Public Agrees with Dems But They Don't Know It

Greg Sargent, Plum Line
If the public mostly sides with Democrats in the great budget debate, but Dems act as if this isn't the case and proceed as if it's a foregone conclusion that they will lose the argument, then did the public ever side with them at all?There are some numbers buried in the internals of today's Post poll that raise this question. To wit:* A big majority, 64 percent, thinks the best way to reduce the federal budget deficit is through a combination of spending cuts and tax hikes, while only 31 percent think the best way is through only spending cuts.

Source: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/2011/03/16/public_agrees_with_dems_but_they_don039t_know_it_252079.html

Mike Johnston Adam Kinzinger Rachel Kleinfeld Mike Lee

Haley Barbour's Challenge: Dropping Deep South's Baggage

Haley Barbour's early stumbles on race have been surprising given his political knowledge. As a savvy politician with national aspirations from the Deep South, one might have expected him to be off to a better start.

Source: http://www.npr.org/blogs/itsallpolitics/2011/03/16/134591848/haley-barbours-challenge-dropping-deep-souths-baggage?ft=1&f=1057

Victor Davis Hanson Erick Erickson Chris Ruddy

The Saudi Day of Rage

John Hayward, Human Events
Saudi dissidents used Facebook to organize a “Day of Rage” against the ruling monarchy last Friday.  The results were, quite understandably, blown of the global media radar screen by events in Japan.  How did that “Day of Rage” work out for the dissidents?Not terribly well, it would seem.  The turnout was so small that protest leaders told United Press International that the “Day of Rage” had been rescheduled for later in March. 

Source: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/2011/03/16/the_saudi_day_of_rage_252101.html

JON HUNTSMAN JR CHARLIE CRIST CLIFFORD MAY PEGGY NOONAN

Foes' Flaws Could Be Pawlenty's Virtue

Christian Heinze, The Hill
Tim Pawlenty might be nicknamed T-Paw, but to hear a growing number of Republican insiders tell it, a more fitting moniker might be Tim "Process of Elimination" Pawlenty "” or T-PEP.Many are starting to view the former Minnesota governor as the GOP's best bet for the 2012 presidential nomination, thanks to the glaring fact that there's nothing glaring to hang around his political neck.  Each of the other leading White House contenders has a significant weakness with which to contend. Former...

Source: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/2011/03/16/foes039_flaws_could_be_pawlenty039s_virtue_252130.html

TONY PERKINS FRED THOMPSON PATRICK RUFFINI ERIC ODOM

Can Clean Energy Drive The Economic Recovery?

President Obama and other leaders have called for investment in cleaner energy sources as a way to create jobs and spur U.S. economic recovery. But can it really work? A team of experts takes on the question in the latest Intelligence Squared U.S. debate.

Source: http://www.npr.org/2011/03/14/134533401/can-clean-energy-drive-the-economic-recovery?ft=1&f=1007

Jaime Herrera Ellie Boldman Hill Sarah Huckabee Ben Jealous

Desperate Efforts To Cool Nuclear Reactors In Japan

Radiation levels were fluctuating by the hour at the quake-damaged nuclear power plant in Fukushima, Japan, complicating efforts to gain control of overheating reactors. A helicopter water drop operation was considered Wednesday, after smoke and spiking radiation caused workers on the ground to temporarily retreat.

Source: http://www.npr.org/2011/03/16/134582068/workers-evacuate-part-of-japanese-nuclear-plant?ft=1&f=1004

Chris Ruddy Jim DeMint Frank Luntz Jeff Flake