In Authoritarian North Korea, Hints of Reform from the Washington Post
"Under new leader Kim Jong Eun, North Korea in recent months has shifted its rhetoric to emphasize the economy rather than the military and is introducing small-scale agricultural reforms with tantalizing elements of capitalism, according to diplomats and defector groups with informants in the North."
Fears Rising, Spaniards Pull Out Their Cash and Get Out of Spain from the New York Times
"Mr. Vildosola is among many who worry that Spain’s economic tailspin could eventually force the country’s withdrawal from the euro and a return to its former currency, the peseta. That dire outcome is still considered a long shot, even if Spain might eventually require a Greek-style bailout. But there is no doubt that many of those in a position to do so are taking their money — and in some cases themselves — out of Spain."
China Manufacturing Dips to a Nine-month Low in August from the BBC
"China's manufacturing activity fell to a nine-month low in August, adding to fears that its economy is slowing faster than estimated."
To Back Democracy, U.S. Prepares to Cut $1 Billion From Egypt’s Debt from the New York Times
"Nearly 16 months after first pledging to help Egypt’s failing economy, the Obama administration is nearing an agreement with the country’s new government to relieve $1 billion of its debt as part of an American and international assistance package intended to bolster its transition to democracy, administration officials said."
The FP 50: The 50 Most Powerful Democrats on Foreign Policy from Foreign Policy Magazine
"...the fact that so much power is centralized in the Oval Office makes those aides favored with access even more important, and Democratic control of the executive branch allows a select group of principals to control the levers of America's vast national security machine."
Obama Finds Key Asset in Bill Clinton’s Support (David Maraniss) from the Washington Post
"When Obama called in late July to say he would be grateful if his Democratic predecessor would give the speech placing his name in nomination, something that no former commander in chief has done before, it was an acknowledgment of how much the sitting president needs the former president. And Clinton, who loves to be needed as much as he needs to be loved, responded with an enthusiasm and diligence that served as yet another signal to people close to both men that an old wound has for the most part been healed."
Five Key Differences Between the Democratic and GOP Conventions from The Week
"Republicans just spent a week telling Americans that we're worse off than we were four years ago. Expect Democrats to deliver a polar-opposite message."
Many 2008 Conservative Obama Backers, or ObamaCons, Will Stay True (John Avlon) from the Daily Beast
"Mitt Romney has failed to win over many of the prominent Republicans and conservatives who publicly backed Barack Obama in 2008. Charles Fried, Douglas Kmiec, and others tell John Avlon why they’re sticking with the president."
Why the Sun Belt Is Sunnier for Democrats (Ronald Brownstein) from the National Journal
"The Democrats’ choice of Charlotte for their national convention reflects the party’s emerging opportunities as well as its continuing challenges in a new band of swing states that have reshaped the electoral map. North Carolina is one of six once-reliably Republican states across the Sun Belt that President Obama, riding a tide of changing demography, carried in 2008"
Virgil Goode Makes Presidential Ballot in Virginia from the Washington Post
"Former congressman Virgil Goode Jr. has qualified for the presidential ballot in Virginia, the State Board of Elections ruled Tuesday morning, adding a potential obstacle to Republican Mitt Romney’s hopes of winning the pivotal state."
The Obama team is cheering about this one!
As It Turns Out, Democrats Could Keep the Senate (Charlie Cook) from the National Journal
"With numbers like these, it has been hard to see how Democrats could prevent Republicans from gaining the four seats they need to take control in 2013. But looks can be deceiving, especially in politics. A mix of factors has combined to give Democrats a fighting chance of holding their majority."
First Lady Strives for Image Above Fray (Jodi Kantor) from the New York Times
"Michelle Obama’s advisers believe she is most potent when she does not appear overtly political and that she comes across best as a noncombatant in the red-and-blue wars."
Michelle Obama’s Resounding Triumph (Howard Kurtz) from the Daily Beast
"The first lady thrilled the convention with a speech that melded politics and the personal. Howard Kurtz on a well-choreographed night for the Democrats."
