Relevant and even prescient commentary on news, politics and the economy.

WaPo on AIG

Robert Waldmann read Carol Leonnig’s article which quotes many people arguing that the feds should have let AIG file for chapter 11. The point of the complainers is simple, the takeover has been very (realtively) good for counterparties but not so good for the treasury or, it is alleged, AIG shareholders. I don’t see how […]

Dem and Repub political conflict in house

rdan Roll Call reminds us that any talk of monolithic control by party is unlikely for Democrats. I am glad there are no ‘first 100 days’ goal posts for whoever wins the presidency…and watching certain races, such as Pelosi’s as well. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) is turning a blind eye to his one-time […]

Heritage Looks at the McCain and Obama Plans

by cactus Heritage Looks at the McCain and Obama Plans Its that time again. Heritage looks at the McCain and Obama plans and tells us which one is best. (This particular report is authored by William W. Beach, Karen Campbell, Rea Hederman, Jr., and Guinevere Nell.) Heritage being Heritage, I don’t think I have to […]

Pension Benefit Guaranties

Cross post with Noni Mausa, Tunnel Under Snow The manner to which they are accustomed — Stolen Quote of the Day What to wear for Halloween? From the Slate overview of the daily papers for Oct. 31 2008, here: Maybe wear a suit and monocle and go as a corporate fat cat? The Journal fronts […]

Maybe Not This Time…

…at least not so directly: The Treasury Department has turned down a request by General Motors for up to $10 billion to help finance the automaker’s possible merger with Chrysler, according to people close to the discussions. Instead of providing new assistance, the Treasury Department told G.M. on Friday, the Bush administration will now shift […]

What We Learn from Sports

Compare and contrast: Philadelphia, after a first-time-in-25-years win: The School District of Philadelphia – as if to prove you don’t need miserable weather to rain on a parade – has no plans to close for a victory celebration, no matter how momentous the occasion might be. “Our expectations are that students will report to school […]

US and Pakistan have divergent goals?

The Christian Science Monitor reports: NEW DELHI – Tuesday at the United Nations President George Bush and his Pakistani counterpart, Asif Ali Zardari, reaffirmed the alliance of two nations that, in some respects, are fighting two different wars under the single banner of the war on terror. The United States has recently stepped up missile […]

Arctic sea ice notice

A simple analysis of Arctic sea ice can be found here. A cooler early season provided a cushion for a warmer late season temperature pattern, resulting in more first year ice retention than in 2007. Different wind patterns made for a larger dispersal area than last year.

Apparently, Public Financing has been Very Good to John McCain

UPDATE II: An e-mail from Rick Davis clarifies the plans for the last moments of the campaign: On Monday, we will have a 14 state rally with our candidates crisscrossing the country trying to turn out our voters and sway the final undecided voters. Governor Palin will hit Ohio, Missouri, Iowa, Colorado, Nevada and Alaska […]