For years there has been a constant grumble, which raises to a strident squeal in election cycles, about how people today only seek out news that reaffirms their own views. A related, more troubling worry is that as people consume this reaffirming news, they are under the impression that it is full of unbiased, non-partisan [...]

You remember Libya? It was what was happening before the Japanese earthquake and after the revolutionary outburst–not quite a real revolution yet–in Egypt. I argue against military action in Libya and in favor of concentrating our (peaceful economic development) efforts in Egypt, where the real regional influence lies.

More from Clinton’s CNN interview today, on the question of a no-fly zone over Libya: “We don’t want any ambiguity,” she said. “Only the Security Council can authorize action, and if they do authorize action, there needs to be a true international response, including Arab leadership and partnership.” And here she was in February of [...]

Wolf Blitzer interviewed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton today in Cairo and she was very blunt about her future in government: Q- If the president is reelected, do you want to serve a second term as secretary of state? No Q- Would you like to serve as secretary of defense? No Q- Would you like [...]

Yesterday I wrote about Obama’s thus-far low profile on the unfolding Capitol Hill budget showdown, and speculated that the president might be ready to come out swinging soon. But Politico offered a glimpse today at the White House’s thinking: Democrats like [Rep. Norm] Dicks are increasingly outspoken that Obama must get more involved, and White House [...]

As Adam noted below, Carlos Alvarez, the mayor of Miami-Dade county, was ousted in a recall election yesterday. Less striking than the result was its margin: 88% of the more than 200,000 voters who cast ballots wanted Alvarez gone. For Alvarez, a Republican elected in 2004, it was an ugly fall. As our Miami-based colleague [...]

CNN is reporting that RNC officials have informally kicked around the idea of sanctioning all Republican presidential primary debates in 2011/2012 and selling off the TV rights. Though it would be largely unprecedented — the DNC sanctioned, but did not sell, debates in 2007 — in many ways, the idea makes sense. It would be [...]

There has long been rare left-right agreement in Washington that multi-billion dollar federal farm subsidies are generally wasteful, mostly benefit agribusinesses, and should be slashed or eliminated. You’d think this would represent low-hanging fruit for Republican budget hawks looking to make quick cuts in federal spending. But the farm lobby and members of Congress representing [...]