"Words that make actions speak louder."
Clive Crook, columnist for the Financial Times, urges President Obama to “betray” his base, and lead from the “centre.” Brits offering political strategy for American presidents are a bit like Americans telling Italians how to improve their pasta. And Crook’s analysis is as divorced from U.S. realities as his spelling. But it represents what will […]
Over 300 economists and policy analysts just released a statement warning the Congress and the Administration that bold action is needed to put people to work and get the economy going. The statement—Don’t Kill Jobs and Growth in the Name of Deficit Reduction—was released by the Institute for America’s Future (which I co-direct) and is […]
The Chamber of Commerce is rolling out its “jobs and economy” political initiative today. As Politico reports, the blitz is “designed to drive voters toward ‘5 Questions to Ask Your Candidates,’ to be distributed by mail and online to millions of voters.” Here are the five, accompanied by five alternatives tied to reality rather than […]
President Obama traveled to Cleveland to deliver an address on the economy designed to highlight the “differences in governing philosophy” between his view and that of the Republican opposition. (A copy of the text is found here: http://www.oliverwillis.com/2010/09/08/text-of-obama-speech-in-cleveland-on-the-economy. ) This was a powerful presentation, one that we wish the President had done repeatedly from his […]
The Wall Street Journal assails President Obama for “bait and switch on Social Security,” because he’s criticizing Republican plans to privatize Social Security, which the Journal says don’t exist. The editorial then goes on to call for cutting benefits to “strengthen Social Security,” and admits that privatization is part of the Rep. Paul Ryan’s roadmap, […]
Rep. John Boehner, the perpetually tanned House Minority leader, unveiled his plan to get the economy going today in a speech before the Cleveland City Club. Hold on to your job — if he becomes Speaker, things will get worse. Understandably, Boehner said not a word about the policies that led to the Great Recession. […]
Billionaire Steve Schwarzman compares Obama’s call for taxing private equity income as income, just like everyone else, a “war, like when Hitler invaded Poland in 1939.” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/16/steven-schwarzman-obama-a_n_683178.html Currently Schwarzman undoubtedly pays taxes at a lower rate than his secretary or his chauffer. Treat his income like that of everyone else? Hitler sacking Poland. This is […]
“I still believe that this will be largely a referendum on the administration’s policies,” said Senator John Cornyn of Texas, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, explaining why the primary successes of wingnut tea-party conservatives may not hurt Republican chances this fall
The following was originally published by Politico. These days, Republicans can’t suppress the gloat. The “Party of No,” leading in most polls, is said to be on the verge of taking the House and possibly the Senate in November. The irrepressible Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) calls the midterms a “dress rehearsal” for 2012, posing a […]
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs went off the other day on the "professional left," which is never satisfied. The White House apparently is miffed at the criticism they get from the left. It’s summer. It’s hot. The president’s poll numbers stink. The economy is going south. Tempers are short. But really. The left is […]