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Subscribe to RSSThe rough economic news continues: Employers added just 54,000 jobs in May, the fewest in eight months, while the unemployment rate increased to 9.1%... Genuine economic concern at the White House… But it’s optimistic about the state of the auto industry, and Obama delivers remarks at the Chrysler Group’s Supplier Park in Toledo, OH at 1:25 pm ET… Congress turns its attention to Libya… Romney’s good and bad day yesterday… GOP presidential hopefuls address the Faith and Freedom confab in DC… Why Gingrich won’t be there: He’s on vacation… Huntsman spends his afternoon/evening in New Hampshire… John Edwards likely to be indicted… And farewell to NBC’s Savannah Guthrie!
*** The rough economic news continues: It was about a year ago when a combination of the Greek debt crisis and the BP spill sent the jobs market in a tailspin. In May 2010, fueled largely by U.S. Census hires, the economy gained more than 450,000 jobs. Then the next month, it lost nearly 200,000. Is something similar taking place this summer -- after high gas prices, the disaster in Japan, and more instability in Europe? The latest jobs report shows that the economy added just 54,000 jobs in May, the fewest in eight months, the AP says. (Private employers added 83,000 new workers, while local governments cut 28,000 jobs.) What’s more, the unemployment rate ticked up from 9.0% to 9.1%.
*** Genuine economic concern at the White House: There's genuine concern at the White House about the economy, and it's not just because of the round of bad data circulating this week. Rather, it's from the stagnant data over the past six weeks. The top-three areas of concern from their view: 1) gas prices and the effect its having on consumer spending; 2) the European debt crisis, and 3) the political stalemate here over the debt ceiling. However, there’s optimism about the rest of the year -- due to Japan’s recovery efforts, business investment is still on the rise, and exports have been improving. Even under the guise of "worst case scenario," the phrase "double dip" isn't being uttered around the West Wing. The real fear is something akin to Japan in the '90s -- flat or stagnant growth leading to few jobs created over a number of years, in other words, "a jobless recovery."
*** But optimism about the state of the U.S. auto industry: Some good economic news that the Obama administration wants to highlight is in the auto industry, and that’s why the president today delivers remarks at 1:25 pm ET at the Chrysler Group’s Supplier Park in Toledo, OH. Here’s the news Obama will discuss: “Italian automaker Fiat SpA agreed late Thursday to acquire the U.S. Treasury's stake in Chrysler Group LLC for $560 million, ending the Obama administration's involvement with the Auburn Hills automaker,” the Detroit News reports. “The U.S. exit ends a 30-month involvement of two administrations in saving the company from collapse, beginning with the Bush administration's decision to bail out Chrysler with $4 billion in December 2008.”
*** Congress turns its attention to Libya: The White House also has to worry about congressional attitudes about Libya. Per the New York Times, the House will vote on “two measures that are strongly critical of President Obama’s decision to maintain an American role in NATO operations in Libya.” One resolution, sponsored by Congressman Dennis Kucinich, would direct the president to end the United States’ limited involvement in Libya in the next two weeks. The other resolution -- introduced by GOP leaders fearful that Kucinich’s measure would pass and would send the wrong message -- states that the White House has not received congressional authorization for the use of force in Libya and it asserts that Obama must provide Congress information about the mission there within 14 days. A question to ponder: Is this real war fatigue that's been building over a decade, or is this a case -- among Republicans -- if Obama's for it, it's easier to be against it?
*** Romney’s good and bad day: If he’s going to be the eventual Republican nominee, then Mitt Romney had a good day yesterday. He was on message with the big story of the day: the U.S. economy. But it also was a bad day in his attempt to get the GOP nomination. Sarah Palin, in Massachusetts of all places, took a shot at Romney’s health-care law. "In my opinion, any mandate coming from government is not a good thing,” she said from famous Bunker Hill. Rudy Giuliani, who’s mulling a presidential bid, also piled on. “The reality is that Obamacare and Romneycare are almost exactly the same, it’s not very helpful trying to distinguish them,” Giuliani said while in New Hampshire. Since your authors have been covering presidential politics, we can’t remember a time when high-profile members of a political party took a shot at their own on his/her announcement day. In fact, the 2008 vice-presidential nominee (Palin) tried to kneecap the party’s 2012 front-runner. Truly stunning.
