President Obama will win the war with economics given another year or so ["Obama's Honeymoon Is Over," usnews.com]. It would take the next decade or two to make any progress in Afghanistan. He should cut our losses and pull out of Afghanistan; let their own people take care of the Taliban. He needs to focus more on our economy, quick! He better not let the Great Recession become another Depression!

Barry W. Shook of IN

If we're going to rebuild this country, we have to tear down the rotten structures that are in the way, and the Republican Party is every bit as rotten as the Democratic Party.

Josh of AR in response to Washington Whispers:
Huckabee Disses 3rd Parties--Take That, Palin

This is a great article. Public Health [officials] should be sending out a clear message ["Swine Flu Frustrations: Too Little Vaccine, Too Many Scare Tactics," usnews.com]. There is too much confusing information that keeps changing. I agree that without testing there is no way to know that it is H1N1. In Los Angeles County, we have been told there is only one lab that can actually confirm a case and that only results for people hospitalized are going to that lab. We can only hope that public health [officials] learn some good lessons from this so next time they are more prepared.

Comment by Kathleen Miller of CA

The Yankees draw more fans for road games, get better TV ratings for national broadcasts, and subsidize other teams through the luxury tax. What's the complaint?

M. Brady of DC in response to Public Opinion:
Are the Yankees Good for Baseball?

While I think you can't simply overlook the Republican wins in New Jersey and Virginia, I don't think you can blow it up to say that it is directly related to the president's popularity ["Democrats: Elections Not a Referendum on Obama," usnews.com]. It might have had some affect on the results but mainly this election was based on local issues and the desire for a balance between federal and local government, which I think is a good thing. The Democratic Party has a lot of work to do before the 2010 elections, which will ride on whether the economy improves and if they can get some sort of healthcare reform to pass. The NY-23 elections showed that the conservatives are rigidly divided by social issues and that leaves a great opportunity for Obama to move more toward the center and take these moderate votes.

Comment by Jessica M. of MA

The economy will not improve unless consumer confidence returns and that will not happen until both parties regain the trust of the electorate.

Morton Kurzweil of FL in response to Bonnie Erbe:
Obama's Policies Affect Perception of Dems

I don't think there is anything that Congress and the White House have done that the majority of Americans can agree with ["American Mainstream Is Looking More Like Republican Mainstream," usnews.com]. The way they all try to demonize any opposition will come back and bite them come election time. I will not only vote but plan to donate to many races around the country. I suggest that we all stay focused and work to remove as many as possible, including any RINOs like the one in NY-23. Good job everyone, keep up the good works!

Comment by Jerry of MO

Had the previous administration "dithered" a little more on Iraq, we might not be in this double bind.

Bill N. of CA in response to Peter Roff:
More Pessimism About Afghanistan

What a blessing if the [tax] extension passes ["First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Gets Obama Nod," usnews.com]! We will be able to purchase a new home and not feel the pressure to rush into something we only feel half-hearted about. We are raising two grandsons, and it will be so wonderful for them—it will ultimately be theirs! I certainly will not miss this rental house full of mold and water and the landlords worth $2 million but "are just too poor to spend any money on repairs."

Comment by June Podoll of AR

Baseball is an eminently human sport. There are no clocks, the tools of the game are rudimentary, and its traditions are idiosyncratic. Precision is not its hallmark.

Todd of PA in response to Robert Schlesinger:
Baseball Needs More Instant Replay