No more “war on terror”? I agree completely with Hillary Clinton, “The administration has stopped using the phrase, and that speaks for itself, obviously.”
He didn’t get the memo. Pakistani Taliban Leader Pledges Attack on D.C.
How is Iraq different from Afghanistan? Hamid Karzai signs law ‘legalising rape in marriage’ and prevents women from leaving the house without permission.
Michael Barone on JournoList, “Not all new ideas are good ones”.
The Obama vetting process is best ever argument for tax simplification. Has it only been six? The replacement pick for Tom Daschle, Obama’s first tax challenged HHS nominee, has tax problems of her own. Cal Mackenzie of Colby College literally wrote the book on the presidential transition process. I loved him as a professor and interviewed him the first Sunday following the election. Obama has now appointed Volker as tax simplification tzar. Why didn’t Bush think of that? I think it’s time to invite Prof. Mackenzie back.
Titanic egos on a collision course.
Clusterstock. Check it out.
Duly Footnoted, Where were GM’s directors?
Detroit is the center of the universe this week. The Final Four will take place there on Saturday and Monday evenings, with local team Michigan State fighting for the national championship. Yesterday, President Obama made a surprising announcement on the fate of the domestic auto industry.
Here is the Detroit Free Press this morning, Obama turns up the heat
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama took charge of Detroit’s auto industry Monday, vowing to transform it into a world leader in fuel-efficient vehicles — but demanding a plan of action within two months.
Obama compared the decline of Detroit to a natural disaster, saying it deserved the same kind of emergency attention. But he warned that, within 60 days, General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC would either be on a path to independence or on their way out.
What kind of businesses are we talking about when it comes to GM and Chrysler? What are we looking to potentially invest endless billions in? The picture is pretty grim, according to Consumer Reports 2009 Auto issue,
Overall, the Detroit automakers build just 19 percent of our Recommended vehicles.
Consumer Report ranking of Top 15 automakers
#14. GM: “GM has made big strides wth good performers. But too many older models drag t down. Reliability is not consistent.”#15. Chrysler: “Chrysler, which tied with Suzuki for last place in our 2008 ranking, fared even worse this year. No Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep vehicles are recommended this year.”
Back in December I wrote that, a managed bankrupcy is the only solution that makes sense. Yesterday, for the first time President Obama signaled just that,
President Barack Obama warned that saving GM and Chrysler — if it completes a deal to link up with Italy’s Fiat — may require using bankruptcy “as a mechanism to help them restructure quickly and emerge stronger.”
“Our strong preference is to complete this restructuring out of court,” GM said in a statement after Obama’s speech. “However, GM will take whatever steps are necessary to successfully restructure the company, which could include a court-supervised process.”
Glad to hear that, although I don’t quite believe it. Remember, with Obama, there is a huge difference between his words and deeds. David Brooks, who recently had his Obama awakening, is skeptical that Obama has this fight in him,
And yet by enmeshing the White House so deeply into G.M., Obama has increased the odds that March’s menacing threat will lead to June’s wobbly wiggle-out. The Obama administration and the Democratic Party are now completely implicated in the coming G.M. wreck. Over the next few months, the White House will be subject to a gigantic lobbying barrage. The Midwestern delegations, swing states all, will pull out all the stops to prevent plant foreclosures. Unions will be furious if the Obama-run company rips up the union contract. Is the White House ready for the headline “Obama to Middle America: Drop Dead� It would take a party with a political death wish to see this through.
He is right to be skeptical. Obama has never stood up to powerful interests. He has never shown that kind of political courage. Those, like Brooks, who said Obama could be a transformational leader were doing so on the basis of one thing. Hope. There is simply no record of political courage on his resume.
One of conservatives biggest criticisms of bailout mania has been government interference in private markets. Many oppose this notion of protecting and propping up failed institutions. They argue that is a bad approach and the best way is to the let the market sort these things out. Sink or swin on the merits of the business. As Detroit is finding out, that philosophy is much easier to implement with a manufacturing company than it is a financial services company.
