Top Items:
Lindsay Perna / CNN:
Biden says presidential decision will come next summer — Vice President Joe Biden joked this week that being able to drive his Corvette - is one good reason not to run. But, when asked to give another good reason not to run, Biden responded simply. — “I can't.”
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Wall Street Journal:
The right kills immigration reform and the left freer trade. — The U.S. economy has averaged about 2.5% growth for four and a half years in what is supposedly a recovery, median household income is below where it was when the recession ended in June 2009, and job growth is mediocre.
Discussion:
Talking Points Memo, The Moderate Voice and TheBlaze.com
Carl Hulse / New York Times:
Behind Retreat on Immigration, a Complicated Political Interplay
Behind Retreat on Immigration, a Complicated Political Interplay
Discussion:
The Week, The Plum Line, Real Clear Politics, Politico and The Reaction
Paul Krugman / New York Times:
Health, Work, Lies — On Wednesday, Douglas Elmendorf, the director of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, said the obvious: losing your job and choosing to work less aren't the same thing. If you lose your job, you suffer immense personal and financial hardship.
Discussion:
Democracy in America, Mediaite, Daily Kos, The Fact Checker, WRAL-TV, National Review and Washington Monthly
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Ron Fournier / NationalJournal.com:
A Brutal Translation of the ‘Disincentive to Work’
A Brutal Translation of the ‘Disincentive to Work’
Discussion:
The Federalist, The Mahablog, Ross Douthat and Fox News
Joseph Gerth / Courier-Journal:
Bill Clinton to campaign for Alison Lundergan Grimes in Kentucky — The big dog is coming to Kentucky to help Alison Lundergan Grimes. — Former President Bill Clinton — known as the “Big Dog” — will come to Louisville this month for a campaign event for Grimes, who is running …
Discussion:
Politico, Talking Points Memo and Post Politics
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Joel Gehrke / Washington Examiner:
Obama bundler nominated as ambassador to Argentina has never been to the country — BELTWAY CONFIDENTIAL BARACK OBAMA MARCO RUBIO 2012 ELECTIONS ARGENTINA — Presidents often award diplomatic posts to campaign donors and fundraisers, but Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., suspects that Obama's choice …
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David Weigel / Slate:
Nominee for Ambassador to Argentina Hasn't Been There, but Has Raised Lots of Money for Obama — Filibuster reform has taken away the tool Republicans used to hold up President Obama's nomines for non-lifetime posts. The party has adapted to this reality with a tactic much appreciated by journalists: public shaming.
Discussion:
Talking Points Memo
BBC:
Victoria Nuland gaffe: Angela Merkel condemns EU insult — Germany's Angela Merkel has said a US official's apparent insult of the EU's efforts to mediate in the Ukraine crisis is “totally unacceptable”. — Victoria Nuland has apologised after a voice resembling hers used a graphic swear word …
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Anne Gearan / Washington Post:
In recording of U.S. diplomat, blunt talk on Ukraine
In recording of U.S. diplomat, blunt talk on Ukraine
Discussion:
NewsBusters, New York Times, Just Security, The Hill, Politico, Post Politics and kyivpost.com
Matt Volz / Associated Press:
Lt. Gov. John Walsh Chosen for Baucus' Senate Seat — Montana Gov. Steve Bullock said Friday he has appointed Lt. Gov. John Walsh to serve out the term of Democratic U.S. Sen. Max Baucus, who will be leaving the seat to become the next ambassador to China. — Walsh, 53, is a Butte native …
Rachael Bade / Politico:
The most painful speech ever — Washingtonians sit through terrible speeches all the time: dry rules hearings, partisan floor lectures and, let's face it, even the State of the Union some years. — So it was a bad day for Rep. Donna Edwards Thursday, when Washingtonians gathered at coffee pots …
Discussion:
US News, Althouse, Hot Air and The Gateway Pundit
Quinnipiac News + Events:
Release Detail — February 6, 2014 - Despite Christie Woes, Clinton Struggles In Colorado, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Udall Locked In Tight Race For Reelection — The George Washington Bridge traffic scandal stalls New Jersey Gov. Christopher Christie's 2016 presidential bid in Colorado …
Discussion:
National Review, Hot Air, Weekly Standard and OnPolitics
Ike Brannon / Weekly Standard:
I've Been Trying Since November—But I Still Can't Sign Up for Obamacare — Despite my earnest intentions, my family and I are still not covered on the Washington, D.C. Obamacare exchange. I am beginning to despair that I will ever obtain insurance from the exchange.
