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    Greg Sargent writes The Plum Line blog, a reported opinion blog with a liberal slant.­
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The Plum Line: December, 2012

Posted at 07:43 PM ET, 12/31/2012

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

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  07:43 PM ET, 12/31/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:20 PM ET, 12/31/2012

A deal liberals can live with -- pending part two
By Jonathan Bernstein
The truth is it's extremely hard to evaluate these things even when everything is done and public

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  05:20 PM ET, 12/31/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  barack obama, budget, fiscal cliff, Harry Reid, john boehner, Mitch McConnell, taxes

Posted at 03:04 PM ET, 12/31/2012

A combative Obama calls, again, for a "balanced" deal
By Jamelle Bouie
It's hard to figure out what the president was aiming for in the brief press conference he gave this afternoon.

By Jamelle Bouie  |  03:04 PM ET, 12/31/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  barack obama, budget, fiscal cliff

Posted at 12:23 PM ET, 12/31/2012

The case for the Dems' negotiating strategy
By Greg Sargent
The White House strategy may be more than just a feckless cave -- there may be a rationale for it, after all.

By Greg Sargent  |  12:23 PM ET, 12/31/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  barck obama, Bush tax cuts, fiscal cliff, Harry Reid

Posted at 10:45 AM ET, 12/31/2012

Have Democrats lost their leverage on the fiscal cliff?
By Jamelle Bouie
Democrats seem to be settling for a smaller deal.

By Jamelle Bouie  |  10:45 AM ET, 12/31/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Bush tax cuts, fiscal cliff, Harry Reid, House of Representatives, john boehner, Mitch McConnell, Republicans, Senate

Posted at 03:57 PM ET, 12/30/2012

This isn't a normal negotiation
By Greg Sargent
The GOP insistence on retaining leverage over the debt ceiling means Repubs are willing to threaten to damage the whole country to get their way.

By Greg Sargent  |  03:57 PM ET, 12/30/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  fiscal cliff, Mitch McConnell, Social Security

Posted at 08:27 AM ET, 12/30/2012

Sunday Open Thread
By Greg Sargent
Enjoy.

By Greg Sargent  |  08:27 AM ET, 12/30/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Open Threads

Posted at 08:39 AM ET, 12/29/2012

Open Thread
By Greg Sargent

By Greg Sargent  |  08:39 AM ET, 12/29/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Open Threads

Posted at 07:50 PM ET, 12/28/2012

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

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  07:50 PM ET, 12/28/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Happy Hour Roundup, Senate

Posted at 06:38 PM ET, 12/28/2012

Obama to GOP: Last chance
By Greg Sargent
The President signals to GOP leaders that if we do go over the cliff, he intends to extract maximum political pain for it.

By Greg Sargent  |  06:38 PM ET, 12/28/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  barack obama, Bush tax cuts, fiscal cliff, john boehner, Mitch McConnell

Posted at 05:10 PM ET, 12/28/2012

No 'cliff' solution today
By Jonathan Bernstein
But there's no reason to panic. There's little damage as long as everything gets wrapped up in January.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  05:10 PM ET, 12/28/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  barack obama, Democrats, fiscal cliff, Republicans

Posted at 02:45 PM ET, 12/28/2012

A filibuster reform compromise could work -- but probably won't
By Jonathan Bernstein
There's a good deal to be had on Senate reform, but it doesn't appear to be the likely outcome.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  02:45 PM ET, 12/28/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Filibuster, Senate

Posted at 11:41 AM ET, 12/28/2012

Why Republicans have a lot to gain from reaching out to African Americans
By Jamelle Bouie
Republicans don't have win black voters, they just need to lose less badly.

By Jamelle Bouie  |  11:41 AM ET, 12/28/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 09:54 AM ET, 12/28/2012

In discussing compromise, remember: Republicans lost the election
By Jamelle Bouie
If Republicans want to strip down the social safety net and craft a low-tax, low-service environment, then the first step is to win elections.