Michelle Obama Speech: Being President 'Reveals Who You Are' (Benery & Foley) from the Huffington Post
"Michelle Obama was the overwhelming star of Tuesday night's Democratic National Convention, delivering a powerful personal narrative about her husband still being the same deeply principled man she fell in love with 23 years ago when they were both broke and watching their families struggle."
The Dems’ Message Discipline (Peter Beinart ) from the Daily Beast
"The economy’s tough, and the election tight. But Obama’s team ran circles around the GOP on Night One of their convention."
Castro and Others: What Enthusiasm Gap? (Michael Tomasky ) from the Daily Beast
"A far better first night than the GOP’s, and in surprising ways."
The Night Democrats Reclaimed “Obamacare” (Ezra Klein) from the Washington Post
"[D]uring the first night of the Democratic National Convention, the Democrats talked about Obamacare. A lot. That was, in itself, a surprise. "
Not to me. I have long said that the day is coming when Obama, the Dems, and ultimately the people (and historians) will embrace this term all in a positive way! Clearly the time is coming sooner than I thought!
BELOW-THE-FOLD CONVENTION NUGGET!!
Ted Kennedy DNC Video Mocks Mitt Romney With Old Footage (Christina Wilkie) from the Huffington Post
"In a politically savvy move, Democrats on Tuesday used clips from Mitt Rommey's losing 1994 campaign for Senate against the late Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) in a moving video tribute to Kennedy, who served nearly five decades in the Senate."
It was smart -- but also inspiring! I thought this was one of the best moments of the evening and if you missed it make sure you check it out along with Joe Kennedy III's brief intro. I've never been a fan of the Kennedy clan political wannabes that have followed JFK, RFK or Teddy -- but Joe III had a lot of poise and maturity for such a young candidate.
The Rubio Paradox — Only Cheering Upward Mobility (Matt Miller) from the Washington Post
"Anyone listening to Rubio’s moving tale surely thought, “Yes! This is exactly what America is about!” But the stories were all we got. No Republican speakers offered any policies to renew upward mobility in the United States. In fact, nowhere did the Republicans acknowledge that upward mobility is now greater in many other countries with feudal or aristocratic histories."
Let the 2016 Speculation Begin, Iowa Breakfast Edition (Burns & Haberman) from Politico
"Jonathan Martin forwards this schedule for the Iowa delegation breakfasts this week: Tuesday - Congressman Braley and Senator Harkin; Wednesday - Governor O'Malley, Senator Klobuchar, Senator Warner; Thursday - Governor Schweitzer, Senator Gillibrand, Tom Vilsack"
STRANGE CAREERS NUGGET!!
What Does It Take To Be a Dominatrix? (Katie Roiphe) from Slate
"How an Upper East Side private school girl ends up with a dungeon for an office."
MAN'S BEST FRIEND NUGGET!!
Man's TRUE Best Friend: How Dogs Can Respond to our Emotions More than Other Humans from the Daily Mail [of the UK]
"Study at Goldsmiths University shows dogs will spot crying people and approach and nuzzle . Behaviour seems hardwired based on thousands of years of 'best friend' partnership. Even strangers get the same level of concern as a dog's owner."
TECHNOLOGY NUGGET!!
From the Wheelchair Based on an F1 Car to the 'Terminator' Exo-skeleton Suit: How Technology is Transforming the Paralympics from the Daily Mail [of the UK]
"Technology includes the 'Brain Sled' you control with you mind and the 'Ghost' glove that trains you to swim like Phelps But controversy over blade runners begs the question: Is technology levelling the playing field - or conferring an unfair advantage?"
MOVIES/AMERICAN CULTURE NUGGET!!
A Place of Dreams, a Source of Villainy: How Foreign Movies Portray America (Max Fisher) from the Atlantic
"From Chinese immigration stories to European comedies, world cinema shows the U.S. and its people in surprisingly consistent themes of adoration, hope, and suspicion."
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