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    Greg Sargent writes The Plum Line blog, a reported opinion blog with a liberal slant.­
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Recent Posts

The Plum Line: March, 2013

Posted at 08:22 AM ET, 03/31/2013

Sunday Open Thread
By Greg Sargent
Enjoy.

By Greg Sargent  |  08:22 AM ET, 03/31/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Open Threads, sound off

Posted at 07:53 AM ET, 03/30/2013

Open Thread
By Greg Sargent
All yours.

By Greg Sargent  |  07:53 AM ET, 03/30/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Open Threads, sound off

Posted at 06:01 PM ET, 03/29/2013

So how's the Senate map shaping up? Not great for Dems.

By Jonathan Bernstein
However, the most likely outcome, based on what little we know now, is that Republicans will fall a bit short of taking back the Senate.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  06:01 PM ET, 03/29/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  2014 elections

Posted at 03:43 PM ET, 03/29/2013

Rand Paul's important concession on guns

By Greg Sargent
We keep hearing that Senator Paul is far less predictable ideologically than his Tea Party caricature suggests. He could prove this to us by giving expanded background checks a serious look.

By Greg Sargent  |  03:43 PM ET, 03/29/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  guns guns guns

Posted at 01:22 PM ET, 03/29/2013

The GOP's fiscal farce

By Greg Sargent
Republicans who voted for the Paul Ryan budget, which would wipe out huge chunks of the federal government, are now chafing at sequester cuts to obscure programs.

By Greg Sargent  |  01:22 PM ET, 03/29/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  sequester

Posted at 11:26 AM ET, 03/29/2013

Don Young and the GOP's Latino outreach problem
By Jamelle Bouie
The fact that he didn't even know the term "wetbacks" was insensitive underscores the Republican dilemma.

By Jamelle Bouie  |  11:26 AM ET, 03/29/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Immigration

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 06:40 PM ET, 03/28/2013

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

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  06:40 PM ET, 03/28/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Happy Hour Roundup

Posted at 05:09 PM ET, 03/28/2013

John Boehner channels Abraham Lincoln

By Greg Sargent
The House Speaker cites Lincoln to make the case for contemporary Republican economics. Not a good idea.

By Greg Sargent  |  05:09 PM ET, 03/28/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Republicans

Posted at 02:59 PM ET, 03/28/2013

Republicans decry sequester cuts while hailing sequester as victory

By Greg Sargent
It's hard to see how it's coherent for Republicans to claim the sequester as a big victory even as they decry its impact and acknowledge it needs to be replaced.

By Greg Sargent  |  02:59 PM ET, 03/28/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  sequester

Posted at 12:56 PM ET, 03/28/2013

Top donors threaten Dems: Do the right thing on guns, or no more money
By Greg Sargent
Major financial supporters of the Democratic Party vow to withhold money from any Senate Democrats who lack the courage to embrace expanded background checks.

By Greg Sargent  |  12:56 PM ET, 03/28/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  guns guns guns

Posted at 11:34 AM ET, 03/28/2013

On LGBT equality, there still lots of work to do
By Jamelle Bouie
Even with the big strides in support for gay marriage, LGBT Americans have a long way to go before getting their full due as citizens.

By Jamelle Bouie  |  11:34 AM ET, 03/28/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  gay rights

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 05:58 PM ET, 03/27/2013

Happy Hour Roundup

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

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  05:58 PM ET, 03/27/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:31 PM ET, 03/27/2013

A mixed day before the Supreme Court

By Greg Sargent
It looks as if DOMA will be struck down, but the Court has still not given any indication of whether it will give gay advocates the tool they'd hoped for to continue the war.

By Greg Sargent  |  03:31 PM ET, 03/27/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  gay rights

Posted at 02:33 PM ET, 03/27/2013

Republicans know they have a problem on gay marriage
By Greg Sargent
House Republicans defending DOMA in court seem oddly reluctant to discuss the issue in public.

