CUT AND PASTE

George Bush’s cut-and-paste memoirs

http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2010/11/13/its-safer-when-you-dont-let-the-president-reflect-for-himself/
I am very very grateful that Ryan Grim exposed Bush as a plagiarist on Thursday. . . .

More: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/12/george-bush-book-decision-points_n_782731.html

The GOP undermines Obama’s attempts to pursue diplomacy in the Middle East

http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2010/11/13/israel

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/cantor-told-netanyahu-that-gop-will-serve-as-a-check-on-obama.php

Does this violate the Logan Act? http://crooksandliars.com/susie-madrak/his-own-standard-did-eric-cantor-just

http://www.samefacts.com/2010/11/watching-conservatives/consistency-4/

DR’s Corner: The end of the Afghan war?

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/11/14/karzai-says-reduce-military-operations/print
Karzai: U.S. Must 'Reduce Military Operations'

http://www.pakistanpatriot.com/?p=33366
Its over: US NATO formally announcing ‘transition’ to Afghan withdrawal

[DR] Finally the Afghan government is proclaiming what anyone with a three-digit IQ has been saying for 8 years: the US is creating more terrorists in Afghanistan by slaughtering innocent civilians.

Then there is this bombshell weekend article:

http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE6AD12Z20101114
Gen. Richards says al Qaeda can be contained, not defeated

And suddenly you've got the very real political situation where the incoming Congress is going to have to confront the obvious truth that hundreds of American troops have been sent to their deaths to simply "contain Muslims" and "marginally reduce terrorism" rather than "win the war," "protect Americans," and "export freedom."

Just how will the GOTP (Grand Old Tea Party) react to next summer's scheduled withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, when all the indicators are that the Taliban will launch a spectacular series of offensives, possibly establish a new capital city of Afghanistan, and make a very loud and perhaps justified claim to have outright defeated NATO?

They'll blame Obama, of course. But I suspect they are going to have to walk a very thin line between loudly condemning Obama for "losing the war" and not exacerbating a growing public outrage that hundreds of Americans died in essentially an ineffectual-at-best, intellectually defunct and utterly meaningless military campaign.

At least one thing can be counted on however. The simpering, spineless Dems will not step up and say "with all due honor and respect for the troops, we told you so."

No trial for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (and why it matters)

http://attackerman.firedoglake.com/2010/11/13/apoplexy-abdication-and-an-indefinite-detention-without-trial-for-khalid-shaikh-mohammed/

http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2010/11/14/trials

http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2010/11/14/khalid-sheikh-mohammed-and-the-forever-war/

Gre—eaat!

http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/2010/11/112th-house-likely-to-be-most-conservative-ever/
According to Adam Bonica, the 112th House of Representatives will be the most conservative and most polarized House on record . . . [read on]

Another stupid headline from the Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/13/AR2010111302652.html
Coalition of senators challenges GOP on earmarks

[NB: This makes it look like just another partisan party squabble. The point is that this is an entirely internal rebellion WITHIN the GOP.]

Burned bridges: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_11/026620.php

You read it here: the more exposure Sarah! gets, the lower her approval. Knowing her better doesn’t mean liking her better

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/11/13/palin_negatives_hit_new_high.html

Remember when Chris Wallace was Fox’s designated “serious” journalist, a reasonable guy to give their news coverage legitimacy?

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/move-over-murrow-foxs-star-newsman-is.html

Sunday talk show line-ups

http://firedoglake.com/2010/11/14/sunday-talking-heads-november-14-2010/
ABC’s This Week: “The headline on the front page of Friday’s New York Times was blunt: ‘Obama’s Economic View Is Rejected on World Stage.’ “ First, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC). Then, the Catfood Commission with Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND). and chairman and CEO of Honeywell International, David Cote. “With Cote just back from his trip to India with the president, we’ll get his view on prospects for the U.S. economy amid fierce global competition.” Roundtable: George Will, Paul Krugman, Ruth Marcus, Robert Kagan.

CBS’ Face The Nation: Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Sen.-elect Rand Paul (R-KY).

CNN’s State of the Union: The President’s Asia trip, the Catfood Commission and the lame duck congress, Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA). Then, Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC) and Rep. Heath Shuler (D-NC). Roundtable: Anita Dunn, Tom Davis.

NBC’s Meet The Press: White House Senior Adviser David Axelrod. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ). Roundtable: Alan Greenspan, Newt Gingrich, Harold Ford Jr., Bethany McLean.

Bonus item: the latest wacko Obama conspiracy theory

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/looney-email-of-day-barack-hussein.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.***

PLAYING DEFENSE

Rethinking Obama

http://www.thenation.com/article/156384/obama-without-tears
[William Greider] Given the election results, the question Barack Obama has to decide for himself is whether he really wants to be president in the fullest sense. Not a moderator for earnest policy discussions. Not the national cheerleader for hope. Not the worthy visionary describing a distant future. Those qualities are elements in any successful presidency, and Obama applies them with admirable skill and seriousness.

What's missing with this president is power—a strong grasp of the powers he possesses and the willingness to govern the country with them. . . . [read on]

More: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/11/bipartisanship_is_irrelevant.html

Why they fight and we back down

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/lovers-and-fighters-together-again.html

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/straight-talk-in-troubled-times.html

http://www.americablog.com/2010/11/eugene-robinson-democratic-base-asks.html

http://elections.firedoglake.com/2010/11/12/where-was-the-democrats-long-term-strategic-plan/
Where Was the Democrats’ Long-Term Strategic Plan?

How the Deficit Commission got hijacked

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/12/opinion/12krugman.html

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/11/taxes-and-deficit-commission

http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/2010/11/unexplored-revenues/

On “saving” Social Security: http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/11/which-i-say-something-good-about-deficit-commission

http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/social-security-framing-debate

Caught by the earmark

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/11/earmars-schmearmarks
[Kevin Drum] I am, of course, thrilled to see conservatives beating each other senseless over earmark reform. They've spent years demagoguing Democrats over it, and the spectacle of Sen. James Inhofe now complaining that he's being demagogued over earmarks is pretty priceless. . . .

