Yahoo! News
National political columnist for Yahoo! News; former political Times columnist for the New York Times and a frequent contributor to the Times' Magazine, where he covered both the 2004 and 2008 presidential campaigns; author of The Argument: Billionaires, Bloggers, and the Battle to Remake Democratic Politics and All the Truth Is Out: The Week Politics Went Tabloid
Are We Getting the Leaders We Deserve? For serious students of politics and government, this year's presidential campaign has been a travesty: Donald Trump, bragging about his ratings; a discussion of his anatomy; a Twitter war about candidates' wives. In the past few days, political commentators and reporters have been asking if the news media — themselves included — have been responsible — as if it's all something new. But for Matt Bai, national political columnist for Yahoo News , it's all too familiar. He's author of All the Truth Is Out: The Week Politics Went Tabloid , a book about a presidential candidacy that ended abruptly in 1987.
Matt Bai on the Week That Politics Went Tabloid Colorado’s Democratic US Senator Gary Hart lost his party’s presidential nomination in 1984… but four years later, he looked like a winner. Then the Miami Herald investigated a rumor that turned out to be true, that Hart was having an extra-marital affair with a young, blonde named Donna Rice. Hart quit the campaign, and he’s most often remembered for the picture of Donna Rice on his lap on the deck of a yacht called “Monkey Business.” That’s the heart of a new book on what Hart’s demise meant for political journalism. It’s All the Truth is Out by Matt Bai, formerly of the New York Times, now with Yahoo!.
Presidential Debates and Running the Country Today's New York Times reports that during preparations for last week's debate, advisers saw two presidents: One that was "listless and passive," the other "energetic and aggressive." Even the President himself conceded at a star-filled fundraiser last night in Los Angeles that the wrong one showed up in Denver. Obama 's weak debate performance has raised questions about how much he really enjoys his job. He despises the sound bites and talking points the news media demand. How does he feel about coping with a hostile Congress? What about former Governor Mitt Romney 's record with Democrats in Massachusetts?
Presidential Debates and Running the Country Mitt Romney jumped a bit in the polls after last week's debate , while the President and top advisers concede it was not his best performance. But they're promising a different outcome with two more debates to go. Meantime, what about that passivity and lack of energy? Is it evidence that Barack Obama doesn't really isn't enjoying the job, not just the give and take of debating but getting others to bend to his will? Was Republican Governor Romney any better at working with Democrats in Massachusetts than the President's been at dealing with Congress?
Public-Employee Benefits and Republican Politics Both Democratic and Republican governors want to cut the pay or benefits of public employees to help reduce massive state deficits. But a poll released today by the New York Times and CBS News says Americans oppose that idea by a margin of 56 to 37 percent. Republican efforts to reduce bargaining rights are opposed by 60 to 33, with only a slim majority of GOP voters in favor. We talk further about those numbers and learn just how badly off state finances are.
Public-Employee Benefits and Republican Politics Between the amount states have promised their workers -- and the money they have to pay -- the gap totals no less than a trillion dollars. Both Democratic and Republican governors want to cut the pay or benefits of public employees to help reduce massive state deficits, but some Republicans are challenging public-sector unions and their right to bargain. While this is music to GOP strategists who've prepared for years to exploit the issue, a poll released today by the New York Times and CBS News says Americans oppose that idea by a margin of 56 to 37 percent. Republican efforts to reduce bargaining rights are opposed by 60 to 33, with only a slim majority of GOP voters in favor. Will there be a political backlash if private-sector voters identify police officers, firefighters and teachers as partners in the besieged middle-class?
Barack Obama and the Perils of Populism The New York Times reported last week that President Obama has derided Wall Street " fat cats ;" he's called health insurers "greedy;" he said West Virginia's Massey coal company put, "their bottom line before the safety of their workers." In the aftermath of the Gulf oil spill, he's been scathing in his attacks on BP. What are the long-term consequences of short-term politics?
Barack Obama and the Perils of Populism Tony Hayward spent this weekend watching his yacht race off the Isle of Wight, another black eye for the CEO of what used to be called British Petroleum. But while BP is British owned, it employs 20,000 Americans, twice its payroll in England. Some 40% of its shares are held in the United States. As President Obama and the Democrats bash BP — along with Toyota, health insurers and Wall Street, do many Americans see a threat to pensions and jobs? Do they distrust government as much as they do corporations? While Obama's populism might have short-term political value, what about the long-term? Is it time for him to cool his rhetoric or turn up the heat?
Healthcare Reform and Race Relations President Obama's been criticized for taking on too many issues all at the same time. He began last night's opening statement by saying that health-insurance reform fits into his broader economic strategy. After last night's news conference, the President was asked about the arrest of Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates , who had forgotten his keys and was arrested while trying to get into his home.
Healthcare Reform, the Economy and the Obama Agenda Recent reports on the progress of healthcare reform have portrayed a President battling his own party in Congress while his popularity ratings decline. Republicans -- and some Democrats, say he's moving too fast toward what some call "a government takeover" and a step toward "socialism." In his press conference last night, the President pushed what he called an "affordable" plan for "quality care," not financed "on the backs of middle class families." Which messages appeal to American voters? Is a familiar debate being re-framed in the age of the Internet?
The Mad Dash to Super Tuesday John McCain went into last night's debate as the Republican front-runner against Mitt Romney , with Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul standing by. Before tonight's Democratic debate , Hillary Clinton 's lead over Barack Obama appears to be slipping. McCain and Romney are competing to lead a party now sharply divided between moderates and conservatives. Are Obama and Clinton different enough to expose gulfs between Democrats? Will this week's debates make a difference? What's at stake next week when Super Tuesday creates the equivalent of national campaigns for both parties?
The Republican Debate and the Mad Dash to Tsunami Tuesday John McCain went into last night's debate as the Republican front-runner against Mitt Romney , with Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul standing by. Before tonight's Democratic debate , Hillary Clinton 's lead over Barack Obama appears to be slipping. McCain and Romney are competing to lead a party now sharply divided between moderates and conservatives. Are Obama and Clinton different enough to expose gulfs between Democrats? Will this week's debates make a difference? What's at stake next week when Super Tuesday creates the equivalent of national campaigns for both parties? Correction: We quoted Bill Clinton as saying in a speech, "We just have to slow down our economy and cut back our greenhouse gas emissions ‘cause we have to save the planet for our grandchildren." Although he did say that, he went on to explain at length why slowing down the economy would not be a good idea. Warren, who did not know the full context, apologizes and thanks listeners for pointing out his mistake.
Is the threat from Russia missing from the Russia meddling probe? There's much being made about the Trump administration's possible ties with Russia. But the bottom line is Russia's effort to influence American democracy. Do the President and his aides care enough to take action before voters go back to the polls?
What is Trump's plan for Middle East peace? On his first foreign tour, President Trump has promised "peace" between Israel and the Palestinians. Are there any details for re-starting talks that have been stalled for the past three years?
Will the Senate write a healthcare bill in secret? While Democrats and Republicans argue White House relations with Russia, another question is being decided behind closed doors: who gets help buying health insurance and who doesn't? We hear how the pros and cons are being shrouded in secrecy.
Janesville and the American Dream Janesville, Wisconsin is the hometown of Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan. But he couldn’t prevent the closing of the General Motors factory after 100 years. On this Memorial Day rebroadcast of To the Point, we hear what’s happened to what once was a model of American middle-class unity.
