The Plum Line:


Posted at 04:03 PM ET, 05/22/2013

Harry Reid escalates `nuclear' threat
By Greg Sargent
As GOP obstructionism continues, the Senate Majority Leader looks set to revisit filibuster reform.

By Greg Sargent  |  04:03 PM ET, 05/22/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Filibuster, Filibuster without end

Posted at 09:25 AM ET, 05/22/2013

The Morning Plum: As conservatives celebrate scandal-mania, immigration reform marches forward
By Greg Sargent
Is all the scandal triumphalism actually improving immigration reform's prospects?

By Greg Sargent  |  09:25 AM ET, 05/22/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 04:13 PM ET, 05/21/2013

Immigration choice looms for House Republicans
By Jonathan Bernstein
House Republicans will have to decide whether to pass the Senate immigration bill or to bring nothing at all to the House floor.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  04:13 PM ET, 05/21/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:12 PM ET, 05/21/2013

Hatred of Obama could lead to GOP overreach
By Greg Sargent
We may be seeing a rerun of the 1990s in more ways than one.

By Greg Sargent  |  01:12 PM ET, 05/21/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Beltway scandal-mania

Posted at 11:46 AM ET, 05/21/2013

Can Tea Party conservatives kill immigration reform?
By Jamelle Bouie
The right launches a new effort to sink the immigration compromise.

By Jamelle Bouie  |  11:46 AM ET, 05/21/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Immigration

Posted at 09:26 AM ET, 05/21/2013

The Morning Plum: The Oklahoma tornado is a horrible tragedy. Bring the politics.
By Greg Sargent
Why shouldn't natural disasters and other major events prompt big political arguments?

By Greg Sargent  |  09:26 AM ET, 05/21/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:37 PM ET, 05/20/2013

Dems betting heavily on GOP scandal overreach in 2014
By Greg Sargent
Democratic strategists are gambling that Republicans will reveal that they are more interested in scandal-mongering about the President than in solving people's problems.

By Greg Sargent  |  03:37 PM ET, 05/20/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:16 PM ET, 05/20/2013

Leak investigations are indeed having a chilling effect
By Greg Sargent
One top investigative reporter tells me that the Obama administration's aggressive targeting of leakers has made sources less reluctant to talk to him.

By Greg Sargent  |  01:16 PM ET, 05/20/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  political media

Posted at 09:13 AM ET, 05/20/2013

The Morning Plum: Presidential scandals, only in the minds of Republicans
By Greg Sargent
A new poll finds that large majorities of Republicans see Obama wrongdoing in the IRS and Benghazi stories -- while moderates and independents accept the White House version of events.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:13 AM ET, 05/20/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 06:03 PM ET, 05/17/2013

Happy Hour Roundup
By Greg Sargent

By Greg Sargent  |  06:03 PM ET, 05/17/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Happy Hour, Happy Hour Roundup

Posted at 05:04 PM ET, 05/17/2013

What's next for immigration reform? A roadmap
By Jonathan Bernstein
It all turns on whether mainstream conservatives privately want something to pass -- no matter what they say publicly.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  05:04 PM ET, 05/17/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Immigration

Posted at 03:18 PM ET, 05/17/2013

The ultimate in manufactured crises
By Greg Sargent
Both sides have already agreed that the debt limit must be raised -- yet we're supposed to pretend it gives one side leverage, anyway.

By Greg Sargent  |  03:18 PM ET, 05/17/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  debt ceiling

Posted at 12:49 PM ET, 05/17/2013

Harry Reid eyeing July for the `nuclear option'
By Greg Sargent
The Senate Majority Leader is increasingly looking at revisiting filibuster reform if GOP obstructionism continues at its current pace.

By Greg Sargent  |  12:49 PM ET, 05/17/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Fiibuster without end, Filibuster

Posted at 09:19 AM ET, 05/17/2013

The Morning Plum: GOP leaders urge caution amid scandal-mania. Will GOP base listen?
By Greg Sargent
There are mounting signs that today's scandal-fest carries echoes of GOP overreach amid the Lewinsky revelations.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:19 AM ET, 05/17/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:39 PM ET, 05/16/2013

Where is the line, Harry Reid?
By Jonathan Bernstein
What will it take for Democrats to revisit filibuster reform?

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  05:39 PM ET, 05/16/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Filibuster, Filibuster without end

Posted at 04:04 PM ET, 05/16/2013

IRS scandal overreach?
By Greg Sargent
Will tying Obamacare repeal to the IRS story really pay any political dividends?

By Greg Sargent  |  04:04 PM ET, 05/16/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Obamacare

Posted at 01:32 PM ET, 05/16/2013

Beltway narrative schizophrenia
By Greg Sargent
Do the current scandals show that Obama is a power-mad Nixonian dictator? Or do they reveal that he's weak and unable to control the government he presides over?

By Greg Sargent  |  01:32 PM ET, 05/16/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Beltway scandal-mania

Posted at 09:00 AM ET, 05/16/2013

The Morning Plum: Will 2014 turn out to be 2006, or 1998?
By Greg Sargent
The current scandal-mania carries distinct echoes of GOP overreach amid the Monica Lewinsky revelations.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:00 AM ET, 05/16/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:25 PM ET, 05/15/2013

When the Village turns on a President
By Greg Sargent
Politico reports that "the town" has turned on Obama. We should take that seriously.

By Greg Sargent  |  04:25 PM ET, 05/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  The Village

Posted at 01:47 PM ET, 05/15/2013

An insider account of the creation of the Benghazi talking points
By Greg Sargent
The former spokesman for the National Security Council extensively defends administration conduct.

By Greg Sargent  |  01:47 PM ET, 05/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Benghazi

Posted at 11:54 AM ET, 05/15/2013

Dems going on offense on Obamacare
By Greg Sargent
Republicans vow to use Obamacare implementation as a weapon to bash Dems in 2014, but Dems are not running way from the law.

By Greg Sargent  |  11:54 AM ET, 05/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  affordable care act

Posted at 09:19 AM ET, 05/15/2013

The Morning Plum: The other story behind the GOP's `scandal' triumphalism
By Greg Sargent
Republicans are giddy about the storylines that could damage the president, but they are still stuck with a base that won't allow them to engage in anything approaching reality-based governing.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:19 AM ET, 05/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:43 PM ET, 05/14/2013

Why Washington scandal-mania may save Medicare and Social Security
By Greg Sargent
If the scandal train continues down the tracks, a Grand Bargain will become less and less likely.

By Greg Sargent  |  03:43 PM ET, 05/14/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Beltway scandal-mania

Posted at 01:38 PM ET, 05/14/2013

Jake Tapper blows a hole in Benghazi 'scandal'
By Greg Sargent
Foes of the administration may have leaked an altered email to the press to make the Benghazi scandal appear worse than it is.