More: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/anti-earmark-groups-not-expecting-a-lot-from-new-senate-gop.php

Tim Pawlenty (R-MN) uses an election dispute to extend his term of office

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/11/worth_watching_1.php

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/11/11/919735/-MN-Gov:-Are-Emmer,-GOP-trying-to-pull-fast-one-on-Minnesota-voters

Why Joe Miller’s (R-AK) election appeal can’t win

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/murkowski-camp-accuses-team-miller-of-frivolous-vote-challenges.php

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/11/12/murkowski_confident_as_write-in_tally_grows.html

Grabbing it with both hands: Sarah’s latest book tour

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/11/12/palin_gets_ready_for_next_book_tour.html

Bonus item: But, but, but . . . George Soros is the anti-Christ!

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/sarah_palins_foreign_policy_adviser_randy_scheunem.php
Sarah Palin's Foreign Policy Adviser Randy Scheunemann Consults For George Soros

More: http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/how-does-beck-respond-adl-condemnati

***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.***

CAVE

http://washingtonindependent.com/103264/white-house-denies-folding-on-bush-tax-cuts-but-still-open-to-compromise
White House denies folding on Bush tax cuts, but still ‘open to compromise’

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/10/white-house-gives-in-on-bush-tax-cuts_n_781992.html
White House Gives In On Bush Tax Cuts

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/white-house-caves-to-gop-on-bush-tax-cuts.php
White House Signals Intent To Cave To GOP On Bush Tax Cuts

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/11/11/919748/-Yes,-agreeing-to-the-GOP-tax-cut-plan-would-be-caving
Yes, agreeing to the GOP tax cut plan would be caving

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/11/been_down_this_road_before.php
Been Down This Road Before?
[CW] A prominent administration official appears to soften on a key issue. The base gets worked up, but the White House quickly pushes back, insisting its position hasn't changed. Oh, how I wish I could believe that.

More: http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2010/11/10/obama-twists-own-arm-says-uncle-to-extending-bush-tax-cuts/

http://www.americablog.com/2010/11/damage-control-axelrod-now-denies.html

Why are they doing this?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/#40140139



More: http://firedoglake.com/2010/11/11/if-the-white-house-gets-rolled-by-the-gop-on-tax-cuts-whats-the-point-of-voting-for-democrats/
If the White House Gets Rolled by the GOP on Tax Cuts, What’s the Point of Voting for Democrats?

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_11/026583.php
[Steve Benen] Dems could have brought the package to the floor and dared the GOP to vote against tax cuts. I was actually looking forward to the headline: "Republicans kill tax cut compromise; higher rates kick in Jan. 1." Apparently, that's not to be. . . . [read on]

http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2010/11/10/david-axelrods-quaint-idea-of-middle-class-security/
[Emptywheel] There’s a lot to despise about David Axelrod’s announcement of Obama’s capitulation to the oligarchs on tax cuts, not least that he made this announcement on the same day Obama’s Catfood Commission Chairs started the process of stealing from seniors to “fix” our deficit. . . . [read on]

The growing GOP civil war over earmarks

http://washingtonindependent.com/103227/tea-party-pressure-puts-republicans-in-awkward-position-on-earmark-vote
Tea Party pressure puts Republicans in awkward position on earmark vote

http://washingtonindependent.com/103283/freedomworks-adds-fire-to-demints-earmark-crusade
FreedomWorks adds fire to DeMint’s earmark crusade

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/11/11/919514/-James-Inhofe:-Liberals-brainwashed-Americans-about-earmarks
The public battle between Mitch McConnell (R) and Jim DeMint (R) over an across-the-board earmarks ban will come to a head next Tuesday when the Republican Conference is scheduled to vote on the proposed resolution. . . .

DeMint's supporters include Tom Coburn (R), John Ensign (R), Mike Enzi (R), John Cornyn (R), Richard Burr (R), Jeff Sessions (R), Senators-elect Pat Toomey (R), Marco Rubio (R), Rand Paul (R), Mike Lee (R), Ron Johnson (R) and Kelly Ayotte (R). And if any Republicans vote against it, they have been warned by a major tea party group to expect a primary challenge in 2012. . . .

Today, Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) pushed back hard against Sen. Jim DeMint's (R-SC) proposal to ban earmarks in the Senate. . . . [read on]

Michael Steele thought a big Republican win would justify his leadership of the Republican Party. Ah . . . not so much

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/gop-wins-only-intensify-criticism-of-michael-steele.php

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/11/11/likely_rival_blasts_steele.html

The kind of people they are

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/gop-lawmaker-compares-immigrants-multiplying
GOP lawmaker compares immigrants to multiplying 'rats'

Ha ha

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_11/026591.php
[Steve Benen] Deranged Rep.-elect Allen West (R-Fla.) made an odd announcement this week, when he said a right-wing hate-radio host, Joyce Kaufman, would serve as his chief of staff in Washington. . . . [read on!]

Mr. Racial Justice

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/limbaugh-calls-dem-leaders-racist-says-clyburn-should-chauffeur-pelosi.php
Limbaugh Calls Dem Leaders Racist

Yes!

http://www.slate.com/id/2274576
Sarah Palin Finds Her True Calling . . .

Bonus item: They‘re CRAZY. Really!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/11/crazy-people-are-crazing-_n_782290.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.***

CAT FOOD

Because that's what elderly folks will end up eating . . .

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/11/10/919417/-Fiscal-commission-chairs-mark:-Lower-taxes-for-2,-austerity-for-98
Erskine Bowles and Alan Simpson, the chairs of the catfood commission, have issued their draft recommendations, and they are as draconian--for the middle class--as we've been expecting. . . . [read on]

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/11/social_security_buh-bye.php
[Josh Marshall] I wanted to give people an overview idea of the key recommendation on Social Security: namely, changing the 'indexing' of Social Security benefits to inflation rather than wages. That sounds very technical. And most people won't even know what it means. But whatever the rationales and arguments, what it means is very clear. Significantly lower cost of living adjustments which are cumulative in their effect over time. . . .

Meanwhile: http://news.firedoglake.com/2010/11/10/fiscal-commission-recommendations-va-co-pays-top-tax-rate-23/
Top Tax Rate 23%

Main points in the report: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/deficit-commission-co-chairs-simpson-and-bowles-release-eye-popping-recommendations.php

Why now?