By Greg Sargent  |  02:33 PM ET, 03/27/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  gay rights

Posted at 12:45 PM ET, 03/27/2013

Profiles in courage: Dems rush to endorse gay marriage before it's too late

By Greg Sargent
Sherrod Brown, who may be the only red or swing state Senator to vote against DOMA in 1996, reflects on how much the country has changed.

By Greg Sargent  |  12:45 PM ET, 03/27/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  gay rights

Posted at 11:10 AM ET, 03/27/2013

The next big target for liberals: State legislatures
By Jamelle Bouie
If Democrats want to secure policy gains over the long term, they need to focus harder on state level politics.

By Jamelle Bouie  |  11:10 AM ET, 03/27/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Democrats

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 06:05 PM ET, 03/26/2013

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

By Greg Sargent  |  06:05 PM ET, 03/26/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Happy Hour, Happy Hour Roundup

Posted at 03:25 PM ET, 03/26/2013

Gay rights advocates give conservative SCOTUS justices a hard push

By Greg Sargent
In making their case for a broad ruling against Prop 8, opponents reach deep into the history of discrimination in this country and ask Justices to do something big.

By Greg Sargent  |  03:25 PM ET, 03/26/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  gay rights

Posted at 12:53 PM ET, 03/26/2013

Among Republicans, a generational divide on gay marriage

By Greg Sargent
A new poll finds that a plurality of young Republicans supports gay marriage -- still more evidence that the country is evolving, even as the GOP fails to evolve along with it.

By Greg Sargent  |  12:53 PM ET, 03/26/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  gay rights

Posted at 11:20 AM ET, 03/26/2013

Why immigration reform may not help the GOP
By Jamelle Bouie
The truth is that even if Republicans play an important role in passing immigration reform, President Obama will likely get most of the credit.

By Jamelle Bouie  |  11:20 AM ET, 03/26/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Immigration

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 04:59 PM ET, 03/25/2013

Michele Bachmann, ardent foe of spending cuts (in her district)
By Greg Sargent
Not even the ardently anti-government-spending congresswoman likes the sequester.

By Greg Sargent  |  04:59 PM ET, 03/25/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  sequester

Posted at 02:49 PM ET, 03/25/2013

Will SCOTUS transform the national landscape on gay rights?

By Greg Sargent
A broad ruling would hasten the transformation of the country into a place where full equality is the law of the land everywhere -- a transformation that now looks inevitable.

By Greg Sargent  |  02:49 PM ET, 03/25/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  gay rights

Posted at 12:57 PM ET, 03/25/2013

Three red state Dems flirt with instant political self destruction

By Greg Sargent
Senators Joe Donnelly, Heidi Heitkamp, and Kay Hagan appear open to supporting background checks. That's a start, but there's a lot more to do.

By Greg Sargent  |  12:57 PM ET, 03/25/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  guns guns guns

Posted at 11:11 AM ET, 03/25/2013

The GOP is still Paul Ryan's party

By Jamelle Bouie
He may not be a central topic of speculation about the 2016 presidential race, but the grip of Ryan's ideas on the GOP's is as tight as ever.

By Jamelle Bouie  |  11:11 AM ET, 03/25/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  2016 elections, Paul Ryan

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 07:33 AM ET, 03/24/2013

Sunday Open Thread
By Greg Sargent
All yours.

By Greg Sargent  |  07:33 AM ET, 03/24/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Open Threads, sound off

Posted at 06:59 AM ET, 03/23/2013

Open Thread
By Greg Sargent
All yours.

By Greg Sargent  |  06:59 AM ET, 03/23/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Open Threads, sound off

Posted at 06:38 PM ET, 03/22/2013

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

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  06:38 PM ET, 03/22/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 05:24 PM ET, 03/22/2013

Last ride for 'repeal Obamacare' zealots
By Jonathan Bernstein
The real fight this year for the Affordable Care Act is implementation, not the silly sideshow of GOP repeal votes.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  05:24 PM ET, 03/22/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 03:30 PM ET, 03/22/2013

New compromise on gun background checks floated

By Greg Sargent
The chances of a bipartisan compromise on background checks are slim, but not nonexistent.

