Obama's Nobel Peace Prize Exposes More GOP Hypocrisy

President Obama's Nobel Peace Prize has brought the GOP to a boiling point. They've masqueraded their brand as patriotic, wrapping themselves in American flags and holding tea party rallies, but what we see today is more of the real GOP - the party that cheered when the US lost the Olympics and same party who's seething with hate at this very moment because our president was acknowledged for promoting peace and not war.

Today, we can add to the long list of Republican hypocrisies. Besides their claim to having a monopoly on family values - and besides their claim to being fiscally responsible - or besides their claim to keeping the country safe (9/11 occurred on W’s watch and he launched two full-scale wars) - and besides claiming to be the party of "small government" (this coming from the same guys who brought us warrantless wiretapping) -- NOW we can safely say they are not as patriotic as they claim to be. The results speak for themselves.”

Set Your TiVos!

It's only Tuesday and everyone is already talking about this Sunday's morning talk shows. That's because the president is set to give back-to-back to back-to-back interviews. In what is being called a first, President Obama will appear on five talk shows. New York Times blogger, Adam Nagourney, writes:

It’s a reminder of just how much Mr. Obama is out there. As of his seven-month in office mark in August, he had done 114 interviews, compared to 37 by former President George W. Bush and 41 by former president Bill Clinton at a similar point in their administrations, according to Martha Joynt Kumar, a political science professor at Towson University in Maryland.

Of the five networks that were chosen (ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN & Univision), Fox News isn't one of them. The Washington Post's story, which refers to Obama's marathon as a "modified verion of the 'Full Ginsburg,' also notes the Fox diss.

In making the rounds -- appearing on NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN and Univision back-to-back -- Obama will do a modified version of "the Full Ginsburg," as such a sweep was dubbed after Monica Lewinsky's lawyer, William H. Ginsburg, became the first person to do five broadcast shows it in 1998.

It is rare for a president to appear on a single Sunday show, let alone multiple ones. (The original "Full Ginsburg" included Fox News, which was cut out of the loop this time and replaced with the Spanish language Univision).

Video: Calling Out Another Fox Lie

Here's Hannity accusing the president of saying that insurance executives are bad people. Of course, anyone who watched the speech knows that President Obama actually said, "Insurance executives don't do this because they're bad people. They do it because it's profitable."

Watch:

Deja Vu All Over Again

There was a moment back in 2008 when we became a little frustrated at the lack of red meat in Barack Obama's campaign. While Republicans relentlessly ridiculed Obama and labeled him an Unpatriotic-Muslim-Socialist, it seemed as if the young candidate wasn't willing to get in the mud and fight. The liberal media was obsessed with Bill Ayers, ACORN, Jeremiah Wright, Joe the Plummer Handyman and the McCain/Palin accusation that Obama would rather lose the war in Iraq than lose the election.

McCain gained several points on then-candidate Obama in key states while Obama's campaign remained above the fray. All of us were screaming, "Fight back!" And then, to the cheers of 69 million Americans who voted for him, Obama finally took the gloves off and reminded everyone that McCain and Bush were the same (and that McCain owned nine homes, all of which were perfect spots for the Republican drill baby drill for oil plan).

Seems like years ago...

And here we are again in 2009. It was like dejavu all over again last month, watching the same uncivil, uncooth specimens spew their unholy venom at healthcare rallies. Nazi signs, cries of socialism and out-and-out racism. The perpetual loop of these images must have boosted ratings for cable news networks given the non-stop coverage we were forced to endure.

Now, once again, it appears that Republicans have got all the mileage they can possibly get out of their lies. Despite their best efforts to kill healthcare during the August recess, President Obama and progressive Democrats are still moving forward, and they're closer now than ever to true insurance reform. Another positive sign can be found in President Obama's approval numbers. They appear to have bottomed out somewhere around the low to mid-fifties, numbers similar to what he earned last November - along with 365 electoral votes. We shouldn't forget the electoral significance of 52.8% of the popular vote.

Here's what we can soon expect: President Obama will sign a healthcare bill this fall, at which point Democrats' national poll numbers will get an immediate boost. The new reform will be regarded as the greatest change since Social Security, and most importantly, 47 million Americans will have a greater hope in obtaining affordable health insurance - public option or not. Republicans will be the biggest losers, yet again. A majority of Americans will remember the sincere attempt by the Democrats to pass a bipartisan bill, only to be opposed almost all Republicans, most of whom offer no real solution.