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/debt-commission-chairmen-seek-to-head-off-leaks-put-positive-spin-on-report.php
The White House's debt commission co-chairs were not planning on publicly releasing their preliminary recommendations, at least not in such a hurried fashion. But the commissioners' reactions to their eye-popping proposals weren't exactly positive. And so, concerned about potential leaks and negative press, the co-chairs decided to unveil it and get ahead of the spin, according to a source with knowledge of the proceedings. . . .

More: http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/11/why_now_2.php

Serious flaws

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/11/deficit-commission-serious
Is the Deficit Commission Serious?

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/11/all_the_standard_cw_from_commission.php
[HW] I took a very quick look at this document and what's amazing to me is that they came up with these draconian cuts in Social Security, which is off-budget and currently in the black, but have barely anything for Medicare, where the government is hemorrhaging money. . . . [read on]

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2010/11/there_is_no_report_from_the_fi.html
[Ezra Klein] The fiscal commission we have is not the fiscal commission we were supposed to have. The fiscal commission we were supposed to have was the brainchild of Kent Conrad and Judd Gregg, the two senior members of the Senate Budget Committee. "The inability of the regular legislative process to meaningfully act on [the deficit] couldn't be clearer," they wrote. Their proposal would have set up a commission dominated by members of Congress and able to fast-track its consensus recommendations through the congressional process -- no delays, no amendments. But that proposal was filibustered in the Senate, mainly by Republicans who worried it would end in tax increases.

So the president stepped in and created a fiscal commission of his own. Like the Conrad-Gregg commission, it had 18 members, though fewer of them were members of Congress. Like the Conrad-Gregg commission, it would need 14 of its 18 participants to agree to report out its recommendations. But unlike the Conrad-Gregg commission, it had no actual power in Congress. If 14 members agreed on the recommendations, all that meant was that ... 14 members agreed on the recommendations. They could still be filibustered, amended -- whatever. The political logic of this seemed rather peculiar: If the fiscal commission itself could not pass Congress, how would the recommendations from an executive-branch fiscal commission pass Congress? The recommendations, after all, are where the hard stuff is.

Increasingly, the concern looks to be moot: The National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform will not get agreement from 14 of its members. It might not even get a majority. Today's release, unexpectedly, is a draft proposal from the co-chairs, and that might be as close as the commission comes to a comprehensive product. . . .

The co-chairmen have some interesting policy ideas for how to balance the budget, but as of yet, they've not made any discernible progress on the political deadlock preventing us from balancing the budget. And it's the deadlock, not the policy questions, that they were asked to solve. . . . [read on]

http://www.slate.com/id/2274458
It All Adds Up to Nothing

http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/10/unserious-people-2/
Unserious People

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_11/026574.php
THE FISCAL COMMISSION APPEARS TO HAVE WASTED ITS TIME

And STUPID politics too

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/11/bad_timing_for_democrats.html
One thing that needs to be noted about the just-released draft report from the co-chairs of Obama's fiscal commission -- dubbed the "catfood commission" in the blogosphere -- is how exquisitely awkward the timing is for Democrats.

After an election in which Dems got slaughtered partly because people decided Dems weren't on their side while government took very good care of Wall Street and the big banks, Americans are now being told that Dems may extend the Bush tax cuts for the rich -- and that Obama's fiscal commission wisemen want to cut Social Security and Medicare.

http://www.samefacts.com/2010/11/uncategorized/deficit-commission-theyve-got-to-be-kidding/
They’ve GOT to be kidding

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/goldilocks-villagers-are-thrilled-with.html
[Digby] Obama has made some less than savvy political decisions in office but this one has to take the cake. . . . [read on]

Gee, why would anyone be bothered by this?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/10/AR2010111006850.html
[T]he National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform has also come under attack for its unusual approach to staffing: Many of its employees aren't employed by the panel at all.

Instead, about one in four commission staffers is paid by outside entities, many of which have strong ideological points of view about how to tackle the deficit. . . .

It ain’t rocket science

http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/2010/11/us-trade-deficit-is-half-oil
US Trade Deficit is Half Oil

Do it!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/10/AR2010111007381.html
Pentagon group finds there is minimal risk to lifting gay ban during war

I love this story

http://www.americablog.com/2010/11/report-bush-told-brits-hed-have.html
Bush told Brits he'd have endorsed Obama in 2008 had Obama asked him

More from Bush: http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/11/10/mcconnell_exposed_on_iraq.html
Before the 2006 midterm landslide that gave Democrats control of Congress, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) asked President Bush in a private Oval Office meeting to pull some troops out of Iraq in order to boost the GOP's fortunes.

But Salon reports, "in the same month -- September 2006 -- that McConnell made his private request, he publicly blasted Democrats for calling for a reduction of troops in Iraq, saying that their position endangered Americans."

Very suspicious

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/11/hows_that_declared.php
There's a mini-scandal with Gov.-elect Rick Scott down in Florida tied to one of his campaign workers who says he was compelled to accept his pay in Amex gift cards. . . . Why does the campaign have a bunch of Amex gift cards around? Where are they from? How were they paid for?

More: http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/rick_scott_campaign_worker_i_was_paid_in_gift_card.php

http://firedoglake.com/2010/11/11/early-morning-swim-gov-elect-rick-scott-r-fl-paid-campaign-workers-with-gift-cards-rachel-maddow-reports/

Hmmmm?

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/11/10/democrats_trying_to_get_snowe_to_switch.html
Democrats Trying to Get Snowe to Switch?

Theocracy watch

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/getting-down-to-business.html
[John Shimkus, R-IL] "I believe that is the infallible word of god, and that's the way it is going to be for his creation... The earth will end only when God declares its time to be over. Man will not destroy this earth. This earth will not be destroyed by a flood."

Watch: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/11/10/919187/-House-energy-chair-hopeful-Shimkus-cites-Gods-promise-to-Noah-to-debunk-global-warming

“Right wing radio is hate radio”

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/being-tutsi.html

http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/glenn-beck-indulges-classic-anti-sem

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/11/10/glenn_beck_soros_plan

Bonus item: Girl fight!

