Jay McInerney, The Guardian
Last week I was at a party in a Manhattan art gallery attended by the inevitable mix of artists, journalists and wealthy art collectors. I ran into a friend, a painter, who is a strong supporter of the Democratic party, but she told me she wasn't donating money to the Obama campaign this year. "He's been a huge disappointment," she said. "Not one major Wall Street banker has been held accountable for the financial crash, and he's extended the Bush tax cuts on the wealthy. I just can't get enthusiastic about him. I don't even know if I'll...
ObamaCare: Bad News for Small Business
On October - 14 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Dennis Bass, Washington Post
By January 2014, the states and the District must either establish their own health insurance exchanges under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), combine with other states to form a regional exchange or have the federal government set up an exchange for them.The District has opted for the first option, and this month it moved ahead with a model unlike anything pursued by any state in the nation, with the exception of Vermont: On Oct. 3, the D.C. Health Exchange Authority’s executive board unanimously approved a plan that would abolish the marketplace as we know it for firms with 50...
By January 2014, the states and the District must either establish their own health insurance exchanges under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), combine with other states to form a regional exchange or have the federal government set up an exchange for them.The District has opted for the first option, and this month it moved ahead with a model unlike anything pursued by any state in the nation, with the exception of Vermont: On Oct. 3, the D.C. Health Exchange Authority’s executive board unanimously approved a plan that would abolish the marketplace as we know it for firms with 50...
Why QE3 Is Destined to Disappoint
On October - 13 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Nouriel Roubini, Project Syndicate
The United States Federal Reserve's decision to undertake a third round of quantitative easing, or QE3, has raised three important questions. Will QE3 jump-start America's anemic economic growth? Will it lead to a persistent increase in risky assets, especially in US and other global equity markets? Finally, will its effects on GDP growth and equity markets be similar or different?
The United States Federal Reserve's decision to undertake a third round of quantitative easing, or QE3, has raised three important questions. Will QE3 jump-start America's anemic economic growth? Will it lead to a persistent increase in risky assets, especially in US and other global equity markets? Finally, will its effects on GDP growth and equity markets be similar or different?
Fightback on Voting Rights
On October - 13 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Ari Berman, The Nation
In recent weeks, in states from Florida to Ohio to New Hampshire, courts have blocked new laws passed by Republicans that restrict the right to vote for young, minority, elderly, disabled and low-income voters. A major exception to that trend had been Pennsylvania, where GOP House majority leader Mike Turzai famously predicted that the state's voter ID law was "going to allow Governor Romney to win the state of Pennsylvania." But on October 2, Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court Judge Robert Simpson, a Republican, thwarted Turzai's hopes by ruling that voters in...
In recent weeks, in states from Florida to Ohio to New Hampshire, courts have blocked new laws passed by Republicans that restrict the right to vote for young, minority, elderly, disabled and low-income voters. A major exception to that trend had been Pennsylvania, where GOP House majority leader Mike Turzai famously predicted that the state's voter ID law was "going to allow Governor Romney to win the state of Pennsylvania." But on October 2, Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court Judge Robert Simpson, a Republican, thwarted Turzai's hopes by ruling that voters in...
Who’s Actually "Politicizing" Benghazi?
On October - 13 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Mark Steyn, National Review
"˜The entire reason that this has become the political topic it is is because of Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan."Thus, Stephanie Cutter, President Obama's deputy campaign manager, speaking on CNN about an armed attack on the 9/11 anniversary that left a U.S. consulate a smoking ruin and killed four diplomatic staff, including the first American ambassador to be murdered in a third of a century. To discuss this event is apparently to "politicize" it and to distract from the real issues the American people are concerned about. For example, Obama...
"˜The entire reason that this has become the political topic it is is because of Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan."Thus, Stephanie Cutter, President Obama's deputy campaign manager, speaking on CNN about an armed attack on the 9/11 anniversary that left a U.S. consulate a smoking ruin and killed four diplomatic staff, including the first American ambassador to be murdered in a third of a century. To discuss this event is apparently to "politicize" it and to distract from the real issues the American people are concerned about. For example, Obama...