By Jamelle Bouie  |  09:54 AM ET, 12/28/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:11 AM ET, 12/28/2012

Morning Open Thread
By Greg Sargent
Enjoy.

By Greg Sargent  |  08:11 AM ET, 12/28/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Open Threads

Posted at 06:24 PM ET, 12/27/2012

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

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  06:24 PM ET, 12/27/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:55 PM ET, 12/27/2012

Cliff movement? Probably not.
By Jonathan Bernstein
The House is returning and the House and Senate leaders head to the White House, but it's probably just for show.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  04:55 PM ET, 12/27/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:17 PM ET, 12/27/2012

Cloture votes do not equal filibusters
By Jonathan Bernstein
Right now, they massively undercount filibusters and Senate obstruction.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  03:17 PM ET, 12/27/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:03 PM ET, 12/27/2012

Polarization: Is it the districts?
By Jonathan Bernstein
Considering explanations of partisan polarization in Congress.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  12:03 PM ET, 12/27/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  polarization

Posted at 10:14 AM ET, 12/27/2012

The irresponsible Republican Party
By Jonathan Bernstein
They claim to support deficit reduction but aren't willing to support deficit-reduction policies.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  10:14 AM ET, 12/27/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  fiscal cliff, Republicans

Posted at 06:43 PM ET, 12/26/2012

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

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  06:43 PM ET, 12/26/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:55 PM ET, 12/26/2012

The brave new world of Cabinet nominations
By Jonathan Bernstein
The rules have changed, and even Senate reform won't change them back.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  04:55 PM ET, 12/26/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  barack obama, chuck hagel, Senate, Susan Rice

Posted at 02:38 PM ET, 12/26/2012

Coffee-cup politics
By Jonathan Bernstein
Everything that's wrong with the Starbucks "Come Together" campaign

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  02:38 PM ET, 12/26/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  fiscal cliff

Posted at 12:23 PM ET, 12/26/2012

Why kicking the can is still the best option on the 'fiscal cliff'
By Jamelle Bouie
There's no real harm in extending the status quo on the deficit.

By Jamelle Bouie  |  12:23 PM ET, 12/26/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Bush tax cuts, Democrats, fiscal cliff, Republicans

Posted at 09:45 AM ET, 12/26/2012

Why Democrats insist on upper-income tax hikes
By Jamelle Bouie
Democrats and liberals, in particular care about economic inequality as much as they do growth.

By Jamelle Bouie  |  09:45 AM ET, 12/26/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Bush tax cuts, Democrats, fiscal cliff, Republicans, taxes

Posted at 07:50 AM ET, 12/25/2012

Christmas Day Open Thread
By Greg Sargent
Have a great holiday, everybody!

By Greg Sargent  |  07:50 AM ET, 12/25/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Open Threads

Posted at 05:18 PM ET, 12/24/2012

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

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  05:18 PM ET, 12/24/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Happy Hour Roundup

Posted at 03:22 PM ET, 12/24/2012

The filibuster and the judicial crisis
By Jonathan Bernstein
Every empty seat on a federal bench is another reason why Senate reform is essential.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  03:22 PM ET, 12/24/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Filibuster, Mitch McConnell, Senate

Posted at 01:47 PM ET, 12/24/2012

Obama on track to stay in nation's good graces
By Jonathan Bernstein
Perhaps we should get used to thinking of Obama as a popular president.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  01:47 PM ET, 12/24/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  barack obama

Posted at 11:07 AM ET, 12/24/2012

Team Romney still doesn't see that Americans rejected its policies
By Jamelle Bouie
There's little recognition from the campaign that Romney's big problem was the emptiness of his agenda.

By Jamelle Bouie  |  11:07 AM ET, 12/24/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  barack obama, Mitt Romney, romney campaign, team obama, team romney

Posted at 09:47 AM ET, 12/24/2012

Why hopes for a Senate 'fiscal cliff' deal are misplaced
By Jamelle Bouie
Republicans and Democrats have a fundamentally different view of what ails the economy.

