Superdel Win Signals Change Dem Honchos Believe In

President takes more hands-on approach to legislation

(NEWSER) - President Obama is growing more assertive on Capitol Hill. Since he took office, the president's supporters have criticized him for not exerting enough control over the details of legislation, instead letting Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi hammer out specifics—even on major administration goals, like the health care bill. On legislation this week concerning the Gulf oil spill and financial regulation, Obama has switched to a prescriptive style, reports Politico . More»

Anti-Obama anger troubles CBC ahead of triumphant annual conferences

(NEWSER) - The Congressional Black Caucus is enjoying unprecedented power, with more of their members in leadership roles than ever before, not to speak of one of their number in the White House, but many are disturbed by changes in the political atmosphere, Politico reports. As the 42-member group holds its annual legislative conference this week, they say the increasingly hostile tone of President Obama's critics smacks of racism. Others are angered by the GOP's attacks on ACORN. More»

Prez says he's not losing sleep over harsh NYT column

(NEWSER) - "I never understood this concept of honeymoon," President Obama told Katie Couric yesterday when the CBS interviewer asked about his sliding poll numbers. Obama said he wasn't too worried about a New York Times column from David Brooks saying he has fallen into step behind Nancy Pelosi on a Democratic "liberal suicide march." More»

(NEWSER) - The public is rapidly losing faith in President Obama, new polls show. His overall approval rating is below 60%—a USA Today/Gallup poll gives him 55%, putting him 10th among the 12 post-World War II presidents after six months in office. A Public Trust Monitor/Politico survey finds 54% trust Obama, down from 66% in March. Only 42% trust the Democratic Party. More»

They're as out of touch as Republicans were in Bush years: Brooks

(NEWSER) - The Republican Party turned away from America during its years in power, writes New York Times columnist David Brooks, by paying more attention to echo-chamber media outlets and yes-men pollsters than voters. Now the Democrats are doing the same—instead of Southern conservatives, now it's left-wingers from the coasts who are leading a "liberal suicide march." Nancy Pelosi is even less popular than Dick Cheney, "and yet Democrats have allowed her policy values to carry the day." More»