Republicans are desperate. They can’t attack Obama on jobs because the jobs picture is improving. Their attack on the Administration’s rule requiring insurers to cover contraception has backfired, raising hackles even among many Republican women. Their attack on Obama for raising gas prices has elicited scorn from economists of all persuasions who know oil prices … Continue reading »
GOP
Why no responsible Democrat should want Newt Gingrich to get the GOP nomination
Republicans are worried sick about Newt Gingrich’s ascendance, while Democrats are tickled pink. Yet no responsible Democrat should be pleased at the prospect that Gingrich could get the GOP nomination. The future of America is too important to accept even a small risk of a Gingrich presidency. The Republican worry is understandable. “The possibility of … Continue reading »
The GOP ticket in 2012: Romney-Rubio
Since my New Year’s prediction that Obama would select Hillary Clinton for his running mate in 2012 (and Joe Biden would become Secretary of State), I’ve been swamped by requests for my GOP prediction. Here goes. You can forget the caucuses and early primaries. Mitt Romney will be the nominee. Republicans may be stupid but … Continue reading »
Why the Republican crackup is bad for America
Two weeks before the Iowa caucuses, the Republican crackup threatens the future of the Grand Old Party more profoundly than at any time since the GOP’s eclipse in 1932. That’s bad for America. The crackup isn’t just Romney the smooth versus Gingrich the bomb-thrower. Not just House Republicans who just scotched the deal to continue … Continue reading »
The Wall Street occupiers and the Democratic Party
Will the Wall Street Occupiers morph into a movement that has as much impact on the Democratic Party as the Tea Party has had on the GOP? Maybe. But there are reasons for doubting it. Tea Partiers have been a mixed blessing for the GOP establishment – a source of new ground troops and energy … Continue reading »
Chris Christie and the environment
There’s a lot of buzz about New Jersey Governor Chris Christie as a possible GOP presidential candidate. As with the other candidates in the race, it seemed like a good idea to check into his positions on environmental issues. The first thing that becomes clear is that he’s enthusiastic about renewable energy and energy efficiency. … Continue reading »
The Republican weapon of mass cynicism
According to the latest ABC New/Washington Post poll, 77 percent of Americans say they “feel things have gotten pretty seriously off on the wrong track” in this country. That’s the highest percentage since January, 2009. No surprise. The economy is almost as rotten now as it was two years ago. And, yes, this poses a … Continue reading »
The G.O.P. candidates on energy (and environment)
I’ve taken this information from the websites of some of the Republican contenders. What they say about their policies and records may not be exactly objective, but it’s interesting to see how they’d like to be perceived on environment and energy. Here are four takeaway points: Republican primary voters apparently don’t care very much about … Continue reading »
Why the Republican war on workers’ rights undermines the American economy
The battle has resumed in Wisconsin. The state supreme court has allowed Governor Scott Walker to strip bargaining rights from state workers. Meanwhile, governors and legislators in New Hampshire and Missouri are attacking private unions, seeking to make the states so-called “open shop” where workers can get all the benefits of being union members without … Continue reading »