By Greg Sargent  |  01:38 PM ET, 05/14/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Benghazi

Posted at 09:19 AM ET, 05/14/2013

The Morning Plum: A reality check on Beltway scandal-mania
By Greg Sargent
Cut through all the jubilation, and we're still stuck in a situation where the GOP cannot get its base to agree to anything compromising or constructive.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:19 AM ET, 05/14/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 05:23 PM ET, 05/13/2013

You want a scandal? Here's a scandal.
By Jonathan Bernstein
The deliberate effort to grind government to a halt by filibustering all nominations is a bigger scandal than the Benghazi and IRS stories put together.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  05:23 PM ET, 05/13/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  white house

Posted at 03:40 PM ET, 05/13/2013

Kelly Ayotte, staunch advocate for gun safety? Not.
By Greg Sargent
It's hard not to notice that those defending Ayotte's vote against Manchin-Toomey emphasis her support for background checks.

By Greg Sargent  |  03:40 PM ET, 05/13/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  guns guns guns

Posted at 11:56 AM ET, 05/13/2013

Obama administration briefed Republicans on Benghazi talking points in March
By Greg Sargent
Why didn't they see anything amiss at the time?

By Greg Sargent  |  11:56 AM ET, 05/13/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Benghazi

Posted at 09:23 AM ET, 05/13/2013

The Morning Plum: Time for caution in scandal coverage
By Greg Sargent
With another season of Washington scandal feasting upon us, the temptation will be great to resort to journalistic shorthand and loaded language -- and to avoid supplying crucial context -- just as happened in the 1990s.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:23 AM ET, 05/13/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 04:37 PM ET, 05/10/2013

Maybe we should talk about climate change?
By Greg Sargent
A new report finds that we have passed an alarming milestone.

By Greg Sargent  |  04:37 PM ET, 05/10/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  climate change

Posted at 11:34 AM ET, 05/10/2013

What those edited Benghazi talking points tell us
By Greg Sargent

By Greg Sargent  |  11:34 AM ET, 05/10/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Benghazi

Posted at 09:21 AM ET, 05/10/2013

The Morning Plum: Bad 1990s Hillary is back
By Greg Sargent
The Benghazi "scandal" hearkens back to the more lurid attacks on Hillary Clinton of the 1990s.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:21 AM ET, 05/10/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 06:49 PM ET, 05/09/2013

Happy Hour Roundup
By Greg Sargent
Our nightly wrap-up of news and opinion.

By Greg Sargent  |  06:49 PM ET, 05/09/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Happy Hour Roundup

Posted at 08:53 AM ET, 05/09/2013

The Morning Plum: One party is threatening the recovery far more than the other is
By Greg Sargent
Kudos to the New York Times for accurately reporting that the consensus among economists is that deficit reduction and spending cuts are a drag on the recovery.

By Greg Sargent  |  08:53 AM ET, 05/09/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:07 AM ET, 05/08/2013

The Morning Plum: Keep pushing for gay protections in immigration reform, Dems
By Greg Sargent
Will Republicans really kill immigration reform if it extends protections to gays and lesbians?

By Greg Sargent  |  09:07 AM ET, 05/08/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:15 AM ET, 05/07/2013

The Morning Plum: Dems shouldn't take GOP's bait on Obamacare implementation
By Greg Sargent
No question, there may be problems with Obamacare's implementation, but Democrats should not panic about its political impact in 2014.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:15 AM ET, 05/07/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:34 PM ET, 05/06/2013

Happy Hour Roundup
By Greg Sargent
Our nightly wrap-up of news and opinion.

By Greg Sargent  |  06:34 PM ET, 05/06/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Happy Hour, Happy Hour Roundup

Posted at 09:24 AM ET, 05/06/2013

The Morning Plum: Joe Biden is right -- the gun fight is far from over
By Greg Sargent
It is in the interests of Democrats to continue pushing the gun issue, even if the odds of eventual success are long.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:24 AM ET, 05/06/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:25 AM ET, 05/03/2013

The Morning Plum: The economy is slowly recovering -- in spite of Congress
By Greg Sargent
Today's jobs report is encouraging, but it's also a reminder of the degree to which Congress is holding the recovery back.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:25 AM ET, 05/03/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:04 PM ET, 05/02/2013

Happy Hour Roundup
By Greg Sargent
Our nightly wrap-up of news and opinion.

By Greg Sargent  |  07:04 PM ET, 05/02/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Happy Hour, Happy Hour Roundup

Posted at 09:14 AM ET, 05/02/2013

The Morning Plum: The one quote that says it all about Obama and the GOP
By Greg Sargent
No, more presidential "leadership" is not the way to secure cooperation from a party that wants to deny a president any victories of any kind.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:14 AM ET, 05/02/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:19 AM ET, 05/01/2013

The Morning Plum: A good move on the housing crisis
By Greg Sargent
Will Republicans filibuster Obama's pick to oversee Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac -- a black former Congressman who is devoted to bringing relief to distressed middle class homeowners?

By Greg Sargent  |  09:19 AM ET, 05/01/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:15 AM ET, 04/30/2013

The Morning Plum: The GOP and ‘post-policy nihilism’
By Greg Sargent

By Greg Sargent  |  09:15 AM ET, 04/30/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:05 AM ET, 04/29/2013

The Morning Plum: How conservatives will try to kill immigration reform
By Greg Sargent
Will the right's campaign to kill reform really prove as fearsome as advertised?

By Greg Sargent  |  09:05 AM ET, 04/29/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:02 AM ET, 04/26/2013

The Morning Plum: The problem gun reformers face
By Greg Sargent
New signs have emerged that the gun debate is not over yet. But reformers still have yet to prove that they can extract a political price from Senators who stand in their way.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:02 AM ET, 04/26/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:07 AM ET, 04/25/2013

The Morning Plum: GOP makeover is impaired by delusional thinking
By Greg Sargent
The GOP will not be able to soften its image until it untethers itself from the delusions that Obamacare will be repealed and that you can cut spending forever with no consequences.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:07 AM ET, 04/25/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:10 AM ET, 04/24/2013

The Morning Plum: The next challenge for gun reform advocates
By Greg Sargent
They need to prove that Senators who fail to support common sense efforts to limit gun violence can be made to pay a genuine political price, even in red states.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:10 AM ET, 04/24/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:18 AM ET, 04/23/2013

The Morning Plum: The Green Lantern Theory of Presidential Power
By Greg Sargent
The Toomey-Manchin background check compromise failed because of two things: The Republican Party, and the 60 vote Senate.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:18 AM ET, 04/23/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:24 PM ET, 04/22/2013

Happy Hour Roundup
By Greg Sargent
Our nightly wrap-up of news and opinion.

