This was first posted at MotherJones.com....
During the White House press conference Wednesday night marking the hundredth day of his historic presidency, Barack Obama was asked not one question about the Afghanistan war or the multiple-trillion-dollar federal bailout of the financial system. He managed to tout his many achievements--passing the $800 billion stimulus package, winning congressional approval of budget that devotes record amounts to health care and clean energy, initiating the withdrawal of troops in Iraq, signing legislation to boost the number of children covered by health insurance, banning the use of torture--without having to explain or justify perhaps the two most controversial (and perhaps problematic) big-ticket items of his high-wire presidency. Was that just good luck?
These one hundred days have been something a blur--or, at least a policy blur. There is too much to keep track off, too much to juggle.
The questions put to Obama covered a wide range of substantial matters. (Nothing on the Air Force One fly-over of New York or the dog, though Jeff Zeleny of The New York Times did ask what about the presidency has "enchanted" Obama.)
Should the United States close its border with Mexico to prevent the spread of swine flu. (No, the science does not justify that--but wash your hands often.) Is bankruptcy the best option for Chrysler? (A Fiat-Chrysler deal is still possible, maybe even close to completion.) Can the nuclear arsenal of Pakistan be secured? (Yes.) He handled every issue with confidence, speaking intelligently and at length, even when sidestepping.
He didn't make a lot of news. Asked about bipartisanship, the president, in a polite manner, essentially said, I've tried that, and the Republicans won't acknowledge I won a historic election. Pressed to say that the Bush administration had sanctioned torture, he would not quite do so. But he noted that waterboarding is torture: "whatever legal rationales were used, it was a mistake." (He quoted Churchill, who apparently had said of England during World War II, "We don't torture.") Obama did send not-so-pleasant messages to abortion rights advocates and Hispanics. Questioned about the Freedom of Choice Act, which would eliminate restrictions on abortion, Obama replied that it was "not my highest legislative priority." Queried about immigration reform, he said his administration intended to convene a "working group" including key legislators, but signaled immigration reform, too, was not on the top of his to-do list. Perhaps the biggest news of the evening was his statement that he wanted to modify the state secrets privilege, which allows administrations to knock out of court legal cases involving national security issues, such as wiretapping and the treatment of detainees. Attorney General "Eric Holder and Greg Craig, my White House counsel, and others are working on that, as we speak," he said.
But Obama doesn't want to make any more news than he has to these days. He has enough on his plate--as he repeatedly reminded the journalists seated before him in the East Room of the White House. And that's a strategic message for the Obama White House: to proclaim over and over that they are neck-deep in lots of tough stuff. It's political spin that has the benefit of being true. Asked if he would become involved in determining the products and services offered by auto companies propped up by federal funds, Obama declared that he had no interest in micro-managing GM. He went on:
I want to disabuse people of this notion that somehow we enjoy, you know, meddling in the private sector. If -- if you could tell me right now that when I walked into this office, that the banks were humming; the auto -- autos were selling; and that all you had to worry about was Iraq, Afghanistan, North Korea, getting health care passed, figuring out how to deal with energy independence, deal with Iran and a pandemic flu, I would take that deal.
And -- and -- and that's why I'm always amused when I hear these, you know, criticisms of "Oh, you know, Obama wants to grow government." No. I would love a nice, lean portfolio to deal with, but that's not the hand that's been dealt us.
The reporters laughed. It's better than crying. For who wants to think about everything that has to be handled by Obama and his crew?
Twice during the evening, the president thanked the American people for "their patience." And, as he did in his last press conference, he used a familiar maritime metaphor: the ship of state ain't no speed boat; it's an ocean liner that can be nudged a few degrees in this or that direction. Obama maintained that what he's attempting to do these days may not yield results within the coming months. One hundred days? That's nothing. He explained that he's aiming for results that would be apparent in 10 or 20 years. (That's closer to 10,000 days.)
