- The contours of healthcare reform legislation are taking shape, as House Democrats have unveiled their bill, and it looks a lot like one currently being cooked in the Senate. The big question of how to pay for it all remains unanswered, but it looks like individuals will be required to have health insurance, and employers will be required to pay for part of it. A public option looks to be on the slate, too.
- The WaPo seems to be wondering if we're in 1993 all over again, with the complex politics around healthcare all too likely to swamp the legislation.
- Ezra Klein disembowels a WSJ editorial that makes the case against health care reform.
Politics
- Creigh Deeds ran away with a huge victory in the Virginia Democratic gubernatorial primary. He doubled up his two opponents-- Brian Moran and Terry McAuliffe.
- More than half of Americans have no idea who speaks for the Republican Party. Is it Rush? Is it Newt? Is it that guy with the bad hair? Another fun stat: 33% of Republicans have an unfavorable view of the Republican Party.
- Chuck Rausch quoted Simon in a national Gannett story on the "new liberal era" that we may or may not be in:
Some leading Democrats believe demographic and technological trends have created a "new progressivism," in the words of Simon Rosenberg, founder of the left-leaning New Democratic Network. "Allow us who survived the Bush-DeLay era to have at least a year of happiness," he joked. But in a seminar called "The Dawn of a New Politics" that he has given to Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill, Rosenberg argues his case based on serious demographic facts...
You, of course, as an avid NDN reader, know what those demographic facts are, don't you?
- The first Guantanamo detainee has arrived in the United States. Ahmed Gailani arrived in New York yesterday, and pleaded not guilty to 286 counts related to the 1998 embassy bombings in Africa.
Economy
- David Leonhardt looks years ahead, and sees problems in the massive deficits our government will be dealing with in coming decades. Most of it, he writes, is not the fault of the Obama budgets. But Obama also lacks a plan to do anything about it.
- Ten of the big banks that received federal bailout money will be allowed to begin giving that money back. A combined $68.3 billion will return to government coffers.
- The Supreme Court lifted their hold on the Chrysler-Fiat merger, and the deal will go ahead as planned.
International
- Paul Kagame, the President of Rwanda takes a fresh look at international aid, welcoming US Peace Corps volunteers to his country, and reminding them that his home country might have something to teach them, as well.
- David Lammy, MP of Britain, writes in TNR about how to stop the rise of the far-right in Europe.
- The venerable Republic of Palau might help us out by taking the unwanted Uighur Guantanamo detainees. In exchange for $200 million, of course.
New From NDN
- Michael Moynihan published a new essay on the need for change in our electricity industry.
- Jake rounded up the growing momentum behind H.R. 2060, the Community College Technology Access Bill of 2009.
One More Thing
- Last, a direct order from the President: General Odierno must shave Stephen Colbert's head:
- Chrysler was well on its way to a takeover by Italian auto maker Fiat until yesterday, when Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg issued a one-sentence order halting the process pending further judicial review. Three Indiana state funds and consumer groups have complained of being mistreated in the Chrysler bankruptcy process, and though the order is far from a ruling in their favor, it indicates that the Court will take a closer look at the case. The whole thing could be wrapped up today, or it could drag on for weeks.
- Fiat has the right to walk away from Chrysler if the deal is not sealed by next Monday, and if they did so, Chrysler would be facing near-certain liquidation. But like a faithful puppy, Fiat has assured their American friends that they have no plans to abandon them in their most desperate hours.
Politics
- President Obama is about to propose new spending rules that would require lawmakers to pay for new initiatives, including health care. From the WaPo:
If approved by Congress, the rules would forbid lawmakers from expanding entitlement programs such as Medicare and Social Security, creating new entitlement programs or cutting taxes unless the cost is covered by spending cuts or tax increases. If lawmakers fail to pay for their initiatives, Obama's rules would subject entitlement programs to automatic cuts, said sources who spoke on condition of anonymity because the plan has yet to be announced.