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/gop-sen-collins-palin-likes-being-a-celebrity-commentator-instead-of-governing.php
GOP Sen. Collins: Palin 'Likes Being A Celebrity Commentator' Instead Of Governing

http://www.americablog.com/2010/11/kathleen-parker-palin-is-dangerous.html
Kathleen Parker: Palin is dangerous

***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.***

MONEY MATTERS

Is the GOP trying to politicize the Fed? (thanks to DR for the link)

http://www.cnbc.com/id/40013227

More: http://mydd.com/users/shaun-appleby/posts/sarah-palin-as-policy-wonk-4

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/11/9/919067/-Palin-doesnt-know-the-price-of-milk

The GOLD standard?!??

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/11/brilliant_7.php

Watch: http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/fox_news_discusses_return_of_gold_as_everyday_curr.php

More: http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/11/quote-day-goldbuggery

http://www.slate.com/id/2274225/

Blackmail

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/a-primer-on-the-gop-plan-to-hold-the-debt-ceiling-hostage.php
A Primer On The GOP Plan To Hold The Debt Ceiling Hostage

http://crooksandliars.com/jon-perr/republican-hypocrites-playing-chicken-with-debt-ceiling
Republican Hypocrites Playing Dangerous Game of Chicken

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/eric-cantor-on-the-chance-for-tax-compromise-this-year-no-video.php
Eric Cantor On Possibility Of Tax Cut Compromise This Year: 'No.'

More: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/11/9/919122/-Cantor-says-no-deal-on-tax-cuts

Anybody remember this?

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/11/9/919139/-Eric-CantorJohn-Boehner:-The-TARP-boys
[Jed Lewison] I just can't get over the fact that the two top Republicans -- John Boehner and Eric Cantor -- both supported the TARP bailout. . . [read on]

If the Dems were smart

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_11/026550.php
[Steve Benen] Cantor is refusing to consider the White House's compromise offer? Fine. Given that Cantor is still in the minority, it's not really up to him to decide -- at least not until next year.

It seems to me Democrats can get out of their defensive crouch and tell the GOP what's going to happen -- there will be a vote on a tax-cut package, and it will feature a permanent cut in middle-class tax rates, and a temporary extension of rates for the wealthy. They can either vote for it or against it. If Senate Republicans refuse to allow the chamber to consider the package, they will have killed the only opportunity available to keep Bush-era tax rates alive, and will be responsible for bringing back Clinton-era rates for everyone.

Much of the GOP's posturing is about playing for the cameras -- if they refuse to compromise and Dems cave, Republicans get what they want. If they refuse to compromise and all of the tax rates expire on schedule, Republicans get the talking point they want ("Dems raised taxes").

With that in mind, Dems aren't playing the game well. After multiple efforts at offering concessions, there's no reason Democrats can't simply put a reasonable compromise on the table and tell Republicans to take it or leave it. Start trying to turn the tables and put the onus on the party that's hold middle-class tax cuts hostage.

Unfortunately: http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/11/democrats-and-tax-bill
[Kevin Drum] Well, yes, Democrats could do this. If they weren't idiots, anyway. But they were idiots before the election, and as near as I can tell they're still idiots now. Plus, they still don't have 60 votes in the Senate, and Republicans can still chew up several weeks of calendar time obstructing a tax bill and cackling into their beers while Democrats scurry around haplessly pleading for a vote or two. And they will.

At this point, I think their best bet is to skip the tax bill entirely and focus on other things. Allow the Bush tax cuts to expire completely and let the 112th Congress deal with it. With no election in the offing and the Blue Dogs nearly wiped out, Democrats can be the obstructionists this time around. After all, tax cuts for the rich aren't very popular, gridlock isn't very popular, and Republicans aren't very popular. If nothing passes, they'll get the blame. So why make things easy for them?

Man, it’s gonna get ugly. . . .

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/11/the_acrimony_and_partisanship.html

Forget about the deadline for withdrawal from Afghanistan

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/11/afghanistan-now-officially-forever-war

Hard not to laugh at the stupidity – if the subject matter wasn’t so deadly serious. So Cheney and Addington found some hired monkeys to transcribe their wishes into pseudo-legal language that they could then point to as justification for torture, illegal imprisonment, and warrantless surveillance. But it must have been legal because. . . . well, because . . .

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/bush_waterboarding_legal_because_the_lawyer_said_i.php
Bush: Waterboarding Legal 'Because The Lawyer Said It Was'

http://www.americablog.com/2010/11/british-says-bushs-torture-saved-lives.html
British says Bush's 'torture saved lives in UK' is nonsense

More: http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2010/11/09/torture-check-covering-up-torture-check/

The GOP presidential lineup for 2012: doesn’t exactly strike fear. . .

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/11/gops-list

Michael Steele, always a few steps behind what everybody else already knows

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/128259-steele-they-dont-want-me-in-this-job
Steele: 'They don't want me in this job'

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/10/us/politics/10repubs.html

This won’t help: http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/11/steele-white-republicans-are-scared-of-me.php
Steele: White Republicans Are 'Scared Of Me'

Rand Paul, newly elected, already in trouble

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/conservative-mag-worries-rand-paul-is-already-selling-out.php
Conservative Mag Worries Rand Paul Is 'Already Selling Out' On Earmarks

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/rand-paul-i-am-not-an-earmarker-video.php
Rand Paul: I Am Not An Earmarker!

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_11/026546.php

Hey, Joe, ya LOST. Get over it!

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/joe-miller-already-calling-foul-play-in-alaska-ballot-count.php
Republican Joe Miller Already Calling Foul Play In Alaska Ballot Count

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2010/11/gop_nominee_sues_in_ak_senate_race.php
GOP nominee Miller files lawsuit over ballot count

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/11/miller_poor_spellers_all_support_me.php
Miller: We Can Assume All Poor Spellers Support Me

In Beckworld

http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/its-far-lefts-fault-glenn-becks-fans
It's the 'far left's' fault that Glenn Beck's fans are becoming violent and attacking the left

Bonus item: Go away!

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/11/09/bush_interview_a_ratings_flop.html
Bush Interview a Ratings Flop

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/11/still_spinning_the_spin.php
[David Kurtz] In writing a memoir and going on a publicity tour, George W. Bush isn't doing anything that all his recent predecessors haven't done. The main difference is Bush has a lot worse reputation to try to spin us into forgetting.

But part of the Bush rehabilitation spin is to pretend/deny that there's any spinning going on. . .