It's certainly true that Obama has moved darn fast on multiple fronts and has racked up a decent list of progressive accomplishments in these opening months. And he has come up with the right tone to describe these wins: "I'm proud of what we've achieved, but I'm not content. I'm pleased with our progress, but I'm not satisfied." Not too triumphalist, not too modest. But he and everyone else know that this is really just the beginning of a long slog. Health care and climate change--those are daunting challenges for him in Congress (even with Senator Arlen Specter now on his team). The various financial bailouts, the auto bailout, the mortgage relief plan--there's no telling if any of these hastily constructed schemes is going to work. Afghanistan is a mess, and Pakistan could explode into a geopolitical (and nuclear) nightmare. Obama has plans for both--and smart folks implementing them--but progress on these fronts will be hard to measure and hard to achieve. And the Iraq war isn't over.
At this media-inflated artificial marker of one hundred days, Obama is scoring well in the polls (and that beats the alternative). He has won the initial fights he has mounted on Capitol Hill. With well-managed trips overseas, he has revived the nation's image abroad. But Obama is smart enough to realize that in the long run he will indeed need a boatload of patience from the public and that the successes of the past three months pale in comparison with what still must be attempted and (he can only hope) accomplished. And any night he doesn't have to sell the nitty-gritty of his bailout plans and Afghanistan policy is probably a good night for the successful-so-far but overwhelmed president of the United States.
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Comments
In philosophy, a syllogism is "an argument the conclusion of which is supported by two premises".
In other words, the conclusion follows axiomatically if the premises are true.
So, follow the bouncing logic here:
Premise # 1: waterboarding is torture
Premise #2: torture is illegal
Conclusion: In waterboarding detainees hundreds of times the Bush administration committed crimes hundreds of times.
Therefore, it goes without saying these crimes will NOT be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Gee, apparently the true majesty of President Barack Obama lies in the fact that he can defy the very laws of logic itself.
But then in the name of preserving the American ruling class, logic rarely enters into it at all, does it?
george walton
Posted by: george walton
| April 30, 2009 4:07 AM
The Obama presidency is over - he hasn't fixed everything yet? It has been 100 days - wtf?
(sarcasm)
Posted by: capt
| April 30, 2009 7:49 AM
I would love to see comparisons to Bush's first 100 days. Granted, he inherited a budget surplus and we weren't fighting two wars, but still...
Posted by: flan
| April 30, 2009 10:43 AM
That New York Times reporter needs to be waterboarded for asking the dumbest question in history.
Now that would be enchanting!
Hey Alan, looks like Corn doesn't agree with your sloberfest of Obamas press orgy last night.
hahaha
Posted by: freddie
| April 30, 2009 12:15 PM
Obamas first success in 100 days?
Forcing GM to become government motors. Can't wait to buy one of those cars!
Posted by: freddie
| April 30, 2009 12:19 PM
During his 100 Day Press Conference Barack Obama bragged that his administration had created or saved 150,000 jobs.
The US economy lost 598,000 jobs in January.
The US economy lost 706,000 jobs in February.
The US economy lost 742,000 jobs in March.
So, in other words Team Obama has lost 2,046,000 jobs and only created or saved 150,000 jobs.
Woo-Hoo!
It looks like Team Obama has some work to do.
Posted by: freddie
| April 30, 2009 12:45 PM
The first 100 days have been a little rough on the GOP. Losing Spector, Losing NY-20, Coleman losing, Equal marriage rights spreading like wild fire, a popular Democratic president, Bush and Cheney crimes being exposed, loss of party identity, fewer tea baggers protest than people in Germany went to see candidate Obama, failed secessionist, cry-baby “con” host bloviating with crazies like Bachman and leaders like Palin or Newt "giraffe hunter" Gingrich.
Just wait for the next 100, and the next - then the next 100’s after that!
