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26 Aug 2009 10:23

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U.S.: Barack Obama remembers Ted Kennedy as a “great leader”

  • An important chapter in our history has come to an end. Our country has lost a great leader, who picked up the torch of his fallen brothers and became the greatest United States senator of our time.
  • President Barack Obama • In a speech regarding the death of Ted Kennedy. Obama was close to Kennedy, even when the Senator was quickly declining in health. “Even as he waged a valiant struggle with a mortal illness,” he said, “I’ve profited as president from his encouragement and wisdom.” Kennedy’s endorsement of the president was seen as a turning point in last year’s campaign, even if it came at a cost of damaging longstanding relationships with former president Bill Clinton. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

24 Aug 2009 22:24

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Politics: A prescription for what ails Obama: A move to the right?

  • For months polls have shown a huge gap between the popularity of the president and the unpopularity of his policies. Sooner or later, one of these had to give.
  • Wall Street Journal columnist William McGurn • Discussing Obama’s health care policy in the wake of his declining poll numbers. McGurn says that by letting go of the fight, Obama will strengthen his position as president – just like Bill Clinton did in 1994. Regarding Clinton, McGurn notes: “Though he continues to deny GOP contributions to his success, after his 1994 health-care defeat, Mr. Clinton did what all smart pols do: He appropriated the most appealing parts of his opponents’ agenda.” Our counterpoint: If Obama does that and loses the battle, we all lose health care reform. One would argue that if Obama actually pulls it off. his legacy will be even greater. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

24 Aug 2009 09:19

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U.S.: The Justice Dept. wants to investigate Bush era prisoner-abuse cases

  • Talk about a can of worms. Just when it seemed like the CIA under the Bush administration would get a pass, the Justice Department has sent recommendations to Attorney General Eric Holder for investigations into nearly a dozen prisoner abuse cases. The cases are mainly based in Iraq and Afghanistan. Obama has said he’d like to look forward, not back, but the investigations may force his hand at a bad time. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

23 Aug 2009 00:35

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U.S.: Many people like President Obama, but think his decisions suck

  • 57% approve of President Obama source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 6 Comments • Permalink

22 Aug 2009 12:18

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U.S.: Did Obama’s appeal to nontraditional voters get him into office?

Obama vote infographic
  • Good Magazine crunched up some numbers and compared different states’ voter turnout to see whether the groups Obama appealed to the most – black voters and young voters – really had an effect on voter turnout. From the looks of things, it may have been an election lost by McCain rather than the other way around. The biggest decrease in votes from 2004 to 2008 was in McCain’s home state. Thanks to Good Magazine for the tip.source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

22 Aug 2009 12:05

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U.S.: Just in time for three weeks ago, Obama takes on health care lies

  • Today, I want to spend a few minutes debunking some of the more outrageous myths circulating on the Internet, on cable TV, and repeated at some town halls across this country.
  • President Barack Obama • In his weekly radio/Interweb address. In the address he tackled whether illegal immigrants would get health care (no way, Jose), whether abortions would be covered (nope) and those so called “death panels” (lies, lies, and more lies). It’s good to see Obama taking these attacks head on, but where was he when the attacks were actually being made? Now he’s just late to the party. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

20 Aug 2009 21:35

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Politics: The Democrats “hope” Obama can “change” his health care talk

  • I don’t think the messaging has been very clear … the campaign to disseminate the messaging has not been as relentless and organized as it needs to be.
  • Democratic pollster Celinda Lake • Discussing Obama’s health care rhetoric. In general, many political types say that Obama’s message on health care is lacking – there’s no “change” or “hope” to drive the campaign like there was in January. White House press secretary Robert Gibbs admits there have been stumbles: “I don’t think anybody here believes we’ve pitched a no-hit game or a perfect game. I don’t think that’s the case.” • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

20 Aug 2009 08:49

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Politics: Did Flickr take down the Obama socialist pic for political reasons?

  • An article on Firas Alkhateeb, the man who did the Obama Joker parody, got written in the L.A. Times. He’s a Dennis Kucinich fan. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

18 Aug 2009 11:10

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Politics: Slate columnist: Why the public option should stay on the table

  • Why is the public option so vitally important to health reform? At the broadest possible level, the public option is necessary simply because it’s impossible to identify a successful health system anywhere in the world based on a for-profit insurance model.
  • Slate columnist Timothy Noah • Discussing the weaknesses in health care reform that will show up if the public option is off the table. While Obama prefers having it, he’s shown wavering over the last week that makes it seem less-necessary than it once did. Noah puts it this way: “You can also think of the public option as a pressure valve. Without it, the government’s attempt to remake the health sector risks blowing itself to smithereens.” • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

16 Aug 2009 09:42

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U.S.: Obama: “Pulling the plug on grandma” = below the belt

  • I know what it’s like to watch somebody you love, who is aging, deteriorate and have to struggle with that. We’ve got enough stuff to deal with without having these kinds of arguments.
  • President Barack Obama • Discussing the health care plan in Colorado, specifically in regards to some of the attacks he’s seen regarding the elderly and so-called “death panels.” With these words Obama reminded those at yesterday’s town hall that his grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, died just last year on the eve of the election. Obama’s tried over the last few days to change the tone of the debate. We’ll see if it works. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
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