By Jamelle Bouie  |  09:47 AM ET, 12/24/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  deficit reduction, Democrats, fiscal cliff, Republicans

Posted at 07:26 AM ET, 12/24/2012

Morning Open Thread
By Greg Sargent
Enjoy.

By Greg Sargent  |  07:26 AM ET, 12/24/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Open Threads

Posted at 07:46 AM ET, 12/23/2012

Sunday Open Thread
By Greg Sargent
Enjoy.

By Greg Sargent  |  07:46 AM ET, 12/23/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Open Threads

Posted at 07:43 AM ET, 12/22/2012

Open Thread
By Greg Sargent
All yours.

By Greg Sargent  |  07:43 AM ET, 12/22/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Open Threads

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 04:01 PM ET, 12/21/2012

James Hormel: I question the sincerity of Chuck Hagel's 'so-called apology'
By Greg Sargent
An anti-gay quote from 1998 threatens to derail Chuck Hagel's nomination.

By Greg Sargent  |  04:01 PM ET, 12/21/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  chuck hagel, department of defense, gay rights

Posted at 02:54 PM ET, 12/21/2012

Don't worry too much about John Kerry's Senate seat
By Jonathan Bernstein
There's still a good chance that Dems will hold his seat, and Obama did the right thing in picking the person he thought was best for the job of Secretary of State.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  02:54 PM ET, 12/21/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  john kerry, State Department

Posted at 12:52 PM ET, 12/21/2012

NRA resorts to its usual tricks: Obfuscation and distraction
By Greg Sargent
Today's presser was about one thing: Keeping the focus off the easy availability of guns for as long as possible. It's a familiar play.

By Greg Sargent  |  12:52 PM ET, 12/21/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  gun control, national rifle association, Newtown

Posted at 11:27 AM ET, 12/21/2012

John Boehner tries to save face
By Jamelle Bouie
His presser explained what he's now willing to do to reach a fiscal compromise.

By Jamelle Bouie  |  11:27 AM ET, 12/21/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Bush tax cuts, fiscal cliff, Republicans

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 09:17 PM ET, 12/20/2012

Enjoy the Republicans' debacle, but don't read too much into it
By Jonathan Bernstein
Republicans made fools of themselves today, but the underlying situation hasn't changed.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  09:17 PM ET, 12/20/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  fiscal cliff, john boehner

Posted at 06:40 PM ET, 12/20/2012

Happy Hour Open Thread
By Greg Sargent
Enjoy.

By Greg Sargent  |  06:40 PM ET, 12/20/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Open Threads

Posted at 04:57 PM ET, 12/20/2012

AFL-CIO to White House: Time to rescind your offer to Boehner
By Greg Sargent
Major groups on the left won't tolerate a single additional concession of any significance on Obama's part.

By Greg Sargent  |  04:57 PM ET, 12/20/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  fiscal cliff, labor, Medicare, Social Security

Posted at 02:24 PM ET, 12/20/2012

Dems to push for more sweeping assault weapons ban
By Greg Sargent
If next year's gun control push is going to work, drafters of the legislation will have to learn from the failures of the assault weapons ban of the 1990s. Democrats say they plan to do just that.

By Greg Sargent  |  02:24 PM ET, 12/20/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  dianne feinstein, gun control, Newtown

Posted at 01:24 PM ET, 12/20/2012

Boehner’s 'plan B’ would redistribute wealth upwards
By Greg Sargent
The plan repackages old conservative ideas that the electorate rejected in the 2012 elections.

By Greg Sargent  |  01:24 PM ET, 12/20/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Bush tax cuts, fiscal cliff, john boehner

Posted at 11:36 AM ET, 12/20/2012

Senate Dems likely won’t hold vote on Boehner’s 'plan B’
By Greg Sargent
Democrats believe they still hold the leverage, and see no percentage in throwing a lifeline to the House Speaker.

