Fwd: Morning Bell: Obama's Oil Spill To-Do List

06/30/2010 Obama's Oil Spill To-Do List The oil spill crisis in the Gulf of Mexico gets worse by the day. Oil spews from the broken well, further polluting our water and shores. The clean-up efforts drag on with bureaucratic interference, making matters worse. And what is the Obama administration doing? It continues to push for unrelated responses that will have a disastrous effect on our economy, especially the economy of the Gulf states most affected. In fact, President Obama summoned a bipartisan group of senators to the White House on Tuesday to discuss his climate change legislation. When Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander suggested that any such energy meeting should include a focus on the oil spill and BP, Obama responded: "that's just your talking point" and refused to discuss the crisis. Unfortunately, the American people are not hearing any of this. Day after day, blind allegiance to the president causes his supporters on the left to simply say the government is doing all that it can. The national media, prone to attention deficit disorder when a president they support is in the White House, have already moved on to a myriad of other subjects, offering only sporadic updates on the continuing crisis. When the president answered questions following the G20 conference, not one reporter asked him about the situation in the Gulf. Not one question. When attention is paid, it is focused on BP, which is only half the story — the other half being government incompetence or an ideological rigidity that prevents commonsense solutions.

Fwd: U.S. Can?t Continue As Engine That Drives the Global Economy, Obama and Geithner Say

Today's Headlines Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Advertisement - Vote Now: Elena Kagan and the Supreme Court - Should Supreme Court justices base decisions on sympathy, or personal preference rather than facts and laws? The Heritage Foundation, America's leading conservative think tank, wants to know what you think. Take the poll on the Kagan nomination today. U.S. Can't Continue As Engine That Drives the Global Economy, Obama and Geithner Say Washington (CNSNews.com) – Citing the country's trade deficit, President Barack Obama and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner each asserted last week that the United States cannot continue to lead the world economy. Kagan's Office Delays FOIA Response Because It Doesn't Know What the Meaning of 'The Administration's Health-Care Reform Plan' Is (CNSNews.com) - The office of Solicitor General Elena Kagan has delayed responding to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request submitted by CNSNews.com that seeks records that might shed light on whether Kagan would need to recuse herself from certain cases if she is confirmed as a Supreme Court justice. Under 28 U.S.C. § 455, a former government employee who becomes a Supreme Court justice is required to recuse himself or herself from any case he or she expressed an opinion about while in government service. High Court's Gun Ruling Cites Intent of 14th Amendment (CNSNews.com) – In 1868, Republican Representative Thaddeus Stevens, who was directly involved in ratifying the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, was not ambiguous about whether the right to keep and bear arms applied to the states. And in Monday's Supreme Court ruling, Associate Justice Samuel Alito cited the Fourteenth Amendment, legal precedent, the framers, and the intent of Congress in writing the majority opinion that extends the individual right to keep and bear arms to the states. Gun Rights Group Challenges N.C. Law Allowing Gun Bans During States of Emergency (CNSNews.com) - The Second Amendment Foundation, the same group that successfully challenged Chicago's handgun ban at the U.S. Supreme Court, has now filed a federal lawsuit challenging a North Carolina law that bars private citizens from carrying firearms during declared states of emergency. Conservative Groups Blast Supreme Court's Erosion of Religious Liberty (CNSNews.com) – Conservative activists say the U.S. Supreme Court put political correctness above religious liberty in allowing nondiscrimination policies at state-funded schools to trump both freedom of religious speech and freedom of association. The court said state schools may deny funding to religious groups that require their officers and voting members to agree with certain religious beliefs. U.S. Has Paid $1.44 Million for Study on 'Social Milieu' of Male Prostitutes in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi (CNSNews.com) - The National Institute on Drug Abuse, a component of the National Institutes of Health, has so far awarded $1.44 million in federal funds to a project that is examining the "social milieu" of male prostitutes in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. "This study seeks to address an important public health question: what is the impact of male sex work on the growing HIV epidemics in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam?" says the NIH abstract. It notes that "HIV rates in Vietnam are rapidly increasing." Arming of Terrorists, Attempt to Kill Defector Cited as Reasons to Return North Korea to Terror List (CNSNews.com) – The Obama administration says the sinking of a South Korean warship does not justify returning North Korea to the U.S. list of terror-sponsoring states, but experts believe there are other good reasons for the administration to do so, including shipments of weapons allegedly destined for terrorists in the Middle East. State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said the process of reviewing North Korea's status was continuing and "never-ending." CNSNEWS.COM VIDEO Dr. Phil Backs Federal Funding to Combat Cyber Bullies (CNSNews.com) – Talk show host Dr. Phil McGraw, best known as "Dr. Phil," told CNSNews.com that the federal government must enact legislation to combat cyber bullying and fund "training protocols" for the people who work with students and children to educate them about Internet safety. OTHER CNSNEWS.COM HEADLINES Kagan Embraces Notion of Enduring Constitution; 'We Are All Originalists' Supreme Court Reaffirms 'Soft Money' Ban Consumer Confidence Tumbles in June Obama, Meeting Tuesday With Hispanic Lawmakers, Will Push for Immigration Reform Gen. Petraeus Vows Long-Term Commitment in Afghan War Robert Byrd to Lie in Repose in Senate Chamber Democrats Face New Obstacles in Passing Financial Regulations Despite Supreme Court Ruling, Chicago Mayor Says He'll Fight to Preserve City's Gun Ban Mexico Going Ahead with Election Despite Murder of Leading Candidate No Fall Election in West Virginia for Byrd's Senate Seat Petraeus Faces Questions From War-Weary Lawmakers Russian Spy Ring Ordered to Infiltrate U.S. Policy-Making Circles U.N. Vehicle Attacked in Afghan Capital U.S. Missile Strikes Target Militants in Pakistan Tuesday Donate Today! Please help CNSNews.com keep bringing you 'The Right News - Right Now!' Make a contribution to CNSNews.com today. It's fast, simple and secure. Help CNSNews.com and Donate Today!  NEWSPAPER ROUNDUP Departure of illegal immigrants affecting Arizona's businesses Supreme Court to review Arizona law penalizing those who hire illegals Pain doctors want prescription drug tracking to curb abuse Thank Congress for new checking account fees House GOP threatens 'no' on war bill if spending projects are added U.S., Afghan forces launch major offensive along Pakistan border Joint Chiefs Chairman Mullen: Taliban leader could be part of Afghan settlement Report: U.S. overestimated ability of Afghans Governors criticize Obama's border security plan President Obama's political director failed to disclose $40K payout from union Cellphone industry attacks San Francisco's ruling on radiation labeling COMMENTARY Obama Makes Himself the Prisoner of Gen. Petraeus By Patrick J. Buchanan President Obama is being hailed for toughness in his firing of Gen. McChrystal and brilliance in his replacing him as Afghan field commander with Gen. David Petraeus. Herewith, a dissent. Obama should have left McChrystal to succeed or fail with the McChrystal Plan. Had he succeeded, Obama also would have succeeded. Had McChrystal failed, Obama would have been free to relieve him and bring the troops home. But now, McChrystal is off the hook. More critically, Obama just made himself hostage to the savvy Gen. David Petraeus, who is said to dream of one day holding Obama's office. Welfare That Works By Ed Feulner For decades, liberals have promoted welfare as a "hand up, not a hand out." Now, with the cost of American welfare programs pushing toward $1 trillion per year, it's time to make that slogan a reality.

