A comparison of how these three executives handle "adversity" might be amusing. Of the three, Blago and Sadam had very similar strategies, while Daschle chose the smart route.

Both Blago and Sadam continued to throw firey rhetoric about fighting to the end, putting their assailants in the graveyard, achieving the final victory, and other sorts of propagandistic happy-talk. Both were still talking smack while their enemies captured the capital, with them still in it.

(Snicker.)

Daschle showed much better intellect and a winning strategy. Daschle emerged from a Senatorial closet in which he no doubt sucked off numerous cadavers (to continue the disgusting meme) who happened to be members of the Finance Committee. He gravely adopted a tone of regret and shame, tempered only by his hope that the american people would recall his long and hard "service" (perhaps another sexual metaphor) to the nation as a career legislator. Maybe they can find it in their hearts to forgive him.

On the up side--anyone who can successfully blow that many senators so quickly and in such a small room--may just have what it takes to get some kind of improved healthcare fix for the nation. And if he can do that, we should forgive him the taxes and build statues to him all around the country.

The statues should be kneeling, of course.

Social Security is not the third rail of politics--Defense Spending is. Our defense spending is simply not sustainable, but its constituents are so powerful and pervasive that any change in the spending trajectory simply cannot be considered.

I imagine it will be the last thing to go--after every other spending area has been cut and hollowed-out, defense spending will finally crumble. And by then it will likely be too late.

re: green-eyeshades--usually refers to bankers I think. but in this setting, it seems to refer to anyone who cares about how the government raises and spends money.

Your posts have been very depressing of late, Mr. Greenwald.

Agreed.

So, for the sake of peace and prosperity one can not help but root for the sudden demise of the two most twisted governments on the planet.

In your heart you know who which two they are.

I sure do.

1. Marlborough, VT

2. Belgium

I just hate those fuckers.

Thanks for those two articles. Neither of them has Klein endorsing Daschle's views in any way, so I don't see where you're getting that.

I do find it interesting that Daschle, a long-term professional legislator, appears to have given up on Congress' ability to solve health-care. Speaks volumes.

RMP

If we give Obama enough cover...

To me, this assumes that Obama wants to do "the right thing" regarding health care, other issues. I'm not sure that is actually true.

To me, "cover" isn't what is needed, but rather "pressure". Maybe we're saying the same thing, just using different terms...

Your comment again reminds me of Obama's response at an early presser, to a question about all the retreads being put in his cabinet. "Where's the change?", he was asked. He responded "I'm the change. That's my job.

Take him at his word. If health care reform for Obama turns out to be the same ruinous policy in new bottles, then the fault will be and needs to be Obama's, and nobody else's.

Mighty fine.

Little waves sometimes have a history of growing over time, no?

Two popular non-sequiturs popular in DC these days.

Obama's approach to "health care" has never made sense to me, given that he is reluctant to fundamentally change the industry. This in spite of his own direct and painful experience (one would think) that his own mother spent her final days trying to justify her care regime with insurance companies, on the phone, from her death-bed.

and the need for fundamental reform is even more pronounced now, given that our system is based on employer-funded care, and our employers are facing very very bad times, which will only grow much worse, according to most economists.

What better time to take health insurance off the backs of employers than now?

one other note--has anyone read Daschle's book on health care?

GOP losing patience with Obama, Dem leaders

By Molly Hooper

Posted: 01/30/09 07:12 PM [ET]

Republicans wrapped up their retreat Friday by signaling they are losing patience with President Obama and the Democratic leadership in Congress...

Romney predicted that House Republicans will make up the distance and retake majority control in 2010. His message on how to do that was clear: Republicans must present original alternatives and solutions to the American people, as they have done during the economic stimulus debate.

His sentiments were similar to those of former Speaker Newt Gingrich, Thursday night's key note speaker.

Gingrich, too, said Boehner would be the Speaker of the House in the 112th Congress, according to several members at the event...

how is the GOP going to do this?

Gov. Mitch Daniels (R-Ind.), another speaker, offered his keys to success in politics: be bold, be yourself, toss the talking points, speak from the heart, get to know the people you work for.

Have slumber parties with your constituents, he told the early risers. "End up places candidates don't go," he said.

"I talked a lot about getting your hands dirty; being with and connecting and really understanding the lives of real people. I travel all the time, I stay over night at peoples homes all over Indiana, I've been doing this for five years.

Apparently, Mitch Daniels will sleep over, but he washes up afterwards. Understandible, as these are just "real people"...

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/gop-losing-patience-with-obama-dem-leaders-2009-01-30.html

"Why do you hate Jews?"

1. The above is bullshit, uncalled for, and typical of you;

2. I don't know if you are obtuse, but you are certainly incorrigible.