We’re in the grip of election fever here in DC. Could (gasp!) Jon Corzine lose the governor’s race in New Jersey? What might a Bob McDonnell victory in Virginia mean for Republicans? For that matter, what could a Doug Hoffman win in the NY23rd mean? But, just in case you forgot, there is still a [...]
Economy
House Republicans are starting to pull together an agenda for 2010. It’s not as sweeping as the Contract with America, or, even, Six for 06. But if you’re a small businessman with a commercial real estate problem or a company wondering how you’re going to pay for mounting unemployment insurance costs — than this plan’s [...]
The Consumer Confidence Index is so old-school. If you really want to know how the economy is doing, you should be paying attention to whether there’s been a pickup in the market in second-hand cemetery plots, there are more hikers on the Applachian Trail and whether your waitress is smokin’ hot. All of these, economically [...]
The House managed to pivot on a dime and quickly pass legislation to expand funding by $2 billion for the surprisingly popular Cash for Clunkers program before adjourning for summer recess last week. The Senate this week is finding such expedited moves rather more difficult. Turns out the program has opponents from both the left [...]
Sure, last week’s dramatic arrests in New Jersey of 44 people including three mayors, two state assemblymen and five rabbis wasn’t great news for the already embattled Jon Corzine. On the other hand, Corzine’s pegging his campaign to New Jersey’s economy, so what does he care? At least someone’s having fun with it:
My story on the negotiations on the bail out bill on the Hill. The point that Paulson and Bernanke made about pensions is interesting. Despite all the laments that Americans aren’t saving enough for retirement, this is a massive market: more than $1.9 trillion in DB pensions, $2.5 trillion in 401(k) savings and $4.75 trillion [...]
Our colleague Justin Fox is live blogging the Senate Banking Committee hearing I’m at this morning on Capitol Hill. The main attractions are Paulson, Bernanke and Chris Cox. So far, the most colorful moment came before the hearing started when Code Pink – an anti-war group that haunts congressional hearings – heckled Senators Casey, Hagel [...]
