cheesenstein's Blog tag:tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com,2009:/talk/blogs/cheesenstein//3960 2009-09-09T06:13:57Z Movable Type Pro 4.21-en Junk insurance with no way out tag:tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com,2009:/talk/blogs/cheesenstein//3960.288792 2009-09-09T06:09:13Z 2009-09-09T06:13:57Z In response to Josh's Where's This Going? post of  September 7, 2009, 10:31AM --It seems clear that the administration's preferred path (and Olympia Snowe's preference) is the direct path to "junk insurance" -- expensive, crappy coverage that is mandatory and... cheesenstein  September 7, 2009, 10:31AM --
It seems clear that the administration's preferred path (and Olympia Snowe's preference) is the direct path to "junk insurance" -- expensive, crappy coverage that is mandatory and that hurts those with the least flexibility in the system (i.e., those with preexisting conditions, those who've been turned down, those who already have expensive junk insurance).
The real idea behind "triggers" is to provide these cowards with political cover for making no meaningful progress at this time.
Public policy triggers never get pulled. There's no compelling argument that says they would get activated in the future. 
It's all about lacking political will, and it's starting to look like the Obama administration lacks both will and spine.]]> QUESTION - SPECTER'S POST-SWITCH SENIORITY tag:tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com,2009:/talk/blogs/cheesenstein//3960.268528 2009-05-02T05:10:04Z 2009-05-02T05:17:41Z Can somebody please explain to me what happens to Arlen Specter's seniority on committees now that he has switched over to the Democratic side?I know he loses his "ranking member" designation because he's no longer a Republican, but it sounds... cheesenstein
I know he loses his "ranking member" designation because he's no longer a Republican, but it sounds so far like there were no deals made for him at this time.

Any information?

UPDATE: Just found this excellent analysis after hitting the 'Save' button:

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/05/specter-defection-creating-logjam-in-democratic-caucus.php
]]> REGARDING LINDSAY BEYERSTEIN'S OBEJCTION ABOUT "TEEN PIRATE PORN" tag:tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com,2009:/talk/blogs/cheesenstein//3960.265850 2009-04-14T16:59:27Z 2009-04-14T17:03:59Z I certainly don't want to under-sell the tragedy of children being pressed into service as soldiers, but I do think Ms. Beyerstein misses a key point.This is just my opinion, of course, but it does seem to me that by... cheesenstein
This is just my opinion, of course, but it does seem to me that by the time the Department of Defense, the President of the United States, and the Navy SEALS are involved in an international stand-off, the time for checking IDs for proof of age is over.
]]> AND SPEAKING OF 'SLEEVEGATE' -- tag:tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com,2009:/talk/blogs/cheesenstein//3960.261389 2009-03-13T20:08:23Z 2009-03-13T20:09:56Z Apparently Ann Coulter's book sales are way down.Perhaps it's time for her to start covering up her cadaverous-looking arms.... cheesenstein Ann Coulter's book sales are way down.

Perhaps it's time for her to start covering up her cadaverous-looking arms.
]]> SHOULD MICHIGAN SAY 'NO BAILOUT' FOR TENNESSEE? tag:www.talkingpointsmemo.com,2008:/talk/blogs/cheesenstein//3960.249407 2008-12-24T20:39:52Z 2008-12-24T20:41:39Z Now that Tennessee is buried in toxic coal waste sludge, I wonder if Michigan will declare that they should get no bailout from the federal government.Maybe the foreign auto makers can bail them out.... cheesenstein buried in toxic coal waste sludge, I wonder if Michigan will declare that they should get no bailout from the federal government.

Maybe the foreign auto makers can bail them out.
]]> One good inauguration day outcome following Warren's invocation tag:www.talkingpointsmemo.com,2008:/talk/blogs/cheesenstein//3960.248822 2008-12-19T07:42:56Z 2008-12-19T07:44:52Z Obama could redeem himself somewhat if he were to "spank" Warren's views in his inaugural address and call for tolerance in a way that rebukes Warren's stated views.I don't know if it's realistic to hope for this, but it sure... cheesenstein
I don't know if it's realistic to hope for this, but it sure would help.
]]> DOES BUNNING *REALLY* WANT TO BLOCK OVERSIGHT ON THE SAME DAY... tag:www.talkingpointsmemo.com,2008:/talk/blogs/cheesenstein//3960.246386 2008-12-01T22:30:34Z 2008-12-01T22:31:13Z the Dow drops almost 700 points?... cheesenstein the Dow drops almost 700 points? Huckabee: gays haven't crossed the violence threshold for civil rights tag:www.talkingpointsmemo.com,2008:/talk/blogs/cheesenstein//3960.245095 2008-11-19T20:59:53Z 2008-11-19T21:02:07Z Dear Huck,You claim gays haven't crossed the "violence threshold" for civil rights.Perhaps you should look up Matthew Shepard on Wikipedia.... cheesenstein Dear Huck,

You claim gays haven't crossed the "violence threshold" for civil rights.

