Pragmatism! Here’s the thing, though, Ramesh. The President’s 2012 message, as he’s been framing it during fundraisers, is that the election will be “a slugfest between Republicans who ‘don’t believe in government as a partner with the private sector’ and Democrats who do.” Partnership. Like the EPA has been “partnering” with the coal, gas, and oil industries. Like how the Transportation administration plans to “partner” with farmers. Or the way

It’s like a Neal Stephenson novel run through an episode of a very special “Blossom.” Surreal.

CBS: Republican leaders in the House and the Senate today announced their appointees to the 12-member, bipartisan congressional “super committee” charged with finding at least $1.2 trillion in budget savings by Thanksgiving. House Speaker John Boehner said he’s tapped House Republican Conference Chairman Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas, to serve as co-chair of the committee. He’s also appointing House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp, R-Mich., to the committee, as well

…today’s postings will be scattered, sleepy, and likely a bit incoherent. With a hint of lime. Which, speaking of those recall elections, the GOP response has been surprisingly triumphalist, despite the loss of two seats. If the GOP can wipe out one of those losses in the recall elections for two Democrats next Tuesday, I’ll be happy. Until then, however, I have to ask, is the loss of two seats

Helluva job, boys! Meanwhile, the Hobbits trudge on. **** update: McCain is himself an objective correlative, a dust-farting faux “realist” relic whom an awakened populace is now (thankfully) getting wise to. The truth, Mr McCain, is that it would have taken 3 or 4 Democrats to break with their party — of the 20 or so who ran on balancing the budget — to pass CC&B. Several of those Dems

An objective correlative. Up is down. Black is white. Superman is Lex Luther. (thanks to Thomas D)

Adam Bitely, echoing Sarah Palin, among others: Many elected officials have fallen prey to the belief that because America is exceptional, they as the leaders of the government must also be exceptional. And that is why the responses from these people when their credit rating was downgraded came as no surprise. Some seemed shocked that S&P would point out that over $14 trillion in debt is slightly high. Others claimed

Muggings, beatings, and looting? Why, it’s a solidarnosc for the 21st century!

What a difference a week makes, eh, Laura? How utterly disappointing. **** update: Not serious. Serious. Christina Romer is right. We are so fucked.

Palin, on facebook: […] First, we need to get serious about our deficit. No more accounting gimmicks. No more cuts in “out-years” that never materialize. The permanent political class in D.C. might be fooling themselves with these Enron-like accounting games, but they’re not fooling the world’s capital markets. And we don’t need any more happy talk from the White House about “investing” in solar shingles and really fast trains. The