Read a little. Learn a lot. • Tightly-written news, views and stuff • Follow us on Twitter • Be a Facebook Fan • Tumble us!

20 Jan 2011 22:52

tags

Politics: Why have Obama’s approval ratings skyrocketed?

  • 8% jump in Obama’s approval ratings since December
  • The question is, why? It feels like only yesterday that oil was spewing wildly throughout the Gulf Coast, Democrats were getting shellacked in the midterms, and prognosticators were foretelling of a one-term Obama presidency (well, okay, that’s still happening). But the President’s favorability ratings have been surging recently, up to the highest levels since July of ’09. We have three theories as to why.
  • the lame duck sessionIt was controversial to some, but for many Americans, the lame duck session was the first time they got to see members of Congress acting in a truly bipartisan manner. The President took an active role in this, hammering out compromises with GOP leadership. The result was one of the most productive lame duck sessions in our nation’s history. Also, nobody’s taxes went up.
  • A Divided GovernmentIn other words, the Republicans taking back the House. When one party controls the White House, the Senate, and the House, it’s easy to uniformly hate that party for the country’s problems. But with things a little more evenly divided, the President is getting some slack. It’s not necessarily a well-founded reason for liking the President more, but it’s likely a factor.
  • The Tuscon ShootingOkay, okay. We didn’t want to say it, but it’s true: After national tragedies, especially those with a human face, people tend to coalesce around the President. It happened with Bush after 9/11, and it’s happening now. Combine this with a wildly popular speech a few days after the shooting, and you have the recipe for surging approval ratings. source
Posted by Seth Millstein • 0 Comments • Permalink

20 Jan 2011 22:31

tags

Politics: Meg Whitman wants you to give Jerry Brown a shot

  • I want [Jerry Brown] to be successful. California needs him to be successful. Let’s give the guy a chance to turn around and let’s see what he can do.
  • Meg Whitman • In a speech this week at the University Club. Some have taken this speech, along with another she’s set to give at the end of the month, as a sign that Whitman is planning a political comeback. We think that’s a tad premature. This is simply an ex-candidate wishing good luck to the guy who beat her. In our current political climate, that’s is a nice change of pace. source
Posted by Seth Millstein • 0 Comments • Permalink

20 Jan 2011 11:57

tags

Politics: Michael Steele feels betrayed by Priebus’ RNC win

  • I know exactly how Caesar felt. It is what it is.
  • Former RNC chairman Michael Steele • Likening himself to Julius Caesar in light of Reince Priebus, who he called a “friend,” beating him in his bid for a second term. Steele, who appointed Priebus as RNC general counsel, believes he knew he was going to mount the challenge yet hid it for months. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

20 Jan 2011 10:59

tags

Politics: Obama laughs off U.S. ambassador’s 2012 presidential plans

  • I’m sure that him having worked so well for me will be a great asset in any Republican primary.
  • Barack Obama • Talking about former Utah governor Jon Huntsman, the current U.S. ambassador to China, who has brought up plans of running for president in 2012. Did Obama just extinguish a guy’s 2012’s chances with a single quip? It sure sounds like it. Haha. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

19 Jan 2011 21:24

tags

Politics: Rush Limbaugh’s Chinese mockery: A possible double-standard?

  • 2006 Rosie O’Donnell made a kinda-crude impersonation of Chinese people when she was on “The View,” leading right-wing bloggers to jump all over her and force an apology from the firebrand.
  • 2011 Rush Limbaugh does the exact same thing – except five times as long, more exaggerated and while talking about the Chinese president. So, what’s gonna happen this time, guys? source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

19 Jan 2011 21:06

tags

Politics: Tareq and Michaele Salahi nowhere near tonight’s state dinner

Good news, everybody! Tarek and Michaele Salahi were on “Parker Spitzer” tonight, ensuring that they were somewhere nobody would have to hear about them. (Video soon, we hope.) source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

19 Jan 2011 20:43

tags

Politics: Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley really sorry for religious comments

  • If anyone from other religions felt disenfranchised by the language, I want to say I am sorry. I am sorry if I offended anyone in any way.
  • Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley • Giving one of those non-apology apologies we kinda sorta love after he decided to throw all non-Christians under the bus in his first speech as governor. Hint: Anytime anyone says “I am sorry if I offended anyone,” it means they’re not apologizing for their stance, but for putting it in the public sphere for the dogs to pick at. Here’s a word of advice for Mr. Bentley: Like the brand of cars that shares your name, stay elegant and classy. And also, do things that make people of all cultures and walks of life – even rappers – like you. Set the standard for others to follow. Just a tip from your friendly news bloggers. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

19 Jan 2011 15:33

tags

Politics: Baltimore Police Commissioner Bealefeld no fan of “The Wire”

  • Charm City’s Top Cop: Frederick H. Bealefeld, Commissioner of Baltimore Police, does not care for your “critically acclaimed television.” Why couldn’t McNulty be a hip, cool CSI type? source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

19 Jan 2011 13:37

tags

Politics: Republicans reel back rhetoric, to a remote extent

  • job-killing An awkward choice of words for congressional Republicans to use against the Health Care Reform law, in light of recent events.
  • job-crushing A change of rhetoric that clearly ushers in a new age of civility in our politics. Or, a less pointed way of saying “job-killing.” source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 1 Comment • Permalink

19 Jan 2011 10:57

tags

Politics: Should Obama turn health-care debate back on Republicans?

  • If the president said, ‘Okay, John Boehner, you bet, now that you’re in power, as soon as you pass a version that covers the same number of people for less, I’ll be happy to put my approach aside and cut a deal,’ he’d remind Americans about the discussion Republicans refuse to have.
  • Washington Post opinion writer Matt Miller • Arguing that Obama should frame the debate around health care not in terms of what the Republicans are claiming to do (save money), but in terms of what they as of yet have been unwilling to do – find a comprehensive approach to insuring 30 million Americans that saves more money than Obama’s plan, which he says is imperfect but still important. “Back in the universe in which we actually live, Obamacare was a historic first step. We need to mend it, not end it.” What do you guys think? source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
<< newer 
top tags
older >>