If President Obama is truly serious about a managed bankruptcy, Republicans should get behind him 100%. A managed bankruptcy means inviting an epic battle with the United Auto Workers. Obama, if serious, will be taking on the unions in a way no Democrat has done in generations. He would be allowing market forces to work. These company’s stink. Their costs are permanently misaligned and their products for the most part do not compete. This seems to me the best of a bunch of bad options. If Obama goes through with it, it is time to support him.
If he retreats in the face of withering criticism, well, that’s just Barack being Barack.
UPDATE: Holman Jenkins has a great piece in the WSJ today. He’s says no way will Obama stand up to the UAW and he expalins why.
Bruce McQuain from Blackfive joined us once again for Someone You Should Know, our weekly tribute to the troops. Bruce spent 28 years in the U.S. Army and he is a veteran of the Vietnam war. He brings a perspective and understanding to these stories that we could never match.
Tonight, Bruce told us about Chief Warrant Officer 3 James B. Herring,
CW3 Herring’s heroic efforts turned the tide against a well-prepared enemy, killing many and preventing any member of the combined force from being killed or wounded. The decorated law enforcement officer in the Chesterfield County (Va.) Police Department remains on leave from his civilian job and continues to serve on active duty with the North Carolina National Guard.
He told the Army Times, “I think that we spent about 400,000 minutes in Iraq and you get recognized for something that took three minutes. I want to reiterate I wasn’t the only hero out there. All those guys out there are heroes to me. They did things that warrant the same award, in my opinion.”
The Someone You Should Know radio collaboration began as an extension of Matt Burden’s series at Blackfive. Bruce does an incredible job with the series every week.
What is Pundit Review Radio?
Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week we give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Called “groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to your radio every Sunday evening from 8-10 pm EST on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.
Bruce McQuain from Blackfive joined us once again for Someone You Should Know, our weekly tribute to the troops. Bruce spent 28 years in the U.S. Army and he is a veteran of the Vietnam war. He brings a perspective and understanding to these stories that we could never match.
Tonight, Bruce told us about Petty Officer 2nd Class Juan M. Rubio,
Every infantry platoon, whether in the Marine Corps or Army, has a special member. Called a corpsman in the Marines or a medic in the Army, they're almost universally known as “Doc”. And almost to a man, they’re focused on just one thing, seeing to it that the Soldiers and Marines in his unit get the best treatment available should it be necessary. This focus, or calling, is what drives them to sometimes incredible acts of valor in order to care for those who need them.
PO2 Juan Rubio is just such a Corpsman.
The Someone You Should Know radio collaboration began as an extension of Matt Burden’s series at Blackfive. Bruce does an incredible job with the series every week.
What is Pundit Review Radio?
Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week we give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Called “groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to your radio every Sunday evening from 8-10 pm EST on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.
Puppy love can only last so long. The inside the beltway political intelligensia is just now waking up to a few things about Barack Obama that I have been telling you about for two years. He’s not a great public speaker. He’s never been tested. He’s a solid gold plated phony whose words are meaningless.
A liberal friend approached me this week and confessed that some of the things I have been saying on the radio and on the blog about Obama are really bothering them. Not because they were slandering their guy, but because they were true. I jokingly said to them, “The time to get your head out of your ass was before November, but better late than never.”. When it comes to the media it isn’t quite so funny. They simply failed to do their jobs.
March 19, 2009
Politico: Obama struggles as communicator
Of all the pitfalls Barack Obama might face in the presidency, here is one not many people predicted: He is struggling as a public communicator.
June 24, 2008
Pundit Review: Obama the orator: I’m not buying the hype
Sunday night I wondered aloud why Barack Obama has such a great reputation as an orator. I’ll agree that he gives a good speech. He can read a telepromptor. McCain can’t, he’s terrible at it and the comparison between the two is striking. However, speaking off the cuff or in an interview or debate setting, I find Omaba ponderous and indecisive. He’s not a great public speaker, he’s a great speech reader.