By Greg Sargent  |  06:24 PM ET, 04/22/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Happy Hour, Happy Hour Roundup

Posted at 09:24 AM ET, 04/22/2013

The Morning Plum: Boston bombings probably won't derail immigration reform push
By Greg Sargent
The only nativist sentiment that will be stoked by the Boston bombings is already pretty stoked to begin with.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:24 AM ET, 04/22/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:14 AM ET, 04/19/2013

The Morning Plum: Foes of immigration reform pounce on Boston bombing
By Greg Sargent
It's unclear how aggressively the right will seek to draw a link between the Chechen bombing suspects and the immigration reform debate, but if this line picks up steam it will again demonstrate how hard reform will be to accomplish.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:14 AM ET, 04/19/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 06:29 PM ET, 04/18/2013

Happy Hour Open Thread
By Greg Sargent
All yours.

By Greg Sargent  |  06:29 PM ET, 04/18/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Happy Hour, Open Threads

Posted at 09:15 AM ET, 04/18/2013

The Morning Plum: Gabrielle Giffords isn't going away
By Greg Sargent
She seems determined to keep testing the boundaries of what's politically possible.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:15 AM ET, 04/18/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:09 AM ET, 04/17/2013

The Morning Plum: If gun proposal dies, what happens when there's another shooting?
By Greg Sargent
The history of gun control politics tells us that there will always be another massacre.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:09 AM ET, 04/17/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 08:45 AM ET, 04/16/2013

The Morning Plum: Will red state Dems kill expanded background checks?
By Greg Sargent
When Obama asserted during his SOTU speech that the Newtown families "deserve a vote" on gun reform, Senators applauded. Will they make good on that applause?

By Greg Sargent  |  08:45 AM ET, 04/16/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 06:27 PM ET, 04/15/2013

Open Thread
By Greg Sargent
Our thoughts are with the victims of the Boston bombings and their families.

By Greg Sargent  |  06:27 PM ET, 04/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Open Threads, sound off

Posted at 08:46 AM ET, 04/15/2013

The Morning Plum: Background checks a major test for self-described `moderate' Republicans
By Greg Sargent
If you want to understand why progress in Washington is impossible, note that a group backed by Rand Paul is now attacking Susan Collins for daring to even think about compromising with Dems on guns.

By Greg Sargent  |  08:46 AM ET, 04/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 06:20 PM ET, 04/12/2013

Happy Hour Roundup
By Jonathan Bernstein
Our nightly wrap-up of news and opinion.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  06:20 PM ET, 04/12/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Happy Hour, Happy Hour Roundup

Posted at 09:11 AM ET, 04/12/2013

The Morning Plum: The GOP's policy nihilism
By Greg Sargent
Mark yesterday down on your calendars as the day the GOP's fiscal ruse was finally unmasked with total clarity.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:11 AM ET, 04/12/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:09 AM ET, 04/11/2013

The Morning Plum: How expanded background checks could pass the House
By Greg Sargent
GOP Rep. Peter King says the emerging background check compromise could actually pass the House of Representatives -- under the right circumstances. This isn't over yet.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:09 AM ET, 04/11/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:09 AM ET, 04/10/2013

The Morning Plum: Obama makes Republicans an offer they will refuse
By Greg Sargent
The President's new budget gives Republicans precisely what they themselves asked for, but it will be rejected out of hand anyway.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:09 AM ET, 04/10/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:10 AM ET, 04/09/2013

The Morning Plum: Mitch McConnell joins far right fringe on guns
By Greg Sargent
There is still a way for the gun control side to win, even if it's a long shot.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:10 AM ET, 04/09/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:17 AM ET, 04/08/2013

The Morning Plum: Revisit filibuster reform, Harry Reid
By Greg Sargent
If the GOP's obstruction of a proposal that is supported by nine in 10 Americans isn't enough to prompt Dems to take another look at rules reform, nothing will be.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:17 AM ET, 04/08/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 06:13 PM ET, 04/05/2013

In the battle for the House, GOP will likely retain majority
By Jonathan Bernstein
The structural and historic factors point heavily against Dems taking back the House, though it is not impossible.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  06:13 PM ET, 04/05/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  2014 elections

Posted at 09:17 AM ET, 04/05/2013

The Morning Plum: Why Obama wants a Grand Bargain
By Greg Sargent
Obama's budget will offer entitlements cuts in exchange for new revenues, in hopes of reaching a deal that will remove the deficit from the conversation for the medium term and allow a pivot to other issues.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:17 AM ET, 04/05/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:13 AM ET, 04/04/2013

The Morning Plum: The GOP dilemma on immigration
By Greg Sargent
Second class citizenship is not the answer to the GOP's problem. Republicans will have to embrace citizenship, or we're not getting reform.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:13 AM ET, 04/04/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:02 AM ET, 04/03/2013

The Morning Plum: Republicans increasingly isolated on many major issues
By Greg Sargent
Polls show that Republican voters are out of step with the American mainstream on everything from immigration to health care to taxes to entitlements to marriage equality. Does this matter?

By Greg Sargent  |  09:02 AM ET, 04/03/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 06:39 PM ET, 04/02/2013

Happy Hour Roundup
By Greg Sargent
Our nightly wrap-up of news and opinion.

By Greg Sargent  |  06:39 PM ET, 04/02/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Happy Hour, Happy Hour Roundup

Posted at 09:19 AM ET, 04/02/2013

The Morning Plum: The sequester is not a Beltway joke
By Greg Sargent
It's time to subject the GOP claim of sequestration "victory" to more skepticism and scrutiny.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:19 AM ET, 04/02/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:06 AM ET, 04/01/2013

The Morning Plum: Will the GOP base ever allow the party to evolve?
By Greg Sargent
The views of rank and file Republicans on immigration, health care, gay rights, and the proper role and scope of government is impeding the party's makeover.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:06 AM ET, 04/01/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Moring Plum, Morning Plum

Posted at 09:11 AM ET, 03/29/2013

The Morning Plum: Keep talking about jobs, Mr. President
By Greg Sargent
Obama should keep pushing his proposal for more infrastructure spending to get the economy going, as a corrective to Washington's unhealthy obsession with the deficit.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:11 AM ET, 03/29/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:18 AM ET, 03/28/2013

The Morning Plum: Don't punt, Dems. It's not too late to defeat the NRA.
By Greg Sargent
The time for red state Democrats to declare independence from the NRA is right now.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:18 AM ET, 03/28/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:17 AM ET, 03/27/2013

The Morning Plum: Another hugely consequential day for gay rights
By Greg Sargent
Today the Supreme Court will attack the core questions at the heart of the gay marriage debate in ways that could have far reaching ramifications.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:17 AM ET, 03/27/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:14 AM ET, 03/26/2013

The Morning Plum: From Stonewall to the Supreme Court
By Greg Sargent
Anyone who has had an up close view of anti-gay bigotry in all its ugliness truly understands what's at take today.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:14 AM ET, 03/26/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 06:15 PM ET, 03/25/2013

Happy Hour Open Thread
By Greg Sargent
Enjoy.

