2-09-09

Thomas E. Ricks: As the No. 2 Commander in Iraq, Raymond Odierno Challenged the Military Establishment, Pressing for More Troops and a Long-Term Strategy to Guide Them

Michael Goodwin: The real catastrophe would be to borrow a trillion dollars for no lasting result except the liberal pet projects that have turned the bill into a porkfest. A friend, in a clever reference to JFK’s first big mistake, calls it Bambi’s Bay of Pork. Obama’s touting the bill marks him as careless with taxpayer dollars, and it’s a reputation he will not find easy to shake, especially if the legislation fails to boost the economy and add jobs.

Joseph Curl: Mr. Obama is using ever-heightening hyperbole to hammer home his message. But the strategy brings great risk for the “Yes, We Can” man, who just three weeks ago told America in his inaugural address that despite “a sapping of confidence across our land,” his election meant Americans had “chosen hope over fear.”  

Clarice Feldman: Last week we blogged about Lancet’s false reports in 2006 of Iraqi casualties and the author of that unsubstantiated report. Today the Times UK notes that a study in Lancet that connected autism with vaccinations is also false and this one has led many parents to forego critical vaccinations, subjecting many to the effects of measles, once a minor hazard when almost everyone was vaccinated.

Mark Steyn: Barack Obama didn’t run as just another of those squaresville losers. He was gonna heal the planet, and lower the oceans. So, even if he couldn’t walk on water, he should at least be able to paddle in it. “He is a community organizer like Jesus was,” said Susan Sarandon, “and now we’re a community and he can organize us.”

Mark Hemingway: Well, surprise — with a cloture vote expected tomorrow, suddenly Geithner is postponing the unveiling of his TARP plans which was originally scheduled for Monday

Ed Morrissey: During the campaign, critics and opponents noted that the only real track record Obama had built in thirteen years of politics was campaigning for something else.  Three weeks into his new administration, he’s found governing to be difficult, especially when trying to shove a partisan porkfest down the throats of an increasingly skeptical public.  Time to go back to campaign mode! 

Instapundit: THE WHITE HOUSE IS taking comments on the DTV delay. Ask ‘em about this.

Filed under: Chip by Chip