Daily Rundown, 4-9-10
CBO Head: US Debt Unsustainable
Doug Elmendorf said it “cannot be solved through minor tinkering.” And the story notes he was echoing “the recent sentiments of a pair of Federal Reserve chiefs — the current head, Ben Bernanke, and former Chairman Paul Volcker.”
Netanyahu Cancels Trip to Washington
From Reuters: He made the decision after learning Egypt and Turkey intended to raise the issue of Israel’s assumed atomic arsenal at the meeting (Reuters). According to AP, he feared “Israel would be singled out over its own nuclear program” (FOX News). From the Jerusalem Post: Army Radio reported that US sources informed Israel that a group of participating Arab countries led by Turkey and Egypt plan to use the summit to demand that Israel sign the NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty) and allow its alleged nuclear capabilities to be placed under international inspection (Jerusalem Post). One story notes “Obama won 78 percent of Jews in 2008, more than John Kerry before him. In fact, despite a string of stories hinting otherwise, Obama was never really at risk of losing Jews in 2008. No Republican has won Jews since 1920 (and that was due to a third-party candidate). Only blacks are a more loyal bloc of the Democratic Party.” Later: Most US Jews don’t view Israel as a top issue partly because of America’s strong support, despite periodic flare-ups, of the Jewish state. Western Europe tells another story. In recent decades, the rise of considerable anti-Israeli sentiment on the European left pushed many Jews rightward. Finally: Obama attempts to thread the needle: pressure Israel for diplomatic gain without risking significant domestic political loss. Obama is gambling that the ends might justify the means. But he is also unlikely to dramatically escalate those means and risk too much political cost. After all, like so many before him, the ends will likely escape this president as well (RCP).
Obama: “Last I Checked, Sarah Palin’s Not Much of an Expert on Nuclear Issues”
The president gave that attack-the-accuser response to ABC News when informed of criticism of his nuclear policy (ABC News). Video (RCP). From Charles Krauthammer: A nuclear posture is just that — a declaratory policy designed to make the other guy think twice. Our policies did. The result was called deterrence. For half a century, it held. The Soviets never invaded. We never used nukes. That’s why nuclear doctrine is important. Later: Under President Obama’s new policy, however, if the state that has just attacked us with biological or chemical weapons is “in compliance with the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT),” explained Gates, then “the U.S. pledges not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against it.” Imagine the scenario: Hundreds of thousands are lying dead in the streets of Boston after a massive anthrax or nerve gas attack. The president immediately calls in the lawyers to determine whether the attacking state is in compliance with the NPT. If it turns out that the attacker is up-to-date with its latest IAEA inspections, well, it gets immunity from nuclear retaliation (Townhall). From Linda Chavez: Obama has made the critical mistake of signaling to our enemies our willingness to hold back if we are attacked by a weapon of mass destruction. And you can bet they’ve taken notice (Townhall). From Senators Jon Kyl and John McCain: “Under the treaty, Russia and the United States have reduced the number of warheads and verification procedures significantly. Both of these changes will have ramifications on our force structure and intelligence that we will need to evaluate” (Townhall). Once again, Obama is going against the wishes of Americans (Rasmussen).
Poll: Democrat Party Favorable Ratings Hit Record Low
Down to 41 percent. GOP, traditionally below Dems, is up to 42 (Gallup). And the public anger about the force feeding of Obamacare has Democrats dodging the issue (AP). Democrats fear they could lose a congressional seat in a special election in Hawaii, one that seemed very secure pre-Obamacare (US News).
Goldberg: As We Become Europe, Who Will Be America?
From Jonah Goldberg: We can’t become Europe unless someone else is willing to become America. He later makes the point: Europe is a free-rider. It can only afford to be Europe because we can afford to be America. The most obvious illustration of this fact is national defense. Europe’s defense budgets have been miniscule because Europeans can count on Uncle Sam to protect them (Townhall). Newt Gingrich said Obama is “The most radical president in American history has now thrown down the gauntlet to the American people: ‘I run a machine. I own Washington and there’s nothing you can do about it”‘ (FOX News).
NY Times: Economy “Gaining Strength” “Accelerating”
9.7 percent unemployment suddenly looks good to the Times (NY Times). Jobless claims saw an unexpected rise last week (FT).
Now Cows Might Actually be Good for Environment
From the story: “…a new study found that cattle grazed on the grasslands of China actually reduce another greenhouse gas, nitrous oxide.” Who’ll be the first to create the bumper sticker: Save the Planet, Eat Beef.
Animal Rights Activists Upset over Donkey Basketball
Among other things, the activists worry donkeys will find the game “confusing.” That takes donkey chess off the table.