By Greg Sargent  |  03:30 PM ET, 03/22/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  guns guns guns

Posted at 01:30 PM ET, 03/22/2013

A bait and switch on immigration reform

By Greg Sargent
Republicans claim that unions are asking for too much in the negotiations over immigration reform, and could kill the emerging compromise. Don't buy it.

By Greg Sargent  |  01:30 PM ET, 03/22/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Immigration, labor

Posted at 11:28 AM ET, 03/22/2013

Phony deficit hawks
By Jamelle Bouie
The repeal of the medical device tax in Obamacare proves how hollow the rhetoric about deficit reduction really is.

By Jamelle Bouie  |  11:28 AM ET, 03/22/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Obamacare

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 04:23 PM ET, 03/21/2013

Welcome to Sequestration Nation

By Greg Sargent
Headlines from around the country show that the sequester is genuinely beginning to take a toll on communities around the country.

By Greg Sargent  |  04:23 PM ET, 03/21/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  sequester

Posted at 03:14 PM ET, 03/21/2013

GOP strategist: Republicans should not create debt ceiling "crisis"

By Greg Sargent
Amid all this talk of a GOP "makeover," few Republicans are asking whether it might be a good idea to stop provoking governing crises.

By Greg Sargent  |  03:14 PM ET, 03/21/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  debt ceiling

Posted at 01:15 PM ET, 03/21/2013

The progressive triumvirate: Guns, gays, minimum wage

By Greg Sargent
National liberal groups are increasingly eying these three issues as key tests for Democrats running for federal office.

By Greg Sargent  |  01:15 PM ET, 03/21/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:58 AM ET, 03/21/2013

Republicans recommit to the radical Ryan fiscal vision

By Jamelle Bouie
There is no sign the party has any intention of rethinking the economic vision that was decisively rejected by voters last November.

By Jamelle Bouie  |  11:58 AM ET, 03/21/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Paul Ryan, Republicans

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 06:04 PM ET, 03/20/2013

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

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  06:04 PM ET, 03/20/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 04:34 PM ET, 03/20/2013

Dear Dems: Stop threatening filibuster reform unless you really mean it

By Greg Sargent
If Democrats have no intention of genuinely revisiting rules reform, they shouldn't mislead their supporters on this point.

By Greg Sargent  |  04:34 PM ET, 03/20/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Filibuster

Posted at 02:20 PM ET, 03/20/2013

RNC chair: All those issues we lost on in 2012 are really winners for us
By Greg Sargent
Nope, the GOP isn't going to change in any meaningful way. Except maybe on immigration.

By Greg Sargent  |  02:20 PM ET, 03/20/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Republicans

Posted at 12:13 PM ET, 03/20/2013

On sequester, liberals face a dilemma
By Greg Sargent
Which is worse -- extended sequestration, or a grand bargain that cuts entitlement benefits? Progressives may soon have to answer that question.

By Greg Sargent  |  12:13 PM ET, 03/20/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  sequester

Posted at 11:03 AM ET, 03/20/2013

What the looming debt ceiling fight (yes, another one) tells us
By Jamelle Bouie
The fact that Republicans are prepared to stage another debt limit crisis to force entitlement cuts provides a revealing glimpse into their real motives.

By Jamelle Bouie  |  11:03 AM ET, 03/20/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

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 03:51 PM ET, 03/19/2013

How many filibusters will it take?
By Jonathan Bernstein
With two more GOP filibusters of Obama nominees on tap, Harry Reid simply must threaten to reform the filibuster -- the right way, this time.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  03:51 PM ET, 03/19/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Filibuster

Posted at 01:54 PM ET, 03/19/2013

The GOP dilemma on immigration
By Greg Sargent
Experts believe Republicans are trying to figure out how to do the minimum to rehabilitate their relations with Latinos -- signaling tolerance of their presence here without turning them into voters.

By Greg Sargent  |  01:54 PM ET, 03/19/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Immigration

Posted at 11:30 AM ET, 03/19/2013

Until Republicans ditch the Paul Ryan vision, nothing will change

By Greg Sargent
The GOP's main problem is that the public broadly agrees with the Democratic conception of what government should do and who should pay for it.