March 15, 2009
NY Daily News: Worries grow that Barack Obama & Co. have a competence problem
Which brings us to the heart of the matter: the doubts about Obama himself. His famous eloquence is wearing thin through daily exposure and because his actions are often disconnected from his words. His lack of administrative experience is showing.
His promises and policies contradict each other often enough that evidence of hypocrisy is ceasing to be news. Remember the pledges about bipartisanship and high ethics? They’re so last year.
The beat goes on. Last week, Obama brazenly gave a speech about earmark reform just after he quietly signed a $410 billion spending bill that had about 9,000 earmarks in it. He denounced Bush’s habit of disregarding pieces of laws he didn’t like, so-called signing statements, then issued one himself.
And in an absolute jaw-dropper, he told business leaders, “I don’t like the idea of spending more government money, nor am I interested in expanding government’s role.”
No wonder Americans are confused. Our President is, too.
October 15, 2008
Pundit Review: Words versus deeds
Words are meaningless. Actions are what counts. His words are beautiful and eloquent and no doubt speak to the hopes and dreams of many Americans. The record however, shows something else. It shows that at no time in his short political career has Barack Obama been a reformer. His record on taxes shows, time and again, that he votes to raise your taxes. He has yet to propose a single tax cut where it counts, in the Senate where he works. On social issues, he talks about mainstream values but his record shows he is far to the left of most Americans. On foreign policy, his positions are dangerous and naive. His decades long association with radicals like ACORN, Bill Ayers and Rev. Wright are not things most mainstream Americans find acceptable. That is why he has lied about them repeatedly.
My friends, Sen. Obama talks a good game but his words and his deeds are about as far apart as you can get. How can you trust him when his words and deeds are at such odds?
March 2, 2009
New York Times David Brooks: Obama is not who we thought he was
Those of us who consider ourselves moderates — moderate-conservative, in my case — are forced to confront the reality that Barack Obama is not who we thought he was. His words are responsible; his character is inspiring. But his actions betray a transformational liberalism that should put every centrist on notice.
October 27, 2008
Pundit Review: Ever wonder what Barack Obama sounds like naked?
Barack Obama is a complete phony. His talks like a moderate but acts like a radical in his actions and associations. He talks about cutting taxes but votes to raise them. He talks about bringing people together but hangs with the likes of Rev. Wright and Bill Ayers. He talks of bipartisanship but has no record of it. He talks about uniting people but threatens lawsuits to those who criticize him. Words versus deeds, that is the fundamental problem I have with Barack Obama.
We can’t say we weren’t warned about who the real Barack Obama is. We, apparently, are just choosing to ignore it. Change is coming all right. Good luck with that.
Heckuva job Barry. See what happens when Obama is allowed to speak without his teleprompter?
Yes, the Special Olympics joke was simply awful. He deserves every ounce of criticism he gets for it.
LENO: Now, are they going to put a basketball — I imagine the bowling alley has been just burned and closed down.
THE PRESIDENT: No, no. I have been practicing all — (laughter.)LENO: Really? Really?
THE PRESIDENT: I bowled a 129. (Laughter and applause.)
LENO: No, that’s very good. Yes. That’s very good, Mr. President.
THE PRESIDENT: It’s like — it was like Special Olympics, or something. (Laughter.)
LENO: No, that’s very good.
THE PRESIDENT: No, listen, I’m making progress on the bowling, yes.
I found other aspects of his Leno appearance more troubling. First, his “the buck stops everywhere else” attitude about this financial crisis. Leno asked about tax cheat Treasury secreatry Tim Geithner,
MR. LENO: Now, Treasury Secretary Geithner, he seems to be taking a little bit of heat here. How is he holding up with this? He seems like a smart guy —
MR. OBAMA: He is a smart guy and he’s a calm and steady guy. I don’t think people fully appreciate the plate that was handed him.
What was handed him? Did Geithner work at 7-11 before becoming Treasury secretary? Ohhhhhhhhh, that’s right, he ran the New York Fed, overseeing all these greedy investment banks. When he was nominated, Obama said he was the only man for the job because of his role at the NY Fed. Let’s flash back, shall we,
March 21, 2008
Bernanke’s quiet skipper makes waves
N.Y. Fed’s Geithner is steering Wall Street into uncharted waters
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — When the phone rings at 3 a.m. alerting the government to a financial emergency, the call doesn’t come in to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue but to an apartment in Manhattan.