Posted by: capt
| April 30, 2009 12:46 PM
Over many cycles, employment growth has proved to be a lagging indicator of consumer spending, typically peaking a year after consumer spending and bottoming six to twelve months after the trough in consumer demand.* It is evident in this chart that peaks and troughs in employment follow, rather than lead, those of consumer spending. This suggests that even though employment does have some secondary causality in driving consumer demand, it should never be used as a primary indicator in forecasting consumer spending.
*This reflects, logically, the fact that workers are hired as and after the economy improves and laid off as and after the economy deteriorates. Despite this, a surprising number of economist use employment as the dominant element in the forecasts of consumer spending.
http://www.aheadofthecurve-thebook.com/11-03.html
Posted by: capt
| April 30, 2009 12:50 PM
BREAKING: White House Overrides FBI and DHS on Gitmo Release of detainees into the US.
Maybe they could go to work for the WH and join Accorn for some community organizing.
What a clown!
Posted by: freddie
| April 30, 2009 1:14 PM
Just wait for the next 100, and the next - then the next 100’s after that!
The US economy lost 598,000 jobs in January.
The US economy lost 706,000 jobs in February.
The US economy lost 742,000 jobs in March.
Gee Capt, I can't wait!
Posted by: freddie
| April 30, 2009 1:15 PM
Look, we can’t go back out and start pointing fingers at the Democrats and saying "look at how bad they’re performing, look at what they’re doing with the economy" when we jumpstarted this thing, we were the ones who put $700 billion on the table and said "alright, let’s start nationalizing the banking system." So now for us stand back and go "oh look, that’s a bad thing to do" is disingenuous.
Michael Steele
Posted by: capt
| April 30, 2009 1:34 PM
Paul Ryan: "Most Of Us Think" Norm Coleman Has Lost Senate Race (VIDEO)
http://tinyurl.com/dagvo9
Posted by: capt
| April 30, 2009 1:38 PM
RNC Pulled Video Of Mock-Obama Criticizing Troops, Thanking Ayers
http://tinyurl.com/c6u986
Classy with a "K"
This will rally the GOP?
Posted by: capt
| April 30, 2009 1:40 PM
There once was a blogger named Timmie
Who ranted and raved like a ninny
He's not been around
To act like a clown
But now we have Freddie instead
Posted by: flan
| April 30, 2009 2:01 PM
Gee Capt,
You seem to be so worried about the GOP but not concerned at all about the Dems taking away your $400 tax cut or the 2,000,000 jobs lost under Obama or the 6.1 decrease in GDP (worst in 50 years) under Obama or the tripling of our national dept in 100 days under Obama.
How does the GOP have anything to do with you getting a tax hike under Obama?
Posted by: freddie
| April 30, 2009 2:02 PM
case in point
Posted by: flan
| April 30, 2009 2:06 PM
Hey Flan,
Say something relevant, like how do you feel about Dempugs taking away your $400 tax cut?
Obama making tax slaves of your children?
How about the billions he's given to wall street?
Billions to auto makers?
Millions in bonuses to AIG?
2,000,000 jobs lost under Obama?
I know, I know, he's cool so it's all good!
Posted by: freddie
| April 30, 2009 2:06 PM
I don't agree with Corn about anything but at least he hasn't drunk the Obama kool aid (like some trolls here) and can be objective in his views when it comes to Obamas short falls.
Posted by: freddie
| April 30, 2009 2:10 PM
Hey Flan,
Do you agree with Obama adopting Bush's wiretap policy on spying?
Did you disagree with Bush when he did it?
I know it's a tough question~
Posted by: freddie
| April 30, 2009 2:13 PM
Asked about the future of the increasingly small GOP, Steele said, "Well, the future lies down the road a bit. I mean, look, I'm not going to sit here with, you know, pie-in-the-sky talking about, you know, how wonderful things are. They're not."
Posted by: capt
| April 30, 2009 2:13 PM
How do you feel about Obama leting GITMO detainees go free in the US and not telling us where at there going?
Some insiders say DC or NY
You live in NY , right?
Feel safe?
Posted by: freddie
| April 30, 2009 2:17 PM
1. $400 tax cut means nothing to me.
