There are two ideologically opposite criticisms of the stimulus package, proposed by President Obama, shaped and reduced in size by so-called Senate "moderates" (who never seem to have to take responsibility for their legislative handiwork.)

The liberal criticism is that while it was the right idea, it did not have...

If you wanted to get progressives more excited about the clean energy and climate protection bill that passed the House last week, you might be inclined to point to Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins HuffPost piece on the $1 billion in green jobs funding that was added at the last minute, including...

The House passed the first comprehensive clean energy and climate protection bill on Friday, but exactly in the way I worried about last week -- not on a wave of grassroots momentum, but last-minute cajoling by House leaders and expense of White House political capital leaning on wavering...

As Mother Jones recently chronicled, the environment community is fractured on the House clean energy and climate protection bill, though the bigger pieces -- Sierra Club, Natural Resources Defense Council, National Wildlife Federation, League of Conservation Voters -- are squarely for it.

Al Gore last night...

The Senate and the Beltway media got the vapors last week when the Congressional Budget Office estimated the government cost of two draft Senate health care proposals to be above $1 trillion.

With the media presenting the preliminary CBO price tag devoid of any context, Senate Finance Committee chair...

At the 100 Day mark of the Obama Era, climate protection is behind health care for all.

This shouldn't be and isn't a contest. Solving both domestic crises is critical to sustain our economy and our planet.

And the fact that health care is farther along the political...

Senate leaders are negotiating health care reform with a wide range of "lobbyists representing doctors, hospitals, insurers, drugmakers, the American Cancer Society, the seniors lobby AARP and others," the Washington Post reminds us today.

Fair enough. Everyone deserves a seat at the table, presuming you are there in...

In an oped published Sunday by the Omaha World-Herald (and reprinted today by Grist), I argued for a climate compromise with the coal- and oil-state Senators needed for a 60-vote supermajority: a strong carbon cap that makes polluters pay to pollute, but steering that revenue back into the...

Social Security and Medicare opponent Pete Peterson funds through his foundation a "Fiscal Wake-Up Tour," which characterizes itself as a non-ideological truth-telling presentation bravely warning the nation that Social Security and Medicare need drastic changes to save our children from crushing debt.

But the "Fiscal Wake-Up Tour" actually is...

Today's presidential budget proposal if enacted would be the second step, following the new American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, in turning the ship of state away from the cliffs of conservatism and on the path of active progressive government.

At least on the domestic front. The jury is out...

When Gov. Bobby Jindal formally responds to the president tonight, and introduces himself to much of America, will he make central his bizarre crusade against increased unemployment benefits?

He has already drawn attention to himself in recent days by refusing to take increased federal funds for unemployment insurance, since...

In advance of Monday's "Fiscal Responsibility Summit" at the White House, summit participant Pete Peterson and his foundation launched a $1 million ad campaign, irresponsibly peddling false information about the nation's budget.

The ad begins: "Everyone's focused on the obstacles now facing our economy. But there's a...

The House and Senate have a crafted a final deal for an economic recovery bill. Like with any compromise, there are things to like and not like. And no matter what the final result, everyone -- including the President -- understands this bill cannot be our final act. This is...

Yesterday, President Barack Obama made clear he is not accepting the Senate "Gang of Moderates" compromise as is, while the Senate moderates failed to mount a logical defense of their cuts.

In short, the Senate compromise on economic recovery means to prevent $70 billion in unintended "Alternative Minimum Tax" increases...

Last week, Campaign for America's Future sounded the alarm that phone calls were running 100 to 1 against an economic recovery bill, giving Congress a false impression of what the American majority wants and needs from its government. We needed to get engaged to prevent right-wing obstructionists from...

Gangs are groups of hoodlums that commit crimes and terrorize neighborhoods. In the Senate, we have a Gang of Moderates, and they're a gang alright. A gang that is trying to commit crimes of humanity to the economic recovery bill.

The Plum Line has the latest draft of...

Something tells me President Barack Obama has had it with the free ride that fact-challenged conservative obstructionists have been getting lately.

In remarks earlier today, the president reminded the conservative minority that the the election was a public rejection of more reckless Bush-style tax cuts, and a...

Before the election, my colleague Rick Perlstein counseled the next president to embrace a big and bold liberal agenda immediately after entering office, in the mold of Presidents Franklin Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson, or else the opportunity for real change would be lost.

But Rick also recognized success is...

Apparently, House Republicans are so proud of themselves, they are trying to raise campaign dollars off their votes opposing economic help for everybody else.

I just received an email from GOP Rep. Pete Sessions, the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee which supervises House election campaigns. Even...

The House is debating the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on the floor as I write this. And the conservative minority is employing the same tactics that have led them into the minority: failed ideas wrapped in fresh lies.

The big lie/talking point being repeated on the floor is...