Daily Rundown, 11-12-09
Democrat Ben Nelson: House Bill Won’t Pass Senate
He explained “Well, first of all, it has more than a robust public option, it’s got a totally government-run plan, the costs are extraordinary associated with it, it increases taxes in a way that will not pass in the Senate and I could go on and on and on” (ABC News). Nelson is from Nebraska, which went for McCain in 2008. Yet Nancy Pelosi insists her version of Obamacare is our Christmas Present (Townhall). Meanwhile, Reid has his sights set on another tax increase to help pay for Obamacare (AP). More seniors are realizing AARP is not looking out for them (One News Now). A look at the AMA sellout (NY Post).
Rove: Why Democrats Should Fear 2010
Rove also explains why Team Obama’s hope that 2010 could be like 2002 is not based on reality. He concludes: Maybe the Obama inner sanctum realizes that its agenda is unpopular and will cost many Democrats their seats next year but calculates that enough will survive to keep the party in control of Congress. Perhaps they have decided that Mr. Obama’s goal of turning America into a European-style social democracy is worth risking a voter revolt. Many Democrats who will be on the ballot next year may come to a different conclusion. Nationalizing the elections over an unpopular agenda isn’t likely to repeat Mr. Bush’s feat of picking up congressional seats. It is, however, likely to lead to more Republican congressmen than are there now (WSJ). Another poll, this one from Pew, indicates Democrats are in trouble in 2010 (CNN). Obama’s numbers on handling the economy continue to sink (Rasmussen).
Political Correctness May Have Allowed Fort Hood Terrorist to Act
The story explains it may have “prevented officials from taking action and is still being used as a crutch in explaining the rampage after the fact.” One investigator explained “Had we launched an investigation of Hasan we’d have been crucified” (FOX News). The public is not so politically correct. 76 percent want immediate removal of officers linked to terrorist groups (Rasmussen). More on the mental state of Hasan. On official said “Everybody felt that if you were deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, you would not want Nidal Hasan in your foxhole” (FOX News). CNN has determined Hasan“fits the profile of a mass murderer better than that of a terrorist” (CNN). A look at turning the killer into a victim (Washington Times).
Obama on Afghanistan Plans: Nope, Try Again
The story begins: President Barack Obama does not plan to accept any of the Afghanistan war options presented by his national security team, pushing instead for revisions to clarify how and when U.S. troops would turn over responsibility to the Afghan government, a senior administration official said Wednesday (Boston Globe). From another story: Obama’s stance comes as his own ambassador in Afghanistan, Karl Eikenberry, is voicing strong dissent about a U.S. troop increase, according to a second administration official (AP). Americans are split on the issue (Gallup). And Obama’s handling of Gitmo is getting bad grades (McClatchy).
Obama to Break Overseas Record for President
Not good for the environment, right? Remember when Bush was criticized for not focusing on domestic issues?
Professor Punches Woman over Discussion on Race Relations
Why isn’t this national news on every network? The professor was black and the woman was white. The professor, Lionel McIntyre of Columbia University, was allegedly angry over “white privilege” (NY Post). Some say he should be charged with a hate crime (Examiner). More on the racism front: Fears in Chicago that a white candidate could win a congressional seat (Politico).
School Fundraiser: Selling Grades
The beginning of the story reads like an Onion article. The principal explained “Last year they did chocolates, and it didn’t generate anything.” Heaven forbid she finds out how well drugs sell.
Prisoners Find Death Row a Good Way to Spend Time in Prison
Knowing they’ll have decades to relax. Until they meet eternity, that is.
Paris Holds “Divorce, Separation and Bereavement Fair”
From the story: There were workshops on “How to bounce back,” “How to love yourself in order to bounce back,” or, more prosaically, “The role of plastic surgery in reconquering one’s self-image.”
Man Goes to Reunion as Decorated Marine, Is Outed by Real Navy Commander
Turns out, this costume is illegal.