Bobby Jindal Touts Louisiana's Economic Successes While Refusing to Credit Stimulus Package

I bet you won't hear about this on the Sunday Talk Shows even if you disagree with the way the president handled the stimulus.

From the WSJ: U.S. Economy Gets Lift From Stimulus

The U.S. economy is beginning to show signs of improvement, with many economists asserting the worst is past and data pointing to stronger-than-expected growth. On Tuesday, data showed manufacturing grew in August for the first time in more than a year. "There's a method to the madness. We're getting out of this," said Brian Bethune, chief U.S. financial economist at IHS Global Insight.

Much of the stimulus spending is just beginning to trickle through the economy, with spending expected to peak sometime later this year or in early 2010. The government has funneled about $60 billion of the $288 billion in promised tax cuts to U.S. households, while about $84 billion of the $499 billion in spending has been paid. About $200 billion has been promised to certain projects, such as infrastructure and energy projects.

Economists say the money out the door -- combined with the expectation of additional funds flowing soon -- is fueling growth above where it would have been without any government action.

Many forecasters say stimulus spending is adding two to three percentage points to economic growth in the second and third quarters, when measured at an annual rate. The impact in the second quarter, calculated by analyzing how the extra funds flowing into the economy boost consumption, investment and spending, helped slow the rate of decline and will lay the groundwork for positive growth in the third quarter -- something that seemed almost implausible just a few months ago. Some economists say the 1% contraction in the second quarter would have been far worse, possibly as much as 3.2%, if not for the stimulus.

I can tell you now that this news will be buried deep into the tar pit of Bobble heads' lost dreams and missing pens. I challenge the media to cover this. Will they? We'll see. All the idiot conservatives that said the stimulus failed have to eat their words because Rupert, the Overlord of their Universe has put it in his WSJ pages.

John McCain: The Stimulus is a Failure, But Don't Dare Ask Arizona to Give Any of the Money Back

dday says:

The recovery is still jobless thus far, which means it's not a real recovery yet. And the White House made two mistakes - one, they soft-pedaled the recession, claiming that unemployment would not go above 9% or so, leaving them susceptible to the charge that the stimulus isn't working; and two, they put far too much of the stimulus into tax cuts instead of the public investment that would have made it even more successful, particularly on the jobs front.

But without the public investment the stimulus has thus far provided and will continue to provide, we'd be mired in more negative growth and a near-depression.

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(Hale Boggs (D-Louisiana) - pondering The Common Market)

Continuing our look at Sunday talk shows past, here is another long-forgotten program from ABC News, "From The Capitol" with correspondents Pete Clapper and John Edwards from ABC News. As I said in my previous talk-shows past post, interview programs were a source of in-depth information and very often the interviewers asked probing questions in search of meaningful answers. A big difference from todays spin fests and soft ball games.

This episode, from December 12, 1961 focuses on the effect the Common Market will have on the U.S. Economy and Foreign Relations with Representative Hale Boggs (D-Louisiana), Deputy Whip of the House and member of the House Ways and Means Committee.

John Edwards (ABC News): “The short term result of the lowering of tariff barriers on some American industries is going to be a hardship, isn’t it?

Hale Boggs: “Well let’s look at it first from the point of view of what happens to American industries if we’re not able to negotiate reductions with the Common Market. ( . . . ) Today we send machine tools to all of the countries in Europe practically, with the exception of Western Germany. Western Germany has a tariff against our machine tools. When the Treaty of Rome finally takes effect . . . .

Edwards: “ That’s the treaty that set up the Common Market . . .”

Boggs: “Exactly. There will be a tariff on machine tools which covers Germany, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Luxembourg, and any other members of the Common Market. This means that, whereas we formerly had one tariff to contend with, insofar as Germany was concerned, now we have a tariff to contend with, insofar as all of the other member nations of the Common Market are concerned. Now if we’re not able to negotiate with these members or with the Common Market, then we will, in effect, have lost the entire market we had in these other countries”

Granted, this is no inflammatory innuendo-laced gossip fest and could be misconstrued as dull-as-dirt by some who cherish politics-as-mayhem. But the bottom line is - programs like this and others like it provided a valuable understanding and knowledge of the events of the day, presenting points of view that were intelligent and articulate and did much to inform the public.

Being informed is a good thing, if you haven't noticed lately.

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(Senator Kenneth Keating, 1962 - Politics with a civil tongue)

I don't think it's any surprise that Sunday Morning talk shows have changed dramatically over the years. Formats are no longer the same. Programs like Meet The Press and Face The Nation were only two of the almost dozen programs on most weekends. Usually a panel of three interviewers fielding questions to a single guest. The questions ran the gamut but they were always on point and they always dealt with real issues and real concerns to most people.

The days of news as info-tainment were a long ways off.