By Greg Sargent  |  11:36 AM ET, 12/20/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Bush tax cuts, fiscal cliff, Harry Reid, john boehner

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 07:24 PM ET, 12/19/2012

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

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  07:24 PM ET, 12/19/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 06:17 PM ET, 12/19/2012

John Boehner, scourge of the wealthy, ctd.
By Greg Sargent
A new nonpartisan analysis of the Speaker's proposal shows how ludicrous it is for Republicans to expect Obama to support it.

By Greg Sargent  |  06:17 PM ET, 12/19/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Bush tax cuts, fiscal cliff, john boehner

Posted at 03:54 PM ET, 12/19/2012

And over the cliff we go
By Greg Sargent
John Boehner says Obama must accept the GOP plan, or we'll go over the cliff -- and the president will be blamed. He has things backwards.

By Greg Sargent  |  03:54 PM ET, 12/19/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Bush tax cuts, fiscal cliff, john boehner

Posted at 01:48 PM ET, 12/19/2012

Finally! Obama shows true leadership on guns
By Greg Sargent
In so doing, the President invited us to insist that he continue to engage the issue until real solutions are found.

By Greg Sargent  |  01:48 PM ET, 12/19/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  barack obama, gun control, Newtown

Posted at 11:03 AM ET, 12/19/2012

Why the next four years might be more of the same
By Jamelle Bouie
Republicans have no incentive to cooperate with the president during his second term, either.

By Jamelle Bouie  |  11:03 AM ET, 12/19/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Bush tax cuts, fiscal cliff, Republicans

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 07:04 PM ET, 12/18/2012

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

By Greg Sargent  |  07:04 PM ET, 12/18/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  fiscal cliff, gun control, Happy Hour Roundup, Newtown

Posted at 04:44 PM ET, 12/18/2012

John Boehner, scourge of the wealthy
By Greg Sargent
Obama's latest offer actually makes bigger concessions to the wealthy and to Republicans than it first appears.

By Greg Sargent  |  04:44 PM ET, 12/18/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Bush tax cuts, fiscal cliff, john boehner

Posted at 02:19 PM ET, 12/18/2012

Dems showing real movement on gun control
By Greg Sargent
A top lawmaker says Democrats will introduce a whole package of reforms early in the new year.

By Greg Sargent  |  02:19 PM ET, 12/18/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Democrats, Dick Durbin, gun control, Newtown, Senate

Posted at 12:08 PM ET, 12/18/2012

Dick Durbin: No cut in Social Security benefits
By Greg Sargent
A top ally of the White House says "Chained CPI" on Social Security will be very hard for many Senate Dems to support.

By Greg Sargent  |  12:08 PM ET, 12/18/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Dick Durbin, fiscal cliff, Social Security

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 06:24 PM ET, 12/17/2012

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

By Greg Sargent  |  06:24 PM ET, 12/17/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  fiscal cliff, gun control, Happy Hour Roundup, Newtown

Posted at 05:24 PM ET, 12/17/2012

No, Republicans probably won't rig the electoral college
By Jonathan Bernstein
It's hard to imagine anything more anti-democratic than efforts to selectively rig elections in a party's favor.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  05:24 PM ET, 12/17/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  electoral college, Voting

Posted at 03:44 PM ET, 12/17/2012

Still a bad deal
By Greg Sargent
The current offer from John Boehner still asks Dems to make most of the concessions.

By Greg Sargent  |  03:44 PM ET, 12/17/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Bush tax cuts, fiscal cliff, john boehner

Posted at 01:04 PM ET, 12/17/2012

Why Dems shouldn't fear politics of gun control
By Greg Sargent
A new poll shows that the voters who oppose stricter gun laws are the ones who aren't voting for Obama to begin with.

