Where Have All The Popular Politicians Gone? (Chuck Todd et al.) from NBC News
"Where have all the popular politicians gone? President Obama isn’t the only American politician who’s struggling these days. In fact, unlike others, his favorable/unfavorable numbers are actually above water -- the first time for him since Oct. 2013. Consider these politicians,
institutions, and companies our most recent NBC/WSJ poll measured (from best to worst):"
Saturday, May 3, 2014
Hillary Clinton leads Jeb Bush in theoretical matchup
Poll: GOP presidential race wide open (Philip Rucker and Scott Clement) from the Washington Post
"The 2016 Republican presidential nominating battle is shaping up as the most wide-open in a generation ... The picture is very different on the Democratic side, where former secretary of state Hillary Rodham Clinton is the clear front-runner. In a hypothetical matchup, Clinton leads former Florida governor Jeb Bush — seen by many GOP establishment figures as the party’s strongest general-election candidate — 53 percent to 41 percent."
"The 2016 Republican presidential nominating battle is shaping up as the most wide-open in a generation ... The picture is very different on the Democratic side, where former secretary of state Hillary Rodham Clinton is the clear front-runner. In a hypothetical matchup, Clinton leads former Florida governor Jeb Bush — seen by many GOP establishment figures as the party’s strongest general-election candidate — 53 percent to 41 percent."
Friday, May 2, 2014
Christie Budget Talking Point Falls Apart
N.J. Budget Shortfall Grows to $800 Million from The Record [of New Jersey]
"Governor Christie’s predictions for tax collections have missed the mark, amounting to an $800 million shortfall that leaves little time and few places for the governor and lawmakers to find savings."
Another nail in the Christie presidential coffin.
"Governor Christie’s predictions for tax collections have missed the mark, amounting to an $800 million shortfall that leaves little time and few places for the governor and lawmakers to find savings."
Another nail in the Christie presidential coffin.
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
News Nuggets 1437
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| DAYLEE PICTURE: A young monk in a Buddhist monastery in Old Bagan in Myanmar. From National Geographic. |
Defense Policy Lessons from the W. Bush Era
Shaping Things to Come: America's Role (Simon Serfaty) from the National Interest
"Armed with America’s arsenal of unmatched capabilities, Bush went to Afghanistan the way Bill Gates would go to McDonald’s: with too much money for the place and too little taste for the food. And then, “because Afghanistan wasn’t enough . . . to make a point that we’re not going to live in this world that they want for us,” as Henry Kissinger reportedly said, and as Vice President Dick Cheney clearly believed, the war moved on to a new and even more disastrous theater."
"Armed with America’s arsenal of unmatched capabilities, Bush went to Afghanistan the way Bill Gates would go to McDonald’s: with too much money for the place and too little taste for the food. And then, “because Afghanistan wasn’t enough . . . to make a point that we’re not going to live in this world that they want for us,” as Henry Kissinger reportedly said, and as Vice President Dick Cheney clearly believed, the war moved on to a new and even more disastrous theater."
The Middle East No Longer So Central to US Interests
Why Obama is Betting on Asia (Evan Osnos) from the New Yorker
"Obama’s visit to the Philippines is the last stop on a seven-day tour of Asia designed to underscore the Administration’s desire to “rebalance” America’s military, diplomatic, and economic resources away from the economic and political sinkhole of the Middle East."
"Obama’s visit to the Philippines is the last stop on a seven-day tour of Asia designed to underscore the Administration’s desire to “rebalance” America’s military, diplomatic, and economic resources away from the economic and political sinkhole of the Middle East."
Lots of Global Hot Spots Where the US Has No Stake
Don't Worry About Worried Allies (Paul Pillar) from the National Interest
"... the United States has no such stake whatsoever and can only be ill-served by appearing to take sides in sectarian conflicts. Saudi unease about negotiations with Iran has to do with a post-agreement Iran becoming a stronger competitor to other oil exporters and giving the United States greater diplomatic and security options in the Persian Gulf region than it does now; again, U.S. interests on these subjects are quite different from those of the Saudis."
"... the United States has no such stake whatsoever and can only be ill-served by appearing to take sides in sectarian conflicts. Saudi unease about negotiations with Iran has to do with a post-agreement Iran becoming a stronger competitor to other oil exporters and giving the United States greater diplomatic and security options in the Persian Gulf region than it does now; again, U.S. interests on these subjects are quite different from those of the Saudis."