Obama’s Got Drama Now
On October - 13 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Mickey Kaus, The Daily Caller
It sure looks like Vice President Joe Biden put the blame on Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, his potential 2016 rival, for the security failings Benghazi. "We weren't told they wanted more security," Biden declared. White House Press Secretary Jay Carney backed Biden up, saying it's a State Department (i.e. Hillary)  issue.
It sure looks like Vice President Joe Biden put the blame on Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, his potential 2016 rival, for the security failings Benghazi. "We weren't told they wanted more security," Biden declared. White House Press Secretary Jay Carney backed Biden up, saying it's a State Department (i.e. Hillary)  issue.
Does Mitt Have a Heart?
On October - 13 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Andrew Burstein & Nancy Isenberg, Salon
Americans like to turn elections into morality tales with sentimental elements and an underlying premise: that we are a vulnerable country threatened with some level of destruction if the other guy wins. Since our nation was first united, voters have always been treated to pointed contrasts between one candidate who represents privilege and insensitivity and another whose vision of national community is told in his personal biography.On this basis, how does Mitt Romney, superficially attractive but awkward and remote, even begin to compete with a politician whose oratorical specialty has long...
Americans like to turn elections into morality tales with sentimental elements and an underlying premise: that we are a vulnerable country threatened with some level of destruction if the other guy wins. Since our nation was first united, voters have always been treated to pointed contrasts between one candidate who represents privilege and insensitivity and another whose vision of national community is told in his personal biography.On this basis, how does Mitt Romney, superficially attractive but awkward and remote, even begin to compete with a politician whose oratorical specialty has long...
How Likely Is an Electoral Vote/Popular Vote Split?
On October - 12 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Sean Trende, RCP
The possibility that Mitt Romney could win the popular vote while Barack Obama wins the vote in the Electoral College has been discussed throughout this campaign. In recent days, we've seen pieces from Nate Silver, Nate Cohn, Harry Enten and RCP's Scott Conroy discussing the issue. Obama Campaign Manager Jim Messina has even referenced the potential discrepancy, urging reporters to look at the state polls rather than the national surveys.How likely is this, really? History suggests "not very," unless the race is extremely close. This is because the Electoral...
The possibility that Mitt Romney could win the popular vote while Barack Obama wins the vote in the Electoral College has been discussed throughout this campaign. In recent days, we've seen pieces from Nate Silver, Nate Cohn, Harry Enten and RCP's Scott Conroy discussing the issue. Obama Campaign Manager Jim Messina has even referenced the potential discrepancy, urging reporters to look at the state polls rather than the national surveys.How likely is this, really? History suggests "not very," unless the race is extremely close. This is because the Electoral...
Aggressive Joltin’ Joe Wins the Bout
On October - 12 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Roger Simon, Politico
Whatever Joe Biden was drinking Thursday night, Barack Obama ought to order a case of it. Biden took on Paul Ryan in the one and only vice presidential debate and did what Obama had failed to do last week in his debate with Mitt Romney: Biden not only won over the audience, but got under his opponent’s skin.
Whatever Joe Biden was drinking Thursday night, Barack Obama ought to order a case of it. Biden took on Paul Ryan in the one and only vice presidential debate and did what Obama had failed to do last week in his debate with Mitt Romney: Biden not only won over the audience, but got under his opponent’s skin.
Biden Gave Dems the Show They Wanted
On October - 12 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Jonathan Cohn, New Republic
Tonight Democrats got the show they wanted - and President Obama may have gotten the boost he needed. Appearing in Danville, Kentucky on Thursday night, Vice President Joe Biden gave one of the most aggressive, passionate, and substantive debate performances I can recall. I don’t know how it played with the public as a whole and I don’t imagine it influenced swing voters one way or the other. If I had to bet, the media will spend at least as much discussing Biden’s facial expressions as they will dissecting the exchange over Iran.
Tonight Democrats got the show they wanted - and President Obama may have gotten the boost he needed. Appearing in Danville, Kentucky on Thursday night, Vice President Joe Biden gave one of the most aggressive, passionate, and substantive debate performances I can recall. I don’t know how it played with the public as a whole and I don’t imagine it influenced swing voters one way or the other. If I had to bet, the media will spend at least as much discussing Biden’s facial expressions as they will dissecting the exchange over Iran.
