TPMDC Morning Roundup
Today: Obama Giving Speech On Iraq Pullout Timeline
President Obama will be speaking at 11:45 a.m. from the Camp Lejeune military base in North Carolina, where he will be laying out his plan for a withdrawal from Iraq. The plan will involve the withdrawal of combat troops by August 2010, with a residual force of 30,000-50,000 troops to continue training the Iraqis through December 2011.
Biden Holding Meeting On Middle Class Issues, Green Economy
Joe Biden is at the University of Pennsylvania campus in Philadelphia today, where he will be leading the first meeting of the Middle Class Task Force, focusing on the creation of green jobs, accompanied by several cabinet and task force members. This evening, Biden and his wife Jill will be speaking at the Delaware State Education Association Winter Advocacy Retreat in Rehoboth, Delaware.
WaPo: Obama Iraq Plan Faces Opposition On The Left
The Washington Post reports that Obama's Iraq withdrawal plan is not impressing other Democrats, and that not one member of the Dem Congressional leadership supported it during a meeting last night between Obama and members of Congress. Chuck Schumer declared that a withdrawal "has to be done responsibly, we all agree. But 50,000 is more than I would have thought, and we await the justification."
NYT: Obama Budget Repeals Reaganism
The New York Times examines President Obama's budget, marveling at its program of progressive taxation and other measures to address income inequality. The Times declares: "The budget that President Obama proposed on Thursday is nothing less than an attempt to end a three-decade era of economic policy dominated by the ideas of Ronald Reagan and his supporters."
Obama To Meet With Australian Prime Minister
The Obama Administration has announced that the president will be meeting March 24 with Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, at the White House. The two leaders will discuss the financial crisis, Afghanistan, climate change, nuclear proliferation and other issues.
Report: Pelosi To Refuse Contributions From Banks
Roll Call reports that Nancy Pelosi will refuse campaign contributions from banks, in the wake of their opposition to a mortgage reform bill. Pelosi made the announcement at a Democratic caucus meeting yesterday morning -- perhaps a signal to other members that they should follower her lead on this.
Senate Votes For D.C. Representation In Congress
The Senate voted last night by 61-37 to pass a bill to to give the District of Columbia a full vote in the House of Representatives. The bill will be signed into law by President Obama, but will immediately face a court challenge on the grounds that it is unconstitutional.
Another Ad Ties GOP Leaders To Rush Limbaugh
The labor-backed group Americans United For Change has this new ad out, attacking the Republican leadership for saying "No" to President Obama's stimulus plan, and connecting them to Rush Limbaugh's "I want him to fail" policy:
"So who are Republican leaders listening to?" the announcer asks, followed by Limbaugh's "I want him to fail." The ad is going up on national cable and in the D.C. media market -- essentially aimed at the political class and higher-information voters who watch the news.
Josh
Elana
Matt
Eric
It should go to lower information voters, because some of them actually believe when John Boner's bitchass says "he is going to raise taxes on EVERY american". Although, most of us can recite Obama's campaign pledge by heart.
February 27, 2009 9:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
They aren't "low information" voters so much as "high misinformation" voters.
Dittoheads don't want the truth.
February 27, 2009 10:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
30,000 to 50,000 is too many troops. I'm with pelosi on this. Why so many? And we have been training the iraqis for years. How much training can we possibly do? Come on, let's get outta there.
February 27, 2009 9:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
I agree with you, however, keep in mind that the statement of forces or whatever it is stipulates that even that residual force is supposed to be out of Iraq in 2011 (I believe). Not ideal, but not the end of the world
February 27, 2009 9:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
How many troops do you and Pelosi think we need over there? And how many trips have you and Pelosi taken over there? And how many conversations have you and Pelosi had with the commanders over there?
And as far as the notion that "we have been training Iraqi troops for years," that gives me the impression that you believe everything Bush and Cheney were saying about the rising level of preparedness of the Iraqi Army over the last several years. That's your prerogative, of course, but I still don't believe a word either of those war criminals says about anything. On the other hand, I've seen no reason thus far to doubt the character or judgment of our current President. If he believes, after an honest assessment, that the Iraqi military will require further development, in strength and in numbers, I back his call 100% and consider this a(nother) campaign promise kept.
February 27, 2009 10:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
Couple of things:
1. Actually, I would prefer zero and out within a year. The more time we are there, the worse it is for the situation. Western troops occupying an arab country is not a good thing. We should pull out and get peace keepers in there if necessary from friendly arab countries.