*** Gotta have faith (and freedom): Several GOP presidential candidates and other high-profile Republicans speak in DC at the Faith and Freedom Conference, organized by former Christian Coalition head (and Abramoff business associate) Ralph Reed. Slated to speak: Paul Ryan (9:37 am ET), Michele Bachmann (10:00 am), Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour (10:15 am), John Boehner (11:27 am), Jon Huntsman (11:42 am), RNC Chair Reince Priebus (11:57 am), and then in the evening it’s Donald Trump (7:35 pm), Tim Pawlenty (8:48 pm), and Mitt Romney (9:13 pm). Notably, skipping the event: Newt Gingrich, who will send a video message instead.
*** Vacation … all I ever wanted: So where is Gingrich, who’s been especially quiet over the past several days? Well, he and his wife Callista are on vacation, per spokesman Rick Tyler. The couple always "planned to take this time" when they looked at the calendar, Tyler said. "This fits the schedule." Gingrich will be back on the trail June 8 in New Hampshire. He's doing a Republican Jewish Coalition event June 12 in Los Angeles, and then is doing the CNN debate June 13.
*** On the 2012 trail: In addition to his remarks at the Faith and Freedom Conference in DC, Huntsman heads to New Hampshire later today, where he delivers keynote speech at Belknap County GOP Committee's Annual "Lincoln Day" Dinner.
*** Edwards likely to be indicted today: Former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards is likely to be charged today over “the money used to keep his mistress in hiding during the 2008 campaign,” the AP reports. “A person with knowledge of the investigation said Edwards' attorney, Gregory Craig, planned to be in his client's home state Friday. Prosecutors are prepared to file charges, and the sides are still in discussions for a plea deal, so it's unclear whether Edwards will be indicted or agree to a negotiated charge.” NBC’s Lisa Myers reported on “TODAY” this morning that sources say he will reject the plea agreement and will be indicted.
*** Farewell to Savannah Guthrie: Finally, today is NBC’s Savannah’s Guthrie last day in the Washington bureau and as co-host on MSNBC’s “Daily Rundown.” She is headed to work full time on the “TODAY” show in New York. Savannah is a great colleague, friend, and contributor to First Read, and we’ll miss her. We wish her the best of luck in New York! Be sure to tune into today's “Daily Rundown” for some farewells and even a few surprises.
Countdown to Iowa GOP straw poll: 71 days
Countdown to NV-2 special election: 102 days
Countdown to Election Day 2011: 158 days
Countdown to the Iowa caucuses: 248 days
* Note: When the IA caucuses take place depends on whether other states move up
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in michigan, we have the new govenor giving back 187 billion to business? cutting medicade and schools, reducing unemployment benefits, and taxing senior pensions to pay for this transfer of monies, with no promise that it will increase jobs?
we are seniors living withinn our means and along comes the republicans striking us down!
gas prices are a scam and have held this economy hostage.
we now spend all our monies just to survive? this is what the repubs had in mind for us? now they want to cut medicare and social security? is their plan to create death pannels?
i see your plan is to swallow any leftnut talking-point spoon-fed to you; facts be damned
Rob...it's the GOP whose motto should be, "Facts be damned." Do you feel better by typing your hatred and insults?
wow genius; you try to use my line on me but didnt bother to say what i posted that isnt true. typical
even the left-leaning factcheck.org said that Dems were not telling the truth about Ryan's plan for Medicare. you can go Google it yourself; then come back here and tell me who is being honest and who is swallowing talking points ok??
KR - and yet the illinois sec. of the treasury is ringing the alarm bells on what illinois is doing with the illinois state budget. Even after increasing taxes by what (67% ?) Illinois wants to keep spending more than what revenues are bring in with a lot of that money going towards state pension plans
Bet the private sector will really enjoy that budgetary plan.
