Thursday, January 31, 2013

CREDIT ACCOUNT

 Immigration reform: it's all about who gets the credit

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/01/jockeying-for-credit-already-under-way-on-immigration-reform.php

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/01/29/mccain-offers-general-praise-for-obamas-immigration-speech
“I appreciate the President’s support for our bipartisan effort on comprehensive immigration reform,” McCain said in a statement. . . .

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/01/29/boehner-spokesman-tells-obama-not-to-mess-up-immigration-effort  
Boehner spokesman to Obama: Don’t mess up immigration effort

Obama's intervention

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2013_01/obama_immigration_speech_its_a042707.php
 
The details: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/01/29/read-president-obamas-immigration-proposal/ 

Remedial learning

http://americablog.com/2013/01/secret-gop-immigration-memo.html
Following yesterday’s immigration reform announcement by a bipartisan group of senators, the conservative Hispanic Leadership Network issued a “Do’s and Don’t's” memo to teach Republican lawmakers how to talk about immigration reform without offending Latinos (seriously). . . . [don't miss it!]

More: http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/01/29/16756029-gop-gets-tonally-sensitive-talking-points-on-immigration 

The people trying to stop immgration reform

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/01/meet-the-conservatives-trying-to-stop-immigration-reform.php

More: http://dailycaller.com/2013/01/29/rep-smith-predicts-bipartisan-immigration-reform-will-fail-in-the-house/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2013/01/29/is-immigration-reform-doomed-in-the-gop-controlled-house/
National Journal has put together an eye-opening analysis of the racial makeup of GOP-controlled House seats that underscores just how tough a sell immigration reform may prove in the House . . .
 
I don't want to hear any more about how Lindsey Graham is some kind of reasonable GOP moderate

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/01/29/1183065/-Sen-Lindsey-Graham-Hillary-Clinton-got-away-with-murder
Sen. Lindsey Graham: 'Hillary Clinton got away with murder'

More: http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2013/01/lindsey-graham-continues-temper-tantrum-over-benghazi
 
Shut. Up.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/01/29/1183012/-Ted-Calgary-Cruz-attacks-decorated-Vietnam-veterans-John-Kerry-and-Chuck-Hagel-as-anti-military
Canadian-born U.S. Sen. Ted "Calgary" Cruz (R-TX) hasn't served a single day of his life in the United States armed services, but over the weekend that didn't stop him from accusing decorated Vietnam veterans and Obama cabinet nominees John Kerry and Chuck Hagel of being against our nation's military . . .

http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/01/29/16753966-ardent-fans-of-the-us-military
Perhaps Ted Cruz would benefit from a reminder about the men he's attacking. John Kerry is a decorated war hero who was awarded combat medals including the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and three Purple Hearts. Chuck Hagel is a decorated war hero who was awarded combat medals including the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, two Purple Hearts, Army Commendation Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. . . .

The NRA seems determined to act like a fringe group

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/01/29/lapierre-to-attack-universal-background-checks/
NRA head Wayne LaPierre . .  is prepared to attack not just the proposed assault weapons ban, but also the universal background checks that are perhaps the least controversial aspect of the current debate and the early focus of the White House. 

“And when it comes to the issue of background checks, let’s be honest: Background checks will never be ‘universal,’ because criminals will never submit to them” . . .

More: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2013/01/such_hogwash.php

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/01/30/1183352/-Dick-Durbin-dismantles-Wayne-nbsp-LaPierre
 
Wow. What a performance

http://tbogg.firedoglake.com/2013/01/30/crazy-mama/

More: http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2013/01/talking-about-women-isnt-helping-gun-advocates.html
 
Why the GDP dropped last quarter

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/01/31/wonkbook-the-real-story-on-the-economys-fourth-quarter-drop/

More: http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/01/31/16789587-diagnosing-the-gdp-problem
 
Sanity seems to be setting in against the GOP electoral vote theft scheme

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/01/29/virginia-electoral-vote-gambit-dies-in-senate 
Virginia electoral vote gambit dies

http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/01/29/16753840-walker-starts-to-get-cold-feet-on-electoral-scheme 
Walker starts to get cold feet on electoral scheme

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2013_01/electoral_college_rigging_thre042731.php

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2013/01/30/gop_electoral_vote_changes_hit_roadblocks.html
 
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2013/01/is_nuclear_gerrymandering_over.php 

Earmarks, reconsidered

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2013/01/bring-back-earmarks

Kind of amazing, when you think about it

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/01/30/reconciliation-119/
For the first time ever, the U.S. Senate has two black members. . . . 
  