By Greg Sargent  |  06:15 PM ET, 03/25/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Happy Hour

Posted at 09:15 AM ET, 03/25/2013

The Morning Plum: Will red state Dems punt on gun reform?
By Greg Sargent
Liberals and Democrats across the country need to let red state Democrats know -- right now -- that failing to universal background checks is unacceptable.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:15 AM ET, 03/25/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:14 AM ET, 03/22/2013

The Morning Plum: No, the Ryan vision is not a winner for the GOP
By Greg Sargent
Republicans can't cut loose the Ryan plan, so they are trying to repackage it as a winner by talking about everything except what's actually in it.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:14 AM ET, 03/22/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 06:19 PM ET, 03/21/2013

Happy Hour Roundup
By Greg Sargent
Our nightly wrap up of news and opinion.

By Greg Sargent  |  06:19 PM ET, 03/21/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Happy Hour, Happy Hour Roundup

Posted at 09:10 AM ET, 03/21/2013

The Morning Plum: The GOP's self-refuting argument on guns
By Greg Sargent
The "gun rights" brigade likes to argue that we don't need expanded background checks because "criminals don't respect the law." But that's exactly why we do need expanded background checks.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:10 AM ET, 03/21/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 08:55 AM ET, 03/20/2013

The Morning Plum: A nation of Keynesians
By Greg Sargent
A new poll finds overwhelming public support for federal spending to create jobs. Even a majority of Republicans backs this. So can we talk about it now?

By Greg Sargent  |  08:55 AM ET, 03/20/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 06:01 PM ET, 03/19/2013

Happy Hour Roundup
By Greg Sargent
Our nightly wrap-up of news and opinion.

By Greg Sargent  |  06:01 PM ET, 03/19/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Happy Hour, Happy Hour Roundup

Posted at 09:12 AM ET, 03/19/2013

The Morning Plum: So who's winning the sequester fight?
By Greg Sargent
The Morning Plum: So who's winning the sequester fight?

By Greg Sargent  |  09:12 AM ET, 03/19/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:21 AM ET, 03/18/2013

The Morning Plum: Being the party of austerity is not the way to win
By Greg Sargent
A GOP pollster warns fellow Republicans that being the party of spending-cuts-only is not a winning position. There are no signs any of them are listening.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:21 AM ET, 03/18/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 08:38 AM ET, 03/17/2013

Sunday Open Thread
By Greg Sargent
Enjoy.

By Greg Sargent  |  08:38 AM ET, 03/17/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Open Threads, sound off

Posted at 06:41 PM ET, 03/15/2013

Happy Hour Roundup
By Greg Sargent
Our nightly wrap up of news and opinion.

By Greg Sargent  |  06:41 PM ET, 03/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Happy Hour, Happy Hour Roundup

Posted at 09:21 AM ET, 03/15/2013

The Morning Plum: The GOP's self-defeating strategy in fiscal fight
By Greg Sargent
Until Republicans acknowledge the basic reality of the situation, no progress will be possible.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:21 AM ET, 03/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:23 AM ET, 03/14/2013

The Morning Plum: Where's the leadership, John Boehner?
By Greg Sargent
After offering a governing blueprint that shreds Democratic priorities on every level and offers zero in concessions, Republicans are calling on Obama to show leadership.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:23 AM ET, 03/14/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:19 AM ET, 03/13/2013

The Morning Plum: No, the GOP isn't "winning" the argument over sequester
By Greg Sargent
A new poll finds that solid majorities reject every main conservative argument about the sequester -- which casts doubt on the notion that Republicans are "winning" the argument over it.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:19 AM ET, 03/13/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum, sequester

Posted at 09:17 AM ET, 03/12/2013

The Morning Plum: Don't let Paul Ryan skate this time
By Greg Sargent
Will Ryan's new budget be accorded the presumption of fiscal seriousness that was wrongly lavished on his previous two efforts?

By Greg Sargent  |  09:17 AM ET, 03/12/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:10 PM ET, 03/11/2013

Happy Hour Roundup
By Greg Sargent
Our nightly wrap up of news and opinion.

By Greg Sargent  |  07:10 PM ET, 03/11/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Happy Hour, Happy Hour Roundup

Posted at 09:16 AM ET, 03/11/2013

The Morning Plum: Didn't we just have an election?
By Greg Sargent
Republicans decisively lost an election that was all about whether we should invest in and expand the safety net -- and are now doubling down on their insistence that we roll it back.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:16 AM ET, 03/11/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 06:39 PM ET, 03/08/2013

Happy Hour Roundup
By Greg Sargent
Our nightly wrap-up of news and opinion.

By Greg Sargent  |  06:39 PM ET, 03/08/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Happy Hour, Happy Hour Roundup

Posted at 09:14 AM ET, 03/08/2013

The Morning Plum: Wake up, Republicans -- gay marriage is on the march
By Greg Sargent
A new poll finds that gay marriage has its broadest support among the voter groups the GOP can afford to alienate the least.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:14 AM ET, 03/08/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:21 AM ET, 03/07/2013

The Morning Plum: What Rand Paul's filibuster accomplished
By Greg Sargent
By showing us what real filibustering looks like, Senator Paul provided a reminder of just how badly day-to-day filibustering is damaging the Senate.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:21 AM ET, 03/07/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:20 AM ET, 03/06/2013

The Morning Plum: Obama urges Republicans to take Yes for an answer
By Greg Sargent
The President is now going around GOP leaders to try to woo Republican lawmakers who might be open to a deal.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:20 AM ET, 03/06/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 06:18 PM ET, 03/05/2013

Happy Hour Roundup
By Jonathan Bernstein
Our nightly wrap-up of news and opinion.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  06:18 PM ET, 03/05/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Happy Hour, Happy Hour Roundup

Posted at 09:16 AM ET, 03/05/2013

The Morning Plum: A tale of two Washington lies
By Greg Sargent
At bottom, the raging "false equivalency" debate is about the fundamental imbalance in the two parties' positions on the great fiscal debate facing the country.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:16 AM ET, 03/05/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 06:01 PM ET, 03/04/2013

Happy Hour Roundup
By Greg Sargent
Our nightly wrap-up of news and opinion.

