Poll: Democrat Bounces Back in IL-Sen Race »

The Republican response to Alexi Giannoulias, the Democrats’ nominee for President Obama’s old Senate seat in Illinois, has been one of outright derision. As soon as he locked up his nomination last month, the NRSC blasted out a video tying Giannoulias to the scandals surrounding his family’s Broadway Bank; when Giannoulias visited the White House [...]

A Partial Defense of Payday Lenders: Banks Are Just as Bad »

For many people, payday lenders and check-cashing outfits are the scum of the financial-sector earth; they’re called usurious, compared to illegal loan sharks and may finally be subject to at least some federal regulation (if not enforcement). But G.D. at Post Bourgie has an interesting defense of the so-called “fringe” banking services: At least they’re [...]

Father of Cop Who Died on 9/11 Rejects Military Trial for KSM »

Mohammed Salman Hamdani was a New York City police cadet who died trying to evacuate people from the World Trade Center. His father, Talat, writes a poignant commentary for McClatchy objecting to any backtracking from the Obama administration and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on the plan to try the 9/11 conspirators in a civilian court: [...]

Reid Vows Filibuster Reform »

Ezra Klein at The Washington Post reports:
“The filibuster has been abused,” Sen. Harry Reid said at a reporter’s briefing this afternoon. “But next Congress, we are going to take a look at it. And we’re going to make some changes in it.”

Reid didn’t say precisely what he’s got in mind for a fix, Klein reports, [...]

Will ‘The People’s Surge’ Be the Last Big Anti-Health Care Reform Rally? »

There’s some waning enthusiasm in the most powerful Tea Party-organizing groups for staging more protests against health care reform legislation. In comparison to the “House call” rallies that preceded the House and Senate votes on reform, the much-reported-on “Take the Town Halls to Washington” campaign has made no visible impact so far — it was [...]

Lunchtime Links »

Graham’s “Gang of 14″ proposal isn’t finding many takers among Dems.
Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) is pushing for a loophole in the Senate’s financial reform bill for the payday lending industry.
Santorum says he’s “paying a price” for being pro-life.
Democrats should start getting worried about turnout in November.
The Obama/SCOTUS scuffle continues.
Rubio’s $250 million in earmark requests undermines [...]

All the Economic Cheerleading Isn’t Fooling Americans »

While economists got out their pom-poms last week to celebrate the news that official unemployment is only 9.7 percent (while skillfully ignoring the increase in underemployment and the 40 percent of the unemployed who have been that way for six months or more), Americans weren’t buying their routine. A new Rasmussen poll shows that despite [...]

Where Same-Sex Couples Bank Without Fear »

With the news that Citibank screens some of its clients for “objectionable content” — and applies that screening process to gay-themed businesses — many LGBT business people and Citi customers are probably wondering where their business is truly welcome. Luckily, Jeremy Quitner of The Advocate has a great run-down of banking programs designed to cater [...]

Glenn Beck on Massa: ‘I Almost Threw Him Out of the Studio’ »

On his radio show today, Glenn Beck lit into former Rep. Eric Massa (D-N.Y.) for his disastrous, rambling appearance on the Tuesday episode of Beck’s Fox News Show.
“America, have you ever heard of a 50-year old man having a tickle-fight — five men tickling each other so hard that they can’t breathe?” said Beck. “I [...]

Video: Michele Bachmann Kicks off ‘Take the Town Halls to DC’: ‘Now is the Time to See the Whites of Their Eyes’ »

The “Take the Town Halls to DC” coalition has put up video of its kick-off last night, with the Memphis Tea Party’s Mark Skoda introducing a speech by Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) by casting the effort as a low-key lobbying push.
“Our objective, here, is really to have a conversation with our representatives,” said Skoda. “It’s [...]

Congress Sinks Lower While Obama Holds Steady »

A new Associated Press-GfK poll found that just 22% of Americans approve of Congress — the lowest point yet during the Obama presidency. However, neither Republicans nor Democrats are safe; half of all people say they want to fire their congressman.
Conversely, Obama’s job approval is holding fairly steady at 53%.
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Hickenlooper Holds Solid Lead in Colorado »

A new Public Policy Polling survey in Colorado finds John Hickenlooper (D) leading Scott McInnis (R) in their race for governor, 50% to 39%.
“There’s absolutely no doubt Democrats are better off with Hickenlooper in the race than they would have been if Bill Ritter had tried for reelection. While Hickenlooper’s favorability spread is a positive [...]

Comparing Presidential Approval »

Gallup just launched a very useful and interactive presidential approval page that lets you view presidential job approval ratings from Truman to Obama and compare presidents at the same point in their terms. It’s updated daily.
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Jeb Bush’s Son Doesn’t See Father Running »

The eldest son of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) said he “doesn’t expect his father to make a run for president in 2012,” the AP reports.
George P. Bush “said his father is enjoying the private sector while staying active in conservative causes and education reform.”
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