Oh, By The Way, No Benghazi Scandal

Ken AshfordObama Opposition, RepublicansLeave a Comment

I wonder if Fox will touch this: Military officers testified that there was no "stand-down order" that held back military assets that could have saved the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans killed at a diplomatic outpost and CIA annex in Benghazi, Libya. Their testimony undercut the contention of Republican lawmakers. The "stand-down" theory centers on a Special Operations team … Read More

Republican Alternatives To Obamacare

Ken AshfordHealth Care, Obama OppositionLeave a Comment

As the White House struggles with the rollout of Obamacare’s online health insurance marketplace, pressure has mounted within the Republican Party to begin offering conservative alternatives that address the nation’s health care crisis. Here are some of the plans the GOP is considering: Repeating the phrase “you can keep your current doctor” over and over until something happens Loosening regulations … Read More

Day 7 And We’re Still Shutdown

Ken AshfordCongress, Obama Opposition, RepublicansLeave a Comment

And here's good commentary on why: Also…. Disapproval of congressional Republicans’ budget wrangling after a weeklong shutdown has shot up to 70 percent, with 51 percent disapproving “strongly,” according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. At the same time, President Obama’s approval rating has ticked up due to improved marks among moderate Democrats and independents. No group, however, earns positive … Read More

Republicans Applaud Capital Police But Prevent Them From Being Paid

Ken AshfordCongress, Obama Opposition, RepublicansLeave a Comment

Speaker John Boehner tweeted how everyone owes a debt of gratitude for the way DC police handled the crazy woman who tried to run into the White House yesterday. They police do indeed deserve the praise they are getting. One thing Capitol police are not getting, though—at least not while Boehner lacks the professionalism and bravery to stand up to … Read More

Hot Mic Conversation Shows This Is About Optics And “Winning”, Not About Americans

Ken AshfordCongress, Obama Opposition, Republicans, Tea PartyLeave a Comment

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) were caught on a hot mic Wednesday night while discussing their party's messaging on the government shutdown.    Paul ran into McConnell, who was wired for an interview, in front of a camera after wrapping his own interview with CNN, according to Western Kentucky news station WPSD.  "I just did … Read More

Cruz Taken To Woodshed

Ken AshfordCongress, Obama Opposition, Tea PartyLeave a Comment

TPM: Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) took heat from his Republican colleagues Wednesday in a closed-door meeting to discuss the government shutdown, Politico reported. At the meeting that was hosted by the Senate’s conservative Steering Committee, one GOP senator after another pressed Cruz to offer a proposal to end the shutdown, according to Politico. The junior senator from Texas reportedly had no solution … Read More

About those WWII Vets

Ken AshfordObama Opposition, Political ScandalsLeave a Comment

When I consider the behavior of the right over the past 48 hours, I don't know whether to laugh or cry. First, they force the shutdown.  And try to blame Democrats. When that doesn't work, they say that the shutdown is no big deal, because – hey, there are still air traffic controllers and all.  They say this despite the … Read More

Ted Talks

Ken AshfordObama OppositionLeave a Comment

He talked throughout the night and is still going as of 10:00 AM: WASHINGTON — Condemned from all sides, Sen. Ted Cruz launched a talkathon Tuesday intended to cripple Obamacare but aimed — inconveniently — at a bill that would deliver exactly what he asked for. Cruz came to the Senate floor destined to lose, armed with a thick three-ring … Read More

Chickenhawks

Ken AshfordObama Opposition, SyriaLeave a Comment

Yes, this is annoying. When Obama was making noises about bombing Syria, Republicans (and some Democrats) chastized him as being reckless. Now, thanks to Russia, it looks like we’re going to get the chemical weapons away from Assad, and we don’t have to bomb Syria. And those same Republicans are now criticizing Obama.  John? The Daily Show with Jon StewartGet … Read More

It Turns Out That People Like The Alternative to Obamacare, Known As “Obamacare”

Ken AshfordHealth Care, Obama OppositionLeave a Comment

This anecdote, reported by Jason Cherkis after attending an event in Louisville, speaks to a fascinating larger phenomenon. A middle-aged man in a red golf shirt shuffles up to a small folding table with gold trim, in a booth adorned with a flotilla of helium balloons, where government workers at the Kentucky State Fair are hawking the virtues of Kynect, the … Read More