Read a little. Learn a lot. • Tightly-written news, views and stuff • Follow us on TwitterBe a Facebook FanTumble us!

05 Jan 2011 22:36

tags

Politics: Robert Gibbs: My leaving the White House useful for Obama

  • The best service I can provide this president is, for the next couple of years, outside this building.
  • Obama Press Secretary Robert Gibbs • Explaining his reasoning for leaving the warm confines of the White House. Essentially, he won’t be working for Obama inside of the press room, but on the public circuit, where he can show off his feisty nature a bit more freely. It says a lot about Obama’s presidency that two of his top three first-term guys in the White House will still play major roles in his second term – even if it’s not inside the stoic walls of the White House itself. His lead confidantes are mostly loyal. source

05 Jan 2011 10:43

tags

Politics: Ninth circle of hell? Michele Bachmann may run for president

  • Nothing is off the table. The congresswoman is excited about her first trip to Iowa this year.
  • Rep. Michele Bachmann’s chief of staff, Andy Parrish • Suggesting that Bachmann may be interested in running for president in 2012. And you thought Sarah Palin was bad … (thanks apsies) source

05 Jan 2011 10:26

tags

Politics: Sigh: Robert Gibbs stepping down as Obama’s press secretary

  • You know, we like Robert Gibbs. Endlessly entertaining, more willing to make waves than any other recent press secretary, and a great fit for Obama. He’s feisty where Obama is measured. He isn’t a mouthpiece. He’s a contributor and played a huge role in Obama’s first two years. And that’s why, even though he’s leaving as press secretary in February, he’s still likely to play a role in Obama’s future campaigns. We salute you, Robert Gibbs. You make Scott McClellan look like the straight-up mouthpiece he was. source

04 Jan 2011 22:42

tags

Politics: Antonin Scalia: Hates deep-dish, likes helping the Tea Party

  • On the plus side, nobody’s talking about Ginni Thomas anymore. So, Michele Bachmann has convinced our boy Antonin Scalia to have a fireside chat with incoming GOP members of Congress to remind them of the finer points of the constitution. Now, obviously, this is kind of a bad idea because it makes Scalia look like he’s in bed with the Tea Party and conservatives in Congress. But, who cares? This is the guy who’s so traditionalist that he complains about pizza that isn’t made New York-style. Sure, it’s bad judgment, but he doesn’t like deep dish pizza, so his judgment is worthless anyway. (photo by Stephen Masker) source

04 Jan 2011 21:23

tags

Politics: From Pelosi to Boehner: The changing of the Twitter guard

  • I’m now @NancyPelosi – 2 characters shorter than @SpeakerPelosi. RTers rejoice!
  • A tweet from @NancyPelosi • Regarding Pelosi’s change from Speaker to mere House Majority Leader. In case you’re wondering, John Boehner can be found at @SpeakerBoehner. And the ceremonial change of the Twitter guard commences. Hey, @SpeakerGingrich is open! So is @SpeakerHastert! And @SpeakerNewt! Anyone wanna make a parody account? (thanks pantlessprogressive for the tip) source

04 Jan 2011 11:20

tags

Politics: Obama’s optimistic that GOP will be less obstructionist in 2011

  • And so my expectation, my hope is that John Boehner and Mitch McConnell will realize that there will be plenty of time to campaign for 2012 in 2012, and that our job this year is to make sure that we build on the recovery.
  • Barack Obama • Offering up a pretty solid statement of intent for 2011. Obama, whose vacation to Hawaii just ended, says that he expects some playing of politics in 2011 (McConnell has already promised it). “But I’m pretty confident,” he continued, “that they’re going to recognize that our job is to govern and make sure that we are delivering jobs for the American people and that we’re creating a competitive economy for the 21st century, not just for this generation but for the next one.” Wishful thinking? source

03 Jan 2011 22:07

tags

Politics: Obama’s eyeing William Daley … possibly for Rahm’s old spot?

So Rahm’s probably gonna be mayor of Chicago, replacing Richard Daley. What does Obama do now? Well, he may be eyeing Richie’s brother William, a former commerce secretary. source
 

03 Jan 2011 21:37

tags

Politics: New-old Governor inherits worse disaster than last time

  • 9.4% unemployment rate in California when Jerry Brown first assumed the Governorship back in 1975
  • 12.4% California’s unemployment rate today, as Brown begins his third term. Good luck, man. source

03 Jan 2011 21:00

tags

Politics: Harry Reid breaks filibuster-blocking record

  • 69% the failure rate of filibusters in the last Congress source

03 Jan 2011 20:45

tags

Politics: Poll: Start cutting the deficit by raising rich people’s taxes

  • 61% of respondents would prefer that taxes increase for the rich to help cut the deficit
  • 20% of respondents say that defense spending would be a better first choice to hack away at
  • 4% of respondents would prefer instead that we took the scalpel to Medicare source