Justice Antonin Scalia: Big Thinker

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/scalia-constitution-is-dead-dead-dead 
Scalia: The Constitution Is ‘Dead, Dead, Dead’
 
Bonus item: In Fox World, Obama's support for immigration reform is a suspicious thing, because Latinos might like it

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/01/29/1183053/-Adventures-in-hilarious-Fox-News-chyrons-immigration-edition

Keep working at it: http://politicalwire.com/archives/2013/01/30/fox_news_ratings_plummet.html
Fox News Ratings Plummet
 
***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL: http://pbd.blogspot.com


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Tuesday, January 29, 2013

BORDER SKIRMISHES
 
Republicans, chastened by the last election, decide to get serious about immigration reform


 
Two numbers show why Republicans support immigration reform

Why immigration reform is not a cure-all for the GOP

Courting Latinos isn't going to be as easy as the GOP thinks it is

“Gang of 8″ Proposal on Immigration Is a Major Disappointment

The GOP Plan: Go Left on Immigration, Right on Everything Else

Obama plans to push them further

"Silent"

House GOP Silent As Senate Plans Vote On Violence Against Women Act

Paul Ryan and other GOPers are now sorta kinda hinting that they're okay with letting the sequester happen. Don't believe it: they're a minority party that is still coming to grips with the reality that they don't have much credibility or "leverage" on this issue at all



  
David Brooks' latest cry from the wilderness

It’s probably futile to try to change current Republicans. It’s smarter to build a new wing of the Republican Party . . .[read on]
 
The kind of people they are

“Father of Newtown victim heckled at hearing.” . . . [read on]

A milestone of sorts

The Boy Scouts of America announced on Monday they were considering enacting a policy change that would lift a national ban on gay members and leaders.  . . . .

 
Bonus item: And worth every penny. . .

http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2013/01/palin-paid-per-word-at-fox-study-155388.html
Palin paid $15.85 per word at Fox

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL: http://pbd.blogspot.com


I don’t get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don’t run ads, etc.). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a “mission,” it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***
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Monday, January 28, 2013

SLOW LEARNERS

You know, you can't change unless you recognize the need for change

"It's not the platform of the party that's the issue. In many cases, it's how we communicate about it."

-- RNC Chairman Reince Priebus

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/demint-rants-about-unborn-children-when-aske
DeMint Rants About 'Unborn Children' When Asked About Republican 'Racist Comments'

 http://occupyamerica.crooksandliars.com/diane-sweet/boehner-promises-make-ending-abortion-
Boehner Promises to Make Ending Abortion a National Priority

 Paul Ryan still thinks the GOP can tank the economy, then blame the Democrats for their own actions

 http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/01/27/paul-ryan-insists-republicans-are-ready-to-let-the-sequester-happen 
Paul Ryan insists Republicans are ready to let the sequester happen . . .

 http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/ryan-i-think-sequesters-going-to-happen
Ryan said this is because Democrats have refused to offer any alternatives to the sequester, unlike Republicans who have passed legislation with alternative spending cuts. . . .

 What a bunch of whiners

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/27/obama-seeking-political-conquest-of-g-o-p-ryan-says
Obama Seeking ‘Political Conquest’ of G.O.P., Ryan Says

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2013/01/28/why-president-obama-is-right-about-the-gop
In a revealing interview with The New Republic that published over the weekend, President Obama laid plain the strategic choice that he believes faces the Republican party heading into 2014 — and beyond.

“Until Republicans feel that there’s a real price to pay for them just saying no and being obstructionist, you’ll probably see at least a number of them arguing that we should keep on doing it,” the president said. “It worked for them in the 2010 election cycle, and I think there are those who believe that it can work again.” . . . [read on]

Looks like the GOP learned something from being kicked to the curb by Latino voters: immigration reform is finally going to happen

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2013/01/immigration-reform-finally-agenda
 
Jerry "My God is bigger than your God" Boykin is still spreading his message of enlightenment

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/jerry-boykin-feels-humiliated-man-women-comb
An anti-Muslim retired lieutenant general says that he would not want to serve in a combat role with women because "personal hygiene and the other normal functions" are already "degrading and humiliating enough" without having the opposite gender on the battlefield. . . .

The Republican "War on Democracy"

 http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/01/27/1182006/-If-it-is-not-stopped-the-Republican-war-on-democracy-will-tear-this-nation-apart

We had this story from Rachel Maddow a couple of days ago

 http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/27/us/politics/secret-donors-finance-fight-against-hagel.html
A brand new conservative group calling itself Americans for a Strong Defense and financed by anonymous donors is running advertisements urging Democratic senators in five states to vote against Chuck Hagel, President Obama’s nominee to be secretary of defense, saying he would make the United States “a weaker country.”. . .

