1. Opposing view: 'We need no lectures' 10 hours ago   permalink

Blogs.usatoday.com

In Washington today, politicians too often just stand their ground. Liberal strategist Bob Beckel and conservative columnist Cal Thomas provide a better model.

discussions

Mark Murray / First Read :   Obama agenda: Reluctant to participate

Justin Elliott / TPMMuckraker :   Obama Admin On Al Qaeda: Don't Panic!

Scott / Power Line :   The lassitude of John Brennan AJStrata / The Strata-Sphere :   Liberals Whine About Political Heat On National Security, Then Claim Christmas Day Bombing Attempt A US Success ABC News :   WH: Some Critics Serving al Qaeda's Goals ABCNews.com / Political Punch :   WH: Some Critics 'Serving the Goals of al Qaeda'* () / The Corner on National Review Online :   Brennan Must Go -- By: Victor Davis Hanson Jim Hoft / Gateway Pundit :   Obama Top Advisor & Political Hack Says National Security Critics Are Serving Al-Qaeda Flip / Suitably Flip :   Dissent Is the Highest Form of Patriotism Abetting Terrorists Brendan Nyhan / Brendan Nyhan :   Brennan again smears GOP dissent Sister Toldjah / Sister Toldjah :   WH counterterrorism chief: Criticizing Obama only aids Al Qaeda Emptywheel / Emptywheel :   Republicans Trashing Law Enforcement because It Polls Well Erick Erickson (Profile) / RedState :   It is Barack Obama Serving Al Qaeda’s Goals Ace of Spades HQ :   Brennan's Op-Ed: An AOSHQ Response Steven Moyer / THE TENSION :   Wire: White House Says Obama Critics Helping al-Qaeda

related items

Www.washingtonexaminer.com White House: People who criticize us are helping al Qaeda   —  In a brief op-ed in USA Today, White House counterterrorism chief John Brennan charges that critics who question the Obama administration's decision to grant Miranda rights to accused Detroit bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab are "serv[ing] the goals of al Qaeda." Scott / Power Line :    The lassitude of John Brennan Glenn Reynolds / Instapundit :    BYRON YORK: White House: People Who Criticize Us Are Helping Al Qaeda. They told me if I voted fo… Jim Hoft / Gateway Pundit :    Obama Top Advisor & Political Hack Says National Security Critics Are Serving Al-Qaeda Sister Toldjah / Sister Toldjah :    WH counterterrorism chief: Criticizing Obama only aids Al Qaeda

ADAM / NYT Op-Ed Contributor: Iran’s Two-Edged Bomb   —  Believe it or not, there are some potential benefits to the United States should Iran build a bomb. Hyscience :    Be happy about a nuclear Iran? Editor / Deja vu � Judith Apter Klinghoffer :    IRAN, LIKE AL QAEDA YEMEN, WANTS BUT CAN'T

Hotair.com Brennan: Our critics are helping al-Qaeda   —  Wait — before I write this post, I want to give a senior Obama administration official a word first: With Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s point in mind, let’s turn to the conclusion of the op-ed written by John Brennan, Barack Obama’s Deputy National Security Adviser, on the merits of public discourse and dissent ... Scott / Power Line :    The lassitude of John Brennan Jim Hoft / Gateway Pundit :    Obama Top Advisor & Political Hack Says National Security Critics Are Serving Al-Qaeda Www.washingtonexaminer.com GOP fires back: White House did not tell us about reading Abdulmutallab his rights   —  Republican lawmakers are denying a charge made by top White House counterterrorism official John Brennan that they were briefed about -- and did not object to -- the decision to offer full American constitutional rights to accused Detroit bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab. Scott / Power Line :    The lassitude of John Brennan AJStrata / The Strata-Sphere :    Liberals Whine About Political Heat On National Security, Then Claim Christmas Day Bombing Attempt A US Success Tom Maguire / JustOneMinute How We Can Learn To Stop Worrying And Love Iran's Bomb   —  Let a smile be your umbrella - the NY Times runs a guest oped ed finding many silver linings in the possibility that Iran may eventually develop a nuclear bomb. The author, Adam B. Lowther, is "a defense analyst at... Hyscience :    Be happy about a nuclear Iran? DAVID BROOKS / NYT Op-Ed Columnist: The House of Tranquillity   —  Barack Obama and Joe Biden once had a Felix and Oscar air about them. But in recent months, Obama has found a way to use Biden’s skills, while Biden has found ways to be of use. Philip Klein / AmSpecBlog Al-Qaeda-Linked Radical in London Sees Terrorist Attacks "Even Bigger Than in 2001"   —  CBN's Erick Stakelbeck has an eye-opening new report in which he interviews some of London's leading Islamic radicals. Several of them are wanted on terrorism charges in other nations, but... The Daily Star > Politics Al-Qaeda in Yemen calls for attacks on US 'everywhere'   —  Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), the Yemen-based group that claimed a botched Christmas Day attack on a US airliner, on Monday called for US interests to be targeted "everywhere.""American and Crusader interests are everywhere and their agents are moving everywhere," the militant group's number two, Said al-Shihri, said in an audio ... 44 Brennan: Political 'fear-mongering' serves 'the goals of al-Qaeda'   —  By Scott Wilson President Obama's top counter-terrorism adviser asserted Tuesday that "too many in Washington are now misrepresenting the facts to score political points" regarding the administration's handling of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the alleged Christmas Day bomber. In a brief opinion piece published in USA Today, John O. Brennan ... Ed Morrissey / Hot Air » Top Picks Brennan: Our critics are helping al-Qaeda   —  Accountability is suddenly not patriotic. Annalthouse / Althouse "The View" women — joined by Meghan McCain — trash Sarah Palin and Tom Tancredo.   —  The smugness and condescension of these women is irritating as hell, but please watch, so we can talk about this: There's no balance, with Meghan McCain in lieu of Elisabeth Hasselbeck. McCain is way too eager to win the love of liberals. She says: Congressman Tancredo went on TV, and he was the first opening speaker, and he said, "People who ... Michael Moore The Expanding US War in Pakistan   —  Three US special forces soldiers were killed in northwest Pakistan this week, confirming that the US military is more deeply engaged on the ground in Pakistan than previously acknowledged by the White House and Pentagon (see " The Secret US War in Pakistan ," November 23, 2009). The soldiers died Wednesday in Lower Dir when their convoy was hit ...

2. Boehner, Cantor Question White House on Proposed Health Care Summit 13 hours ago   permalink

Republicanleader.house.gov

We welcome President Obama’s announcement of forthcoming bipartisan health care talks.  In fact, you may remember that last May, Republicans asked President Obama to hold bipartisan discussions on health care in an attempt to find common ground, but he declined and instead chose to work with only Democrats. 

discussions

Mike Memoli / Real Clear Politics :   Those Were The Days

Moe Lane (Profile) / RedState :   The GOP/White House ‘discussion’ on health care, simplified.

() / The Corner on National Review Online :   Gibbs and Take -- By: Daniel Foster Jim Hoft / Gateway Pundit :   GOP House Leaders Say They’ll Meet With White House On Health Care If They Start Over Annalthouse / Althouse :   Health care summit update: Boehner & Cantor respond to Obama and Gibbs to Boehner & Cantor. NPR Blogs :   White House, GOP Trade Letters About 'Health Summit'; Read Them Hotline On Call :   Tuesday's Starting Lineup Daily Intel :   Democrats, Republicans Can’t Even Agree on Conditions for Kabuki Health-Care Summit

related items

Voices.washingtonpost.com Top House Republicans throw cold water on health-care summit   —  In a letter to White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, House Minority Leader John A. Boehner (Ohio) and Minority Whip Eric Cantor (Va.) expressed frustration at reports that Obama intends to put the Democratic bills on the table for discussion at the Feb. 25 summit. Dan / Riehl World View :    Healthcare Chicken: Boehner, Cantor Push Back On WH Media Strategy Radley Balko / Hit :    Reason Morning Links: GOP Threates to Sit Out Health Care Summit, Toyota Recalls Prius, Thirdhand Smoke

Voices.washingtonpost.com The six Republican ideas already in the health-care reform bill   —  At this point, I don't think it's well understood how many of the GOP's central health-care policy ideas have already been included as compromises in the health-care bill. But one good way is to look at the GOP's "Solutions for America" homepage, which lays out its health-care plan in some detail. It has four planks. All of them -- yes, you read ... Jon Perr / Crooks and Liars :    For Republicans, No Means No Andrew Sullivan / The Daily Dish :    The Obama Summit

