Bill Clinton is on his way to North Korea in attempt to free the two imprisoned journalists

The former president (and husband of the Secretary of State) is on his way to North Korea:

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton is on his way to North Korea to try to negotiate the release of two American journalists convicted by the communist state of "grave crimes", South Korea's Yonhap news agency said on Tuesday.

Clinton had already left for the North but had not yet arrived in Pyongyang, Yonhap said in a report from Washington quoting a source familiar with the issue.

"As soon as he arrives, he will be entering negotiations with the North for the release of the female journalists," the source was quoted as saying.

North Korea used to be Bill Richardson's turf. Clinton's got big shoes to fill. Read the rest of this post...

Obama admin. adopts Bush policy on state secrets in brief to Supreme Court

At some point, someone is going to start noticing that the Obama administration seems to file a lot of legal briefs that are remarkably similar to legal briefs filed by the Bush administration. You may all recall a certain brief on DOMA filed in June, for example.

Today, we learn that the Obama legal team is adopting Bush's position on the "state secrets privilege":

A Supreme Court filing from the Obama administration last month has set off alarm bells on the left.

The filing was a friend-of-the-court brief, and it mostly dealt with an excruciatingly technical question about the attorney-client privilege. But its last five pages were about the state secrets privilege, which was not at issue in the case. That privilege, a favorite tool of the Bush administration, allows the government to shut down lawsuits by invoking national security.

The Obama administration’s brief argued, though no one had asked, that the state secrets privilege was rooted in the Constitution.

The federal government files friend-of-the-court briefs in the Supreme Court all the time, and it is not unusual for it to alert the court to related issues, usually to make sure that the court’s ruling is no broader than it needs to be.

But the filing has raised eyebrows and suspicions among liberals already disappointed that the Obama administration has not rejected a number of legal doctrines associated with the Bush administration.

Include me in that group of liberals already disappointed. And, of course, we get the perfunctory, don't worry about it statement from an Obama spokesperson:

Mr. Miller, the Justice Department spokesman, cautioned against reading too much into the recent filing. “The brief says nothing about either the scope of the privilege or the ability of Congress to legislate in the area,” Mr. Miller said.

Right. Don't read too much into it. The brief is only the legal position of the United States of America. And, they're only claiming that it has a basis in the constitution.

Oh, don't forget, Congress can fix DOMA, too. Read the rest of this post...

When is 60 not 60? When it's 58.

Markos has an important point here, although most people are loathe to discuss it:

You see, Ted Kennedy and Robert Byrd are too sick to show up! Both have been wheeled in for key votes in recent months, and one thinks the same could be done for key health care votes, but they have become the newest excuse for Democratic impotence in the Senate.

It's unfortunate. Neither man (and especially Kennedy) deserves to see their legacy tarnished by becoming an excuse for the failure of a robust health care plan. Democrats need to either admit that the problem lies elsewhere (the Nelsons of the party), or gently ask that Kennedy and Byrd cede their seats to new senators who can help finish the fight for Kennedy's lifelong crusade.

It's weird how often people say "we only have 58" as if that's the answer to an insolvable problem.

Senate seats aren't given for life. Senators aren't royalty. Their staffers aren't elected.

I know this subject is anathema to even broach here in DC. A lot of people whisper about it, but no one will say it out loud, like Markos did. To even suggest the idea that Senators should retire when they're in such perilous physical condition violates some unwritten rule. But, it's one of those weird rules that only makes sense within a mile or two radius of Capitol Hill. That's because the mindset on Capitol Hill is one of treating members, especially in the Senate, like royalty. Meanwhile, the rest of us are worried about our own health insurance and the need for reform -- and that could be impacted by the all-but-vacant Senate seats from Massachusetts and West Virginia. At least that's what we've all been led to believe is the problem right now. Read the rest of this post...

Red-Blue breakdown is an obvious way to demonstrate GOP's ongoing struggles

The conservative on the NY Times op-ed page, Ross Douthat, has a column today titled, Blue State Blues. It seems like a forced argument he's making, but he states:

The red-blue contrast is often overdrawn. But it’s a sensible way to understand Obama’s summer struggles.

