As long rumored, Jim Jones will be leaving this month as Barack Obama’s national security advisor. This was never a snug fit; Jones complained that he had less access to and sway over Obama than some more junior staffers, notably NSC chief of staff Denis McDonough, one of the most quietly influential figures in the White House, and Jones …
Morning Must Reads: Self-Inflicted
REUTERS/Jose Luis Villegas
–The unemployment remained at 9.6 percent in September as the economy shed 95,000 jobs. Private sector payrolls continued to experience a small bit of growth, but not enough to offset government layoffs. The ship has pretty much sailed on Democrats getting any good economic news before the midterms, but …
In the ArenaUncategorized
Terrorist Attack in Nevada
Sharron Angle, the nitwit Republican candidate for Senate in Nevada, is now claiming that there is a threat of a Muslim takeover of several cities–like Dearborn, Michigan, which has a large Muslim population. Actually, I was just in Dearborn a few weeks ago. Celebrating the end of Ramadan with–yikes!–Muslims. They were business owners …
The Fred Davis Animal Head Collection
[vodpod …
Obama’s Potential Watchdog: Darrell Issa
As the potential next chairman of the House Oversight and Government Affairs Committee, Darrell Issa has pondered what former chairman he might emulate. Certainly, as Democrats face possibly losing the House, it’s a question that has crossed more than a few minds. Will he be like Republican Dan Burton, who issued more than 1,000 …
Can McMahon Close the Gap in Connecticut Senate Race?
Norwalk, Conn.
In politics as in business, Linda McMahon grasps the art of the sale. During Thursday morning’s debate between Connecticut’s Senate candidates, the Republican cast herself as the antidote to the bankrupt politics of Washington, a product few voters are pleased with in this turbulent cycle. “The choice in this …
Judge Rules Individual Mandate Is Constitutional
In the first decision of its kind, a federal judge in Michigan has ruled that the individual mandate included in the Affordable Care Act is constitutional. Ben Smith at Politico posted a crucial piece of the judge’s ruling, which states that the federal government has power – via the Commerce Clause – to require Americans to maintain …
Thank Tom Coburn for This Beauty
Per Ben Smith, Sharron Angle is now running an ad saying that Harry Reid “actually voted to use taxpayer dollars to pay for Viagra for convicted child molesters and sex offenders. What else could you ever need to know about Harry Reid?”
Presto, another example of members of Congress conducting politics under the guise of legislating. …
Christine O’Donnell Ad Echoes: He’s You Too
I have a piece in this week’s newsstand and iPad editions about Fred Davis, the man behind many of the best ads of this political season, including Christine O’Donnell’s “I am not a witch spot.” (Subscribe. For $5 we will send 15 issues to your house.) I asked Davis about that ad. His answer:
“When your client is the featured joke
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Lou Dobbs’ Illegal Workers
Health Reform Waviers and Why Things Are Easier Said Than Done
Recently, the Wall Street Journal published an explosive story about how McDonald’s might have to eliminate health insurance for their workers because of the Affordable Care Act. As WSJ reporter Janet Adamy wrote:
The move is one of the clearest indications that new rules may disrupt workers’ health plans as the law ripples
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Morning Must Reads: Casting Call
–Our new colleague Fareed Zakaria argues targeting Chinese currency is seriously misguided (and misses the point altogether) in a piece for this week’s newsstand issue of TIME. It’s available by mail and iPad too.
–Weekly unemployment claims are at the lowest level since July 10, but tomorrow’s monthly report, the last big …
In the ArenaUncategorized
Election Road Trip: Final Report
Some conclusions drawn from what I learned on the road. And, once again, I’d like to thank you readers for inviting my into your homes, introducing me to your friends and co-workers.