12.29.09 | 9:51 am
No Drama?

TPM Reader MC chimes in from the airline terminal …

I’m flying today and got to the ft. Lauderdale airport and through security in under 15 minutes. All the TSA staff are serious and doing their job efficiently and thoroughly, but noone, including passengers appears panicked or upset. I don’t think it is that we are ‘used to’ terror threats- it is a distinctly different feel that the US is doing what it needs to and not creating a fear. Its as though the president has a handle on it and is steering us straight, albeit, rough patch of water- not hyperventilating and flapping wildly. Its as though an adult is leading this country finally… and it feels good.

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12.29.09 | 9:31 am
Dem Opportunity

I mentioned earlier that Republicans and Democrats seem determined to run the 2010 election as a referendum on Health Care Reform. Dems say they’ll run on claims that the GOP will repeal reform if they regain control; and Republicans will run on a promise that they’ll do just that. As I’ve said, the Dems have put themselves in a tough — probably needlessly tough position — by delaying implementation several years into the future. But I think this may be more difficult than Republicans think — if the Dems play their cards right … yes, famous last words. Read More

12.29.09 | 9:16 am
Alabama Dems to Party Switcher: Give Us Our Voter Data Back!

Just before Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL) switched from the Democratic to Republican parties last week, his political operatives apparently downloaded voter data from the Alabama Democratic Party that is available to elected Democrats — and tried to access other data.

He’s promised to give it back, but so far he hasn’t, state Democrats say, and the state GOP tells TPMmuckraker it’d be more than happy to get its hands on the data, thank you very much.