***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.***

SAY GOODBYE

No accountability

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/doj_mum_as_statute_of_limitations_passes_on_cia_torture_tapes_destruction.php
DOJ Mum As Deadline Passes To Prosecute CIA Torture Tapes Destruction

Bush gets off scot free

http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2010/11/08/cheney-pissed-at-bush-distraction-with-the-wrong-cover-up/
Cheney Pissed at Bush: Distraction with the Wrong Cover-Up

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-31w9UuoPq0
GW Bush Admits To War Crimes

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/11/08/bush_matt_lauer_interview
He's proud that he made decisions. Just don't ask him to reflect on any of them. . . [read on]

Say goodbye to sensible energy and environmental policies: the science haters are in charge again

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/gop_takeover_in_the_house_may_spell_doom_for_obamas_environmental_policies.php

http://washingtonindependent.com/102756/climate-skeptics-sweep-into-congress-but-lack-traction-among-young-americans

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_11/026539.php

Say goodbye to the DISCLOSE Act

http://washingtonindependent.com/102996/lack-of-trust-may-derail-disclose-act-in-lame-duck

Say goodbye to ending DADT

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/11/dadt-chopping-block

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/09/us/politics/09military.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/08/dems-to-cave-on-dadt-repe_n_780371.html
Dems To Cave On DADT Repeal

“Why health care reform will survive” (maybe)

http://crooksandliars.com/susie-madrak/wendell-potter-why-health-care-reform

GOP plans “hundreds” of investigative hearings on the Obama admin

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/11/08/issa_plans_hundreds_of_hearings.html

Obama’s approval collapse? Let’s compare his numbers to two other miserable first-term failures: Reagan and Clinton

http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/2010/11/obama-approval-in-context/

Barely elected and already . . .

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/11/08/joe_manchin_gop
Republicans bribing Joe Manchin to switch parties

So you thought Rand Paul was, at least, a principled conservative, huh? Naw, he’s another money-grubbing hypocrite like all the rest of them

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/11/08/rand_paul_earmarks
In a bigger shift from his campaign pledge to end earmarks, he tells me that they are a bad "symbol" of easy spending but that he will fight for Kentucky's share of earmarks and federal pork . . .

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/sen-elect-rand-paul-well-look-at-cutting-everything.php
There were a couple things Paul was clear about: Kentucky's newest U.S. Senator will be putting national government spending ahead of federal dollars for his home state.

"No more earmarks," he said.

[NB: That’s two interviews, both out on the same day.]

Sarah Palin pretends she understands what the Fed does

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/11/08/palins-new-target-bernanke/

Intemperate comments

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/11/08/gop-rep-palin-cost-us-control-of-the-senate/
GOP Rep: 'Palin cost us control of the Senate'

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/03/17/ingraham-to-meghan-mccain-you’re-a-‘useful-idiot’
Ingraham to Meghan McCain: You’re a ‘useful idiot’

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/11/08/issa-walks-back-comment-calling-obama-corrupt/
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-California), the next chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, is walking back remarks he made on conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh's show last month in which he called President Obama "one of the most corrupt presidents in modern times."

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/darrell_issa_embarks_on_charm_offensive_lays_out_bipartisan_agenda_video.php
Darrell Issa Embarks On Charm Offensive

More: http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/issa-vs-issa.html

Bonus item: Digby!

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/rich-are-different-from-you-and-me.html
I heard a caller on Limbaugh say that he wanted his boss to get a tax cut so that he (the caller) could make more money some day. The multi-millionaire Limbaugh, of course, patted him on the head and told him that's the kind of thinking that made America great. . . . [read on]

***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.***

BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD

The failure of neoliberalism

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/11/7/917840/-An-unlearned-lesson-about-neoliberalism

Obama on 60 Minutes

Video, transcript: http://firedoglake.com/2010/11/07/president-obama-on-60-minutes/

http://www.americablog.com/2010/11/obamas-appearance-on-60-minutes.html
Obama's appearance on 60 Minutes suggests he doesn't totally get why Dems lost

I agree

http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/2010/11/the-111th-congress-should-have-overreached-more/
[Matt Yglesias] The main thing veterans of the 111th Congress should feel bad about is that they didn’t seize the opportunity to engage in more liberal overreach. . . .

OK, GOPers, you want to balance the budget while reducing taxes even further — where are you going to cut?

http://crooksandliars.com/jon-perr/republicans-duck-and-cover-on-spending-cuts

More: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40029264/ns/meet_the_press-transcripts
[David Gregory to Jim DeMint, R-SC] All right. Well, let me ask you specifically about that. Where would--do you think the American people have to be prepared for sacrifice? Which part of the budget, knowing that there's only 15 percent that's nondiscretionery, or that's real--nondefense discretionary part of the budget, what are you going to target for cuts? . . . [read on]

[NB: Interestingly, in this same interview, DeMint takes a crack at Mitch McConnell for failing to support earmark reform.]

How the GOP plans to kill health care reform

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/11/07/republicans_set_strategy_to_unwind_health_care_reform.html

The Repubs wanted to “fire Pelosi” – now they’re eager to see the Democrats retain her

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/rnc-changes-fire-pelosi-message-to-hire-pelosi.php
"Hire Pelosi!"

More: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/cantor-if-pelosi-becomes-leader-its-like-dems-just-didnt-get-the-message-video.php

Oh, for crying out loud

http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/11/07/boehner.profile/index.html
Friends: Boehner no D.C. 'insider'

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/11/07/governors-agree-repeal-health-care/
Governors agree - repeal health care

[NB: Two REPUBLICAN governors. Who the hell is writing CNN’s headlines?]

In case you missed the Sunday talk shows

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/mcconnell-we-owe-it-to-the-american-people-to-try-to-repeal-health-care.php

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/07/tv-soundoff-sunday-talkin_25_n_780023.html

Bonus item: Bush disses McCain

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/11/07/bush_paints_mccain_as_weak_in_new_book.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.***

ENDANGERED

A dying species

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101105/ap_on_el_ge/us_whither_southern_democrats
Election nearly wipes out white Southern Democrats

Ingrates

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/02/how-obama-saved-capitalism-and-lost-the-midterms/
[Tim Egan] If I were one of the big corporate donors who bankrolled the Republican tide that carried into office more than 50 new Republicans in the House, I would be wary of what you just bought.