2. BushCo started this mess, and already put my children in hoc to pay for his illegal wars and tax cuts to the rich. How about how Bush turned a surplus into a deficit?
3. BushCo also gave billions to wall street, even Michael Steele said it was disengenuous to bring that up.
4. I am mixed on the car companies. My family works for Ford and Chrysler so on one hand I am all for it. But honestly, they don't really deserve it since they ignored the signs for too long.
5. AIG was a mistake
6. Since Obama took office on 1/20 - you can't count January figures. If you knew anything about economics, job losses are always lagging indicators so Feb and March go to Bush too.
Posted by: flan
| April 30, 2009 2:19 PM
Nope, Nope
Posted by: flan
| April 30, 2009 2:19 PM
The GOP isn't in power anymore. It's time to hold your own party, that is in power, accountable for what they promised and what they're doing to our economy and national dept, war on terror, Iraq and Afganistan.
You trolls act like you don't know what to do now that you have all the power( the rainbows and unicorns are too overwhelming) because you've been in attack mode for so long. Show some leadership instead of blaming everyone else like a grade schooler (or Obama and Pelosi)!
Posted by: freddie
| April 30, 2009 2:24 PM
Yeah, if only Cheney/Bush hadn't screwed up possible prosecutions of the Gitmo detainees by having them tortured, maybe we could have put them in prision. Gee, due process...what a concept!
Posted by: Antidote
| April 30, 2009 2:26 PM
Palin Goes From "To Me It's A Bribe," To "Show Me The Money"
Just over a month ago, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin announced that she was:
... refusing to accept over 30 percent of the federal economic stimulus money being offered to Alaska, including dollars for schools, energy assistance and social services. [...]
"To me it's a bribe," Palin said.
And yesterday, she decided to accept that "bribe."
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has directed state agencies to begin applying for federal stimulus funds after indicating she wouldn't veto legislative approval of more than $900 million available to the state.
http://tinyurl.com/dylgg4
*******
"Politics, n. Strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles."
~ Ambrose Bierce (1842 - 1914), The Devil's Dictionary
Posted by: capt
| April 30, 2009 2:31 PM
So the $500 tax cut is now a $400 tax cut. So instead of $16/paycheck we will now see about $13/week. What I am wonderng here folks, is what are your individual plans to use this financial windfall to spur the economy?
I'll start: I am using my $13/week to build a summer home on a lake!
http://coldheartedtruth.com/politics/index.php/2009/02/12/ldelg-500l-delg-400-tax-cut?blog=2
Posted by: flan
| April 30, 2009 2:32 PM
"Do you really believe that we lost 18-to-34-year-olds by 19 percent, or we lost Hispanic voters, because we are not conservative enough? No. This is a ridiculous line of thought. The truth is we lost young people because our Republican brand is tainted."
-- Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) in the New York Times.
Posted by: capt
| April 30, 2009 2:36 PM
1. $400 tax cut means nothing to me.
So you agree with me that that was just a cheap campaign trick to get votes? Was a worthless tax cut and now everyone knows the truth that Obama is raising taxes on 100% plus future generations of Americans. - Bravo!
2. BushCo started this mess, and already put my children in hoc to pay for his illegal wars and tax cuts to the rich. How about how Bush turned a surplus into a deficit?
I agree, and Obama voted for Bushs bailout and his own , modeled after Bushes, that put your kids in worse hock. And guess what, Obama has tripled Bushes mess in just 100 days!
Can'y wait for the next 100 days!
3. BushCo also gave billions to wall street, even Michael Steele said it was disengenuous to bring that up.
Again I agree, but Obama voted for Bushes bailout and then added his own- do you see a pattern here yet?
4. I am mixed on the car companies. My family works for Ford and Chrysler so on one hand I am all for it. But honestly, they don't really deserve it since they ignored the signs for too long.
Ford didn't take any bailout and makes a better car, Chrylsers in the toilet because they suck and now after billions from Bush and Obama they are in BR anyway.
