MASON's Blog

MASON Commented on Condoleezza Rice: I Won't Tell Hillary What To Do As Sec Of State by Greg Sargent

2008-12-01T22:45:43Z

Does getting confirmed by the Senate count?

MASON Commented on Rove Praising Obama by boo_lala

2008-12-01T18:22:55Z

Kind of reminds me of the Fox News crawl on a Simpsons episode that said "John F. Kennedy posthumously switches to Republican"

MASON Commented on That Obama volunteer survey from David Plouffe by boo_lala

2008-11-21T21:03:13Z

I agree with all that, but I think the single most important function of Obama's network is identifying and cultivating future political leaders.

Obama's clearly thinking about this because there was a another question in the survey about interest in running for public office.

If Obama's network can significantly expand the talent pool for public officials and make it easier for those interested to take the next steps toward political involvement, I believe that would that would have a lasting and positive impact on this country.

Barack Obama has cleared the path, others just need to follow him.

MASON Commented on Hillary Spokesperson: Reports That She Will Accept Sec State Gig Are "Premature" by Greg Sargent

2008-11-21T20:44:44Z

She loves me... she loves me not... she loves me... she loves me not...

MASON Commented on Obama's Cabinet Taking Shape: Geithner For Treasury, Richardson At Commerce by Eric Kleefeld

2008-11-21T20:41:32Z

The great thing about this is that the 4 Democratic candidates I liked the most early in the primaries were: Obama, Clinton, Biden, and Richardson.

This is turning into my dream cabinet...

MASON Commented on Poll Data: GOP Fast Becoming Rump Party by Eric Kleefeld

2008-11-21T16:24:11Z

Obama's genius, if he can pull it off, is that by running a "moderate Republican Foreign Policy" it eventually ceases to be "Republican" at all and just becomes Democratic.

In other words, Obama is willing and seemingly determined to co-opt the traditionally perceived strengths of the Republican party (defense, fiscal responsibility), while leaving behind the failures (social policy).

MASON Commented on Hillary Is Boxing Obama In. Or Is It The Other Way Around? by Greg Sargent

2008-11-20T15:10:34Z

I have a hard time believing that the Clinton camp is "boxing" Obama in on SOS. Obama will ultimately make the decision he believes to be the right decision. He will not let the decision be forced on him. See VP selection.

MASON Commented on "House Negroes"? Is al-Qaida No. 2 Ayman al-Zawahri a Rush Limbaugh Fan? by astral66

2008-11-20T15:02:07Z

Obama has been called worse names on the basketball court.

MASON Commented on Leahy Becomes First Senator To Demand Lieberman's Ouster From Homeland Security Committee by Greg Sargent

2008-11-14T19:52:45Z

Hey, I'm not disagreeing with you. Believe me, I won't shed a tear if Joe is kicked to the curb.

My point was in response to the "all the gains are for naught" argument of the previous post. That's just silly.

Of all the things people want to see "change" in this country (people being the American people, not just TPM addicts), I don't see Joe Lieberman's Senate role being high on the list.

MASON Commented on Leahy Becomes First Senator To Demand Lieberman's Ouster From Homeland Security Committee by Greg Sargent

2008-11-14T19:31:56Z

I have a hard time believing that the fate of the world rests upon whether or not Joe Leiberman retains his chairmanship.

MASON Commented on Okay Guys, I think its time. by thequis

2008-11-14T16:30:55Z

Thanks for the shove. I was just thinking today that it might be time to take down my Obama signs. I have to admit that I was trying to rub it in to all my McCain supporting neighbors.

MASON Commented on Fineman: Obama And Durbin Want Lieberman To Stay As Homeland Security Chair by Greg Sargent

2008-11-12T15:44:23Z

I agree with this post except that I do not think Obama is looking at closing Gitmo as a exercise in symbolism. I think the reason that he is making it a priority is that he understands that it is unconstitutional and the number 1 blight on American credibility worldwide. As long as it is open, our words don't matter.

MASON Commented on Fineman: Obama And Durbin Want Lieberman To Stay As Homeland Security Chair by Greg Sargent

2008-11-12T15:40:36Z

Perhaps, but we can't worry about that. You can only extend a hand, you can't force the other side to do so as well.

MASON Commented on Fineman: Obama And Durbin Want Lieberman To Stay As Homeland Security Chair by Greg Sargent

2008-11-12T15:20:24Z

I agree but that's a different matter. If he's not doing his job, fine. Boot his ass. But don't do it as a political vendetta. That's all I'm saying (and what I think Obama is saying).

MASON Commented on Fineman: Obama And Durbin Want Lieberman To Stay As Homeland Security Chair by Greg Sargent

2008-11-12T15:04:48Z

Maybe my comment wasn't quite snarky enough.

This obsession with vengeance for Lieberman here at TPM makes me think that nobody has been listening to a word Obama has said over the past 2 years.

A new tone in politics? Post-partisanship? Team of rivals? Well, it cuts both ways and we are seeing it now with Lieberman. Obama is giving him a lifeline. This is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of strength. Lieberman knows full well that one word from Obama would have him out on his ass.

Obama is signaling that "what happens on the campaign trail, stays on the campaign trail." Campaigns are tough and often divisive, but that should end when the election is over. And that means not taking revenge on your opponents if you win.