Biden Helps Bail Out His Boss
On October - 12 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
E.J. Dionne, Washington Post
What a difference a week makes. In the first presidential debate, President Obama let Mitt Romney's attacks on him stand, and seemed disengaged. Vice President Joe Biden stayed in Rep. Paul Ryan's face for the entirety of Thursday's vice presidential debate. In the process, he forced Ryan, and by extension the Romney campaign, onto the defensive for a large part of the evening. Obama has a lot to be grateful for.Last week, Mitt Romney repeated over and over that the president's health care bill cut $716 billion. Obama didn't push back much to explain that the cuts...
What a difference a week makes. In the first presidential debate, President Obama let Mitt Romney's attacks on him stand, and seemed disengaged. Vice President Joe Biden stayed in Rep. Paul Ryan's face for the entirety of Thursday's vice presidential debate. In the process, he forced Ryan, and by extension the Romney campaign, onto the defensive for a large part of the evening. Obama has a lot to be grateful for.Last week, Mitt Romney repeated over and over that the president's health care bill cut $716 billion. Obama didn't push back much to explain that the cuts...
Ghosts of Al Gore to Haunt Smirking, Fibbing Biden
On October - 12 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Toby Harnden, DM
Joe Biden came out swinging at Paul Ryan, flailing wildly and landing a few punches on his own jaw as well as his opponent's. He showed the kind of spirit and populaist anger that President Barack Obama was so conspicuously lacking and has cheered up many demoralised Democrats.But Biden's performance here in Danville, Kentucky was both comical and self-defeating. Just as Al Gore sighed and rolled his eyes in 2000, so Biden smirked and guffawed. He gesticulated wildly and jabbed his finger. He interrupted Ryan and the moderator Martha Raddatz. Many women and swing voters will have...
Joe Biden came out swinging at Paul Ryan, flailing wildly and landing a few punches on his own jaw as well as his opponent's. He showed the kind of spirit and populaist anger that President Barack Obama was so conspicuously lacking and has cheered up many demoralised Democrats.But Biden's performance here in Danville, Kentucky was both comical and self-defeating. Just as Al Gore sighed and rolled his eyes in 2000, so Biden smirked and guffawed. He gesticulated wildly and jabbed his finger. He interrupted Ryan and the moderator Martha Raddatz. Many women and swing voters will have...
Ryan Cruised to Victory Over Blustery Biden
On October - 12 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
John Tamny, Forbes
About halfway through last night’s debate between Congressman Paul Ryan and Vice President Joe Biden, the VP’s answers – and his unsteady countenance – revealed someone who felt he’d lost. Biden’s pre-debate spin was that he would enter in attack mode, eager to make up for his boss’s universally panned performance the week before.The problem for Biden was that Ryan drew blood fairly early, thus making any attacks seem desperate. In that case, wobbly after a few blows from Ryan that he couldn’t effectively answer,...
About halfway through last night’s debate between Congressman Paul Ryan and Vice President Joe Biden, the VP’s answers – and his unsteady countenance – revealed someone who felt he’d lost. Biden’s pre-debate spin was that he would enter in attack mode, eager to make up for his boss’s universally panned performance the week before.The problem for Biden was that Ryan drew blood fairly early, thus making any attacks seem desperate. In that case, wobbly after a few blows from Ryan that he couldn’t effectively answer,...
Biden Contradicts State Dept on Benghazi
On October - 12 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Josh Rogin, Foreign Policy
Confusing Strength With Aggression
On October - 12 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Peggy Noonan, Wall Street Journal
The vice presidential debate was uniquely important because if Paul Ryan won it or did well, the Romney-Ryan ticket's momentum would be continued or speed up. If he did not, that momentum would slow or stop. So the night carried implications. The debate, obviously, was the Republican versus the Democrat, a particular kind of conservative versus a particular kind of liberal, one philosophical approach versus another. Beyond that there was some iconic weight to it. It was age versus youth; full, white-haired man versus lean, black-haired man. Youth is energy—new ideas and new...