Fwd: White House Misses Deadline for Creating High-Risk Pools

June 29, 2010 White House Misses Deadline for Creating High-Risk Pools We've all heard it before — the age-old saying "Better late than never." Well, get ready to hear it again, this time from Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, regarding the creation of high-risk pools under Obamacare. The pools were supposed to provide coverage for individuals who cannot get health insurance because of chronic illness. Obamacare slated the establishment of the pools to occur no later than 90 days after the legislation passed on March 23. Last Monday (June 21) marked day 90, and the pools are nowhere to be found. Covering the uninsured and those who need it most was advertised as one of the top priorities for the congressional majority's health care agenda, so it's hard to understand how Sebelius could have overlooked such an important deadline. After all, it's her job to implement Obamacare. It gets worse. Not only has Sebelius failed to meet the high-risk pool deadline, but earlier this week the Congressional Budget Office found that the pools will be underfunded by $5 billion to $10 billion. This blunder could result in 500,000 people with pre-existing conditions not receiving the coverage they were promised. According to the White House, as many as 12 million people are currently denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions. In its current form, the poorly designed, federal high-risk pool program will provide coverage to only a small fraction of these patients. Richard Foster, Medicare's chief actuary, claims the government will be able to do so for only one or two years before exhausting its allocated funding. At least 19 states, armed with this information, have declined joining these new high-risk pools. These mammoth mistakes have not gone unnoticed. Tuesday, Sen. Michael Enzi (R-WY) and 30 other Republicans sent a letter to Sebelius, reminding her of the missed deadline. The senators also had a few questions: When will the money for these high-risk pools be distributed to participating states? When will funding be provided for the 19 states that refused to participate in the federal program? And how many Americans will covered by these pools each year? Sebelius was asked to respond by June 30, but it's unlikely she will have any more luck in meeting this deadline than she did the previous one. More likely, she will follow the "better-late-than-never" mantra. It's becomes more clear that Americans would have been better off if Obamacare never passed. RECENT ENTRIES Bureaucracy in a Bind Obamacare Discourages Docs Share Today's Side Effects Facebook Myspace Digg Linkdin Twitter   Facebook Twitter YouTube Kindle Flickr Support our work by becoming a member with your gift of $25 or more. The Heritage Foundation 214 Massachusetts Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002-4999 Call us at (202) 546-4400 Add newsletters@heritage.org to your address book to ensure that you receive emails from us.

