The View From Here

Some things I have my eye on this...

1. Joe Klein argues that the resistance of entrenched interests combined with the public's skepticism of government efforts may force the president to accept incremental improvements instead of sweeping reform.
2. Steven Pearlstein says that while regulators are sorting through the wreckage of the last financial crisis, the seeds of a new crisis are already forming.  Could high frequency trading be the impetus of another meltdown?
3. "Keep your government hands off my Medicare."  According to Paul Krugman, that statement reveals just how little most Americans understand about government involvement in health care.
4. The US needs China's cooperation in confronting Iran.  Why "there's no reason to panic about a China-Iran energy deal."
5. There really is no free lunch - even at the White House.

 

A few morning reads...

1. Is the candidate of hope playing on our fears to push health care reform?  Karl Rove in today's Wall Street Journal.
2. Ron Brownstein assesses President Obama's approval ratings.  In short, Obama "has descended from the political stratosphere."
3. What's next for the global economy?  An "anemic" recovery, slow and bumpy.
4. Obama's foreign policy under scrutiny: alienating friends and emboldening foes.
5. President Obama sits down for a beer with Professor Gates and Sgt. Crowley this afternoon.  E.J. Dionne writes on this "teachable moment."
6. William Shatner recites Palin's latest speech as sacred poetry.

A few reads this morning...

1. Nina Easton argues that Obama's two major goals, health care reform and cap-and-trade legislation, could burden an already weak economy.
2. With mid-term elections around the corner, the GOP is poised for a strong showing and the Democrats face a tough fight.
3. Amidst speculation about the duration of the recession and signs of recovery in the housing markets, an objective look at historical standards and facts of economic downturns.
4. A plan to win the war in Afghanistan in the Wall Street Journal.
5. Michael Lewis debunks the media-driven myths about Goldman Sachs.

The best of the web...

1. Does the Senate have a rural bias?  Some are questioning how senators who represent such miniscule slices of the American populace can wield so much power over the health care bill.
2. Is running against Bush an effective strategy for everyone?  Even casinos?
3. "The Economist"  traces the last 50 years of American economic history, in a 2-minute video that reveals the fundamental shifts in American spending that preceded the financial crisis.
4. Is America in decline?  James Kirchick argues that recent events indicate that reports of America's slide have been greatly exaggerated.

 

What I have my eye on this morning...

1. Martin Feldstein rips Obama's healthcare plan, calling it "bad news" for 85% of Americans.
2. The New York Times reports that "the fate of the health care overhaul largely rests on the shoulders of six senators."  Gerald Seib argues that the absence of key political personalities - like Ted Kennedy and John McCain - is slowing the progress of the health care debate.
3. Was Biden's harsh critique of Russia's future "appallingly ill-advised" and "immensely counterproductive" or a refreshing display of honesty?
4. The LA Times suggests  "sinful food" taxes to raise money for health care reform, change eating behaviors, and counter-act the fiscal impact of America's growing waistline.
5. William Shatner turns Sarah Palin's farewell speech into beat poetry.

 

The best of the web this afternoon...

1. Ezra Klein explores the dissonance between the economic and moral approaches to health care reform on his Washington Post blog.  Meanwhile, the Blue Dog Democrats continue to challenge their colleauges on their reform proposals.
2. President Obama ushers in a new era of cooperation with China.
3. Sarah Palin, the talk of cable news today, departs "with a whimper."
4. The new policy everyone's talking about: beer diplomacy.

A few morning reads...

1. Secretaries Clinton and Geithner explain why they are developing a new framework for U.S.-China relations and what it means for Americans.  Senator John Kerry hopes a revitalized relationship will build a constructive partnership towards combating global climate change.
2. Paul Krugman says the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrats may make or break Obama's health care, and his presidency.
3. The financial markets may be on the upswing, but the underlying issues which caused the crisis are yet to be addressed.
4. An intense political opposition sizzles under the surface in Iran.  For President Obama and Secretary Clinton, "the ball is in Tehran's court."
5. Sarah Palin took her leave from the Governor's office yesterday, what's next?  Dan Balz reports in the Washington Post.

Best of the web this afternoon...

1. A review and analysis of Secretary Clinton's overseas trip as well as a memo to the Secretary: the US isn't always the top dog.
2. Conservatives build pressure on Republican leaders in Congress, such as Senator Grassley, who are proactive in pushing bipartisan health care reform.
3. The latest on the drama unfolding over the arrest of Harvard Professor Gates: Obama weighs in.
4. As Governor Palin leaves office, her favorability ratings drop according to recent polling.
5. Can we look forward to a 5-digit Dow anytime soon?

A few morning reads...

1. Peggy Noonan says President Obama has misjudged the American public on health care reform.  Noonan appeals to our common sense and adds to the growing outcry of criticism.
2. National Interest delves into a dangerous Pakistan: why an imminent government takeover by jihadists may be a top foreign policy concern.
3. Senators Boxer and Kerry, who "want to put facts ahead of fiction and real debate ahead of rhetorical bomb-throwing," team up against Sarah Palin on energy and climate change.
4. As the financial markets bounce back, are we looking at a sustained rally?
5. China's economy continues to make gains despite a global downturn.  Is the Chinese economy on the verge of bursting?

Best of the Web...

1. A bizarre crime story from New Jersey: over 40 people were arrested today, including mayors, state legislators, and rabbis, in connection with an international money laundering ring that was also involved in traficking human organs.
2. The GOP is catching heat for Rep. Roy Blunt's admission that Republicans will not offer an alternative health care bill.  As Blunt says, "... why start diverting attention from this really bad piece of work they've got to whatever we're offering right now?"
3. Ben Smith criticizes Obama for not "shaking the rafters" with his health care press conference, relying instead on "poll-tested and focus-grouped" rhetoric.
4. David Kurtz  theorizes that press secretary Robert Gibbs may have a verbal tell that "denotes" when he is feeling the pressure.