By Greg Sargent  |  06:01 PM ET, 03/04/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:54 AM ET, 03/04/2013

The Morning Plum: The one question every GOP lawmaker should be asked
By Greg Sargent
Republicans need to be asked whether there is any ratio of entitlement cuts to new revenues they'd be willing to accept.

By Greg Sargent  |  08:54 AM ET, 03/04/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:13 AM ET, 03/01/2013

The Morning Plum: Happy Sequester Day! We're still stuck in the wrong conversation.
By Greg Sargent
The fact that we're debating how much austerity to implement at a time of mass unemployment shows that we're still stuck in the mistaken mindset of 2011.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:13 AM ET, 03/01/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:26 AM ET, 02/28/2013

The Morning Plum: How both sides really view the sequester
By Greg Sargent
The GOP's refusal to detail specific spending cuts reveals an awareness that they'd be political poison.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:26 AM ET, 02/28/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:13 AM ET, 02/27/2013

The Morning Plum: How's that GOP "makeover" going?
By Greg Sargent
A new poll finds the GOP lagging far behind on many of the major issues facing the country -- the political context within which the battle over the sequester will unfold.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:13 AM ET, 02/27/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:12 AM ET, 02/26/2013

The Morning Plum: The false equivalence pundits are part of the problem
By Greg Sargent
David Brooks and the "centrist dodge."

By Greg Sargent  |  09:12 AM ET, 02/26/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 06:30 PM ET, 02/25/2013

Happy Hour Roundup
By Greg Sargent
Our nightly wrap-up of news and opinion.

By Greg Sargent  |  06:30 PM ET, 02/25/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:06 AM ET, 02/25/2013

The Morning Plum: Republican governors urge GOP to act on sequester
By Greg Sargent
GOP governors whose states are in the sequester's crosshairs are suddenly finding that GOP intransigence on fiscal matters isn't so wonderful, after all.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:06 AM ET, 02/25/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:05 AM ET, 02/22/2013

The Morning Plum: Questions for the "blame it on both sides" crowd
By Greg Sargent
Commentators need to reckon honestly with the fundamental imbalance that's marring today's fiscal debate -- and with the real history of the last four years of GOP obstructionism.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:05 AM ET, 02/22/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:57 PM ET, 02/21/2013

Happy Hour Roundup
By Greg Sargent
Our nightly wrap-up of news and opinion.

By Greg Sargent  |  06:57 PM ET, 02/21/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Happy Hour Roundup, It's Happy Hour

Posted at 09:02 AM ET, 02/21/2013

The Morning Plum: On issues, GOP is badly out of step with America
By Greg Sargent
A new Pew survey finds that the GOP position on major issues facing the country is held by one-third or fewer Americans.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:02 AM ET, 02/21/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:13 AM ET, 02/20/2013

The Morning Plum: Americans will blame GOP for sequester
By Greg Sargent
Republicans who believe they'll be able to shift the blame for the sequester to Obama should probably reconsider the results of the last election.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:13 AM ET, 02/20/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:17 AM ET, 02/19/2013

The Morning Plum: GOP is in weak position in sequester fight
By Greg Sargent
In trying to shift blame for the sequester to Obama, Republicans are implicitly admitting that deep spending cuts are politically perilous for whichever party owns them.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:17 AM ET, 02/19/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:07 AM ET, 02/15/2013

The Morning Plum: Over 100 House Dems tell Obama -- no cuts to entitlement benefits
By Greg Sargent
Many liberals still worry that in the end, the White House and Democrats will accept cuts to entitlements benefits to reach a fiscal deal.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:07 AM ET, 02/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:12 AM ET, 02/14/2013

The Morning Plum: Dems to use minimum wage against GOP in 2014
By Greg Sargent
Democrats are convinced that the minimum wage fight will play directly to voter perceptions of which party is really on the side of economically struggling Americans.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:12 AM ET, 02/14/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:11 AM ET, 02/13/2013

The Morning Plum: Obama's ambitious second term agenda intensifies GOP's dilemma
By Greg Sargent
Republicans now need to decide if they want to play the role of a functional opposition party.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:11 AM ET, 02/13/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:21 AM ET, 02/12/2013

The Morning Plum: Marco Rubio won't offer any real GOP "alternative"
By Greg Sargent
As long as Republicans remain tethered to reflexive government-is-bad rhetoric, they will struggle to articulate a positive role government can play in people's lives.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:21 AM ET, 02/12/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:18 AM ET, 02/11/2013

The Morning Plum: Go on offense, Mr. President
By Greg Sargent
The emerging majority coalition that reelected Obama agrees with his vision of government. The President should speak to those voters in his State of the Union speech.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:18 AM ET, 02/11/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:15 AM ET, 02/08/2013

The Morning Plum: Only one party is willing to compromise. It isn't the GOP.
By Greg Sargent
The GOP's explicit position on the sequester is that allowing it to happen is preferable to compromising with Dems.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:15 AM ET, 02/08/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:11 AM ET, 02/07/2013

The Morning Plum: GOP resolve on sequester begins to crack
By Greg Sargent
Republicans face a stark choice: Either agree to a compromise that gives both sides what they want, or let the sequester gut defense and scuttle the recovery.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:11 AM ET, 02/07/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:05 AM ET, 02/06/2013

The Morning Plum: On immigration, Dems hold the middle ground, and Republicans don't
By Greg Sargent
One party holds the compromise position. The other simply doesn't.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:05 AM ET, 02/06/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:15 AM ET, 02/05/2013

The Morning Plum: Immigration reform in jeopardy?
By Greg Sargent
OPINION | House Republicans are not prepared to support a path to citizenship -- another reminder of just how hard the road to real reform remains.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:15 AM ET, 02/05/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 01:54 PM ET, 02/04/2013

Will House GOP really line up against law enforcement on guns?
By Greg Sargent
The House GOP has still not said whether it will oppose allowing the anti-trafficking and background check proposals to come to a vote. They may be hard for Republicans to oppose.

By Greg Sargent  |  01:54 PM ET, 02/04/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  guns guns guns

Posted at 09:02 AM ET, 02/04/2013

The Morning Plum: The problem with the Obama skeet shooting "controversy"
By Greg Sargent
This "controversy" is entirely irrelevant to the gun reform proposals that are actually being discussed. Other than that, it's really, really newsworthy!