Fwd: Independence Forever: Why America Celebrates the Fourth of July

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New Common Sense Applying First Principles to the Issues of Today At Heritage Who is the only president to share a birthday with America?  All rise, for the Kagan confirmation hearings have begun. What are the key questions for this Supreme Court nominee? Around the Country Guess which president delivered the one of the best defenses of the Declaration of Independence against his contemporary progressive critics? The Center for Vision and Values has a hint: More thoughtful than silent, maybe this president was not all about business. Several governors have proclaimed days of prayer for the distress in the Gulf of Mexico. Can you guess which delegate suggested a prayer at the Constitutional Convention? Quick Thoughts Why is Progress so unpopular these days? Check out Michael Barone's article about why Americans relate to Founders, not to Progressives.  Empathy vs. the Constitution. A new survey has surprising results about what matters most when selecting judges. What We're Reading: James Madison and the Spirit of Republican Self-Government by Colleen A. Sheehan.   Independence Forever: Why America Celebrates the Fourth of July In a few days, America will celebrate its 234th birthday. Independence Day is an opportunity to celebrate our great country and also to reflect upon its meaning. America was born on July 4, 1776, with the passage of the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration announced to the world that the American Colonies were free and independent states. But this alone does not make the document or America revolutionary. What is revolutionary about the Declaration of Independence is not that a particular group of Americans declared their independence under particular circumstances but that they did so by appealing to a universal standard of justice. What is revolutionary about America is that it is built upon a foundation of permanent principles not petty interests. The Declaration of Independence serves as a philosophical statement of America's first principles. Just read the second paragraph. It affirms that all men are equal, meaning that they share in a common human nature. By nature, men have a right to liberty that is inalienable, meaning it cannot be given up or taken away. And because individuals equally possess such inalienable rights, governments derive their just powers from the consent of those governed. The purpose of government is to secure these fundamental rights, and the people retain the right to alter or abolish a government that fails to do so. There is a finality to these principles. As one president remarked, "If all men are created equal, that is final. If they are endowed with inalienable rights, that is final. If governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, that is final. No advance, no progress can be made beyond these propositions." This Sunday, read the Declaration of Independence to your family, neighbors, and friends at your barbeque. Allow its memorable phrases to inspire you to strive for liberty and to vindicate the principles of self-government. Brace yourself, though, the Declaration of Independence is revolutionary, because its principles are true. Keep Reading about Why America Celebrates the Fourth of July                        Forward this message to a Friend!   Quote of the Week                            I have said that the Declaration of Independence is the ring-bolt to the chain of your nation's destiny; so, indeed, I regard it. The principles contained in that instrument are saving principles. Stand by those principles, be true to them on all occasions, in all places, against all foes, and at whatever cost. ~ Frederick Douglass "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" For more quotes, visit westillholdthesetruths.org About The Heritage Foundation Founded in 1973, The Heritage Foundation is a research and educational institute -- a think tank -- whose mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense. The Heritage Foundation | 214 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002 | 202.546.4400

Fwd: Morning Bell: The Dodd-Frank Assault on Economic Recovery

06/29/2010 The Dodd-Frank Assault on Economic Recovery Following the release of the 2,000-page Dodd-Frank financial regulation bill last Friday, fixed-income portfolio manager Christine McConnell told Businessweek: "Clarity is good. [Once financial institutions] understand the rules of the road they'll be able to accommodate their business models." There is only one problem: passage of the Dodd-Frank bill doesn't provide any clarity. In fact, it does the exact opposite. The New York Times explains: "The bill, completed early Friday and expected to come up for a final vote this week, is basically a 2,000-page missive to federal agencies, instructing regulators to address subjects ranging from derivatives trading to document retention. But it is notably short on specifics, giving regulators significant power to determine its impact." In other words, this law is going to be continually rewritten by federal bureaucrats for years to come. And the continued uncertainty it will create is just the beginning of its faults: Permanent Bailout Authority: The Dodd-Frank bill creates an "orderly liquidation" process by which regulators are empowered to seize financial institutions that they believe are in danger of failing and liquidate them. While the lack of a broadly accepted process for closing down large financial institutions helped lead to the massive bailouts of 2008 and 2009, this liquidation process is problematic. Federal regulators are granted broad powers to seize private firms they feel are in danger of default, and these powers are subject to insufficient judicial review. Such governmental discretion to seize private property is constitutionally troubling.

