DAYLEE PICTURE: A sunset over flowing lava in Kalapana, Hawaii. From the Smithsonian.
UP-FRONT CONGRESS NUGGET!!
Democrats Go ‘Nuclear,’ Eliminate Filibusters on Most Nominees (Update) (Niels Lesniewski) from Roll Call
"Senate Democrats succeeded Thursday in deploying the “nuclear option” to make the most fundamental change to floor operations in almost four decades, ending the minority’s ability to kill most presidential nominations by filibuster. The Senate voted, 52-48, to effectively change the rules by rejecting the opinion of the presiding officer that a supermajority is required to limit debate, or invoke cloture, on executive branch nominees and those for seats on federal courts short of the Supreme Court."
Here is Daily Kos's take on what has just occurred here and here.
The Senate has Gone Nuclear. Here’s What’s Next (Jonathan Bernstein) from the Washington Post
"This is a major, major, event. It changes how the nation is governed in a significant way. ... This change was basically forced by Republicans; the interesting question, I think, is why the group of Republicans who weren’t willing to push the Democrats over the brink in the summer decided to do so now."
Norm Ornstein: Republicans Forced Reid's Hand On The Nuclear Option from Talking Points Memo
""For whatever reason, the Republicans decided to go nuclear first, with this utterly unnecessary violation of their own agreement and open decision to block the president from filling vacancies for his entire term, no matter how well qualified the nominees," Ornstein told TPM in an email. "It was a set of actions begging for a return nuclear response.""
U.S. Optimistic about a Nuclear Deal with Iran (David Ignatius) from the Washington Post
"U.S. officials are cautiously optimistic that they are close to a deal with Iran to freeze its nuclear program as a first step toward a comprehensive agreement that would allow a limited Iranian civilian nuclear program, including some enrichment of uranium for civilian uses."
Gen. John Allen Praises the Terms of New U.S.-Afghanistan Agreement (Daniel Klaidman) from the Daily Beast
"The former commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan is encouraged by the terms of a security-pact agreement governing the withdrawal of U.S. troops. "
"Under the Affordable Care Act of 2010, widely known as Obamacare, all individual and small group insurance policies sold in Oklahoma and other states must provide a number of essential health benefits, starting Jan. 1. The essential benefits include mental health and substance abuse services such as individual counseling and psychotherapy."
3 Signs That Obamacare Is Slowing Health Care Spending from Talking Points Memo
"...the second goal of Obamacare, beyond expanding health coverage to the uninsured, was getting health care costs under control. Health care spending had grown by an average annual rate of 3.9 percent between 2000 and 2007, before dipping to 1.8 percent between 2007 and 2010. According to the new report, the average annual rate of growth from 2011 to 2013 dropped still further, to 1.3 percent."
The Ridiculous Obamacare Press Frenzy (Jonathan Bernstein) from the Washington Monthly
"There’s just a lot of nonsense right now. Which is pretty much what happens when these press frenzies get started, but it’s very frustrating. ... yes, there is a substantive story on health care reform here, but what the press are up to is mostly just fantasy."
Dems Try Going on Offense: It’s Obamacare versus ‘Cruz Care’ (Greg Sargent) from the Washington Post
"While the punditry has focused on Dems supposedly “running away” from the law, what is really happening is they are adopting variations of the “keep and fix” message that will be central to the Dem approach next year. Dems like Kay Hagan, Mary Landrieu, and Mark Pryor are embracing various “fixes,” but they will be attacking GOP opponents for supporting repeal. Dems remain committed to sticking with the law..."
What the Cheney Civil War Says About America (W. James Antle III) from the National Interest
"A testament to how rapidly popular views on gay marriage have shifted."
RNC Needs Binders (Cheri Jacobus) from The Hill
"The establishment GOP, which claims to “get it” after two consecutive drubbings in presidential elections with their hand at the till, is made up almost exclusively of men. Despite polls showing the nation is right-of-center and slightly more female than male, we lose with women and therefore we lose the race."
Republican Governors Try To Seize Party's Mantle from the Huffington Post
"Tired of being cast as members of the "party of no," Republican governors facing re-election next year are emphasizing their work to steer their states through tough economic times and trying to avoid the stigma of Washington gridlock. To that end, the 2014 elections could serve as a test case for the public's appetite for tax cuts championed by GOP governors, the curbing of benefits for public-sector unions and restrictions on women's access to health care."
JFK NUGGET!!
Kennedy's Legacy of Inspiration (Robert Dallek) from the New York Times
"Compared with other recent presidents whose stumbles and failures have assaulted the national self-esteem, memories of Kennedy continue to give the country faith that its better days are ahead."
No comments:
Post a Comment