Tim Fernholz

Is it just me, or is Steve Pearlstein making sense? Spending is stimulus, no matter what it’s for and who does it. The best spending is that which creates jobs and economic activity now, has big payoffs later and disappears from future budgets. Normally Pearlstein is sort of a ridiculous person, and we should be […]

Last night, President Obama diverted from his prepared remarks at the House Democratic Caucus Issues Conference and ended up giving a really excellent defense of the stimulus legislation: But what I have also said is — don’t come to the table with the same tired arguments and worn ideas that helped to create this crisis. […]

I’ve got a cottage industry here debunking ridiculous conservative arguments based on faulty readings of Congressional Budget Office reports. Today, the Washington Times is in a tizzy because of a new report requested by Senators Judd Gregg and Chuck Grassley. The report is pretty straightforward: The stimulus will work in the short term, raising both […]

I just got off the phone with Jim Manley, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s spokesperson, for a story that will come out on Monday. Some newsy items: According to Manley, Reid — who thought the original bill was “pretty good” — does have the votes to gain cloture for the stimulus bill that comes out […]

TPMDC brings you the news: The Senate moderate faction wants to slice some $79 billion from the stimulus package. They want to avoid a filibuster by cutting the bill further to reach a total of about $100 billion dollars. While avoiding a filibuster is necessary — and it remains unclear if Reid has the votes […]

There are some very reasonable concerns that the stimulus bill is in trouble, that Blue Dogs are undermining the bill and taking out good provisions, etc. Nonetheless, I’m sanguine the bill will pass — especially with reporting that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has the votes to prevent a filibuster — and that it will […]

Maybe I’ve missed it, but I haven’t heard anyone make an argument for the economic stimulus legislation that revolves around national security issues. But it should be a key issue at the White House and among stimulus supporters on the Hill. Those conservatives who argue for a smaller stimulus are in effect arguing for a […]

Today, hundreds of union members and their leaders from across the labor spectrum gathered on Capitol Hill to deliver 1.5 million signed cards from people around the nation supporting the Employee Free Choice Act to members of congress. Leo Gerard, head of the United Steel Workers, acted as master of ceremonies, introducing other labor leaders, […]

Today’s edition of TTR includes skepticism about ethanol use, an update on the state of New Orleans’ reconstruction, discussion of the economic benefits of social services programs for low-income people, and yet another look at the speed of the economic stimulus legislation. Thinking twice about ethanol. The World Resources Institute finds that even moderate increases […]

Yesterday, I wrote a post noting the more-or-less succesful outcome of the Iraqi provinicial elections. Now Marc Lynch warns not to get too comfortable: Well, early returns suggest that the Islamic Party has won at least a plurality in Anbar. Turnout was only 40%. Ahmed Abu Risha, formerly of the Anbar Salvation Council and now […]