2. Pelosi a few, me none. Taking a junket there and doing the photo op thing is a complete waste of time. You don't learn a gd thing.
3. No conversations with commanders. I actually don't think it's really a military situation now in any event. Our combat soldiers are policing the country. That's not what they were trained for, nor what they should be doing. Let's get out as quickly as possible.
That all being said, 35,000 to 50,000 is better than 142,000 and 19 months is better than forever. I am only voicing my opinion, but as always I am on board the obama freight train. I hope that he is right.
February 27, 2009 12:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, incidentally, it was a campaign promise kept. Not disputing that one. Also, I recall him saying during the campaign that he was going to keep a residual force of 30 to 50,000. It doesn't mean that I have to like it though, does it?
February 27, 2009 1:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
>>NYT: Obama Budget Repeals Reaganism
"The budget that President Obama proposed on Thursday is nothing less than an attempt to end a three-decade era of economic policy dominated by the ideas of Ronald Reagan and his supporters."
Imagine that. Actually shoring up his liberal bona fides by dismantling the right-wing model of government instead of just ranting and raving while giving the wingers everything they want.
February 27, 2009 9:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
Imagine that. Another stupid comment from Low(IQ)Rider that's apropos of nothing at all.
For the record, I agree with the Times's assessment- this budget plan is enormously encouraging. Your bete noir Krugman thinks so too.
February 27, 2009 9:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
You might want to read that again. Unless someone's snark font was off (and the personal attack would seem to indicate otherwise), I don't see a lot of daylight between what you are saying and what FreeRider was saying.
February 27, 2009 10:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
Try reading again. FR was, as usual, gratuitously bashing progressives who supposedly only "rant and rave".
February 27, 2009 10:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
Lots of so-called "progressives" really do only rant and rave... while giving the wingers exactly what they want. And IMHO, they deserve to be bashed for it. I think FR made a pretty sound assessment of things thus far. Obama talks like a moderate, acts like a moderate, and even reaches out to Republicans, but thus far, has stuck to the pragmatic, progressive vision he articulated for 18+ months on the campaign trail. And he is to be commended for it.
The country voted back in November. Obama won. No one on the left or the right can honestly claim that they aren't getting something pretty close to what they were promised so far. If you're progressive, you should be heartened by that. If you're "progressive," then 19 months isn't 16 months, and 100,000 troops isn't END THE WAR NOW, and Obama "caved to Republicans to get the stimulus package passed" and on and on and on... In other words, my interpretation of FR's comment was 6 parts "Bravo, Obama!" and half a dozen "not all progressives are as progressive as they like to think!" And I agree.
February 27, 2009 10:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you! That's exactly what I've been saying. I'm a proud liberal but I'm also a pragmatist. I realize how many times we've squandered opportunity because we were so unwilling to "look" moderate.
After watching us lose battles we should have won because we (a) refused to play the game and (b) demonized everybody who didn't march lock-step with us, I'm sick of it. I want something done! And if that requires talking nice to and about Republicans, I say "bring it on!"
People like Labonne are all about the rhetoric. John Edwards was my senator and his tenure was anything but progressive and/or productive. But when he ran for president, he became this raving firegrand liberal and folks on the left ate it up. They completely bought into his bullshit because he "sounded" angry and liberal. What a joke!
Those same people said "Obama is not a progressive" (despite his record) simply because he wasn't foaming at the mouth. Is there anybody who thinks we would have this agenda under Edwards? Puhleeze!
February 27, 2009 10:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
This is part of why I can't stand DailyKos. Our ideologues are as uncompromising as those on the right, and seem to just as determined to self-immolate. They're problems include only seeing things through the lens of their choice, which causes them to see no0 other way to do things than their way. The 'progressives' as they call themselves are just as bad as the neocons. Nothing can get accomplished that way, and they are playing right into the hands of the right, deeply embracing the culture wars the right has worked so hard to maintain over the last 40 years.
You can't change the world if your methodology is the same as your opponent. That's why Obama is the president.
February 27, 2009 11:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
He's also President in part because of money, volunteer work, and votes from individual progressives and progressive organizations.
What's out of control around here is Left-bashing. It's moronic and beyond counterproductive. Free Rider in particualr is nothing but a troll- he never has anything of substance to say, and even his snark is too stupid to be entertaining.
February 27, 2009 11:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, stop being such a sniveling little coward and accept that this isn't about liberals. It's about YOU crying like a little girl! Put on your big girl panties and suck it up!