By Greg Sargent  |  09:02 AM ET, 02/04/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:19 AM ET, 02/01/2013

The Morning Plum: Memo to Gayle Trotter -- on guns, you don't speak for most "American women"
By Greg Sargent
The vast majority of American women don't want scary assault weapons to protect themselves. Instead, they want sensible gun regulations.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:19 AM ET, 02/01/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:17 AM ET, 01/31/2013

The Morning Plum: GOP still can't shake that "47 percent" problem
By Greg Sargent
New anti-government comments from Virginia attorney general Ken Cuccinnelli, a rising star in the GOP, perfectly capture the reasons the party is struggling to remake itself.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:17 AM ET, 01/31/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:16 AM ET, 01/30/2013

The Morning Plum: Five questions for the NRA's Wayne LaPierre
By Greg Sargent
At today's hearing, Senators need to expose the NRA's extremism, and reveal for all to see that the organization's views are way out of step with the American mainstream.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:16 AM ET, 01/30/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:14 AM ET, 01/29/2013

The Morning Plum: Confusion envelops Senate immigration plan
By Greg Sargent
The Gang of 8 still differs on the fundamentals of how to reform our immigration system.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:14 AM ET, 01/29/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:16 AM ET, 01/28/2013

The Morning Plum: The ground shifts on immigration
By Greg Sargent
The new immigration reform plan is a big step forward, but some major unanswered questions remain.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:16 AM ET, 01/28/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 06:52 PM ET, 01/25/2013

Happy Hour Roundup
By Greg Sargent
Our nightly wrap-up of news and opinion.

By Greg Sargent  |  06:52 PM ET, 01/25/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Happy Hour Roundup

Posted at 09:14 AM ET, 01/25/2013

The Morning Plum: What's next for filibuster reformers?
By Greg Sargent
A leading reformer, Tom Udall, vows to revisit the need for change "every two years," if necessary, and urges outside groups to remain on altert.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:14 AM ET, 01/25/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:17 AM ET, 01/24/2013

The Morning Plum: Obama as the anti-Reagan
By Greg Sargent
Obama is attempting to recast progressivism in the eyes of the nation in just as ambitious a way as Reagan did with conservatism.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:17 AM ET, 01/24/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:21 AM ET, 01/23/2013

The Morning Plum: GOP's magic debt ceiling plan won't solve the problem
By Greg Sargent
The primary reason we're having a governing crisis is that Republicans don't want to agree to more revenues from rich people.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:21 AM ET, 01/23/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:17 AM ET, 01/22/2013

The Morning Plum: What Obama's Inaugural tells us about the next four years
By Greg Sargent
Obama's refusal to play the "bipartisan outreach" game is an important first step towards recognizing that the GOP has ceased to operate as a functional opposition party.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:17 AM ET, 01/22/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:18 AM ET, 01/18/2013

The Morning Plum: No more games. Just release the hostage.
By Greg Sargent
A temporary debt ceiling hike won't solve the GOP's problem.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:18 AM ET, 01/18/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:13 AM ET, 01/17/2013

The Morning Plum: The question every member of Congress should answer
By Greg Sargent
Media outlets focusing only on the assault weapons ban are getting it wrong. The universal background check is at least as important -- and it could become law.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:13 AM ET, 01/17/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 09:22 AM ET, 01/16/2013

The Morning Plum: The increasingly isolated GOP
By Greg Sargent
An increasingly fringe view is driving the GOP's approach to a fiscal debate that could have long term consequences for the country.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:22 AM ET, 01/16/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Morning Plum

Posted at 05:11 PM ET, 01/15/2013

R.I.P., Emily Meier
By Greg Sargent
I'm sad to report that a longtime contributor to the site has lost her battle with breast cancer. She will be missed.

By Greg Sargent  |  05:11 PM ET, 01/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Condolences

Posted at 09:15 AM ET, 01/15/2013

The Morning Plum: Conservatives surrendering in debt ceiling fight?
By Greg Sargent
An increasing number of Republicans and conservatives are acknowledging that they don't have the leverage they claim.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:15 AM ET, 01/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Mornign Plum, Morning Plum

Posted at 09:10 AM ET, 01/14/2013

The Morning Plum: The debt ceiling is the GOP's problem. Lather, rinse, repeat.
By Greg Sargent
Again: If Republicans want to threaten to destroy the economy to get their way, it's their problem.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:10 AM ET, 01/14/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  debt ceiling, guns guns guns, Morning Plum, platinum coin

Posted at 07:51 AM ET, 01/12/2013

Open Thread
By Greg Sargent
All yours.

By Greg Sargent  |  07:51 AM ET, 01/12/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Open Threads

Posted at 09:21 AM ET, 01/11/2013

The Morning Plum: The NRA's Big Lies
By Greg Sargent
The organization's Second Amendment alarmism, extreme views on sensible gun regulation, and outright dishonesty render it less and less credible.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:21 AM ET, 01/11/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  debt ceiling, gun control, Morning Plum, nra, platinum coin

Posted at 09:17 AM ET, 01/10/2013

The Morning Plum: Will any Republicans support sensible gun law reforms?
By Greg Sargent
Perhaps some moderate Republicans can be induced to resist the increasing southernization of the GOP.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:17 AM ET, 01/10/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  debt ceiling, gun control, Morning Plum, platinum coin

Posted at 09:15 AM ET, 01/09/2013

The Morning Plum: Clever GOP spin on debt ceiling
By Greg Sargent
Republicans are painstakingly defining the debt ceiling hike as a concession they will be making to Obama, rather than as something that must be done to protect the country from financial disaster. And news orgs are playing along.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:15 AM ET, 01/09/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  debt ceiling, fiscal cliff, gun control, Morning Plum, platinum coin

Posted at 09:26 AM ET, 01/08/2013

The Morning Plum: Job one for the White House -- isolate the NRA
By Greg Sargent
The White House and Democrats appear to be fully engaged for the fight to come. They will have to be.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:26 AM ET, 01/08/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  debt ceiling, fiscal cliff, gun control, Morning Plum, nra

Posted at 09:25 AM ET, 01/07/2013

The Morning Plum: No, we are not 'finished' with the tax debate
By Greg Sargent
Republicans will have to agree to more in revenues, whether they like it or not.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:25 AM ET, 01/07/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  debt ceiling platinum coin, fiscal cliff, Morning Plum

Posted at 09:17 AM ET, 01/04/2013

The Morning Plum: What does 'not negotiating' look like?
By Greg Sargent
Obama and Dems vow not to negotiate with the GOP over the debt limit, but it's not clear they have any choice.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:17 AM ET, 01/04/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  debt ceiling, fiscal cliff, immigration reform, Morning Plum

Posted at 09:10 AM ET, 01/03/2013

The Morning Plum: Media shouldn't get rolled by GOP debt ceiling spin
By Greg Sargent
News accounts are portraying the looming debt limit standoff as a standard Washington negotiation. It isn't.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:10 AM ET, 01/03/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  debt ceiling, filibuster reform, fiscal cliff, Immigration, Morning Plum

Posted at 09:11 AM ET, 01/02/2013

The Morning Plum: GOP can't put Tea Party genie back in bottle
By Greg Sargent
Yesterday's events confirm again that House conservatives may no longer be capable of being part of the conversation over how to move the country forward.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:11 AM ET, 01/02/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Bush tax cuts, fiscal cliff, gun control, Morning Plum, Republicans, Tea Party

Posted at 06:39 PM ET, 12/21/2012

Happy Hour Roundup
By Greg Sargent
Our nightly wrap-up of news and opinion.