5. AIG was a mistake
Amen!!!!!!!
6. Since Obama took office on 1/20 - you can't count January figures. If you knew anything about economics, job losses are always lagging indicators so Feb and March go to Bush too.
Actually I do know a little about economics and the Congress controls the budget not the President which has been run by the democrats for 3 years now. So you are wrong on that one - sorry!
Posted by: freddie
| April 30, 2009 2:37 PM
Young Evangelicals Break From Old on Gay Unions
[...]
“The data do show a growing divide between younger and older evangelicals. There clearly is a generational difference,” said Amy E. Black, a political scientist at Wheaton College, an evangelical liberal arts school in Illinois. She characterizes the thinking among many younger evangelicals as, “What big deal is civil unions, really? What I care about is the environment, or what I care about is human rights.”
The attitudinal divide between younger and older evangelicals was also revealed last November, when one-third of white evangelicals under 30 voted for Barack Obama . That was double the share of the vote that John Kerry drew four years before from the same demographic, exit polls showed, even though both Democratic candidates supported civil unions, abortion rights and stem cell research.
http://tinyurl.com/chkynz
Posted by: capt
| April 30, 2009 2:40 PM
1. No, I mean it means nothing to me
2. We will be paying for Bush's wars a lot longer than we will for the Bush/Obama bailouts. I am not just talking about money here.
3. See #2
4. Many, many jobs are at stake if Chrysler goes out of business. Maybe letting them go into bankruptcy right away, I'm not sure
5. Don't bring religion into this.
6. Dems did not control the Senate nor the WH, who would sign the bills so they were in effect, without much power.
Posted by: flan
| April 30, 2009 2:43 PM
4. I meant, ..."would have been better, I'm not sure."
Posted by: flan
| April 30, 2009 2:45 PM
6. Also, the budget process begins with the Executive Office submitting a budget request. We all knew that Obama's budgets had to include deficits to fix the problems caused by the Bush administration. Obama said so himself. Also, for the first time, he is including the money needed for both wars in the budget figures, something Bush would never do.
Posted by: flan
| April 30, 2009 2:59 PM
Some people want to forget Obama was handed a failing economy in free fall. The worst economy since the great depression. Proving failure is not success.
If Obama fixed nothing it would get worse not better.
Job losses lag behind recovery because jobs are not created until business can afford to hire people.
Bush screwed the pooch - Barack is trying to unscrew the pooch.
Fairly simple that. Of course one has to believe in science and math to get there!
lololo
Posted by: capt
| April 30, 2009 3:36 PM
GOP to Rebrand as "Whig" Party
In truly sobering times like this, I appreciate these moments of comic relief.
This just out from John King at CNN ...
Coming soon to a battleground state near you: a new effort to revive the image of the Republican Party and to counter President Obama's characterization of Republicans as "the party of 'no.'"
CNN has learned that the new initiative, called the National Council for a New America, will be announced Thursday.
It will involve an outreach by an interesting mix of GOP officials, ranging from 2008 Republican presidential nominee John McCain to Jeb Bush, the former Florida governor and the younger brother of the man many Republicans blame for the party's battered brand: former President George W. Bush.
In addition to Sen. McCain and Gov. Bush, GOP sources familiar with the plans tell CNN others involved in the new group's "National Panel Of Experts" will include:
*Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, a former national GOP chairman
*Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal
*Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney
You know things are really humming along when your 'rebranding' effort is led by your recently crushed presidential nominee and your discredited party leader's brother.
http://tinyurl.com/djv9jc
Posted by: capt
| April 30, 2009 3:40 PM
The culturally deaf GOP fails to understand they will be called the "Whigger Party"
ROFL!
Even bettah than Tea-baggers!
Posted by: capt
| April 30, 2009 3:41 PM
Thursday, Apr 30
"Lie to Me" Tops Obamas "Lie to us" News Conference
Just In: FOX, the only one of the Big Four networks that did not carry Pres. Obama's news conference last night, finished first in the 8pmET hour with a new episode of "Lie to Me." The drama averaged 7.9 million Total Viewers, according to Nielsen overnights.
