying. From
the FBI release, it's hard to figure out what he might have given the
Israelis when he worked for them. Left somewhat vague is what he tried to sell to the undercover agent. But his resume provides a clue.
Oct 19 2009, 6:17PM
It's Not (Overtly) About Race
Democracy Corps, in its 18-page report on "The Very Separate World Of Conservative Republicans," based on focus groups with conservative Americans and released today, outlines many beliefs and psychological facets central to the conservative Republican mind--and racism isn't one of them.
The study breaks down the contemporary conservative anti-Obama drive into several pillars--Obama's alleged deception and hidden agenda, the fast pace with which he's pushing that agenda, his desire to drive government to the brink of failure and exert governmental control over everything, and his alleged ultimate goal of socialism and an end to liberties. But, when given the opportunity to discuss race, even the older, white, non-college-educated Americans (who, the firm says, "score highest on scales measuring racial prejudice") didn't raise it as an issue. Rather, they brought up the media's consumption with race as a motivator of anti-Obama sentiment, and the notion that they can't criticize Obama on his merits because they'll be labeled racist.
The study breaks down the contemporary conservative anti-Obama drive into several pillars--Obama's alleged deception and hidden agenda, the fast pace with which he's pushing that agenda, his desire to drive government to the brink of failure and exert governmental control over everything, and his alleged ultimate goal of socialism and an end to liberties. But, when given the opportunity to discuss race, even the older, white, non-college-educated Americans (who, the firm says, "score highest on scales measuring racial prejudice") didn't raise it as an issue. Rather, they brought up the media's consumption with race as a motivator of anti-Obama sentiment, and the notion that they can't criticize Obama on his merits because they'll be labeled racist.
Oct 19 2009, 4:54PM
The Politics of David Rohde's Story
If you haven't been reading David Rohde's account of being held by the Taliban, you really should. It comes highly recommended by my colleagues Jeffrey Goldberg and James "Editor of the Year" Bennet, who found it particularly uplifting after the balloon boy fiasco. I must say I began to read it more out of duty than desire. I've read accounts of hostages before--FARC in Columbia, Hezbollah in Iran, crazy lone kidnappers--and I didn't really expect this to be more than the usual grim predictability. We're only up to day two and--without spoiling anything--the moving around, the question of who is actually holding him and what they want is endlessly interesting. It's not self aggrandizing and not self loathing either. It's really quite something.
I'm interested in the politics of it, too. Rohde is a straight-shooter reporter with no political agenda than I can discern. (We've never met, but I have friends who have worked with him at the Times and think the world of him.) But what he's written will, I think, give plenty for left and right to mull over. Keeping in mind that we're only at day two of the five day saga--and there's surely a book to come--here are a few points that struck me:
I'm interested in the politics of it, too. Rohde is a straight-shooter reporter with no political agenda than I can discern. (We've never met, but I have friends who have worked with him at the Times and think the world of him.) But what he's written will, I think, give plenty for left and right to mull over. Keeping in mind that we're only at day two of the five day saga--and there's surely a book to come--here are a few points that struck me:
Oct 19 2009, 2:57PM
Progressives: Vote Against Reid If We Don't Get A Public Option
As the Senate leadership gets ready to bring a merged health reform package to the floor, a progressive group is suggesting that Nevadans should vote against Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D) if that bill doesn't include a public option, and if it doesn't ultimately pass.
Oct 19 2009, 2:51PM
Mitt Romney On Obama's "Impotent" Outreach To The World
Read clips, of course, about Mitt Romney's stiff-backed challenge to President Obama on Iran. The former Massachusetts governor and 2004 presidential candidate wants "withering" sanctions to be levied on Iran. But his speech, delivered today to an AIPAC forum in San Diego, is worth reading in its entirety. It's a distillation of how conservatives see Obama's approach to foreign policy. Since Romney may well run against Obama in 2012, it's a useful guide to his thinking. RomneyAIPAC.doc
Oct 19 2009, 2:43PM
As Public Opposition Grows, Does Obama Have Leeway On Afghanistan?
"...[O]ne thing to watch for will be how the president himself addresses the importance of public opinion in explaining his eventual decision on how to proceed -- and how he explains himself should he decide to defy the public's wishes. It will give us an important glimpse into what this young and largely untested leader is made of and how he views his presidency."
That's from the Plumline's Greg Sargent, who notes CNN polling showing nearly 60% of the public opposes sending more troops to Afghanistan and that a small majority believes that the war is turning into Vietnam.
What is the picture inside of our heads about the war in Afghanistan? The American people seem to want their president to take public opinion into account. But does a president need to? Does it matter, firstly, whether a war can be just unless a majority supports it? Does public backing make it easier to prosecute a war? Does public opposition to a war increase the chances of defeat? How does public opinion track the progress of a war or conflict?
Oct 19 2009, 1:30PM
Who Punked The Chamber On Climate Change?