With August behind us, President Obama seems ready to take the gloves off once again - just in time. The August smoke has cleared, and he's still standing. This AFL-CIO speech from Labor Day leaves little doubt that the president is as optimistic as ever about delivering CHANGE. From the looks of things, Fall 2009 may just turn out to be just as sweet as Fall 2008.

President Obama's Weekly Video Address

Making it easier to save money in America.

Gallup Daily: Obama Up 5 Points

Here's some good news as everyone gets ready to clock-out and go home this weekend.

Gallup's three day rolling average has the president's approval number going up this week to 55%.

Click image to enlarge

President Obama's Weekly Video Address

Outrage Over AIG Bonuses Not (Yet) Hurting Obama's Approval

Nate Silver over at FiveThirtyEight has an analysis of the president's still-solid approval rating, even since last week's AIG salvo. He points out Gallup's number (65) has actually went up since the public first learned of the AIG bonuses. Rasmussen's daily number (56) is down just one point. The truth is likely somewhere between the two.

While Americans have been monitoring the situation closely, they don't blame Obama and his administration..yet.

Instead, they blame AIG itself, and may see Obama as being as much of a victim as a co-conspirator. We should keep in mind that, among the 95 percent of the population that does not follow politics especially closely, what they've seen is Obama expressing some (tempered) outrage about the bonuses and saying he'll do whatever he can to recoup them...The perception is that AIG broke the rules, not (as is actually closer to the mark) that the rules were inadequately written.

Whether or not the general public feels the same way next week or next month remains yet to be seen. Obama clearly cannot sustain these numbers if the daily headlines continue to inform Americans of more bailouts.  A recent NYT's article, for instance, claims that Obama will disclose a plan this week to purchase $1 trillion in bad debt.  Update:  See the plan here in Geithner's own words.

This is not to suggest that there aren't longer-term risks for the White House. Any further actions that are perceived as a "bailout" will now require more political capital, and may in fact be entirely impossible. This may come to a head this week, as further details emerge about Treasury's bank rescue plan, which is so far receiving almost uniformly terrible reviews.

On the other hand, this recent pitchforks and torches war against the rich could be beneficial to Obama.

We shouldn't forget that Republicans (true or not) have long had the reputation of protecting fat salaries of the rich with loopholes and taxcuts. It'll be a tough sell for the GOP if they attempt to blame Democrats of selling their souls to those benefiting from the AIG bonuses. And given the fact that 85 House Republicans voted with Democrats to tax AIG bonuses at 90%, it may be easier for Obama to use those votes as leverage to repeal the Bush tax cuts down the road. Silver continues:

Populist sentiment, ultimately, may prove to be both the greatest asset and the greatest risk to the Administration as it tries to enact its agenda. Can the Administration rely on the populist vanguard to shift the Overton Window on matters of class? Or will the broad-based left-of-center coalition that elected Obama cleave itself into halves, making it harder for the Administration to achieve political consensus?

One thing's for certain: populist sentiment, whatever the Administration chooses to make of it, is no longer something it can afford to ignore.

The President's Bracket (and mine too)!

Basketball is a religion where I grew up.  We Hoosiers like to believe that we know a little about the sport given our reputation (Bob Knight; Larry Bird; Hoosiers; Purdue alumnus, John Wooden).  

Many of us even wondered if Indiana's recent political about-face had anything to do with the President's affection for hoops. Before 2008, Indiana hadn't gone blue since 1964.  LBJ played forward in High School by the way. 

The President today unveiled his own bracket, a first by any sitting President.  As I write, Hoosiers everywhere are gushing.  As for his picks, he's got six of eight regional final teams coming from blue states.  The election is over Mr. President! There's no more need for campaigning!

I've got Louisville taking home the crown this year for the first time since 1986 (see bracket below).  The President also has the Cardinals in the Final Four but has North Carolina winning it all.  We should also point out that the President has made 7 visits to North Carolina since last May. Coincidence?  Maybe not...

Here's the video of Barack Obama explaining all of his picks, including the Tar Heels as his national champ.

President Obama's Weekly Video Address

The President celebrates passage of his Economic Recovery Plan:

Thoughts On Senator Gregg's Withdrawal and On His Replacement

Honestly Senator Gregg, you can do better than that. Did you seriously realize just earlier this week that you had "irresolvable conflicts" with the Obama administration on very important policy issues? Did you not know that the President is a progressive Democrat? Had you forgotten that you are a very conservative Republican?