Another freshly minted and anonymously backed organization, Use Your Mandate, which presents itself as a liberal gay rights group but purchases its television time through a prominent Republican firm, is attacking Mr. Hagel as “anti-Gay,” “anti-woman” and “anti-Israel” in ads and mailers. . . .

The media campaign to scuttle Mr. Hagel’s appointment, unmatched in the annals of modern presidential cabinet appointments, reflects the continuing effects of the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United decision . . .
In case you missed the Sunday talk shows


Bonus item: Interesting - how the Obama campaign used technology

 
***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL: http://pbd.blogspot.com


I don’t get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don’t run ads, etc.). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a “mission,” it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***
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Sunday, January 27, 2013

SELF-DESTRUCTIVE TENDENCIES
 
A party at war with itself

http://theweek.com/article/index/239302/3-tensions-that-are-breaking-apart-the-republican-party
3 tensions that are breaking apart the Republican Party

Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) is sharing his regrets about his "fiscal-cliff" strategy, less than a month after the House bitterly swallowed a last-minute deal hatched in the Senate. . . .


Boehner has spoken only sparingly with the press in the last month, but during his Ripon Society appearance he was remarkably candid about the problems that his approach caused with members of his conference. More than half of the conference voted against both the fiscal-cliff deal and a subsequent bill providing aid to states affected by Hurricane Sandy. Boehner suffered 12 Republican defections during his reelection vote as Speaker early in January.

“You have no idea the suspicions and the undercurrents that it caused, frankly, a lot of my members,” Boehner said of his negotiations with Obama. “It really has, in fact, caused somewhat of a breach that I’ve been in the middle of trying to repair.” . . .

The next big flght: the sequester

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/01/26/republicans-think-the-sequester-gives-them-leverage-theyre-wrong/
Republicans think the sequester gives them leverage. They’re wrong. [read on]

In case facts matter

 http://politicalwire.com/archives/2013/01/26/no_big_spender.html
[Rex Nutting] "Of all the falsehoods told about President Barack Obama, the biggest whopper is the one about his reckless spending spree... Almost everyone believes that Obama has presided over a massive increase in federal spending, an 'inferno' of spending that threatens our jobs, our businesses and our children's future. Even Democrats seem to think it's true."

"But it didn't happen. Although there was a big stimulus bill under Obama, federal spending is rising at the slowest pace since Dwight Eisenhower brought the Korean War to an end in the 1950s." 

The shifting face of the Senate: two more greybeards step down -- Tom Harkin (D-IA), and Saxby Chambliss (R-GA). Who will replace them?

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2013_01/another_dem_to_leave_the_senat042646.php
With John Kerry expected to be confirmed as Secretary of State next week, Tom Udall rumored to be one of President Obama’s choices for Secretary of the Interior, and Jay Rockefeller declining to seek re-election next year, Harkin’s decision to retire at the end of his term makes the Democratic Party’s post-2014 grasp on the Senate look more tenuous then ever.

But while Scott Brown appears set to win his second special election and Shelley Moore Capito is the favorite to fill Rockefeller’s shoes, Democrats can take solace in the fact that there’s a decent chance of Harkin’s seat remaining on their side of the aisle. . . .

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2013/01/26/harkin-retirement-presents-gop-with-an-opportunity-and-a-test/
Iowa Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin’s retirement strengthens the Republican Party’s chances of picking up a seat that has been in Democratic hands for nearly 30  years. It also presents the party with a crucial test: Will it nominate the most electable Republican or a conservative with a strong base but limited potential in November? . . .

http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2013/01/25/170268361/another-senator-announces-retirement-blaming-legislative-gridlock
[Chambliss] "[T]his is about frustration, both at a lack of leadership from the White House and at the dearth of meaningful action from Congress, especially on issues that are the foundation of our nation's economic health. The debt-ceiling debacle of 2011 and the recent fiscal-cliff vote showed Congress at its worst and, sadly, I don't see the legislative gridlock and partisan posturing improving anytime soon. . . ."

 http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/maddow-looks-list-wingnuts-hoping-succeed-c
Now that Saxby Chambliss has decided he doesn't want to have to face a primary race for his Senate seat, Rachel Maddow took her viewers through the list of potential replacements that would like to succeed him, and it's a doozy. . . .

 Yes, THAT Saxby Chambliss: http://my.firedoglake.com/teddysanfran/2013/01/26/georgia-us-senator-saxby-obl-ad-chambliss-to-retire/
 
The GOP just can't quit their relationship with Rush

  
Obama admim lifts restrictions on women in combat. And . . .  here comes Kathleen Parker!