For no matter your view of President Obama, he effectively saved capitalism. And for that, he paid a terrible political price. . . .

Inside the Tea Party

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/17390/210904

http://delong.typepad.com/sdj/2010/11/worth-reading-1-bruce-bartlett-on-the-ignorance-of-the-tea-party-crowd-march-31-2010.html

I guess it’s only “vote fraud” when they lose

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/11/tinfoil_hat_territory.php

Chaos in Alaska: national GOP backs teabagger over one of their own

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_11/026516.php

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/stand-by-your-man-huckabee-and-demint-still-backing-joe-miller-palin-silent.php

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/republican-establishment-is-still.html

Tea Party targets the next group of Republicans

http://washingtonindependent.com/102787/tea-party-leadership-begins-applying-primary-pressure-early

The media’s double standard on “compromise”

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/11/4/917415/-Washington-press-asks-wrong-guys-to-compromise

Bush won’t criticize Obama (thanks to Colleen V. for the link)

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2010/11/bush-wont-critique-obama/1
"I want to treat my successor the way I'd like to have been treated," Bush tells Oprah Winfrey in an interview tied to release of his memoir, Decision Points. . . .

Bush admits SOME second thoughts

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/bush_on_wiretapping_the_911_shootdown_order_and_ex.php

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/05/bush-reveals-his-most-emb_n_779487.html

MSNBC suspends Keith Olbemann for political contributions. Meanwhile, the entire Fox News network does the same thing, with impunity

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/11/the_keith_story.php

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/scarborough-buchanan-also-made-political-contributions.php

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/11/did_olbermann_even_violate_nbc_1.html

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/11/05/olbermann_suspended

http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/what-role-did-comcast-play-keith-olbermanns

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/11/5/918039/-Another-Scarborough-political-donation

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/11/5/917893/-Olbermann-suspended-by-MSNBC
Joe Scarborough, host of the "Morning Joe" talk show and the evening newscast "Scarborough Country," $4,200 in March 2006 to Derrick Kitts, Republican candidate for the House from Oregon. ... A spokesperson for NBC, Jeremy Gaines, replied to questions sent to Scarborough. "Yes, he did make a donation to Derrick Kitts. Kitts is an old friend of Joe's. Joe hosts an opinion program and is not a news reporter."

More hypocrisy: http://crooksandliars.com/susie-madrak/howard-kurtz-lectures-keith-olbermann

Outsourcing our political process

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/chris-wallace-gop-primaries-will-be-producti
Fox News will benefit more than any other network from the Republican presidential primaries because they "own" most of the candidates, according to one their prominent anchors. . . .

[NB: We've been calling Fox News a wholly owned subsidiary of the Republican Party. But maybe it's the other way around!]

Sunday talk show lineups

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/the-sunday-show-line-ups-69.php
• ABC, This Week: Sen.-elect Rand Paul (R-KY), Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN), former Reagan administration Budget Director David Stockman.

• CBS, Face The Nation: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC).

• CNN, State Of The Union: Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN), Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX), Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sen.-elect Pat Toomey (R-PA).

• NBC, Meet The Press: Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC), Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ).

Bonus item: This is your political mind on drugs

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/lewis-black-lsd-didnt-prepare-me-sarah-palin

***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.***

FORMING THE BATTLE LINES

Fighting with one hand tied behind your back

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/11/dems_constrained_from_respondi.html
[Greg Sargent] When Mitch McConnell declared last week that his single most important goal is to ensure that Obama is a "one term president," Dems went ballistic, unleashing on McConnell a Web video, a fusillade of statements and an army of surrogates on the chat shows.

Today, McConnell doubled down on his "one term president" broadside, and if anything, his tone was more taunting than before. But the Dem response has been ... crickets.

What's the difference? Most obviously, McConnell's first blast came before the election; the second one after.

But the more important difference is that the White House political arm, the DNC, is constrained from responding aggressively for the time being because it would undercut the White House message that President Obama is fully committed to seeking common ground and a post-election period of civility. . . .

More: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/the-shellacked-and-the-furious-obama-gets-no-love-from-mcconnell-video-1.php

http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2010/11/04/mcconnell-cold-logic-vs-obamas-bipartisan-pipe-dream/

On cutting a deal over tax cuts – once again I expect the Dems to get schooled

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/11/defining_compromise.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/04/gibbs-obama-will-listen-t_n_778864.html

More: http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/gop-positioning-for-battle-to-come-lets.html

The GOP promises a relentless attack on health care reform

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/mcconnell-defeat-obama-with.php

http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/2012-republican-health-care-strategy

But: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/11/4/917441/-Why-health-care-repeal-just-wont-happen
Why health care repeal just won't happen

Will we get campaign finance disclosure rules, or will the Repubs weaken the law even further?

http://washingtonindependent.com/102725/campaign-finance-advocates-worry-gop-congress-may-attack-contribution-limits-to-candidates-parties

GOP to teabaggers: thanks a lot for your help, now get outta here!

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/mcconnell-praises-tea-party-opposes-tea-party-goal-of-earmark-moratorium.php
McConnell Praises Tea Party, Opposes Their Goal Of Earmark Elimination

Help? http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/11/3/917022/-Tea-Party-cost-GOP-control-of-the-Senate
Tea Party cost GOP control of the Senate

Senate Repubs are FURIOUS that they didn’t win the majority

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/11/4/916534/-Civil-war-breaks-out-inside-Senate-GOP-

Break out the tiny violins: http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/11/you_work_for_me_barack.php

http://firedoglake.com/2010/11/04/mitch-mcconnell-now-that-democrats-only-control-the-white-house-and-the-senate-its-time-to-do-everything-republicans-want/

Meltdown in Alaska – and I don’t mean global warming

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/11/4/917183/-AK-Sen:-No-final-Senate-results-for-at-least-a-few-weeks

How the “Blue Dogs” hurt themselves

http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/2010/11/self-defeating-blue-dogs/

http://news.firedoglake.com/2010/11/04/blue-dogs-gutted-the-only-legislation-that-would-save-them/

Cue the Crazy!

