TPM Reader TW thinks back to 2008 and 2011 …
Saw your editor’s blog post on McConnell and it’s something I have been thinking about all week. I work in the investment industry and I am watching the town hall meetings, this thing with McConnell and it’s bringing flashbacks to 2011. I don’t think most people understand just how close we were to a real meltdown that summer. Without Biden and McConnell, there would have been a default and that would have dwarfed 2008.
I just posted a short update on beta testing the new TPM publishing platform and the relaunch of Prime over at TPMPrime.
Mayor Bob Filner announces he’s completed his quickie two week therapy program one week early.
Sheriff Arpaio issues AR-15 semi-automatic rifles to all deputies.
Gop Rep gives in after birther takes him to task at town hall. “I Believe What You’re Saying.” Watch.
Harry Reid on GOP obstruction of Obama: “It’s been obvious that they’re doing everything they can to make him fail. And I hope, I hope — and I say this seriously — I hope that’s based on substance and not the fact that he’s African-American.”
For years I’ve been talking about how so much of our politics is not about explicit discussions about public policy or agenda items but meta-battles about power and weakness played out over symbolic actions many people miss. I’ve called it “bitch slap politics”because for all the rancid connotations of the word I think it’s the only one that captures the reality of how it works. Read More
Former Sen. Scott Brown’s brother arrested for impersonating water cop, stopping boats on Long Island.
I’d say Mitch McConnell’s just released campaign ad provides some early confirmation of my morning post.
I’m sure many of you got a kick over the mini-implosion of Mitch McConnell’s reelection campaign yesterday, with his own campaign manager admitting that he thinks McConnell sucks and is only working for him to further the hopes of Rand Paul. It all ended up with this cringey-not-going-to-fix-the-damage picture of Mitch and his disser yucking up for the picture above. I get it. I thought it was hilarious too. But let’s be clear. It will have chaotic effects on Washington and perhaps the whole national economy for the next year. Read More