Had you not heard about the President's Economic Recovery Plan? Did you not know that you're were seeking to manage a department you had once voted to abolish? When you put yourself forward as a candidate for Secretary of Commerce, didn't it occur to you that President Obama expected you to have reconciled yourself to his agenda... and not the other way round?

No, no, Senator it won't do. A better explanation for your sudden withdrawal as the nominee for Secretary of Commerce is needed.  It is needed not only to preserve some semblance of your own dignity, but also to dispel the notion that your candidacy was nothing more than pure pretense.  Convince us that your sudden change of heart isn't just one more silly deception in the recent series of Republican trickery designed (it seems) to somehow trip up the new President in his very sincere efforts at bi-partisan outreach. 

On a happier note, I'm damned delighted to have you off the national political stage --- maybe for good. It seems you also announced late this evening your intention not to seek re-election in 2010. Wow! Two bits of good news from you in one day. I feel like I got two winning scratch-off lottery tickets at the local convenience store on the same day. It doesn't happen often.

You see, Senator Gregg, the plain truth is I don't much care for you as a politician. When President Obama announced your selection to be Secretary of Commerce, I was very disappointed. Although there are/were a couple of his other Cabinet choices that didn't exactly fire me up, you were always the most disappointing of the lot. I'm just plain happy you're gone.

On an even happier note, your withdrawal creates yet another second chance for President Obama to make the right choice for Secretary of Commerce. My suggestion is for the President to appoint a Tennessean... and a Democrat.  No, I don't mean Governor Bredesen, although a fellow Tennessee blogger suggested that earlier today.

I think the Obama administration and the people of Tennessee will be better served if Governor Bredesen remains at the helm of the Volunteer State until the end of his current term.  Tennessee politics and the various challenges facing our state are a lot trickier than usual right now and Bredesen is the guy to take them on.

No, I'm talking about US Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Nashville). Mr. Cooper has an educational background as an economist, he is a very able and dedicated servant of the people and he has credibility with the business community. He is a leader of the Blue Dogs and is famously a budgetary hawk. He was an early supporter of Barack Obama and has deep connections with important people in the White House. 

Cooper has also served many years in the US House of Representatives and knows how to operate in Washington.  Assuming he votes for the final version of the President's Economic Recovery Plan (which I expect), there is no impediment whatsoever to prevent Jim Cooper from becoming Secretary of Commerce. He would be a fine choice indeed.

Making A Silk Purse Out Of A Sow's Ear

Facing governmental and political challenges greater than any Volunteer State Governor in at least eighty years, Phil Bredesen stepped up to the plate to deliver the annual State of the State address last evening. The environment could hardly been more daunting:

- worst national economic crisis since the Great Depression;

- great uncertainty as to how - or even if - the Federal government would act to kick-start the nation's economy;

- state revenues dwindling every day;

- a State Senate in firm control of the Republicans;

- a State House of Representatives in firm control of.. well, of nobody. After a well-orchestrated coup d’état by House Democrats to select the Republican of their choice as Speaker and the Governor's candidate for Minority Leader having previously lost an intra-party battle, Bredesen faces a House with lots of raw political emotion on both sides of the aisle;

- the Governor's preferred candidate just recently lost his bid to become Chair of the State Democratic Party;

- the extremely popular, and fellow Democrat, President Barack Obama chose the very same evening for his first live, televised prime time press conference; talk about being upstaged!

All in all, Governor Bredesen was expected to give us an honest and non-partisan assessment of Tennessee's current condition, the top priorities for the next year and some broader vision for the state beyond that - all this in about as tough a setting as could be imagined. As I say, a very challenging task indeed. 

To his great credit, Governor Bredesen did just that. In calm, measured tones he aptly described the dire situation we face. There was no evasion and no sugar-coating. "We are living in tough times." 

Bredesen underlined the importance of what he called three basic principles of governance: 

- sound budgetary policy (spending only what you have);

- focusing on the basics (education, creating good jobs and health care); 

- bipartisanship, (he acknowledged the current highly charged partisan atmosphere in Washington and in Nashville and urged lawmakers to move "beyond politics and do the peoples' business").

It was a speech with few specifics and even fewer details, largely due to the uncertainty of the federal Economic Recovery Plan. The Governor did right not to get ahead of himself, though the temptation to do so must have been great. He did emphasize once again the critical importance of education, job creation and health care, in keeping with his earlier remarks.  