Mark Murray / First Read First thoughts: Gridlock   —  Bipartisanship -- or the lack thereof -- is on full display today… Congressional Democratic and GOP leaders head to the White House to talk about the jobs bill… But Boehner and Cantor lay out conditions for their participation at the upcoming meeting on health care… And Senate poised to filibuster NLRB pick… It looks like engagement with ... Taegan Goddard :    Special Election for Murtha's Seat Www.kaiserhealthnews.org Sebelius To GOP: 'Don't Get Wrong Impression' About Obama Health Summit   —  A day after President Barack Obama invited Republicans in Congress to a bipartisan health care summit, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said no one should get the wrong impression. ABC News :    The Note: Bipartisanship as Frozen as Washington ABCNews.com / The Note :    Frozen Phase: Invite Won’t Thaw Health Care Politics Media Matters for America Conservative media preemptively attack Obama's bipartisan health care summit   —  Numerous conservative media outlets have criticized President Obama's plan to hold a bipartisan health care summit "to go through systematically all the best ideas that are out there and move it forward," by attacking the summit as a "dog and pony" show or a "PR stunt" before the event has even occurred. Additionally, some have urged Republicans ... ABCNews.com / Political Punch Will There Be a Bipartisan Health Care Reform Summit? We Shall See   —  House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, and House Minority Whip Eric Cantor, R-Va., sent a letter to White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel about the president's proposed health care reform summit today, asking if the "President is sincere about... Yahoo! News GOP wary of pitfalls in Obama's health care summit   —  AP - Even as Republicans publicly welcome President Barack Obama's call for a bipartisan confab on health care, some privately worry that he might be laying a trap to portray their ideas as flimsy. CNN / CNN Bipartisan meeting at the White House   —  President Barack Obama holds a bipartisan meeting at the White House Tuesday morning. Jobs, the economy, and health care are expected to be on the agenda. Washington (CNN) - President Barack Obama holds a bipartisan meeting at the White House Tuesday morning. Jobs, the economy, and health care are expected to be on the agenda. [...] Politics House GOP may opt out of health summit   —  In a letter, Republican leaders ask President Obama to scrap existing the bills and start over, but the White House stands firm. FOXNews.com Republicans Privately Worry Obama May Be Laying Trap With Televised Health Care Summit   —  The House's top two Republican leaders openly questioned Obama's sincerity and hinted they might skip the meeting if he uses the Democratic bills as the starting point for discussions. Michelle Malkin / Michelle Malkin Will the White House demand that every business “justify” its price increases?   —  There is now a coordinated effort underway to demonize Anthem Blue Cross in California for raising rates. Obama singled the company out in a 60 Minutes interview over the weekend and HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is playing dutiful attack dog, demanding that Anthem “justify” its rate hikes to the federal government: Editor / Roll Call Daily News Top House Republicans Set Ground Rules for Health Care Talks   —  In a tersely worded letter to White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel on Monday, Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) and Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) wrote that Republicans "would rightly be reluctant" to participate in the Feb. 25 bipartisan health care meeting if the White House refused to consider scrapping the current health care ... Daily Kos / Daily Kos :    GOP Won't Play if They Can't Win NYT Bills Stalled, Hospitals Fear Rising Unpaid Care   —  While the debate continues in Washington, health care systems nationwide struggle to offset money spent to treat patients who cannot afford to pay their bills. Glenn Reynolds / Instapundit CHANGE: Gallup: Obama approval hits new lows on economy, health care, deficit….   —  CHANGE: Gallup: Obama approval hits new lows on economy, health care, deficit. Michael D. Shear / Wash Post Politics Republicans may opt out of Obama's health-care summit   —  Leading House Republicans raised the prospect Monday night that they may decline to participate in President Obama's proposed health-care summit if the White House chooses not to scrap the existing reform bills and start over. Taegan Goddard Republicans Threaten Boycott of Health Care Summit   —  House Republican leaders raised the prospect "that they might refuse to participate in President Obama's proposed health care summit if the White House chooses not to scrap the existing reform bills and start over," the Washington Post reports. New York Times : "It is not clear that Republicans and the White House are willing to negotiate ... ROBERT STEIN / The Moderate Voice Before the Health-Care Summit   —  In a pre-Super Bowl interview, President Obama told Katie Couric about a televised bipartisan health-care meeting on February 25th to go through “all the best ideas…and move it forward.” If he hadn’t been absorbed in the game, watching Bill Moyers Journal would have given him a more productive idea than meeting with members of ... Michael Moore Top House Republicans throw cold water on health-care summit   —  Leading House Republicans raised the prospect Monday night that they might refuse to participate in President Obama's proposed health care summit if the White House chooses not to scrap the existing reform bills and start over. In a letter to White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, House Minority Leader John A. Boehner (Ohio) and Minority Whip ... The Swamp Health-care summit: Maybe, maybe not   —  by Mark Silva The "party of no'' is sounding today like the party of maybe - or maybe not. With the White House planning a Feb. 25 summit of bipartisan congressional leaders to discuss health-care legislation, the House's Republican leaders have warned the administration that they may not be able to attend if the White House insists on pressing ... Steve / Sweetness Small Businesses Refused TARP Money   —  From Jake Tapper at ABC News: A Tale Both Positive and a Cautionary: President Obama’s Phantom $15 Billion Program for Small Businesses Jake Tapper February 08, 2010 Last March 16, President Obama and Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner announced a new $15 billion program to help encourage loans to small businesses — the Unlocking Credit for ... Sifu Tweety Fish / The Poor Man Institute **** POOR MAN EXCLUSIVE **** MUST CREDIT THE POOR MAN **** SECRET GOP TALKING POINTS ****   —  By working our network of highly-placed sources in DC Republican circles (thanks, Kandy! You deserve all the bills that fit in that garter.) we’ve been able to acquire a copy of Mitch McConnell’s secret GOP talking points on the upcoming health care summit. We’ve reprinted them below. CONDFIDENTIAL — NOT FOR RELEASE TO ... Media Matters for America Quick Fact: Carlson falsely claimed Republicans were "sidelined" in health care reform debate   —  On the February 9 edition of Fox & Friends , co-host Gretchen Carlson advanced the false claim that Republicans had been "sidelined through the whole" health care "discussion." In fact, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee and Senate Finance Committee bills contained nearly 200 Republican amendments. From the ... Editor / Pro-Life News Abomination In The White House Used National Prayer Breakfast to Attack Anti-Sodomy Laws for Uganda   —  Ugandan Christian minister Martin Ssempa has issued a strong rebuttal to Obama’s criticism of his country for considering passage of a law to discourage and punish certain homosexual practices. “Sodomy is neither the change we want nor can believe in,”... Jwinkis / Say Anything Obama Adminstration Claims White House Photos Are For News Organizations Only   —  Normally photos taken by government employees in the course of their duties fall in the public domain. That is apparently changing under the Obama administration, which is now claiming full copyright privilege in asserting that its photos can only be used by news organizations . Why this is happening isn’t entirely clear at this point, but ... Michael Moore White House official: Feb. 25 health care meeting to be televised   —  Washington -- President Obama's bipartisan meeting on health care reform planned for February 25 will be broadcast live, a senior administration official said Monday. Coverage details were not complete, but the official said the White House expected "the whole thing to be live." The half-day meeting is an attempt by the Obama administration to ... Matthew Balan / NewsBusters.org Cafferty Revisits His Palin Derangement Syndrome, But Slams Obama Too   —  CNN’s Jack Cafferty returned to bashing Sarah Palin, one of his favorite subjects of scorn, on Monday’s Situation Room, but also slammed President Obama and top Democrats again for their closed-door negotiations on health care “reform.” Cafferty, along with anchor Wolf Blitzer, poked fun of Palin for writing talking points on her hand ... John Cole / Balloon Juice ATTN: White House   —  This is a real opportunity : Leading House Republicans raised the prospect Monday night that they might refuse to participate in President Obama’s proposed health care summit if the White House chooses not to scrap the existing reform bills and start over. In a letter to White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, House Minority Leader John A. Moe Lane (Profile) / RedState Health care rationing bill gets nuked from orbit.   —  OK, let’s walk through this. Mind you, I’ve already declared this bill dead anyway . Back in November of 2009, the House of Representatives passed a health care rationing bill , 220-215. For the purposes of this discussion, we will note four Congressman ‘yea’ votes: Abercrombie of Hawaii; Cao (R) of Louisiana; Murtha of ... Daily Kos / Daily Kos Tributes to Murtha   —  The White House released this statement on the passing of Rep. John Murtha. Michelle and I were deeply saddened today to hear about the passing of Congressman John Murtha. Jack was a devoted husband, a loving father and a steadfast advocate for the people of Pennsylvania for nearly 40 years. His passion for service was born during his decorated ... Keith D. Milby / Keith D. Milby : No high hopes for health care summit   —  Immediately after President Barack Obama announced a bipartisan health reform summit, Democrats and Republicans made clear they have almost no expectation the half-day meeting can break a bitter yearlong standoff. via No high hopes for health care summit - Carrie Budoff Brown and Patrick O’Connor - POLITICO.com . Editor / Roll Call Daily News GOP Fears Obama's Health Summit Is a Trap   —  President Barack Obama's call for a bipartisan health care summit was greeted with suspicion Monday by Congressional Republicans, who vowed to approach the televised Feb. 25 meeting with open minds even as they worried that the White House was using them as political "props." Nick Baumann / Mojo Feed The Economist's Bizzare Health Care Claim   —  In an editorial in Friday's issue bemoaning American politicians' inability to tackle the budget deficit, The Economist offers this bizzare, unsupported assertion: Health care offered a chance to [reduce government spending on social insurance programs such as Medicare and Medicaid] (broader coverage could come with tougher cost controls). But a ... () / Media Blog on National Review Online Today is Childhood Obesity Day at the White House -- By: Greg Pollowitz   —  Washington Post : WASHINGTON -- First lady Michelle Obama says she loves burgers and fries, but she wants her daughters - and the rest of America's children - to learn about better nutrition and exercise. On Tuesday, she is launching Let's Move, a nationwide campaign to fight childhood obesity. In an interview in Tuesday's USA Today, Mrs. Obama ... Ed Morrissey / Hot Air » Top Picks USA Today refuses to “cheerlead” for Brennan, White House   —  Are they helping al-Qaeda, too? ABC News White House Presses Anthem Blue Cross on Rate Hike   —  The Obama administration is demanding answers from California's largest insurance company, Anthem Blue Cross, about to why the company is suddenly raising premiums on some customers by up to 39 percent; more than 10 times the rate of inflation. Insurance - California - WellPoint - Presidency of Barack Obama - Business Ed Morrissey / Hot Air » Top Picks GOP: White House has politicized terror all along   —  Just the facts, ma'am. Morgan Cohen / TPM Obama Signs Memorandum On Childhood Obesity   —  The White House released the remarks delivered by President Obama today at the signing of a memorandum on childhood obesity. Read them in full after the jump. THE PRESIDENT: Good morning, everybody. I am so proud of the work that the First Lady, along with the Cabinet Secretaries behind me, have done in trying to tackle one of the most urgent ... Morgan Cohen / TPM Obama To Congressional Leadership: We Must Move Forward On Jobs Package   —  The White House released the transcript of remarks delivered today by President Obama before he met with leaders of the House and Senate. Read the full text after the jump. THE PRESIDENT: Hello, everybody. Well, I want to thank both Democratic and Senate Leaders -- Democratic Senate Leaders, Democratic House Leaders, as well as Republican ...

3. Ben Nelson will back GOP filibuster 6 hours ago   permalink

Www.politico.com

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) announced Monday evening that he will support a Republican-led filibuster over President Barack Obama's nominee to serve on the National Labor Relations Board.

discussions

Streiff (Profile) / RedState :   Craig Becker Defeated

Steven L. Taylor / PoliBlog :   An Extremely Modest Proposal in Regards to the Senate

Steve Benen / Political Animal :   Nelson's love of obstructionism MyDD :   Might Ben Nelson Switch Parties for 2012? () / The Corner on National Review Online :   Ben Will Back Becker 'Buster -- By: Daniel Foster BrothersJudd Blog :   RUNNING SCARED:

related items

Bennelson.senate.gov Senator Nelson Will Oppose Nominee With Personal Agenda   —  February 8, 2010 – Today, Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson announced that he will oppose a cloture motion to proceed to a vote and will vote no on the nomination of Craig Becker to be a board member of the National Labor Relations Board. The five-member board serves as a quasi-judicial body in deciding cases under the National Labor ... Philip Klein / AmSpecBlog :    Nelson Will Join GOP Filibuster of Union Lawyer Nominee Steven L. Taylor / PoliBlog :    An Extremely Modest Proposal in Regards to the Senate Joe Sudbay (DC) / AMERICAblog News :    Ben Nelson opposing Obama nominee to National Labor Relations Board

CNN / CNN Nelson joins GOP in opposition to Obama nominee   —  Sen. Ben Nelson will oppose President Obama's nominee for the National Labor Relations Board (CNN) - Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson joined Republican lawmakers in opposing President Obama's controversial nominee for the National Labor Relations Board. Nelson said Monday he would vote against seating union lawyer Craig Becker on the five-member ...

Michelle Malkin / Michelle Malkin Reports: Democrat Sen. Ben Nelson to oppose radical SEIU appointee   —  I filled you in last October on Craig Becker, the radical SEIU lawyer whom President Obama nominated for a slot on the National Labor Relations Board. Well, in the wake of his abominable health care takeover sellout, beleaguered Democrat Sen. Ben Nelson is reportedly joining the GOP opposition to Becker. The Massachusetts Miracle increases the ... Noreply / FiveThirtyEight Is It The Process, Stupid?   —  Because it was Super Bowl week--and I happened to be watching a rebroadcast of the New York Giants' amazing Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots, in which his son Zack made the tackle on the final kickoff of the game--I checked in with Steve DeOssie , an acquaintance of mine who also won a Super Bowl ring for the New York Giants, back ... NPR Topics Sen. Ben Nelson To Help Thwart Labor Nominee   —  The Nebraska Democrat says he will join with Republicans to oppose the nomination of Craig Becker to serve on the National Labor Relations Board. Nelson is the first Democrat to come out against the nomination. His decision likely means that Democrats cannot find the 60 votes needed to overcome a GOP filibuster of the nominee. The Seattle Times With Nelson, GOP blocks Obama labor board nominee   —  Senate Democrats are unable to muscle through President Barack Obama's choice of a union attorney for the National Labor Relations Board, because one of their own has joined the Republicans to block the nomination. Ed Morrissey / Hot Air » Top Picks Nelson to support filibuster on Becker   —  Penance?

