Friday, November 27, 2009

Opinion

Blog Buzz: Wall Street Bailout Bill Faces a Senate Vote, Vice Presidential Debate Predictions, More of the Sarah Palin-Katie Couric Interview

Posted October 1, 2008

Our daily look at stories and topics that are lighting up the Internets:

Senate Bailout Bill Plump With Pork

Bloggers report that the 451-page Senate version of the bailout bill seems likely to pass tonight, and the hope is that new "sweeteners" in the form of tax credits and an increase in the FDIC insurance limit will sway some members of Congress to switch their vote. Some conservative bloggers say that there may be time to chew it over and craft a better bill. In particular, bloggers aren't fans of the pork stuck in the bill, including earmarks for wool research and Puerto Rican rum. TalkLeft opposes the bill because "it includes irresponsible sops to the Republicans, corporate tax breaks."

VP Debate: Will the Buzzword Queen Prevail?

While Sarah Palin has been wobbly in recent interviews, both conservative and liberal bloggers think she could surpass expectations at the vice presidential debate on Thursday. Liberal bloggers say that while she struggles at talking about policy details, she excels at filibustering and tossing out "the right stream of buzzwords." Conservative bloggers think her recent interview with Hugh Hewitt and her past debate success bode well for her performance on Thursday. The fact that the moderator will be Gwen Ifill, who has a book coming out about Barack Obama and the politics of race, has one conservative blogger demanding she be removed. A National Review Online blogger thinks Palin could use the situation to her advantage. A Politico blogger wonders why the issue is only coming up now so close to the debate.

Palin-Couric Interview Gets Worse

As more segments of her interview with Katie Couric air, liberal bloggers find more reasons to dislike Sarah Palin. From her comment that being gay is a choice to her inability to name one publication she reads (she reads "all of them," actually) to her lack of Supreme Court knowledge, the list of cringeworthy moments in the "ongoing horror movie" (the interview) goes on. Bloggers mock her "mighty intellect" and sarcastically vow never to underestimate her again.

—Gretchen Hannes

  • Print  |
  • Subscribe  |
  • |
  • |
  • Sphere: Related Content

Reader Comments

This bailout is a political bailout. The democrats are right, the republicans have been irresponsible in taking care of America and it's citizens and their economic future.. The republicans are right, the democrats have been irresponsible in taking care of America and it's citizens and their economic future. Both parties are in agreement. So are the voters.

Wal Street Bail Out States Problems Too

I'm not an economic genius, but I am a smart small business owner.. I have a plan for the bailout that will help wall street, help economy, and protect tax payers..

Here goes:

1. Buy out bad mortgage debt 70 cents on the dollar in todays fair market value of the asset..

2. Banks/investment firms do not get to choose which debt the government purchases: its all or nothing..

3. Create government branch to manage sale of assets..

4. Make State gevernments 10% responsible for the bad assets taken over in their own states..

Its that simple... The bank/investment firm does not get totally bailed out, so we dont have to worry as much about these fat cats getting paid: its still going to hurt them. We protect the tax payers money by purchasing something that we get an immediate 30% profit on. This does not give the banks the ability to choose (good bad debt) from (bad bad debt). And some of these states like California and Colorado that let these bad lending laws happen get a hit too for bad government..

THATS RIGHT - I SAID SOME OF THESE STATE POLITICIANS ARE COMPLETE IDIOTS: states control lending laws also, so why do I in Texas have to pay for Califoria's and Colorado's misakes????????????????????????????????????????

Senate Bailout Plan

It's clear the Senate nor House has a clue!! It's time to vote all of these Incumbutts out of office and start over. Give the next group of "Geni-not-for-us" a chance to come up with a new plan. I'm not in the market for this much PORK. Obama said it. You can dress a PIG up and put lipstick on it, but it's still a Pig--and this Rescue Plan (HA! HA! didn't know NASCAR needed rescuing) is one FAT PIG and I'm not buying it!

Add your thoughts

Your comment will be posted immediately, unless it is spam or contains profanity. For more information, please see our Comments FAQ.

advertisement

Crossword Puzzle

Do You Like Crosswords?

We've added a new feature to our weekly digital magazine: an exclusive crossword puzzle!

advertisement

Cartoon Gallery

Editorial Cartoon

Political Cartoons

Check out our most recent cartoons.

Mary Kate Cary

Mary Kate Cary

The GOP Should Reach Out to Women

The male-dominated party just doesn't understand what women want.

Mort Zuckerman

Mort Zuckerman

The Financial System Needs a Careful Cure

Let the Federal Reserve oversee new regulations for finance giants.

Palin Cartoon Gallery

Editorial Cartoon on Sarah Palin

We've assembled some of the best editorial cartoons on Sarah Palin. Check them out.

Thomas Jefferson St.

GOP Can Be Thankful for Strong Polls

But they cannot get complacent.

5 Reasons for a Democratic Thanksgiving

Michael Steele and healthcare reform top the list.

Women Have Say on Health Reform

If it's the year of the women, why are there so few of them?

Turkey Tax

Uncle Sam is joining in on your Thanksgiving dinner.

Ideological Labels Just Don't Fit

Hard-liners don't understand that some of us don't toe an ideological line.

A Decade in Biased Review

How well does the video sum up the last decade?

GOPers Push European-Style Litmus Tests

Some RNC members want strict party platforms. Why do they hate America?

Your Photos

President Barack Obama speaks about combat troop level reductions in Iraq as he addresses military personnel at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.

Obama in Your Town

Has the president visited your town? Send your photos to obamaphotos@usnews.com, and we'll post our favorites online.

Courtesy Greg Meinert

Thousands cheer as Obama becomes the 44th president.

Your Inauguration Photos

Thanks for sending us such great shots from this historic event.


A baby kissing an Obama poster for Washington Whispers.

Your Campaign Photos

We asked to see your personal election pictures and you delivered.

Public Opinion

Should the GOP Have a Litmus Test?

Should the RNC exclude politicians who don't match the party's platform?

advertisement

Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our Terms and Conditions of Use and Privacy Policy.
Make USNews.com your home page.