Democrats Punt On Tax Cut Extention

The Democratic Party seems to have decided that the best way to begin the final leg of the midterm election campaign is with a legislative cave-in of epic proportions.

OTB Latenight – Boston

Caption Contest Winners

The Angels and Demons Edition OTB Caption ContestTM is now over.

Liberal Blogger Accuses White House Of “Hippie Punching”

The relationship between the Obama White House and the progressive blogosphere isn’t very good right now, and it’s a preview of what is likely to happen on the right if the GOP gets back in power.

When Will Brits Learn Proper English?

Should proper nouns be exempt from local spelling conventions?

Military Coup of 2012

Perhaps the biggest insight from Bob Woodward’s latest book is the sharpness of the split between the military and civilian leadership.

Subsidizing Middle Class Undermines It?

Subsidizing the markers of middle class attainment may undermine the traits that lead to it.

Are We Run By A**holes ?

Facebook’s Business Model

Facebook’s 26-year-old founder, Mark Zuckerberg, is one of the wealthiest men in America. Most of his work force is unpaid.

Blockbuster Goes Bust

Blockbuster is trying to reorganize itself, but it’s probably too late.

Yes, It Looks Like Sarah Palin Is Going To Run For President

Yet more signs that Sarah Palin is quietly positioning herself for the opening moves of a White House run after the mid-term elections are over.

In Lieu of Flowers Donate to Obama’s Opponent

The obituary of Mr. Donald Charles Unsworth asks that people donate to Obama’s opponent rather than sending flowers.

College Wage Premium

The earnings gap between those with and without a college education continues to grow. But this masks other realities.

An Initial Reaction to the “Pledge to America”

Some thoughts on the Pledge.

Gestation is Destiny

The nine months humans spend in the womb may be the most important time of our lives. And that has some profound implications.

Caption Contest

Time for the Thursday OTB Caption ContestTM

House Republicans Unveil Underwhelming “Pledge To America”

In 1994, it was the Contract With America. In 2010, it’s the Pledge To America. But does it really mean anything regardless of what it’s called ?

OTB Radio – Tonight at 5:30 Eastern

Tonight’s topics: Bob Woodward’s new book, the Murkowski write-in bid, the weird race in Delaware, and the end of the Great Recession.

Marijuana Legalization Initiative Leading In California Polls

This November, California could become the first state in the nation to completely legalize the possession and sale of marijuana. And the battle over the ballot initiative is having an impact on other statewide races.

A Quiet Cyber War

Is there a quiet cyberwar going on and we are just starting to notice it?

Writing The Southern Accent

Attempts to capture the speech patterns of the American South in written dialogue should be approached with extreme caution.

Obama: “We Can Absorb A Terrorist Attack”

What’s so wrong with saying that America will survive even if al Qaeda manages to hit us again ?

1 In 5 Americans Believe Obama Is A Cactus

According to a poll released Tuesday, nearly 20 percent of U.S. citizens now believe Barack Obama is a cactus, the most Americans to identify the president as a water- retaining desert plant since he took office.

2025 Trajectories

The authors of Global Governance 2025 offer a wide range of trajectories for the international system depending on whether we adequately address known threats.

Woodward Book Reveals There Is No Plan In Afghanistan

According to a new book from Bob Woorward, American policy in Afghanistan is the result of a decision making process that can only be described as chaotic at best.

Bob Woodward Still Relevant?

Dan Drezner asks, “Has Bob Woodward jumped the shark?” My snarky response is that he did that in Bob Casey’s hospital room.

Obama: Mexicans Here Before Americans

President Obama told the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, “Long before America was even an idea, this land of plenty was home to many peoples. The British and French, the Dutch and Spanish, to Mexicans, to countless Indian tribes. We all shared the same land.”

Murkowski Stripped of Committee Post?

The Republican Leadership is treating Lisa Murkowski very differently than the Democrats handled Joe Lieberman in 2006.

From The Office Of Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R., GA): “All Faggots Must Die”

A staffer for U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss left a threatening slur on an Internet discussion of the right of gays and lesbians to serve openly in the U.S. military.

Senate Fails To Invoke Cloture On Defense Bill, DADT Repeal

The effort to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell suffered a setback in the Senate today that likely delays any further moves on the issue until after the midterm elections.