4. Republicans -- Not Obama -- More Often on Wrong Side of Public Opinion 5 hours ago   permalink

Noreply / FiveThirtyEight

One of the more commonplace assertions among pundits on the center-right -- made rather carelessly by Victor Davis Hanson and more thoughtfully by Jay Cost, is that agenda put forward by Obama and the Democrats is overwhelmingly unpopular and that Democrats are simply getting their comeuppance for having pushed such a liberal set of reforms ...

discussions

Taegan Goddard :   Republicans on Wrong Side of Public Opinion

Joe Sudbay (DC) / AMERICAblog News :   On most issues, the GOP is out of step with the American people

News Cut :   Five at 8 - 2/9/10: Trying to make sense

related items

Www.washingtontimes.com Poll: Special interests more influential under Obama   —  Contrary to President Obama's promises, voters say special interests have more influence on the political process now than they did a year ago, according to a new poll. Glenn Reynolds / Instapundit :    POLL: Special Interests More Influential Under Obama…. Keith D. Milby / Keith D. Milby : :    Poll: Special interests more influential under Obama

Justin Elliott / TPM Palin Advocates War With Iran After Apparently Misunderstanding Buchanan Column   —  Citing a column by Pat Buchanan that clearly argues against conflict with Iran, Sarah Palin on Sunday suggested that a war with Iran would be good policy and a boon for President Obama's 2012 reelection hopes. Buchanan's column , "Will Obama Play The War Card?" was a rebuttal of Daniel Pipes call last week for Obama to bomb Iran to save his ... Steve Benen / Political Animal :    Even dumber than we thought Owillis / Oliver Willis :    That’s Because She’s Dumb