Critics - from the Left and the Right - took some of Bredesen's remarks as a not-so-subtle shout out to the President, pushing himself as a possible Secretary of HHS. I don't see it that way. To me it seemed as if Bredesen was leaving that door slightly ajar if President Obama wanted to open it more fully.

In short, Governor, it was certainly a good speech. Under the circumstances, I would say it was a great speech. Well done!

Full text of the Governor's State of the State Address can be seen here.

Quote of the Day

"I am the eternal optimist."

-Barack Obama

President of the United States

.. said near the end of his prime time press conference this evening.  The President's presser can only be described as a tour de force. Covering a wide array of topics, Mr. Obama answered reporters' questions with skill, aplomb, grace and facility.  

What a difference from the contorted, illogical and often contentious press conferences of his predecessor. Now that is change we can see!

Gallup: The American People Strongly Back President Obama In Stimulus Fight

In a poll released just today, Gallup finds that Americans strongly support President Obama's efforts to fix the crumbling economy. Those surveyed were asked if they approve/disapprove of the President's handling of the economic stimulus plan, of the Democrats in Congress or of the Republicans in Congress. Here are the numbers:

President Obama:

- approve 67%

- disapprove 25%

- no opinion

Democrats in Congress:

- approve 48%

- disapprove 42%

- no opinion 10%

Republicans in Congress:

- approve 31%

- disapprove 58%

- no opinion 11%

It could not be any clearer: the American people want President Obama's plan enacted into law... and they want it now.  Republican obstructionists are playing with fire by using mickey-mouse tactics to delay the bill and by lying again and again about the true nature of the legislation.  Have they learned nothing?

Mitch McConnell, John Boehner and Tennessee's two GOP Senators should get out of the way - now!

A Few Words About Our New Look

As a follow-up to my post yesterday, I wanted to take a couple for minutes to point out several changes in the look of ElectBlue's home page. We have:

- Made modest changes in the top banner, reflecting the numerous Democratic victories in November;

- Changed the Obama campaign direct-link icon to that of the White House website. How sweet, that!

- Removed all direct-link icons to the 2008 campaign websites of the US Senate candidates we supported. All of those contests are long ago decided, with the exception of that of Al Franken in MN. However, we expect Franken will eventually be declared the winner there. He at least has sufficient funds to pay for the remaining required legal efforts;

- Removed the direct-link icon to Nashville For All of Us, following the thrashing of the English-only crowd's effort to amend Music's City's Charter.  Another sweet victory!

- Retained the direct-link icon to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) and added a direct-link icon to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). After all,  November 2010 is just around the corner!

- Most importantly, we have added a direct-link icon to the Tennessee Democratic Party (TNDP). We are very encouraged by the recent selection of Chip Forrester as State Democratic Party Chair. He and the TNDP are going to need a lot of funding to bring the party back from the wilderness. Given the inexplicable resistance to Mr. Forrester by some of TN's highest elected Democrats, it's particularly important for progressives to donate as much as they can to the TNDP. This direct-link icon provides an easy and totally secure way to do that.

All previous posts remain easily accessible from the archive, where they are sorted by year and month on the left-hand side of the home page. An index by topic of the entire blogsite can be found in the lower left portion of the home page. Readers wanting to know more about ElectBlue, or wishing to contact us, can always click on the appropriate icon  on the left-hand side of the home page.

President Obama's Weekly Video Address

The President's weekly address to the nation. Excellent as always.

ElectBlue: Refocused and Retooled for the 2009-2010 Election Cycle

After a taking a break (with limited posting) during the Thanksgiving-to-Inauguration period, the ElectBlue team is back in place and focused on the 2009-2010 election cycle. We are geared up for same high level of posting we accomplished in the the 2008 election cycle. Our goals are now slightly different, of course, but they remain simple and straightforward:

1. To support President Obama in the enactment of his progressive legislative agenda;

2. To increase Democratic majorities in both the US House and the US Senate. 

3. To give an increased focus on Tennessee politics, as Tennessee is our home base.

4. To target certain gubernatorial contests in 2009 and 2010,

Over the next several days we will be commenting about and posting on numerous developments that have occurred during our winter break,

President Obama's Weekly Video Address

The President's Weekly Video Address:

President Obama's Weekly Address

Here you go: