Hertzberg on "The Sins of Anthony Weiner"

Hendrik Hertzberg (The New Yorker):

One more factor that comes to mind: the particular media addictions of the political class. I suspect that, unlike normal people, a preponderance of that class—commentators, political reporters and editors, operatives, “strategists,” aides, news producers, etc.—spends several hours of every day watching cable-news television (or having it drone and flicker in the background), reading political blogs, sending and receiving e-mails about the latest political uproar, and talking about same to other members of the same class, on the phone or face to face. Actual office-holding politicians don’t necessarily have the time for all that, but they live inside the bubble it creates. The ambient atmosphere is one of constant overexcitement, hysteria, and sometimes unbearable tension, all focussed on the story of the day. That may be a reason why the protagonists of political scandals are dispatched more quickly and more mercilessly than in the past.

Except when they aren’t, of course. Senator Vitter is still Senator Vitter. But that’s another story. MORE...

Patty Murray on Weiner: “Congressman Weiner did the right thing.”

John F. Harris and Erika Lovly (Politico):

By the time Anthony Weiner resigned his House seat in shame over dirty texting, the consensus in Washington political circles was glaringly clear: The Brooklyn Democrat was simply, and belatedly, bowing to the inevitable.

But why, exactly, was it inevitable? MORE...

Howie P.S.: The short answers are 1)The tweets and photos were prima facie evidence and 2) Mr. Weiner didn't have any real friends in Congress.

Papantonio on The Ed Schultz Show: "Is Weiner the last possibility for Democrats?" (with video)

golefttv, with video (05:40):

Liberals are unwilling to call for Anthony Weiner's resignation, and are offering him their undying support. But as Mike Papantonio points out to Ed Schultz, they are acting exactly like the Bush Republicans, who refused to acknowledge that their dear leader might have a few flaws.

"Weinergate has taken focus off Medicare"

Greg Sargent:

This sort of polling — which mirrors last week’s Post survey finding strong opposition to the GOP Medicare plan — underscores why Dem leaders want Anthony Weiner to go: Weinergate has completely taken the focus off the Dems’ preferred storyline about Republicans being on defense big time over Medicare. MORE...

"Anthony Weiner Lewd Photo Scandal Targeted In New Ad" (with video))

HuffPo, with video (00:46):

Ending Spending Inc., a 501(c)(4) backed by Chicago Cubs owner Joe Ricketts, is responsible for the spot. In addition to addressing "Weinergate," the clip also highlights other politicians who have become embroiled in sex scandals in recent years.

"Sex, lies and videotape, Washington-style," says a narrator in the beginning of the ad. "In a time of record debt, some in congress are not taking the spending crisis seriously. John Edwards sex tape with a campaign aide, indicted on federal charges. Senator Ensign's tawdry affair with his chief of staff’s wife, pays to keep her quiet. Married Congressman Lee, resigns after topless photo on Craigslist. And now, Weinergate, lewd photos sent to college students, explicit phone calls, one lie after the next. Next time, congressman, please just show us your plan for ending spending." MORE...

Howie P.S.: How to drive the media narrative with juicy gossip and talking about "ending spending."

"Weiner Confesses To Tweeting Controversial Picture" (video)

tpmtv, video (02:27).

Howie P.S.: More video from the press conference here, (19;09).

"House Progressives reflect on being in the minority"

Rep. Jim Mcdermott at the open house.

Chris Bowers (Daily Kos):

Weiner talked about the need for House Democrats to inject a clearer, values-based vision of what the party stands for into the national political conversation. While Republicans presented a focused set of values based on smaller government, "on our side, there is this weird, squishy sense" that some government is good, but it's not entirely clear which parts or why. "You can't overstate the degree to which we rely on the President to set the conversation," Weiner admitted. However, "the President isn't a values guy--he wants to get the best deal for the American people." As such, House Democrats have "spent a lot of time waiting for Godot when it comes to the White House. We have to start setting the agenda ourselves." MORE...

"Rep. Weiner 'still pissed' about public option"

Michael O'Brien (The Hill):

Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) says he's "still pissed" that Democrats gave up on including a public option in their healthcare reform bill.

On the heels of a federal judge's ruling on Monday striking down the entirety of President Obama's healthcare law as unconstitutional, Weiner expressed regret that his party abandoned a government-run health insurance option.

He tweeted:

We know this : the public option is constitutional. #stillpissedwegaveuponthat

Weiner had been a leading proponent of the public option during the months-long healthcare debate in Congress. But his party's leadership had to cut it from the bill after centrist Democrats in the Senate refused to vote to advance legislation that included the controversial provision.

The federal judge's ruling likely would still have struck down a healthcare law, including a public option, as unconstitutional. Judge Roger Vinson said that the individual mandate — the requirement that each American have health insurance — was unconstitutional. Under his ruling, the entire law is unconstitutional, because that provision is not "severable" from the rest of the law.

Howie P.S.: Greg Sargent Michael O'Brien (The Hill): says

If conservatives do succceed in getting the whole of health reform junked, they should prepare for true armageddon: Dems trying to pass an expanded version of Medicare via reconciliation.

Rachel Maddow and Anthony Weiner on the SOTU and the GOP

MSNBC-Rachel Maddow, video (07:50).

Howie P.S.: Rachel calls Paul Ryan "Debbie Downer" for the tone of his "response" to the SOTU.

Anthony Weiner on "The Politics of the Tax Deal" (video)

MSNBC-The Last Word, video (09:05).

Howie P.S.: Greg Sargent has this post-game analysis:

What you're seeing is the first glimpse of Obama's political strategy for dealing with divided government. Obama will strive for deals with Republicans that require concessions on core liberal priorities, and openly concede unhappiness with those concessions, but argue that the deals he's reaching are the best possible under the circumstances.

Obama will insist that such deals are necessary to keep government functioning on behalf of the American people, casting himself as the middle class's defender-in-chief against partisan brickbats flying from both sides. He'll be Washington's resident adult in a town full of bickering children -- on the right and the left. MORE...

And Joan Walsh says "Party time for Bush and Cheney!" and went on the ED show to talk about it, video (02:09).


AND Bernie Sanders says "I Will Do Whatever I Can" To Block Bush Tax Cut Deal and explains why, with video (03:24). Bernie is pissed off.

Anthony Weiner calls out the Republicans (video)

Anthony Weiner, video (05:09).