Baby steps: Auto makers and car dealers, emboldened by rising profits and a more business-friendly Congress, say they will fight the Obama administration’s proposal to boost average new-car fuel economy to as much as 62 miles a gallon by 2025. The auto makers’ main trade group accused regulators in documents filed last week of understating the costs by billions of dollars and suggested the industry might go to court over

Tea party conservatives, libertarians, independents, Reagan Democrats — all drawn to the classical liberal message of smaller government, less bureaucracy, cuts in spending and onerous regulation, and the protection of individual liberties — won’t be going away now that the elections have come and gone. So in case you think we’re not watching, be advised: we most certainly are. And everything is a test. Good luck. (thanks to Winston)

But it IS another reason why I have no regrets about leaving academia: This is the first time that GWU has offered a class devoted specifically to Fat Studies, and its diverse enrollment is an important victory for the subject. Fat Studies scholars say their mission is to promote weight awareness and acceptance among populations of all types. The sociological study of obesity has been creeping into academia for over

A strong finish last week saved me from complete disaster (8/13). Not great but it took sweeping the afternoon, evening, and Monday night games just to get there. So. Here we go: Atlanta over Tampa Bay – YAY Chicago over Buffalo (potential upset alert!) – YAY New England over Cleveland (and another) – X NYJ over Detroit (and another!) – YAY NO over Carolina – YAY Bal over Miami –

Take a look at the analysis here and let me know what you all think. Because the title says “The Democrats are Toast,” and I’d really, really, really like to believe that’s so. You know — for the children.

…in National Review. Singled out as a brilliant political formulation by John Podheretz is this bit: The meaning of the 2010 election was rebuke, reject, and repeal. We rebuked Washington’s power grab, rejected this unwanted “fundamental transformation of America,” and began the process to repeal the dangerous policies inflicted on us. But this theme will only complement the theme of 2012, which is renew, revive, and restore. In 2012, we

See? I’m not the only one who noticed… While some GOP boosters continue to make the argument that Christine O’Donnell’s campaign cost the GOP 3 or more Senate seats, the truth is, the GOP establishment’s reaction to O’Donnell winning the Delaware Republican primary, along with Mike Castle’s refusal to then back the GOP nominee, provided cover to mainstream media narratives depicting Tea Party candidates as dangerous extremist kooks looking to

20 years ago. We’re getting old, people.

Burns Strider, Huffington Post: Speaker Pelosi today let it be known she would seek to remain as Leader of the House Democratic Caucus come the new Congress in January. I applaud this decision. Keeping Ms. Pelosi as House Democratic Caucus Leader is the smartest move members of that caucus could make. Her tenacity speaks for itself. It’s a needed commodity to lead in Washington. But, there are also other, core

From the prospect of becoming a regional party that needs to lurch left, to the assertion that what we really need to do is embrace our own ostensible principles and refuse to compromise them — all in the course of two years! Looks like we are all Tea Partiers now!