By Greg Sargent  |  06:39 PM ET, 12/21/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Happy Hour Roundup

Posted at 09:13 AM ET, 12/21/2012

The Morning Plum: In Plan B implosion, House conservatives exit the conversation
By Greg Sargent
Last night's outcome confirms that House conservatives may not be capable of playing any role in the conversation over how to move the country forward.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:13 AM ET, 12/21/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  fiscal cliff, gun control, john boehner, Morning Plum, Newtown

Posted at 09:14 AM ET, 12/20/2012

The Morning Plum: White House should let Boehner keep twisting in the wind
By Greg Sargent
The President has already given enough ground. No more concessions.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:14 AM ET, 12/20/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Bush tax cuts, fiscal cliff, john boehner, Morning Plum

Posted at 09:17 AM ET, 12/19/2012

The Morning Plum: Gun 'rights' on the defensive
By Greg Sargent
It now seems certain that we will find out whether meaningful gun law reform is possible if it is actually attempted.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:17 AM ET, 12/19/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  fiscal cliff, gun control, Morning Plum, Newtown

Posted at 09:14 AM ET, 12/18/2012

The Morning Plum: Should progressives accept emerging fiscal cliff deal?
By Greg Sargent
The devil will be in the details of the proposal to cut Social Security.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:14 AM ET, 12/18/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  fiscal cliff, Morning Plum, Newtown, Social Security

Posted at 09:13 AM ET, 12/17/2012

The Morning Plum: Is 'God, guns, and gays' losing its peril for Democrats?
By Greg Sargent
Demographic shifts mean that Dems no longer need rural white conservatives -- and no longer need to fear the cultural issues they care so much about.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:13 AM ET, 12/17/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  debt ceiling, fiscal cliff, gun control, john boehner, Morning Plum, Newton

Posted at 08:06 AM ET, 12/15/2012

Open Thread
By Greg Sargent
All yours.

By Greg Sargent  |  08:06 AM ET, 12/15/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Open Threads

Posted at 09:12 AM ET, 12/14/2012

The Morning Plum: Destructive anti-tax fanaticism
By Greg Sargent
The GOP cannot evolve if it refuses to recognize the reality of broader public opinion.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:12 AM ET, 12/14/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Bush tax cuts, fiscal cliff, Medicare, Morning Plum

Posted at 09:07 AM ET, 12/13/2012

The Morning Plum: Dems hold the middle ground. GOP is on fringe.
By Greg Sargent
There is no longer any doubt: The main obstacle to any compromise is the GOP's insistence on clinging to a fringe position on taxes, one far outside the American mainstream.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:07 AM ET, 12/13/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Bush tax cuts, fiscal cliff, labor, Morning Plum, right to work

Posted at 09:12 AM ET, 12/12/2012

The Morning Plum: Don't raise the Medicare eligibility age, Mr. President
By Greg Sargent
In an interview with ABC News, Obama declines to rule it out. But he was not elected to give away people's Medicare.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:12 AM ET, 12/12/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Bush tax cuts, fiscal cliff, Medicare, Morning Plum

Posted at 09:15 AM ET, 12/11/2012

The Morning Plum: A way out for labor in Michigan?
By Greg Sargent
There may be a way to force a popular vote on the "right to work" law.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:15 AM ET, 12/11/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Collective bargaining, fiscal cliff, labor, Morning Plum, right to work

Posted at 09:09 AM ET, 12/10/2012

The Morning Plum: National Dems not giving up on Michigan "right to work" fight
By Greg Sargent
Top Michigan Democrats are meeting with Governor Rick Snyder to urge him to find a way out of the impasse, rather than further divide the state.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:09 AM ET, 12/10/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Bush tax cuts, fiscal cliff, Gay marriage, john boehner, labor, Morning Plum

Posted at 09:10 AM ET, 12/07/2012

The Morning Plum: Time for fiscal cliff talks to focus on jobs
By Greg Sargent
The current crisis isn't just about taxes and entitlements. It's also about jobs. Time to focus on unemployment.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:10 AM ET, 12/07/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  fiscal cliff, Morning Plum, Stimulus, unemployment

Posted at 08:56 AM ET, 12/06/2012

The Morning Plum: A way out of the impasse?
By Greg Sargent
There is a way out of the fiscal cliff predicament for Republicans. The question is whether conservatives will allow them to take it.

By Greg Sargent  |  08:56 AM ET, 12/06/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Bush tax cuts, fiscal cliff, john boehner, Morning Plum

Posted at 09:09 AM ET, 12/05/2012

The Morning Plum: Why Obama won't negotiate with GOP over debt ceiling
By Greg Sargent
Republicans are planning to use the debt limit crisis to extort deep entitlements cuts. Here's why Obama won't play along.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:09 AM ET, 12/05/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  barack obama, fiscal cliff, Mitch McConnell, Morning Plum

Posted at 09:10 AM ET, 12/04/2012

The Morning Plum: GOPers expect to cave on tax rates for rich
By Greg Sargent
A well-connected conservative reporter says it's only a matter of time until Republicans cave on higher tax rates on the rich.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:10 AM ET, 12/04/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  barack obama, Bush tax cuts, fiscal cliff, john boehner, Mitch McConnell, Morning Plum

Posted at 08:59 AM ET, 12/03/2012

The Morning Plum: No more false equivalence. Both sides are not equally to blame.
By Greg Sargent
Our daily roundup of news and opinion.

By Greg Sargent  |  08:59 AM ET, 12/03/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  barack obama, fiscal cliff, john boehner, Morning Plum

Posted at 09:05 AM ET, 11/30/2012

The Morning Plum: Skittish Democrats putting filibuster reform in peril
By Greg Sargent
Our daily roundup of news and opinion.

