National Democrats
Turning Back the Hands of the Clock
Once upon a time North Carolina was considered the most anti-union state in the country; back then, nobody ever heard of a Democrat like Jim Hunt or Bob Scott supporting legislation to create more unions – but that’s exactly what Senator Kay Hagan is doing. So, what changed? It’s simple: Today Democratic voters see corporations…
Read MoreThe Great Tax Debate Resumes
It’s time to round up the usual suspects. Because Washington is headed into the same old battle over raising taxes. But this time the stakes are bigger, the faces are different and the outcome may be surprising. Since Ronald Reagan, the Republican formula has been a simple one. As Mary Matalin put it on MSNBC…
Read MoreYes We Will
President Obama made a crucial strategic, rhetorical and political pivot in his speech to Congress last night. He shifted from warnings of “catastrophe” to an assertion of confidence: “We will rebuild, we will recover.” More than with most politicians, Obama’s words are worth paying attention to. Because, as a writer, he pays attention to words.…
Read MoreDoes Anybody Have an Answer?
As a nation turns its lonely eyes to President Obama tonight, I’m reminded of the plaintive question Casey Stengel asked about the sad-sack Mets: “Can’t anybody here play this game?” Does anybody in Washington know what they’re doing? Do they know how to stop the Great Recession – and prevent a “Lost Decade”? Surely, the…
Read MoreObama’s Lincoln Problem
I wonder if Abraham Lincolnâs shoes are big enough to fit both his feet and Barack Obamaâs? Before the ink dried after the election, Obama said, like Lincoln, he was going to appoint a âTeam of Rivalsâ to his cabinet. He rode to his inaugural following the same route as Lincoln. Took the oath with…
Read MoreBambi in the White House?
Several times during the presidential campaign, opponents and commentators dismissed Barack Obama as “Obambi.” John Edwards privately told friends he thought Obama was weak. The Clintons believed he was too soft. So did John McCain. At every turn, Bambi turned out to have sharp teeth. His path is littered with his opponents’ bones. But now…
Read MoreA Strange Cure
Most times, to me a Jamaican voodoo doctor rattling chicken bones makes as much sense as an economist, and I’d say there is a greater probability the voodoo doctor’s predictions will come true. The fact is I simply do not understand economics. It’s as much a mystery as astrology. Or tarot cards. Or a scientist…
Read MoreObama 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.…
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