Concise Stuff from Other people

Quotes of the day

Nate Silver: "Although Evan Bayh's retirement in Indiana was clearly great news for Republicans, it didn't necessarily increase their odds for a Senate takeover all that materially. The reason is that the Republicans' path of least resistance toward a 10-seat pickup already involved their winning Indiana, which in spite of some erratic polling, certainly appeared to be a more promising pickup opportunity than blue states like California, Washington or Wisconsin where Republicans may not even have a credible candidate in place."

Former Clinton White House chief of staff John Podesta: "I think the president is trying to re-engage with Republicans, but, quite frankly, he's not dealing with the party of Lincoln. He's dealing with the party of Palin."

Speaking of whom, Richard Cohen at the WashPo: "Palin is not a leader. She neither founded nor leads a movement and, as far as anyone can tell, has no ideas of her own. She's a validator, satisfying her audience's narcissistic urge to be told they are correct in their thinking. They look at her and see themselves."

Public Policy Polling reminds us that "Independents and moderates are not the same thing. Democrats are in trouble with independents right now. They are not, however, in trouble with moderates..."

And which political party offered this socialist platform?

Extend the protection of the Federal minimum wage laws to as many more workers as is possible and practicable.

Stimulate improved job safety of our workers, through assistance to the States, employees and employers.

Assure equal pay for equal work regardless of Sex.

Clarify and strengthen the eight-hour laws for the benefit of workers who are subject to federal wage standards...

Revise and improve the Taft-Hartley Act so as to protect more effectively the rights of labor unions, management, the individual worker, and the public.

That's the 1956 platform of... the Republican Party. (of course, back then Strom and the segregationists were Democrats, so I'll beat the critics to that punch.)