One of the more popular shows was a radio-only series run on CBS called "Capitol Cloakroom". This show, typical of their format, featuring George Herman, Wells Church and Nancy Dickerson was from May 6, 1962 featuring newly elected Senator Kenneth Keating (R-New York). The questions were regarding legislation introduced by the Kennedy Administration, including the Medicare Bill (which died the first time in 1962).

Keating gives his assessment of the first year of the JFK administration.

Wells Church(CBS News):

“It would appear to the casual viewer that things are in trouble. What’s the situation, really?”

Senator Keating:

“Well, not only a casual observer but I would think anyone intimately associated with the entire program would realize that the Administration program is in trouble. You could go right down through the list. The Medical Care for the Aged is opposed by the Democratic Chairman, both in the house and in the Senate of the committees that deal with that matter. The tax bill passed the House, but as Senator Byrd, the Chairman of the Finance committee in the Senate has said it doesn’t seem to have the support of anyone – I don’t know of anybody that’s for the tax bill, if the House bill were before the Senate today I’d vote against it."

No drama. No screaming. Nothing shrill. Just solid information about the goings on in Capitol Hill.

Kind of refreshing. Makes you wonder when did it all go wrong.

What's a Sunday without another Bobble Head session.

Meet the Press: "White House senior adviser David Axelrod will discuss President Barack Obama's agenda with host David Gregory. From the other side of the aisle will be former Gov. Mitt Romney (R-Mass.) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).

ABC's "This Week," David Axelrod along with Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a major player in the health care debate from his perch as ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee.

"Face the Nation" Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour gives his first Sunday interview since succeeding Sanford as chairman of the Republican Governors Association last week. Also, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, will sit down to provide her perspective on Iran, Iraq, North Korea and Afghanistan.

"Fox News Sunday." Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) debate health care reform. Army Gen. Ray Odierno, will give an assessment as American forces prepare to withdraw from major cities.

State of the Union" Gen. Ray Odierno along with Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-Minn.) and BP Capital CEO T. Boone Pickens, the Texas oilman who's been pushing wind and natural gas as major power sources.

Please lend us your tips and comments...

From "Putting It Together: A Tribute to Stephen Sondheim"

The art of politics is not far from Sondheim's art of making art. It is a process of building bit by bit, part by part and trying not to lose your vision or your voice as others chime in. And certainly, right now the focus is on how Barack Obama will bring in those who will execute his vision. Therefore, his newly named Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel is all over the morning shows, as are transition team members John Podesta and Valerie Jarrett. Will they reassure us that they are going to be the change they promise?

One interesting non-Obama note: former British prime minister and current Middle East envoy Tony Blair will be on Late Edition. Cernig thinks that Blair is desperate to keep his sinecure, but I'm sure that he has just tons of relevant information for us about Iraq, don't you?

ABC's "This Week" - Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., chief of staff to President-elect Obama.

CBS' "Face the Nation" - Emanuel.

NBC's "Meet the Press" - Valerie Jarrett, adviser in Obama's transition team; Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla.; Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C.; Doris Kearns Goodwin, presidential historian.

CNN's "Late Edition" - Obama transition chief transition chief John Podesta; Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev.; Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, R-Calif.; Tony Blair, Middle East envoy.

"Fox News Sunday" - Podesta; Reps. Mike Pence, R-Ind., and Eric Cantor, R-Va.

"The Chris Matthews Show" - Panel: Elisabeth Bumiller, Dan Rather, Cynthia Tucker and David Brooks. Topics: Does Obama's successful campaign predict a successful presidency? McCain called for Republicans to support Obama -- will they? Meter Questions: Will Republicans get behind Obama? YES: 6 NO: 6; Will the high expectations for Obama help him accomplish his agenda? YES: 7 NO: 5

What's catching your eye this morning?

I don't know if the McCain campaign is being unintentionally ironic or if they're just completely tone deaf to symbolism, but John McCain has agreed to be Tom Brokaw's guest for the entire hour of Meet the Press. However, McCain opted not to leave the campaign trail to do it, so he'll be speaking to Brokaw from Iowa...Waterloo, Iowa. Really? The namesake of the battle location that ended Napoleon's reign in Europe? What are his campaign advisers thinking?

ABC's "This Week" - Jack Welch, former chief executive of General Electric Co.; Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.; Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill.

CBS' "Face the Nation" - Robert Rubin, former Treasury secretary and adviser to Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.; Doug Holtz-Eakin, adviser to Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.; Govs. Ed Rendell, D-Pa., and Tim Pawlenty, R-Minn.

NBC's "Meet the Press" - McCain.

CNN's "Late Edition" - Sens. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., and Jon Kyl, R-Ariz.; Reps. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, D-Fla., and Heather Wilson, R-N.M.

"Fox News Sunday" - Gov. Tim Kaine, D-Va.; former Gov. Tom Ridge, R-Pa.

"The Chris Matthews Show" - Panel: Andrea Mitchell, John Heilemann, Clarence Page, Anne Kornblut; Topics: Is America heading for a major political realignment? Was McCain's choice of Palin a mistake?

