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Fighting Off Depression — “If we don't act swiftly and boldly,” declared President-elect Barack Obama in his latest weekly address, “we could see a much deeper economic downturn that could lead to double-digit unemployment.” If you ask me, he was understating the case.
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Obama Eyes $300 Billion Tax Cut — WASHINGTON — President-elect Barack Obama and congressional Democrats are crafting a plan to offer about $300 billion in tax cuts to individuals and businesses, a move aimed at attracting Republican support for an economic-stimulus package and prodding companies to create jobs.
Discussion:
The Volokh Conspiracy, Jules Crittenden, naked capitalism, TigerHawk, Maggie's Farm, Talking Points Memo and Dean's World

Is Obama relying too much on tax cuts? — I don't know yet. But news reports this morning certainly raise questions. — Let's lay out the basics here. Other things equal, public investment is a much better way to provide economic stimulus than tax cuts, for two reasons.
Discussion:
Corrente

Who should get the federal stimulus funds — BUFFETED by recession, our nation has elected a president determined to act. President-elect Obama's advisers have called for a vast stimulus package of $750 billion or more. But macroeconomic events should never lead us to toss out the first rule …

Why Israel Fights — The Israeli assault on Hamas in Gaza is going to be a replay, we're told, of the attempt to subdue Hezbollah in southern Lebanon in the summer of 2006. And the outcome, it's asserted, will be the same: lots of death and destruction, no strategic victory for Israel …
Discussion:
CFR.org, Jules Crittenden, Firedoglake, Bark Bark Woof Woof, Soccer Dad and Informed Comment
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It breaks my heart to see Israel's stupidity — It has a right to respond to attacks, but will not achieve its ultimate aim - peace - until it stops thinking in military terms — Israel's attempt to wipe out Hamas is understandable, but stupid. No country in the world is going to ignore …

The Three-State Option — War in the Gaza Strip demonstrates yet again that the current governance paradigm for the Palestinian people has failed. Terrorists financed and supplied by Iran control Gaza; the Palestinian Authority is broken, probably irretrievably; and economic development is stalled in Gaza and the West Bank.

Chronology of key events in Richardson withdrawal — Notable events leading to New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson's withdrawal of his bid to become commerce secretary: — _ Early 2003: Richardson wins legislative approval of a $1.6 billion highway and transportation construction program …
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Obama Team Feels Richardson Wasn't Forthcoming About Investigation …
Discussion:
theheretik.us, RBO, NECN, Federal Eye, Pajamas Media, The Moderate Voice, Hot Air, MoJoBlog, The Sundries Shack, Open Left, Weekly Standard, Stop The ACLU, Macsmind, The Confluence and Washington Monthly

Billygate: Why Obama dumped Gov. Richardson now
Discussion:
Reason, BitsBlog, Wizbang, Transterrestrial Musings, Wonkette, Runnin' Scared, Commentary, Ed Driscoll.com, The Politico, Pajamas Media and Hot Air


Panel to declare Franken winner of Senate race — MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (CNN) — A state election board on Monday will announce Democrat Al Franken has defeated Republican incumbent Norm Coleman in Minnesota's U.S. Senate race, state officials told CNN Sunday.
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A show that Springer couldn't even conceive — Roland “Tombstone” Burris goes to Washington this week as part of the Illinois political freak show, and many of us back home will watch it and feel like cringing, at least at the beginning. — Who among us could not wince at the prospect …
Discussion:
The Moderate Voice
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Reid Defends Right to Fight Burris Appointment
Discussion:
Associated Press


The 7th Annual “20 Most Annoying Liberals Of 2008” — Honorable Mentions: Bill Ayers, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Juan Cole, Kent Conrad, The Daily Kos, Bill Delahunt, Glenn Greenwald, Alcee Hastings, Christopher Hitchens, The Huffington Post, Jesse Jackson, Jesse Jackson Jr. Caroline Kennedy …
Discussion:
Jules Crittenden

The Times to Sell Display Ads on the Front Page — In its latest concession to the worst revenue slide since the Depression, The New York Times has begun selling display advertising on its front page, a step that has become increasingly common across the newspaper industry.

Some Differences Between Hamas and the Nazi Party — I find the current situation deeply sorrowful, harrowing. There is one aspect of it that I think needs clarification, a clarification that will help thinking about the situation as a whole, and that is the analogies between Hitler, the Nazis and Hamas.
Discussion:
Power Line


For Israel, Chance to Strike Before an Ally Departs — For nine days, as European and United Nations officials have called urgently for a cease-fire in Gaza, the Bush administration has squarely blamed the rocket attacks of the Palestinian militant group Hamas for Israel's assault …
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One Gender's Crash — Let me begin with the caveats: I like men. My husband is one, as are my two sons. I have spent most of my career surrounded by men, and I have no major complaints. But as the financial debacle unfolds, I can't help noticing that all the perpetrators …

SF: Interesting Pro-Hamas Protest Banner — Pro Hamas rally on Jan. 2nd “Queers for Palestine”. — Hmmm, I wonder if these people realize what Hamas would do to them?
Discussion:
Dodgeblogium

Giuliani: What New York needs in a senator — Editor's Note: Rudy Giuliani served two terms as mayor of New York City and was a Republican candidate for president in 2008. — NEW YORK (CNN) — Now that President-elect Barack Obama has nominated Sen. Hillary Clinton to be his secretary of state …
Discussion:
The Daily Politics