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1. 

   no3reed on July 31, 2008 at 12:12 pm

   Check out the WaPo vs. the NYT over the recently-released numbers on gross domestic product last quarter.

   WaPo’s headline: “U.S. Economy Grows at Healthy Pace in Quarter”

   Times’s headline: “G.D.P. Grows at Tepid 1.9% Pace Despite Stimulus”

   Post’s article begins: “The U.S. economy grew at a healthy pace in the second quarter, the government said today, despite being buffeted by a financial crisis, a deep housing slump, high fuel prices and a weak job market. Gross domestic product rose at a 1.9 percent inflation-adjusted annual rate in the April through June period, far above what forecasters would have expected just a few months ago.” (my emphasis)

   Times’s article begins: “The economy grew less than expected from April to June despite a huge booster shot of tax rebates, the government reported on Thursday, dimming the outlook for a quick recovery. And more bad news may lie ahead …”

   I found it amusing. I’m not sure just what to attribute the discrepancy to, though.

   • 

     MikeInOhio on July 31, 2008 at 12:33 pm

     And why, pray tell, Mr. Washington Post, was the major reason it “grew at a healthy pace”?

     Americans’ personal consumption expenditures, which make up more than two-thirds of GDP, rose a steady 1.5 percent when adjusted for inflation, the highest rate since last summer. There is evidence that people were consuming more in March and April, even before the checks arrived, suggesting people either took on more debt or dipped into savings in order to keep making purchases amid higher food and energy prices and a weak labor market.

     Ahhhh….I’m sure that debt thing is just a blip.

     Another day older and deeper in debt.  It’s the American way, right?

     But maybe the rest of this “healthy pace” is due to some very real and hopeful good news?

     Alas, no.

     Gross domestic product expanded at an annual rate of 1.9 percent in the second quarter, the Commerce Department said, primarily because of a surge in export sales powered by the weak dollar.

     We’re in the money, come on, my honey,
         Let’s lend it, spend it, send it rolling along!

2. 

   Brendan Skwire on July 31, 2008 at 12:16 pm

   not sure if you saw my comment in the earlier open thread, but a judge ruled in favor of the House re: Bolten/Miers.  

   I may have to eat that hat after all…

   • 

     BooMan on July 31, 2008 at 12:35 pm

     I don’t know why you doubt me all the time.  My track record is pretty good in terms of predicting things.  However, this ruling (while excellent news) makes it much less likely that they will hold Rove in Inherent Contempt.  Armed with this ruling they can ask Rove to appear and if he doesn’t they can take him to court.  That was always an option, but the fear was that a bad court decision would do lasting damage to Congress.  

     They took a real risk even taking Miers and Bolton to court.  But now their powers are reaffirmed.  

     That’s fantastic.

     I expect appeals to run out the clock until pardons can complete the cover-up.  

     • 

       Brendan Skwire on July 31, 2008 at 12:41 pm

       I agree with you 100% on that one.
       And I doubt you a lot because you’re too optimistic (in my opinion).

3. 

   Oui on July 31, 2008 at 12:17 pm

   .
   Karadzic Faces ICC Judge

   
   Scheveningen Detention Center  

   "But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."

4. 

   RollaMO on July 31, 2008 at 12:27 pm

   Saw Mika B. put in a shameless plug for more debates (and tv ratings) on Morning Joe today.  Robert Gibbs and Nicole Wallace were there to talk about the recent McCain ads, when Mika offers, out of nowhere, “why doesn’t Barack Obama agree to do McCain’s proposed 10 town hall debates?”  The conversation then focused entirely on whether Obama “avoiding” McCain and more debates.  

   Ok, Mika, let’s say these were all done on CNN, and none on NBC, would you have brought it up in the first place?

   BTW, as I noted earlier, Obama would more than hold his own if they did do more town halls.

   • 

     MikeInOhio on July 31, 2008 at 12:40 pm

     I really do look forward to any kind of one on one debate between Obama and McCain.  

     Although the way the media was able to spin Bush’s laughable performances as “Well, he did better than expected.  Ergo, Bush won the debate!!”

     I see much more of the same coming up.  The bar for Obama will be set at such an unreachable height that no matter how well he performs, it will “be below expectations” for the media.

     I would bet money on it.