Myglesias / Matthew Yglesias Marc Thiessen: Obama is Too Good at Killing Terrorists   —  As I was observing last night, for a bunch of people who like to slam liberals as insufficiently cruel and bloodthirsty, violent dimwits like Marc Thiessen expend a remarkable amount of time and energy trying to downplay and sugar-coat what it is they’re trying to say. So Foreign Policy magazine, which has a bizarre obsession [...] Steve Benen / Political Animal :    Too weak and too tough at the same time NPR Blogs Michelle Obama Escalates War On Childhood Obesity   —  President Barack Obama smiles in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, before signing a memorandum on childhood obesity. Standing, from left are, Education Secretary Arne Duncan, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, first lady Michelle Obama, and Interior ... Daily Kos / Daily Kos Today in Congress. Maybe.   —  In the House, courtesy of the Office of the Majority Leader: Majority Leader Hoyer Statement on House Floor Schedule WASHINGTON, DC – House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement tonight on the schedule for the U.S. House of Representatives: "Due to the weather affecting the ability of Members to travel to ... Gabriel Winant / Salon GOP dusts off Bush playbook   —  There is something of a master narrative of the early Obama administration currently emerging into view, issue by issue. It goes like this: a given situation is in a disastrous state of disarray when the new president and his staff take the reins. A rough and unsteady policy consensus forms among area experts and crucial political actors about ... Brian Darling (Profile) / RedState Paul Krugman’s Filibuster Fear-Mongering   —  The latest in a long line of attacks on the filibuster comes from Paul Krugman of the New York Times .  Krugman, better known professor of Economics and International Affairs at Princeton University and and Captain of the Obama Administration Cheerleading Squad, wrote a column arguing that the filibuster is destroying America.  Krugman argued ... Erick Erickson (Profile) / RedState Morning Briefing for   —  RedState Morning Briefing For February 9, 2010 Go to www.RedStateMB.com to get the Morning Briefing every morning at no charge. 1. The Obama Trap and the GOP 2. The Voters Of PA-12 Will Choose A New Representative Through A Special Election 3. Mike Pence Endorses Marco Rubio 4. Focus on the Family and Pam Tebow Play the Pro-Abortion Left like a ... Mail / Democracy Now! Obama Administration: US Forces Can Assassinate Americans Believed to Be Involved in Terrorist Activity   —  The Obama administration has acknowledged it's continuing a Bush-era policy authorizing the killing of US citizens abroad. The confirmation came from Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair in congressional testimony last week. Blair said, "Being a US citizen will not spare an American from getting assassinated by military or intelligence ... David Edwards / Raw Story CNN source: Medical error may be to blame for Murtha’s death   —  Rep. John Murtha's sudden death Monday may have been due to a surgical error, according to a source close to a congressman. Murtha was admitted to the hospital on Jan 31. after suffering an infection resulting from gallbladder surgery. He died days later. "This should have been a really simple surgery. Laparoscopic gallbladder removal usually is [. Stephen C. Webster / Raw Story As Blair blasts Iraq ‘conspiracy’ hunt, British officials eye Bush, aides   —  Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair wants the public to believe that his motives in helping the United States invade Iraq were completely pure. The reasons for an inquiry into his government's actions, he argued during a recent interview, stem merely from an "obsession" to uncover a grand "conspiracy" to take the two nations to [...] Scott Whitlock / NewsBusters.org An Emotional George Stephanopoulos Coos: Murtha Made Congress ‘Work,’ Skips Smear on Marines   —  Good Morning America’s George Stephanopoulos on Tuesday became emotional over the passing of John Murtha, named by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington as one of Congress’ most corrupt politicians. He lauded the Democrat as " one of those guys who make the [House of Representatives] work. [Audio available here .] ... Editor / Truthdig Congress Has a Snow Day   —  Thanks to the lousy weather pummeling the nation’s capital, Congress is taking some time off. The House canceled all business pending bluer skies, while the Senate convened for a whole five minutes Monday. As of this posting, there is a 100 percent chance of snow in the forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday. Yahoo! News Bernanke's Congress hearing put off due to weather   —  Reuters - U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's scheduled testimony before Congress on Wednesday has been postponed due to inclement weather, the House of Representatives Financial Services Committee said on Tuesday. Www2.timesdispatch.com HINKLE—Surveillance Society: Obama Takes a Blue Pencil to the Bill of Rights   —  No more illegal wiretapping of American citizens . . . .This administration acts like violating civil liberties is the way to enhance our security. It is not. Glenn Reynolds / Instapundit :    HEY, WAIT A MINUTE: Surveillance Society: Obama Takes a Blue Pencil to the Bill of Rights. They to… Yahoo! News Obama: GOP and Dems together can spur job growth   —  AP - President Barack Obama acknowledged the deep partisan divisions gripping Congress, but he urged Republican and Democratic leaders Tuesday to cooperate on legislation that creates jobs. James Joyner / Outside The Beltway DC Snow Record Likely   —  The DC region will likely reach record levels of snow over the next 24-36 hours, With the impending storm for [today] and Wednesday, we have a legitimate chance for an all-time (since records have been kept in the late 1800s) seasonal snow record. Our big weekend storm surged Reagan National Airport’s seasonal total to 45″ with the [... Democratic National Committee Morning Open Thread   —  Good morning. President Barack Obama hugs retiring White House butler James Ramsey, as First Lady Michelle Obama looks on, in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House, Jan. 25, 2010. Photo by Pete Souza. CNN / CNN Michelle Obama launching campaign against childhood obesity   —  Turn off the television, drink more water and serve smaller portions to fight childhood obesity, first lady Michelle Obama is urging as she launches a national campaign against childhood obesity. Washington (CNN) – Turn off the television, drink more water and serve smaller portions to fight childhood obesity, first lady Michelle Obama is ... Howie / The Jawa Report Was Obama Really Born?   —  You know, we really don't run many Birther posts either way. But Big Journalism was able to get Bushhitler and Star Wars and as this cool icon all in today's post about the endless pursuit of Barack Obama's removal based... MacRanger / Macsmind Heading for the 30s: Obama’s Number go Sub-40s   —  By Summer, I’m predicting south of 40. As it is now? “Independent voters see Pres. Obama in a negative light by a nearly 2-1 margin, according to a new Marist College survey, while almost half of voters say he has failed to meet their expectations. The poll, conducted Feb. 1-3, showed just 44% of registered voters approving of Obama&# ... Owillis / Oliver Willis Christopher Nolan Working On Superman Reboot?   —  I know that I’m in a minority of people who liked Superman Returns, but I understand the movie’s flaws to the non-diehards as well as the need for Warner Bros./DC to have a flagship character like Superman be on the big screen. So the idea that Christopher Nolan, the guy who’s done such a bang-up [...] () / The Corner on National Review Online 'The Limits of Blaming Bush' -- By: Veronique de Rugy   —  President Obama never tires of blaming President Bush for the deficit our nation faces. Tobe sure, the Bush-era deficits were bad. I spent a great deal of time in the last eight years protesting our last president’s lack of fiscal responsibility ( here and here , for instance). And yes , a large part of the fiscal 2009 deficit was the result of ... Media Matters for America More GOP promotion: Fox News lets Hayworth plug his website   —  On Fox News' Your World , guest host Stuart Varney let former Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ) promote his candidacy for Arizona's U.S. Senate seat and encourage viewers to visit his campaign website. Fox News has promoted the political campaigns of other GOP candidates this year -- including helping them raise funds and solicit volunteers. Fox again ... Ezra Klein If the summit fails ...   —  This isn't a very encouraging plan : Mr. Obama has repeatedly said Democrats' messy negotiations soured the public. The White House now hopes that a better, more public process will boost public support and give congressional Democrats enough confidence to pass the bill, using a parliamentary procedure that requires just 51 Senate votes. So far, ... Pareene / Gawker Lady-Slasher's Last Day in New York Senate?   —  Today, the New York State Senate may (or may not) expel violent lady-slasher Hiram Monserrate . There are extra sergeants-at-arms and state troopers posted inside and outside the chambers, just in case. (They should hide bottles and glassware!) Monserrate was accused of slashing his girlfriend's face with a broken glass in a jealous rage. But ... Forum Drillgate: Internal Emails Shows Obama Team Lying to Public   —  If you’re the President of the United States or one of his political appointees and you’re ideologically opposed to new oil and natural gas development offshore, what do you do when the public registers its overwhelming support for new drilling in public opinion polls?You dance, delay, and deceive. You speak melodious words about ... () / Articles on National Review Online The Potent Tea Party -- By: Rich Lowry   —  Editor’s note: This column is available exclusively through King Features Syndicate. For permission to reprint or excerpt this copyrighted material, please contact: kfsreprint@hearstsc.com, or phone 800-708-7311, ext. 246. N o one has vested more hope in the tea-party movement than the Democrats. For all the scorn and abuse they’ve heaped on the ... AJStrata / The Strata-Sphere The Obama Administration’s Bait & Switch Schtick Is Getting Old   —  Want to know why President Obama and the Democrats are cratering with the American People? It could be we are tired of all the lofty BS followed by lousy results culminating insulting excuses. Rewind back to inauguration day and the promises that had been collected during the campaign which were supposedly about to come true. Americans elected ... 44 GOP wary of Obama's overtures   —  By Ben Pershing It takes two to tango, and when it comes to President Obama's recent overtures toward bipartisanship, Republicans aren't sure yet whether they want to dance. Obama will host a bipartisan, bicameral meeting of congressional leaders Tuesday at the White House, just as both Republicans and Democrats are still digesting the president' ... ABCNews.com / The Note Minnesota Billboard Asks: Missing George W. Bush Yet?   —  ABC News’ Karen Travers reports: If you are driving down I-35 near Wyoming, MN, look up and consider the question being posed from the side of the highway. A billboard with a large grinning picture of former President George W. Bush asks: “Miss Me Yet?” The billboard was first stopped by Minnesota Public Radio but it is not yet clear who ... SPIEGEL ONLINE GM-Plan für Opel: Taktik statt Vision   —  Gib du mir, dann geb ich dir: GM-Manager Nick Reilly stellt milliardenschwere Investitionen für Opel in Aussicht - doch vorher soll der Staat zahlen, sollen Tausende Mitarbeiter gehen. Landespolitiker sind skeptisch, Autoexperten halten das Konzept für oberflächlich. The Swamp Michelle Obama's cause: Child obesity   —  by Mark Silva and updated at 9:35 am EST The first lady has embarked on a cause, as anyone near a television set today will see: Michelle Obama will appear on Good Morning America and a run of other shows through PBS' Newshour tonight with a wake-up call for families overlooking childhood obesity. The first lady also has acknowledged the "guilty ... Dan / Riehl World View Obama Creates NOAA - Climate Service.   —  Is Obama not listening, does he not care? Or, is it both? The Obama administration announced plans yesterday to create a new National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Service. The proposed entity would provide "user-friendly" information to help governments and businesses adapt to climate change, creating a central federal source ... Annalthouse / Althouse "Miss me yet?"   —  A billboard out in Minnesota, in a place called Wyoming... I've been saying "I miss Bush" for a while. Here , I said it in a post at the end of the year. And at least one commenter said it a year ago: Patm said... I miss Bush. He never said the time for talk was over. 2/10/09 4:26 PM Ha! What a funny context. Patm was responding to this, from me: Jeralyn / TalkLeft Sentencing Memos Filed in Bernie Kerik Case   —  Former NY Police Commissioner Bernie Kerik is scheduled to be sentenced in a few weeks on his guilty plea to various tax offenses and false statement charges. Both sides filed lengthy sentencing statements yesterday . Both parties have agreed to a guideline sentence in the range of 27 to 33 months. The Government is clearly hoping for the max of ... Daily Intel Richard Shelby Releases His Stranglehold on the Federal Government   —  After five days, the Great Cotton State Cockblock of '10 has finally come to an end. Last night, Alabama senator Richard Shelby decided to release his vicelike grip on all but three of President Obama's more than 70 federal appointees awaiting confirmation, having achieved his goal of "get[ting] the White House's attention." But like a child who ... Michael Moore Palin's Tea Party Crib Notes   —  UPDATE: (New updates and media reactions after the photos) Closer inspection of a photo of Sarah Palin, during a speech in which she mocked President Obama for his use of a teleprompter, reveals several notes written on her left hand. The words "Energy", "Tax" and "Lift American Spirits" are clearly visible. There's also what appears to read as " ... Truthout Alabama Senator Shelby Backs Down From Blocking Obama's Nominees   —  An Alabama Senator with long-standing ties to the US military-industrial complex and an outspoken critic of President Barack Obama is backing down from a direct confrontation with the White House today after taking the unprecedented step of announcing last week that he would filibuster all the president's appointments to secure earmarks for his ... GrassrootsPA Comments J_Cooley - John Murtha dies...   —  Fayette County has been controlled by a Democrat machine for my entire lifetime, complete with one titular "head" who essentially runs the county. This together with an absolutely ineffective, virtually inactive Republican party makes it near impossible to get any kind of change made. However, a Republican ran very well in a race that ... Daily Kos / Daily Kos Shelby drops blanket hold, but still blocks Air Force nominees   —  Republican Senator Richard Shelby of Alabama has dropped his "blanket hold" on all Obama administration nominees: Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) has dropped all but a handful of the 70-plus holds he placed on President Obama's nominees last week. Shelby's office told TPMDC today that the goal of the blanket holds had succeeded three days after it ... Susie Madrak / Crooks and Liars Krugman: A Vote For A Republican, No Matter What You Think Of Him As A Person, is A Vote For Paralysis   —  Paul Krugman hits the nail right on the head . Now what are we going to do about it? The truth is that given the state of American politics, the way the Senate works is no longer consistent with a functioning government. Senators themselves should recognize this fact and push through changes in those rules, including eliminating or at least ... Booman Tribune / Booman Tribune We Need a Public Option to Stop This   —  If we don't create competition for our bloated American Health Insurance Corporations (and a public option like Medicare for all would provide that necessary element), we will continue to see these large corporations manipulate their markets to raise rates for health care policies to levels that few if anyone can afford. Example? Anthem Blue Cross, ShrinkWrapped / ShrinkWrapped Race and Fairness   —  To a great many White Americans, the election of Barack Obama brought the hope that our country's long fixation on race and racism might finally be coming to an end. Unfortunately that has not happened, and, if anything, there is... Dafydd / Big Lizards Here's Exactly What We Don't Need   —  One issue where we differ with probably 90% of our readers is the "don't ask, don't tell" (DADT) policy for gays serving in military service. It was enunciated in 1993 by Bill Clinton, later endorsed by George W. Bush and John McCain, along with many conservatives. I suspect that for many conservatives, DADT is a compromise between kicking gays ... Davidswanson / AfterDowningStreet.org Is Congress THE Problem?   —  Nothing Lawrence Lessig says here is false exactly. But if Congress is the problem and the problem is the money, how can there never -- in anybody's predictable articles on this topic -- be any mention of the fact that the president takes more money than any congress member, and power to do most things has been handed over by Congress to the ... Doug Bandow / AmSpecBlog President Obama's Poll Ratings Underwater   —  The latest Marist Poll has bad news for the president. Reports the New York Daily News: President Obama's job approval rating has taken another dive, putting him underwater... Cjmalone / BlueNC Malone files for NC Senate today   —  It was a good feeling to finally make the past several months of campaigning official by filing today for the NC Senate, Dist. 15, at the Wake County Board of Elections. The Republicans were there in force, but I had Democratic Party company after a while. At this point, I am the only Democrat running for the party nomination, but I won't know ... Mediabistro.com Roll Call WH Beat Goes to Bendery   —  We're certain Jen Bendery will not miss her White House pool duty, as happened by mistake last week when her publication (NOT HER) went all Seasonique on Bloomberg's Ed Chen by forgetting to show for Pool duty. Chen then went a little emotionally postal on Roll Call . Last week Bendery said the White House post was just in the "interim". Today ... Jwinkis / Say Anything Terrorism Policy Is All George Bush’s Fault   —  The current administration has made drinking game out of blaming George Bush for every problem in this country. You’d think that President Obama and his staff would be careful not to take policy cues from someone as dangerously stupid and incompetent as they paint his predecessor. Unless of course, it’s politically expedient . “ ... Hyscience The Meaning of Jihad   —  Why is it that so many people, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, "struggle" with the meaning of jihad? What does it really mean and why does the Obama administration not only refuse to associate extremist Islam with violence against us and avoids being intellectually honest about the war we are in, but ignores not only the meaning of jihad but even ... Reuters Obama's healthcare summit sets stage for end-game   —  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's call for a healthcare summit including both his fellow Democrats and Republicans sets the stage for a final push to get stalled legislation through Congress, but skeptical Republicans said on Monday the only solution is to start over. Gary Gross / California Conservative The Obama Administration’s Misuse of Miranda   —  Last week, the Obama administration went to great lengths that they were still getting information from Nigerian terrorist Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab despite the FBI’s Mirandizing him. Frankly, that’s missing the point. Here’s what Wikipedia says about Miranda rights: The Miranda warnings were mandated by the 1966 United States ... Right Mind / Right Mind Marist Poll: Obama Hits Lowest Approval Mark, especially among Independents   —  “Indie” here means independent voters. From Hotline On Call : Independent voters see Pres. Obama in a negative light by a nearly 2-1 margin, according to a new Marist College survey, while almost half of voters say he has failed to meet their expectations. The poll, conducted Feb. 1-3, showed just 44% of registered voters approving of ... () / Articles on National Review Online Federalizing Fat -- By: Julie Gunlock   —  M ichelle Obama has recently taken up childhood obesity as one of her major policy priorities. Interviewed about this “epidemic,” the first lady discussed in some detail her own children’s supposed weight problems as an illustration of her personal experience with her new signature issue. Mrs. Obama revealed that her daughters’ pediatrician had “ ... MyDD A Government by Clique, A Cabinet Missing in Action   —  When was the last time you heard from Ken Salazar? or Kathleen Sebelius? When was the last time you saw Stephen Chu, the other Nobel laureate in the Administration? How often do you see Gary Locke quoted in the press? How about Arne Duncan? If you are a Thomas Vilsack watcher, you might as well be watching the corn grow. Did Ray LaHood retire or ... The Seattle Times Alabama senator releases holds on Obama nominees   —  Republican Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama will stop blocking Senate confirmation of about 70 government appointees nominated by President Barack Obama, his office said. Online / Detnews.com First lady: President Obama had 'phenomenal year'   —  Washington -- First lady Michelle Obama says President Barack Obama "has done a phenomenal job," but that people have a right to criticize him. Jeff Poor / NewsBusters.org MSNBC's Ratigan Blames 'Snowpocalypse' on Global Warming   —  With Washington, D.C. buried beneath at least 20 inches of snow , and with more in the forecast, common sense would suggest global warming alarmists look elsewhere to make the argument to raise awareness for their concerns. But no, Dylan Ratigan thinks it's ridiculous to suggest all the snowfall totals could cast doubt on the theory of ... Congress Blog Reversing a wrong-- repealing 'don't ask, don't tell'   —  Over the past two weeks, President Obama and leading members of his administration have earned the gratitude of all of us who oppose unfair discrimination Read more... FOXNews.com Obama Hopeful Bipartisan Cooperation Can Spur Job Growth   —  President Obama acknowledged the deep partisan divisions gripping Congress, but he urged Republican and Democratic leaders Tuesday to cooperate on legislation that creates jobs. FOXNews.com Alabama Sen. Shelby Releases Holds on Obama Nominees   —  Republican Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama has released most of the "holds" he had placed on President Obama's nominees, his office said Monday. How Appealing "In interview, Scott Roeder speaks of lacking sympathy"   —  "In interview, Scott Roeder speaks of lacking sympathy": Today's edition of The Kansas City Star contains an article that begins, "As he awaits sentencing for first-degree murder, Scott Roeder said in an interview released Monday that he has little sympathy for Wichita abortion doctor George Tiller's family." SayUncle / SayUncle Obama: I’m just like Bush   —  Whose fault it always is. The Seattle Times Obama to sign proclamation on childhood obesity   —  President Barack Obama will be sticking around the White House today as Washington continues to dig out from its big snowfall, and prepares for another one expected to begin this afternoon. Keith D. Milby / Keith D. Milby : Obama Hits Lowest Approval Mark   —  Independent voters see Pres. Obama in a negative light by a nearly 2-1 margin, according to a new Marist College survey, while almost half of voters say he has failed to meet their expectations. via Obama Hits Lowest Approval Mark - Hotline On Call . Hotline On Call Hotline After Dark -- Polls, Schmolls   —  " World News " led with the Mid-Atlantic snowstorm and hosted an interview with FLOTUS Michelle Obama . " Evening News " led with a Super Bowl recap and featured excerpts of Couric 's 2/7 interview with Pres. Obama . " Nightly News " led with a Super Bowl recap. More of Obama's interview with CBS' Couric aired 2/8 p.m. on "Evening News." Obama, ... Erik Gerding / Conglomerate Incorporated Americans   —  A friend of mine sent me this cartoon on Citizens United . (I’ll leave you to decide if my friend is more real than the Canadian girlfriend I had in high school; she had trouble getting a visa, so didn’t make it down to New Jersey all that much). This got us thinking – what should we call corporations now that the Supreme Court has ... Forum Assault Weapons Ban Introduced in the Maryland State Senate   —  Well folks, just when you thought that there might be some hope that the anti-gun faithful members of the Maryland State Senate had learned their lesson about proposing nonsense bills like bans on so-called assault weapons, they prove otherwise. Senator Mike Lennett (D), District 19, Montgomery County, has introduced SB516, the Maryland Assault ... () / The Corner on National Review Online Worst House Ever -- By: Jonah Goldberg   —  I thought last night's House was not only bad, but also a terrible sign. Fans of the show have long noted that the title of the series is House M.D. , not Cuddy, Hospital Administrator . And yet last night we were treated to a thoroughly dull "day in the life" story of a bring-home-the-bacon-fry-it-up-in-the-pan supermom. The real problem here isn' Michael Moore Intelligence chief acknowledges U.S. may target Americans involved in terrorism   —  Director of National Intelligence Dennis C. Blair acknowledged Wednesday that government agencies may kill U.S. citizens abroad who are involved in terrorist activities if they are "taking action that threatens Americans." Blair told members of the House intelligence committee that he was speaking publicly about the issue to reassure Americans ... Evan McMorris-Santoro / TPM Shelby Spokesperson On The End Of The Blanket Holds   —  Johnathan Graffeo, spokesperson for Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL), send TPMDC the following statement after his boss decided to drop his holds on dozens of Obama nominees Feb. 8 : The purpose of placing numerous holds was to get the White House's attention on two issues that are critical to our national security - the Air Force's aerial refueling ... ABC News WATCH: Michelle Obama on Keeping Her Kids Healthy   —  The first lady discusses changes her family made to promote healthy eating. Michelle Obama - Healthy diet - Health - Barack Obama - United States Hotline On Call Dicks Hopeful For "Powerful Position"   —  Rep. Norm Dicks (D-WA) is making phone calls to fellow members of the House Appropriations Committee to line up the necessary votes to take over a defense panel left vacant by the passing of Rep. John Murtha (D-PA). Dicks and Murtha joined the defense panel the same day in '79, and since Dems took control of the House Dicks served as Murtha's ... Allahpundit / Hot Air » Top Picks Amazing: At 3 a.m., “Red Eye” beating CNN primetime in key demo   —  Domination. ABCNews.com / The Note Something Fishy? Only One Hearing in DC   —  ABC's Tom Shine reports: The U.S. House of Representatives has canceled its session today "DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER." Janet Napolitano was supposed to be on the Hill at 3 p.m. testifying before a House subcommittee -- CANCELED! Ray LaHood was scheduled to talk budget on the Senate side, where he would most certainly be asked where Toyota owners ... Kate / Small dead animals "Who is Afraid of Big Government?"   —  Via Rob Zurrer who writes; Victor Davis Hanson on what I would call a "blow off top" scenario in the bull market in government employees. OK, I am in hope ( a foolish state) that we are dealing with the... Hamilton Nolan / Gawker Prosecutors: Bernie Kerik Was a Republican   —  Disgraced former NYPD commissioner Bernie Kerik is about to be sentenced. Prosecutors are asking for a stiff penalty, since he "became a wealthy man by shamelessly exploiting the most horrific civilian tragedy in this nation's history." So...Giuliani's next? [ NYT ] Joe Sudbay (DC) / AMERICAblog News The Hill: 'Cracks are beginning to show in Emanuel’s once-impregnable political armor'   —  According to The Hill , Democrats on Capitol Hill are focusing their ire on Rahm: Democrats in Congress are holding White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel accountable for his part in the collapse of healthcare reform. The emerging consensus among critics in both chambers is that Emanuel’s lack of Senate experience slowed President Barack Obama� John Cole / Balloon Juice :    Another Day, Another Unsourced “Rahm Sucks” Piece