The vice presidential debate was uniquely important because if Paul Ryan won it or did well, the Romney-Ryan ticket's momentum would be continued or speed up. If he did not, that momentum would slow or stop. So the night carried implications. The debate, obviously, was the Republican versus the Democrat, a particular kind of conservative versus a particular kind of liberal, one philosophical approach versus another. Beyond that there was some iconic weight to it. It was age versus youth; full, white-haired man versus lean, black-haired man. Youth is energy—new ideas and new...
Election Will Decide Fate of Obama’s Health Law
On October - 11 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Goodnough & Pear, NYT
Joyce Beck, who runs a small hospital and network of medical clinics in rural Nebraska, is reluctant to plan for the future until voters decide between President Obama and Mitt Romney. The candidates' sharply divergent proposals for Medicare, Medicaid and coverage of the uninsured have created too much uncertainty, she explained. When Americans go to the polls next month, they will cast a vote not just for president but for one of two profoundly different visions for the future of the country's health care system. With an Obama victory on Nov. 6, the president's signature...
Joyce Beck, who runs a small hospital and network of medical clinics in rural Nebraska, is reluctant to plan for the future until voters decide between President Obama and Mitt Romney. The candidates' sharply divergent proposals for Medicare, Medicaid and coverage of the uninsured have created too much uncertainty, she explained. When Americans go to the polls next month, they will cast a vote not just for president but for one of two profoundly different visions for the future of the country's health care system. With an Obama victory on Nov. 6, the president's signature...
Rattled Obama Camp Redoubles Ohio Effort
On October - 11 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Major Garrett, National Jrnl
President Obama walks on the South Lawn of the White House on Tuesday after returning from campaigning in Ohio and California. Rattled, dismayed, and shaken, President Obama's national campaign is divided into two camps: impassive warhorses and anxiety-ridden newbies.The battle-scarred operatives have been doing nonstop psychic triage since the first presidential debate, calming nerves and reassuring the shaken that campaigns have their ups and downs.
President Obama walks on the South Lawn of the White House on Tuesday after returning from campaigning in Ohio and California. Rattled, dismayed, and shaken, President Obama's national campaign is divided into two camps: impassive warhorses and anxiety-ridden newbies.The battle-scarred operatives have been doing nonstop psychic triage since the first presidential debate, calming nerves and reassuring the shaken that campaigns have their ups and downs.
Romney Surges Into Lead in Latest Polls
On October - 10 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Lynn Sweet, Chicago Sun-Times
For the first time, Mitt Romney is ahead of Barack Obama in polls - chipping away at Obama’s hold on women voters and gaining in favorability ratings. Romney also has pulled ahead of Obama in surveys in several battleground states key to winning the 270 electoral votes needed to claim the White House.
For the first time, Mitt Romney is ahead of Barack Obama in polls - chipping away at Obama’s hold on women voters and gaining in favorability ratings. Romney also has pulled ahead of Obama in surveys in several battleground states key to winning the 270 electoral votes needed to claim the White House.
Why Americans No Longer Trust the Media
On October - 10 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Erick Erickson, Red State
I got a great laugh out of this Chuck Todd near meltdown on Meet the Depressed the other day. His voice quivered in moral outrage over Jack Welch suggesting something was up with the unemployment numbers last Friday. Chuck Todd proclaimed, "What we're doing, we're corroding trust in our government in a way, and one time responsible people are doing to control it. And the idea that Donald Trump and Jack Welch, rich people with crazy conspiracy, can get traction on this, is a bad trend."He really does not get it. Chuck Todd reflects most of the media not getting it....
I got a great laugh out of this Chuck Todd near meltdown on Meet the Depressed the other day. His voice quivered in moral outrage over Jack Welch suggesting something was up with the unemployment numbers last Friday. Chuck Todd proclaimed, "What we're doing, we're corroding trust in our government in a way, and one time responsible people are doing to control it. And the idea that Donald Trump and Jack Welch, rich people with crazy conspiracy, can get traction on this, is a bad trend."He really does not get it. Chuck Todd reflects most of the media not getting it....
We Are Corroding Trust In Our Government
On October - 10 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Chuck Todd, NBC News
CHUCK TODD: This is really making me crazy. The Federal Reserve gets questioned now for politics these days, the Supreme Court and John Roberts. We have corroded, what we're doing, we are corroding trust in our government in a way, and one-time responsible people are doing to control it. And the idea that Donald Trump and Jack Welch, rich people with crazy conspiracies, can get traction on this, is a bad trend.