By Greg Sargent  |  09:05 AM ET, 11/30/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  barack obama, congress, fiscal cliff, Morning Plum, Senate

Posted at 08:00 PM ET, 09/05/2012

Happy Hour Roundup
By Jonathan Bernstein
Our nightly wrap-up of news and opinion.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  08:00 PM ET, 09/05/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 08/14/2012

Morning Open Thread
By Greg Sargent
Let’s get started.

By Greg Sargent  |  08:00 AM ET, 08/14/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:00 AM ET, 08/13/2012

Morning Open Thread
By Greg Sargent
Let’s get started.

By Greg Sargent  |  08:00 AM ET, 08/13/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:40 PM ET, 06/29/2012

Reality check: Romney and GOP could still repeal Obamacare
By Jonathan Bernstein
Forget about Senate “rules.” A GOP majority could probably do it.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  02:40 PM ET, 06/29/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:20 PM ET, 06/07/2012

Happy Hour Roundup
By Jonathan Bernstein
Our nightly wrap-up of news and opinion.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  06:20 PM ET, 06/07/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:15 PM ET, 05/01/2012

Happy Hour Round-up
By Jonathan Bernstein
Our daily wrap-up of news and opinion.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  06:15 PM ET, 05/01/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:00 PM ET, 03/29/2012

Happy Hour Roundup
By Jonathan Bernstein
Our daily wrap-up of news and opinion.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  06:00 PM ET, 03/29/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:30 PM ET, 03/28/2012

Happy Hour Roundup
By Jonathan Bernstein

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  06:30 PM ET, 03/28/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:30 PM ET, 03/15/2012

Happy Hour Roundup
By Jonathan Bernstein
Our nightly wrap-up of news and opinion.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  06:30 PM ET, 03/15/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:15 PM ET, 03/01/2012

Could ‘Obamacare’ be getting more popular?
By Jonathan Bernstein
New poll finds relatively good news for Obama and the Democrats.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  04:15 PM ET, 03/01/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:40 PM ET, 02/08/2012

Happy Hour Roundup
By Jonathan Bernstein
Our daily wrapup of news and opinion

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  05:40 PM ET, 02/08/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:30 PM ET, 01/02/2012

Happy Hour Roundup
By Jonathan Bernstein
Our daily wrap-up of news and opinion.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  04:30 PM ET, 01/02/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:25 PM ET, 12/30/2011

Policymaker of the Year?
By Jonathan Bernstein
Robert Gates made major strides in changing the Pentagon culture before stepping down.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  12:25 PM ET, 12/30/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:30 PM ET, 12/29/2011

Happy Hour Roundup
By Jonathan Bernstein
Our daily wrap-up of news and opinion.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  06:30 PM ET, 12/29/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:55 PM ET, 12/28/2011

Happy hour roundup
By Jonathan Bernstein
From Matt Yglesias to Greg Miller to Steve Greene, here’s the good stuff.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  06:55 PM ET, 12/28/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:30 PM ET, 11/25/2011

Health care cost controls are not a federal budget issue
By Jonathan Bernstein
There’s more to it than the federal budget.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  02:30 PM ET, 11/25/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:10 PM ET, 10/26/2011

Happy hour roundup
By Jonathan Bernstein
Our daily wrap-up of news and opinion.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  06:10 PM ET, 10/26/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:00 PM ET, 10/05/2011

Democrats are playing politics on jobs. And that’s a good thing.
By Jonathan Bernstein
And that’s a good idea.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  03:00 PM ET, 10/05/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:27 AM ET, 09/05/2011

The dysfunctional Republican Party
By Jonathan Bernstein
It knows what it’s against, but it can’t make policy.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  09:27 AM ET, 09/05/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 07:15 PM ET, 08/31/2011

Happy Hour Roundup
By Jonathan Bernstein

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  07:15 PM ET, 08/31/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:45 AM ET, 08/31/2011

Why Romney shouldn’t want Sarah Palin in the race
By Jonathan Bernstein
The Sage of Wasilla could be a distraction.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  08:45 AM ET, 08/31/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:45 AM ET, 08/30/2011

Health reform’s new ally: indifference
By Jonathan Bernstein
Partisan opposition to the law is dissipating.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  08:45 AM ET, 08/30/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:20 PM ET, 08/13/2011

Clock running out for Pawlenty
By Jonathan Bernstein
Romney and Perry seem most on track for the nomination.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  08:20 PM ET, 08/13/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:00 PM ET, 08/08/2011

Happy hour roundup
By Jonathan Bernstein
Our nightly wrap-up of news and opinion.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  06:00 PM ET, 08/08/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:45 PM ET, 08/03/2011

Happy Hour Roundup
By Jonathan Bernstein
What’s happening around the Web.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  06:45 PM ET, 08/03/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:15 PM ET, 08/03/2011

Time for a warning shot on appointments
By Jonathan Bernstein
How Obama could bypass GOP obstructionists.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  04:15 PM ET, 08/03/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:00 PM ET, 07/31/2011

How the deal won’t affect 2012
By Jonathan Bernstein
Neither Democratic or Republican pitches will change.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  03:00 PM ET, 07/31/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:52 PM ET, 06/21/2011

Obama’s gay marriage conundrum
By Greg Sargent
The White House refines its position.

By Greg Sargent  |  12:52 PM ET, 06/21/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:00 PM ET, 06/01/2011

Happy Hour roundup
By Jonathan Bernstein
Must-read links.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  06:00 PM ET, 06/01/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:30 PM ET, 05/06/2011

Happy hour roundup
By Jonathan Bernstein
Must-reads from today and earlier.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  06:30 PM ET, 05/06/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:30 PM ET, 05/05/2011

Happy hour roundup
By Jonathan Bernstein
Some must-reads from today and earlier.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  06:30 PM ET, 05/05/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:58 AM ET, 05/05/2011

Dave Camp is out (on Medicare)
By Jonathan Bernstein
The Ways and Means chair apparently has no intention of moving legislation on Paul Ryan’s Medicare plan.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  11:58 AM ET, 05/05/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:30 PM ET, 05/03/2011

Happy hour roundup
By Jonathan Bernstein
Some must-reads from today, some from last week.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  06:30 PM ET, 05/03/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:47 PM ET, 05/02/2011

Using what you have
By Jonathan Bernstein
Part of this mission’s success is due to Obama retaining Bob Gates at the Pentagon.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  02:47 PM ET, 05/02/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:15 PM ET, 05/02/2011

Obama gets it right in statement on bin Laden
By Jonathan Bernstein
The flourishes were not memorable, but the sound bite – “Justice has been done” – was solid.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  12:15 PM ET, 05/02/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:45 PM ET, 04/29/2011

Happy Hour roundup
By Jonathan Bernstein

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  08:45 PM ET, 04/29/2011 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)