5. Something Much Darker 10 hours ago   permalink

Www.tnr.com

“Trying to explain the doctrine of the Trinity to readers of The New Republic is not easy.” On June 2, 1944, W.H. Auden penned that sentence in a letter to Ursula Niebuhr. On January 26, 2010, Andrew Sullivan posted it as the “quote for the day” on his blog. Displaced and unglossed quotations are always in some way mordant,

discussions

Joseph Lawler / AmSpecBlog :   Wieseltier Takedown of Sullivan

Glenn Reynolds / Instapundit :   LEON WIESELTIER: Andrew Sullivan has a serious problem. “Sullivan is hunting for motives, not reas…

Ace of Spades HQ :   Something Wicked This Way Emotes: Andrew Sullivan Bashed as Anti-Semite By... Magazine He Formerly Edited, TNRBonus: Sullivan Gives Up Vagina-Blogging to Start... Breast-Blogging! M.J. / TPMCafe :   Inevitable: New Republic Calls Former Editor Andrew Sullivan An Anti-Semite Myglesias / Matthew Yglesias :   Wieseltier vs Sullivan

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AMERICAN DIGEST How Would Sullivan Know? He's an Ass, Man   —  Andrew Sullivan: The Atlantic's Breast Expert? More and more it's becoming clear that Andrew Sullivan must have been abused as a child by some woman in his life at the time. Following that I guess it was open season on the young and unfortunate lad. Still, the child is father to what passes for the man in Andrew's case, and I guess he has to get ...

6. Stimulus foes see value in seeking cash 1 hour ago   permalink

Www.washingtontimes.com

Sen. Christopher S. Bond regularly railed against President Obama's economic stimulus plan as irresponsible spending that would drive up the national debt. But behind the scenes, the Missouri Republican quietly sought more than $50 million from a federal agency for two projects in his state.

discussions

Mike Madden / Salon :   Pork is in the eye of the beholder

Daily Kos / Daily Kos :   Washington Times: GOP lawmakers privately admit stimulus created jobs

Taegan Goddard :   Stimulus Foes Seek Money for Projects

7. McCain, Facing G.O.P. Foe in Primary, Tilts to the Right 13 hours ago   permalink

JENNIFER STEINHAUER / NYT

Challenged by J. D. Hayworth from the airwaves, and soon in a primary, John McCain has moved starkly, and often awkwardly, to the right.

discussions

Aharding / CNN :   POLITICAL HOT TOPICS:

Daily Kos / Daily Kos :   Your Abbreviated Pundit Round-up

Ravi Somaiya / Gawker :   Post Uses Paterson's Fight Against Rumor and Innuendo to Spread Rumors, Innuendo Jon Taplin / TPMCafe :   Be Careful What You Wish For NPR Blogs :   New Reports That Key Taliban Leader May Be Dead; Iran Begins Enriching

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Aharding / CNN McCain's daughter questions Tea Party movement   —  Sen. McCain's daughter Meghan said Monday that young people are turned off by the Tea Party movement. (CNN) – Sen. John McCain's daughter called into question the political stature of the Tea Party movement Monday and sharply criticized a former congressman for his controversial comments at a recent major gathering of these ...

MacRanger / Macsmind Meghan McCain Hasn’t a Clue – What Else is New?   —  Let me be the first, well, not the first to say that Meghan McCain doesn’t matter. She simply doesn’t. No more than John McCain matters when it comes to the resurgence of conservatism in America which is at the heart of the Tea Party Movement. The reason why? This kind of idiocy. “Meghan McCain also decried the divisiveness and ...

JOE GANDELMAN / The Moderate Voice Quote of the Day: Meghan McCain on the Tea Party Convention and Tom Tancredo   —  Arizona Sen. John McCain’s blunt spoken daughter Meghan McCain gives us our political Quote of the Day in her response to the Tea Party convention — particularly former Rep Tom Tancredo’s remarks that a lot of the voters who voted for Barack Obama couldn’t spell the word “vote” or say it in English…and ...

8. NH Poll: Dems Face A Thumpin' 3 hours ago   permalink

Mike Memoli / Real Clear Politics

New Hampshire Democrats have been on a roll for years, particularly at the federal level in winning both House seats in 2006, a Senate race in 2008, and going blue for Democrats in the presidential elections of 2004 and 2008. But a new University of New Hampshire Granite State poll shows that the party is [...]

discussions

W. James Antle / AmSpecBlog :   New Hampshire Not So Blue

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Lachlan Markay / NewsBusters.org Media Liberals Paint Conservatives as 'Birthers', But First Birthers Were Dems   —  Here's something you won't hear from the liberal media: that whole "birther" conspiracy movement? Yeah, that was started by a couple of Democrats, and neither is named Orly Taitz. Their names, in fact, are Linda Starr and Philip Berg, according to John Avalon , author of the new book "Wingnuts: How the Lunatic Fringe is Hijacking ...

Jack Coleman / NewsBusters.org Testicular-Challenged Dems Drive Ed Schultz Nuts   —  Now the Democrats have gone and done it. And what resulted wasn't pretty. Here's libtalker Ed Schultz on his radio show Friday, obsessing on Democrats' acquiescence to the GOP and his diagnosis for what's needed to turn this around ( click for audio here ) -- SCHULTZ: It's time for the Democrats to grow a pair . That was the theme of one of my ...

Hotline On Call Ayotte Still Strongest GOPer Against Hodes   —  No state swung harder towards Dems than NH over the last 2 cycles. But now, that pendulum could be swinging the other way, according to a new survey. The WMUR Granite State Poll, conducted by UNH, tested 444 LVs between Jan. 27 and Feb. 3 for a margin of error of +/- 4.7%. Rep. Paul Hodes (D) was tested against ex-AG Kelly Ayotte (R), atty/'96 ...

9. Skeptics Find Fault With U.N. Climate Panel 4 hours ago   permalink

ELISABETH ROSENTHAL / NYT

Rajendra K. Pachauri and the U.N. panel he leads face accusations of scientific sloppiness and conflicts of interest.

discussions

Glenn Reynolds / Instapundit :   NEW YORK TIMES: U.N. Climate Panel and Chief Face Credibility Siege….