NBC's coverage of the Obama newser came in second with 6.7 million Total Viewers.
_________
Too funny!
Obama trashes Limbaugh and his ratings go up. He trashes Fox news and there ratings go up. Maybe he should start trashing his policies and those ratings would go up!!!!!!
Posted by: freddie
| April 30, 2009 3:57 PM
The worst economy since the great depression. Proving failure is not success.
~~~~~~~
You mean proving success is not failure!
(according to the media spin on the economy is doing great under Obama)
Obamas economy will be worse than the great depression.
I'm tired already of all the whining by the left that poor Obama inherited a bad economy. He promised us that he was up to the job and the buck would stop with him.
Still waiting for that one!!!!
Posted by: freddie
| April 30, 2009 4:05 PM
Job losses lag behind recovery because jobs are not created until business can afford to hire people.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gee so let's raise taxes on business so they can afford to hire more people and then the jobs will follow?
Great logic!
Posted by: freddie
| April 30, 2009 4:07 PM
The Incredible Shrinking GOP: Party Shrunk By One-Fourth In Five Years
If you look at the bigger picture of the Incredible Shrinking GOP over time, it’s striking: Since its 2004 heyday, the party appears to have lost roughly a forth of its base.
After I pointed out yesterday that the number of self-identified GOPers had dropped to 20%, an official with Pew Research sent over some new data dramatizing the larger trend. Take a look at this chart, which shows the party’s losses in self-identified Republicans since 2004:
http://tinyurl.com/d8yjge
Posted by: capt
| April 30, 2009 4:10 PM
Means nothing. You failed to mention what the other channel's ratings were. What was the combined ratings of ABC, NBC, CBS, MSNBC, FOX News, PBS and C-Span for that hour? The combined numbers were probably higher than Lie to Me. Wanna bet?
Posted by: flan
| April 30, 2009 4:12 PM
I'm seeing Red,
Red Herrings that is.
Posted by: flan
| April 30, 2009 4:13 PM
Fairly simple that. Of course one has to believe in science and math to get there!
Really, so tell us how does Obamas math add up when the GDP is at an all time low,unemployment is at an all time high and taxes will be raised on everyone (rich and poor), but we are tripling the size of government in 100 days and Obama is going to magically reduce the deficit in half in three years?
You need a few pints of beer to add that math!!!
Now, the science of unicorns and rainbows I'll give you because I don't want to totally rain on your parade.
Posted by: freddie
| April 30, 2009 4:14 PM
The combined numbers were probably higher than Lie to Me. Wanna bet?
Prove it!
The funny part is that I've seen lie to me and that show sucks which say's alot about Obamas orgy fest of a press conference. I see that you were enchanted by it Flan~~~
Posted by: freddie
| April 30, 2009 4:18 PM
ABC, NBC, CBS, MSNBC, FOX News, PBS and C-Span for that hour? The combined numbers were probably higher than Lie to Me.
The combined numbers against one show that isn't very good to begin with? What a stretch!!!!!
Posted by: freddie
| April 30, 2009 4:19 PM
Also, for the first time, he is including the money needed for both wars in the budget figures, something Bush would never do.
~~
Don't forget the 9 billion in pork barrell projects that he said he would get rid of before getting elected. Can't let his lobbist buddies go neglected, now can he?
Posted by: freddie
| April 30, 2009 4:28 PM
Wednesday night’s primetime press conference to mark Barack Obama’s 100th day in office was viewed by 28.8 million people, according Nielsen.
'nuf said
Posted by: flan
| April 30, 2009 7:26 PM
Two quick comments -
1. Biden!!!!!
2. From Dennis Miller -
Did you see Helen Thomas? She looks like Janet Napolitano before you add water!!!!
lololo
Posted by: denmac
| April 30, 2009 7:34 PM
Breaking News -
ABC outs architects of waterboarding process -
"According to current and former government officials, the CIA's secret waterboarding program was designed and assured to be safe by two well-paid psychologists now working out of an unmarked office building in Spokane, Washington.