Perhaps you should look up Matthew Shepard on Wikipedia.
]]> Robin Givhan ought to be fired tag:www.talkingpointsmemo.com,2008:/talk/blogs/cheesenstein//3960.239231 2008-10-23T02:15:02Z 2008-10-23T02:16:04Z As evidence, I submit the following chat on WashingtonPost.com, in which she is consistently and astonishingly wrong.... cheesenstein chat on WashingtonPost.com, in which she is consistently and astonishingly wrong.]]> Caribou Barbie exploits loophole in campaign finance law...? tag:www.talkingpointsmemo.com,2008:/talk/blogs/cheesenstein//3960.239084 2008-10-22T17:21:26Z 2008-10-22T17:25:31Z Say it ain't so, Joe!It sounds as though there may be a loophole in federal campaign finance law that allows the RNC to accessorize Caribou Barbie and all her family.Check out the last paragraph of this Washington Post article and tell... cheesenstein
It sounds as though there may be a loophole in federal campaign finance law that allows the RNC to accessorize Caribou Barbie and all her family.

Check out the last paragraph of this Washington Post article and tell me that squeaky clean John McCain's running mate has not threaded the needle on this one.
]]> WE DON'T USUALLY GET ADVANCED NOTICE OF THESE tag:tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com,2008:/talk//17.223770 2008-10-12T17:27:23Z 2008-10-12T17:27:23Z McCain announces that he is about to change economic direction again:http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1008/14493.html... cheesenstein http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1008/14493.html]]> Things must be getting desperate... tag:tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com,2008:/talk//17.222715 2008-10-08T04:51:21Z 2008-10-08T04:51:21Z ... if Sarah Palin is being forced to resort to having unscripted contact with the mainstream media.... cheesenstein unscripted contact with the mainstream media.]]> What's up with the McCains just LEAVING? tag:tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com,2008:/talk//17.222708 2008-10-08T04:22:50Z 2008-10-08T04:22:50Z What happened after the debate?Both Barack and Michelle Obama stayed and shook every hand, signed every autograph, and posed for every possible photo with EVERY undecided voter at that debate.The McCains, by contrast, fled the premises.What the heck was going... cheesenstein Both Barack and Michelle Obama stayed and shook every hand, signed every autograph, and posed for every possible photo with EVERY undecided voter at that debate.
The McCains, by contrast, fled the premises.
What the heck was going on with that???]]> Republican Surrogate on 'Hardball' did not know that Ayers was a 'Weatherman" tag:tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com,2008:/talk//17.222331 2008-10-06T23:56:02Z 2008-10-06T23:56:02Z Republican consultant Mike Paul was on the attack on 'Hardball' and kept repeating his linkage of Obama to "a radical who blew up government buildings in the 60s."When Chris Matthews acknowledged that yes, okay, Ayers "was a Weatherman," Mike Paul... cheesenstein When Chris Matthews acknowledged that yes, okay, Ayers "was a Weatherman," Mike Paul looked right past him, then said, "Yes, that's nice -- AND he blew up government buildings in the 60s and 70s."
It took me a few seconds before I realized he was just spewing what someone had written for him on his notecards.
He did not know that Matthews was referring to Ayers' membership in the Weather Underground (aka 'Weathermen') group.
He believed that Matthews was indicating that Ayers had served at some point as a meteorologist!
The ignorance bar is set high if you're a Republican consultant!!!]]> Republican Surrogate on 'Hardball' did not know that Ayers was a 'Weatherman" tag:tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com,2008:/talk//17.222329 2008-10-06T23:55:06Z 2008-10-06T23:55:06Z Republican consultant Mike Paul was on the attack on 'Hardball' and kept repeating his linkage of Obama to "a radical who blew up government buildings in the 60s."When Chris Matthews acknowledged that yes, okay, Ayers "was a Weatherman," Mike Paul... cheesenstein When Chris Matthews acknowledged that yes, okay, Ayers "was a Weatherman," Mike Paul looked right past him, then said, "Yes, that's nice -- AND he blew up government buildings in the 60s and 70s."
It took me a few seconds before I realized he was just spewing what someone had written for him on his notecards.
He did not know that Matthews was referring to Ayers' membership in the Weather Underground (aka 'Weathermen') group.
He believed that Matthews was indicating that Ayers had served at some point as a meteorologist!
The ignorance bar is set high if you're a Republican consultant!!!]]>