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- Here's a good example of how the Beltway press corps treats politics, courtesy of Mark Murray: "As NBC/WSJ co-pollster Peter Hart (D) argues, the upcoming midterms are more a referendum on the economy than on President Obama. But the war over the TV airwaves has increasingly become about the president, and we're seeing high-profile Democratic candidates trying to change the subject." Translation: Even though we know the economy is driving voter dissatisfaction, we choose instead to focus on the spin of politicians and call it "reporting."
- Josh Marchall is likely correct that the aftermath of the midterm elections is going to look a lot like the Democrats' meltdown after Scott Brown won Ted Kennedy's Senate seat: total capitulation to whatever right-wing narrative grips the post-election headlines. Of course, this is premised on Democrats losing the House, which is hardly a certainty, but Democrats need to learn how to take the long view instead of pivoting for (perceived) short-term gain. Of course, it would help if the de facto leader of the party would give the base something to rally around.
- I agree with Kevin Drum's confusion over why we should be impressed with Mitch Daniels' economic proposals, which amount to warmed-over Republican rhetoric from the '80s. Remember, the bar is set very, very low for Republicans who talk in the language of public policy. Daniels' plan would do nothing to address unemployment and weak demand, and that's because Republicans simply don't believe government can create jobs or stimulate the economy. Until that changes, we can reliably expect the GOP to repeat the same economic talking points and wonder why anyone should care.
- Remainders: The Tea Partiers truly are the beating heart of our center-right nation; I'm not sure what value Democrats like these add to the party; Ramesh Ponnuru has the right take on Peter Beinart's transformation from supporter to critic of liberal interventionism; Steve Benen hits upon the first cause of the GOP's alternative reality: "I don't think there's ever been a presidential p.r. operation as impressive as the conservative campaign to manufacture Reagan greatness."; redistricting could be vastly overrated; and should political science be relevant?
--Mori Dinauer