Discussion:
National Republican …
Alicia A. Caldwell / Associated Press:
US: Syria Conflict a Threat to Homeland — The civil war in Syria has become a matter of U.S. homeland security over concerns about a small number of Americans who have gone to fight with Syrian rebels and returned home, new Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said Friday.
Discussion:
Politico
Liza Mundy / Washington Post:
Book World: ‘HRC,’ inside Clinton's State Dept. and the political machine — Ah, public service, among the noblest of callings, pursued by selfless individuals who have laid aside greed, ego or other personal gain, devoting themselves to democracy and the common good — and when necessary …
Discussion:
NewsBusters and The Dish
David Weigel / Slate:
CBOghazi: Journalists Have No Idea “What Will Matter” in an Election — The Internet is picking on WaPo columnist Chris Cillizza, founder and editor of the Fix and many-times-a-day pronouncer of what “will matter” in politics. His offense: defending a post he wrote about the political damage …
Discussion:
Paul Krugman, Pressthink and Liberaland
Daniel Strauss / Talking Points Memo:
Crist: Rick Scott To Blame For Deaths Through Refusal To Expand Medicaid — Former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist argued the decision by Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) and his fellow Republicans in the state to not expand Medicaid is the ongoing source of many deaths in Florida.
Discussion:
The Raw Story and The Huffington Post
New York Times:
A Missing Argument on Contraceptives — One of the most anticipated showdowns of the Supreme Court's current term will take place March 25, when the justices are scheduled to hear two cases brought by secular, for-profit corporations whose owners want an exemption, based on their religious beliefs …
Andrew Dugan / Gallup:
Texan Hispanics Tilt Democratic, but State Likely to Stay Red — Hispanics statewide are less likely to be Democratic than other U.S. Hispanics — WASHINGTON, D.C. — Texas Hispanics are decidedly Democratic in their political party preferences, 46% to 27%, but that 19-percentage-point Democratic advantage …
Cameron Joseph / The Hill:
Peters, Obama pair up — Rep. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) will appear alongside President Obama when he visits Michigan on Friday, a sign Peters doesn't think the president is as problematic for his Senate campaign as some other swing-state Democrats. — Peters will join Obama and Sen. Debbie Stabenow …
Mike Allen / Politico:
DATA PARITY ELUDES GOP - CHRISTIE BIO next year — JAMIE SMITH last day at 1600 — CHANCES RISE FOR GOP TO TAKE SENATE — DEL CECATO EXPANDS - TAPPER FILM DEAL - JAMES CARVILLE to Fox — SIREN — “Republicans still seen falling behind in election data wars,” by Reuters' Gabriel Debenedetti …
Discussion:
The Monkey Cage, Capital New York and TheBlaze.com
Gabriel Debenedetti / Reuters:
Insight: Republicans still seen falling behind in election data wars — WASHINGTON (Reuters) - When Barack Obama defeated Mitt Romney in the 2012 U.S. presidential election, many political strategists saw it as a triumph of the Obama team's technological prowess, allowing …
Discussion:
Washington Monthly
Steven Shepard / NationalJournal.com:
Liz Cheney Exaggerated Her Senate Campaign Fundraising — Despite telling reporters her campaign was in strong financial shape, she was running low on money before she dropped out. — Liz Cheney, who dropped out of the Wyoming Senate race last month, exaggerated her fundraising to reporters before leaving the race.
Discussion:
The Raw Story