Yeah, it's overdrawn. But, the conventional wisdom on the red-blue contrast actually needs to be redrawn. Polling from Gallup shows the reality of the GOP's struggles:

Only four states show a sizeable Republican advantage in party identification, the same number as in 2008. That compares to 29 states plus the District of Columbia with sizeable Democratic advantages, also unchanged from last year.

Seems Douthat should be more worried about the incredibly small base of red states.

Here's the map from Gallup. It shouldn't inspire confidence in any GOPer:
Read the rest of this post...

So much for John McCain's praise of Sotomayor's "great American success story."

Yesterday, John McCain wasn't sure how he would vote on Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation. On CNN, McCain claimed he was "really kind of undecided" as he praised the Supreme Court nominee as a "great American success story."

What a difference a day makes. Today, McCain announced that he's voting against Sotomayor. Read the rest of this post...

GOP Rep. says health care isn't a major issue for Americans. Maybe not the ones he knows. But, it is an issue for many of us.

Sam Stein has a report, with video, on the pronouncement from Rep. Peter King (R-NY):

But on Monday, one GOP lawmaker went off message. Appearing on MSNBC, Rep. Peter King, (R-N.Y.) declared that health care reform was "not a major issue among the American people."

Sure, it's not for Peter King. He has taxpayer funded health care -- and he's been on the public payroll for most of his adult life. He's been in Congress since 1993. From 1981 til then, he was the Nassau County Comptroller. Taxpayers have taken care of his health insurance for decades.

But, we've been getting reports from people who do struggle with health insurance. And, many of these people aren't the uninsured. These are people who have insurance, but still get screwed. I found this email instructive, partly because I'm self-employed and because I'm originally from Maine:

I work for myself in Maine. You think you've got it tough in DC (and you do) but here’s what I paid last year in healthcare costs:

Doctors, Labs and prescriptions a total of $2384.09, plus another $2690.24 for eye care and dental. My premium to Anthem (the Blue Cross of Maine) for the year were 4121.76, so I paid 9196.09 last year, which was almost 20% of what I grossed. It could be worse.

Basically, it is catastrophic coverage and that's almost all we can get in Maine. The cost for anything more is prohibitive. For example, the cost for HMO Basic would be 1217.60 per month – which I determined using the link to the find Anthem's price quote. So, instead, I pay everything up to $5000, with the added “benefit” of the insurance company negotiating. Not sure how they calculate these items – but would guess that doctor’s charge a higher fee knowing it is going to be negotiated down.

Self-employed people currently get screwed by insurance companies. But, Peter King may not know any of us. All of his pals on the Hill -- and his staff -- have excellent insurance. No wonder they're not worried.

There's more from the reader from Maine after the break -- with an analysis of yearly costs. It's wrong what insurers do in this country. This debate should be about the insurance industry.

Here's the rest. Keep in mind, this person has insurance:

My monthly premium for 2008 was $343.48 per month (up to $385.36 as of July 1, 2009). The plan has a $5000 deductible. The price includes the Preventative Care Rider ($20.41 per month) which covers the cost of my annual physical as follows: annual exams; max benefit is $100 per exam and $100 for x-ray/lab for each covered visit; mammography screening, screening pap when test recommended by a physician, prostate specific antigen test, flu vaccines.

Doctors bills were high last year because I had biopsies on my thyroid in February and December. Thankfully, when I went this year, I didn’t need a biopsy so instead of costing about $750 per occurence, I only paid $167.00. Honestly, my concern was never the test results, it was always the cost – of the doctor’s visit, the biopsy, the labs and potential surgery. With this plan you’re meant to have $5000 set aside “just in case”. In this economy, it simply isn’t realistic.

My prescription costs were low last year because I stopped taking my Advair (too expensive at $146.47), but after being sick this winter and being admonished by my doctor I went back on it and now purchase it through canadapharmacy.com for $259.00 for a 3-month supply. A “savings” of $721 per year. Of course, the $1036 I do pay does not count toward my deductible. Just FYI - it cost $50 to purchase lifetime shipping – individually it is $10/prescription and $5 for non-prescription.

My Simvastatin (generic cholesterol drug) was just over $50 per month, so I pretty much quit that as well. I now have a plan through my supermarket, Hannaford, which sells generics for less like Wal-Mart – a 3-month supply is 14.99. My grocery store is more concerned with my health – and keeping me as a consumer for years to come – than my health insurance company.