The government’s go-to guy on crises big and small is a quiet, unassuming public servant with a wife and kids, a winning smile and an aversion to the spotlight.
His name is Timothy Geithner and he’s the president of the New York Federal Reserve Bank, which is the Fed’s outpost on the front lines of the credit maelstrom now rocking the nation.
Back to Leno, here’s Obama passing the buck once again,
On the AIG thing, all these contracts were written well before I took office, but ultimately I’m now the guy who’s responsible to fix it.
Really Barack? That’s your story and your sticking to it? Isn’t it interesting that Geithner and Sen. Dodd (D-Countrywide) were each accusing the other for allowing the AIG bonuses? And then there are your fellow Democrats in Congress, who are pointing the finger not at George W. Bush (for once), but directly at your White House.
CNN’s Situation Room said “it’s not just Republicans assigning blame. More and more congressional Democrats are pointing fingers at the White House, telling us they believe they tried to deal with this issue, but were stopped by the Obama Administration.”
It is pretty hard to believe that Obama inhereted the AIG bonus mess given the fact that his party is “increasingly uneasy” about the bonus and subsequent firestorm.
The Leno visit is a great representation of what I think is one of Obama’s biggest problems, his desire need to be popular, to be loved. This is perhaps the worst personal characteristic that a President, or leader of any significant organization, can have. Obama’s need for approval and affection is of Clintonian proportions. You simply cannot make the truly difficult decisions Obama claims to be all about if your personal popularity is paramount. We’ve seen numerous examples already, from the Stimulus Bill which he simply handed over to Pelosi and Reid, to the recent spending bill he signed with 9,000 earmarks, despite his pledge to do away with them.
I’m struck by the difference in this one area between Bush and Obama. For all his flaws, George W. Bush made the tough decisions, angered many but stuck by them. Bush took more criticism on a good day than Obama has in his entire life. On Iraq, Bush made many serious mistakes. However, at the darkest hour, he stepped up and made an incredibly unpopular decision to go forward with the surge. If you remember, Bush had the perfect political cover, a blue-ribbon panel known as the Iraq Study Group. They handed Bush as an easy out, recommending withdrawal from Iraq. Bush said thank you for your report, but I’m not going to concede defeat. That is a real test of character for a leader. Going against the grain, making unpopular decisions and sticking by them because you believe they are the right thing to do.
Does anyone believe Barack Obama has a decision like that in him?
This has to be a diversion from Obama’s shockingly stupid proposal to find cost savings by forcing wounded vets to use private medical insurance for their treatment.
Pundit Review has the exclusive transcript from Team Obama’s strategy session,
Advisor 1: “What can we do to get this stupid veterans benefits story out of the news? These people are so ungrateful, I mean we are talking real cost savings here, way more than we gave those AIG guys.”
Advisor 2: ‘How about if we tell our Euro friends that we will not only close GITMO for no good reason, but we will release them into the general population in the US”
Advisor 1: “Get me Geithner on the phone. This might be the solution to the foreclosure problem. How many GITMO terrorists are we talking about.”
Advisor 2: “Boss, we’d only send them to Red States, right.”
Advisor 1: “Of course, don’t you think we know what we’re doing?”
Guantanamo Detainees May Be Released in U.S.
European justice ministers met with Mr. Holder earlier this week and pressed for details on how many Guantanamo prisoners the U.S. planned to release domestically, as part of any agreement for allies to accept detainees. Mr. Holder said U.S. officials would work to respond to the questions European officials have over U.S. Guantanamo plans.
For “people who can be released there are a variety of options that we have and among them is the possibility is that we would release them into this country,†Mr. Holder said. “That process is ongoing and we’ve not made any determinations or made any requests of anybody at this point.â€
Hat Tip: Bruce at QandO