() / The Corner on National Review Online :   All the News That Fit the Foreign Press Last Month -- By: Mark Steyn

Ravi Somaiya / Gawker :   Post Uses Paterson's Fight Against Rumor and Innuendo to Spread Rumors, Innuendo

10. Watch the full episode now. 3 hours ago   permalink

Www.comedycentral.com

Sarah Palin writes notes on her hand, and Jenny Sanford misses the inmates at the governor's mansion.

discussions

Noel Sheppard / NewsBusters.org :   Stephen Colbert Says 'Sarah Palin Is A F**king Retard'

Jason Reif / TPM :   Colbert: 'Sarah Palin Is A F--king Retard'

The Huffington Post News Editors / HuffingtonPost.com :   Colbert To Jonathan Safran Foer : Free Range Means Chickens Run Over Fields Of Flowers, Make Love

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Mike Madden / Salon Colbert takes on Palin's "hand-o-prompter"   —  Think Stephen Colbert was impressed by Sarah Palin's speech to Tea Party Nation and her, ahem, handy way of remembering her talking points? Think again: The Colbert Report Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c Sarah Palin Uses a Hand-O-Prompter www.colbertnation.com Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Economy

Ellen / News Hounds Fox News Goes To Bat For Palin Over Her Hand Notes   —  It’s been less than a month since Sarah Palin joined Fox News and she has already gotten egg on her face thanks to the crib notes on her hand she was caught with on Saturday during a Q&A session after her Tea Party Convention speech. Predictably, Fox News went all out to defend her yesterday (2/8/10). Sadly, even the Democrats pulled their ...

Brendan Nyhan / Brendan Nyhan Twitter roundup   —  Here are some of the latest items from my Twitter feed (follow it!): -Sarah Palin's hand notes are the new Rorschach blot of American politics -My advice? Next time, Palin should write the notes on her shoes like Mike Seaver... KATE ZERNIKE / NYT To Ace This Interview, Palin Keeps Notes Close   —  Sarah Palin glanced at notes, including words like “energy” and “tax cuts,” she had written on her palm to field questions at the Tea Party Convention.

11. Charlie Crist Crisis: Hand-picked Chair Gouged Party With Secret Contract 3 hours ago   permalink

Dan / Riehl World View

I'd say the odds look pretty good you can stick a fork in Charlie Crist . And this news won't do him any favors if he's thinking of running as an Independent. Btw, it also looks like a good day for that Marco Rubio moneybomb . But even the biggest critics of Gov. Charlie Crist's hand-picked chairman were stunned by revelations that he entered ...

discussions

Glenn Reynolds / Instapundit :   UH OH: Trouble for Charlie Crist?…

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Www.tampabay.com Secret contract, lavish spending push Republican Party of Florida to crisis   —  As a volatile election season gets under way, the Republican Party of Florida is facing its biggest crisis of confidence in decades. Donors and party activists are livid over newly revealed records that suggest outgoing chairman Jim Greer used the party as a personal slush fund for lavish travel and entertainment. The records also show that ... Dan / Riehl World View :    Charlie Crist Crisis: Hand-picked Chair Gouged Party With Secret Contract Aharding / CNN :    POLITICAL HOT TOPICS: Taegan Goddard :    Secret Spending Sends Florida GOP into Crisis

Matthew / The Health Care Blog Why Is the Boston Globe Picking On Charlie Baker Again?   —  By DAVID E. WILLIAMS When Charlie Baker began his run for Governor of Massachusetts, the Boston Globe critiqued his record and found it wanting (State aided Baker’s business triumph), a piece that struck me as weakly argued and unfair (Why...

BBC News Critics mock Palin's helping hand for Tea Party speech   —  Sarah Palin is criticised for writing crib notes on her hands for Saturday's high-profile Tea Party speech. Forum Secret contract, lavish spending push Republican Party of Florida to crisis   —  As a volatile election season gets under way, the Republican Party of Florida is facing its biggest crisis of confidence in decades. Donors and party activists are livid over newly revealed records that suggest outgoing chairman Jim Greer used the party as a personal slush fund for lavish travel and entertainment. The records also show that ...

12. U.S. wants Iran sanctions in weeks; embassies attacked 2 hours ago   permalink

Reuters

TEHRAN (Reuters) - The Pentagon said on Tuesday that the United States wanted a U.N. Security Council resolution "within weeks" to tackle Iran's nuclear program as Iran said it had begun making higher-grade nuclear fuel.

discussions

Austin / Congressman Conaway :   Iran Announces Making Nuclear Fuel

related items

News.yahoo.com Iran moves closer to nuke warhead capacity   —  VIENNA – Iran pressed ahead Monday with plans that will increase its ability to make nuclear weapons as it formally informed the U.N. nuclear agency of its intention to enrich uranium to higher levels. Glenn Reynolds / Instapundit :    OH, GOODY: Iran moves closer to nuke warhead capacity….

ALAN COWELL / NYT Iran Is Said to Begin Nuclear Enrichment   —  Brushing aside international threats of stricter sanctions, Iran reportedly began enriching its uranium on Tuesday. Aharding / CNN :    POLITICAL HOT TOPICS: Joshua Keating / FP Passport :    Morning Brief: Tymoshenko challenges Ukraine election result

Agence France-Presse / Raw Story Iran anniversary ‘punch’ will stun West: Khamenei   —  TEHRAN (AFP) - Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Monday that Iran is set to deliver a "punch" that will stun world powers during this week's 31st anniversary of the Islamic revolution. "The Iranian nation, with its unity and God's grace, will punch the arrogance (Western powers) on the 22nd of Bahman (February 11) in [...] Mgutierrez / IPS Inter Press Service US-IRAN: Sanctions Are the Talk of the Day   —  WASHINGTON, Feb 8 (IPS) - If there were any doubts about what exactly U.S. President Barack Obama meant when he warned Iran of "growing consequences" during his State of the Union address last month, they seem to be dispelled by recent statements from top administration officials, who are beating the sanctions drum loud and clear. Raw Story / Raw Story Whoops: Palin advocates war with Iran, apparently misreading column   —  Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has always tried to portray herself as tough on national security. On Sunday, however, Palin may have taken it too far. Speaking to Fox News' Chris Wallace, the onetime Republican vice presidential nominee signaled that she supported war with Iran, referring to a recent online column by conservative Pat Buchanan. "Say he ... Yahoo! News U.S. wants Iran sanctions in weeks; embassies attacked   —  Reuters - The Pentagon said on Tuesday that the United States wanted a U.N. Security Council resolution "within weeks" to tackle Iran's nuclear program as Iran said it had begun making higher-grade nuclear fuel. BBC News Iran 'ups nuclear fuel enriching'   —  Iran has begun the process of enriching uranium to 20% at its plant at Natanz in defiance of the West, state media says. Editor / Israel's News IRAN: 20% Increase on Uranium Stockpile, 15% on Rhetoric   —  “Today Palestine is the symbol of life, determination, faithfulness, diligence, and dignity,” Iran’s Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei told Ramadan Abdullah, the secretary general of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement . “Israel is going downhill toward decline and fall and God willing its obliteration is certain.” In ... AHN Media Iran Begins Enriching Higher-Grade Uranium; Pentagon Calls For New Sanctions   —  Iran began enriching higher-grade uranium on Monday amid calls from the United States for a fourth set of sanctions. The fuel is for a research reactor in the capital of Tehran that produces medical isotopes for cancer patients, according to the Iranian government. - (AHN) L.A. Times Iran plans to build 10 more nuclear plants   —  Despite Western threats of sanctions, Tehran says it will build more nuclear fuel plants and beef up its military. As Iran moved to enrich uranium to a higher level of purity and build new nuclear-fuel plants, U.S. and French defense officials suggested Monday that sanctions were needed to force Tehran to curb its nuclear program. Christian Science Monitor On eve of Iran anniversary, talk of compromise   —  Opposition protesters are ready to rally when Iran's Islamic republic celebrates its 31st birthday on Thursday. Observers say both sides may be prepared to compromise after eight months of unrest.  JOE GANDELMAN / The Moderate Voice Iran’s Latest Defiance: Starts Higher Uranium Enrichment Process   —  Iran has again thumbed its nose the U.S. and other countries that want to halt its nuclear program with its latest defiant move: it has started the higher enrichment process: Iran says it has begun enriching uranium to a higher level, defying international efforts to curb its nuclear activity. Iranian state television quoted officials who said ... Blake Hounshell / FP Passport China is now Iran's top trading partner   —  Still think China's going to sign on to a new round of tough sanctions against Iran? Think again. China has most likely already passed the European Union to become Iran's No. 1 trading partner, the Financial Times reports : Official figures say the EU remains Tehran’s largest commercial partner, with trade totalling $35bn in 2008, compared ... Ben Armbruster / Think Progress Bolton: Either Iran Gets Nukes Or ‘Israel Or Somebody Else Uses Military Force To Stop It’   —  Last week, Iran’s President Mahmoud Amadinejad said Tehran would have “ no problem ” agreeing on a deal to send its enriched uranium abroad for further enrichment. But today, Iran told the IAEA that it would back out of the deal and begin enriching its uranium stockpile in Iran. On Fox News today, John Bolton declared that &# ... Jricole / Informed Comment Salehi: Iran would back Down if West supplies LEU; Khamenei vows self-defense against 'US-backed saboteurs'   —  The USG Open Source Center translated remarks of Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, regarding Sunday's announcement by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that Iran would seek to enrich uranium to the 19.75% necessary to produce medical isotopes. Salehi represented the announcement as a way for Iran to put pressure on the ... FOXNews.com Gates Wants Iran Sanctions in 'Weeks, Not Months'   —  The defense secretary believes a U.N. resolution would lay the legal groundwork countries need to impose sanctions independently and pressure Iran to abandon its nuclear program. The Daily Star > Politics Iran tells UN of enrichment plan as new sanctions loom   —  Iran said Monday it has formally told the UN nuclear watchdog of its plan to produce higher enriched uranium, sparking fresh warnings by world powers of new sanctions against the Islamic Republic.“Iran’s official letter about commencing the 20 percent enrichment activity in order to provide fuel for the Tehran reactor has been handed over to the ... The Daily Star > Politics Iran reformist leaders deny links to foreigners   —  Iran's top reformist leaders on Monday rejected the authorities' accusation that the opposition movement had links to foreigners and urged people to attend rallies on Thursday marking the 1979 Islamic revolution.The opposition is expected to revive anti-government protests at the February 11 events, raising fears of further clashes with the ... Jason Sigger / Armchair Generalist Pulsers Say, "Bomb Iran Now"   —  SHORTER Arnaud de Borchgrave: "If we bomb Iran now, it will restore downtrodden American spirits and stop the impending Iranian EMP attack against the United States of America." Now this might seem that only a really crazy person would say... () / The Corner on National Review Online Where's the Punch? -- By: Kathryn Jean Lopez   —  You may have read that : Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Monday that Iran is set to deliver a "punch" that will stun world powers during this week's 31st anniversary of the Islamic revolution. "The Iranian nation, with its unity and God's grace, will punch the arrogance (Western powers) on the 22nd of Bahman (February 11) in a way ...

