Your one stop pundit shop.
Dana Milbank says that today's elections will be a referendum on Obama. Or not. Depends who you're talking to and who wins.
Eugene Robinson marks the anniversary of President Obama's election:
Obama's months in office have been so action-packed that it's easy to forget some of the historic steps he has taken: nominating Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic on the Supreme Court. Going to Egypt and speaking directly to the Muslim world about cooperation rather than conflict. Embracing multilateralism as the template for U.S. foreign policy in the new century. Accepting the scientific consensus on climate change. Investing in "green" jobs and education reform as key engines of economic development.
And then there's health-care reform. I've been impatient with Obama's strategy of letting Congress take the lead on writing legislation, but he's brought us to the brink of truly meaningful reform much faster than anyone could have imagined a year ago. We still have some fighting to do over two words -- "public" and "option" -- but it looks like the principle that everyone is entitled to health insurance, a Democratic Party goal for at least six decades, is about to become law.
Quite a record for 287 days: All that, and a Nobel Peace Prize, too.
Bob Herbert:
President Obama made an appearance in Florida last week that should have gotten more attention. At a time when many Americans are apprehensive about the state of the economy and uncertain about the nation’s long-term prospects, Mr. Obama delivered an upbeat speech that offered a glimpse of a broader overall vision and a practical way forward on the crucial issues of energy and jobs. [...]
What was missing from these appearances by the president and vice president was the feeling of excitement that should accompany the early stages of an important national mission. Mr. Obama made his appearance in Arcadia, delivered his remarks and quickly moved on to other matters. The nation was not moved. The president’s remarks were not widely heard.
Mark Zandi says that the recession is over, and that now is the time to help small businesses to hire again.
Fred Barnes rewrites history:
For decades, a rule of thumb in Washington has said that there should be popular support and a bipartisan majority before approving an initiative that significantly affects tens of millions of Americans.
Joel Jankowsky, a Washington lobbyist, complains that lobbyists:
... are being excluded from contributing their expertise at a critical time in our nation's history.
If only.
Cal Thomas adds his voice to the conservative call for revolution:
Americans who believe their government should not be a giant ATM, dispensing money and benefits to people who have not earned them, and who want their country returned to its founding principles, must exercise that power before it is taken from them. The 10th Amendment is one place to begin. The streets are another. It worked for the left.
Derrick Z. Jackson points out a moment of bipartisanship:
Apparently things are so bad for the nation’s parks that some Republicans took a time out last week from the bitter partisanship over health care and their general blockade on climate change legislation and helped Congress pass a $32.2 billion spending measure that boosts funding 17 percent. Hard-line Republicans wailed that the spending was too much. But enough Republicans, such as Senator Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, understood what Americans want. “My preference, if I were the king, I wouldn’t spend this much money on this bill this year,’’ Alexander told Congressional Quarterly. “This is a tough time. But I doubt Americans will begrudge spending on national parks.’’
Republican senators Susan Collins of Maine, Thad Cochran of Mississippi, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Bob Bennett of Utah, warmly embraced the tens of millions of dollars coming to their states. Maine will see funds for coastal seabird protection, expansion of the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge, further land conservation in the Baxter State Park region, sewer infrastructure in Portland, and lake invasive species removal.
But you did have to chuckle when Bennett said, “I am pleased that Congress recognizes the need for these important projects.’’ He should have said that he was pleased his fellow Republicans finally woke up.
At least for a moment.