I recently went on Fluticasone (generic Flonase) and purchase it through canadapharmacy.com for 103.00 for a 3-month supply. Can’t remember what the cost was when I checked here, but definitely more expensive. It is a non-prescription medication in Canada. Again, $412 that doesn’t go toward my deductible.

No eye or dental coverage although it appears that my eye examine counted towards my deductible. I had to have a crown last year, so that hurt bother literally and financially.

It's not easy staying healthy in America. And, it's not cheap. Read the rest of this post...

Bank of America fined by SEC $33 million for "lying to investors" about bonuses

That's a fairly big penalty. Does the SEC have teeth again? Now, the big question is: Will Bank of American pay this fine with the taxpayer funds it got from the bailout?:

The Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday charged Bank of America with lying to investors about its plan to pay billions of dollars in bonuses to employees of Merrill Lynch.

Bank of America, which bought the ailing investment bank this year, agreed to settle the charges and pay a $33 million penalty, according to the SEC. The company did not admit or deny wrongdoing.

The agency alleged that Bank of America violated securities law by telling investors in a November 2008 filing that bonuses would not be paid without its consent.

So, we know B of A screwed its investors. SEIU wants B of A to stop screwing its employees, too. Read the rest of this post...

Right Wing "best practices" for recess: "Inflate your Numbers," Be "Disruptive" and "Rattle" the members

While many Americans actually want to talk to their elected officials about important issues, like health care, during the Congressional recess, that's not the case for the right-wingers. A volunteer for the the right-wing group Freedom Works, who is also a teabaggers, distributed the three-part strategy: 1) Artificially Inflate Your Numbers; 2) Be Disruptive Early And Often; and 3) Try To “Rattle Him,” Not Have An Intelligent Debate.

You can't make this stuff up. Think Progress has a copy of the actual "disruption" memo. Not to over state it, but this kind of thuggery undermines democratic principles. It's what one might expect in a theocracy or from a dictatorship. But in the United States, it's way, way, way out of line.

Apparently, at least one top Republican likes this new idea:

Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX), chairman of the NRCC, has endorsed the strategy, telling the Politico the days of civil town halls are now “over.”

So, what the GOP can't win at the ballot box, they intend to win by intimidation tactics?

Oh, the Blue Dogs must be so happy they won the "victory" of delaying the vote on health insurance reform. Nice work. The Blue Dogs have empowered the right-wing extremists who intend to wreak havoc this summer.

FireDogLake is tracking the events members are holding over the August recess. The right-wingers aren't the only ones who should show up. Members really, really need to hear from their sane constituents too. You can add info. about events there, too. Read the rest of this post...

Lou Dobbs has "become a publicity nightmare for CNN"

From AP:

He's become a publicity nightmare for CNN, embarrassed his boss and hosted a show that seemed to contradict the network's "no bias" brand. And on top of all that, his ratings are slipping.

How does Lou Dobbs keep his job?

It's not a simple answer. CNN insists it is standing behind Dobbs, despite calls for his head from critics of his reporting on "birthers" — those who believe President Barack Obama wasn't born in the United States despite convincing evidence to the contrary. The "birthers" believe Obama was born in Kenya, and thus not eligible to be president.

Dobbs' work has been so unpopular that even Ann Coulter has criticized him.

From Media Matters, soon to be airing on CNN (and MSNBC and FOX):

I keep wondering how Dobbs' CNN colleagues feel about the damage he's inflicting on them. What's it like for Anderson Cooper and Soledad O'Brien and Rick Sanchez and Wolf Blitzer and John King and Dana Bash and Campbell Brown and Don Lemon and the others to work with such a hate-mongering racist? Read the rest of this post...

Lt. Col. Fehrenbach awaits discharge under DADT because Obama has failed to act

I posted this at gay.AMERICAblog.com earlier today, but it really needs amplification. Today's The Washington Post profiles Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach, who is about to be discharged because of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Fehrenbach didn't tell. He was outed. And, he trusted that Obama would follow through on his campaign promise to end DADT:

Fehrenbach, who has nine Air Medals, including one for heroism under fire during an enemy ambush near Baghdad in 2003, intended to resign. But he changed his mind last fall with the prospect of a Barack Obama presidency.