Fwd: Energy & Environment Update: Heritage Responds to the Oil Spill

Energy & Environment Update Advancing freedom and prosperity by unleashing free enterprise, protecting America's energy interests, and advancing free global energy markets. Recent Updates Washington's Response Should Not Preclude Future Exploration Oil Spill Does Not Justify Wrecking the Economy Fix the Leak, Then We'll Talk Jones Act Complicates Messy Situation for Obama Our Government Slowed Down the Cleanup Moratorium One of Many Obama Oil Spill Mistakes Featured Research Stopping the Slick, Saving the Environment: A Framework for Response, Recovery, and Resiliency By The Heritage Foundation On April 20, 2010, the explosion at the Deepwater Horizon oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico resulted in a mas­sive, continuing release of underground oil. Washington must develop a comprehensive response to the crisis that mitigates damage, promotes economic and environmental recovery, and delivers solutions to ensure resiliency in the face of future catastrophes. Right now, Americans need answers that will ensure the protection of their environment, the freedom and productivity of their economy, and the security of their lives and property. While the federal government may lack the resources and expertise to stop the flowing oil at the site of the disas­ter, it has the authority and responsibility to play a more proactive and responsive role in mitigating and recovering from the effects of the disaster. After months of observing the federal response, however, it is clear that the response is inadequate. >> Click here to read the full report. For information on cap and trade, visit Heritage's Rapid Response page, which features research, commentary, blog posts, charts and additional policy resources. Shine Light on Energy Taxes Tap into your network on Facebook and invite your friends and family to join The Heritage Foundation as we educate more Americans about the dangers of a cap-and-trade system that will tax most forms of energy. Get started today at NoEnergyTax.com. About The Heritage Foundation Founded in 1973, The Heritage Foundation is a research and educational institute -- a think tank -- whose mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense. The Heritage Foundation | 214 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002 | 202.546.4400