U.S. Nuclear Weapons Policy Today
50 Facts About U.S. Nuclear Weapons Today from the Brookings Institute
"Their number and role in U.S. security have been reduced, but nuclear weapons still provide important security benefits to the United States and its allies. While the prospects for moving to lower levels than those in New START now appear limited, the Arms Control and Non-Proliferation Initiative at Brookings put together an updated list of "50 Facts About U.S. Nuclear Weapons," originally published in 1998."
"Their number and role in U.S. security have been reduced, but nuclear weapons still provide important security benefits to the United States and its allies. While the prospects for moving to lower levels than those in New START now appear limited, the Arms Control and Non-Proliferation Initiative at Brookings put together an updated list of "50 Facts About U.S. Nuclear Weapons," originally published in 1998."
“Conservative Internationalism” and the Many Crises It Would Create
The Many Flaws of “Conservative Internationalism” (II) (Daniel Larison) from the American Conservative
"He thinks that Ukraine should be prioritized for democracy promotion, and he says that this should be done by “exploiting powerful nearby free markets and democratic alliances.” This is what the EU thought it was doing in its own clumsy way, and it has produced a severe and foreseeable backlash from Russia. If the U.S. consistently followed Nau’s recommendations, it would help to create more crises like the one we’re seeing in Ukraine now. Nau’s “third way” remains a dead end."
"He thinks that Ukraine should be prioritized for democracy promotion, and he says that this should be done by “exploiting powerful nearby free markets and democratic alliances.” This is what the EU thought it was doing in its own clumsy way, and it has produced a severe and foreseeable backlash from Russia. If the U.S. consistently followed Nau’s recommendations, it would help to create more crises like the one we’re seeing in Ukraine now. Nau’s “third way” remains a dead end."
EPA Victory at Supreme Court
EPA Hails Big Victory At Supreme Court from Talking Points Memo
"It's not every day that environmentalists notch up a victory in the modern Supreme Court, but that's what happened Tuesday in a 6-2 decision upholding the Environmental Protection Agency's authority to crack down on coal pollution that moves across state lines."
"It's not every day that environmentalists notch up a victory in the modern Supreme Court, but that's what happened Tuesday in a 6-2 decision upholding the Environmental Protection Agency's authority to crack down on coal pollution that moves across state lines."
On Obamacare, GOP Lawmakers Confronted By Constituents
GOP Lawmakers Confronted By Constituents Demanding To Know Why They Won’t Expand Medicaid from Think Progress
"Over the past week, at several town halls intended to emphasize why Virginia shouldn’t expand Medicaid, GOP lawmakers have been confronted by constituents who are demanding to know why they’re denying health care from an estimated 400,000 low-income residents."
"Over the past week, at several town halls intended to emphasize why Virginia shouldn’t expand Medicaid, GOP lawmakers have been confronted by constituents who are demanding to know why they’re denying health care from an estimated 400,000 low-income residents."
Obamacare By Any Other Name
The Republican Replacement for Obamacare is Fauxbamacare (Ezra Klein) from Vox
"Scott Brown, who's now running for Senate in New Hampshire, has found the perfect position on Obamacare. He's for it. He's just not for calling it Obamacare. In an interview with WBUR, he called Obamacare a "disaster." Then he was asked what he's for — and he went on to describe Obamacare."
"Scott Brown, who's now running for Senate in New Hampshire, has found the perfect position on Obamacare. He's for it. He's just not for calling it Obamacare. In an interview with WBUR, he called Obamacare a "disaster." Then he was asked what he's for — and he went on to describe Obamacare."
The Elusive Hunt for Obamacare Horror Stories Coninues
Scott Went Looking For Obamacare Horror Stories But Found Satisfied Seniors from Talking Points Memo
"There were 20 seniors who were assembled at a roundtable at the Volen Center in Boca Raton for Scott's visit, according to The Florida Sun Sentinel. But the seniors expressed satisfaction with their health care and even praised Obamacare."
"There were 20 seniors who were assembled at a roundtable at the Volen Center in Boca Raton for Scott's visit, according to The Florida Sun Sentinel. But the seniors expressed satisfaction with their health care and even praised Obamacare."
Snowden Looking to Cop a Plea?