MASON Commented on Election Central Morning Roundup by Eric Kleefeld

2008-11-12T14:49:16Z

Not nearly enough for your liking, I would guess.

MASON Commented on Fineman: Obama And Durbin Want Lieberman To Stay As Homeland Security Chair by Greg Sargent

2008-11-12T14:43:34Z

No kidding! I was all excited about the fact that Obama is moving fast to close Gitmo, reversing other terrible Bush policies, pushing hard for a middle class economic stimulus, but then I read this about Lieberman and my day is just ruined.

Does Obama have any idea what he is doing?!? He is such a WIMP!

MASON Commented on Poll: Majority Thinks One-Party Dem Rule Will Be Good For Country by Greg Sargent

2008-11-12T03:09:10Z

With Obama at the helm, I have the feeling that the days of Democrats being disorganized are over. He is a man on a mission.

MASON Commented on Obama Team Bans Lobbyists From Transition; Mulling Reversals Of Bush Exec Orders by Eric Kleefeld

2008-11-11T22:34:59Z

Obama's not messing around! He sounds like a man with a plan.

MASON Commented on Election Central Morning Roundup by Eric Kleefeld

2008-11-11T16:08:25Z

Here is an interesting article linked to the other day by Andrew Sullivan on the power dynamics of the middle east:

http://www.diplomaticourier.org/kmitan/articleback.php?newsid=228

Long story short, if you can get past the demagoguery, Iran appears to be more aligned with our regional interests than Saudi Arabia, at least regarding the Taliban and Al Queda (perhaps not so much regarding the other regional interest - oil). But this may be an opening that Obama is looking to exploit.

Ironically, it was Iran that trained and financed the Northern Alliance (remember them?) The defeat of the Taliban is one place, at least, that Iranian and American interests (and Pakistani and Indian interests) are closely aligned.

MASON Commented on President-Elect Barack Obama's First Press Conference: Promises To "Act Swiftly" On Economy by Greg Sargent

2008-11-07T22:31:07Z

So true. I find myself having a hard time shifting out of the campaign mode, where every comment is so heavily scrutinized and can actually cost votes.

MASON Commented on President-Elect Barack Obama's First Press Conference: Promises To "Act Swiftly" On Economy by Greg Sargent

2008-11-07T22:14:22Z

Sure he did. He said that the fiscal stimulus package was the most immediate item on the agenda and encouraged its passage even before he takes office. The sooner the better, he said.

In other words, he was saying to Bush, you might as well work with Congress and pass the thing because if you don't I'm going to do it anyway in a couple of months.

MASON Commented on President-Elect Barack Obama's First Press Conference: Promises To "Act Swiftly" On Economy by Greg Sargent

2008-11-07T22:08:38Z

I took it that when he said "living" presidents, he was thinking to himself - well it's obvious they're living so that was kind of a stupid thing to say - and then made the Nancy Reagan joke to sort of poke fun at himself for saying "living" in the first place.

He could have made the same point about not participating in seances without mentioning Reagan, though.

But whatever, I don't give a crap. I'm just glad he's the one taking questions at this point.

MASON Commented on Reid Spokesperson: Democratic Senators May Vote On Lieberman's Fate In Full Caucus Meeting by Greg Sargent

2008-11-07T20:28:03Z

Still has a sense of humor too... treating the dog question with the same level of seriousness as the economic crisis. That'll give something for the desperate late night comedians to work with.

MASON Commented on Obama Vindicated On Key Foreign Policy Issues? by Greg Sargent

2008-11-07T17:19:38Z

No, but you go right on hearing what you want to hear.

BTW, his name is Barack and he's your next president. Get used to it.

MASON Commented on Obama Vindicated On Key Foreign Policy Issues? by Greg Sargent

2008-11-07T16:21:47Z

Everyone has been focused on how Obama is going to get us out of the huge hole we are in, but I think it is underestimated how much progress can, and will, be made just by taking a rational, non-ideological approach to solving the issues.

I think we may see a lot of things start moving quickly, including the winding down of the Iraq war.

MASON Commented on My Kid's First Presidential Election by Greg Sargent

2008-11-07T15:50:44Z

I have a 7 year old also who became very involved in this election. It occurred to me the other day that she is the exact age now that I was when Reagan was elected, and I was a child of the Reagan era.

She will be a child of the Obama era.

The thought that she would come to age not in the morally bankrupt Bush years, but the new Obama era fills my heart with joy.

MASON Commented on Election Central Morning Roundup by Greg Sargent

2008-11-07T15:40:59Z

I like Axelrod and I trust Obama, but the idea of mixing campaign politics and administration policy doesn't sit well with me. Rove has proved beyond question the dangers of this.

I just hope Obama keeps the campaign strategists at arm's length.

MASON Commented on Obama Rolls Out Economic Transition Advisers, Include Warren Buffett, Robert Rubin, Robert Reich by Greg Sargent

2008-11-06T20:42:34Z

She's got the auto industry connection. That is not a trivial part of this economic crisis.

MASON Commented on Rahm Emanuel Accepts Gig As Obama's Chief Of Staff, Aide Says by Greg Sargent

2008-11-06T20:05:07Z

Statement by Lindsay Graham:

http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/11/lindsey_graham_praises_emanuel.php

Sounds like he's trying to make nice...