- Underdog Creigh Deeds looks like he's about to run away with the Democratic nomination for the Virginia governor's race.
- While mainstream media crashes and burns, "ethnic media" has gained 8 million new readers, listeners, and watchers in the past four years.
Economy
- Gas prices have risen a dollar since the end of 2008. Oil is trading near $70 a barrel right now, but could it hit $100 before the summer is out? Who knows...
- This week, Citigroup will launch its program to raise $33 billion... Gentlemen, start your engines.
International
- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton roundly rejected claims that the Bush Administration had brokered secret deals with Israel to expand Jewish settlements in the West Bank.
- Did Mahmoud Ahmedinejad just have his "Macaca Moment?" This unsavory term of course refers to the video that ended Sen. George Allen's career, and Ahmedinejad is having to answer questions about his own odd statement that got caught on video.
New From NDN
- In her Weekly Immigration Update, Zuraya writes that "not all immigrants are equal before the law," and argues that we need to pass comprehensive immigration reform this year.
- Perhaps you've noticed the many exciting events we have coming up soon. Joe Garcia will be joining us tomorrow to talk about Cuba, and Shai Agassi, founder of BetterPlace, will be in town next week, speaking at NDN about the future of the global auto industry. Then, on the 25th, Simon will give a presentation of his "Dawn of a New Politics." All of these events are open if you'd like to come watch them here in our event space, and they'll be broadcast online, too. How could you say no?
One More Thing
- Last, shock jock Neal Boortz goes off the handle on immigrants. Part of me wants to start yelling, and part of me wants to keep quiet and let the crazy right-wing continue to alienate the fastest-growing part of the American electorate:
- The two American journalists who were arrested on the Chinese-North Korean border earlier this year were sentenced yesterday to twelve years in a Korean labor camp. Euna Lee and Laura Ling were arrested while reporting a story for Current TV, and were tried by the highest court in Pyongyang, meaning there can be no appeal. The US has called for their release, but the DPRK will likely hang on to them as bargaining chips in future negotiations.
- Secretary of State Clinton signaled yesterday that it may seek to stop and inspect North Korean shipping vessels, with China's help. The Administration is also thinking about possibly putting the DPRK back on the list of states that sponsor terror. George W. Bush removed them from said list last year, without any real explanation for doing so...
Politics
- Nelson Cunningham, Chair of the Advisory Board for our Latin America Policy Initiative, had an op-ed in yesterday's Houston Chronicle, as he wrote about how the swine flu scare brought the US and Mexico closer together, and made these two neighbors realize just how badly we need to work together.
- The President anticipates creating 600,000 new jobs this summer with the $787 billion stimulus package passed earlier this year.
- With the economy showing some signs of recovery, many fiscally conservative economists and politicians have called for the remaining stimulus funds to be used to cut the deficit. Seems a little early for that kind of celebration, to me.
Economy
- The NY Times profiles Barack Obama's economic team, and particularly the tension generated by "the brilliant but sometimes supercilious" NEC Chairman Larry Summers.
- The government may start letting recipients of bailout cash repay their debts, but this shouldn't be taken as an indication that they're in the clear.
- The NT Times has details of the "pay czar" position that was initially reported last week, and will be dedicated to monitoring executive compensation at those institutions that recieve federal bailout money.
International
- In elections for the European Parliament, center-right and conservative parties vastly outperformed their socalist and green opponents, across the board. In Britain, the Labor party came in third, with the Conservatives taking a comfortable 28% plurality. The WSJ has a fun infographic to look at how the left got beaten, country by country.
- The Lebanese had their own elections yesterday, and the West-backed March 14 Movement pulled out a victory, holding on to power after a hotly contested campaign against Iran-backed Hezbollah. Hezbollah was widely expected to take control of the Lebanese government, and President Obama has been saved a major headache by their defeat.
New From NDN
- Jake pulled together NDN's greatest hits in the international economics space for his weekly backgrounder.