13. Toyota recalls 437,000 Priuses, hybrids globally 4 hours ago   permalink

Www.washingtonpost.com

Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda brows as he makes a recall announcement during a press conference at the automaker's office in Tokyo, Japan, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010. Toyota says it is recalling about 437,000 Prius and other hybrid cars worldwide to fix brake problems - the latest in a string of embarrassing safety problems at the world's ...

discussions

Radley Balko / Hit :   Reason Morning Links: GOP Threates to Sit Out Health Care Summit, Toyota Recalls Prius, Thirdhand Smoke

Joshua Keating / FP Passport :   Morning Brief: Tymoshenko challenges Ukraine election result

related items

BBC News Toyota in global recall of Prius   —  Toyota recalls thousands of Prius cars worldwide because of braking problems, in a new blow to the world's largest car maker. Editor / Truthdig :    And Now For Another Big Toyota Recall

Dave Levinthal / Capital Eye Toyota's Lobbying Power Primed for Test as Congressional Scrutiny Mounts   —  Toyota's leadership and army of prominent lobbyists face a monumental government relations battle as Congress primes itself for a series of public hearings regarding the embattled automaker 's recall of hundreds of thousands of vehicles over accelerator pedal and brake defects. But they're likely as ready as any of their ilk: Among foreign car ...

Baltimoresun.com Federal safety officials to probe complaints over Toyota Corolla steering   —  WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal safety officials say they will look into complaints from Toyota Corolla drivers about difficulty with the steering on their vehicles. Yahoo! News State Farm says it warned NHTSA on Toyota in 2007   —  AP - The nation's largest auto insurer said Tuesday it alerted federal safety regulators in late 2007 about a rise in reports of unexpected acceleration in Toyota vehicles, the latest warning sign to emerge about the massive recall. Yahoo! News Toyota recalls 437,000 Priuses, hybrids globally   —  AP - Toyota is recalling 437,000 Prius and other hybrid vehicles worldwide to fix brake problems — the latest embarrassing safety lapse at the world's largest automaker. Steve / Sweetness Toyota Recalls 437,000 Hybrid Priuses   —  From a mixed emotioned Reuters: Toyota adds new Prius to global recall list By Nobuhiro Kubo And John Crawley February 9, 2010 TOKYO/WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Toyota Motor Corp said it would call in nearly half a million new Prius and other hybrid cars for braking problems, the third recall in a spiraling safety crisis at the world’s [...] ASSOCIATED PRESS / Chicago Sun-Times : Toyota recalls 437,000 Prius, hybrids globally   —  Toyota says it is recalling about 437,000 Prius and other hybrid cars worldwide to fix brake problems -- the latest in a string of embarrassing safety problems at the world's largest automaker. Company President Akio Toyoda made the recall announcement Tuesday afternoon at a press conference. ABC News WATCH: Toyota Recalls Prius Worldwide   —  Toyota recalls nearly half a million of the hybrid cars including the Prius and Lexus off the road. Toyota - Toyota Prius - Hybrid vehicle - Japan - Recreation Christian Science Monitor Toyota problems with recalls can lead to a new Japan   —  The Prius recall by Toyota is another wake-up call for the Japanese to shift their corporations, government, and society to a new economic strategy. Reuters Toyota recalls new Prius in latest safety fix   —  TOKYO/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Corp said it would call in nearly half a million new Prius and other hybrid cars for braking problems, the third recall in a spiraling safety crisis at the world's biggest carmaker. ASSOCIATED PRESS / Chicago Sun-Times : Steering on 2009-2010 Toyota Corolla under scrutiny   —  WASHINGTON — Federal safety officials say they will look into complaints from Toyota Corolla drivers about difficulty with the steering on their vehicles. Online / Detnews.com Snow delays Toyota hearing   —  Washington -- The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee canceled a hearing on Toyota's massive recalls set for Wednesday because of another snowstorm headed for the capital. NPR Blogs Vowing To Regain Customers' Faith, Toyota Adds Some 2010 Prius Vehicles To Recall   —  By Mark Memmott Toyota has taken the expected next step in responding to problems with some of its vehicles -- recalling "about 437,000 Prius and other hybrid vehicles worldwide to fix brake problems," as the Associated Press writes. The company's statement about recalls in the U.S. says: It will conduct a voluntary safety recall on approximately ... ABC News Toyota Recalls 437,000 More Vehicles   —  Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda, in his second press conference since Friday, announced the company recalled an additional 437,000 vehicles worldwide. The recall related to a software problem that controls the antilock braking system includes the 2010 model Prius and Lexus HS250h in North America. Toyota spokesperson Ririko Takeuchi told ABC News 155,000 ... Jeff Jarvis / BuzzMachine What Toyota should do   —  Including my parents, we own four Toyotas in my family; over time, we’ve probably owned eight or 10. Will we ever buy another? Depends. Depends on whether we can trust the company given its performance lately. There’s a reason we bought our Toyotas. They are incredibly reliable. I abuse mine, skipping service calls. But — [...] HIROKO TABUCHI / NYT Toyota Details Hybrid Recall in Attempt to Contain Crisis   —  The worldwide recall will affect about 437,000 hybrid vehicles, including the 2010 Prius, according to the company’s filing.

14. On Friday, the Talk stops 4 hours ago   permalink

Jack D. Lail / Random Mumblings

One of the pioneering efforts in new ways to deliver news and connect with audiences in Tennessee (and the country) is "going dark" WKRN-TV's "Nashville is Talking" Web site, termed a "quaint reminder" of days gone by shuts down on Friday. On the Web site WKRN general manager Gwen Kinsey writes: NIT in its infancy introduced individual blogging ...

discussions

SayUncle / SayUncle :   The Era Ended Long Ago

Glenn Reynolds / Instapundit :   PIONEERING BLOG SITE “NASHVILLE IS TALKING” shuts down Friday….

15. S.I. swimsuit issue cover model revealed 3 hours ago   permalink

Today.msnbc.msn.com

Brooklyn Decker didn’t know she made the cover of Sports Illustrated’s annual swimsuit issue until the day before it came out. She has appeared in the swimsuit issue for five consecutive years.

discussions

Dan / Riehl World View :   Brooklyn Decker Gets S.I. Swimsuit Cover

Glenn Reynolds / Instapundit :   AND NOW FOR THE REALLY IMPORTANT NEWS: Brooklyn Decker gets Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover. …

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Yahoo! News SI swimsuit edition puts Roddick's wife on cover   —  NEW YORK – Model Brooklyn Decker landed the coveted Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover this year. The 22-year-old wife of tennis star Andy Roddick said being chosen for the front is "the news of a lifetime."

16. Rep. John Murtha dies at 77 5 hours ago   permalink

Www.post-gazette.com

John P. Murtha, the powerful dean of Pennsylvania's congressional delegation who survived scandal and seismic political shifts to become the longest-serving U.S. House member from the state, died today from complications following gallbladder surgery.

discussions

Taegan Goddard :   Surgical Mistake Caused Murtha's Death

Jillian Rayfield / TPM :   Did A Surgical Error Contribute To Murtha's Death?

related items

Mail / Democracy Now! Rep. John Murtha, Iraq War Critic, Dies at 77   —  Democratic Congressman John Murtha of Pennsylvania has died at the age of seventy-seven from complications after gall bladder surgery. He was the powerful chair of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. In 2002 Murtha voted to support the invasion of Iraq, but three years later he shocked many in Washington when he introduced a bill ...

The Seattle Times Rep. John Murtha, influential Pennsylvania lawmaker, dies at 77   —  Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania, a gruff ex-Marine who used his immense power in military spending to funnel hundreds of millions of dollars...

Online / Detnews.com Congressman John Murtha dies at 77   —  Harrisburg, Pa. -- Rep. John Murtha, the tall, gruff-mannered former Marine who became the de facto voice of veterans on Capitol Hill and later an outspoken and influential critic of the Iraq War, died Monday. He was 77. GrassrootsPA Comments Bitter Gun Owner - John Murtha dies...   —  Completely agree. Dave Reed would be perfect since hes a young hard working rep. He could run with the message of bringing young and fresh ideas to washington and categorize Wozniak (who I believe the dems will nominate) as a politics as usual, tax increaser and big government supporter. GrassrootsPA Comments Patrick - John Murtha dies...   —  Why are they poor? The use of coal in manufacturing ended, eliminating the reason most of those towns in the Mon Valley existed. The business owners always treated the workers badly, so they organized to get better wages and conditions, and thus became Democrats. The counties north of Pgh ( I assume you mean Butler, Clarion, etc, and not Beaver ... Reuters John Murtha, defense appropriations chair, dies   —  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic Representative John Murtha, chairman of the House of Representatives defense appropriations subcommittee who exercised enormous influence on defense issues, died on Monday. NPR Topics Rep. Murtha Remembered As Military Advocate   —  Democratic Congressman John Murtha died Monday at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, Va., after complications from gallbladder surgery. He was 77. Murtha represented southwestern Pennsylvania for 36 years. Most of that time he was the top Democrat on defense appropriations — moving billions of dollars and sending as much as he could to ... Military Top Stories Center Rep. John Murtha Dies at 77   —  Congressman John Murtha, one of the most powerful and influential Democratic lawmakers on defense issues in the House for more than three decades, died today in Arlington, Va., at the age of 77. Jason Sigger / Armchair Generalist John Murtha Dies at 77   —  Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) passed away yesterday due to complications following gall bladder surgery. He was a controversial figure and a very powerful one, being the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee's defense panel as well as a Marine veteran.... Politics Harold Ford Did Not Tolerate People Speaking Ill of Jack Murtha   —  In November of 2005, shortly after Jack Murtha switched from being a supporter of the Iraq War to being one of its most outspoken critics, a newly-elected representative from Ohio, Jean Schmidt--who at that time had served for less than three months--stepped to the podium in the House of Representatives and assailed the 16-term congressman and ... CNN.com Rep. John Murtha dead at 77   —  Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania, a longtime fixture on the House subcommittee that oversees Pentagon spending, has died. FOXNews.com Congressman: Murtha Died After Intestine Was Damaged in Surgery   —  The congressman's large intestine was damaged during gallbladder surgery and the complications led him to be hospitalized, a Pennsylvania congressman and longtime friend said. The Seattle Times Dicks next in line for Murtha's chairmanship   —  With the death of Rep. John Murtha on Monday, Rep. Norm Dicks is likely to become chairman of the House subcommittee that oversees Pentagon spending — gaining power to direct the biggest discretionary purse in the federal budget. DAVID STOUT / NYT Representative John P. Murtha Dies at 77; Ex-Marine Was Iraq War Critic   —  Mr. Murtha, a Pennsylvania Democrat, served 35 years in Congress and was alternately respected and feared by colleagues. Annalthouse / Althouse John Murtha has died...   —  ... and the Democrats must again fight for their political power in another special election.

17. TX Gov Poll: Perry +11 1 hour ago   permalink

Kyle Trygstad / Real Clear Politics

Texas Gov. Rick Perry leads Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison by 11 points for the Republican nomination as he seeks re-election, according to a new PPP poll. And Debra Medina is surging in third place, trailing Hutchison by only 4 points. In the Democratic primary, former Houston Mayor Bill White garners 49% and holds a large [...]

related items

Mike Memoli / Real Clear Politics OH Gov Poll: Kasich Maintains Lead   —  The Ohio governor race really kicked off in the past month, as both John Kasich (R) and incumbent Ted Strickland (D) announced their running mates. Strickland also delivered his state-of-the-state address in recent weeks. And yet, Rasmussen's latest poll in the Buckeye State (500 LVs, 2/5-6, MoE +/- 4.5%) finds little movement for either candidate,

On Deadline Texas Gov. Perry requests Predator drones for border with Mexico   —  Texas  Gov. Rick Perry, campaigning for re-election, has called on the defense department to deploy narmed Predator drones to the Texas border.