By Greg Sargent  |  11:30 AM ET, 03/19/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Republicans

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 06:04 PM ET, 03/18/2013

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

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  06:04 PM ET, 03/18/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Happy Hour Roundup

Posted at 04:37 PM ET, 03/18/2013

A good start on that GOP makeover? Evolve on gay marriage.
By Greg Sargent
A new poll finds that gay marriage is even more popular among the key voter groups Republicans need to stop alienating than it is among the public at large.

By Greg Sargent  |  04:37 PM ET, 03/18/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  gay rights

Posted at 02:49 PM ET, 03/18/2013

Attacks on Thomas Perez will do wonders for GOP Latino outreach
By Greg Sargent
Even as the RNC rolls out a major new plan to repair relations with Hispanics, Republican Senators vow to block Obama's first Latino nominee to his second term cabinet. Great timing!

By Greg Sargent  |  02:49 PM ET, 03/18/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Republicans

Posted at 12:42 PM ET, 03/18/2013

Why Hillary's support for gay marriage matters, a lot

By Greg Sargent
Every little act that sends a message that the culture is changing is important, particularly with those Supreme Court cases looming.

By Greg Sargent  |  12:42 PM ET, 03/18/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Gay marriage

Posted at 11:35 AM ET, 03/18/2013

A "cool" GOP still won't win young voters
By Jamelle Bouie
The GOP's problem with young voters can't be fixed with a few cosmetic changes.

By Jamelle Bouie  |  11:35 AM ET, 03/18/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Republicans

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 06:28 PM ET, 03/17/2013

A moment of real clarity in the fiscal debate

By Greg Sargent
Top Republican leaders admit that there is no ratio of entitlement cuts of their own choosing to new revenues they are willing to accept. Clear now?

By Greg Sargent  |  06:28 PM ET, 03/17/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  sequester

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 08:47 AM ET, 03/16/2013

Open Thread
By Greg Sargent
All yours.

By Greg Sargent  |  08:47 AM ET, 03/16/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Open Threads

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 05:41 PM ET, 03/15/2013

What if there's no deficit problem?
By Jonathan Bernstein
New numbers about Medicare suggest all the talk of a "grand bargain" is more misguided than you might have imagined.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  05:41 PM ET, 03/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  deficit

Posted at 03:26 PM ET, 03/15/2013

Ted Cruz is wrong about the Constitution

By Greg Sargent
What's really interesting about Ted Cruz's infamous exchange with Dianne Feinstein is that it betrays a simplistic view of the Bill of Rights.

By Greg Sargent  |  03:26 PM ET, 03/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Ted Cruz

Posted at 01:45 PM ET, 03/15/2013

At CPAC, conservatives still can't admit they have a problem

By Jamelle Bouie
At the largest conservative gathering of the year, speakers agree: We don't need any new ideas.

By Jamelle Bouie  |  01:45 PM ET, 03/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Republicans

Posted at 11:54 AM ET, 03/15/2013

Analysis: GOP fiscal vision prioritizes enormous tax cuts for rich over deficit

By Greg Sargent
A new study by the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center drives home just how regressive the GOP's fiscal vision really is -- and how absurd the party's intransigence on revenues remains.

By Greg Sargent  |  11:54 AM ET, 03/15/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

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 06:28 PM ET, 03/14/2013

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

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  06:28 PM ET, 03/14/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Happy Hour Roundup

Posted at 05:17 PM ET, 03/14/2013

Why compromise with Republicans on taxes is impossible, in one vote

By Greg Sargent
Senate budget committee Republicans today voted down an amendment to make it harder for corporations to pay no taxes -- which doesn't bode well for any compromise.

By Greg Sargent  |  05:17 PM ET, 03/14/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Republicans

Posted at 03:10 PM ET, 03/14/2013

Do Congressional liberals have the only "Serious" budget in Washington?
By Jamelle Bouie
The plan that would actually address the main fiscal problem facing the country -- mass unemployment -- is the one that will receive the least attention inside the Beltway.

