Immigration Reform Continues to Move Forward

The controversial Immigration Reform bill cleared a major hurdle as it passed through the Senate Judiciary Committee on a 13-5 vote.  The New York Times has written a great piece about the bills progress and next steps to getting the legislation passed.  Both Ashley Parker and Julia Preston worked on the piece.

To read the New York Times article, click on the link below.

Immigration Overhaul Wins Panel's Backing in the Senate

American People to GOP: We don't care about the Scandals

Charlie Cook at The National Journal wrote a great little piece about the GOP's intense reaction to the recent scandals that have broken out in the Obama Administration.  Citing recent polling, Mr. Cook surmises that, despite their constant ravings about the IRS scandal, the AP/DOJ scandal, and their continued interest in Benghazi, the American People don't seem to care about any of it.

To read Mr. Cook's article, click on the link below.

Republicans' Hatred of Obama Blinds Them to Public Disinterest in Scandals

The 'Weiner' has Risen... Again

I generally stick to national political stories, but this one is both funny and somewhat nationally relevant.  We've already seen a redemption story in former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford and his impressive victory in SC's 1st Congressional District.  Now, it appears another disgraced politician is going to make a bid to return to public life.

Former Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-NY) has decided to make a bid for New York City Mayor.  Mr. Weiner resigned in 2011 after sending lewd photos of himself to several women via Twitter.  The folks at the Huffington Post have a great article and video about the announcement.  To read the article, click on the link below.

Anthony Weiner enters 2013 Mayoral Race

Apparently, it's not just REDMAP

Sean Trende at RealClearPolitics is becoming one of my new favorite political commentators.  He wrote a fascinating article about how he believes the Republicans were able to maintain control of the U.S. House of Representatives despite losing the popular vote nationally.  His theory goes well beyond the REDMAP conspiracy I wrote about some weeks ago.  He thinks, in addition to gerrymandering the redistricting of Congressional Districts, there are more issues at play.

To read Mr. Trende's article, click on the link below.

Why Republicans Lost the Vote But Kept the House

It's Scandal Time!!!

Eleanor Clift at The Daily Beast wrote a very on-point piece about the tsunami of scandals that have rocked the Obama Administration over the past week.  She rightly points out that President Obama is playing out this situation differently than President's of yesteryear. In fact, it's mostly been up to White House Press Secretary Jay Carney to explain the various narratives of the scandals.  

As a self-professed liberal, I take most offense to the scandal about the Justice Department spying on AP reporters and editors for several months.  However, the IRS issue makes me nervous, and the Benghazi issue, though I believe it's been politicized, could have real consequences for the 2014 and 2016 elections.  Scandals are never a good thing, particularly when they surround the politicians you like.

To read Ms. Clift's article, click on the link below.

“Imagine the Story on Fox”–Jay Carney Holds on as Winds Buffet White House

IRS Ooops!

Conservative columnist George Will wrote a scathing op-ed in the Washington Post about the recent IRS scandal involving biased scrutiny towards Tea Party groups.  Mr. Will makes connections that give the scandal a 'Watergate-esque' feel.  Now, I'm not exactly buying into everything Mr. Will alleges, but there is no doubt that the situation is very damaging to the IRS's reputation for being nonpartisan.  It is also not good for the Obama Administration.

To read Mr. Will's article, click on the link below.

IRS scandal, echoes of of Watergate

Here's How The GOP Can Win Again

Peter Wehner at RealClearPolitics wrote an interesting piece about how the Republican Party can find its way back to a winning party platform.  He focuses on modernizing the existing conservative mantra and emphasizing reform and modernization of everything from entitlements to schools to infrastructure to immigration.  Noticeably absent from Mr. Wehner's plan is any mention of social issues, an area where I believe the GOP is woefully behind the tide of the majority of public opinion.

Other than that omission, his other ideas have some merit and are worth a look.  I feel if the GOP could figure out how to bring this message forward AND tackle their problems with social issues, the party could again become a national force to reckon with.

To read Mr. Wehner's article, click on the link below.

The Republican Party's Road Back To Victory

The GOP and the Benghazi 'Conspiracy'

Eugene Robinson wrote a clever little piece for the Washington Post about the GOP's obsessive harping about the Benghazi attacks last September.  He theorizes that the only reason Republican lawmakers keep bringing it up is that they hope to create a scandal that will sully Hillary Clinton, in the event she runs for President in 2016.  His reasoning is sound, and surprisingly non-partisan, despite Mr. Robinson's self-professed liberalism.  

To read Mr. Robinson's article, click on the link below.

Republicans' Benghazi Witch Hunt

The National Organization for Marriage is Clueless

Brian Brown, the President of The National Organization For Marriage sat down with USA Today to discuss his organization's mission, and its reaction to Rhode Island becoming the 10th state to legalize same-sex marriage and the changing tide of public opinion.  He believes academia and mainstream media are falsely promoting the idea that a majority of Americans support marriage equality.

Seriously?  He seems to have lost his mind with some of the ignorant comments he makes.  However, it is important to listen to all sides of the debate, despite my and anyone else's personal opinions.  I've posted a link to the article.  To read it, click on the link below.