NSA Leaker Snowden Hires 'Well-known Washington Attorney' in the Hopes of Cutting a Plea Deal to Bring Him Back from Moscow from the Daily Mail [of the UK]
"One year after National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden retained the services of a well-known Washington defense lawyer in hopes of reaching a plea deal with federal prosecutors, negotiations remain in the early stages with no agreement on the horizon."
Good luck, dude. You'll NEED it! I wonder if it actually doesn't work for the White House that Snowden stays in Moscow right now. The longer he remains "protected" by Putin, the more discredited he becomes.
"One year after National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden retained the services of a well-known Washington defense lawyer in hopes of reaching a plea deal with federal prosecutors, negotiations remain in the early stages with no agreement on the horizon."
Good luck, dude. You'll NEED it! I wonder if it actually doesn't work for the White House that Snowden stays in Moscow right now. The longer he remains "protected" by Putin, the more discredited he becomes.
Judge Strikes Down Wisconsin Voter ID Law
Federal Judge Strikes Down Wisconsin Voter ID Law from Talking Points Memo
"A federal judge in Milwaukee has struck down Wisconsin's voter Identification law, saying it unfairly burdens poor and minority voters. U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman issued his long-awaited decision Tuesday. It invalidates Wisconsin's law."
"A federal judge in Milwaukee has struck down Wisconsin's voter Identification law, saying it unfairly burdens poor and minority voters. U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman issued his long-awaited decision Tuesday. It invalidates Wisconsin's law."
The Wonders That Await a Rand Paul Bid in 2016
Rand Paul's Problem: Self-inflicted Wounds from Politico
"Rand Paul’s 2016 prospects would look a lot brighter if he’d bring an end to one of his biggest problems: self-inflicted wounds. ... he has also had a series of stumbles that could threaten his ability to appeal to the same voters he’s trying to reach. And some Republican strategists say he’ll have to start showing more discipline if he does get into the 2016 race."
"Rand Paul’s 2016 prospects would look a lot brighter if he’d bring an end to one of his biggest problems: self-inflicted wounds. ... he has also had a series of stumbles that could threaten his ability to appeal to the same voters he’s trying to reach. And some Republican strategists say he’ll have to start showing more discipline if he does get into the 2016 race."
PITTSBURGH HISTORY NUGGET!!
Pittsburgh's Lost Steamboat Serves as an Accidental Time Capsule from Essential Pittsburgh
"How did a 19th century steamboat made in Pittsburgh wind up perfectly preserved in a Kansas cornfield? This is just one of many questions that emerges from the story told by Leslie Przybylek, lead curator for the Treasures of the Arabia Exhibit at the Senator John Heinz History Center. The Arabia is known as Pittsburgh’s lost steamboat and serves as an accidental time capsule. In its hull, were dozens of hats, shoes, pants, even edible food stuffs, all more than 150 years old."
"How did a 19th century steamboat made in Pittsburgh wind up perfectly preserved in a Kansas cornfield? This is just one of many questions that emerges from the story told by Leslie Przybylek, lead curator for the Treasures of the Arabia Exhibit at the Senator John Heinz History Center. The Arabia is known as Pittsburgh’s lost steamboat and serves as an accidental time capsule. In its hull, were dozens of hats, shoes, pants, even edible food stuffs, all more than 150 years old."
SUBURBAN NUGGET!!
'Decoding the Hidden Circles of Suburbia: Photographer takes stunning pictures of America's urban sprawl from the sky from the Daily Mail [of the UK]
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| An aerial photo of a suburb in Clark County, Nevada. From the Daily Mail of the UK. |
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
News Nuggets 1436
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| DAYLEE PICTURE: A Manatee along the southeastern coast. From the Daily Mail [of the UK] |
TODAY'S BIG NUGGET: Where Will Big GOP Donors Go in 2016?
Wall Street Republicans' Dark Secret: Hillary Clinton 2016 from Politico
"Two dozen interviews about the 2016 race with unaligned GOP donors, financial executives and their Washington lobbyists turned up a consistent — and unusual — consolation candidate if Bush demurs, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie doesn’t recover politically and no other establishment favorite gets nominated: Hillary Clinton."
"Two dozen interviews about the 2016 race with unaligned GOP donors, financial executives and their Washington lobbyists turned up a consistent — and unusual — consolation candidate if Bush demurs, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie doesn’t recover politically and no other establishment favorite gets nominated: Hillary Clinton."
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