By Greg Sargent  |  01:04 PM ET, 12/17/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  gun control, Newtown

Posted at 11:22 AM ET, 12/17/2012

GOP elevates reactionary Tim Scott to South Carolina Senate seat
By Jamelle Bouie
It's good that the GOP is elevating minority lawmakers, but Republicans won't win minority voters by elevating reactionaries like Tim Scott.

By Jamelle Bouie  |  11:22 AM ET, 12/17/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Republicans. Nikki Haley, Senate, Tim Scott

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 08:40 AM ET, 12/16/2012

Sunday Open Thread
By Greg Sargent
Enjoy.

By Greg Sargent  |  08:40 AM ET, 12/16/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Open Threads

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 07:10 PM ET, 12/14/2012

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

By Greg Sargent  |  07:10 PM ET, 12/14/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  barack obama, gun control, Happy Hour Roundup, Newtown

Posted at 04:23 PM ET, 12/14/2012

If today's shooting doesn't prompt action on guns, then nothing ever will
By Greg Sargent
This time, our public officials simply must act -- we have no alternative but to insist that they do.

By Greg Sargent  |  04:23 PM ET, 12/14/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  gun control, gun violence, Newton

Posted at 01:29 PM ET, 12/14/2012

Having failed to repeal Obamacare, Republicans refuse to implement it
By Greg Sargent
States that refuse to implement the law are only ceding more control to the feds -- in the name of states' rights.

By Greg Sargent  |  01:29 PM ET, 12/14/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  affordable care act, health care exchanges, Obamacare

Posted at 12:07 PM ET, 12/14/2012

GOP needs a real reboot on women's issues
By Jamelle Bouie
Republicans need to stop trying to restrict access to birth control if they are going to improve their standing among women.

By Jamelle Bouie  |  12:07 PM ET, 12/14/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Bobby Jindal, Women's health

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 06:44 PM ET, 12/13/2012

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

By Greg Sargent  |  06:44 PM ET, 12/13/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  fiscal cliff, Happy Hour Roundup, john boehner, labor, State Department

Posted at 04:55 PM ET, 12/13/2012

Don't jump to conclusions about Susan Rice
By Jonathan Bernstein
Just because conservatives will claim they derailed her nomination doesn't make it true.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  04:55 PM ET, 12/13/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  State Department, Susan Rice

Posted at 03:54 PM ET, 12/13/2012

Reasons for optimism about the Medicare age?
By Greg Sargent
It has been made clear to the White House that a great many Congressional Dems believe raising the eligibility age is morally unconscionable and a nonstarter.

By Greg Sargent  |  03:54 PM ET, 12/13/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Dick Durbin, fiscal cliff, Medicare, Medicare eligibility age

Posted at 01:32 PM ET, 12/13/2012

How much longer can Republicans ignore public opinion?
By Greg Sargent
Short summary of story

By Greg Sargent  |  01:32 PM ET, 12/13/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:36 AM ET, 12/13/2012

Is filibuster reform at risk?
By Greg Sargent
If labor and liberal groups don't mobilize right now, the filibuster rules changes may get watered down -- squandering a great opportunity for real reform.

By Greg Sargent  |  11:36 AM ET, 12/13/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Democrats, Filibuster, Senate

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 04:33 PM ET, 12/12/2012

Fed's big decision is victory for liberal economics
By Jonathan Bernstein
The Fed's new announcement moves economic policy in the right direction.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  04:33 PM ET, 12/12/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Federal reserve, monetary policy

Posted at 01:22 PM ET, 12/12/2012

Liberals warn Obama: We will fight any hike in Medicare age
By Greg Sargent
Senator Jeff Merkley warns that any age hike will be a nonstarter for liberals, who will fight it to the end.

By Greg Sargent  |  01:22 PM ET, 12/12/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  fiscal cliff, Medicare, Senate

Posted at 12:24 PM ET, 12/12/2012

Did Boehner ask for permanent tax cuts for rich?
By Greg Sargent
Judging by what was said in the private discussion between Obama and Boehner, we may be going over the cliff.

