News Nugget 224

People in Japan preparing to commemorate the bombing of Hiroshima - from the Chicago Tribune

Stay the Stimulus Course (Alan Blinder) from the Washington Post

"Apparently not bothered by facts, some congressional Republicans are already claiming that President Obama's $787 billion stimulus package has failed and are even advocating that some of the remaining scheduled steps in the legislation be canceled.

In medicine, that would be malpractice. In politics, it's demagoguery. In reality, we need to stay the course."

Hillary Clinton is No Ventriloquist's Dummy (Editorial) from the Times [of London]

There are times like this when I actually like liking Hillary again.

"Mrs Clinton’s fighting words sum up the drive that propelled baby-boomer women to power. Gags about her menopausal tantrum may have begun, but men with HRT punchlines should prepare for a punch of a different sort."

Rove Key to New Mexico Attorney Firing from Politico

We'll still have to see what the Bush Posse can make out of all this paper.

"The 6,000-plus pages of documents, which include transcripts from interviews with Karl Rove and former White House Counsel Harriet Miers, make it clear that Rove and other White House aides were much more involved in the U.S. attorney firings than previously reported. "

Why Things Aren't Bleak for the President (Paul Maslun) from Salon

"A pollster applies some historical context and gives three reasons why things aren't bleak for the presiden"

Obama Faces 'Scare Tactics' Head-On from the Washington Post

"President Obama began a personal effort Tuesday to reclaim momentum for his health-care initiative with a direct rebuttal of what he called "scare tactics," rumors and misrepresentations."

Obama Assails Health Care Foes from the Associated Press

"Braced for a fight he never got, President Barack Obama went on the offensive in support of his health care plan Tuesday, urging a town hall audience not to listen to those who seek to "scare and mislead the American people.""

Rush Limbaugh and Sarah Palin Fall into Nancy Pelosi's Trap (Matt Lewis) from Politics Daily

I'm not sure I buy this argument -- I've suspected that Obama was egging the wing-nuts on but I'm not sure this is the reason why.  Interesting, nonetheless.

"A week ago, President Obama's health care plans (I say plans, because there is not one "plan") were on the verge of defeat, the result of a flawed policy prescription and numerous political miscalculations. This week, Obama and the Democrats have some breathing room, thanks in large part to Republicans."

Here's another version of this argument from someone with a decent track record:

How Conservatives Are Blowing Their Chance (Marc Ambinder) from the Atlantic

"The base condition here is an enthusiastic Republican base and a depressed Democratic base. A coherent, organized effort would have recognized that the moment the media began to take sides was the moment that the entire enterprise could be damaged. The media, being a collection of different megaphones, reported on the town hall meetings in one of two ways, both damaging to Republicans."

'I Don't Trust Your Side and My Side Sickens Me': My Talks with Conservatives from Talking Points Memo

"First thing to know is:  They're not stupid.  They're just scared.  It is important to know that upfront if we are going to get anything accomplished on health care reform. "

It is Democracy, Not Health-Care Reform, That is Sick (Ezra Klein) from the Washington Post

"We've reached a point in the health-care reform discussion where logic has fallen apart. ... The fact that an idea as loony as death panels has found even the slightest purchase in the public consciousness shows how distant the minority feels from our democracy."

In the same vein:

Obama Needs to Learn from Sarah Palin (Robin Wells) from the Huffington Post

"Our uniquely noxious blend of racism, right wing politics, and moneyed interests exploiting racial fears and economic insecurity have hollowed out the core of moderation in American politics. In an unbroken line from Goldwater to Limbaugh and Palin, the Republican party has committed itself to scorched-earth tactics that have shredded the economic, political, and moral fabric of this country."

Over the Top and Beneath Contempt (Roger Simon) from Politico

"The purpose of rabid response is to scorch the earth, to raise the stakes, to go nuclear in the hope that your opponent will be so shellshocked he can make no response at all. The purpose of rabid response is to grab the public by the throat and not let go. "

Town Halls in Danger (Charlie Cook) from the National Journal

Sadly, I very much agree with Cook's argument here.  If these town hall disturbances succeed, they will become the 'new normal.'  Thanks, GOP.

"Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle will rue the day that the civility of political discourse notched down a bit further. This will become a routine tool for activists and organizers of all stripes for one simple reason: It works."

Lawmakers' Priority During Recess: Avoid Town Halls from the Christian Science Monitor

"Virulent meetings over healthcare reform lead some in Congress – especially Democrats – to seek less public ways to engage voters."

VERY predictable.  As I said, 'new normal.' 

Eruptions at Sen. Specter's Town-Hall Meeting from the New York Times

"Fury erupted over a range of topics, from health care to immigration, government spending and the cap-and-trade program to control pollution. Many also expressed broad if unspecified disdain for the government and for President Obama."

Catholic America: Is it a Sin to Listen to Rush? (Editorial) from the Washington Post

"His political take on issues may be defended as legitimate opinion; but it is indefensible to base opinion upon untruths or wrap them up with any of the sinful "-isms." "

OBAMA FAMILY NUGGET!!

Dreams from his Mother from the New York Times

"The anthropologist Clifford Geertz wrote that “the aim of anthropology is the enlargement of the universe of human discourse.” This was clearly a central goal of Dr. Soetoro’s work and life. From an admittedly great distance, I can see those same values in her son."