Your Abbreviated Pundit Round-up
January 20, 2009 by
Filed under Bush Powers, Capitol Hill, Clueless, Deserved, Double Standards, Idiot Ideas, Legal Ramblings, Money, Uncategorized
Today’s the day. Even the Bush apologists are struggling to keep up with history.
NY Times: A list of firsts.
Today, when Barack Obama promises to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution, an African-American will finally occupy the highest office in the land. (Hallelujah!) But the significance of that achievement may obscure another, easily overlooked first: a native of Hawaii will take residence in the White House. (Aloha!)
Dr. King would have been 80 years old now. He came to national prominence not trying to elect an African-American president, but just trying to get us past the depraved practice of blacks being forced to endure the humiliation of standing up and giving their seat on a bus to a white person, some man or woman or child.
David Brooks: let me quote popular books to point out this ain’t the 60’s any more. And let me continue the long-time conservative tradition of pointing out that when conservatives really screw up, it’s everyone’s fault. That’s because I’m the nice conservative, and an intellectual (I read books.) My colleagues simply blame Bill Clinton. And liberals. Our job is to make sure their books don’t sell.
CNN on The Speech:
Obama aides said that the speech will last 18 to 20 minutes and that Obama will emphasize that America is entering a new area of responsibility.
He will say that America has been hurt by a “me first” mentality that has contributed to the current economic crisis, aides say, and call on individuals — as well as corporations and businesses — to take responsibility for their actions.
It is not the end of war, racism, or politics as usual. But it is a chance to reaffirm our commitment to making this country a more ethical, more equal place.
Christopher Hitchens: This incoherent non-defense defense of Bush is really just a way toy say I’m sure Gore and Kerry would have been worse. Based on what? Well, at least with Bush we know what we have. With the other guys, the uncertainty would have been… worse, or something.
Andrew Roberts: Bush was a good president. Seriously. And all you people who think Afghanistan and Iraq was all about oil are (generally, but not always) stupid people. No, seriously.
CK watch: Ezra and Noam don’t like her as a Senate pick, but Fred Dicker says it’s Caroline for certain.
