President Bush has mastered two powerful political tactics: swerving toward your base and scaring everyone else.

It's awe-inspiring to watch him employ both within a 24-hour period. First, Judge Alito (Go, conservatives! It's your birthday!). Now, bird flu. Is it a coincidence that President Bush is employing these tactics at a moment when his presidency appears to be crumbling? I'm gonna go with, "No."

Incidentally, I think President Bush is right to be tackling Bird Flu in a proactive way. And I'm reminded of the time that President Clinton bombed something or other at the height of the Monica Lewinsky scandal. Senator Hatch went on TV to voice frustration. On the one hand, the timing of the bombing seemed highly suspect. On the other hand, the bombing was probably the right thing to do. Damn President Clinton for making us wonder whether this bombing was politically motivated!

This is hysterical. Apparently, the White House has taken the time to ask The Onion to stop using the presidential seal on its website.

The Onion's response?

"I would advise them to look for that other guy Osama... rather than comedians. I don't think we pose much of a threat."

So the Jewish holidays just passed... Thought I'd share a prayer that I came across in my prayer book:

We pray with all our hearts: let violence be gone; let the day come soon when evil shall give way to goodness, when war shall be forgotten, hunger shall be no more, and all at last shall live in freedom.

With the possible exception of the Principles Project, I think this comes closer to summarizing liberal thought than anything else I've seen.

(And, yes, I'm still a believer in the separation of church and state.)

Just want to draw your attention to some of the most innovative work in progressive politics...

Click here to see the Roosevelt Review

A note that was sent to the 2020 membership today...

Hi, all.

It is with great sadness that we write to you today, to share the tragic news that Sarah Rosen, a 2020 member and friend, has passed away.

Over the last few days, we have learned just how many individuals, organizations, and causes will miss Sarah. It's a remarkable number, a reflection of what a remarkable person she was.

DISCUS, where Sarah worked, has suggested that we celebrate Sarah’s life by making contributions to one of the following local charities that she actively supported:

Coaching for College

A good speech, with two main problems:

1. Where's the money coming from? President Bush talked a lot about reconstruction proposals, but not at all about how he intends to pay for these proposals. Well, that’s not entirely true… He did point out that Congress has authorized $60 billion in aid and that two former Presidents (Bush the Elder and Clinton) have raised $100 million. But where’s the rest going to come from? Reasonable reconstruction estimates are hovering around $150 billion. Which means that even if Bush the Elder and Clinton raise another $100 million, they’ll be able to cover one THOUSANDTH of the cost of reconstruction.

As most of you know, I'm an AP wire junkie. Check out these two articles that came out recently in quick succession:

9/14/5, 9:22 am: China Industrial Output Rises in August

9/14/5, 9:24 am: U.S. Industrial Output is Depressed By Katrina

Take out "By Katrina" from that last headline, and you have headlines from the future. America's industrial decline is not just a short-term trend, nor is China's industrial growth. And, yes, they are connected.

Wow.

"Katrina exposed serious problems in our response capability at all levels of government," Mr. Bush said. "And to the extent that the federal government didn't fully do its job right, I take responsibility."

I have to say that I'm surprised and impressed.

So President Bush made history by announcing that his nominee for Chief Justice would be a (drum roll, please)... Conservative White Guy!

Our president's lack of imagination is frustrating, if not altogether surprising.

Well, at least we'll have a woman president on tv this fall.

On the off chance that Bush nominates Sandra Day O'Connor to be Chief Justice, I suspect this article will make for some interesting conversations:

Roberts Scoffed at O'Connor Promotion

In the meantime, my condolences to the Rehnquist family. I hope that the Administration continues to focus on the crisis at hand and then, at a more appropriate time, gives Chief Justice Rehnquist the tribute that he is due.