Anderson: Prop 8 is Not a Clash of Civil Liberties and Religion

March 11, 2009

Should the state treat marriages the same way it treats baptisms and bar mitzvahs — as purely religious practices properly left to religious institutions? That’s what some are now arguing. If the state didn’t create marriage, they reason, then religion must have; and the state shouldn’t endorse sectarian religious beliefs. But their argument is profoundly […]

More →

GOP Goes Retro for 2010 Senate Races

March 11, 2009

The Republican Party may be in desperate need of new faces, but it’s turning to some familiar ones as it prepares for Senate races in 2010. Rep. Roy Blunt is running in Missouri. Former congressman and OMB Director Rob Portman could run in Ohio.

More →

Museum Reveals Engraving Hidden in Lincoln's Watch

March 10, 2009

After nearly 150 years, a story handed down an Irish family line of an engraving within Abraham Lincoln’s pocket watch proves true at the National Museum of American History. “Jonathan Dillon April 13 1861” declares “Thank God we have a government” as the first shots of war are fired. We are not now so different.

More →

Foodies to Arms: White House Mum on Cheese Spat with France

March 10, 2009

One of W’s last acts was the imposition of a market-killing 300% import duty on France’s Roquefort cheese as retribution for a US beef trade conflict. Dem Rep Oberstar calls on Obama to reverse it as part of “[campaign] to reestablish America’s moral authority in the world.” He who controls the Roquefort controls the universe.

More →

Facing Rematch with Toomey, Pressure on Card Check, Specter Could Switch Parties

March 10, 2009

As Club for Growth head and 2004 nemesis Pat Toomey considers primarying Arlen Specter in Pennsylvania’s 2010 Senate contest, there are several incentives for the socially liberal, fiscally moderate GOP Senator to go Indie. Think of it as the GOP’s version of Lieberman-LaMont, except Toomey’s got a decent shot in the general.

More →

An Unexpected Revolt: Will Charities, Nonprofits Force White House to Scrap Tax Hike?

March 10, 2009

America’s nonprofits, universities, churches and charities, furious at the White House for reducing tax deductions for charitable giving, reconsider their support for “the New Charity State.” Orszag defends, believing that $318B will be better spent by the government. But philanthropy isn’t a class issue. That’s why it’s called philanthropy.

More →

Senate Passes 9K Earmark, $410B Omnibus

March 10, 2009

The first major spending bill of the new Obama administration came stuffed with some old-fashioned pork as a $410 billion omnibus bill covering a slew of federal agencies won final approval Tuesday in the Senate. The bill to fund the government through the remainder of the fiscal year now goes to President Obama, just a […]

More →

Charles Freeman Withdraws as Nominee for NIC

March 10, 2009

Charles Freeman, the Obama administration’s choice to head the National Intelligence Council, has withdrawn from consideration after facing strong opposition from Senate Republicans. Freeman is the latest in a string of Obama administration appointees and nominees to withdraw in the past few weeks.

More →

Madoff to Plead Guilty to 11 Counts

March 10, 2009

NEW YORK – Bernard Madoff will plead guilty Thursday to 11 criminal counts including money laundering, perjury and securities, mail and wire fraud and will do so without a plea deal, knowing it carries a potential prison term of 150 years, lawyers said Tuesday in court.

More →

Democrats Stung by Dissenters on Obama's Budget

March 10, 2009

Democratic leaders in Congress did not expect much Republican support as they pressed President Obama’s ambitious legislative agenda. But the pushback they are receiving from some of their own has come as an unwelcome surprise.

More →

← Previous Entries

Next Entries →