[Parker] This is a terrible idea for reasons too numerous to list in this space, which forces me to recommend my 2008 book, “Save the Males,” in which I devote a chapter to the issue. The most salient point happens to be a feminist argument: Women, because of their inferior physical capacities and greater vulnerabilities upon capture, have a diminished opportunity for survival. . . .
 
The Sunday talk show line-ups

ABC’S THIS WEEK:  Foreign Relations Committee members Sen. John McCain (R-AZ)  and Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ).  Roundtable: George Will; Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ); Donna Brazile; NPR “Morning Edition” host Steve Inskeep; and New Republic owner and publisher Chris Hughes. Plus, “Zero Dark Thirty” screenwriter and producer Mark Boal and Atlantic national correspondent Mark Bowden, best-selling author of “Blackhawk Down”.

CBS’ FACE THE NATION:  Gun control Sen. Dianne Feinstein, then New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly. Followed by, Newt Gingrich and Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN). Roundtable: David Sanger and David Ignatius.

CHRIS HAYES:  Biden’s role in the Obama administration, filibuster reform and the second term agenda, comparing Obama then to Obama now. Gov. Dannell Malloy (D-CT). Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH). Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM). Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA). Patrick Gaspard, executive director of the Democratic National Committee. From 2009-2011, he served as director of the Office of Political Affairs for the Obama administration and served as the national political director of President Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign. Bill Burton, senior strategist with Priorities USA Action and Priorities USA, former deputy White House press secretary for President Obama. Neera Tanden, president of the Center for American Progress. Jen Psaki, senior vice president and managing director at Global Strategy Group, former Obama White House deputy communications director. Jared Bernstein, senior fellow at the Center for Budget & Policy Priorities. Served as the chief economist and policy adviser to Vice President Biden from 2009-2011.

CNN’S STATE OF THE UNION:  Gen. (Ret.) Stanley McChrystal, Gen. (Ret.) Michael Hayden. Roundtable: the future of the GOP.

Fareed Zakaria GPS: King Abdullah II of Jordan; Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

MOYERS & COMPANY:  Foul Play in the Senate, and Today’s Abortion Debate. Bill explores Senate favoritism for Amgen,  the world’s largest biotech firm, and takes a deeper look at modern abortion rights activism.

NBC’S MEET THE PRESS:  Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI). Roundtable: Incoming President of the Heritage Foundation, former Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC); President and CEO of the NAACP Ben Jealous; Bob Woodward; Andrea Mitchell; Ted Koppel.

Bonus item: Obama's inaugural address gets the silly "Bad Lip Reading" treatment

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2013/01/26/bad_lip_reading_the_inauguration.html
***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL: http://pbd.blogspot.com


I don’t get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don’t run ads, etc.). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a “mission,” it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***
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Saturday, January 26, 2013

BAD DEAL 

Hey Harry: this is what bipartisanship gets you

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/01/mcconnell-filibuster-email.php
‘We Beat The Liberals’: McConnell Campaign Brags About Defeating Filibuster Reform

More: http://prospect.org/article/what-killed-filibuster-reform
What Killed Filibuster Reform?
 
Court overturns Obama recess appointments -- which would give GOP obstruction even more power 


 

The meaning of "the"

Would you believe me if I told you that President Obama is in constitutional trouble—with hundreds of decisions of the National Labor Relations Board from the last year now potentially invalid—over the meaning of the word the? . . . [read on]

  
Paul Ryan has a new budget proposal, and it would balance the budget in a decade, not three. What changed that made this possible?



[NB: Yes, it turns out that those horrible economy-destroying tax increases in the fiscal cliff deal REALLY DO help to solve the deficit problem.]
 
Democrats, including Obama, are talking more and more about reasonable deficit reduction, more people trust them on this issue, and the GOP is scared to death that they will lose the best issue they have


 
"Renew Grow Win" - the GOP seeks a new strategy for the future

  
 
Soledad Tells Former RNC Chair: Minorities Know You and They Don't Like You  

There are no real “reformers” in the GOP

Looks like the Repubs are stepping back from their electoral college theft scheme



Virginia GOP’s electoral-vote gambit likely doomed
  
GOP clown upset that the Washington Post calls him out for his foolishness

  
Anti-Hagel ads from a phony "liberal" group?

 
Boo. Hoo.

Sarah Palin and Fox News part ways

“It’s my understanding that Gov. Palin was offered a contract by FOX, and she decided not to renew the arrangement,” the source close to Palin told RCP. “She remains focused on broadening her message of common-sense conservatism across the country and will be expanding her voice in the national discussion.”

Bonus item: Colbert and Stewart on the pathetic Republican Benghazi hearings


***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL: http://pbd.blogspot.com


I don’t get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don’t run ads, etc.). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a “mission,” it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***
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