The administration isn't exactly speaking with one voice, is it?
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs worked for his paycheck yesterday. It wasn't easy. And he can thank Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and chief economic advisor Lawrence Summers for all the help.
"Bad news for some is good news for others" department:
A downtown South Bend business has 18 months left on its lease, but the owner believes the current rent structure is too high for market conditions. While this company is willing to extend its lease in exchange for reduced rent, a deal needs to be made soon. Otherwise, the business plans to shop around for a new downtown location.
Indiana Education Superintendent Tony Bennett is counting on improving Hoosier schools by getting a good chunck of President Obama's Race to the Top funding. And he thinks the state is in good shape to be competitive for the money, considering its renwed commitment to charter schools and some of the changes Bennett is promoting. But will Race to the Top be effective?
The city has settled out of court for $335,000 the suit filed by the family of Jose Baudilio Lemus-Rodriguez, the illegal immigrant killed by rookie officer James Arnold after a brief car chase.
Car deals and the United States government? Nothing in that combination to instill a lack of trust, huh?
This much seems certain about the Cash for Clunkers program: Consumers are happy to take government rebates to buy new cars.
The fate of the $1 billion trade-in program was up in the air over concerns that it may have already burned through its funds less than a week after it was officially launched.
I don't think it's such a hot idea for the institution that needs watchdogging to be called upon by the institution that's supposed to be the watchdog to save the watchdog's butt:
Former CBS News anchor Dan Rather called on President Barack Obama to form a White House commission to help save the press Tuesday night in an impassioned speech at the Aspen Institute.
“I personally encourage the president to establish a White House commission on public media,” the legendary newsman said.
As much as we (me included) carp about state officials, it has to be acknowledged how much better off our state is than most. California is getting the most negative press, but at least 39 states have imposed cuts that hurt vulnerable residents, and several sstates have imposed tax increases. And the crisis wasn't exactly unforseeable:
A new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll gives us material for the "what goes around comes around" file:
In the new poll, the results have completely turned around, and Republicans hold a six-point advantage. On the related issue of controlling government spending, in July 2007, Democrats held a 16-point advantage. In the new poll, Republicans hold a nine-point lead.
It seems like every time I beat up on Dick Lugar, he goes and does o something I agree with:
Trying to provide health coverage to all Americans will hurt the economy at a time when it's already ailing, Sen. Richard Lugar said today.
[. . .]
But Lugar said in a statement today that he disagrees that failing to pass health reform will increase the deficit.
Like President Obama, the rest of us weren't present when the policeman and the professor had their now-infamous confrontation. But we really don't have to know the exact facts in order to make one declaration: Even if we stipulate that everything the cop said is true -- that Prof. Gates went on an unjustified, vile, race-inspired, hate-filled rant -- the cop should have backed down. He had the badge and the gun and therefore all the power. His was the greater obligation to calm things down by just walking away.
