"Words that make actions speak louder."
The reappointment of Ben Bernanke as Chairman of the Federal Reserve — cleverly timed to defuse the news of burgeoning federal deficits — was preordained. The “markets” demanded it, and as James Carville noted, when the markets speak, presidents listen. (Carville, shocked at how Bob Rubin’s arguments about the markets trumped all Clinton campaign pledges, […]
We have lost a giant. The Senate is a smaller place today — a special measure of joy, political passion, irrepressible energy has been lost. Edward Kennedy’s words, delivered as his 1980 presidential campaign came to an end at the Democratic Convention in Madison Square Garden, should be played repeatedly in his memorials, for they […]
When Bloomberg reported the Obama Administration was about to name Ron Bloom, now head of the auto task force, as a de facto “manufacturing czar” in the National Economic Council, the chattering heads on the right had the expected knee jerk reaction. Investor’s Business Daily scorns the idea, saying all industry needs is more deregulation, […]
The editors of the Wall Street Journal say that the public option in health care reform has been “sent to the death panel.” Obama “concedes” the public option, reports the Financial Times. Even liberals seem to agree. The public option is “all but gone,” writes Bob Herbert of the New York Times. The American Prospect’s […]
It is time to go all in to support comprehensive health care reform. The stakes have gotten prohibitive. Republicans have essentially bet the House on it. Obama, for all intents and purposes, has wagered the White House agenda. The insurance and drug companies are pouring in dough. This month will be telling. The debate in […]
Obama’s opening speech set the stakes: "The relationship between the United States and China will shape the 21st century, which makes it as important as any bilateral relationship in the world." (emphasis added) The U.S., the world’s largest debtor, met this week with the confident leaders of its largest creditor, the communist government of China. What […]
Washington’s special genius is for gridlock. As we’re seeing in the health care debate, the entire system is designed to frustrate action — even when Democrats have a popular president, 60 votes in the Senate and a large majority in the House. Moneyed interests trump party loyalty. Partisan politics trumps national purpose. Congressional rules and […]
Some stories don’t really require elaboration. This from Politico’s Playbook this a.m. The American Conservative Union asked FedEx for a check for $2 million to $3 million in return for the group’s endorsement in a bitter legislative dispute, then flipped and sided with UPS after FedEx refused to pay. In the three-page letter asking for […]
This Congress potentially could be the most productive in over 40 years. It has passed the largest recovery plan in the nation’s history. It extended health care to millions of children. It passed Obama’s first budget with its significant down payment on education and energy. The House just passed the comprehensive energy bill. Health care […]
The administration has rolled out its financial reform plan, which the president accurately calls the “the boldest set of reforms in financial regulation in 75 years.” Rep. Barney Frank, the chair of the House Banking Committee, promises to act rapidly, hoping to pass reforms by the end of the year. Best to move now while […]