A month ago Congress passed a series of harsh spending cuts, calling the measure a “deficit-reduction plan.” Critics in the reality-based community pointed out it was more or less insane to cut funds for low-income families who rely on programs like foot stamps, Medicaid, and child care assistance, only to turn around a month later […]
60 Minutes’ Mike Wallace chatted with the Boston Globe’s Suzanne Ryan this week, and their chat produced one of my favorite answers of all time. (via Jason Zengerle) Q. President George W. Bush has declined to be interviewed by you. What would you ask him if you had the chance? A. What in the world […]
To follow up on yesterday’s post about the New York Times movie blogger who shares my pseudonym, I thought I’d give readers an update. I contacted the NYT’s David Carr to share my concerns. I’ve since heard from him, and his editor, both of whom wrote gracious emails. I’ll spare you the details but it […]
Today’s installment of campaign-related news items that wouldn’t generate a post of their own, but may be of interest to political observers: * New Jersey Gov.-elect Jon Corzine (D) will reportedly select Rep. Bob Menendez (D) as his replacement in the Senate. The choice seems to have been confirmed by nearly everyone, though a formal […]
About a month ago, the Washington Times ran an item explaining that some House Republicans are “looking closely at ending birthright citizenship.” Legally, if you’re born in the United States, you’re a citizen. The Times said “a task force of party leaders and members active on immigration” were reviewing proposals to change that standard permanently. […]
House Speaker Dennis Hastert, apparently aware of the fact that too many of his colleagues have ignored congressional ethics rules, reportedly suggested that lawmakers get more extensive training on what’s allowed and what’s not. House members and aides said Mr. Hastert broached the subject in a closed-door session with House Republicans while they discussed former […]
According to the New York Daily News’ Thomas DeFrank, there might be a very interesting shake-up at the Pentagon within the next month or so. White House officials are telling associates they expect Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to quit early next year, once a new government is formed in Iraq, sources said yesterday. Rumsfeld’s deputy, […]
If you look at the WaPo’s coverage of Condoleezza Rice’s remarks about the U.S. approach abusive tactics, you might think the Secretary of State said something genuinely encouraging. She didn’t. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Wednesday that the United States prohibits all its personnel from using cruel or inhuman techniques in prisoner interrogations, whether […]
News websites routinely run online “polls” in which readers can weigh in on some controversy of the day. It’s just a web gimmick — the polls aren’t scientific, don’t even pretend to fine representative samples, and have zero predictive value. They’re just supposed to be fun. Validity aside, these “polls” tend to get attention. For […]
There seems to be great consternation among Dem leaders every time a high-profile Dem criticizes the war, but according to one new national poll, the public’s views aren’t terribly different from the party’s. [A]lmost 60 percent of voters say the U.S. should withdraw its troops from Iraq, with 40 percent who say get out immediately, […]