The Kerry camp's strategy these days is to avoid debate on meaningful issues, and instead have surrogates take absurd potshots at Kerry's primary challenger. Here's the latest from Politicker: A local union has questioned Ed O'Reilly's … [Read more...]
Kerry hearts Lieberman
It's quite a tightrope Sen. Kerry needs to walk these days. From the Herald: U.S. Sen. John F. Kerry says his colleague Joe Lieberman's backing of John McCain's presidential bid and potential speaking role at the GOP convention should not … [Read more...]
Dems fuel convention with skunky beer
Turns out the DNC will be using vehicles that run on skunky beer in Denver: The Democrats must have a hell of an image consultant. Whoever it is, he or she knows what's what. The 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver will not only … [Read more...]
Finally, A Good Idea for New Revenue
I've been contemplating the possibility of taxing private college endowments since I read an article in the WSJ last year about how elite college endowments are now being managed like hedge funds. Simply, this is not behavior fitting … [Read more...]
UMass Law
I was pretty bummed in 2005 when the Republican-packed UMass Board of Trustees voted down a very reasonable proposal to create an affordable public law school. They even floated the idea of free tuition for students who committed to … [Read more...]
A proper stimulus? A wonkish look at tax rebates
2001 Rebates- Consumer Surveys The 2001 rebate package, which granted $38 million in rebates to an estimated 92 million taxpayers ($300 for singles and up to $600 for married couples), was not nearly as substantial as the pending 2008 … [Read more...]
DL Patrick meets JM Keynes
From today's Globe Governor Deval Patrick plans today to unveil a $3.8 billion bond proposal to repair 411 deteriorating bridges throughout the state over the next eight years, a project he will argue not only improves road safety but also … [Read more...]
A wonkish look at Obama’s economic policy
Intuitively, tax credits should have no more of an impact on a household's consumption profile than anticipated tax cuts, rebates, or increases in expected earnings. Standard microeconomic demand theory assumes that consumption (C = Ca + … [Read more...]
Another smaht Obama supporter
This email from now-resigned member of Obama's LGBT Leadership Council, Maxim Thorne. Funny how this guy holds two degrees from Yale and is an accomplished public servant. Original email: From: Maxim Thorne … [Read more...]
Sen. Brown running for re-election; Says election unneccesary
This guy really doesn't want a competitive race: "There's no time for a learning curve for anybody. I think this is really a year for incumbents, because you don't want to miss a beat. That's my gut," he said, explaining that it typically … [Read more...]