News Nuggets 278

Owachomo Bridge at the Natural Bridges National Monument in Utah from National Geographic in late 2009.

Regardless of Criticism, Obama is Doing Fine (Editorial) from Der Standard [of Austria in English]

"Amid the cadences of disappointment expressed in excruciating detail, these days the unfortunate man in the Oval Office no longer seems able to get anything right … And in spite of all that: Barack Obama is doing a good job."

While I largely agree, what I see as missing from both Obama and the Dems are political messages that work. Both he and the Democratic Party will continue to fail as long as their political framing and counterpunching to Republican messaging continue to fall as flat as it has up to now. The Republicans have completely dominated the political narrative, especially sense June, while the Dems seem to excel in simply being their opponent's official punching bag.

CIA Deaths Prompt Surge in US Drone Strikes from the New York Times

I've been following what I believe to be increased activity prompted by the bombing of CIA agents several weeks ago. I suspect their activity includes a lot more than just drones. This article is intersting on a number of fronts - especially the note no complaints from authorities about civilian casualties.

"Beginning the day after the attack on a C.I.A. base in Khost, Afghanistan, the agency has carried out 11 strikes that have killed about 90 people suspected of being militants, according to Pakistani news reports, which make almost no mention of civilian casualties."

Poll: Obama Still Most Trusted from Politico

"On the heels of being handed a brutal defeat in Massachusetts that could endanger his legislative agenda, a new poll released Thursday shows that President Obama is still viewed as the most trusted political figure to solve the nation’s problems. "

Obama and the Long View (Op-Ed) from the Nation

"While some changes have not occurred in a manner or at a speed that I would have liked, I profoundly disagree with the notion that "nothing has changed," that Obama is simply a more articulate version of George W. Bush."

Stay the Course: Reagan's Example for Obama (Lou Canon) from Politics Daily

"As Gallup divined in the depths of the recession, millions of Americans responded to Reagan's unflinching optimism and believed he would do the right thing. By that measure, if he can once again display the rousing audacity that marked his campaign for the presidency, Barack Obama can make a similar comeback. Yes, he could."

Industry Leaders Call on Congress to Halt Corporate 'Bribery' from Raw Story

"Forty-one business leaders have co-signed letters sent to Democratic and Republican leaders in Congress voicing their opposition to Thursday's Supreme Court ruling that frees corporations to spend unlimited amounts on influencing elections."

I DO note that the 'leaders" are mostly from companies that are already on the ropes economically. Interesting nonetheless.

A Memo of What Happened in Mass., and How Dems Should Proceed from a memo sent out to all Senate Chiefs of Staff via Americablog

This memo makes COMPLETE SENSE to me and I think it shows some viable strategies for the Dems to follow, particularly in the area of becoming more populist and focused on voters rather than Wall Street, etc.

"On the economy, by 2 to 1 they think Democrats have put special interests ahead of folks like them -- and by large margins think stronger regulation of Wall Street is more important than cutting spending."

Now, FIGHT! (Andrew Sullivan) from the Atlantic

I'm totally with Mr. Sullivan here.

"The truth is that these forces have also been so passionate, so extreme, and so energized that in a country reeling from a recession, the narrative - a false, paranoid, nutty narrative - has taken root in the minds of some independents. Obama, under-estimating the extremism of his opponents, has focused on actually addressing the problems we face. And the rest of us, crucially, have sat back and watched and complained and carped when we didn't get everything we want."

Well, ask and you shall receive!

A Sea Change in Obama's Demeanor (Dan Balz) from the Washington Post

"The president's rhetoric over the past week suggests he has decided to try to fight anger with anger. If Americans are fed up with bank bailouts and bonuses going to their top executives, Obama wants people to believe that he resents them just as much."

Plouffe Stepping Up Role as Adviser to White House (Chris Cillizza) from the Washington Post

Some of the best news I've heard all week!

"David Plouffe, the man who managed President Barack Obama 's campaign, will be taking on an expanded role as an outside adviser to the White House, according to sources familiar with the plan, a move that comes just days after a stunning defeat for Democrats in a Massachusetts Senate special election."

New Political Rumbling: An End to Old Ways of Fighting (Peggy Noonan) from the Wall Street Journal

While I think Peggy is off base in her characterization of the Dems, her larger point about "execution" is on the money.

"This feels like another era. Because America keeps moving, the plates keep shifting, and execution is everything. Everything."

Republicans Strain to Ride Tea Party Tiger from the New York Times

"As they look to make gains in statehouses and Congress this year, Republicans are trying to harness the Tea Party energy that helped make an unknown named Scott Brown the senator-elect from Massachusetts. But it may not be easy, as one Republican in Colorado learned the hard way."

Tea Party Talk Show Host WILL Run Against McCain in AZ from the Huffington Post

I'm sure McCain and the Republicans are JUST THRILLED about this!

"After months of speculation that popular talk show host and former Rep. JD Hayworth might challenge Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) for his senate seat, Hayworth took the first concrete step by resigning from his talk radio show Friday night. Later, he told reporters that he is not ready to make a formal announcement but is "moving forward to challenge John McCain."

How the Enquirer Exposed the John Edwards Affair (David Perel) from the Wall Street Journal

I've been looking for deeper analysis of this exposure since it first broke at the end of 2007. I still think there is more to the story than Perel reveals here.

"The man who risked the fate of the Democratic Party to satisfy his political narcissism released a statement Thursday finally admitting paternity of Rielle Hunter's daughter. In part, he said: "To all those I have disappointed and hurt, these words will never be enough, but I am truly sorry." His sincerity was as egocentrically superficial as his infamous $1,250 haircut during the 2004 presidential race. If this seems harsh, it's an analysis borne of two and a half years uncovering the former North Carolina senator's affair while I was editor in chief of the National Enquirer."

OBITUARY NUGGET!!

Jean Simmons, Actress, Dies at 80 from the New York Times

She was EXCELLENT in Great Expectations and Guys and Dolls!

"Jean Simmons, whose ethereal screen presence and starring roles with Hollywood's top actors made her a mid-century film icon, has died at age 80."