Paul Krugman: Turning victory into defeat. And I never did like Obama, anyway.
David Brooks: I don't like him either. Let me explain in this tale of the future what failure looks like.
The Economist:
Mr Obama has a holster of quick-fire retorts. To the Republicans’ earnest discussions of history, he scoffs: "They’re fighting battles that I thought were resolved a pretty long time ago." When they warn of the dangers of fiscal irresponsibility, he snorts that George Bush presided over a doubling in the national debt. Which is true, but dodges the point. His strongest weapon is to declare, falsely, that his opponents want to do nothing whereas he favours bold action. One thing is certain, though. When the economy recovers, which it surely will, he will get the credit.
Eugene Robinson: Tim Geithner is totally out of touch. In the old days, it didn't matter that no one understoood Alan Greenspan. Now, however..
Steven Pearlstein:
This right-wing brushfire [on health care and IT] didn't start on its own, of course. It was a work of political arson by the country's drugmakers and medical device makers, which have the most to lose if there is solid research showing that some of their most expensive and high-margin products aren't really better than the low-priced spread. The flames were also fanned by "disease groups" like Easter Seals and the American Cancer Society, which fear that any attempt to determine what works best will inevitably lead to a one-size-fits-all approach to treating people with serious chronic conditions.
Michael G. Franc: This stimulus bill sucks, because... wait for it... the Heritage Foundation says so.
Charles Ballard:
President Barack Obama's opponents are spreading a thick layer of disinformation about the role of government spending in stimulating the economy. It shouldn't be allowed to dissuade Congress from passing an estimated $789 billion economic stimulus package that negotiators hammered out Wednesday.
For example, Tennessee Republican U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander says the stimulus package is "a spending bill, and not a stimulus bill." Alexander implies that tax cuts can stimulate the economy, while government spending cannot. He's wrong.
Charles Krauthammer: The only way to lose in Iraq is for Obama to blow it.
Kathleen Parker: Silly drug laws, part II
Daily Kos Research 2000 tracker: Obama's favorable rating has plunged from 69 to 68. When we started in Jan, it was 67. Then we had an inaugural bounce. We are doomed. This must be good for John McCain.
And while you're there, check out the Congressional Republicans.