So, what's catching your eye this morning?

The summation scene from The Verdict (1981) 

I remember when I had faith in justice.  That was just so pre-Bush administration, wasn't it?  And I desperately want to believe that we'll find it again, though I feel confident that it won't be on this Sunday's shows.  Week 3 of the Palin no-show, ho hum.  Barack Obama will appear on Face the Nation, while McCain will be on This Week, with puppetmaster and muckraker Newt Gingrich.  Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari will be on Late Edition, perhaps to make sure McSame remembers his name correctly.   And finally, Big Dog Bill Clinton will be on Meet the Press this morning.  Given Brokaw's proclivity towards right wing framing, will we see another confrontation a la Wallace/Clinton?

ABC's "This Week" - Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.; former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

CBS' "Face the Nation" - Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.

NBC's "Meet the Press" - Former President Clinton; David Axelrod, Obama's chief strategist; Steve Schmidt, senior adviser to McCain; Rep. Mark Udall, D-Colo.; former Rep. Bob Schaffer, R-Colo.

CNN's "Late Edition" - Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari; Reps. Barney Frank, D-Mass., and Eric Cantor, R-Va.

"Fox News Sunday" - Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and John Kerry, D-Mass; Cristian Samper, director of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

"The Chris Matthews Show" - Panel: David Brooks, Andrea Mitchell, Eugene Robinson, Katty Kay. Topics: Who won Friday's debate? Who has the momentum going forward?

So what's catching your eye this morning?

The Spinners - It's A Shame

While the flyover states deal with nasty weather (much of our video crew lives in the mid-west, so weather has been a major concern), the Beltway Bubble crowd are busy spinning and smearing, and that is most certainly a shame.  Alan Greenspan will be on This Week to spin how even though he doesn't support the McCain tax cuts, the current crappy economy has nothing to do with his policies or endorsements of earlier tax cuts.  And Rudy Giuliani will be on Meet the Press to smear the Obama campaign on behalf of McCain, and let's be honest, to talk about how everything changed on 9/11.  And FEMA's David Paulison will be on Late Edition to tell us how much they've learned since Katrina.  Shame on all of them.

ABC's "This Week" - Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo.; Carly Fiorina, adviser to John McCain; former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan.

CBS' "Face the Nation" - Gov. Janet Napolitano, D-Ariz.; Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas; Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla.; former acting Gov. Jane Swift, R-Mass.

NBC's "Meet the Press" - Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, R-N.Y.; Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.; Bob Woodward, associate editor for The Washington Post and author of a new book on the Bush administration.

CNN's "Late Edition" - R. David Paulison, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency; Govs. Tim Pawlenty, R-Minn., and Bill Richardson, D-N.M.; Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.; Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.; Linda Douglass, adviser to Barack Obama; Nancy Pfotenhauer, adviser to McCain.

"Fox News Sunday" - Former Gov. Tony Knowles, D-Alaska; Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, R-Alaska; Jim Laychak, president of the Pentagon Memorial Fund.

"The Chris Matthews Show" - Panel: Mark Whitaker, Katty Kay, Patrick Healy, Cynthia Tucker. Topics: Obama's on defense -- are Democrats worrying too soon about his chances? How will women view Palin's decision to balance motherhood and the VP job? Meter Questions: Is Gov. Sarah Palin a smart pick for John McCain? YES: 8 NO: 4; Can McCain beat Obama among swing voters? YES: 2 No: 10

So what's catching your eye this morning?

Well, it looks like the R vs. D balance is slightly more in order this week. John Edwards gets to double dip appearances on Face the Nation and Late Edition;, more power to him since the media has been doing such a good job of ignoring him up until now. I'm sure that Rudy "2% in South Carolina" Giuliani will be trying to convince one and all that despite 9/11, his campaign is going exactly the way he planned it, 9/11. And normally I love Doris Kearns Goodwin (her book Team of Rivals on Abraham Lincoln is fantastic), but I fear that Timmeh will have her on only to tell us, the lowly electorate, that no one has won the South Carolina primary and not gotten the party nomination, priming us for the inevitable Democrat vs. McCain battle. 

What's catching your eye this morning? 

ABC's "This Week" - Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y.

CBS' "Face the Nation" - Former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C.; David Axelrod, strategist for Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign; Howard Wolfson, communications director for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential campaign.

NBC's "Meet the Press" - Doris Kearns Goodwin, presidential historian.

CNN's "Late Edition" - Edwards; Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind.; Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C.; Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C.; Gov. Tim Kaine, D-Va.

"Fox News Sunday" - Former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts and Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y .

"The Chris Matthews Show" - with panel Rick Stengel, Kathleen Parker, Cynthia Tucker and Howard Fineman. Topics: If Hillary wins, what will Bill's role be in the White House? Can any Republican win if the economy enters a recession?