The Plank
A Cabinet Position We Can All Get Behind
After health care, I propose President Obama roll up his sleeves and get to work on universal Auto-Tune. (via Jim Fallows) READ MORE >>
Exum: A Grim Turning Point in Afghanistan?
Calling the tainted election outcome in Afghanistan the "worst outcome" imaginable, counterinsurgency expert and Afghanistan vet Andrew Exum of the Center for a New American Security warns: READ MORE >>
Is Snowe's "Trigger" An Example of Brain-Dead Centrism?
Lowering Standards, Ctd.
How far can the Weekly Standard sink? Time will tell, but the cover of its current issue gives a pretty good sense of its depth at the moment. Accompanied by the cover line "Here the People Rule," the illustration--it's a bit small here, but I'll gladly link to a larger version if I find one--is of, well, an angry white mob. READ MORE >>
Video of Bill Clinton's Joint Session Health Care Speech From 1993
Source. READ MORE >>
Is Mark Foley Too Debased For A.M. Radio?
TPM's Eric Kleefeld reports that Mark Foley, the former Florida Congressman who resigned in 2006 over lewd electronic messages he sent to teenage House pages, is re-entering public life, courtesy of a West Palm Beach A.M. radio station that has hired him to do a public affairs show. Kleefeld seems to think this is a bad move on the radio station's part: READ MORE >>
Palin and Death Panels...Again!
In a predictably dreary Wall Street Journal op-ed that probably does not merit too much close textual analysis, Sarah Palin does at least say one thing that we should pay attention to: ...[I]s it any wonder that many of the sick and elderly are concerned that the Democrats' proposals will ultimately lead to rationing of their health care by—dare I say it—death panels? Establishment voices dismissed that phrase, but it rang true for many Americans. READ MORE >>
Gates on al Jazeera: No Withdrawal From Afghanistan
In an interview with the Arab network, the defense secretary rules out the notion of a near-term U.S. exit from Afghanistan: Q: But as far as you're concerned -- and I'm just trying to make sure that I've got it right -- as far as you're concerned, what -- basically saying is that any thinking of withdrawing the U.S. military from Afghanistan -- even thinking about it, at this particular point in time, is absolutely out of the question. READ MORE >>
Dodd Turns Down HELP
Contrary to the expectations of many, Chris Dodd has decided to turn down the chairmanship of the Senate HELP Committee, choosing instead to stay at the helm of Banking. Dodd and his office have yet to comment on his decision (which will also result in Tom Harkin taking over HELP and Blanche Lincoln over Agriculture). READ MORE >>