There is no Left-bashing here. There's whiner-bashing and you're the second-biggest whiner here. (Bluebell is #1). I can't stand YOU because you're always running around with your panties in a knot.
First, you're whining because Obama does everything wrong. Then you're whining because "mean ole Freerider is calling me out about my never-ending pissing and moaning. I just wet myself. Waahhhh. Wahhhh. Wahhhhh!"
February 27, 2009 11:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly right. Folks on the left criticize the nutters on the right talk for pushing republican moderates out of the party. But nutters at Kos advocate doing the exact same thing to moderate Democrats! They don't see the irony in that!
They don't realize that we would be just as irrelevant as the repugs if we ran out everybody except Kucinich. We'd also be in the minority. But that's OK with them. As long as our "purity" is compromised with folks like Pryor and Bayh, who cares if we get healthcare and environmental protection and end torture!
February 27, 2009 11:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, and while personally Daily Kos is not on my regular reading list (and I don't regard it as a particularly progressive place, either- Moulitsas himself is all about election strategy and not very much about policy), you must have forgotten that that Clinton supporters were furious at its pro-Obama tilt during the primaries.
This is the kind of thing I'm talking about- reflexive bashing of things you obviously don't even know very much about.
February 27, 2009 11:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
The comment about Kos had nothing to do with who they supported in the primary. It's about the fact that all they do is piss and moan. Just like you!
February 27, 2009 11:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Alright you two, I'll turn this car around and take us right back home!
February 27, 2009 12:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Very funny.
February 27, 2009 12:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not bashing progressives or liberals.
I'm bashing retards like you who think that being in a constant state of pissed-off-ness proves you're a liberal.
I'm bashing assholes like you who think foaming at the mouth actually accomplishes something.
You know, dumbasses like you who place posturing over accomplishing anything.
Knuckle-scrapers like you who form a circular firing squad and torch the liberal agenda because you allow the perfect to become the enemy of the good.
Booger eaters like you who would watch everything on your wish list go down in flames because you alienate potential partners with your over-the-top rhetoric.
Inbreeders like you who claimed there was no difference between Bush and Gore and helped put that poo-chucking ape in the WH for 8 years because Gore wasn't "pure" enough for you.
Chronic whiners like you who wake up every morning in search of something to be pissed off about.
I'm bashing you, loser! And I'm loving every minute of it!!
February 27, 2009 10:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Tell us how you really feel! :P
February 27, 2009 10:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well, I must say that one seemed a little over the line. ;)
February 27, 2009 10:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
Why? I love Boooogers!
February 27, 2009 10:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
WOW.. You really are just an asshole... and I just thought that you were a Kool-Aid drinking Obama lovein' nut case for the left... Sir.. I'm sorry that I missed judged you..
February 27, 2009 9:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, there's plenty more where that came from. Let me know if you want some!
February 28, 2009 8:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
Pardon me, genius. The term is correctly spelled "bete noire". Sheez, you're stupid.
You're right about one thing: I can't stand Paul Krugman or his sycophants like you.
And, spare me your talking points about Krugman being a nobel prize winning economist. His Nobel was for a trade theory he wrote back in the 90's. Hello?? Trade? Theory? 90s? I'm waiting to hear how that's relevant to what's going on today.
February 27, 2009 10:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
"Imagine that" we don't need to imagine anymore!!!
February 27, 2009 10:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
Great ad!
February 27, 2009 10:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
Repealing Reaganism. Just reading that makes my day.
Like most of us I have high expectations and even higher hopes for President Obama (NEVER gets old typing that). I think in the end he will end up between those two and the country will be in a much better place in 8 years.
February 27, 2009 10:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yes I have to agree with you on this.. In 8 years the country will be in a better place.. By that time we will have someone else in office for 4 years to clean up this great and wonderful mess Dumbama has made…. And I too (Never get tired typing that) either…
February 27, 2009 9:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
What? The end of the Great Tax Scam? The end of an era where "deficits don't matter" unless the president is a Democrat? The end of an era where the rich man's tax cut is paid for by taking breakfast away from an underpriveleged child?
I'm likin' it already!
February 27, 2009 11:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Its called a realignment, losers. It means that we define the policy paradigm and the the other guys become the the party of "yes, but" instead of "no!" if they want to survive to see it run out of gas.
Now, while I know these things are upsetting to your Broderized CW-bound little brains in the MSM, let's talk about giving us at least 50% of the guest slots in the goddamned Sunday shows, okay?
February 27, 2009 12:33 PM | Reply | Permalink