By Tim Price, originally posted on Next New Deal.
Click here to subscribe to the Roosevelt Institute's weekly newsletter.
Click here to receive the Daily Digest via e-mail.
Richard Milhous Ryan: No Specifics, Just a 'Secret Plan' (The Nation)
John Nichols writes that Joe Biden kept the pressure on Paul Ryan to cough up details, but when asked to explain how his running mate's tax plan would work, the best the GOP's top wonk could offer was a Magic 8-Ball-like "Answer unclear, ask again later."
Ryan: Romney and I Support Social Security Privatization (TPM)
Sahil Kapur notes that Ryan got a little too honest about his position on Social Security, reiterating his support for the privatization plan that he crafted and President Bush tried to pass. Still, he made sure to stress that he only plans to jeopardize the young.
Triumph of the Wrong? (NYT)
Paul Krugman argues that while Republicans have railed against Obama's economic missteps, like underestimating the depth of the recession, their austerity alternative has been proven wrong at every turn. But at least they get bonus points for consistency.
Floating voters (Inside Housing)
Roosevelt Institute Fellow Matt Stoller writes that while the key to any campaign is identifying your voters and their needs, the foreclosure crisis hasn't been a topic of debate this year because the candidates would first need to have a real disagreement about it.
Read This Book, Win the Election (NYT)
Simon Johnson argues that Sheila Bair's new book lays out ideas that would appeal to voters of all persuasions, like curtailing the power and influence of big banks. But if that earned her a seat at the table, she might be one of the few not using a high chair.
Federal Reserve Official Calls for Placing Limits on the Size of Big Banks (Think Progress)
Federal Reserve Board Governor Daniel Tarullo now believes that the size of banks should be capped at a certain percentage of the economy so that the U.S. doesn't wind up like one of those TLC specials about a guy lugging around a 1,000-pound tumor.
A real class war may be on its way. (WaPo)
Harold Meyerson writes that steadily growing wealth and productivity have suppressed most class tension throughout U.S. history, but a permanent slowdown could spark real conflict as the 99% ready their bayonets for a charge toward redistribution.
States Roll Back Support for Childcare as Parents Need It Most (Forbes)
NND Editor Bryce Covert notes that 27 states have cut back on childcare assistance since last year due to the falloff in federal support, making it even harder for struggling parents to obtain jobs unless they can find a very papoose-friendly work environment.
The Romney-Ryan Plan to Obliterate Medicaid (MoJo)
Kevin Drum points out that despite all the focus on Medicare, there are far bigger differences between the candidates on Medicaid policy, where Romney wants to implement deep cuts and leave states free to experiment with... well, giving fewer people Medicaid.
Yes, insurance status does matter for your health (WaPo)
Sarah Kliff writes that, contrary to Romney's claim that people in America don't just "die in their apartment" because they lack insurance, studies show that the uninsured do receive inferior treatment, and it's not okay because they expire in the ER waiting room instead.