Daily Rundown
Reid: Public Option is In
And Obama is happy to have it. Democrats have completely abandoned any effort at a bipartisan bill, even leaving Olympia Snowe “deeply disappointed” (CBS News). Democrats think the already confusing phrase “public option” needs a new even more confusing name (AP). A taste of government healthcare: See this story on injured troops facing “too many bureaucratic hurdles.” Defense Secretary Robert Gates complained the paperwork can be “frustrating, adversarial, and unnecessarily complex” (AP). More problems with the rising cost of health care in Massachusetts (WSJ). Audio (SONnetwork).
Afghanistan: Kerry Criticizes McChrystal Before Obama Decision
John Kerry complained that McChrystal’s plan reaches “too far, too fast.” Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said “Under the right circumstances, if we can be confident that military efforts can be sustained and built upon, then I would support the President should he decide to send some additional troops to regain the initiative” (FOX News). Suspiciously coincidental, President Obama, taking his time, will reportedly ask for more troops, though not 40,000 (ABC News). A US Official resigned over the war strategy (FOX News). And some say morale is low (Times Online). From another story: While the Obama administration debates whether to send tens of thousands more U.S. troops to Afghanistan and Afghans prepare to vote for president for the second time in four months, some of those already braving rockets and bombs worry that their mission has lost the support of the U.S. public and that their sacrifices – and those of their fallen comrades – have been in vain (Washington Times). Obama is apparently pondering Afghanistan on the golf course (Politico).
UK: Climate Chief Cuts Meat to Save Planet
Explaining “Meat is a wasteful use of water and creates a lot of greenhouse gases. It puts enormous pressure on the world’s resources. A vegetarian diet is better” (Times Online). So now, a good environmentalist can’t eat a hamburger, drive an SUV, own a dog (FOX News) or have kids (Telegraph). What a joy.
CNN Drops to Last in Cable News
The competition was demolished by FOX News (NY Times). FOX News is getting a nice boost from Obama’s war on FOX (Hotair). Meanwhile, newspapers saw another sharp drop in circulation (AP). Another story notes “63 percent of Americans believe news stories are often inaccurate—the worst report card it has ever seen” (AP).