By Greg Sargent  |  12:24 PM ET, 12/12/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  barack obama, Bush tax cuts, fiscal cliff, john boehner

Posted at 11:26 AM ET, 12/12/2012

Looks like we're stuck with GOP game playing on debt limit
By Jamelle Bouie
Republicans are unlikely to relinquish whatever leverage the threat of default gives them, so it looks like we're headed for another showdown.

By Jamelle Bouie  |  11:26 AM ET, 12/12/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  debt ceiling, fiscal cliff, Republicans, Senate

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 06:32 PM ET, 12/11/2012

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

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  06:32 PM ET, 12/11/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  fiscal cliff, Happy Hour Roundup, labor, right to work

Posted at 04:57 PM ET, 12/11/2012

On debt ceiling, GOP is defining extortion down
By Greg Sargent
Republicans plan to wage another debt limit battle -- confirming again that they believe it's legitimate to threaten damage to the U.S. economy to get what they want.

By Greg Sargent  |  04:57 PM ET, 12/11/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  debt ceiling, fiscal cliff

Posted at 01:54 PM ET, 12/11/2012

John Boehner slow-walks the country towards the fiscal cliff
By Greg Sargent
The House Speaker doesn't have any plays left, so he's just letting the clock run.

By Greg Sargent  |  01:54 PM ET, 12/11/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Bush tax cuts, fiscal cliff, john boehner

Posted at 11:56 AM ET, 12/11/2012

Raising Medicare age could leave hundreds of thousands uninsured
By Greg Sargent
A new report finds that far more seniors could be left uninsured than previously thought.

By Greg Sargent  |  11:56 AM ET, 12/11/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  barack obama, fiscal cliff, Medicare

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 06:34 PM ET, 12/10/2012

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

By Greg Sargent  |  06:34 PM ET, 12/10/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Collective bargaining, fiscal cliff, Happy Hour Roundup, right to work

Posted at 04:53 PM ET, 12/10/2012

No, Obama's campaign wasn't all that negative
By Jamelle Bouie
Every presidential race is bemoaned as the nastiest and most negative ever.

By Jamelle Bouie  |  04:53 PM ET, 12/10/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  2012 campaign, barack obama, Mitt Romney

Posted at 03:34 PM ET, 12/10/2012

Obama drops the hammer on Michigan "right to work" push
By Greg Sargent
The President spells out that "right to work" laws are rotten to their core.

By Greg Sargent  |  03:34 PM ET, 12/10/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  barack obama, Collective bargaining, labor

Posted at 01:40 PM ET, 12/10/2012

Why Obama must weigh in again on gay marriage
By Greg Sargent
Obama needs to clarify that he believes the right gay marriage is protected by the constitution -- and to prepare the public to accept this idea, too.

By Greg Sargent  |  01:40 PM ET, 12/10/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  barack obama, Gay marriage, gay rights, Proposition 8, Supreme Court

Posted at 11:23 AM ET, 12/10/2012

"Right to work" push guarantees all out war in Michigan
By Greg Sargent
In private meeting, Dems pointedly tell Governor Rick Snyder that the "right to work" push guarantees years of conflict and division.

By Greg Sargent  |  11:23 AM ET, 12/10/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Collective bargaining, labor

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 08:15 AM ET, 12/09/2012

Sunday Open Thread
By Greg Sargent
Enjoy.

By Greg Sargent  |  08:15 AM ET, 12/09/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Open Threads

Posted at 07:59 AM ET, 12/08/2012

Open Thread
By Greg Sargent
All yours.

By Greg Sargent  |  07:59 AM ET, 12/08/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Open Threads

Posted at 06:03 PM ET, 12/07/2012

Why SCOTUS hearing gay marriage cases is such a big deal
By Jonathan Bernstein
The outcomes could set the overall Constitutional boundaries on gay marriage for a generation or more.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  06:03 PM ET, 12/07/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Gay marriage, gay rights, Supreme Court

Posted at 04:12 PM ET, 12/07/2012

In Michigan, the GOP's long march to the right continues
By Greg Sargent
Today's Republicans are reversing a tradition partly enshrined by none other than George Romney.

