A New Progressive America? Not Yet, At Least

March 17, 2009

Jay Cost launches a brilliant but respectful critique of the latest work of the Center for American Progress, arguing that the case cannot be proven and makes far-reaching assumptions about US politics. “Teixiera’s argument about future political demography assumes a static quality to American politics that is ahistorical.”

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On Torture, White House Increasingly Toes Bush Line

March 17, 2009

When it comes to John Yoo, Donald Rumsfeld, and several critical matters on National Security, “to the dismay of some of its strongest supporters, the Obama administration has, in every case so far, taken the side of the Bush administration.” The campaign was the campaign, but now it’s for real.

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Barack Obama's Policy Jam and the Need to Win Back the Center

March 17, 2009

Clive Crook calls for a more centrist approach to governance, as opposed to strategies that are “polarising, juvenile and unserious.” “His budget made no effort to keep centrists on board: it enchanted the left of the Democratic party and might have been calculated to infuriate moderate Republicans.”

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Hertzberg: This Whole Payroll Tax Holiday Thing Isn't So Insane After All

March 17, 2009

Hendrik Hertzberg supports a payroll tax holiday as if he’s learned of a new thing: “The payroll tax … skims around 15% from the payroll of every business and the paycheck of every worker, from minimum-wage burger-flippers on up, with no deductions.” His overall solution would never be acceptable, but it’s a start.

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Larry Summers Has All The Answers

March 17, 2009

Noam Scheiber profiles the legendary and legendarily nervous economic adviser to the president, who might have been TreasSec if not for “that Harvard thing.” The question: “If the Obama administration fails to revive the economy, will it be because Summers is too influential over economic policy, or not influential enough?”

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MA Faces Costs of Big Health Care Plan

March 17, 2009

The Romney health care plan that achieved such attention did its job, but at a significant price: “government and industry officials agree that the plan will not be sustainable over the next 5 to 10 years if they do not take significant steps to arrest the growth of health spending.”

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David Gushee Proves Once Again the Dictum of Poor, Uneducated, Easily Led

March 17, 2009

David Gushee, President of Evangelicals for Human Rights, should at least be given credit for being public about his idiocy in endorsing Barack Obama and expecting a pro-life (or at least centrist) presidency on the abortion issue. “Some of us continue to dream that he will roll out a major abortion-reduction initiative.” Dream on.

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The First Lady of the Land

March 16, 2009

Michelle’s friends nicknamed her “the Taskmaster.” She was lambasted for saying “For the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country.” But now she’s morphed into “mom in chief.” “Hillary generally framed her role as mother in policy terms, while Michelle tended to discuss hers in a more immediate, emotional vocabulary.”

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White House Retorts to Cheney's Criticism

March 16, 2009

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs took a swipe at Dick Cheney Monday following the former vice president’s tough comments criticizing the Obama administration Sunday. During his regular press briefing, a reporter asked Mr. Gibbs about Mr. Cheney’s assessment of the two-month administration’s policies as making the nation more vulnerable to a terrorist attack during […]

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Documents: Funding Funneled to Rep. Murtha's Supporters

March 16, 2009

A Pennsylvania defense research center regularly consulted with two “handlers” close to Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.) as it collected nearly $250 million in federal funding through the lawmaker, according to documents obtained by The Washington Post and sources familiar with the funding requests. The center then channeled a significant portion of the funding to companies […]

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