CHUCK TODD: This is really making me crazy. The Federal Reserve gets questioned now for politics these days, the Supreme Court and John Roberts. We have corroded, what we're doing, we are corroding trust in our government in a way, and one-time responsible people are doing to control it. And the idea that Donald Trump and Jack Welch, rich people with crazy conspiracies, can get traction on this, is a bad trend.
The Bill Comes Due for Obama & the Media
On October - 10 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Noemie Emery, DC Examiner
It was in Denver one week ago that the long-running romance between Barack Obama and the national press -- aka the "Slobbering Love Affair," as Bernard Goldberg put it -- hit the wall. The motel bill, unpaid these many long months and ages, at long last came due.It had been the real thing, not a commonplace fling with your generic Democrat, but the love of a lifetime, the genuine article, the sum of all dreams: He was not just a Democrat, he was also a liberal. He was not just a liberal, he also biracial, also multinational; also hip, cool, and clever. He was themselves as they...
It was in Denver one week ago that the long-running romance between Barack Obama and the national press -- aka the "Slobbering Love Affair," as Bernard Goldberg put it -- hit the wall. The motel bill, unpaid these many long months and ages, at long last came due.It had been the real thing, not a commonplace fling with your generic Democrat, but the love of a lifetime, the genuine article, the sum of all dreams: He was not just a Democrat, he was also a liberal. He was not just a liberal, he also biracial, also multinational; also hip, cool, and clever. He was themselves as they...
Romney Up Big With Independents
On October - 10 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Christian Heinze, The Hill
Fueling his current polling surge, Mitt Romney's numbers with indies are just getting remarkably good. a. IBD/ITP poll released today: Romney 52% Obama 34%. b. Pew poll, released yesterday: Romney 46% Obama 42%. c. Politico/GW poll, released yesterday: Romney 51% Obama 35%. d. CNN, released last week: Romney 49% Obama 41%. e. National Journal, released October 3: Romney 49% Obama 41%. Now having said that, Romney has done well this entire cycle with independents, but not enough to overcome turnout models that suggested much, much higher Democratic turnout. But now he's...
Fueling his current polling surge, Mitt Romney's numbers with indies are just getting remarkably good. a. IBD/ITP poll released today: Romney 52% Obama 34%. b. Pew poll, released yesterday: Romney 46% Obama 42%. c. Politico/GW poll, released yesterday: Romney 51% Obama 35%. d. CNN, released last week: Romney 49% Obama 41%. e. National Journal, released October 3: Romney 49% Obama 41%. Now having said that, Romney has done well this entire cycle with independents, but not enough to overcome turnout models that suggested much, much higher Democratic turnout. But now he's...
Can Republicans Scare Their Way to Victory?
On October - 10 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Robert Reich, Salon
Go to home page Topics: 2012 Elections, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Mitt Romney, Republican Party, RobertReich.org, Politics News The latest Pew Research Center poll shows Mitt Romney ahead of President Barack Obama among likely voters, 49% to  45%. But the latest...
Go to home page Topics: 2012 Elections, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Mitt Romney, Republican Party, RobertReich.org, Politics News The latest Pew Research Center poll shows Mitt Romney ahead of President Barack Obama among likely voters, 49% to  45%. But the latest...
Seeking to Rebound, Obama Is Urged to Get Tough
On October - 9 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Nicholas & Lee, WSJ
President Barack Obama is getting conflicting advice on how to rebound from his listless debate performance last week as he meets with donors and supporters in a swing through California.Those calls took on a new urgency as a Pew Research Center poll conducted after the debate and released Monday showed Republican Mitt Romney surging to a lead over Mr. Obama among likely voters, 49% to 45%.
President Barack Obama is getting conflicting advice on how to rebound from his listless debate performance last week as he meets with donors and supporters in a swing through California.Those calls took on a new urgency as a Pew Research Center poll conducted after the debate and released Monday showed Republican Mitt Romney surging to a lead over Mr. Obama among likely voters, 49% to 45%.