Bruce Jessen and Jim Mitchell, former military officers, together founded Mitchell Jessen and Associates."
Man, if ABC can get and release THESE kinds of SECRET facts, you'd think finding a college dissertation or even birth certificate of a PUBLIC figure (especially one that espouses "transparency") would be duck soup!
Posted by: denmac
| April 30, 2009 7:41 PM
A person cannot help what they look like, however, a person sure help not sounding like a total jerk.
What the hell does someone's looks have anything to do with anything?
"You're ugly"
"No, you're ugly"
"No, you're ugly"
Wow, that's an argument
Posted by: flan
| April 30, 2009 7:42 PM
There once was a poster named Freddie
Who was a little touched in the headdie
His truths were THE truth so he claimed
But it looks like he was just framed
By the "facts" that he was spoon feddie
Posted by: flan
| April 30, 2009 7:44 PM
RE: "A person cannot help what they look like, however, a person sure help not sounding like a total jerk."
flan, go easy on yourself. I've read your posts and sophomoric poetry - I doubt anyone thinks you're a TOTAL jerk!
BTW - nice grammar!!!!
Posted by: denmac
| April 30, 2009 7:58 PM
yeah, i left out a word. I knew you would jump on that.
I know my poetry is sophmoric - that's the point.
Posted by: flan
| April 30, 2009 8:13 PM
sophomoric - yeah, I know
better than moronic
Posted by: flan
| April 30, 2009 8:14 PM
Republican Party rebranding fail
According to House Republican Leader John Boehner, the GOP’s brand has been “tainted,” so when House Republican Whip Eric Cantor unveiled the GOP’s much anticipated rebranding strategy on Thursday morning, there was much excitement.
Unfortunately for Cantor, his new rebranding strategy was a complete fail.
http://www.dailykostv.com/w/001267/
Posted by: capt
| April 30, 2009 11:30 PM
In fact, according to the Tax Policy Center's table of 2007 tax returns that reported small-business income, 481,000 of those returns—about 2 percent—are in the top two income tax brackets, which include all filers with taxable incomes that would be affected by Obama's proposals to let portions of the Bush tax cuts for wealthy taxpayers expire and to reduce the tax rate at which families making more than $250,000 could take itemized deductions.
Even though only two percent of people who are classified as small-business owners would see a tax increase under President Obama's policies, Media Matters reports that many media figures and outlets—including CNBC host Joe Kernen, CNBC host Maria Bartiromo, ABC News' Jake Tapper, CNN's Dana Bash, Fox News' Sean Hannity, CNN's David Gergen, Politico, the Associated Press, The Washington Post, and The New York Times—have advanced, uncritically repeated, or failed to challenge the debunked Republican falsehood that Obama's income tax proposals would increase taxes on a large percentage of small businesses. For example, Kernen didn't challenge Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., on the March 26 edition of CNBC's Squawk Box after Gregg referred to Obama's proposal as a "tax policy that basically is focused on raising taxes on small businesses especially."
http://www.tompaine.com/
Posted by: capt
| May 1, 2009 8:49 AM
Happy Mission Accomplished Day
Just because the President who inaugurated this auspicious day has mercifully left us, doesn't mean we won't mark the occasion. The idiot may be gone, but so are the Iraqis and GIs he sent to die.
On May 1, 2003, the Bush administration staged a stunt in which, rather than fly in on a Helicopter, they kept the USS Abraham Lincoln out at sea and sent the President to the carrier on a Lockheed S-3 Viking, allowing him to clamber out onto the deck in a package enhancing flight suit that sent various pundits into fits of homoerotic lust.
http://tinyurl.com/d7v3wh
Posted by: capt
| May 1, 2009 9:28 AM
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