Axelrod Slams GOP Bipartisanship
Who's really to blame for the lack of bipartisanship in Washington—Obama or the GOP? Senior White House advisor David Axelrod firmly doubled down on the latter Sunday on CNN: “If we deprive the president of bipartisan support, we can accuse him of not being bipartisan. … There’s no doubt that the Republican strategy has been to basically say no to everything.”
Where to Try Gitmo Detainees?
The American criminal justice system has proven itself over many years, argued Attorney General Eric Holder on CBS’ Face the Nation, and it would be a mistake to “take that tool out of our hands” when trying enemy combatants held in Guantánamo Bay. Additionally, it’s unclear whether a detainee offering a guilty plea before a military commission could get the death penalty—in a civilian court, there’s no such ambiguity, Holder said.
Gibbs: No ‘Mission Accomplished’ Banner for the Economy
In a not-so-veiled dig at the previous administration, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told David Gregory he’s “not here to unfurl the ‘ Mission Accomplished’ banner,” and that despite the recent economic growth “we’ve got a lot of work to do and the president understands that.”
Illegal Immigrants Will Not Leave
On ABC’s This Week, Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-CA) and Rep. Luis Gutiérrez (D-IL) emotionally debated Arizona’s controversial new immigration law, which the federal government is trying to prevent from taking effect. Bilbray said the government must enforce existing laws and not create a special class of workers. If the government allows illegal immigrants to become guest workers, it will send the message that the laws don’t matter—and if the government does that, “you will not be able to build a fence tall enough.” Gutiérrez argued that yes, the feds haven’t been enforcing the law, and it makes sense that Arizona would try to take the issue into its own hands. But many illegal immigrants have been here a decade, have kids who are American citizens—deep roots on the country. Those 20 million people will not disappear “like a mirage.”
Netanyahu: Only Obama Can Tame Nuclear Iran
Can’t read his poker face: Appearing on Fox News Sunday, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said that the only thing that may tame a nuclear Iran is the intimation from President Obama that “all options are on the table,” including a military strike.
Sarah Palin’s Mamma Grizzlies
Sarah Palin released a warm, fuzzy YouTube ad for her political action committee this week—but will it soften the hard-edged reputation she’s earned since the 2008 campaign? The Daily Beast’s Reihan Salam argues yes on ABC’s This Week. Whether her “mama grizzlies”—blue-collar white women—are a big enough bloc to be decisive in 2012 is up for debate. And Ron Brownstein says that if she runs for the GOP presidential nomination, Republicans will be sharply divided by class just as the Democrats were when Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama battled two years ago.
LeBron’s ‘Bizarre Reality Show’
Commendably, Washington Post columnist and ESPN analyst Michael Wilbon did not toe the company line on Reliable Sources, backing up Howie Kurtz’s observation that ESPN allowed LeBron James to turn his team announcement into a “bizarre reality show.” More bizarre than Wipeout? Really?