By Jamelle Bouie  |  03:10 PM ET, 03/14/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Jobs Jobs Jobs

Posted at 01:41 PM ET, 03/14/2013

Liberals to Dem leaders: Don't even think about touching Social Security benefits
By Greg Sargent
With the White House and Dem leaders edging towards supporting Chained CPI as part of a "grand bargain," liberals offer a pointed response: No.

By Greg Sargent  |  01:41 PM ET, 03/14/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  safety net

Posted at 11:53 AM ET, 03/14/2013

Dems plotting to lay a tax trap for GOP

By Greg Sargent
Dems hope to use the Paul Ryan budget to ensnare Republicans.

By Greg Sargent  |  11:53 AM ET, 03/14/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  2014 elections

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 06:12 PM ET, 03/13/2013

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

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  06:12 PM ET, 03/13/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Democractic budget, President Obama

Posted at 03:49 PM ET, 03/13/2013

No "charm offensive" could ever win over Paul Ryan and his disciples

By Greg Sargent
No amount of candy or flowers can bridge the divide with anyone who is in thrall to the ideas the Ryan budget blueprint embodies.

By Greg Sargent  |  03:49 PM ET, 03/13/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Paul Ryan

Posted at 01:23 PM ET, 03/13/2013

Republicans say they want entitlement cuts. But they want Dems to own them.

By Greg Sargent
The GOP says they want entitlement cuts. But it want Dems to own them.

By Greg Sargent  |  01:23 PM ET, 03/13/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  sequester

Posted at 11:49 AM ET, 03/13/2013

What will it take to break Washington gridlock?

By Jamelle Bouie
The main obstacle to compromise in Washington is that the GOP remains an anti-tax, anti-government party and isn't going to change anytime soon.

By Jamelle Bouie  |  11:49 AM ET, 03/13/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Republicans

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 07:09 PM ET, 03/12/2013

Happy Hour Roundup

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

By Greg Sargent  |  07:09 PM ET, 03/12/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Happy Hour, Happy Hour Roundup

Posted at 04:47 PM ET, 03/12/2013

A Twitter exchange sheds light on GOP intransigence

By Greg Sargent
We are at an impasse because there is no compromise offer Dems could make to Republicans that they would accept.

By Greg Sargent  |  04:47 PM ET, 03/12/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 01:41 PM ET, 03/12/2013

Budget war showcases sharp contrast in values and priorities

By Greg Sargent
Senate Dems will unveil a budget that includes -- get this -- some stimulus spending, even as the GOP budget triples down on austerity.

By Greg Sargent  |  01:41 PM ET, 03/12/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 12:03 PM ET, 03/12/2013

Would Paul Ryan budget raise middle class taxes? No way to say.

By Greg Sargent
Ryan's plan has cleverly taken steps to avoid the political pitfalls that bedeviled Mitt Romney's campaign proposals.

By Greg Sargent  |  12:03 PM ET, 03/12/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Pau Ryan, Paul Ryan

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 05:27 PM ET, 03/11/2013

Bernie Sanders: Just say No to any entitlement benefits cuts

By Greg Sargent
Liberal Democrats are insisting that a grand bargain is a nonstarter. But what if the choices are narrowed down to just a deal or indefinite sequestration? How should liberals proceed?

By Greg Sargent  |  05:27 PM ET, 03/11/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  sequester

Posted at 03:39 PM ET, 03/11/2013

What do you do when one party is this dishonest?

By Jonathan Bernstein
Paul Ryan's budget will retain Obamacare's Medicare cuts -- after campaigning against them for two straight cycles.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  03:39 PM ET, 03/11/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Paul Ryan, Republicans

Posted at 01:24 PM ET, 03/11/2013

GOP triumphalism about the sequester is premature

By Greg Sargent
A new poll shows yet again that Americans say they love cutting government spending in the abstract, but oppose it for programs they like. That's the context in which the sequester fight is unfolding.

By Greg Sargent  |  01:24 PM ET, 03/11/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  sequester

Posted at 11:46 AM ET, 03/11/2013

A breakthrough on immigration reform?

