February 8, 2012

Congress’ Approval Hits All-Time Low

February 8, 2012 Buck Banks

10%

Of Americans approve of the job Congress is doing — a record-low and down from 13% in January and the previous low of 11%, recorded in December 2011.

Gaffe-a-Day Romney Strikes Again

February 8, 2012 Trish

How ridiculous does your campaign pandering seem when even Jimmy Kimmel challenges your claims of American exceptionalism?

The GOP Made Obama So Moderate

February 8, 2012 Buck Banks

Republicans, however, can and should take partial credit for this. Obama is so moderate in part because the Republicans are so extreme. Politicians are ideological, of course, but they are also opportunistic. And the GOP, in closing ranks against almost every major initiative Obama has attempted, has taken away most of his opportunities to be truly liberal.

Ezra Klein, writing in the Washington Post in response to a new study that finds President Obama “is the most moderate Democratic president since the end of World War II, while President George W. Bush was the most conservative president in the post-war era.”

The Right Froth

February 8, 2012 Buck Banks

You’ve got to hand it to Rick Santorum —
We thought his sweater vest would just bore ’em.
But in C-O, M-I and M-S,
They thought the Rickster was best.
Now, if he could just get someone besides teabaggers to vote for ‘im …

Is Obama ‘Luckiest Man Alive?’

February 8, 2012 Buck Banks

At the last possible moment to save his re-election, the economy is beginning to hum, as evidenced by Friday’s jobs report. And Obama’s Republican opponents are shaping up to be as formidable as, well, marshmallows. While Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum are making each other unelectable, the president is singing Al Green, congratulating Super Bowl winners, playing with science projects, raising obscene amounts of campaign cash and watching his poll numbers soar.

— Dana Millbank, writing in the Washington Post, asserting that President Obama just might be the luckiest man alive.

Santorum Stealing Gingrich’s Thunder

February 8, 2012 Buck Banks

Because right now, angry and almost broke, Newt is no longer the leading candidate to be the conservative alternative to Mitt Romney. That man is Rick Santorum. And what makes Gingrich especially grumpy is that the man he is losing to was once just a pimply backbencher in the 1994 Republican Revolution… So for now Newt is left broke and unloved, facing the long road ahead with a raised fist. There probably will be better days ahead — Super Tuesday offers southern states, and Newt has already proven his ability to rise from the political dead. But Rick Santorum just had his best night of the campaign. For all his faults, he has none of the personal baggage of Newt that might offend the faithful.

— John Avlon, writing in the Daily Beast, noting that Newt Gingrich’s narrative of a two-man race collapsed under Rick Santorum’s trifecta win last night.

Republican Enthusiasm Waning

February 8, 2012 Buck Banks

58%

Of Democrats were “very excited” about voting in this year’s election, as compared to 54% of Republicans, according to a recent DailyKos/Public Policy Polling survey. Six months ago, enthusiasm tilted towards Republicans, 54% to 48%.

Bush was a Bigger ‘Food Stamp President’ Than Obama

February 8, 2012February 8, 2012 Buck Banks

14.7 million

Americans received food stamps when George W, Bush was president, a half-million more than are on food stamps under the Obama administration. Currently, one in seven Americans receives food stamp benefits.

Day: February 8, 2012

Congress’ Approval Hits All-Time Low

10%

Of Americans approve of the job Congress is doing — a record-low and down from 13% in January and the previous low of 11%, recorded in December 2011.

Gaffe-a-Day Romney Strikes Again

The GOP Made Obama So Moderate

Ezra Klein, writing in the Washington Post in response to a new study that finds President Obama “is the most moderate Democratic president since the end of World War II, while President George W. Bush was the most conservative president in the post-war era.”

The Right Froth

Is Obama ‘Luckiest Man Alive?’

— Dana Millbank, writing in the Washington Post, asserting that President Obama just might be the luckiest man alive.

Santorum Stealing Gingrich’s Thunder

— John Avlon, writing in the Daily Beast, noting that Newt Gingrich’s narrative of a two-man race collapsed under Rick Santorum’s trifecta win last night.

Republican Enthusiasm Waning

58%

Of Democrats were “very excited” about voting in this year’s election, as compared to 54% of Republicans, according to a recent DailyKos/Public Policy Polling survey. Six months ago, enthusiasm tilted towards Republicans, 54% to 48%.

Bush was a Bigger ‘Food Stamp President’ Than Obama

14.7 million

Americans received food stamps when George W, Bush was president, a half-million more than are on food stamps under the Obama administration. Currently, one in seven Americans receives food stamp benefits.

Poetic Justice

Verbatim

“The man is afraid of the voice of the people and that the people understand and know what he’s doing. He’s trying to stifle the ability of journalists to let the people of America know what’s really going on with their government.”

— “Kamala Harris called President Donald Trump’s ban of CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House ‘absolutely abhorrent,’” The Wrap reports.

“Not one of them is trained in technical skills. Not one research PhD, as opposed to China, where half the cabinet is science and technology PhDs. We’re led by grifters and fools.”

— Columbia professor Jeffrey Sachs, on X, on President Trump’s 35-person cabinet.

“Mr. President, some of your immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far… The same Hispanics who helped you get to the White House in 2024 feel betrayed today.”

— Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), breaking with President Trump in a direct-to-camera video.

Numerati

1,000

10%

“The unprecedented spate of mid-decade redistricting for the U.S. House has changed the congressional districts for one-tenth of Americans and significantly altered the makeup of at least one-fifth of districts, according to a new study,” the Associated Press reports.

71%

A new Fox News Poll finds 71% of voters think the Trump administration lacks a clear strategy for ending the Iran War, including 95% of Democrats, 83% of independents, and 43% of Republicans. Sixty percent say U.S. military action against Iran was the wrong decision, while just 37% say it was right.

$9.5 billion

“The Trump administration last year spent $9.5 billion on paid administrative leave for federal workers as part of its plan to shrink the government and save taxpayers money, according to a new estimate by a congressional watchdog,” CNN reports.

470

Reuters has documented at least 470 targets of retribution under Trump’s leadership – from federal employees and prosecutors to universities and media outlets. The list illuminates the sweeping effort by the president and his administration to punish dissent and reshape the government.