Discussing this Byron York article, TPM has the following headline on a Josh Marshall blog:

The bitch Prez Brought It on Herself Himself

Josh Marshall

Straight men who've ever listened to a Judy Garland album beware. Byron York explains why President Obama has only himself to blame for many people believing he's a Muslim.

I think we all know what York is up to, but Marshall's reaction is telling (and ironic given his own sexist statements during the 2008 primary fight) -- people thinking Obama is Muslim is not a good thing politically. It's obviously evidence of bigotry against Muslims in the United States. But notice what is not happening on this score - no one is standing up to this bigotry and saying 'so what if he is?' Instead, from the White House on down, the meme is being fought against. And the reason is obvious - it is politically damaging.

Given the huzzahs provided to President Obama's statements on the Cordoba Center - the "pols must fight bigotry everywhere they see it" idea, even if it is counterproductive - I ask myself why more people do not make the argument I posit above - the 'so what if he is?' point. More . . .

Booman is right:

This has the benefit of being true:

"This is a 'rip your opponent's face off' election for us," said one Democratic campaign manager. "It's clear from polling that Americans don't like the policies that got us into this mess and they do not blame Obama for what started it. They blame him for not doing more about it, which they have every right to do. That means we have to make the other choice unbearable.[. . .] If [the Dems] use [their] money edge not only to make the election a choice, but to make it a choice in which the Republican is an unacceptable option, Democrats will save seats."

That's what's left in the political kit.

Speaking for me only

Eugene Robinson:

This is a radical break from journalistic convention, I realize, but today I'd like to give credit where it's due -- specifically, to President Obama. Quiet as it's kept, he's on a genuine winning streak.

No, he is not joking. But let's examine his argument. What constitutes "Obama's winning streak" to Robinson:

(1) Last U.S. combat troops leave Iraq. Robinson argues that "Obama did as well as anyone could have with the situation he inherited." Note that argument. Cuz it's going to be the key to defending Obama on every issue in 2012. It's sort of true as far as it goes on this issue. But the inverse is also true - not many would have done anything different. The Iraq Debacle happened and we'll be reaping the consequences for some time to come. More . . .

Open Thread.

Matt Yglesias writes:

Th[e] decline in private health insurance coverage has, however, been entirely offset by an increase in the number of working age people on Medicaid, which stood at 13 percent in 2008. Among the under-18 set, private insurance is even rarer and public coverage even more common, since children are both poorer-than-average and politically easier to cover. In terms of causation, my understanding is that this is a blend of Medicaid “crowding out” private coverage and Medicaid filling a gap in private insurance’s affordability. The Affordable Care Act is going to continue this trend by substantially expanding Medicaid coverage.

Rising unemployment and reduction in employment benefits likely explains the decline in private health insurance and the attendant rise in Medicaid coverage. I am an advocate for public insurance programs over the market based regulatory model of ObamaCare, but I hope we don;t get the increase in public insurance participation at the cost of people's jobs. But, you never know, the Exchanges might not even be an issue come 2014 the way things are going in the economy.

Speaking for me only

NYTimes:

A federal grand jury has indicted Roger Clemens on charges of making false statements to Congress about his use of performance-enhancing drugs. The 19-page indictment charges Clemens with three counts of making false statements and two counts of perjury in connection with his February 2008 testimony before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. According to the United States attorney’s office, Clemens faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a $1.5 million fine, but under the current sentencing guidelines, a conviction would likely bring 15-21 months.

Clemens’s allegedly false testimony came in a public hearing in which Clemens and his former trainer Brian McNamee, testifying under oath, directly contradicted each other about whether Clemens had used the banned substances.

A crime is a crime (Indictment (PDF), but the real issue to me is what in blazes was Congress doing asking stupid questions about issues that have nothing to do with their jobs? I mean is Congress going to pass laws on PEDs in sports? Really? When does the big Lance Armstrong investigation start? Just stupid.

Speaking for me only

Sam Stein:

[Robin] Carnahan (D-MO)] isn't the first Democratic Senate candidate to call for an extension of the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy. Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway [[D)] has said that he favors keeping the current rates for "five, eight, maybe ten" additional years. Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-Ind.), who is running for Sen. Evan Bayh's soon to be vacated seat, also has said he would support extending the entire package of Bush tax cuts[.]

(Emphasis supplied.) Like Heath Shuler and Travis Childers (to name just 2) before them, these Dems are not progressives on most issues. Are they preferable to the Republicans? Of course. But why progressives lift a finger or spend a dime on trying to elect people who fundamentally disagree with them is beyond me. But by all means, join the voices trying to run Charlie Rangel out of office. After all, all Rangel does is fight for the issues progressives care about.

Speaking for me only

Open Thread.

Ezra Klein on midterm elections in the first term of a Presidency:

The pattern here is obvious: Losses, and big ones. Except for FDR's first midterm and George W. Bush's post-9/11 victory, there've been no gains at all.

(Emphasis supplied.) A commenter responds:

But the relevant comparison is FDR.

This isn't just a "slump." And he had a *massive* mandate to address it, huge majorities, huge public trust. 70 million voted for hope and change. Millions of us are having our hearts broken or watching those we love have their hearts broken by this economy. If we had any reason to think it would be much better in 5 years, maybe you'd have a point. But we don't.

Yep.

Speaking for me only

Greg Sargent wrote:

I totally agree that the political impact [of the "Ground Zero Mosque" debate] is overstated -- which is why Dems should stop running away from the project. But it's not impossible that this controversy could have a substantive effect: It could end up forcing the center to move. [. . .] What's more, this is about insisting that Dems show spine at politically difficult moments. It's an important story on many levels.

(Emphasis supplied.) That's simply not true. The "debate" can not force a move of the Cordoba Center. Does anyone believe in the Constitution anymore? As for Dems showing spine, I am for Dems showing spine on issues they have INFLUENCE over - like the health bill, Don't Ask Don't Tell, gay rights, immigration, and, oh yes, THE ECONOMY.

No politician has any effect on the right of the Corodoba Center to be built. Nothing any pol has said, or any person has said, effects that. That was sort of the point of what President Obama said last Friday. Which is why he did not need to say it.

Speaking for me only

Reuters:

New U.S. claims for unemployment benefits unexpectedly climbed to a nine-month high last week, yet another setback to the frail economic recovery. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased 12,000 to a seasonally adjusted 500,000 in the week ended August 14, the highest since mid-November, the Labor Department said on Thursday.

Analysts polled by Reuters had forecast claims slipping to 476,000 from the previously reported 484,000 the prior week, which was revised up to 488,000 in Thursday's report.

How are you liking Recovery Summer?

Speaking for me only

I've spent a week saying this, but Josh Marshall seems to finally get it: