–D.C. dysfunction seems to be the theme of the day. Bayh says it’s why he’s retiring. Former Clinton chief of staff and Center for American Progress president John Podesta, citing GOP obstructionism, says the political environment “sucks.” Tea Party angst over big government run amok lands on the front page of the New York Times. A Wall …
–Here’s some trivial President’s Day trivia: The folks at Smart Politics figured out that 20 percent of U.S. presidential elections (that would be 11) have been won by a candidate born under the astrological sign Aquarius. Before anyone gets too excited, it’s worth noting that one of the five presidents contributing to this number is …
–Bill Clinton has been released from the hospital and doctors say his prognosis is “excellent.”
–Rhode Island Rep. Patrick Kennedy, the late Ted Kennedy’s youngest son, has announced he won’t seek a ninth term in office. It would be the first time in almost 50 years a member of the Kennedy clan is not serving in Congress. He is the …
The former president is in “good spirits” Thursday after being admitted to the Columbia Campus of New York Presbyterian Hospital for chest “discomfort.”
According to his counselor, Douglas Band, Clinton underwent a procedure to place two stents in his coronary artery. Hillary Clinton is en route to New York City from Washington, and …
Republican Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart of Florida — not to be confused with his brother Mario, who also serves in the Sunshine State’s House delegation — is expected to announce has announced he won’t be running for re-election in November.
The Miami Herald (via Ben Smith) reports this move sets off an elaborate electoral game of …
–A new Washington Post/ABC News poll out this morning suggests Sarah Palin’s public image has taken a serious hit. A 55 percent majority say they have an unfavorable view of the former governor and a devastating 71 percent say she is unqualified to be president, up ten points from November. David Broder seems to fall somewhere in that …
—Karen notes that Anthem’s 39% rate hike in California – in part due to an altered risk pool in the struggling economy – makes a convincing argument for certain elements of health reform. The Obama administration agrees, and HHS Secretary Sebelius makes just that case on the White House blog. I would not be surprised to see this …
The president made a surprise visit to the daily press briefing Tuesday, only the third time he has made such an appearance to date. He reported back on today’s talks with congressional leaders from both parties, and took wide-ranging questions from the press.
Obama said he asked Republican leadership this morning to end the practice …
Hey Swamplanders. As Karen mentioned, I’m going to be chipping in around here. One of the things I plan on doing is a daily “Morning Must Reads” post to share a few things that we’re currently following. Here is its maiden voyage:
–Consistent with the tenor of past health reform negotiations, Republican leadership and the White …