By Jamelle Bouie
There's a real chance Republicans may support the emerging reform framework, which gives it a shot at becoming law.

By Jamelle Bouie  |  11:46 AM ET, 03/11/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Immigration

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 08:35 AM ET, 03/10/2013

Sunday Open Thread
By Greg Sargent
Enjoy.

By Greg Sargent  |  08:35 AM ET, 03/10/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Open Threads, sound off

Posted at 08:42 AM ET, 03/09/2013

Open Thread
By Greg Sargent
All yours.

By Greg Sargent  |  08:42 AM ET, 03/09/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Open Threads, sound off

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 05:22 PM ET, 03/08/2013

What kind of Senator is Rand Paul?
By Jonathan Bernstein
His filibuster drew attention to an important issue. Will he keep it up, and build a coalition behind important issues, or is it all a cheap publicity stunt?

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  05:22 PM ET, 03/08/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  rand paul

Posted at 03:37 PM ET, 03/08/2013

Beltway bubble insulated from reality of sequester

By Greg Sargent
Real people around the country are beginning to tune into the possibility that these spending cuts could do real damage to their communities and to the country's economic recovery.

By Greg Sargent  |  03:37 PM ET, 03/08/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  barack obama, budget, sequester

Posted at 01:01 PM ET, 03/08/2013

GOP fantasies about entitlements
By Greg Sargent
The central fact about our fiscal showdown is this: There is no route to a resolution that doesn't involve Republicans compromising on revenues.

By Greg Sargent  |  01:01 PM ET, 03/08/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  sequester

Posted at 11:33 AM ET, 03/08/2013

The GOP's primary problem
By Jamelle Bouie
Republican primary voters are forcing their candidates to adopt extreme positions that are toxic in general elections.

By Jamelle Bouie  |  11:33 AM ET, 03/08/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Republicans

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 07:00 PM ET, 03/07/2013

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

By Greg Sargent  |  07:00 PM ET, 03/07/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Happy Hour, Happy Hour Roundup

Posted at 05:38 PM ET, 03/07/2013

What do Republicans want?

By Jonathan Bernstein
Republican lack of interest in substantive policy causes Washington dysfunction

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  05:38 PM ET, 03/07/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:49 PM ET, 03/07/2013

Talking filibusters are good for democracy

By Greg Sargent
Rand Paul's 13-hour filibuster finally elicits the answer he'd hoped for from the Obama administration.

By Greg Sargent  |  02:49 PM ET, 03/07/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Filibuster, rand paul

Posted at 12:36 PM ET, 03/07/2013

The GOP's easy route to victory in fiscal fight

By Greg Sargent
The GOP's easy route to victory in fiscal fight

By Greg Sargent  |  12:36 PM ET, 03/07/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 11:17 AM ET, 03/07/2013

Why GOP struggles with minority outeach
By Jamelle Bouie
The problem is that minority voters disagree with the GOP on all the major issues. Other than that, everything is just fine.

By Jamelle Bouie  |  11:17 AM ET, 03/07/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Republicans

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 07:03 PM ET, 03/06/2013

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

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  07:03 PM ET, 03/06/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Happy Hour Roundup

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

Senators moving forward on background checks without Tom Coburn

By Greg Sargent
Senators working on a proposal to expand background checks remain optimistic that it can win Republican support.

By Greg Sargent  |  05:06 PM ET, 03/06/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  guns guns guns

Posted at 03:13 PM ET, 03/06/2013

Dems reaping what they sowed with weak filibuster reform

By Greg Sargent
If Dems hadn't punted on filibuster reform, the GOP filibuster of Obama's latest judicial nominee would have failed.

By Greg Sargent  |  03:13 PM ET, 03/06/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Senate

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

Dems settle in for war of attrition against GOP

By Greg Sargent
Dems settle in for war of attrition against GOP

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

Posted at 11:35 AM ET, 03/06/2013

On "spending," Republicans are immune to facts

By Jamelle Bouie
The GOP refusal to acknowledge the concessions Dems have made on spending shows that their real agenda isn't deficit reduction -- it's slashing the safety net.