As a candidate, Obama promised that the law would be overturned, but the administration has moved cautiously, not wanting to wage a costly political battle on the divisive issue during the president's first months in office, as President Bill Clinton did.

"Hearing the president's promises last fall, I thought he would follow through," Fehrenbach said. "It's just been disappointing because we've seen nothing."

Hearing the president's repeated promises, we all thought he would follow through. Barack Obama has failed to take any action to end the policy. As the Palm Center and others have documented, Obama does have the authority to stop discharges under Don't Ask, Don't Tell. But, he hasn't. And, from every bit of info. I can gather, and I've asked many people, the White House staffers have done nothing to encourage action on Capitol Hill. We all know that when Team Obama wants something from Congress, Team Obama makes it very clear to people on the Hill. On this issue, nothing. The White House can't say it's a congressional issue, then give Congress no indication that it's a priority for them. Instead, the White House silence sends the signal. (Except to dissuade legislative solutions.)

On the Hill, Rep. Patrick Murphy now has 168 co-sponsors for his legislation to repeal DADT. There isn't even a Senate bill yet, although we've been told there will be hearings on DADT in the fall.

And, note to everyone: During the campaign, Obama promised to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Repeal, not change. Anything short of repeal isn't change we can believe in. Read the rest of this post...

Baucus, Grassley counting on White House desperation

The "bipartisan" strategy for health insurance reform is becoming clearer. In a word, it's "desperation":

Finance Committee leaders Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) know that if they can strike a deal, it will likely be rejected by legislators on the left and the right. But the many centrists in the Senate may embrace it, which could lead to backing from a White House that is desperate for Congress to pass health reform in 2009.

“This could take off, or the extremes [on both sides] could kill it,” said a source who is working to forge a compromise.

Max Baucus, who is selling out core Democratic principles to secure the support of Chuck Grassley, expects Obama and his administration to be so desperate for a deal, that they'll settle for the GOP bill proffered by Baucus.

How's that for cynical and craven? But, someone at a very high level in Obama administration must be letting Baucus believe this idea has potential. Read the rest of this post...

It's the insurance industry, stupid

Finally. The Democrats seem to be coalescing around a message for health insurance reform. It's about taking on the insurance industry. It is, indeed:

With the House already gone and the Senate set to clear out by Friday, the terms of the recess battle are becoming clear. Republicans will assail the government coverage plan that Democrats and President Obama are advocating as a recklessly expensive federal takeover of health care. And Democrats will counter that GOP opposition represents a de facto endorsement of insurance industry abuses.

"We know what we're up against," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) told reporters on Friday. "Carpet-bombing, slash and burn, shock and awe -- anything you want to say to describe what the insurance companies will do to hold on to their special advantage."

It always has been about the insurance industry. No one likes dealing with their insurance company. Insurance bureaucrats ration care. They jack up our rates. They deny coverage. They cut off coverage. I'm not exaggerating when I say that almost everyone I know has done some kind of battle with their health insurer.

More after the break.

I don't understand why it took so long for the brain trust in the Democratic Party to figure this out. Too often, Democrats want to offer long, detailed policy analyses when the GOPers are using sound bites. In this case, the Democratic talking point on insurance companies nails it. This is a battle between Democrats who side with doctors and patients and the Republicans who side with insurance companies.

Not that the Democrats have their talking points, they need to stick with it and hammer away at it. (Democrats aren't always so good at message discipline.) Read the rest of this post...

Monday Morning Open Thread

Good morning.

The House is on vacation in recess. That means your members are home. If you have something to say to your Representative about health insurance reform or any other pressing issue. say it while they're home. When members of Congress are in DC, they are treated like royalty. Back home, they're just retail politicians who need your votes. So call the local office, go to a town hall meeting or just walk up to them at an event. They work for you.

The Senate is in session for another week. While we may or not may see progress on health insurance reform, the Senate will make history by confirming the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor.

And, we'll see what else this week brings... Read the rest of this post...

Tales of "the 'silla": Levi has "people" now

Oh, boy. You can see it coming. The next reality show. It's going to be "Entourage" meets Wasilla or "the 'silla" as Levi calls it. Maybe that will be the name of the show, "the "silla."

Yes, even Levi Johnston has "a team" of people around him these days.

(And, certainly, there will be plenty of time in the new reality show devoted to the status of the Palin marriage.) Read the rest of this post...