By Greg Sargent  |  04:12 PM ET, 12/07/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Collective bargaining, labor, Mitt Romney

Posted at 01:37 PM ET, 12/07/2012

Hands off state laws legalizing marijuana
By Greg Sargent
Barack Obama should not undermine laws legalizing pot in Colorado and Washington State.

By Greg Sargent  |  01:37 PM ET, 12/07/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  barack obama, Legalizing marijuana, War on Drugs

Posted at 12:01 PM ET, 12/07/2012

John Boehner nervously eyes the clock
By Greg Sargent
The Speaker holds a press conference that only underscores his own weak hand.

By Greg Sargent  |  12:01 PM ET, 12/07/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  barack obama, Bush tax cuts, fiscal cliff, john boehner

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 06:29 PM ET, 12/06/2012

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

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  06:29 PM ET, 12/06/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Happy Hour Roundup

Posted at 04:55 PM ET, 12/06/2012

Dem unity forces McConnell to filibuster his own proposal
By Greg Sargent
Dems pass the first test of whether they can remain united on the debt ceiling

By Greg Sargent  |  04:55 PM ET, 12/06/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Debt celing, fiscal cliff, Harry Reid, Mitch McConnell, Senate

Posted at 02:56 PM ET, 12/06/2012

Jim DeMint will be at least as damaging outside the Senate as he was inside it
By Greg Sargent
The South Carolina Senator may soon be in a better position to enforce ideological purity on his party than before.

By Greg Sargent  |  02:56 PM ET, 12/06/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Jim DeMint, Republicans, Senate, Tea Party

Posted at 01:01 PM ET, 12/06/2012

Business leaders siding with Obama on debt ceiling?
By Greg Sargent
Business leaders don't want another rerun of the 2011 debt limit debacle.

By Greg Sargent  |  01:01 PM ET, 12/06/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  barack obama, debt ceiling, House of Representatives, Mitch McConnell

Posted at 11:22 AM ET, 12/06/2012

Reminder: Obama has already agreed to big spending cuts
By Jamelle Bouie
Republicans don't really want "balance" from the White House. They want Obama to give them pretty much everything they want.

By Jamelle Bouie  |  11:22 AM ET, 12/06/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  fiscal cliff, john boehner, Medicare

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 06:46 PM ET, 12/05/2012

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

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  06:46 PM ET, 12/05/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  budget, fiscal cliff, Happy Hour Roundup, Marco Rubio, taxes

Posted at 04:53 PM ET, 12/05/2012

Hey liberals! Time to ratchet up pressure on filibuster reform
By Jonathan Bernstein
If liberals want real reform, they need to press hard -- now.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  04:53 PM ET, 12/05/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Filibuster, Harry Reid, Senate

Posted at 03:34 PM ET, 12/05/2012

Pelosi: Dems must say No to raising Medicare eligibility age
By Greg Sargent
Liberals fear the White House and Dems will agree to raise the Medicare eligibility age. But Nancy Pelosi says No.

By Greg Sargent  |  03:34 PM ET, 12/05/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  debt ceiling, fiscal cliff, House of Representatives, Medicare, Nancy Pelosi

Posted at 01:16 PM ET, 12/05/2012

The election wasn't just about taxes and the deficit. It was also about jobs.
By Greg Sargent
When it comes to government investment in job creation, the public sided in this election with the Democratic vision.

By Greg Sargent  |  01:16 PM ET, 12/05/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  2012 election, barack obama, Mitt Romney, Stimulus

Posted at 11:32 AM ET, 12/05/2012

Paul Ryan and conservatives have not gotten the message of this election
By Jamelle Bouie
Conservatives claim they need to moderate their rhetoric to speak to the middle class. But they need to change their policies.