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/bachmann-outraged-over-made-up-cost-of-obamas-india-trip-video.php
Bachmann Outraged Over Made Up Cost Of Obama's India Trip

[NB: And this . . .]

"The issue here is really government excess and spending," Bachmann said a little later. "If it's that difficult and that expensive, maybe we should use video conferencing for these meetings, to have meetings between our two government leaders. Or inviting them to come to the United States."

More: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/freak-out-right-wingers-howl-over-obamas-india-trip.php

Meet the New Crazies

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/the-crazy-class-of-2010-meet-the-new-gop-stars.php

The return of Tom DeLay?

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/delay_takes_a_little_credit_in_big_gop_win_plans_r.php

Culling the exit polls

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/11/4/917466/-Dems-win-moderates,-conservatives-dominate-GOP

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/11/raw-data

How to give a concession speech (and not)

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/lawrence-odonnell-shows-us-right-and-wrong

Derisive smirks allowed

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/poor-sarah-all-she-wants-is-to-be-left.html
Sarah Palin complains about invasion of her privacy in the first episode of her new reality TV show. . . .

In other news, she takes the Dancing With The Stars judges to task for criticizing her daughter's dancing in public.

Tina Fey: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/11/4/917549/-Tina-Fey-breaks-out-her-Palin-%28again%29
"On Fox News they address her as Governor Palin. Which is like calling me a Dairy Queen employee. I was once. But I quit."

Bonus item: laugh out loud

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/colbert-on-sharron-angles-loss-now-well-never-find-out-what-her-policies-are-video.php
Stephen Colbert said he is "devastated" about Republican Sharron Angle's loss in Nevada. She was "so close to giving us all the answers," he said. And "now we'll never find out what her positions were."

Angle told a reporter last week that she'd be happy to answer questions "when I'm the senator."

"That was her whole allure," he added. "The mystery, the suspense. She was like a Dan Brown novel, but with even more historical inaccuracies."

***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.***

WINNERS AND LOSERS

http://firedoglake.com/2010/11/03/compare-and-contrast-how-democrats-and-republicans-react-to-losses/
Compare and Contrast: How Democrats and Republicans React to Losses

Meet the new kids

http://thinkprogress.org/2010/11/03/gop-frosh-class/
These GOPers come from disparate backgrounds, but they are united by their adherence to the extreme wing of conservative ideology. . . .

More: http://firedoglake.com/2010/11/04/early-morning-swim-rachel-maddow-highlights-all-the-new-crazy-in-government/
The New Crazy

McConnell: We won BECAUSE we’re the “Party of No”

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/mcconnell-dems-have-already-learned-the-wrong-lessons-from-midterm-romp.php

Hope for hubris

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/11/03/republican_popularity_contest
Some of the nation's most divisive, least likable politicians begin to imagine that America really loves them [read on]

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_11/026451.php
REPLACING AN UNPOPULAR PARTY WITH AN EVEN MORE UNPOPULAR PARTY

Perhaps this falls under “be careful what you ask for.” It’s a lot easier to gain political traction when you’re the outside group throwing rocks at the compromises and foibles of actually governing. Then you get elected and YOU’RE on the inside. Who’s throwing stones now?

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/tea-party-has-arrived-predictable-infighting-marks-the-movements-big-day.php
Tea Party Has Arrived: Predictable Infighting Marks The Movement's Big Day

http://washingtonindependent.com/102545/reid-says-the-ball-is-in-gops-court
Reid Says the Ball Is in GOP’s Court

Or: http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/11/03/voting_for_gridlock.html
[Ezra Klein] "From the perspective of actually getting anything done in the next two years, there was perhaps no worse outcome. Republicans don't fully control Congress, so they don't have enough power to be blamed for legislative outcomes. But Democrats don't control the House and they don't have a near-filibuster proof majority in the Senate, so they can't pass legislation. Republicans, in other words, are not left with the burden of governance, and Democrats are not left with the power to govern. Republicans don't have to be responsible, and Democrats can't do it for them."

[First Read] "The likely next House speaker, John Boehner, couldn't have asked for a better result from last night. With Democrats in charge of the White House and the Senate, Boehner's GOP-controlled House now has the potential to pass legislation at will, but blame the Obama administration and the Senate for the inability to get things done -- or to pass THEIR versions of legislation (like, say, repealing health care). Which ever party wins the spin war over the expected gridlock in Washington will have the upper hand heading into 2012."

Will ANYTHING get done under the new Congress?

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/darrell-issa-obama-must-answer-several-hundr
Darrell Issa: Obama must answer 'several hundred' inquiries

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/the_gop_plan_to_investigate_obama_the_first_four_potential_investigations.php
The GOP Plan To Investigate Obama: The First Four Potential Investigations

More: http://washingtonindependent.com/102529/the-new-democratic-agenda

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_11/026463.php

http://news.firedoglake.com/2010/11/03/sign-of-the-times-hearings-on-scientific-fraud-of-global-warming-expected/
Hearings on “Scientific Fraud” of Global Warming Expected

Lame ducks

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/reid_on_dadt_i_think_its_something_we_could_work_o.php
Reid On DADT: 'I Think It's Something We Could Work Out' In Lame Duck

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/obama-to-negotiate-with-gop-on-bush-tax-cut-compromise.php
Obama To Negotiate With GOP On Bush Tax Cut Compromise

http://washingtonindependent.com/102563/will-the-senate-pass-any-energy-proposals-in-the-lame-duck-session
Will the Senate Pass Any Energy Proposals in the Lame-Duck Session?

A large part of the Dem House losses were folks swept in as part of Obama’s wave, and Bush’s meltdown, in naturally GOP districts. Many of the “Blue Dog” losses, therefore, were basically reversions to the norm

http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2010/11/03/pundit

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/blue-dogs-used-party-as-fire-hydrant.html

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/11/3/916540/-More-than-half-the-Blue-Dogs-are-out

http://news.firedoglake.com/2010/11/03/progressive-caucus-will-gain-members-after-elections/
Progressive Caucus Will Gain Members After Elections

More: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/11/3/916876/-Progressives-Caucus-remains-intact,-becomes-a-plurality-of-House-Dems

Bring in the lawyers!