Hotline On Call White Hits Perry In Dem Debate   —  Ex-Houston Mayor Bill White (D) and hair care mogul Farouk Shami (D) sparred Monday over education, transportation, energy, border security and the death penalty during their first and only televised debate ahead of the Mar. 2 primary. White spent the majority of the debate presenting and attempting to defend his record as mayor of Houston, ...

18. Pamela Geller Destroys Ron Reagan Jr. on Joy Behar Show 4 hours ago   permalink

Gatewaypundit.firstthings.com

The great Pamela Geller from Atlas Shrugs destroyed Ron Reagan Jr., Joy Behar and her other hateful liberal guest on the Behar Show last night. Geller gave Ron Jr. the spanking he never had, but needed. You can tell she got under that naughty boy’s skin. He looked like he was going to cry.

discussions

Glenn Reynolds / Instapundit :   PAM GELLER on Joy Behar….

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Pamela Geller / Atlas Shrugs VIDEO: Pamela Geller on Joy Behar, Liberal Meltdown   —  This is one for the books. Video hat tip Gord! If you enjoyed it as much as I liked doing it, let her know.� Leave a comment - there are so many nasty bastids. UPDATE: First, thank you for your dear comments. The left is swallowing its tongue. Here's a sample. Subject: (no subject) Date: 2/9/2010 12:28:27 A.M. Eastern Standard Time From: n. ... Jim Hoft / Gateway Pundit :    Pamela Geller Destroys Ron Reagan Jr. on Joy Behar Show Glenn Reynolds / Instapundit :    PAM GELLER on Joy Behar….

Www.leftcoastrebel.com Pamela Geller Vs. Ron Reagan Jr. on the Joy Behar Show   —  Pamela Geller of Atlas Shrugs is kind enough to link LCR when I occasionally send her material. Pamela Geller blazes trails on the Joy Behar Show (I didn't know this show existed until I saw her talking to Andrew Sullivan, more on that later). Pamela Geller puts on the boxing gloves and enters the ring for conservatives. Pamela Geller shows me ... Pamela Geller / Atlas Shrugs :    VIDEO: Pamela Geller on Joy Behar, Liberal Meltdown Jim Hoft / Gateway Pundit :    Pamela Geller Destroys Ron Reagan Jr. on Joy Behar Show

Www.punditandpundette.com Video: Pam Geller, speaking sense to the senseless   —  Pamela Geller makes subjecting oneself to the inanities, cheap shots, and distortions of abrasive Joy Behar and simpering/sniping Ron Reagan worth it. They fear Sarah Palin like NOW fears motherhood. All they've got is ridicule. Pam calls them on their condescension. Video here. Pamela Geller / Atlas Shrugs :    VIDEO: Pamela Geller on Joy Behar, Liberal Meltdown Jim Hoft / Gateway Pundit :    Pamela Geller Destroys Ron Reagan Jr. on Joy Behar Show Www.examiner.com Pam Geller appears on Joy Behar's show to defend Palin   —  National columnist and founder of the popular blog Atlas Shrugs, Pamela Geller, appeared on 'The View's' Joy Behar's new show on Monday to discuss Sarah Palin. As expected, the Behar take on Palin is, as usual, disrespectful and vitriolic. Jim Hoft / Gateway Pundit :    Pamela Geller Destroys Ron Reagan Jr. on Joy Behar Show Glenn Reynolds / Instapundit :    PAM GELLER on Joy Behar…. Americanpowerblog.blogspot.com Pamela Geller!   —  Commentary and analysis on American politics, culture, and national identity, U.S. foreign policy and international relations, and the state of education - from a neoconservative perspective! - Keeping an eye on the communist-left so you don't have to! Pamela Geller / Atlas Shrugs :    VIDEO: Pamela Geller on Joy Behar, Liberal Meltdown Jim Hoft / Gateway Pundit :    Pamela Geller Destroys Ron Reagan Jr. on Joy Behar Show Pamela Geller / Atlas Shrugs Pamela Geller, Big Journalism: The Mufti of Jerusalem: Architect of the Holocaust   —  Please read my latest at Big Journalism: The Mufti of Jerusalem: Architect of the Holocaust. Here's an excerpt: During World War II, the Mufti lived in Berlin, where he met Hitler and traveled in top Nazi circles (he even stayed in Hitler’s bunker toward the end of the war). Among his close friends was Adolf Eichmann, who is commonly thought ... Gordonskene / Crooks and Liars Pitching A Plan Big Time - James Roosevelt Selling The Supreme Court - 1937   —  DOWNLOADS: 323 PLAYS: 77 ( James Roosevelt - selling dad's plan in 1937 ) When FDR suggested changes be made in the Supreme Court , appointing as many as six additional justices instead of the usual nine, it was a hard sell. In fact it went down to a stinging 70-20 Senate defeat by July . But FDR did a huge sales pitch for the plan, including ... () / The Corner on National Review Online RFK Jr. vs. 'Deliberately Blind Corporatists' -- By: Robert Costa   —  A record 32.4 inches of snow fell on northern Virginia over the weekend, with a second wallop expected tonight. David Freddoso of the Washington Examiner used the blizzard as an opportunity to question an old Robert F. Kennedy Jr. column that cites personal anecdotes to make a broader argument about global warming: In Virginia, the weather also ...

19. Breitbart At National Tea Party Convention: “Just Add al-Qaida” 2 hours ago   permalink

Www.foundingbloggers.com

February 9, 2010 | Leave a Comment

discussions

Jim Hoft / Gateway Pundit :   The Andrew Breitbart Tea Party Speech: A Declaration of War on the Democrat-Media Complex

Andrew Marcus / Big Journalism :   Breitbart’s Keynote Address To The First National Tea Party Convention

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Www.foundingbloggers.com Breitbart At National Tea Party Convention: The O’Keefe Arrest   —  February 9, 2010 | Leave a Comment Jim Hoft / Gateway Pundit :    The Andrew Breitbart Tea Party Speech: A Declaration of War on the Democrat-Media Complex Andrew Marcus / Big Journalism :    Breitbart’s Keynote Address To The First National Tea Party Convention

Www.foundingbloggers.com Breitbart At National Tea Party Convention: “Breitbart Challenges Soros”   —  February 9, 2010 | Leave a Comment Jim Hoft / Gateway Pundit :    The Andrew Breitbart Tea Party Speech: A Declaration of War on the Democrat-Media Complex Andrew Marcus / Big Journalism :    Breitbart’s Keynote Address To The First National Tea Party Convention

Heather / Crooks and Liars Andrea Mitchell Mocks Sarah Palin's Crib Notes   —  DOWNLOADS: (262) PLAYS: (1842) On Morning Joe, Andrea Mitchell mocks Sarah Palin's crib notes during the National Tea Party Convention by holding up her own hand with notes written on it. When you've finally got Andrea Mitchell and Chuck Todd throwing you under the bus, you've got problems with ever being taken seriously as a future presidential ... Politics articles at Blogcritics To Tea or Not To Tea   —  As a long term, proud political dissident and rebel I have had some admiration for the national tea party movement. I welcome all that shakes up and reforms our dysfunctional political system. But in the end I find far too much distasteful about what these people embrace to participate in or support it. Latest Politics Headlines Palin: Global Warming Just "Snake Oil"   —  The election is still a long way off but Republican Sarah Palin was sounding very much like a candidate at a Tea Party convention in Nashville, Tenn. Nancy Cordes reports. Bob Morris / Politics in the Zeros The Tea Party 600: Canaries in the political coal mine?   —  HuffPo Yes, some of the Tea Party movement is ugly. Yes, some of the Tea Party movement is race-based. Yes, some of the Tea Party movement is being bankrolled by conservative political groups — and all of it promoted by Fox News. But focusing only on those elements obscures the fact that some of what’s fueling [...] Military Top Stories Center Al-Qaida Deputy Surfaces After Airstrike   —  SAN'A, Yemen --- The deputy chief of al-Qaida's offshoot in Yemen called for attacks on Saudi Arabia and U.S. interests in the region in a new audio message posted Monday on the Internet. Myglesias / Matthew Yglesias How Popular is the Tea Party Movement?   —  Des Moines register reports: “A third of Iowans from across the political spectrum say they support the ‘tea party’ movement, sounding a loud chorus of dissatisfaction with government, according to The Des Moines Register’s new Iowa Poll.” But how loud a chorus is this, really? 55 percent of Americans say they’re ... Forum Breitbart's Full Speech To Tea Party Convention   —  Below is the entirety [VIDEO] of Andrew Breitbart’s remarks during his Keynote address to the National Tea Party Convention in Nashville last weekend. During Breitbart’s 33 minute long address, he threatens to upend the entire media establishment, calling them out on their hypocrisy while demanding they change their ways, or else. Jillian Rayfield / TPM Jon Stewart: Obama's Teleprompter Is No Match For Palin's 'Mavericky Notecard Hand-Scribbled Buzzwords'   —  Jon Stewart wondered last night why Sarah Palin needed to remind herself to 'lift American spirits' by writing it on her hand for this weekend's National Tea Party Convention keynote speech. "Unless," he said,"'lift American spirits' is a note to steal a carton of cigarettes." Watch: The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c ... () / The Corner on National Review Online 'The Potent Tea Party' -- By: Rich Lowry   —  I write today about how Democrats, driven by condescension and misunderstanding, thought tea-partiers would destroy the GOP. It's not happening. The best piece on this in the mainstream press has been by Jonathan Martin , who points that the Republican party so far has harnessed the energy of the tea-partiers while fielding candidates who also ... Bob Morris / Politics in the Zeros On Tea Partiers   —  Sue freaked when she read the previous post because she thought I agreed with the majority of the Tea Party’s positions. No, I do not agree with everything he said. Not hardly. But on some things, sure. Right now the Tea Partiers are mostly inchoate with a right-wing slant. Sooner or later they will probably [...] () / The Corner on National Review Online Sweet Tea -- By: Robert Costa   —  One question that keeps popping up: Can the Tea Party work with the GOP to elect conservatives ? Well, down in the Palmetto State, tea-party folks are already working with the state GOP in an official capacity : The South Carolina Republican Party announced Monday that it’s uniting with tea party groups in the state to share resources, ...

20. Your 2/9/10 Treacher update 4 hours ago   permalink

Dctrawler.dailycaller.com

Right after I posted that yesterday, a couple of nice medical students came in and changed the dressing on my leg. I finally got to see the aftermath, and at this point I think I’m too freaked out to really be upset by it. The knee is pretty swollen and the incision down the left side of my left leg is huge. I can’t even think about ...

discussions

Glenn Reynolds / Instapundit :   A MEDICAL UPDATE from Jim Treacher. Plus this: “Have you seen the website for the U.S. Department …

Wind Rider / Silent Running :   That’s a bit extreme

Glenn Reynolds / Instapundit :   A MEDICAL UPDATE from Jim Treacher. Plus this: “Have you seen the website for the U.S. Department …

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Jim Treacher / The DC Trawler Your 2/9/10 Treacher update   —  Right after I posted that yesterday, a couple of nice medical students came in and changed the dressing on my leg. I finally got to see the aftermath, and at this point I think I’m too freaked out to really be upset by it. The knee is pretty swollen and the incision down the left [...]