Archive for February 2009
Obama Dancing the Two-Step
Well, Gary gave President Obama rave reviews about Monday night’s press conference. I had a different – and apparently partisan – reaction. There was a time, not so long ago, when Obama talked a language that sounded a lot like plain everyday English but now, well, he’s taken to talking political-ese. High quality political-ese but…
Read MoreWho Cares What Wall Street Thinks?
So Wall Street wasn’t happy with Obama’s bank-rescue plan. As one of my breakfast pals pointed out: “Didn’t Wall Street get us into this mess? Who are they to complain that the rescuers aren’t doing enough to save them from themselves?” The real question is what the American people think. Public Policy Polling found that…
Read MoreObama in the Minefield
Well, itâs like déjà vu all over again. A Democratic congressman stands up, looks the president in the eye and says, Iâm not for sending any more troops to fight until I see an exit plan. Only, this time, the president heâs looking in the eye is Obama and the warâs in Afghanistan, not Iraq.…
Read MoreThe Great Grab
President Obama spent a lot of time last election railing against lobbyists. He said when he was elected he was going to tie them in knots. Curtail their mischief. Send them into political exile. But three months later, more than ever, government in Washington is about ‘the great grab.’ Lobbyists for special interests are lined…
Read MoreObama’s Bully Pulpit
President Obama demonstrated anew last night why he’s a political force not to be underestimated. Congressional Republicans need to reassess picking a fight with a President who is smart, articulate (and clean, as Joe Biden would say). Not to mention one who has the biggest microphone in the world. Obama made his reputation as an…
Read MoreBev’s Bad Trip
Most employers would look askance on a new employee who takes a week-long vacation after being on the job just over a month. So Governor Perdue is trying the good nature of North Carolina taxpayers this week. She has good arguments: She has been working hard. She’s off to a good start, most observers agree.…
Read MoreModern Times
Tough times call for stern measures and in Manhattan they’re up to the task. To cope with the economic crash a group of young women – girlfriends and spouses of Wall Street wunderkind – have formed a unique support group, Dating a Banker Anonymous. The young women meet to share fellowship and condolences over brunch…
Read MoreThe Way of All Flesh
In just a fortnight Obama’s gone from “Yes, we can” to “I screwed up.” Tackling the labyrinth of imperial government – with its legions of lobbyists, special interests and hard-bitten politicians – in Washington has turned out to be a tough nut to crack. In two weeks the best and brightest among us – at…
Read MoreBumpy Takeoff for Air Obama
Face it, Obamaniacs. The Man has had a rough start. Kind of like Flight 1549, he ran into some turkeys on takeoff. Some of the turkeys were Republicans. Some were Democrats in Congress. And some were in his own administration. But buck up. At several key points in the campaign, Obama seemed about to stall…
Read MoreWhat Republicans Lack: A Voice
These days Mike, the Republican Political Warrior, has the blues. In three short years he’s witnessed a political meltdown, which he expressed this way the other day in an email: I always reckoned the end would come. I just didn’t expect it to come in my lifetime. Eight years ago, Mike had high hopes for…
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