Opponent denies a tide as R.I. latest to OK gay marriage

The Left is Unhappy with Obama

I don't generally post things from FOX News.  Their tagline 'fair and balanced' is laughable to me.  However, every once in a while, a gem of truth comes out of that 'news' organization that I think deserves to be examined.

Note to the GOP: Black Turnout in 2012 wasn't just about Obama

Michael Tomasky at The Daily Beast wrote a rather critical piece about the Republican Party and minority outreach.  He focuses on the African-American vote and how the GOP is (or isn't) reaching out to them.  His critique focuses primarily on the lip-service being given by the party leadership and the actual legislation being passed by Republican lawmakers.  It is an utterly fascinating read, regardless of your political ideology.

To read Mr. Tomasky's article, click on the link below.

Black Turnout, GOP Denial Both High

The New GOP Threat on the Debt Ceiling

Johnathan Bernstein wrote an interesting piece about the GOP's strategy on the debt ceiling fight that is brewing this summer.  It seems that the Republicans, having already wrangled steep cuts to government spending via the sequester and getting President Obama to include some entitlement cuts in his budget, have decided to focus on Tax Reform.  Specifically, they want Democrats to go along with revenue neutral tax reform, which will explode the deficit, in exchange for a debt ceiling increase.

Huh?

Mr. Bernstein explains it better than I do.  To read his piece, click on the link below.

GOP's debt limit threat goes off the rails

The 2014 Midterms will probably NOT be about Obama

Tom Raum at The Huffington Post wrote a great piece about the likely factors that will shape the 2014 midterm elections.  He breaks down all the factors, both the positives and negatives for each party, and explains their likely effects on the election.  He pays particularly close attention to the effect President Obama will have, as well as the economic situation.

To read Mr. Raum's article, click on the link below.

Elections In 2014 May Not Hinge On Economic Gains Under Obama

The First 100 Days of Obama II: Not Much To Show For It

Albert Hunt at Bloomberg wrote a piece on Obama and Congress's 1st 100 days since the 2012 election.  He pointedly said that all of the sweeping agenda items proposed by both sides of the political spectrum have gone nowhere, and he critiques both the President and Congress on why nothing gets done on a host of issues.  It is a fascinating read.

To read Mr. Hunt's article, click on the link below.

How Obama and Republicans Squandered First 100 Days

What is REDMAP?

REDMAP, or the Redistricting Majority Project, is a program created by the Republican State Leadership Committee for the sole purpose of creating congressional districts that can only be won by Republicans.  It used the 2010 census data to re-draw state legislative districts and congressional districts to favor GOP candidates and to hamper Democratic candidates.  This is why, despite the lopsided vote for Obama and Democrats in 2012, the Republicans retained control of the U.S. House and still kept its majority hold in State Legislatures and Governorships.

New York AG to Obama: Stop Protecting the Banks!!

New York state Attorney General, Eric Schneiderman has been grumbling about the Obama Administration.  Specifically, he is frustrated at the lack of accountability the Administration has forced the big banks and mortgage companies to accept over the financial meltdown.  He feels that the administration's responses have lacked any true consequence, and have not put in place the proper safeguards to prevent a future calamity.

Sequester Blame Game

The New York Times Editorial Board wrote a scathing op-ed about the GOP's wiggling out of any responsibility for the Sequester spending cuts.  It highlights various strategies the Republicans have used to tie all negative results to President Obama, while congratulating itself for cutting the budget.  The Board also notes some of the hypocrisy and selective outrage stoked by the GOP leadership on specific cuts made by the sequester.

I have yet to find a credible rebuttal to the NYT Editorial Board, but when I do I'll post it.  To read the NYT editorial, click on the link below.

Budget Cuts, Minus the Inconvenience

In Other News, The Democrats Are Fighting... Again

Robert H. Nelson, over at The Weekly Standard, wrote an in-depth article about the fractures in the Democratic Party.  To me, it's an old story.  There's a common wisdom that says the GOP is in lock-step on most anything and the Democrats are a giant mass of indecision.  However, with all the attention recently on the fractures in the GOP, it is important to note that the Democrats are also clashing with each other.

To read Mr. Nelson's article, click on the link below.

The Fractured Left

The GOP's Strategy to derail Obamacare

Ezra Klein, my policy wonk hero, wrote a fantastic piece for the Washington Post about the Republican Party's strategy to derail the Affordable Care Act, aka 'Obamacare'.  He uses testimony from a recent Senate Finance Committee meeting where Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is explaining how the Affordable Care Act will be implemented, and answering questions about the various Senators' concerns.

Frankly, the tactics are pretty obvious, and Klein exploits that obviousness to nearly comedic effect.  It is a thought-provoking, and in my opinion, very entertaining article.

To read Ezra Klein's article, click on the link below.

About the Obamacare 'train wreck'

Carl Levin's Heir-Apparent?

George Will, a conservative columnist for the Washington Post and Newsweek, is a person I listen to.  His views and ideology, though they clash with my own, are generally a good barometer of what's going on in conservative politics.  When he says there's an up-and-coming Republican lawmaker out there, I listen.  He recently wrote a profile on a Republican Congressman from Michigan that caught my attention.  Will suggests that this young man could be the next Republican Senator from Michigan, a state that hasn't elected a Republican to the Senate in over 40 years.

To read Mr. Will's article, click on the link below.

Is Justin Amash the new face of Republicanism?