Maybe his next economic bailout will keep it from going over 9.1%? Sure, let's vote for him again - another 4 more years of this and we'll ALL be on the Obama Food Stamp program! What kind of hope and change is he promising next time around? Can't wait to hear about it!
What a COMPLETE FAILURE this man is. I gave him the benefit of the doubt when he won, but it sure didn't take long to figure out he was bad news. I wonder if the 2.5 million people who lost their jobs since he became president thing he's still a hot shot?
tell the corporations how much of their own money they can "sit on" leftard; that's always a good plan; a left-wing government $14 trillion in the hole trying to lecture others on fiscal practices!! lol
Robbie, you're very silly, and reading comprehension seems to be a challenge for you. Your ire is directed at the wrong person. Your Republican friends have told you that a continuation of Shrub's tax cuts for the wealthy would lead to job prosperity. They were wrong, as usual. The corporations can sit on thier money for as long as they like for all I care...doing so just proves my point.
And your so-called 'left-wing' government did not create a $14T debt on it's own. They had plenty of help from the 'right-wing' government, which bollixed the ecoonomy up so much that Keynes was in order to stem off a full depression and maintain some approximation of economic viability. You should study history a little more closely than you apparently study/memorize the babblings of the Limbaugh/HannityFauxNews crowd.
Ooooo! You called me a libtard! Sticks and stones, little one.
Have a nice day
Funny, I agree to a point Both parties caused this mess , and this mess has been 20 yrs in the making, But why do we blame the prsident?.... He a figure head made to look like he has power... He got nothing,,, The true people to blame are the nut jobs in the house and senate, The president needs the permission from the House and senate to spend money even a penny. Yes I know the Koolaid claim on this comment, " Bush lied " "Obama broke Promises" truly give it up, 80% of our politicians don't even read a bill.... and the other 20% depend on there assistants.
Truth of the matter is Cut the Tax cuts for business and rich, But don't increase there tax's cause more people are on welfare... Media is a scam no matter the station or paper, Demeocratic Party and the Republican Party made this mess and trust me none will be able to fix it... The average american help make this mess as well.... I heard someone state it was bushs fault the houseing market crashed.... hmmm how many people had bush hold a gun to there head while signing the mortgage papers?... And for the record don't quatre history without recegnizing that this country was founded on the Republic form of Government not democratic...
real american - could it be that the executive branch is expected to lead? Yes, no POTUS will do everything right for all people, but like it or not, he/she still needs to have the ability to get the parties going in the same direction.
Something to think about is where did all the conservative liberals go or the liberal republicans? Since the 2008 election where has anyone not voted along party lines for major legislation?
and there lies the problem, nice post American
The immaturity of the Republican leadership in OUR House of Representatives is appalling.
Hint for Paul Ryan: You don't disrespect the POTUS by lashing-out and engaging in personal attacks. You are not the President (thank God) and probably would have to pull a Palin and quit before your term expired if you ever were. Also, the media should own-up to the majority of blame for this occurrence. Medicare Reform was a very small part of the NY-26 election. It had more to do with the Republican candidate.
Politics is not some Xbox360 game...it is serious business and comes with a great deal of responsibility. Simply because someone doesn't agree with your point-of-view or your methods doesn't make them an enemy to be bitterly despised. It might mean your ideas are simply unacceptable to them. That's known as a disagreement; not a declaration of war. You work with them; not attack them; find solution; not compromise.
It wouldn't bother me a bit if Congress took an extended vacation, say until 2025. That should give you enough time to prove how the decisions of Congress affect the nation. During that time, the American people could hold a Constitutional Convention and straighten-up the mess you've created. I'll guarantee corporations will not be viewed as 'natural' persons under the law.