Fwd: MyHeritage.org: New Leader, Same Mission in Afghanistan

June 24, 2010 | By Amanda J. Reinecker New Leader, Same Mission in Afghanistan There's been a change of command in Afghanistan. After his critical remarks about the President and his staff were published in Rolling Stone magazine, Gen. Stanley McChrystal was summoned to The White House to face his boss, Commander in Chief Obama. The outcome from their meeting: McChrystal is no longer in charge. During his Rose Garden press conference, the President explained his decision to remove McChrystal from his post: The conduct represented in the recently published article does not meet the standard that should be set by a commanding general. It undermines the civilian control of the military that us at the core of our democratic system. And it erodes the trust that's necessary for our team to work together to achieve our objectives in Afghanistan. Shortly thereafter, Obama tapped Gen. David Petraeus to succeed McChrystal. Petraeus, who orchestrated the turnaround in Iraq, currently heads the U.S. Central Command, which includes all of South Asia and the Middle East. As the American commander in Iraq, Petraeus changed the course of the war by implementing the troop "surge." Though he faces confirmation by the Senate (the hearing is expected to take place no later than next Tuesday), there is no question that Gen. Petreaus is qualified for the job. "Naming the very able Gen. David Petraeus to replace Gen. McChrystal may help heal this sad state of affairs, and we hope it does," argues Heritage vice President Kim Holmes. "But the drama behind Gen. Stanley McChrystal's firing masks a far greater and troubling issue: Is the Obama administration fully committed to victory in Afghanistan?" President Obama insisted that McChrystal's dismissal "was a change in personnel, not in policy." But the President has also established an arbitrary deadline for removal of forces – a bad policy, especially considering the poor conditions on the ground in Afghanistan. "The timeline," Heritage President Ed Feulner explains, "appears to be putting tremendous unnecessary pressure on our armed forces to accomplish their task: victory on the ground. We don't need an artificial timeline for withdrawal. We need a strategy for victory." June has become the deadliest month for coalition forces over the almost nine-year conflict.  And U.S. and NATO casualties are expected to rise as we move deeper into the Kandahar offensive. The stakes are very high. Victory – not meeting arbitrary deadlines – should be our objective. As Holmes explains, "winning in Afghanistan is directly related to preventing another '9/11' and it truly is the central front in the war on terrorists." Victory can only be achieved once Afghanistan is a stable nation capable of governing itself and defending itself from the Taliban and other terrorists. If we pull out before this is achieved, than we face a danger far greater than anything we're seeing now. Gen. Patraeus is a good man for the job, and we have every shred of confidence in his ability to lead. But as Heritage national security expert James Carafano argues, this war isn't about the man. It's about the mission. And the mission has to be victory. However long that might take.  Heritage Foundation experts were able to refocus the debate from personnel to strategy and the need for victory through over 25 radio and television interviews in less than 24 hours. Join the National Town Hall Discussion on Deficits This Saturday! "Reducing spending is possible, necessary, and sufficient to put the nation's fiscal house back in order," writes Heritage's Kathryn Nix. And this is exactly the message that thousands of Americans across the country are prepared to deliver this Saturday, June 26, at AmericaSpeaks' National Town Meeting. AmericaSpeaks is a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit organization whose mission is to "engage citizens in the public decisions." Nineteen cities across the country will host these town hall meetings. The meetings are intended to open a discussion about the federal budget, the devastating effects that Washington's growing deficits will have on the U.S. economy, and the best ways to address the fiscal crisis — before it is too late. » Learn more about the upcoming National Town hall meeting and find out if there's a meeting near you! Heritage Foundation experts have been busy at work exposing the facts about excessive federal spending and taxation; debunking the myths that both practices help to balance the deficit; and outlining ways to truly boost the economy and individual prosperity, both of which call for reduced spending and taxation. » Check out The Heritage Foundation's one-page fact sheet on tax increases We encourage you to participate in this national discussion on Saturday, June 26. Join thousands of Americans in finding common ground on tough choices about our federal budget. Americans from across the country will come together to weigh in on strategies to ensure a sustainable fiscal future and a strong economic recovery. Many of these ideas, strategies and tough choices are encapsulated in the Spending, Deficit, and Debt Control Act authored by Representatives Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Jeb Hensarling (R-TX), policy analyst Brian Riedl discussed last fall. Many of the decisions our lawmakers are making are too costly: bailouts, "stimulus" spending, the health care takeover. We conservatives can't afford not to speak up! > Other Heritage Work of Note The House Rules Committee met this week to figure out how to push through the DISCLOSE Act, which would impose new regulations on political speech. "True to form," writes Heritage legal scholar Hans von Spakovsky, "the committee kept the public out of a hearing about a bill intended to promote 'transparency' in elections." Despite objections from conservatives, the liberals on the committee decided that one hour was sufficient time to debate the bill. "This bill is intended to silence those whose political views the liberals don't like," argues von Skapovsky, who cites several examples. The death tax, which does not exist at present, is currently set to come back from the dead on January 1, 2011. The tax on dying will increase from zero percent to 55 percent overnight. But Congress is intent on making a bad problem worse. Heritage tax expert Curtis Dubay explores a liberal bill that would drastically increase the death tax at the worst possible time. "Such a policy move would be a body blow to a weakly recovering economy and would clearly signal to everyone that this Congress has no intention of breathing new life into the American dream," he explains. Instead of raising taxes further still, Congress should kill the death tax once and for all. Watch our videos on the death tax! > In Other News European countries are making hard choices about runaway spending on social programs—choices the United States has failed to make. Britain's new government intends to raise the country's retirement age to 66, while a French proposal to raise it to 62 has provoked backlash from union members used to cushy benefits. The Denver Post reports: House Republicans failed in a push Wednesday to force the release of White House documents related to potential job offers made to two Democratic Senate primary challengers, Andrew Romanoff in Colorado and Joe Sestak in Pennsylvania. In the latest silliness from environmentalists, Japan's government is urging citizens to change their sleeping patterns to curb carbon emissions. Pakistan sentenced five American Muslim men from Northern Virginia to 10 years in prison for conspiring to carry out terrorist attacks. Officials believe they traveled to Pakistan to fight American forces in Afghanistan. A U.S. judge has denied a stay on his decision that blocked the Obama administration from enforcing a moratorium on oil drilling. This decision serves as a relief to coastal states that would have suffered severe economic repercussion had the ban continued. According to the Wall Street Journal, BP and other big oil companies based their oil-spill cleanup plans on faulty government projections.  Amanda Reinecker is a writer for MyHeritage.org—a website for members and supporters of The Heritage Foundation. Nathaniel Ward, the Editor of MyHeritage.org, and Stephen Congdon, a Heritage intern, contributed to this report.  Donate    |   Heritage on Facebook View as HTML  |   Update Your Profile   |   Unsubscribe

Fwd: MRC Alert: George Stephanopoulos Fawns Over Obama's Handling of McChrystal Controversy: A 'Political Masterstroke'

 

A daily compilation edited by Brent H. Baker, CyberAlert items are drawn from daily BiasAlert posts and distributed by the Media Research Center's News Analysis Division, the leader since 1987 in documenting, exposing and neutralizing liberal media bias.

 

Tracking Liberal Media Bias Since 1996
Friday June 25, 2010 @ 08:58 AM EDT

1. George Stephanopoulos Fawns Over Obama's Handling of McChrystal Controversy: A 'Political Masterstroke'
Good Morning America's George Stephanopoulos on Thursday hyped Barack Obama's handling of the decision to fire General Stanley McChrystal and replace him with David Petraeus, lauding the action as a "political masterstroke." His comments built on extensive media praise on Wednesday, including many reporters who called the move "brilliant." Stephanopoulos seemed particularly pleased. The former Democratic aide turned journalist extolled, "...That pick really seems to have been the political masterstroke that got President Obama out of the tight box he was in. It's being welcomed both by Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill."

