News Nuggets 216

An ultra-orthodox Jew on Mount Gerizim overlooking Nablus on the West Bank - from the Chicago Tribune

Obama's Six-Month Foreign Policy Report Card: Solid A- (David Rothkopf) from Foreign Policy Magazine

"...for now, give the guy credit. He has actually installed himself at the center of the foreign policy apparatus, put foreign policy atop his list of priorities and has been an engaged, informed chief executive and commander in chief."

US to Push Peace in Middle East Media Campaign from the New York Times

"In coming weeks, senior administration officials said, the White House will begin a public-relations campaign in Israel and Arab countries to better explain Mr. Obama’s plans for a comprehensive peace agreement involving Israel, the Palestinians and the Arab world."

"Public-relations campaign" re: an electrifying, game-shifting, knock-them-on-their-asses speech or two.  A good summary of the BIG PICTURE concerning Obama's diplomatic initiatives in the Middle East.

Iran's Most Wanted (Reza Aslan) from the Daily Beast

"As Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is inaugurated in Iran, as many as 50 Iranian journalists are languishing in prison cells—victims of his administration’s brutal post-election crackdown. Reza Aslan names names."

America Comes to Kenya (Editorial) from the Standard [of Kenya in English]

"That Hillary Clinton is coming after the Cabinet united to kill hopes for a local tribunal, erected barriers on the road to The Hague, and even discussed possible withdrawal from Roman Statute and its signature on International Criminal Court protocol, could mean Kenya should be expecting an earful from her."

The Message is the Message from New York Magazine

This excellent article captures one of the most under-reported but salient aspects of Obama's approach to governing -- how many issues he's taking on all at once.

"“If you poll a question about a policy in an anodyne, sterile way, you’ll often find that Barack Obama’s positions are inversely proportional to his popularity,” notes Gillespie. “But if you say it’s President Obama’s policy, it pulls the numbers right back up.”  The White House is exquisitely aware of this advantage."

Barack Obama Holds Back the Miracles (Andrew Sullivan) from the Times [of London]

"Many expect health reform to end up being the American president’s ruin, but he has a plan to avoid the trap."

I suspect Sullivan is right-on-the-money here.

Dems Vow Health Bill With or Without Republicans from the Associated Press

"Frustrated with the pace of bipartisan talks, Democratic leaders on Monday promised to push a sweeping health care bill through the Senate whether they get Republican support or not."

I'm not surprised -- but boy are the GOPers going to make even more of a stink if it goes this way.

An Opportunity Knocking at the White House Door from Politico

A very interesting take on the topic of judicial nominations.

"Senate Republicans, ..., have shown their determination to oppose anyone the president nominates, no matter how sterling their qualifications or how mainstream their record.  Rather than constraining President Barack Obama in his future nominations, however, this partisan gamesmanship has presented him with great opportunity. If a small Republican minority is going to oppose a moderate as if she’s an unhinged extremist, there should be no political cost to nominating a qualified candidate who is a true progressive.

Politics for Dinner (Andrew Wilson) from the Wall Street Journal

"Harry and I will go on being brothers and good friends. But like the American people as a whole, we are politically estranged in a way that marks a real departure from the past."

While I disagree with his politics, there is a lot of truth to Wilson's commentary here.  I've never seen anything like it myself.

Here Come the Racists (Matthew Yglesias) from the Daily Beast

"During the campaign, Barack Obama’s enemies seemed reluctant to smear him with ugly rhetoric. But as The Daily Beast’s Matthew Yglesias points out, the last week has seen it come out in full force."

The Berserk 'Birthers' (Eugene Robinson) from the Washington Post

"If there's been a more clinically insane political phenomenon in my lifetime than the "birthers," I've missed it. Is this what our national discourse has come to? Sheer paranoid fantasy?"

MUST-SEE VIDEO NUGGET!!

Ten Letters a Day from the White House

Yes -- I KNOW it's propaganda -- but it is REALLY WELL-DONE PROPAGANDA!

VACATION PHOTOS NUGGET!!

Sunday Night Hawaii Photo Diary from Daily Kos

Beautiful images from Hawaii

RHINOCEROS NUGGET!!

First Baby Rhino Born in Uganda in 28 Years is Named Obama from the [London] Daily Telegraph

"The first baby rhinoceros born in Uganda in almost 30 years has been named Obama because his father is from Kenya and his mother was born in the US."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NUGGET!!

For Obama, Blowing Out Candles Over a Working Lunch from the Washington Post

""Chuck E. Cheese was booked," Gibbs joked during his daily White House press briefing."

A very amusing itinerary for Obama's 48th!  Happy Birthday, Mr. President.