I'm not going to post a huge number of post-election analyses today. They're everywhere, and the basic meme is "incumbents are doomed" which I think is premature. More in line with my own thinking is the following item:
The GOP's Special Failure from Politico
"All the evidence pointing to monster Republican House gains this fall—the Scott Brown upset win in Massachusetts, the scary polling numbers in once-safely Democratic districts, the ever-rising number of Democratic seats thought to be in jeopardy—was contradicted Tuesday."
Iran and the Bomb from the National Interest
"With the Islamic Republic now back in from the international cold, will the Obama administration change course and drop its requests for a new round of sanctions at the UN? Apparently not."
Guess not!! See this late-breaking item:
Major Powers Have a Deal on Sanctions for Iran, US Says from the New York Times
"The Obama administration announced Tuesday morning that it had struck a deal with other major powers, including Russia and China, to impose new sanctions on Iran, a sharp repudiation of the deal Tehran had offered just a day before to ship its nuclear fuel out of the country."
We'll see if this holds up. I'll have to say -- this was quite a SMACK DOWN of Turkey and Brazil by the major powers. I suspect that none of the majors were really interested in them horning in on the big-power action and have now put the two of them back "in their place." I suspect Turkey and Brazil's move was a slap aimed at the US but that ended up striking China and Russia as well. China and Russia both want to play in the "big power" game -- but, of course, don't want anyone else joining the club with them. The more exclusive the better I suspect is their view.
Ah -- and in support of this view comes this little item:
Clinton Attacks Turkey-Brazil Deal with Iran from the Financial Times [of London]
"Hillary Clinton on Tuesday all but accused Turkey and Brazil of being international ingénues, suckered into a spoiling operation by Iran. Mrs Clinton’s criticism of this week’s Turkish-Brazilian deal with Iran – hailed by the two countries’ governments as a genuine breakthrough – was a sign of the tension between established and rising powers on the world stage."
Amid Concern, White House Speeds Up Health Care Benefits from Politico
"President Barack Obama and his Democratic allies are using the levers of government to speed up and promote what they consider the most popular aspects of the new health care law before a highly skeptical public passes judgment in November. "
The Teachers' Unions' Last Stand from the Sunday New York Times Magazine
"How Obama’s Race to the Top could revolutionize public education."
Why is GM Profitable Again? Five Theories from The Week
"GM's gone from an embarrassing U.S. bailout to its first profit in years — and commentators have no shortage of explanations."
Activism v. Restraint (Jeffrey Toobin) from the New Yorker
'A few weeks ago, on Air Force One, Obama, a former law professor, gave a useful definition of the term, saying that “an activist judge was somebody who ignored the will of Congress, ignored democratic processes, and tried to impose judicial solutions on problems instead of letting the process work itself through politically.” This is, indeed, what the Roberts Court is doing."
Arizona: The Gift That Keeps on Giving (Stanley Fisher) from the New York Times
"Rather than removing politics from the classroom, House Bill 2281 mandates the politics of its authors, who, in the bill’s declaration of policy, set themselves up as educational philosophers and public moralists, and even, given the magisterial tone, as gods."
Want to See Obama’s Future? Take a Look at Cory Booker (Elise Cose) from Newsweek
"Newark Mayor Cory Booker is converting campaign inspiration into capable governance."
I'm not a big fan of prognosticating articles like this -- especially when it comes to Obama's future -- but I HAVE been impressed with Cory Booker. He seems to have done a remarkable job in Newark.
A Far Cry Indeed From 'Socialism' (Thomas Schaller) from the Baltimore Sun
"Among developed nations, America trails the pack in taxation and redistribution of wealth."
Midterm Fury Might Leave Pelosi Safe from Politico
"Even if Democrats drop by the dozens in the midterm elections, Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s hold on power will be as safe as ever if Democrats retain a thin majority in the House. ... In interviews with more than two dozen Democratic lawmakers, none suggested Pelosi should be replaced, and nobody predicted a serious challenge to Pelosi's authority, provided Democrats hold onto power. "
Even a Bad Election Cycle Has Some Upsides (Josh Kurtz) from Congressional Quarterly
"Though this is looking to be a very bad election cycle for Democrats, they may get a few cheers out of tonight’s primary results."
Richard Blumenthal Calls NYT Report 'Outrageous Distortion' from the Associated Press via Huffington Post
"Blumenthal says he's always tried to make it clear his Marine Reserve service never took him overseas. ... In a televised March debate, Blumenthal stated clearly he had not served in Vietnam."
Ok. He says he misspoke. By itself, that won't cut it since he apparently misspoke several times. He has also said in public that he never went to Vietnam. He's going to have some rough weeks ahead. We'll see how he fairs.
And another shoe drops --- perhaps on Blumenthal's opponent.
McMahon Misstep May Help Blumenthal Out of Vietnam-Related Hole (Sam Stein) from the Huffington Post
"It was one of the first times in recent political memory that a candidate so publicly revealed and endorsed its opposition research. It turns out, there's a reason why campaigns usually peddle dirt in private and without fingerprints. On Tuesday morning, the big story remained Blumenthal's bizarre rendering of his own history. But it was accompanied in key places by critical coverage of McMahon's antics."
Simmons, the OTHER Republican in this race, will be the big beneficiary. Simmons is behind in the polls right now, but McMahon just gave him a heck of a lot of ammo. What a conniving piece of work she is!
National Dems Standing by Blumenthal (greg Sargent) from Washington Post
"National Dems think he'll survive this, because he has also repeatedly been accurate in representing his record. They hope this will persuade people to see his previous quotes as screw ups, rather than deliberate attempts to mislead. Indeed, don't be surprised if more examples of him accurately discussing his record surface before long."
Ah, here's the final word on the subject -- at least for today:
Richard Blumenthal Will Survive (Greg Sargent) from the Washington Post
"Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal just wrapped up his damage control presser, and it seems obvious enough that he'll survive this mess. Quick reaction:"
ANCIENT EGYPT NUGGET!!
Temple of Tut's Grandfather May Hide Avenue of Statues from Discovery News
"An avenue of colossal granite statues representing an ancient deity could lie by the funerary temple of Tutankhamun's grandfather Amenhotep III, according to Egyptian archaeologists who have unearthed one of these statues at Kom el-Hettan on Luxor's west bank."
OBAMA FAMILY NUGGET [of a sort]!!
Obama's Aunt Given OK to Stay in the United States from the Boston Globe
"A Boston immigration judge has granted asylum to President Barack Obama's aunt, Zeituni Onyango, clearing the way for her to stay in the United States and possibly to become a US citizen, her lawyers said today."
BOOKS NUGGET!!
The Obama Book Glut: Nine More on the Way from The Week
"White House reporters are cashing in with Obama-related book deals. Here are 9 volumes in the works."
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