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30 Jan 2010 17:52

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Politics: Obama’s pull-apart of the Republicans: Will it boost his image?

  • Rarely has there been such an encounter between a president and the opposition party and certainly never on national television. It was the antithesis of the kind of snarling exchanges that often pass for political dialogue, whether between strategists in the two parties, candidates in the heat of a campaign or on the worst of cable television.
  • Washington Post reporter Dan Balz • Analyzing our favorite moment of politics between Barack Obama and the Republican Party, yesterday’s steel-cage death match at the Republican compound in Baltimore. A Q&A session between the president and the party that has made his life hell over the last year, Obama came out FAR ahead at the end of it, pointing out some of the dirtier political tricks he’s seen and effectively beating down their talking points. The fact that it aired on national TV made the barbs even more impressive. The question is, will the talk have a lasting effect or is it just a really good moment of levity? source

30 Jan 2010 10:37

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U.S., World: Haiti’s most in-need patients can’t go to the U.S. anymore

  • Florida stands ready to assist our neighbors in Haiti, but we need a plan of action and reimbursement for the care we are providing.
  • Florida Gov. Charlie Crist’s spokesperson, Sterling Ivey • Regarding the governor’s push for the U.S. to end airlifts from Haiti due to the fact they’re not getting paid. These airlifts, which were for critically-injured patients, were costing the Florida government millions – and they weren’t even the only state doing them! The military claims they ended the airlifts because the hospitals stopped accepting patients. This is bad all around. source

29 Jan 2010 17:19

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Politics: James O’Keefe: Pssh! We weren’t wiretapping that office!

  • On reflection, I could have used a different approach to this investigation, particularly given the sensitivities that people understandably have about security in a federal building.
  • “Gonzo” conservative journalist James O’Keefe • Regarding that whole arrest thing that happened earlier this week. His claim? “The government has now confirmed what has always been clear: No one tried to wiretap or bug Senator Landrieu’s office.” Who said this? Who? Anyway, O’Keefe and his three cohorts could face up to ten years in prison for maliciously interfering with a telephone system operated and controlled by the U.S. government. They claim they were just trying to shoot funny, embarrassing videos. Sure. source

29 Jan 2010 10:36

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U.S.: Obama: Maybe having the 9/11 trial in Manhattan a bad idea

  • NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg isn’t on board anymore. Months after planning to have the trial for 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (a.k.a. Mr. Bedhead) in Manhattan, local pressure is causing the Obama administration to reconsider its plan. “Conversations have occurred within the administration to discuss contingency options should the possibility of a trial in Lower Manhattan be foreclosed upon by Congress or locally,” said one official under an anonymous cloak. Many New York politicians have criticized the idea. source

28 Jan 2010 21:12

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World: Silvio Berlusconi, fresh off Nosegate, wants to take on the Mafia

We almost don’t recognize him without the blood all over his face. Anyway, he’s trashing on portrayals of Italians as gangsters, which is hypocritical ’cause he looks like one. source

28 Jan 2010 20:17

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U.S.: Ben Bernanke reconfirmed because he recovers well after a fall

  • Chairman Bernanke’s performance in addressing the economic crisis and his current efforts to significantly enhance financial regulation to help prevent future crises outweigh his past mistakes.
  • Michigan Sen. Carl Levin • Discussing why Ben Bernanke was worthy of getting reconfirmed as Federal Reserve Chair, despite populist sentiment against a guy seen as one of the main causes for the financial crisis. Ultimately, it was his inventive solutions to tough problems that saved his job. While not always graceful, he did successfully help get the economy back on track. source

28 Jan 2010 09:43

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Politics: Let’s hope John Edwards’ “special” tape doesn’t get online. Idiot.

  • There was one tape that was marked ‘special.’ It’s a sex tape of Rielle and John Edwards made just a couple of months before the Iowa caucuses.
  • Former John Edwards aide Andrew Young • Who covered up the presidential candidate’s affair, on what he happened to find in the house. Wait wait wait, John Edwards recorded a sex tape? And he’s a politician? What the hell is wrong with him? This guy was supposed to be president according to John Edwards. Young also reveals that Edwards tried to convince Rielle Hunter to get an abortion. Shocking. No wonder why he’s separated from Elizabeth. Who would want to keep a scumbag like this around anyway? source
 

28 Jan 2010 01:48

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U.S.: Some quick takes on Obama’s State of the Union speech

  • We have lots more written up about Obama’s SOTU speech, but we’re saving that for later. Simply put: It was a good speech but we have no clue if it’ll change anything. Here are some more thoughts:
  • Biggest shot in the arm His reminder to Senate Democrats not to back down after losing their 60th vote in Scott Brown’s surprise Massachusetts win. After a week and a half of crying in locked rooms and saying “woe is me,” it was exactly what was needed.
  • Biggest disappointment Obama admitted that the three-year partial budget freeze wouldn’t take place until 2011, which drew big boos from many. “It’s the way budgets work,” he claimed. He wasn’t upfront about this in his speech, which was pretty bad form.
  • Most amusing moments There were two – Obama’s bringing up of the Supreme Court decision on campaign finance reform to utter blankness on the part of the Court, and Michelle Obama’s obvious desire to not be there. You could totally read her face! source

27 Jan 2010 21:09

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27 Jan 2010 09:08

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U.S.: So, Obama’s taking responsibility in his State of the Union tonight

  • But he won’t take blame. Obama’s first year in office hasn’t been perfect, and now the administration’s running with its tail between its legs, trying to figure out the best way to reconcile after the Scott Brown loss. Expect an Obama who takes “responsibility” for the missteps tonight, but not one who shoulders the blame. Should be fun to watch. We’ll be there, blogging about it. source