2. NBC: Obama's 'Commander-in-Chief' Moment with McChrystal a Hidden Blessing
On Wednesday's Today show, NBC's Chuck Todd touted President Obama's "swiftness" in dealing with the controversy surrounding General Stanley McChrystal comments in Rolling Stone magazine as a "commander-in-chief moment," and hinted that it was a blessing in disguise, given the executive's tanking approval ratings. Todd led the 7 am Eastern hour with his report on the President appointing General David Petraeus to replace General McChrystal, who was relieved of command following the Rolling Stone interview. The NBC White House correspondent remarked that with the Petraeus appointment, "the President signaled to his team, no more firestorms like this one will be tolerated." After playing a clip of Mr. Obama stating that he "won't tolerate division," he continued that "the President's aides don't expect there will be much division in the Senate, either, where some are predicting Petraeus will have the fastest confirmation in history, and the praise is bipartisan."

3. No Palin Setback Too Small for Couric Who Skips How Palin 'Acted in Good Faith'
Demonstrating that no setback for Sarah Palin which can be portrayed as a rebuke is too insignificant or relevant for Katie Couric, she made time on Thursday's CBS Evening News to inform her viewers about a disputable technical violation of arcane law: "One little word will cost Sarah Palin a small fortune. Today, state investigators in Alaska said a legal defense fund she set up while she was Governor was illegal. They said the use of the word 'official' on the fund's Web site implied it was endorsed by the office of the Governor. Palin's lawyer says she will return the fund's nearly $400,000." Unmentioned by Couric? How Timothy Petumenos, the investigator/counsel for the Alaska Personnel Board which issued the ruling, absolved Palin of blame.

4. NY Times Celebrates D.C.'s 'Venerated Politics and Prose Bookstore,' Ignores Snubs of Conservatives
A New York Times reporter provides a roll call of D.C. liberal pundits in love with the Politics & Prose bookstore, but never notes the store's deep-blue-hue and previous snubbing of conservative authors. As Politico has reported: "The idea that Politics and Prose has a liberal bias has caused the store some consternation, but it's rooted in reality."

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George Stephanopoulos Fawns Over Obama's Handling of McChrystal Controversy: A 'Political Masterstroke'

 

Good Morning America's George Stephanopoulos on Thursday hyped Barack Obama's handling of the decision to fire General Stanley McChrystal and replace him with David Petraeus, lauding the action as a "political masterstroke."

His comments built on extensive media praise on Wednesday, including many reporters who called the move "brilliant." Stephanopoulos seemed particularly pleased.

The former Democratic aide turned journalist extolled, "...That pick really seems to have been the political masterstroke that got President Obama out of the tight box he was in. It's being welcomed both by Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill."

Reporter Martha Raddatz agreed with Stephanopoulos, enthusing, "Sending Petraeus to Afghanistan is, by all accounts, a great save, for exactly the reasons the President described."

A transcript of the June 24 segment, which aired at 7:04am, follows:

ROBIN ROBERTS: But, it, as you know, is a new day, under new leadership for U.S. troops in Afghanistan. After a high-stakes meeting with General Stanley McChrystal, President Obama announced his resignation, the general's resignation. And named his replacement, the architect of the surge in Iraq, General David Petraeus.

GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: And, Robin, that pick really seems to have been the political masterstroke that got President Obama out of the tight box he was in. It's being welcomed both by Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill. Petraeus is expected to be confirmed quickly by the Senate and to be on the ground in Afghanistan next week. The big question, now, can General Petraeus fix a war effort that has been proceeding in fits and starts? President Obama said he was changing personnel, not policy. But, many wondering if a change in strategy is needed. We have Senator John McCain standing by live to talk about that. But, we're going to begin with Martha Raddatz and the high drama in the high change of command. And, Martha, it was pretty stunning. 30 minutes with the President and a 30-year career is over.

MARTHA RADDATZ: That's exactly right, George. General McChrystal and his top aide will not be returning to Afghanistan and say good-bye. Their personal effects are being packed up right now for shipping back to the U.S. As an official in Kabul told me this morning, it feels like a death in the family. It all happened so fast. And in retrospect, was so obvious. Cameras trained on a White House entrance, caught Stanley McChrystal leaving his tense and final meeting with President Obama. And a short time later, David Petraeus arrived. He had come for a scheduled national security council meeting about Afghanistan. But we now know that just 45 minutes after McChrystal was ousted, the President called Petraeus to the oval office and asked him to take McChrystal's job.

BARACK OBAMA: He has worked closely with our forces in Afghanistan. He has worked closely with Congress. He has my full confidence.