Grow up, Paul Ryan and start acting like a legislator instead of a media puppet.
comical; a left nut boring us with a long-winded post ranting about who's immature. this from a Democrat Congress that couldnt even be bothered TO WRITE BUDGETS FOR 2 YEARS as they spent TRILLIONS. Priceless!!
obama has been dividing us and attacking the other side since before he was even elected; hypocritically setting up a false argument by pandering that people wouldn't vote for him because as he said "I dont look like they do" as if people couldnt disagree with him or what he advocates for any other reason then race. so it's actually sad to see hypocrites on the left talk about not attacking people and compromising. you on the cant even get yourselves to admit the Bush policies you CHOSE to retain when you had the numbers to repeal if you really thought they were that bad; let alone the fact that Dems didnt compromise one bit on the trillion-dollar boondoggle know as ObamaCare
I'm a moderate Independent...your attack proves my point.
Anyone else notice that Rob just seems to go yippie-skippy through this site, interjecting his trash talk and moving on without replying when he's called on it? Right-wing ignoramus, he....
I like you post, but you went onto talk about him attacking when you are doing the same to him.... The truth is your 100% right though,,, we should just disagree ... I would like to inject another Idea, why can't the two parties mention each others problems with a stituation than find a middle ground, work it out..
Sometime both party's make it difficult just to create a bill or a supportive law .... there is no true representation in government.... The republican Blame Obama for everything and the Dems that still blame Bush... Dems attack the Oil companies our #1 source of energy before they find a good reliable back up energy.. and attack the rich cause they actually got off there but and made some real money, The republicans think everything is bad if it is not baught and Paid for by a corporation, and always state small government but let it grow bigger each year in office...
realamerican -
Representative Ryan does not only represent the people from Wisconsin, he has chosen to be a part of the House leadership; and therefore represents the entire nation. His actions in the White House, as reported by the media, were totally unacceptable to me and many other citizens of our great nation. He needs to be 'called-out on the carpet' when his actions are inappropriate. I did that.
Much of what occurred, reflects the disrespect for authority in our society. Irregardless of what political party you associate with, being elected President of the United States is quite an accomplishment and the office should be respected and honored; at all times. As others have stated on this blog: "United we stand; divided we fall."
realamerican - re: #30.5 - yes, you're correct that I "bit" rob in my response. Difference being (and if this is rationalization, so be it) is that I try to avoid attacking just everybody; I snipe at the snipers. (Not always 100% true, but I reckon that's the best I can do.)
Peace,
Viktor
Journey - kind of like the 2005 junior senator from Illinois also lacking experience and maturity, right?
I agree, Viktor, but I advise caution: This corporate media "blog" has "moderators" who don't cotton to posters who call out the rightwingnutwits on their behavior.
They think that makes them "Fair and Balanced".
Obamanomics is apparently not working. He and his team democrats have failed all by themselves. Bush is looking better all the time.
obama is a failure; no amount of hypocritical crying about how he is being treated by absurd hate-filled leftnuts that hurled hate at Bush for 8 years, or whining about the Republican House members; will make obama a success
...yet you yourself are obviously immune to feeling or expressing hate against those you repeatedly refer to as leftnuts, libtards, etc. As you clearly and repeatedly evince: Stupid is, as stupid does.
Edwards, like Bill Clinton, proved to be morally bankrupt in his commitment to his marriage. However, he did nothing illegal. The money that went to Reille Hunter was put up by friends and former contributors of Edwards at his request. They could have freely chosen not to subsidize her and they neither expected nor derived any poltical benefit for their money. The U.S. attorney is an old enemy of Edwards who served under a judge that Edwards blocked from becoming an appellate justice.
But Edwards will plead guilty to some lesser charge because he knows he stands to be found guilty anyway--what he won't do is serve any time in prison. Not even the U.S. attorney can make that happen because of sentencing guidelines and the nature of the crime.
do you know what message board you are on?