- This Wednesday, we'll be hosting a Conversation on the Future of Cuba. Joe Garcia will be the featured discussant. Nelson Cunningham will moderate. I hope you can make it here to our offices, or watch it online!
One More Thing
- Weep for the poor hipsters! Apparently, this economic crisis is causing their parents to cut them off, and they might have to find jobs.
- How do YOU say Sotomayor? Chances are, there's a member of Congress who pronounces it the same way.
- Last, remember Damon Weaver? Well, the star reporter is coming to Washington:
Please join NDN next Wednesday, June 10 for a timely and forthright conversation with Joe Garcia on the future of Cuba. As someone who has been intimately involved with the recent progress toward Cuba's opening, Joe will be sharing reflections on the events of the past few months and discussing where this new day in Cuban-American relations is headed.
Wednesday, June 10, 12 p.m. NDN: 729 15th St. NW, First Floor A live webcast will begin at 12:15 p.m. ET RSVP : Watch webcast
Joe Garcia was the Director of NDN's Hispanic Programs for more than three years, and was Executive Director of the Cuban America National Foundation before that. He has been a lifelong advocate for a more just and free Cuba.
Lunch will be served at this event, beginning at 12 p.m. The program and live webcast will begin at 12:15 p.m. ET. Please RSVP early, as we expect this event to fill up quickly. Please feel free to pass this invitation along to your colleagues and friends.
- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid yesterday called immigration his #3 legislative priority for this year, after health care and climate change. He has said he wants it to happen this year, if at all possible, following a comment from Speaker Nancy Pelosi who also ranked immigration as her third legislative priority. From Roll Call:
Reid ruled out a gradual approach to overhauling the immigration system. And he said comprehensive reform should happen this year.
“I’m not going to deal with immigration on a piecemeal basis; it’s comprehensive reform,” Reid said.
Any legislation that comes to the Senate floor, Reid said, must address border security, expand the guest worker program so it addresses “more than agriculture,” include a pathway to legalization for illegal immigrants and include stronger penalties for companies that employ illegal workers.
Politics
- President Obama was in Germany yesterday, and renewed his call for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
- The President will be appointing a "pay czar" to oversee the executive compensation at firms that receive government bailout money.
- The Senate got a big stack of boxes filled with papers documenting Sonia Sotomayor's history as a judge. Also, Sotomayor revealed that President Obama first contacted her about a Supreme Court seat four days before Judge Souter announced he would retire.
- Sen. Grassley wrote a "sharply worded letter" to the "Librarian of the United States," dressing him down for supposedly interfering with Senate investigations.
Economy
- Job losses slowed in the month of May, but the additional 345,000 disappeared jobs drove the unemployment rate up to 9.4%, inching ever closer to 10.
- The National Conference of State Legislatures released a new report on state budgets, and the situation is not pretty. Even states that initially lowballed their expected tax receipts are feeling a pinch.
- Amid rising tensions over the DPRK's recent nuclear test, North and South Korea will hold talks next week to discuss their jointly-operated manufacturing plants.
New From NDN
- Melissa wrote about President Obama's speech in Cairo, and the myriad ways it was broadcast around the world in so many different languages.
- Dan wrote his weekly New Tools post about Google Wave, which is, like, intense.
One More Thing
- Last, White House press photographers reveal their secrets. (It's mostly robots, duh):
- President Barack Obama spoke in Cairo this morning, pledging to "seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world." The sweeping speech addressed a range of subjects-- from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, to political freedom in Egypt, to the conflict between Israel and Palestine. He did not offer up solutions to the problems and conflicts of the "Muslim world" but called for more open dialogue, less obfuscation of the truth, and a new, stronger commitment to peace.
- Charles Sennott of the Global Post begins to round up reactions from the "Arab street--" Dubai, in this case. People were cheered by Obama's speech, but still hope that actions will follow the words. Those who saw the speech live heard the auditorium erupt in an O-BA-MA chant after he finished. Remarkable.
