Category Archives: Obama

Barack Obama’s historic gamble

Posted on May 12, 2012 by jerrylanson

Barack Obama has once again assured his place in the history of the American presidency. Obama acted courageously, if carefully, this week in becoming the first American president to openly support gay marriage. In doing so, he took substantial risks – with … Continue reading →

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‘President Evil’ captures hyperbole of GOP presidential politics

Posted on February 23, 2012 by jerrylanson

Presidential candidates of all stripes routinely promise more than they can deliver and cast their opponents’ policies in the worst possible light.  But the demonization of the opposing candidate seems largely a specialty market of the Republican Party. Jon Stewart … Continue reading →

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The new, improved, tougher Barack Obama

Posted on February 16, 2012 by jerrylanson

There’s a really interesting post on Ezra Klein’s Wonkblog in the Washington Post today. As Congress moves toward extending the payroll tax cut for the rest of this year — a remarkable retreat or return to sanity by a Republican caucus … Continue reading →

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Why do 99 percent of journalists cover 1 percent of the news?

Posted on January 30, 2012 by jerrylanson

In 2006, Columbia University professor and New York Times columnist Samuel Freedman published “letters to a young journalist,” an inspirational entreaty that among other things calls on would-be reporters to “accept the burden of independent thought.” It is as if … Continue reading →

Posted in Brewer, news, news and speed, news media, newspapers, Obama, tarmac dust-up, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Obama: Speaking softly but carrying a big stick

Posted on January 5, 2012 by jerrylanson

Suddenly Barack Obama seems to be doing everything right. Gone is the president seemingly so eager to compromise with the unyielding GOP that he often got rolled.  Last month, Obama backed the House leadership into a corner when  he wouldn’t … Continue reading →

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The president finds his voice

Posted on December 7, 2011 by jerrylanson

Barack Obama gave a brilliant speech in Kansas yesterday, one steeped in history and explicitly clear in its message. Now, just as there was in Teddy Roosevelt’s time, there is a certain crowd in Washington who, for the last few … Continue reading →

Posted in economic inequality, election 2012, Obama, Occupy Wall Street, Politics | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Where’s the captain of this foundering ship?

Posted on September 25, 2011 by jerrylanson

Americans struggling for answers find themselves caught between a president who can’t seem to keep his focus on the country’s overriding problem of joblessness and a political opposition captive to extremists. It’s a scary place to be in a violent … Continue reading →

Posted in American Jobs Act, deficit, election 2012, jobs, Obama, Republicans, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Here we go again: GOP replays its ‘class warfare’ card

Posted on September 19, 2011 by jerrylanson

Stay true to the message, even if it in no way resembles reality. That’s been the Republican strategy since Karl Rove became what some called “Bush’s brain” more than a decade ago, and the party has played it with considerable … Continue reading →

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Another week in politics: From simply stupid to sicko stuff

Posted on September 2, 2011 by jerrylanson

Barack Obama didn’t have to lose this fight; he didn’t have to start it. On its face, the president’s request to address the joint houses of Congress the first day after their summer recess looks reasonable.  But reasonable is not … Continue reading →

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Mr. President: Your moment of truth has arrived

Posted on August 22, 2011 by jerrylanson

A lot can happen in 15 months. But I believe this September will be Barack Obama’s time of reckoning. Either he will engage and lead the American public — and continue to engage and lead it until the election — … Continue reading →

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