Its Bush's fault! LoL
Two separate polls in May found that 55% (CNN) and 54% (Rasmussen) of the public do, in fact, blame Bush for the bad economy while only 30% (CNN) and 39% (Rasmussen) blame Obama. LOL
FR:
The Republicans claim that public sector jobs aren't REAL jobs, so why are the "fake" jobs cut by the public sector being subtracted from the "real" jobs added by the private sector?
It's the peoples fault for electing a Democratic President, and its the peoples fault for electing a Republican Congress in the middle of it all to boot. How do you expect anything to get done? All the rich wall street and Company owning Republicans probably have jobs waiting, to lower unemployment to 4.5%, they are just holding back to make OBAMA look bad. Bad Republicans, bad I say.
I've had thoughts along that line, too. One guy I know said he doubted it because corporations are much too greedy to sacrifice the short-term profits they would get by hiring more workers and thus stimulating the economy. But I still wonder if the long-term benefits of having a Republican administration in office in 2013 that will slash regulations and allow corporations to resume their predatory practices unchecked by government oversight just like in the good old Bush days is so attractive to them. that they'll forgo the short-term benefits of hiring now.
The GOP and their many rich donors are doing everything possible to make sure President Obama fails - to hell with the country and the middle class! It's all about the royal buck and power...that's what the GOP covets.
Hello White House and Congress..
You REALLY want to address the budget crisis... then get the he!! out of those three meaningless and senseless wars! NOW!
Whenever American citizens are hurting this bad , they go to the polls and elect the opposite political party. Hence, this is what 2010 was all about. So, we can predict how the presidential 2012 election will go unless things change drastically. "We the people" vote OUT govt. officials who are NOT working for us. 9.1% unemployment, 2 or 3 wars and huge national debt is NOT working for US.
Typical comments from the unempoloyed overpayed union workers that voted for the "Hope and Change". Well, you better have hope, becuase all of the change so far has been typical Democratic spending.
You cannot survive on borrowed money you fricken idiots: personally or the Gov't.
Quit spending...........................................................
 Hey folks we dont have any jobs but we got obamacare  even if we didnt need it..
Joe66...
We also got a boatload of job-killing regs, EPA running wild, TSA BS, and how about the new NLRB punking Boeing for having the nerve to try and open a new factory in the right-to-work state of South Carolina!!
Wow, I would say he has accomplished quite a bit, wouldn't you?
Just Saying...
"Even if we didn't need it?" What, Joe66? There are millions of people who need health care, and the new health care law will save billions of dollars and countless lives.
K2mn....
Maybe so, but its not the government's purview to provide that care - its called personal responsibility. And, so far, Obamacare has not saved the first penny, in fact, it has by all accounts, increased costs by a big margin....
Just Saying...
"The GOP and their many rich donors are doing everything possible to make sure President Obama fails...."
When Bush was President, everything was his fault according to you Dems/Libs. Now, you want to blame the GOP for the TERRIBLE job Obama is doing. How about.....IT'S OBAMA"S FAULT !
Leona...After you read and learn some facts, maybe then your posts will be read seriously.
K2MM
I would suggest the same for you
Thank you, realamerican. I have and will continue to so do.
k2 - leona is on target. If you choose to ignore history you will repeat it. Part of the functionality of politics is to see that the opposition doesn't remain in power. it works equally well whether one is an intelligent right winger or a dumbass lefty
Naturally you can change the adjectives around to suit. It won't change the bottom line of what politics is about.
Time for Real Change
The truth of the matter is this, we the people are the only ones that can create jobs not the government, example 1. Harry Ried and his solar Farm... created what 1 job ( Not sure on that number), 2. Tax breaks for the rich, lol thats a Joke.
I am not a Republican nor am I a Democrat, but I am a Conservative with a twist, the twist being I belive in true Representation, if you want health care but 89% of the Americans say no than there is only 1 answer NO!!. Again I state a reality " For the People By the People".