- While in the midst of Obama's tour of the Middle East, Osama bin Laden released a new tape, accusing the American President of "sowing hatred." He must have gotten a bogus advance copy of the speech.
Politics
- President Obama offered his principles for health care reform in a letter to Sens. Ted Kennedy and Max Baucus, and the current scuttlebutt is that he appears to have conceded a key point to the Hillary Clinton camp of old.
- Kos wrote on immigration twice yesterday, discussing the recent polling released on Tuesday. He writes:
The culture war bigots are finding themselves increasingly isolated on issue after issue. Remember, immigration was going to be the issue that saved the GOP last few election cycles. The GOP hopefuls spent multiple debates one-upping their anti-immigrant rhetoric, to the point that John McCain was forced to concede that he'd vote against his very own immigration reform bill. Now ... poof! First, Republicans lose big, getting zero electoral traction from the immigrant bashing. Then, polling shows people eager for reform.
- CQ wins headline of the day with "Republicans Holster Hot Hyperbole on Sotomayor." The GOP will henceforth take a more measured approach in their drive to undermine and defame Sonia Sotomayor.
Economy
- Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke gave a major speech yesterday, arguing that even as we try to stem the economic meltdown, we need to focus on the deficit, and work to bring spending in line with tax receipts.
- Jobless claims in the week ending May 23 were lower than in the week previous-- the first such drop since the beginning of 2009. Hooray!
International
- Saturday will be the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre, and the NY Times profiles one soldier turned artist, whose work now is deeply affected by his role in breaking up the protests in Tiananmen.
- The O.A.S. has lifted its ban barring Cuba from the group. If the government of Cuba can successfully fill a long list of conditions, they will have the opportunity to join.
New From NDN
- Michael Moynihan takes the anniversary of Tiananmen as an opportunity to write about the spread of democracy.
- Dr. Rob Shapiro publishes a new essay on the climate change legislation, arguing that the Waxman Markey bill won't accomplish everything that a carbon tax could.
- Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner has been hanging out in Beijing this week, talking to the Chinese leadership about a range of important bilateral issues. In a follow-up interview, he assured us all that Chinese leaders had not lost faith in the American economy, despite concerns that a crashing dollar could wipe out much of China's foreign currency reserve holdings. Geithner did not publicly raise any contentious issues such as Tibet or Taiwan, and praised the Chinese for their handling of their own economy. He also backed away from conversation of intellectual property rights, but brought up climate change, and said he would press for a greater Chinese role in the IMF.
- GM let us know who will be buying the Hummer brand-- a Chinese company! Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Company, based in the city of Chengdu, bought Hummer at a bargain price, estimated below $500 million. Hummer's operations will still be based in the US, but it will become the first Chinese-owned car to be sold in the US. To me, the Hummer does seem more appropriately labeled a piece of "heavy industrial machinery," rather than a car, so perhaps this will improve its branding.
- Dr. Rob Shapiro was on CNBC's "The Call" yesterday talking about Geithner's trip. Check him out!
Politics
- The WaPo reports that, according to intelligence officials, lawmakers, and congressional officials, VP Dick Cheney led at least four briefings with senior members of Congress in 2005 to convince them to support the harsh interrogation techniques he used on detainees.
- Our government accidentally released a 266-page report detailing the locations of nuclear sites around the country, including information on the whereabouts of stockpiles of fuel for nuclear weapons. Oops?
- President Obama has chosen Rep. John McHugh, Republican of New York, to serve as Secretary of the Army. McHugh has served for years on the Armed Services Committee, and will be the third Republican Obama has appointed to a major position. McHugh also comes from a district upstate that could very well elect a Democrat in the special election to replace him.
- The only thing dirtier than the New Jersey Turnpike is New Jersey politics, but Chris Christie has worked for years to clean his state up. He's now the GOP candidate to challenge embattled Democratic Gov. John Corzine.
