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28 Dec 2009 21:41

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Politics: DHS head Janet Napolitano’s getting resignation calls already

  • Does she not realize how sick we are of government officials responding to obvious mistakes, errors and failures by bragging about what they did get right?
  • Andrew Sullivan (our second link to him today!) • Regarding the perceived ineptitude of Homeland Security chief Janet Napolitano, who took credit for getting the job done regarding the underwear bomber, only to get trashed by everybody around because, well, she didn’t. Her second half-apology on Today this morning has people calling for her head all around the table. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

27 Dec 2009 11:40

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Politics: A quick note to the Obama administration on airline security

  • The president is very confident that this government is taking the steps that are necessary to take our fight to those who seek to do us harm.
  • Robert Gibbs • Speaking about airline security and Obama’s role in making sure it’s done right. You know, Barack, you seem like a reasonable dude, so whatever you do, keep in mind that you were once in coach like the rest of us, and you know what it’s like. Don’t force rules on us that fudge the real issues of improving security. It helps nobody and angers normal people greatly instead. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

21 Dec 2009 21:19

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U.S.: What’s next for the health care bill? Here’s a quick round-up

  • one It (likely) passes the Senate after a couple more super-tense votes later this week.
  • two The Senate and House take their bills and try to compromise on major details.
  • three The House and Senate vote again, possibly with everyone still on board.
  • four It hits Obama’s desk, and he asks, “What do you call your act?” “The Aristocrats!” source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

20 Dec 2009 21:55

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Politics: Obama’s got a buddy on the right with massive muscles

  • When it comes to effort,
    [Obama] should get a straight A. He’s out there with tremendous energy and he’s selling his ideas. And he has great enthusiasm there. He’s a great speaker, a great  communicator.
  • California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger • Stretching his big, muscular arm across party lines in giving Obama a pat on the back for his first year in office. Schwarzenegger says that Obama has to “be tough, just continue on, never give up, eventually he’s going to get all those things done.” You know, like the Terminator does when he’s trying to save Sarah Connor. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

20 Dec 2009 11:18

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Politics: Poll: Do you think Obama is too quick to compromise?


Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

20 Dec 2009 08:30

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Politics: Obama will take his victories, no matter how symbolic they are

  • Mr. Obama has put a high value on process and keeping things moving, recognizing that history generally does not remember the to and fro, only the big sweep of presidential accomplishments.
  • New York Times reporter Peter Baker • In an analysis piece on the recent pushes he’s made to get stuff done, even if it’s meant that the ends – particularly on climate change, although health care is the same way – don’t look anything like the means. The downside of this, of course, is that he’s had to compromise to achieve basic goals instead of more complex ones. Are these victories worth the paper they’re written on? We’ll find out. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

19 Dec 2009 10:28

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Politics: Copenhagen: Did Obama save the day or dilute the deal?

  • He came. He did a quick deal. He left. That was how US President Barack Obama intervened in the global warming conference in Copenhagen and whether he saved it from total deadlock or condemned it to issuing a powerless piece of paper depends on your point of view.
  • BBC Correspondent Paul Reynolds • Discussing the nature of Obama’s quick deal-making in Copenhagen. A few interesting things about the conference: Obama dealt with China and a few other large but unexpected countries – India, Brazil, South Africa – but left Russia and the EU out of it (shockingly). Also, the forum may have just been the wrong choice for something this monumental. Family reunions this big tend to fall apart due to lots of infighting. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

15 Dec 2009 23:13

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U.S.: Immigration: Hey, let’s throw another thing on Obama’s plate, OK?

  • Couldn’t this battle wait for now, guys? Today, Democratic Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez introduced a bill to reform immigration. Now, obviously, this battle needs to come up, especially considering how heated it got during the Bush years. But let’s play devil’s advocate here. You have a president who is dealing with these things (among others), in order of importance: Unemployment, health care, the economic crisis, Afghanistan, Iraq, closing Guantanamo, gay rights and making sure Bo the dog gets kibble. And now we want to throw immigration on top of all of this? This seems like it could wait until year three. We’d rather see Obama deal with all that other stuff the right way. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

14 Dec 2009 11:23

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Politics: Obama’s all like, I’m a total B+, guys. Do you agree?

  • Obama rolls comfortably when he’s with Oprah. So when he’s talking about himself on TV, as he did during last night’s Christmas special, he says things like this. Some might find it self-serving. Others might find it cocky. We find it honest. He’s stood his ground on a lot of things even when they weren’t popular. Approval ratings be damned.
Posted by Ernie Smith • 2 Comments • Permalink

10 Dec 2009 11:00

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Politics: Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize on the tip of Twitter’s tongue

Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
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