There is one way (truly there are many but only want to state one) the feds can help us People create jobs and produce a better environment all at the same time. I truly believe this Man Made Global warming is a scam but I also believe the subject is mute now... I think as an American who believes this is the best dam country in the world, that just cleaning our air makes us look awesome no matter the belief system... Think about this, the government promised that it will cover 50% of your cost if you put solar panels on your house, that alone would cause the cost of this industry to go down some and will also have these solar panel companies ripping him off, and make it law that the home owner cannot place them on the roof themselves it has to be professionals,,, as time goes price will remain getting smaller and smaller which in turn more will buy, and because of the law about placing them on your house and paying for 50% of it for you. wow that would create jobs for a long time and would create a dam good AMERICAN MADE Industry.
Allow the Oils companies to drill were ever they want, ( I know I just Pissed a ton off there but hear me out) but mandate there time of doing it.. Create a law that states that 60% of all oil drilled in the USA is used in the USA, Only allow 20% of that to be placed on the Global market, as for there profits make them guarantee that 3% of there profits were to be invested into Alternative fuels and energy, also mandate that in 10 years they had to help reduce Americas Independence on fuel by 10% , if not there kicked out of drill 100%.
There are so many things the people can do to create jobs and depending on the government is pointless even if they managed to create jobs there just going to tax you more no matter who is the president.
And it would be nice if government would just leave education alone dam!!
at what point does the loser Left and their failure obama take ownership of the economy?
That's the problem !! were at a point were we all let the politicians account for economy, and all forms of government failed....
Who the hell cares who's fault it is why can't we just form our own sollution and tell the government to back off and only elect those that support the PEOPLES PLAN for economic recovery
the loony Left pretends everything was so bad under President Bush (average unemployment rate 5.2%) while crying about Bush policies they supported and voted to keep funding (wars) both as a minority Party and the majority party under bush, then CONTINUED AND EXTENDED under obama with a Dem majority(tax cuts), at the same time pretending things are better under obama; (they're worse), and if you can get them to admit things arent better then guess who's fault it is after 4 straight years of a Dem majority of BOTH chambers of Congress and halfway through obama's THIRD YEAR? yep it's all Republicans fault. what a joke i swear the loony left suffers from collective mental illness! lol!
Liberalism is a mental disorder
Our state and Federal governments have failed to produce anything positive, even when they do the other side goes nuts, maybe it's just time for all of us to combine our thoughts and produce our own solution to the economic downfall.
Everyone can blame Obama but Bush did nothing, Everyone can blame Bush but Obama did nothing, it's all back and forth and will continue to be back and forth till we the people By the People solve the problems ourselves.
I knew the Government was a failure once they stated the United States was a Democratic country, No we are a republic period ... If the majority of the people say no it's no. Government has created a class warfare , a racial warfare and a job warfare... sounds like there's nuttin but war in any politicians plan.
We have no choice but to vote them out.
SHUT it JoAnna - the President could personally crap gold bullion and you would still bitch
HEY FEISTY - the president could personally crap in your mouth and I'm pretty sure you would say thanks taste great!
I believe it.
We all know she LOOOOOVES Obama's crap!
yes obama could defecate in a lib's mouth and the only argument you would see if it was great taste or less filling
And don't forget that the taste and fragrance is much better than Bush's was too. Obama likes to do everything better than the last guy...spend more, apologize more, golf more...BS more...
he's no better than anyone else before him.
obama is cleaning up a mess the loony left says; but things are much "dirtier now; unemployment, budget deficits, the National Debt and the Poverty rate are all UP over Bush. obama please stop "cleaning"!!!
the measly 50,000 jobs created last month are 200,000 jobs short of what is needed for REAL growth in the economy. even if we had 400,000 new jobs per month (we had 400,000 NEW filings for unemployment last week) it would still take 3 YEARS just to get back to 6% unemployment; which is STILL HIGHER than Bush's average of just 5.2% unemployment over 8 years.
Not the least surprised to read some of the regulars posts. Still blaiming GW and the republicans. Must be nice to have a revolving free pass.
Spanky, So true, I have been saying for some time - As Callifornia goes, so goes the nation.
I guess this pretty much sums up the GOP campaign slogan for 2012.