analysis
McCain, Obama fight for 'nebulous' image of change
Washington Post Sep 5, 08 8:15 AM CDT
(Newser)
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John McCain and Barack Obama are both laying claim to an agenda of “reform”—but neither has offered a clear idea of what that means, writes Jonathan Weisman in the Washington Post . In opening speeches last night, the words “reform” or “reformer” were spoken 11 times. McCain’s camp says the calls aren’t for “programmatic” reforms, but rather something “both more sweeping and more nebulous,” Weisman notes.
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ANALYSIS
In long term, Obama victory could make minority party reform
Politico Sep 1, 08 12:36 PM CDT
(Newser)
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The Republican Party brand is tainted, its leaders recognize, and regardless of John McCain's fate, the institution is in soul-searching mode as the scaled-down convention kicks off today. Many House Republicans have come to believe an Obama victory might be better for the GOP in the long term, reports Politico, because it would force regrouping and present younger, fresher faces to the electorate.
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Reformers hope work will wrench religion from extremists
McClatchy Newspapers Apr 27, 08 3:04 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Ankara has gathered a team of experts to parse through Muhammad's words and deeds and decode them for modern-day Muslims, McClatchy Newspapers reports. Their planned 5-volume set will point out anachronisms—no, Muslims need not brush their teeth with a twig—and will likely remove lines about women being bad luck or stupid. "Those definitely cannot be the words of the prophet," one scholar said.
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Lawmakers veer toward modest initiatives with less baggage
Los Angeles Times Sep 17, 07 4:22 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Congress is stealing back into the immigration debate. After failing to pass broad reforms three months ago, lawmakers are focusing on less ambitious initiatives. Democrat proposals would give legal status to young immigrants and visas to farmhands, while Republicans favor guest worker programs and blocking illegals from federal aid. But these quieter moves will likely still draw loud reactions, says the Los Angeles Times .
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Follows failed '93 bid with compromise health plan tomorrow
Wall Street Journal Sep 15, 07 3:57 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Details of Hillary’s health plan are leaking out before she formally announces them Monday in Iowa. Rather than re-making the system – or imitating her 1993 proposal – she wants the Feds to subsidize some care and employers to pay for the rest. The Wall Street Journal reports that she’s headed for a run-in with the GOP but has support from voters, who trust her more than other candidates on health care.
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Key player blames
Bill for 1993’s
failed health plan
American Prospect Sep 15, 07 5:35 AM CDT
(Newser)
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As Hillary Clinton gets set to roll out her new health care proposal, Paul Starr in the American Prospect wans to correct the record on her last, disastrous effort. Hillary gets all the flak for the 1993 flameout, but the mistakes are grossly misdiagnosed—and they belong to Bill, says Starr, who was a key health policy adviser to the Clintons. The first lady was chair of the task force, but the president’s ideas were already formed.
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Population declining, Europe needs bigger share of skilled workers
BBC Sep 13, 07 7:10 PM CDT
(Newser)
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A European Union executive is proposing both a "new vision" and new policies for immigration in Europe, the BBC reports. With Europe already suffering from shortages in many job sectors, Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini said the EU should view immigration as "enrichment," and not a threat. While the US gets 55% of all skilled immigrants, Europe gets 5%, he said.
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Upped enforcement promises crisis for some
Christian Science Monitor Aug 14, 07 8:42 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Bush is vowing to enforce old immigration laws after all, now that comprehensive reform has croaked on the Senate floor. He promises to crack down on workers who don't have valid Social Security numbers in particular, but bosses parry that there can be good reasons for numerical snafus with the agency – and huge headaches trying to unwrap its red tape.
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Some Republicans unsatisfied with scope; Bush may not sign
Associated Press Aug 2, 07 6:38 PM CDT
(Newser)
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The ethics reform bill, which tightens restrictions on congressional pet projects and lobbyist dealings, easily cleared the Senate today. The final vote was 83-14, with all of those opposed Republicans. Critics say the bill won't go far enough to curb earmark spending, the AP reports, but Dianne Feinstein praised the package as "the most sweeping reform bill since Watergate."
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Retreats from promise to trim French civil servant rolls by 50%
Daily Telegraph (UK) Aug 2, 07 9:28 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Nicolas Sarkozy has backed down from a campaign pledge to reform the sclerotic French civil service, says the Telegraph . The government has scuppered the president's vow to halve the number of civil servants, which Sarkozy had made a central feature of his policy of "rupture."
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Senate expected to pass reforms
Washington Post Jul 31, 07 4:10 PM CDT
(Newser)
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The House passed a bill today that would impose sweeping new ethics rules and restrictions on lobbying, the Washington Post reports. The bill, which passed by an overwhelming 411-8 vote, takes particular aim at earmarks for legislators' personal projects. It also curbs campaign contributions and lobbyist wining and dining and imposes new restrictions on lobbyists.
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Sarkozy embraces entrepreneurs, pushes limits on worker's rights
Los Angeles Times Jul 28, 07 7:42 AM CDT
(Newser)
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France could see a longer work week and new limits on workers' right to strike if President Nicholas Sarkozy gets his way. He's already reduced wealth taxes on certain investments and practically eliminated the inheritance tax, the Los Angeles Times reports. But supporters insist he will not erode social benefits or copy the freewheeling American style of capitalism.
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Vote to move forward falls 14 votes short
Washington Post Jun 28, 07 1:55 PM CDT
(Newser)
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In a serious setback for the Bush administration's second-term agenda, the Senate effectively killed the immigration-reform bill today, voting 53-46 to keep the legislation from going forward. The president had actively promoted the bipartisan measure, going so far as to lobby senators by phone this morning, but with his influence at a low ebb, the effort fell short.
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As Congress dithers, a flurry of locals bills targets immigrants
Washington Post Jun 25, 07 4:40 AM CDT
(Newser)
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States frustrated by Washington's inaction on illegal immigration are taking matters into their own hands with a record number of proposals that prevent immigrants from getting jobs, finding housing and benefiting from social services, the Washington Post reports. At least 1,100 state immigration bills have been proposed, more than double last year's record total.
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