RADDATZ: Sending Petraeus to Afghanistan is, by all accounts, a great save, for exactly the reasons the President described. Petraeus is jokingly referred to by some in the military as a water walker, who seems to turn even the worst situations around. He received enormous credit for that in Iraq, where he served three, different tours, the last overseeing the surge. Ironically, he took over central command in 2008 because the man who was then holding the job, Admiral William Fallon, was ousted, after an Esquire magazine profile put him at odds with the Bush administration. The central command job, headquartered in Tampa, put Petraeus in charge of a swath of global hot spots, from Yemen, to Iran, to Pakistan.

A senior administration official joked that sending Petraeus from Tampa to Kabul, was not exactly on the Better Homes tour. But clearly, the President is hoping that the magic touch Petraeus has had in the past, will help him in one of the toughest wars ever. And this may well be the hardest challenge Petraeus has faced. We also don't know how long he will be in Afghanistan. He has already spent nearly half of the last ten years in a war zone. George?

— Scott Whitlock is a news analyst for the Media Research Center. Click here to follow him on Twitter.

NBC: Obama's 'Commander-in-Chief' Moment with McChrystal a Hidden Blessing

 

On Wednesday's Today show, NBC's Chuck Todd touted President Obama's "swiftness" in dealing with the controversy surrounding General Stanley McChrystal comments in Rolling Stone magazine as a "commander-in-chief moment," and hinted that it was a blessing in disguise, given the executive's tanking approval ratings.

Todd led the 7 am Eastern hour with his report on the President appointing General David Petraeus to replace General McChrystal, who was relieved of command following the Rolling Stone interview. The NBC White House correspondent remarked that with the Petraeus appointment, "the President signaled to his team, no more firestorms like this one will be tolerated." After playing a clip of Mr. Obama stating that he "won't tolerate division," he continued that "the President's aides don't expect there will be much division in the Senate, either, where some are predicting Petraeus will have the fastest confirmation in history, and the praise is bipartisan."

Later in the report, Todd used his "commander-in-chief moment" term as he emphasized the apparent good timing of the controversy and detailed the public's decreasing confidence in the President, according to NBC's own poll:

TODD: Still, the swiftness of the President's action is a commander-in-chief moment, at a time when the public is having doubts about his ability. According to a new NBC/Wall Street Journal poll, just 45 percent approve of the job he's doing as president. Forty-four percent believe he's firm and decisive in his decision making. That's down from 63 percent 18 months ago. And just under half the country, 49 percent, believe he has strong leadership qualities. That's down a whopping 21 points from the month he took office. And as the list of domestic problems, like unemployment and the oil spill, pile up on the President's desk, some say it was vitally important the President buy time on Afghanistan.

An on-screen graphic further described that President Obama's disapproval rating was at 48%, though the correspondent didn't specifically mention this statistic.

Almost a day earlier, Todd lauded the chief executive just as the Petraeus appointment was being made: "Politically, in this town, it's going to be seen as a brilliant choice by the President."

The full transcript of Chuck Todd's report from Thursday's Today show:

MEREDITH VIEIRA: Let us begin with the change in command in Afghanistan. Chuck Todd is NBC's chief White House correspondent. Good morning, Chuck.

CHUCK TODD: Good morning, Meredith. Well, after a rare swift set of personnel moves by this White House, the President is now back focused on trying to make his complicated Afghanistan strategy work, rather than fixated on who's going to implement it.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: This is a change in personnel, but it is not a change in policy.

TODD (voice-over): With General Petraeus by his side, and General McChrystal headed out a side door, the President signaled to his team, no more firestorms like this one will be tolerated.

OBAMA: I've just told my national security team that now is the time for all of us to come together. I welcome debate among my team, but I won't tolerate division.

TODD: The President's aides don't expect there will be much division in the Senate, either, where some are predicting Petraeus will have the fastest confirmation in history, and the praise is bipartisan.

SENATOR CARL LEVIN: I admire him and others that respond to that kind of a call from the President. I don't think he even had a chance to talk to his wife.

SENATOR LINDSAY GRAHAM: Dave Petraeus is our best hope. If things don't change, nobody can pull it out in Afghanistan.

TODD: But the hearings are expected to re-ignite the very divisive debate among the two parties about the question of a timetable for withdrawing troops from Afghanistan, scheduled to begin next July.

SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN: Whether that is, quote- etched in stone, as the President's spokesperson, Mr. Gibbs, stated, or whether it will be conditions-based.

TODD: Still, the swiftness of the President's action is a commander-in-chief moment, at a time when the public is having doubts about his ability.

