Posts under ‘politics’

2000 Commodities Act Paved Way For Problems : NPR 032009:
Melissa Block talks with Michael Hirsh, senior editor at Newsweek talks about how the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000 was passed to keep financial derivatives, including credit default swaps, unregulated. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission failed to rein in the derivatives market.

David Brooks opines on Bobby Jindal’s calamitous response to Obama speech: David Brooks opines on LA Governor Bobby Jindal’s calamitous response to President Obama’s speech to the joint session of Congress 02_24_09
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President Obama during a signing ceremony with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, behind him and other members of Parliament. [Photo by Doug Mills/NYT]
Obama in Canada - The Caucus Blog - NYT 021909:
President Obama arrived in Canada Thursday morning for the first foreign trip of his administration, a visit that is expected to focus on the [...]

2/9/09: Presidential Press Conference: On Monday evening, February 9, 2009, President Obama gave his first White House press conference. It was held in the East Room of the White House.
(this video is public domain) House copyright policy)
The White House channel on YouTube.

Frank Rich says TARP is “the most radioactive acronym in American politics” today. Washington isn’t fighting for America’s hearts and minds, but its populist spleen:
SOMEDAY historians may look back at Tom Daschle’s flameout as a minor one-car (and chauffeur) accident. But that will depend on whether or not it’s followed by a multi-vehicle pileup that [...]