4/30 Roundup: Pandemic Pandemonium, Boring Presser, Donkey Flu

Leader: Pandemic Pandemonium

- The World Health Organization announced yesterday that a pandemic-- the global spread-- of H1/N1 Swine Flu seems inevitable.  The WHO raised the global alert level from 4 to 5, citing the spread of the virus in the US and Mexico, particularly the proliferation of cases among people with no connection to the initial outbreak in Mexico. Dr. Margaret Chan, director of the WHO, called for global solidarity saying “After all, it really is all of humanity that is under threat during a pandemic.”

- Thanks for the reminder, Dr. Chan. President Obama reminded us all yesterday to wash our hands regularly, cover our mouths when we cough, and stay home if we feel sick. The LA Times optimistically reports that this appears to be a relatively mild flu strain-- one that might not cause as much destruction as even the usual winter flu outbreak.

- The CDC and HHS are using Twitter and YouTube to disseminate information about the flu.  Three government officials will hold an online Q&A this afternoon.  Welcome to the future of viral outbreaks!

Politics

- President Obama gave a press conference outside St. Louis today, and Politico concluded that he was making a concerted effort to be boring.

- A new GOP initiative, called the National Council for a New America, is in its early stages, but includes a number of major party figures, and will be dedicated toward developing a new policy agenda.

It will involve an outreach by an interesting mix of GOP officials, ranging from 2008 Republican presidential nominee John McCain to Jeb Bush, the former Florida governor and the younger brother of the man many Republicans blame for the party's battered brand: former President George W. Bush.

Economy

- Talks between the Treasury and Chrysler's major creditors broke down yesterday, all but guaranteeing that the auto manufacturer will file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection today. This will result in the dismissal of chief executive Robert Nardelli, transfer of management to Fiat, and the injection of another $10 billion into the company.

- The economy shrank faster in the six months ending in March than at any point in the past 50 years, after a worse-than expected first quarter.

International

- Five car bombs around Baghdad killed 48 yesterday, in what the WaPo calls "The latest in a series of attacks that appear designed to discredit Iraq's security forces as the U.S. military starts to withdraw from urban areas."

New From NDN

- Simon was quoted in the all-new PoliticsDaily.com, talking about Arlen Specter's switch to the Democratic Party:

This is further evidence that there is a major realignment taking place... But Specter's shift also has other major implications. It puts more pressure on the congressional Democrats to deliver on President Obama's agenda.

- Dr. Rob Shapiro was on Fox yesterday.  What's that?  You missed it?  You don't have a television? You couldn't find your clicker thing?  Have no fear, it's on the internet.

One More Thing

- Last, Stephen Colbert suspects Arlen Specter might have Donkey Flu: