President Barack Obama got a big reaction from the troops at Osan Air Base in South Korea, saying that their work has helped transform millions of lives in the region.
** QUICK HITS. President Barack Obama conferred privately today with generals and other advisors on his new strategy for Afghanistan. He will reveal it after Thanksgiving. … Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said today that a surge of foreign troops into Afghanistan could destabilize part of Pakistan, forcing terrorists into its territory. .. It’s like old times at Berkeley, where students protesting a one-third hike in fees have taken over Wheeler Hall, home of the English Department. Other campuses have also experienced vociferous protests. … An anti-tax recall move against Assemblyman Anthony Adams (R-Hesperia) failed to gather enough valid signatures to trigger a recall election. The recall was launched after Adams provided one of three GOP votes needed in the California Assembly to pass a temporary income tax increase early this year.
** OBAMA DROPS BELOW 50% APPROVAL. The new Gallup daily tracking poll has President Barack Obama dropping below 50% approval for the first time.
If it’s any consolation, Presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton dipped below 50% faster than he did.
The Rasmussen tracking poll has had Obama below 50% approval for months. But that has established itself as the outlier amongst all national polls. It’s owned by a fundamentalist Christian and is very popular in the right-wing echo chamber.
Although the current decline below 50% has symbolic significance, most of the recent decline in support for Obama occurred in July and August. He began July at 60% approval. The ongoing, contentious debate over national health care reform has likely served as a drag on his public support, as have continuing economic problems. Americans are also concerned about the Obama administration’s reliance on government spending to solve the nation’s problems and the growing federal budget deficit. Since September, Obama’s approval rating had been holding in the low 50s and, although it has reached 50% numerous times, it had never dropped below 50% until now. …
But all presidents except John Kennedy dropped below the majority approval level at some point in their presidencies, and all recovered after the first time below this mark to go back above 50% approval. …
It doesn’t say so in the Gallup analysis, but Obama was I believe at 54% when he left on his eight-day trip to Asia.
I’ve noticed that his numbers dip during international trips, especially ones which are so far out of the usual time zones. And this trip didn’t seem to accomplish very much. At least in the short term, aside from stabilizing relations.
Obama gave no ringing speeches, and no new pacts were announced, aside from the nuclear pact with Russia which took place in Singapore, the first stop on the trip. And most don’t view Russia as an Asian nation.
** OBAMA TODAY. President Barack Obama, back from his eight-day trip to Asia, is in Washington today.
He has no scheduled public events.
He and First Lady Michelle Obama accompanied daughter Sasha to her school, Sidwell Friends, this morning.
Yet Obama has other pressing issues on his plate in addition to fatherhood.
He is working with Senator Harry Reid to line up votes for national health care reform. A vote to stop a Republican filibuster in the Senate is slated for Saturday night.
Obama’s trip to Asia had mixed tidings. He probably stabilized relations in the region — a good thing to do, given our fateful fixation on the Middle East and South Asia — without achieving any breakthroughs.
And other issues, as I wrote in last week’s column linked below, followed the president to Asia.
Speaking in Seoul, Obama strongly criticized Iran for its endless delays on the nuclear pact its negotiators agreed to last month, delays which have apparently ended with Iran saying no to the deal which would have sent its uranium to Russia for enrichment.
I think it’s clear that the president is postponing the next phase of the Iranian crisis as he deals with other matters.
Iran’s foreign minister has ruled out sending enriched uranium out of the country to Russia for processing, rejecting the United Nations plan to resolve the crisis.
The decision on Obama’s new strategy for Afghanistan is expected in a few weeks.
It will not be announced before Thanksgiving.
And there are other pressing matters for Obama.
His attempt to re-regulate the financial industry has big opposition in Congress.
His decision to try 9/11 terror suspects in federal courts has drawn strong Republican attacks.
He also faces the prospect of an expensive new jobs bill from House Democrats.
And his polls have dipped as they tend to do when he takes a long international trip.
Vice President Joe Biden is celebrating his 67th birthday today at home in Delaware.
He is also calling senators in advance of Saturday’s key national health care vote.
** FROM THE ARNOLD FILE. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is back in California following his trip to Israel, Iraq, Austria, and Italy.
Schwarzenegger has no scheduled public events today.
He has private talks in Los Angeles and in and around the Capitol.
Schwarzenegger is pushing the state Assembly to follow the lead of the Senate in passing legislation to make California eligible for the Obama Administration’s Race to the Top education challenge grants. Asssembly Speaker Karen Bass says that the Assembly will vote to follow the lead of the Senate sometime next month.
Schwarzenegger will also be doing some interviews on the big statewide water package that he and legislative leaders finally enacted.
** THE INEVITABLE FLUKE THAT IS SARAH PALIN. Five minutes into yesterday’s Oprah extravaganza with Sarah Palin, I messaged Steve Schmidt, John McCain’s presidential campaign manager: “So how did you know Bristol was pregnant before it was announced?”
His immediate reply: “I didn’t, untrue.” …
** OBAMA IN FLUX. As he embarks on his first big trip to Asia, President Barack Obama’s strategies are in flux in many areas. …
It’s no surprise that Obama is being followed on his Asian trip by other crises. Because so much in his geopolitics is so fundamentally unresolved, making that Nobel Peace Prize more than a bit premature. … From my November 13th column.
** MAD MEN‘S SENSATIONAL SEASON FINALE. … From my November 9th review.
** OBAMA’S OFF TO A VERY GOOD START. One year ago, Barack Obama was elected president of the United States. Is his presidency delivering on the promise of his candidacy? Yes. I think he’s off to a very good start. But I’m not doing handstands. … From my November 4th column.
** IT’S NOVEMBER 22, 1963 ON MAD MEN. … From my November 2nd review.
** AFGHANISTAN, AGAIN: THE THICKET OBAMA’S NOT GETTING OUT OF. … From my October 29th column.
** MAD MEN REVIEW: “THE GYPSY AND THE HOBO.” … From my October 26th review.
** CHINATOWN’S 35TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION AND THE POLANSKI SCANDAL. … From my October 23rd essay.
** OBAMA IN THE THICKET OF “AFGHANIRANISTAN.” … From my October 21st column.
** OBAMA: RIDING WITH HISTORY. (NOTE: As Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th president of the United States, this column was the featured column on the top of the front page of the Huffington Post.) … From my January 19th Huffington Post column.
** 24/7 LIVE TV NEWS FEED FROM RUSSIA TODAY. Russia has re-emerged as one of the world’s great powers. Click here for a live TV news feed on your computer, bringing you English-language, jargon-free, fast-paced coverage of global and Russian news from the Russia Today channel. You probably already know about CNN International, BBC World, and Al Jazeera. Russia Today, which also features culture, entertainment, and sports, is based in Moscow and is owned and operated by the TV Novosti division of Russia’s state news agency, RIA Novosti. While it’s quite foolish to expect to see, say, criticism of Vladimir Putin on Russia Today, the channel is very interesting nonetheless. With U.S. cable news chattering away as it does, this sort of respite can be informative. The NWN live link to RT does not constitute an endorsement of the channel’s views. It’s presented as an otherwise unavailable new media window.
** 24/7 LIVE TV NEWS FEED FROM AL JAZEERA. With the US entangled in two wars in the region, it’s valuable to keep up with news and perspectives from the leading Middle Eastern-based TV news network. Based in the Gulf Arab state of Qatar, Al Jazeera is very influential and more than a bit controversial. Click here for a live TV news feed on your computer. The NWN live link to AJ does not constitute an endorsement of the channel’s views. It’s presented as an otherwise unavailable new media window.
** SCHWARZENEGGER’S CALIFORNIA. Here is my series of five columns on the governorship of Arnold Schwarzenegger for the Los Angeles Times in debate last fall, prior to the global economic meltdown, with Pulitzer Prize-winning former Times reporter/editor Bill Boyarsky, whose columns are also included. Among them is what I’m sure is the first piece examining Schwarzenegger’s legacy as governor of California. Since he will actually be governor of California until 2011. No technology known to be disruptive to the space/time continuum was used in its preparation. You can listen to my recent video webchat with Schwarzenegger here.
** TRACK GLOBAL AND NATIONAL ENERGY PRICES IN NEAR REAL TIME VIA BLOOMBERG ENERGY MARKET WATCH. Having crashed over $147 for yet another record on July 11th, 2008, crude oil is trading around $76 per barrel.
This is up about $42 from the low of $34 per barrel prior to enactment of the Obama economic recovery program, reflecting a low point in global economic activity.
Your posts are welcome in the Forum. You can send me a private tip by clicking on the “Contact” button in the upper right.
Read 
| Comments (43) |
Great video of the President’s rally with the troops.
Great video of the President’s rally with the troops.
Good RT video. Iran doesn’t want to solve the crisis.
Health care. Financial regulatory overhaul. Pre-nuclear Iran. Huge economic challenges: foreign and domestic debt, unemployment, slow growth. Changing dynamics with Russia and China. Education reform. An opposition party full of crazies. Afghanistan/Pakistan/Iraq. Climate change.
I can’t remember a time when a POTUS had such an expansive agenda.
Obviously, the Cuban Missile Crisis and Watergate were bigger crises, but for “normal” times it sure is interesting. Maybe it’s not so “normal” right now; we just can’t yet fully understand or put a name on what is happening.
Barack does great with the troops. That won’t stop the crazies trashing him as not “a real American.”
Jonas Blane says:
November 20, 2009 at 8:34 am
Great video of the President’s rally with the troops.
That’s a very good explanation by the Russian reporter.
Jonas Blane says:
November 20, 2009 at 8:41 am
Good RT video. Iran doesn’t want to solve the crisis.
Yes. The challenges are bigger, the debate is dumber.
Clutch J says:
November 20, 2009 at 9:02 am
Obviously, the Cuban Missile Crisis and Watergate were bigger crises, but for “normal” times it sure is interesting. Maybe it’s not so “normal” right now; we just can’t yet fully understand or put a name on what is happening.
Correct.
Certainly not.
> Capitol Boy says:
November 20, 2009 at 9:12 am (Edit)
Barack does great with the troops. That won’t stop the crazies trashing him as not “a real American.”
Jonas Blane says:
November 20, 2009 at 8:34 am
Great video of the President’s rally with the troops.
The crises are pretty darn big …
Any one cold blow up fast.
> Clutch J says:
November 20, 2009 at 9:02 am (Edit)
Obviously, the Cuban Missile Crisis and Watergate were bigger crises, but for “normal” times it sure is interesting. Maybe it’s not so “normal” right now; we just can’t yet fully understand or put a name on what is happening.
As I wrote in the anniversary piece, it’s not easy to follow everything that’s happening, much less try to do it.
> Clutch J says:
November 20, 2009 at 9:01 am (Edit)
Health care. Financial regulatory overhaul. Pre-nuclear Iran. Huge economic challenges: foreign and domestic debt, unemployment, slow growth. Changing dynamics with Russia and China. Education reform. An opposition party full of crazies. Afghanistan/Pakistan/Iraq. Climate change.
I can’t remember a time when a POTUS had such an expansive agenda.
I think there are real divisions in Iran.
> Jonas Blane says:
November 20, 2009 at 8:41 am (Edit)
Good RT video. Iran doesn’t want to solve the crisis.
There’s a lot of good energy there …
> Jonas Blane says:
November 20, 2009 at 8:34 am (Edit)
Great video of the President’s rally with the troops.
The troops love the O.
He raised their pay, hey!
May be of interest if you are in the SF Bay Area or check online for podcast. I think this airs Friday evening: Green960 AM radio, 6pm with Angie Coiro: 2 full hours on madmen, from costume accuracy tales from the real-life trenches gender&sexuality depictions. Emmy-winning MM writer Maria Jacquemetton & (pending) 1 of the costumers, too.
http://twitter.com/Angie_Coiro
http://lftlc.com/listen
lol
Len says:
November 20, 2009 at 9:58 am (Edit)
The troops love the O.
He raised their pay, hey!
Mister Bradley, I was considering how the framers crafted the three branches of government to serve as checks and balances to each other. I then asked myself what kind of car the framers would design. I imagine it would have air, disc and drum brakes and do 0-60 in 8.5 cloture votes.
Government is a clunker!
When will we see the Mad Men article?
Additional video today?
Those soldiers look so young. It’s amazing to think that a majority of our fighting men and women are too young to rent a car…
I don’t think 50% approval means as much as it did in less partisan times.