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/here-we-go-2010s-recounts-write-ins-and-disputed-elections.php

Michele Bachmann wants the #3 post in the House. (Won’t get it)

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/11/3/916417/-Bachmann-angles-to-become-#3-GOPer-in-House

More: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/infighting-bachmann-to-run-for-house-leadership.php

Sharron Angle, weird to the very end

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/sharron-angle-boasts-of-raising-14-million-from-out-of-state-donors.php

More: http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/sharron-angles-very-very-bizarre-concession

Why not? She'll never run again

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/odonnell-its-the-gops-fault-i-lost-video.php
O'Donnell: It's The GOP's Fault I Lost

Scott Brown (R-MA), once a GOP darling, is already targeted by his own side

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/03/scott-brown-finds-himself_n_778269.html

Assessing what the last Congress actually DID achieve

http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/2010/11/the-shape-of-backlashes-to-come/

In other news: Bush admits he “approved” torture . . . after it was already going on!

http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2010/11/04/bush-admits-to-approving-torture-but-which-use-of-it/

What Bush calls “The worst moment of his Presidency.’ Can you guess what it was?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/02/george-bush-kanye-racist_n_777967.html

Other choices he might have given: http://crooksandliars.com/nicole-belle/george-w-bush-lowest-moment-my-presid

Still lying

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/bush_i_was_a_dissenting_voice_on_iraq_war.php
Bush: 'I Was A Dissenting Voice' On Iraq War

Remember? http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article2835.htm
“F--- Saddam,” Bush said. “We’re taking him out.” [read on]

Bonus item: Rasmussen's biased polling?

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/11/3/916732/-Rasmussen-Being-Rasmussen:-The-Evidence-Is-In

More: http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/11/03/worst_poll_of_the_year.html
Worst Poll of the Year?
A Rasmussen survey in Hawaii showed Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-HI) leading challenger Cam Cavasso (R) by 13 points two weeks ago, 53% to 40%.

The final results showed Inouye winning re-election by 51 points, 72% to 21%.

***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.***

THE MORNING AFTER

The House, gone

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/03/AR2010110308842.html

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/11/republicans_win.html

The Senate, not so bad

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/democrats-retain-control-of-the-senate.php
Democrats Retain Control

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/11/looking_like_it_could_be_53.php
53?

CO, hopeful: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/11/3/916561/-CO-Sen:-Bennet-takes-lead,-teabaggers-cost-GOP-another-seat

WA: maybe: http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/11/03/patty-murray-holds-slim-lead-over-dino-rossi-in-washington-state/

AK, no Joe but still GOP: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/11/2/916064/-AK-SEN:-Murkowski-changes-tune,-again.-Will-caucus-with-GOP

PA, bad: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/comeback-kid-pat-toomey-gets-the-senate-the-second-time.php

NV, good: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/harry-reid-defeats-sharron-angle.php

IL, bad: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/kirk-wins-obamas-old-senate-seat-for-the-gop.php

CA, good: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/call-her-senator----boxer-turns-back-fiorinas-challenge.php

CA, more good: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/the-moonbeam-shines-once-more-as-jerry-brown-beats-meg-whitman-for-ca-gov.php

DE, very good: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/christine-odonnell-in-concession-speech-we-have-won-video.php

WI, very bad: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/the-end-of-a-progressive-champion-russ-feingold-loses-to-ron-johnson.php

KY, bad: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/rand-paul-in-victory-speech-this-is-a-tea-party-tidal-wave-video.php

FL, bad: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/republican-marco-rubio-cruises-to-victory-in-florida.php

CT, good: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/blumenthal-pins-down-mcmahon-wins-connecticut-senate-race.php

WVA, good: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6A207S20101103

Very predictable move for the Dems: the morning-after Blame Game

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/02/tensions-already-flaring-_n_777847.html

http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2010/11/02/hows-tim-kaine-working-for-you-dems/

Will any Dems switch parties?

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/11/2/916229/-A-Dem-party-switcher-is-a-future-teabagged-Republican

Palin endorsements: no magic bullet

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/11/palin_a_loser.php

http://washingtonindependent.com/102161/the-palin-factor-in-todays-elections

http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/palin-agrees-oreilly-you-cant-be-too
'You can't be too far right'

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/02/AR2010110208436.html

Anti-immigrant campaigns didn’t do well

http://washingtonindependent.com/102448/tancredo-angle-whitman-lose-after-anti-illegal-immigration-campaigns

A sign of things to come

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/boehner-cries-gop-cheers-its-all-over-at-gop-hq.php
Boehner Cries

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/11/oh_thats_a_good_sign.php
Darrell Issa (R), chief investigator under new leadership in House, tells reporters: "My responsibility is very broad, we own everything."

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_11/026427.php
HOUSE GOP LEADER TALKS OF BEING 'FORCED' INTO A SHUTDOWN

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/11/02/demint_takes_aim_at_party_insiders.html
Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC), writing in the Wall Street Journal: "Congratulations to all the tea party-backed candidates who overcame a determined, partisan opposition to win their elections. The next campaign begins today. Because you must now overcome determined party insiders . . .”

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/11/2/916071/-GOP-to-go-after-companies-that-worked-with-administration
[WP] Republicans have a message for the businesses that worked closely with the Obama administration over the past two years on key controversial issues: We won't forget. . . .

[NB: Remember when the GOP was howling about Obama’s supposed “enemies list”?]

Looking back: what a bunch of goofballs

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/i-am-not-a-witchim-aqua-buddha-15-iconic-moments-from-the-2010-campaign.php
The Most Iconic Moments From The 2010 Campaign

The Fox Election

http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/election-update-fox-election

Ha

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/abc-cuts-breitbart-from-election-night-coverage.php
ABC Cuts Breitbart From Election Night Coverage

More: http://crooksandliars.com/nicole-belle/abc-sacks-breitbart-entirely-we-feel-

Bonus item: Laugh out loud

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/11/chris-matthews-to-bachmann-did-someone-hypnotize-you-video.php
Chris Matthews talked to Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) on MSNBC tonight, and got a bit frustrated when she wouldn't answer his questions: "Congresswoman Bachmann -- are you hypnotized tonight? Has someone hypnotized you? . . .”

More: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/02/michele-bachmann-making-p_n_777828.html
Michele Bachmann Making Play For GOP Leadership Post

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_11/026439.php

***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.***