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

A Few Notes on Trade

You may have noticed (or you may not) that I have remained conspicuously silent on the excellent debate currently going on in the liberal blog world these days regarding the costs and benefits of international trade. It all started at the TPMCafe with a debate amongst Gene Sperling, Alan Blinder, and David Sirota, among others, […]

Fannie Mae Accounting

The accounting problems at Fannie Mae just keep growing. From Marketwatch: NEW YORK (MarketWatch) — Fannie Mae said Thursday it’s uncovered new accounting problems in the course of an ongoing review, with the mortgage giant identifying more than $10 billion in issues related to derivatives, insurance accounting and other matters. In a filing with the […]

Alan Blinder v. Josh Bivens on Free Trade

I always like this query from AB: Speaking of trade, wandering through the grocery store today, I noticed that they were selling tax software. This naturally lead me to wonder why it’s viewed as a great thing when people can do their taxes quickly and cheaply using a computer and software, but a bad thing […]

Kudlow on the New Contract with America

Lawrence Kudlow finally said something I agree with: While the GOP is attacking oil companies and perhaps reneging on tax-cut extenders, without offering any strong budget-cutting plan, the Dems are thinking about putting together their own Contract with America. While Democrats still have to craft a coherent message, and while their glee may yet be […]

Is ARNOLD Pro-Life?

As Kash reports, the California voters pitched a shut-out at the polls yesterday. Among the various Propositions that I voted no on was Proposition 73: Should the California Constitution be amended to require notification of the parent or legal guardian of an unemancipated, pregnant minor at least 48 hours before performing an abortion on the […]

News Roundup

In general, the election results yesterday were good for Democrats, liberals, and progressives, and bad for conservatives. Democrats won the governorships of both New Jersey (unsurprising) and Virginia (a bit more remarkable). Democrats apparently even picked up seats in the VA state legislature; In California, Schwartzenegger’s ballot initiatives were defeated; And in a very rare […]

Looks Like Kaine and Corzine Win

From USA Today: Democrats won hotly contested governor’s races Tuesday in Virginia and New Jersey on an Election Day closely watched for hints of how the 2006 races might shape up. The victory in Virginia by Democratic Lt. Gov. Tim Kaine over Republican Jerry Kilgore came despite an appearance by President Bush at a last-minute […]

The Pro-Growth Progressive

I have yet to read Gene Sperling’s new book but how can I resist something with this title. The TPMCare is providing us with some interesting reviews and discussions including David Sirota’s “Do Free Traders Think the American Public is Stupid”.

Iraq Intel Manipulation: Paul Roberts Blames the Democrats

Laura Rozen warns us of what Senator Roberts has in mind for that belated Phase II of the investigation in regards the intelligence failures preceding our invasion of Iraq: Roberts will leak to the White House and the GOP the pre-war statements by Democrats about the threat posed by Saddam Hussein … But unfortunately, this […]

The Gasoline Market and Government Policy

Paul Gessing is not happy with Bill Frist: Bill Frist and Judd Gregg are the latest Republican senators to accuse oil companies of “gouging” consumers and to call for new tax or regulatory clampdowns as “remedies.” Although the populist stance against “big oil” might appeal to some beleaguered motorists, these Republicans – and most congressional […]