WaPo:
Republicans may have made major gains in the November elections, but they have yet to win the hearts and minds of the American people, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll...
In the new poll, just 41 percent of respondents say the GOP takeover of the House is a "good thing." About 27 percent say it is a "bad thing," and 30 percent say it won't make any difference. Most continue to say that the Republicans in Congress are not doing enough to compromise with Obama on important issues.
In that poll (MoE +/- 3.5):
Overall, who do you trust to do a better job coping with the main problems the nation faces over the next few years, (Obama) or (the Republicans in Congress)?
Both Neither No
Obama Republicans (vol.) (vol.) opinion
12/12/10 43 38 2 12 4
Helping the middle class? Obama 53, GOP 38.
David Leonhardt on the health care law:
We’ve lived through a version of this story before, and not just with Medicare. Nearly every time this country has expanded its social safety net or tried to guarantee civil rights, passionate opposition has followed.
The opposition stems from the tension between two competing traditions in the American economy. One is the laissez-faire tradition that celebrates individuality and risk-taking. The other is the progressive tradition that says people have a right to a minimum standard of living — time off from work, education and the like.
Both traditions have been crucial to creating the most prosperous economy and the largest middle class the world has ever known. Laissez-faire conservatism has helped make the United States a nation of entrepreneurs, while progressivism has helped make prosperity a mass-market phenomenon.
Yet the two traditions have never quite reconciled themselves. In particular, conservatives have often viewed any expansion of government protections as a threat to capitalism. ...
In truth, the law is quite moderate. It is more conservative than President Bill Clinton’s 1993 plan or President Richard Nixon’s 1974 plan (in which the federal government would have covered anyone who wasn’t insured through an employer). It’s much more conservative than expanding Medicare to cover everyone. It is clearly one of the least radical ways for the United States to end its status as the only rich country with millions and millions of uninsured.
But the law depends to a significant degree on the mandate. Without it, some healthy people will wait to buy coverage until they get sick — which, of course, is not an insurance system at all. It’s free-riding.
Interesting essay, complete with Ronald Reagan railing against Medicare.
Katrina vanden Heuvel:
But too often, this president is so singularly focused on seeking common ground that he fails to define his - and our - principles. The tax cut deal is just the most recent example. Obama began those negotiations telegraphing his endgame, with eyes set unwaveringly on resolution. He chose not to passionately articulate his values, or to define the GOP's, and in the aftermath of the battle, he refused to explain where it's all meant to lead us.
This, he might conclude, is a minor complaint from a dismissible left. But the truth is, without a president who is able - and willing to - lay out a clear, strong and principled argument, without a president who will stand up for the ideals he ran on, even as he seeks resolution, the progressive worldview becomes muted, and the conservative worldview validated.
WaPo:
Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) said he was leaning toward voting for the package after voting against it Monday "to send a message to the House that there are allies here." Brown, one of the Senate's most liberal members who is up for reelection in 2012, said he changed his mind after speaking with his minister and reading letters from constituents who are struggling to find jobs in his hard-hit home state.
The strong Senate vote also appeared to be weakening resolve among House Democrats to block the measure. Senior Democrats said the House is likely to stage votes to amend the estate tax and possibly other provisions to assuage anger among the Democratic rank and file over what they viewed as an overly generous deal for the wealthy. But it was not clear that such amendments would pass.
Presidents usually get what they want.
Maureen Dowd on the Birther courtmartial:
Sobered by the prospect of a dishonorable dismissal, losing his pension and serving hard time, as well as facing a panel of military superiors in dress uniforms, Colonel Lakin said the winter had been "a confusing time, a very emotional time for me." His shoulders slumped, he offered excuses about how he had gotten conflicting advice from lawyers — his defense was underwritten by Birthers.
"I understand that it was my decision, and I made the wrong choice," he told the judge.
The nutcases are still out there.
And a little Husky pride:
This week and possibly much longer, though, Auriemma and Wooden will be connected by college basketball’s most treasured winning streak. A victory against 11th-ranked Ohio State (7-1) on Sunday at Madison Square Garden would give top-ranked UConn (9-0) its 88th consecutive victory, matching the Division I record set by Wooden’s teams at U.C.L.A. from 1971 to 1974.
That would be the UConn women (and women's teams graduate their players, something to really be proud about.)