By Jamelle Bouie  |  11:32 AM ET, 12/05/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  2012 presidential election, Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan

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 07:19 PM ET, 12/04/2012

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

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  07:19 PM ET, 12/04/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Happy Hour Roundup

Posted at 05:49 PM ET, 12/04/2012

A deal on Senate rules that Mitch McConnell shouldn't refuse
By Jonathan Bernstein
Would Mitch McConnell be willing to back up his filibuster rhetoric which has now apparently become the standard GOP talking points against reform, if one looks at today's alarmingly weak National Review item about the Senate with a deal?

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  05:49 PM ET, 12/04/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Filibuster, Mitch McConnell, Senate

Posted at 02:45 PM ET, 12/04/2012

GOP needs to choose between business community and Tea Party
By Jonathan Bernstein
The GOP will alienate business groups if it remains in thrall to Tea Party fundamentalism.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  02:45 PM ET, 12/04/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  fiscal cliff, john boehner, Tea Party

Posted at 01:13 PM ET, 12/04/2012

No, more Latino votes wouldn't have helped Romney win
By Jamelle Bouie
A faulty explanation that doesn't account for the size of, and reasons for, Romney's loss.

By Jamelle Bouie  |  01:13 PM ET, 12/04/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  2012 election, 2012 presidential electino, barack obama, Latinos, Mitt Romney

Posted at 11:42 AM ET, 12/04/2012

Magical thinking in new GOP fiscal cliff plan
By Greg Sargent
A nonpartisan tax expert says the new GOP plan may not even be feasible.

By Greg Sargent  |  11:42 AM ET, 12/04/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  fiscal cliff, House of Representatives, john boehner

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 06:34 PM ET, 12/03/2012

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

By Greg Sargent  |  06:34 PM ET, 12/03/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  climate change, fiscal cliff, Happy Hour Roundup, john boehner, Republicans

Posted at 04:49 PM ET, 12/03/2012

Boehner's offer: A start, but it's still unclear whether it's real
By Jonathan Bernstein
Boehner's offer still doesn't specify where new revenues would come from.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  04:49 PM ET, 12/03/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  fiscal cliff, john boehner, Republicans

Posted at 03:03 PM ET, 12/03/2012

John Boehner's exit strategy
By Greg Sargent
Boehner has an endgame at the ready -- he can just wait until he has no choice but to extend the middle class tax cuts.

By Greg Sargent  |  03:03 PM ET, 12/03/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  barack obama, fiscal cliff, House of Representatives, john boehner

Posted at 01:44 PM ET, 12/03/2012

How involved will Obama get in fight for filibuster reform?
By Greg Sargent
The White House and Obama's political operation may need to get involved in the push for filibuster reform. Will they?

By Greg Sargent  |  01:44 PM ET, 12/03/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Democrats, Filibuster, Harry Reid, Senate

Posted at 12:23 PM ET, 12/03/2012

Why Washington should kick the can down the road
By Jamelle Bouie
Lawmakers should not allow more austerity amid such a weak recovery.

By Jamelle Bouie  |  12:23 PM ET, 12/03/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  barack obama, congress, deficit reduction, Election 2012, fiscal cliff, john boehner

Posted at 11:04 AM ET, 12/03/2012

White House willing to go over fiscal cliff if absolutely necessary
By Greg Sargent
Senior administration officials say Obama is willing to go over the fiscal cliff if absolutely necessary -- enhancing his leverage.

By Greg Sargent  |  11:04 AM ET, 12/03/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  barack obama, fiscal cliff, john boehner, Republicans

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 07:50 AM ET, 12/02/2012

Sunday Open Thread
By Greg Sargent
All yours.

By Greg Sargent  |  07:50 AM ET, 12/02/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 08:59 AM ET, 12/01/2012

Open Thread
By Greg Sargent
Enjoy.

By Greg Sargent  |  08:59 AM ET, 12/01/2012 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

 

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