Jon Meacham says Lincoln and FDR never tried to “rebuild America on an Executive Order” like President Obama is supposedly proposing to do. Really? There are real issues with excessive reliance on executive orders. But I think someone needs to crack a history book and maybe find some better examples since Lincoln probably relied on executive powers (like ending slavery by executive order in most of the United States) more than any president in the country’s history (it’s still pretty controversial) and FDR is a close runner-up. Eeesh. This is an amazing thing for someone who presents himself as Mr. History and longivew to say. Watch.
Top insurer reports more Obamacare signups than expected.
Seth D. Michaels: “McConnell’s brilliance is just how much dishonesty he can pack into so few words.”
Jon Meacham tells Tom Kludt he was “just plain wrong” in his comments this morning about executive orders.
I’ll add as an ed note, it’s pretty easy to say things that seem ridiculous in retrospect when you’re riffing on live TV. So this was a pretty big goof. But that’s always important to keep in mind.
From TPM Reader AF …
Don’t quote me please but…. has anyone noticed that while NY-1’s Michael Scotto seems like a nice young man his Uncle is Anthony Scotto, feared Gambino boss and the King of the NY waterfront for many years.
Giuliani says “fifty-fifty” chance Christie is lying and knew about bridge closures.
Geez, with friends like that.
Mayor Rob Ford defends Justin Bieber from media criticism. Ford: “Well, you know what, he’s a young guy. At 19 years old, I wish I was as successful as he was. He’s 19 years old, guys. Think back to when you were 19.”
Longtime Christie insider who served with all nine of the aides now under subpoena by the state legislature tapped to lead new state ethics commission!
Where will Pope Francis take the US Church? He’ll first show his hand in Chicago. Fascinating look at what might be ahead.