Instead of taking on a new topic this week, I’m going to post a few quick follow up items to two of my last posts as well as a couple links to articles I found interesting or noteworthy.
Follow up items:
- In last week’s post on contradictions in the debt ceiling negotiations, I stated that the negotiations were progressing better than they might appear and that it was likely Republicans would eventually agree to increased taxes via the elimination of tax breaks. Then, on Thursday, Congressional Republicans pulled out of the debt ceiling negotiations over the issue of taxes.
Whoops! It is now likely that President Obama will have to hammer out a deal directly with Speaker Boehner. While it is still possible that the final deal will include the elimination of tax breaks, I’m less confident than I was last week. This is due to the fact that Republicans have hardened their rhetoric around tax cuts and Democrats have seemed increasingly focused on getting additional economic stimulus (in the form of an employer payroll tax cut) into the final deal.
- In my post on the Republican Presidential contenders I stated that Rep. Michele Bachmann was a legitimate threat to win the Iowa Caucuses but most likely not the nomination. On June 25th, the highly regarded Des Moines Register released its first Iowa Caucus poll which showed Michele Bachmann and Mitt Romney in a near tie for first place (with Romney ahead by 1% point). It also showed Bachmann with the highest favorability rating of all the candidates. I recommend reading Nate Silver’s analysis of the poll, but to summarize: this poll is excellent news for Bachmann. Her showing in this poll as well as her strong debate performance suggests she may have a better chance at winning the nomination than I originally thought. I still have trouble believing that the Republicans will nominate such a weak general election candidate, but you never know.
Random links:
Wrap It Up.
- In the 1960’s then Mayor of NYC John Lindsay gave former mom from The Brady Bunch, Florence Henderson, crabs after a one-night stand. Gross.
- This article in which Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas reveals he is an undocumented immigrant is sad, moving and fascinating. I highly recommend it.
- New York State passed a marriage equality law on Friday that legalizes gay marriage 30 days from now. To which I say: well done New York! Also, while it’s a little silly to look this far in advance, it’s hard to deny that Governor Cuomo could be a very strong candidate for president in 2016, especially if the economy improves (allowing him to take partial credit).
At the very least, I’m predicting that the eventual 2016 Democratic presidential nominee will endorse marriage equality.
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Keith Doughty is a non-profit finance professional who in his spare time dabbles in music, politics, and interesting food. He lives and works in Philadelphia, PA.