About 40% of Americans are going to disapprove of whomever is in office, just because they are from the other party.
He’ll be back.
To coin a phrase.
Do they want to be attacked by Israel? Because that is what is going to happen.
Jonas Blane says:
November 20, 2009 at 8:41 am
Good RT video. Iran doesn’t want to solve the crisis.
I believe Barack’s approval rating will recover. When health care passes, when the attackers have to find another thing to attack on, and expose themselves more, he’ll go right back up.
Hah!
Jack Aubrey says:
November 20, 2009 at 12:07 pm
He’ll be back.
Jack Aubrey says:
November 20, 2009 at 12:07 pm
To coin a phrase.
The President is doing fine. Nothing happens all at once. His rating probably went down because he was out of the country so long.
Yes, where is it?
Lorena says:
November 20, 2009 at 10:55 am
When will we see the Mad Men article?
It’s drafted and will go live tomorrow. Another 3000 words …
I think there’s disarray in Tehran.
> Jack Aubrey says:
November 20, 2009 at 12:08 pm (Edit)
Do they want to be attacked by Israel? Because that is what is going to happen.
Jonas Blane says:
November 20, 2009 at 8:41 am
Good RT video. Iran doesn’t want to solve the crisis.
There’s nothing like ending a giant riot of a “debate” …
> Capitol Boy says:
November 20, 2009 at 4:16 pm (Edit)
I believe Barack’s approval rating will recover. When health care passes, when the attackers have to find another thing to attack on, and expose themselves more, he’ll go right back up.
His rating will recover.
> Brasky says:
November 20, 2009 at 12:06 pm (Edit)
I don’t think 50% approval means as much as it did in less partisan times.
About 40% of Americans are going to disapprove of whomever is in office, just because they are from the other party.
Soon …
> Lorena says:
November 20, 2009 at 10:55 am (Edit)
When will we see the Mad Men article?
Very nice!
> Vladimir Bierko says:
November 20, 2009 at 10:52 am (Edit)
Mister Bradley, I was considering how the framers crafted the three branches of government to serve as checks and balances to each other. I then asked myself what kind of car the framers would design. I imagine it would have air, disc and drum brakes and do 0-60 in 8.5 cloture votes.
Government is a clunker!
Yes, well…I think the dinner conversation turned with Biden asking, “President Karzai, how is the ongoing battle against government corruption going?” Karzai replied, “What corruption?”
Not a joke! Biden raised his hands in animated indignation and announced that this particular dinner was over.
It is altogether fitting if Secretary Clinton is Karzai’s designated handler – they understand each other … and their dinners won’t be a foray into the wonderful world of indigestion.
Bill Bradley says:
November 20, 2009 at 9:45 am
… Since Biden walked out of a session with Karzai while VP-elect …
Thanks! I’ll check that.
> Paul Burton says:
November 20, 2009 at 10:09 am (Edit)
May be of interest if you are in the SF Bay Area or check online for podcast. I think this airs Friday evening: Green960 AM radio, 6pm with Angie Coiro: 2 full hours on madmen, from costume accuracy tales from the real-life trenches gender&sexuality depictions. Emmy-winning MM writer Maria Jacquemetton & (pending) 1 of the costumers, too.
http://twitter.com/Angie_Coiro
http://lftlc.com/listen
Yes, I think so, too!
I’ve finished the first chapter – it was very good … should be through it before the big Afghanistan announcement which I’m still dreading.
Bill Bradley says:
November 20, 2009 at 9:44 am
I’ll have to write about Blair next week.
Btw, how’s the novel?
I don’t know this book.
It’s a pretty good one, sergei. You really should check it out…The Ghost by Robert Harris…see Bill’s HuffPost piece on the 35th anniversary of Chinatown for more details.
What new video today?
The President and the late President.
Well, there’s still PLENTY of time to finish The Ghost …
> Elizabeth Miller says:
November 20, 2009 at 5:18 pm (Edit)
Yes, I think so, too!
I’ve finished the first chapter – it was very good … should be through it before the big Afghanistan announcement which I’m still dreading.
Bill Bradley says:
November 20, 2009 at 9:44 am
I’ll have to write about Blair next week.
Btw, how’s the novel?