More details are emerging about the group that punked several journalists, including producers at CNBC and a writer at Reuters, with a fake press release alleging a turnabout by the Chamber of Commerce on global warming legislation.
Oct 19 2009, 1:25PM
Government Can Supress Torture Evidence...If It Wants
President Obama's May decision to declassify Bush-era legal memos does not require the government to give up more information on techniques revealed by those opinions, a judge ruled last week. The finding complicates efforts by civil liberties groups to obtain information about torture through Freedom of Information Act requests, and it could mean that some detainees who bring civil suits alleging they were tortured by the hands of U.S. interrogators may have a tougher time proving as much in court.
Oct 19 2009, 1:01PM
Sudan Advocates Like The New Policy...If It's Implemented Right
Sudan advocacy groups that have been critical of the Obama administration praised its newly announced policy on Sudan this morning, but they say they'll wait for its implementation--and for a newly invigorated push from the administration--before passing judgment.
"The Obama administration's new policy on Sudan that they've just issued today is worthy of considerably support, and the U.S., at the highest levels, needs to go and build an international coalition around this policy," John Prendergast, co-founder of the Enough Project (which is part of the Center for American Progress), told reporters on a conference call this morning.
"U.S. policy objectives look very sensible on paper, but they'll go up in smoke as Sudan burns again if we don't pursue this policy to the letter," Prendergast said.
"The Obama administration's new policy on Sudan that they've just issued today is worthy of considerably support, and the U.S., at the highest levels, needs to go and build an international coalition around this policy," John Prendergast, co-founder of the Enough Project (which is part of the Center for American Progress), told reporters on a conference call this morning.
"U.S. policy objectives look very sensible on paper, but they'll go up in smoke as Sudan burns again if we don't pursue this policy to the letter," Prendergast said.
Oct 19 2009, 11:51AM
Who Should Have Been On GQ's Top 50 In DC
Since an Atlantic editor, Bob Cohn, was included in Gentleman's Quarterly's list of the 50 Most Powerful People in Washington, D.C., it would be churlish of this column to criticize the lad mag for getting it all wrong. Nonetheless, for those who work in the greater Metropolitan area, a few really powerful folks were nowhere to be found. Leaving aside movers and shakers who are almost totally unknown -- this guy is one of them -- here are some substitutes that GQ might want to draft for its next team.
Oct 19 2009, 11:26AM
Fake "Chamber" Press Release Dupes Reuters
The headline, if true, would be a news story indeed: the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, according to a press release e-mailed to journalists this morning, had decided to reverse its opposition to strong climate change legislation. But that's false. Some unknown group decided to punk the Chamber. And in the process, at least one news organization, Reuters, fell for it.
Oct 19 2009, 10:32AM
New Guidelines For Medical Marijuana: A Step To The Right
The Department of Justice will distribute new guidelines to federal prosecutors today advising that it's not a good use of their time to prosecute medical marijuana users and distributors in states where medical marijuana is legal, as long as they're following state laws. It's been understood since before the election that President Obama intended to stop raids on medical marijuana users, and, with the exception of a few raids conducted in LA before the new leadership had gotten settled at the Department of Justice, that's been the effective policy so far.
But the new guidelines--a three-page memo going out to prosecutors in the 14 states where medical marijuana has been legalized in some fashion, as well as FBI and DEA officials--will set it down in formal communique. Glenn Greenwald points out that this policy is actually more conservative than that held by the Bush administration, which vowed to enforce federal anti-marijuana laws: it's a victory for states' rights, a loosening of the federal government's centralized grip.
But the new guidelines--a three-page memo going out to prosecutors in the 14 states where medical marijuana has been legalized in some fashion, as well as FBI and DEA officials--will set it down in formal communique. Glenn Greenwald points out that this policy is actually more conservative than that held by the Bush administration, which vowed to enforce federal anti-marijuana laws: it's a victory for states' rights, a loosening of the federal government's centralized grip.
Oct 18 2009, 2:00PM
The Sunday Shows In Five Paragraphs Or Less
1. White House officials had a double-barreled message: for the NATO strategy to work -- for an infusion of U.S. troops to have the possibility of success -- the government of Afghanistan must be seen as legitimate in the eyes of the Afghan people. Either a run-off election or a coalition government would do -- though it's President Karzai's choice. White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel said on CBS's "Face The Nation" that the U.S. government shouldn't be seen as influencing the election.
"...what would be worse is if the Afghan people thought that the course that was chosen was done by the determination of the United States. And then it would lose the legitimacy and the credibility to the Afghan people."
2. But Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), speaking for conservatives, said that while a stable government in Afghanistan was critical, it shouldn't be the linchpin of the U.S. strategy. "I hope President Karzai understands that our national security interests don't depend entirely on his decision there whether to allow a recount. Obviously the legitimacy of that government is an important component of it. My point is it shouldn't be the lynch pin for us deciding whether we're going to protect our national security interests in that region."
Copyright © 2009 by The Atlantic Monthly Group. All rights reserved.