Democratic politics from the center
Archive for February, 2010
Bayh announces retirement
Feb 15th
Senator Bayh from indiana just announced that he was leaving the senate at the end of his term. Although I disagree with him on some issues – mainly mandatory minimums and guns – I really believe that this is a loss for the Democratic party and congress. If there is one thing that we need more of right now, it’d definetly be moderates. Bayh mentioned the lack of bipartisanship, among other thing, as the reason for his choice. He is right, but lets not forget that Republicans have done next to nothing so far to help achieve true bipartisanship.
There are talks of a Gubernatorial run in his home state, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he just called it a day and just entered the private arena.
Trying the United States Justice System
Feb 13th
Tomorrow, Darth Cheney will be on This Week on ABC, and in what will likely be another diatribe of fearmongering, demagoguery, and blurring of history will undoubtedly touch on the Khalid Sheikh Mohamed trial and the mirandizing of the “underwear” bomber . Frankly, the idea that there is an argument about these things, the concepts that somehow are justice system is unable to process these individuals, that we are made more vulnerable and they stronger is incredibly insulting, and one that I wish conservatives would.
In understanding the Mohamed trial, what is most disturbing is how the argument has transformed. Initially, the argument was that because we will be holding a trial for a terrorist, that trial will give him a platform from which to spread hate. This has since devolved (which is difficult, because that argument is flaky as is) into a question of cost; should we be willing to pay the security costs for the trial? Should we annoy New York drivers in midtown to to transport this individual? It will cost a lot of money, and were already in debt.
Personal Popularity vs. Job Approval
Feb 12th
So, as President Obama’s job approval slides, what becomes increasingly interesting is that his personal popularity remains relatively static in the high 50%. In viewing this apparent discrepancy, I think there are some strikingly important concepts and extrapolations that can be drawn.
First, it is that Obama’s job approval rating is in sliding not because Barack Obama’s policies are viewed as bad, but because of his inability to accomplish them in a timely manner. Obviously healthcare is the greatest example of this, where Obama allowed the Finance Committee to serve as his primary carrier in the Senate (in the hopes of getting a “bipartisan” bill). In so doing, he allowed Republicans to drag out the debate over such a long timeline that it has made healthcare legislation the longest single bill to exist on the floor of Congress. As FiveThirtyEight.com points out here, after each health reform passed each house of congress, there was a small bump in polls. I think the eventual analysis that Mr. Silver is right, if perhaps lacking in nuance. More >
Dissecting the NYT/CBS poll
Feb 12th
Obama's approval ratings
A new poll by the New York Times and CBS was made available yesterday. There weren’t major changes from past polls, but some results should be highlighted.
President Obama is still facing lower approval ratings despise recent changes by the White House. The president is still suffering from damages made by a year long fight over healthcare. He is also faced with 52% and 58% disapproval ratings when it comes to the economy and the budget.
The poll also shows that congress isn’t fairing much better. With a 75% overall disapproval rating and with 81% of respondents ready to see new people in office, it wouldn’t be surprising to see more incumbents lose their seats this fall.
The good new, however, is that the republican party still hasn’t been able to turn this situation to their benefit. Americans still believe that our current economic woes were caused by the previous administration and democrats are still viewed more favorably than republicans.
Right now the focus needs to be a on the economy and providing jobs. These two issues outrank anything else and I am glad that the administration has decided to highlight them.
Jump on over to the Times article for more details.
Hello world!
Feb 10th
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