Economy
- Dow Jones reported on the immigration polling released yesterday, particularly highlighting the argument that this economic downturn could be a boon for people (like us) rooting for the overhaul of our broken immigration system. From the article:
A recent survey by Benenson Strategy Group showed that 71% of likely voters think illegal immigrants should take steps to become legal taxpayers... "They want a level playing field and they don't have one today," said [Celinda] Lake, whose firm recently conducted a series of in-depth focus groups on immigration. "There's a huge pool of workers that are playing by a different set of rules than they [voters] are."
- German Chancellor Angela Merkel blasted the central banks of the EU, UK, and US, saying they had gone too far in fighting the financial crisis, and were setting us all up for another explosion in ten years time.
International
- American military personnel made serious errors in the conduct of their May 4 airstrikes that killed dozens of Afghani civilians. If all the rules had been obeyed, at least some of the strikes would have been aborted during the 7-hour bombing campaign.
- North Korean ruler Kim Jong-Il has named his chosen successor-- his third son, Kim Jong-Un. Not much is known about him, but there is speculation that he's a big fan of Jean-Claude Van Damme.
- Hafiz Sayeed, the founder of Pakistani militant group Lashkar-i-Taiba, the group believed to be behind December's attacks in Mumbai. India quickly denounced Pakistan's decision to release him, but the Pakistani government insisted that they lacked the evidence to continue holding him.
- The wreckage of the Air France flight lost off the coast of Brazil has been found. The chances of finding survivors from among the 228 aboard has slipped to nil.
New From NDN
- Simon released a statement yesterday in the wake of the immigration poll release. Tune in tomorrow for an online seminar from Simon, as he presents our case for passing immigration reform this year.
- The Wall Street Journal wins the headline contest today with "GM Collapses Into Government's Arms," and opens up the second-day coverage of the GM bankruptcy by noting that this is the second biggest bankruptcy in history-- after WorldCom's 2002 filing. Obama characterized the government's role in this as that of a "reluctant shareholder," but cast this as an opportunity for a "new GM" to emerge. Still, though the White House may want this to be a quick, in-and-out nationalization, in reality the exit is likely to be messy, and the quicker it happens, the less likely the government is to recoup its $50 billion.
- For their part, GM's executives have embraced their new owners: Ray Young, the CFO, called this a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get our balance sheet healthy." In the next few years, GM will close 17 factories and cut 20,000 jobs around the country. From the NYT article:
“I was angry at first, then I cried, then I got angry again,” said Don Skidmore, the president of United Automobile Workers Local 735, which represents the plant’s 1,100 workers. “I’m hurt for the people. The looks on their faces are horrible.”
- GM has apparently found a buyer for its Hummer line, but it won't say who. My money is on the Russian military. And did you see the NYT article about the 31-year old near-lawyer who is in charge of dismantling GM?
Politics
- The DNC will be holding their September meeting in Texas. Says DNC Chair Tim Kaine: "I believe Texas is poised to move towards our column, just as Virginia has." Have you heard this before? Yes you have. Simon's been saying it for a while.
- The right wing wants a tougher fight against Sonia Sotomayor's nomination for the Supreme Court, and is hoping to push a vote back to September. She'll be making the rounds on the Hill today, meeting with leaders on both sides of the aisle.
- General Stanley McChrystal will go before the Senate Armed Services Committee today to face some questions about his plans as NATO commander in Afghanistan.
- Pending home sales in the US grew 6.7% in April, the biggest jump in eight years. Sign of life?
International
- The AirFrance flight that disappeared over the Atlantic yesterday appears to be lost. 228 passengers and crew from 32 different countries are feared dead.
- President Obama will have a tricky task in Cairo encouraging freedom, democracy, and rule of law, without sounding imperial. What it will come down to, he suggests in an interview with the BBC, is leading by example.