According to a new NBC/Wall Street Journal poll, just 45% approve of the job he's doing as president. Forty-four percent believe he's firm and decisive in his decision making. That's down from 63% 18 months ago. And just under half the country, 49%, believe he has strong leadership qualities. That's down a whopping 21 points from the month he took office. And as the list of domestic problems, like unemployment and the oil spill, pile up on the President's desk, some say it was vitally important the President buy time on Afghanistan.

RETIRED GENERAL BARRY MCCAFFREY: It does give the President cover and a strategy, and it does buy him time. He's putting a leader out there that will not be questioned.

TODD (live) Today, the focus stays on foreign affairs, as the President meets with the president of another country who's familiar with a quagmire-like situation in Afghanistan. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev visits the White House today. The two will hold a joint press conference, and Afghanistan is likely to come up, Matt.

MATT LAUER: All right. Chuck Todd at the White House this morning. Chuck, thank you very much.

—Matthew Balan is a news analyst at the Media Research Center. You can follow him on Twitter here.

No Palin Setback Too Small for Couric Who Skips How Palin 'Acted in Good Faith'

 

Demonstrating that no setback for Sarah Palin which can be portrayed as a rebuke is too insignificant or relevant for Katie Couric, she made time on Thursday's CBS Evening News to inform her viewers about a disputable technical violation of arcane law:

One little word will cost Sarah Palin a small fortune. Today, state investigators in Alaska said a legal defense fund she set up while she was Governor was illegal. They said the use of the word "official" on the fund's Web site implied it was endorsed by the office of the Governor. Palin's lawyer says she will return the fund's nearly $400,000.

Unmentioned by Couric? How Timothy Petumenos, the investigator/counsel for the Alaska Personnel Board which issued the ruling, absolved Palin of blame. "Petumenos found the 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee acted in good faith and relied on the advice of lawyers when setting up the fund," the Anchorage Daily News reported in an afternoon posting.

PDF of the board's report, which noted: "Governor Palin complied fully with AS 39.52.210(a) by declining to take any proceeds from the Trust once the Complaint was filed pending resolution of this matter."

— Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center. Click here to follow him on Twitter.

NY Times Celebrates D.C.'s 'Venerated Politics and Prose Bookstore,' Ignores Snubs of Conservatives

 

News that "the venerated Politics and Prose bookstore" in Washington, D.C. was up for sale inspired a story by Yeganeh June Torbati Wednesday that resembled a scroll of the D.C. social register, so stuffed it was with names of liberal personalities and pundits: "Bookstore in Capital Seeks Its Next Chapter." But the only clues Torbati gave of the bookstore's dark-blue hue had to be inferred from the names on the bookstore's fan list.

First came shock -- the venerated Politics and Prose bookstore here was up for sale. Then, almost immediately, the fantasies started -- what would it be like to be the new owner, an influential tastemaker at the intersection of the nation's political and literary worlds?

In the weeks since the owners said the independent bookstore was on the market, a variety of potential buyers, including literary agents, authors and investors, have stepped forward to express interest.

The roll call of the bookstore's D.C. cult made clear that its fans share a left-wing urban sensibility (indeed, the store made news in 2007 for the disrespectful way it treats conservatives authors and books). Torbati apparently didn't notice.

Esther Newberg, a New York literary agent whose clients include the writers Thomas L. Friedman, Seymour Hersh, Maureen Dowd and Caroline Kennedy, said what makes Politics and Prose so attractive to authors is that Ms. Cohen and Ms. Meade manage to get large audiences for even relatively unknown writers.

....

Prospective buyers need not apply if they are only seeking to make a sure profit or would just relish the chance to hobnob with the likes of Christopher Hitchens and Hendrik Hertzberg, both fans of the store. All viable candidates will be subject to a "good long talk," [co-owner Barbara] Meade said, "about what they plan to do with the store."

If those "plans" include inviting right-of-center authors to read, those perspective owners might not make it far. Reporter Ryan Grimm of Politico noted the book store's "liberal bias" in a February 2007 article.

The idea that Politics and Prose has a liberal bias has caused the store some consternation, but it's rooted in reality. The bookstore draws a graying, turtleneck crowd in a neighborhood known for its liberal politics in a city that gave George W. Bush fewer than 22,000 votes in 2004. Would you expect the shelves to be buckling under the weight of Sean Hannity and Co.'s latest books?

The bookstore's most well-known snub went to Matt Drudge, a conservative and the creator of The Drudge Report. Cohen reportedly called him "a rumormonger and a troublemaker" in 2000 when the store rejected his request for a reading.

Two years later, neo-conservative Joshua Muravchik made some trouble by telling The Washington Post that the bookstore had refused him a reading in deference to members of a Trotskyite sect of the International Socialist Organization who shopped at the store. They apparently took umbrage at what they felt was a negative gloss on communism in his book "Heaven on Earth: The Rise and Fall of Socialism."

Clay Waters is editor of Times Watch. You can follow him on Twitter.