Somewhat Discouraging Thought of the Day

This is the Gingrich government shut down all over again, but better played and against a decidedly less adept enemy.

-from John Aravosis (AMERICAblog) on "Tea Party Envy."

Eugene Robinson: "A hold-your-nose debt deal"

Eugene Robinson:

It’s supremely galling. It’s unbalanced, unfair and mostly unwise. For President Obama and the Democratic Party, it’s a comprehensive defeat. But it’s not the end of the world.

The deal struck Sunday to free the U.S. economy from its Republican hostage-takers is impossible for progressives to love. It gets all the big things wrong, starting with the most fundamental: Obama never should have acquiesced to linking a routine hike in the debt ceiling — necessary to pay bills Congress has already incurred — with all the difficult spending questions that should be dealt with in the budget process. MORE...

Howie P.S.: Greg Sargent

"As many observers have noted already, Democrats have effectively given up on trying to make the case for further government spending. The result has been bipartisan agreement to marginalize that argument to the point where it’s entirely vanished from the conversation. It’s only in this context... that the deal ...makes any sense." MORE@the link.

Jay Inslee

"...don’t like debt deal, but I’m for it."

John Aravosis (AMERICAblog)

We keep being told that the Obama administration endorsed the GOP talking points on the deficit, and gave away the farm in negotiations with the Republicans on the debt ceiling, as part of a strategic play to win independents come the next election. Only problem? Independents care more about jobs, which aren't being addressed, and which will be hurt by the President's budget deal.

Cindy Changed Her Mind

Howie P.S.: John Aravosis is pissed, understandably.

Why I will always love Paris (2010 Version, with video and Fitzgibbon Alert)

John Aravosis (AMERICAblog) with videos:

One of the neat things about being Paris is walking. I have to admit that I was never much of a walker until I got my puppy earlier this year. And once I dropped 7 pounds as a result of our twice a day romps around the neighborhood, little Sasha had me hooked on the value of a good stroll around the block.

But walking in Paris is something entirely different than walking in Washington, DC. To wit, my walk home last night from the Marais, an old neighborhood in the center of Paris. It was around 10pm and I was about to hit the metro, but figured, why am I heading home? I had nothing to do, but still, it's early and it's Paris. So I walked. MORE...

Howie P.S.: This made me feel like being an expat all over again, just like I did in 1974. What a perfect impression of Paris Aravosis has delivered. Reader Advisory: You won't believe this but there is an ad for Joe Fitzgibbon on the bottom of this post! I must admit, that guy is hip.

Politico: "Obama, cable chatter & liberal fury"

Jonathan Martin (Politico):

“It's always been a bit of a conundrum reconciling Obama the campaigner and Obama the president,” said liberal blogger John Aravosis. “The former was a maverick, the latter tries far too hard not to rock the boat.”

“The administration has enabled the Republicans, and all their political opponents, including conservative Democrats. far too often. They didn't pass a big enough stimulus because the Republicans objected. They didn't push for the public option because the Republicans, and conservative Democrats, objected. They didn't go for a full repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell because Republican appointee Secretary [Robert] Gates objected.”

Added Aravosis: “In politics, yes, sometimes you have to cut your losses and dismiss employees who get involved in too-high-profile a scandal, regardless of the merits. But far too often, President Obama seems to cut his losses, on personnel and policy, whenever the Republicans say boo. I have no idea why he doesn't show more backbone, but a lot of Obama supporters, myself included, wish he would.” MORE...

Howie P.S.: JMart has now updated this posting with quotes from Ari Melber, Markos and Peter Daou