New From NDN
- NDN Fellows Morley Winograd and Mike Hais had an op-ed in yesterday's CS Monitor, arguing that Millennials have the opportunity to save baseball from steroids in the same way the GI generation saved the sport from the hard-drinking, gambling, mean ways of the Lost Generation.
One More Thing
- Politico wonders, who will be the Senate leader in swearing? Will it be Jim Bunning? Bullshit!
- Last, take a look at this pronunciation guide before your next meeting on the hill:
The Great Dr. Robert Shapiro will be on CNBC tomorrow, giving you the rundown on Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner's trip to China. Tune in at 11:10 a.m. ET, when he'll be a guest on "The Call."
If you'd like to bone up beforehand, check out the speech Secretary Geithner gave today at Peking University (or "BeiDa," to we alums).
NDN has long been a leader in advocating for fixing our broken immigration system. As President Barack Obama and White House officials gear up for their June 8 meeting with Members of Congress on comprehensive immigration reform, we offer you this backgrounder with all our major work on the issue.
Later this week, Simon will deliver a Virtual Seminar in which he will present our arguments for passing comprehensive immigration reform this year, including new poll data supporting the case for reform. Tune in to our Webcast page to watch the seminar!
A Brief Overview of Comprehensive Immigration Reform
What Sotomayor Means for Immigration Reform, by Simon Rosenberg, 5/28/09 - Rosenberg contends that while it is still early in the effort to put Sonia Sotomayor on the Supreme Court, the prospects for passing immigration reform this year will improve if she is confirmed.
Hispanics Poised To Flex Muscle in Politics, Policy, by Andres Ramirez, Roll Call, 5/18/09 - In this op-ed, Ramirez writes that Hispanics must seize this opportunity by continuing to increase their electoral participation as they have in recent years. This will give them maximum influence over a range of issues.
Making the Case for Passing Comprehensive Immigration Reform This Year(PDF) by Simon Rosenberg, 2/19/09 - Rosenberg lays out the basic foundation for why Congress must pass comprehensive immigration reform. This summary is a good introduction for those wanting to learn the fundamentals of this issue.
Latinos Vote in 2008: Analysis of U.S. Presidential Exit Polls (PDF), Andres Ramirez, 1/18/09 - Ramirez provides an overview of the Hispanic electorate in key states from the 2008 presidential election. The analysis concludes that Hispanics participated in record numbers in this election cycle, increasing their turnout from the 2004 election; Hispanics significantly shifted towards the Democratic nominee in 2008, reversing trends from the 2000 and 2004 presidential election cycles; Hispanics played a key role in Obama’s victory in Colorado, Florida, Nevada and New Mexico; Hispanics are poised to make other states competitive in future elections; and if these trends continue, the national map will continue to get harder for Republicans.
Hispanics Rising II(PDF), 5/30/08 - This important document provides an in-depth narrative of how the immigration issue has impacted American politics and mobilized the Hispanic electorate.
Polling on Comprehensive Immigration Reform Shows Consistent Support for Reform
The 50-Year Strategy (PDF), Simon Rosenberg and Peter Leyden, Mother Jones, November 2007 - Rosenberg and Leyden lay out a grand strategy for how today's Democrats can build a lasting electoral majority and today's progressives could seize the new media, build off new constituencies like Hispanics and the Millennial Generation, and solve the urgent governing challenges of our times.
On Obama, Race, and the End of the Southern Strategy, Simon Rosenberg, 1/4/08 and 11/6/08 - Rosenberg writes that for progressives to succeed in the coming century, they must build a new majority coalition very different from the one FDR built in the 20th century. The nation has changed a great deal since the mid-20th century, as we’ve become more Southern and Western, suburban and exurban, Hispanic and Asian, immigrant and Spanish-speaking, more millennial and aging boomer and more digital age in our life and work habits than industrial age. Twent-first century progressive success would require building our politics around these new demographic realities.
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Leader: Healthcare Bills
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Leader: 中国 [China]
Leader: Fainting Spells