By Jamelle Bouie  |  11:35 AM ET, 03/06/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Republicans

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 05:21 PM ET, 03/05/2013

Still more transparency needed on targeted killing program

By Greg Sargent
It's good that the White House has shared the legal rationale for the targeted killing program with key Senators, but the public needs to see it, too.

By Greg Sargent  |  05:21 PM ET, 03/05/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  CIA, John Brennan

Posted at 03:10 PM ET, 03/05/2013

Are we heading for another debt ceiling fight?

By Greg Sargent
Asked if House Republicans will make new demands in exchange for a debt ceiling hike next month, a House GOP aide says: "Stay tuned."

By Greg Sargent  |  03:10 PM ET, 03/05/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  debt ceiling

Posted at 12:47 PM ET, 03/05/2013

Joe Scarborough versus the world

By Greg Sargent
The much ballyhooed debate between Paul Krugman and Joe Scarborough only proved that Krugman's position is not so marginal, after all.

By Greg Sargent  |  12:47 PM ET, 03/05/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Jobs Jobs Jobs

Posted at 11:37 AM ET, 03/05/2013

More evidence GOP isn't serious about reform

By Jamelle Bouie
The new budget from Paul Ryan underscores yet again that the GOP isn't interested in altering its reactionary governing priorities.

By Jamelle Bouie  |  11:37 AM ET, 03/05/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Republicans

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 04:49 PM ET, 03/04/2013

Lots of questions linger about budget wars
By Jonathan Bernstein
Reporting about a temporary "truce" may be premature.

By Jonathan Bernstein  |  04:49 PM ET, 03/04/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)

Posted at 02:36 PM ET, 03/04/2013

Now here's some real movement on gun control

By Greg Sargent
Later today, Senators will announce bipartisan support for a key piece of Obama's gun control agenda.

By Greg Sargent  |  02:36 PM ET, 03/04/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  guns guns guns

Posted at 12:52 PM ET, 03/04/2013

Obama vows to make nominations a priority, but will it matter?
By Jamelle Bouie
Until behavior changes in the Senate, his nominations are still likely to be blocked by Republicans.

By Jamelle Bouie  |  12:52 PM ET, 03/04/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Judiciary

Posted at 11:19 AM ET, 03/04/2013

Pundits blowing it on sequester debate

By Greg Sargent
In the quest to prove that Obama is to blame for the sequester standoff, Bill Keller of the New York Times commits a straight up factual error.

By Greg Sargent  |  11:19 AM ET, 03/04/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  sequester

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 08:42 AM ET, 03/03/2013

Sunday Open Thread
By Greg Sargent
Enjoy.

By Greg Sargent  |  08:42 AM ET, 03/03/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Open Threads, sound off

Posted at 07:36 AM ET, 03/02/2013

Open Thread
By Greg Sargent
All yours.

By Greg Sargent  |  07:36 AM ET, 03/02/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Open Threads, sound off

Posted at 06:54 PM ET, 03/01/2013

Happy Hour Roundup

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

By Greg Sargent  |  06:54 PM ET, 03/01/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  Happy Hour, Happy Hour Roundup

Posted at 04:34 PM ET, 03/01/2013

What to look for next in the sequester wars

By Greg Sargent
Dems are hoping that GOP unity will fracture as the bite of the sequester sinks in.

By Greg Sargent  |  04:34 PM ET, 03/01/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  sequester

Posted at 02:01 PM ET, 03/01/2013

Our deeply unbalanced fiscal debate

By Greg Sargent
There is nothing that will get some folks in Washington to reckon with the true nature of the GOP position on the sequester.

By Greg Sargent  |  02:01 PM ET, 03/01/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  sequester

Posted at 11:56 AM ET, 03/01/2013

Republicans will own economic damage done by sequester
By Greg Sargent
Some House Republicans are claiming that the sequester cuts are a victory for them -- even as other Republicans say they'll damage the economy.

By Greg Sargent  |  11:56 AM ET, 03/01/2013 |  Permalink  |  Comments ( 0)
Tags:  sequester

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

 

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