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  • What is Happening in this Picture? You Tell Us.

    Holly Bailey | Jul 30, 2009 02:00 PM

    We've said it before and we'll say it again: The official White House Flickr feed is a constant source of entertainment--and not always in the way the administration probably intended. Your Gaggler has to give major props to Ana Marie Cox and Jason Linkins who have written some pretty hysterical interpretations of what exactly is happening in WH photos for The Awl. But you know what? We bet you, dear Gaggle readers, can be just as funny. So here's your first assignment: What is happening in the above picture from this week featuring President Obama and some visiting members of the official Chinese delegation. Tell us in the comments or send us an email. We'll publish the funniest and maybe we'll even come up with an official Gaggle prize. Wow, right?! I still happen to have a perfectly preserved "Scott" cookie from Scott McClellan's going-away party in the White House briefing room in 2006--though that might be hard to give up. But we'll find something.


  • Six Other People Obama Should Invite Over for Beers

    Katie Connolly | Jul 30, 2009 12:49 PM
    This evening President Obama is hosting Sgt. James Crowley and Prof.Henry Louis Gates Jnr at the White House for beers, post-conflict beverages if you will. Last week I wrote about how this simple gesture is laden with potentially transformative meaning. Today, as White House Beerfest ’09 steadily approaches, I got to thinking about some other folks the President might consider easing tensions with over a chilled-out pint. Here are my top six. If you think I missed anyone, add their name in the comments. More
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  • The Looming Ad War over Health Care Reform

    Holly Bailey | Jul 30, 2009 12:01 PM

    If you thought the debate over health care reform was heated now, just wait until Congress goes home for recess—especially if you live in a so-called swing district. Pretty much every lobby with a stake in health care—big business, insurance, pharmaceutical companies, both political parties, among others—are planning a major blitz to try to shape the outcome of the bill. And that means you likely won’t get a reprieve from the back and forth over cost and the so-called public plan anytime soon. For lack of a better word, it’s going to be a total ad-pocalyse, along the likes of what we saw during the final weeks of the presidential campaign last fall.

    So far, President Obama’s allies have been the most vocal. Organizing for America, the grassroots remnants of President Obama’s presidential campaign, launched ads several weeks ago targeting moderate Democrats—much to the chagrin of some in the party. OFA won’t say how much it’s spent so far, but safe to say, it’s been a bundle, and the group plans to spend even more in the coming weeks on TV ads and other grassroots efforts to sway the public into putting pressure on lawmakers to pass a bill. Ditto for other Obama allies in the fight, including the labor movement and progressive groups like MoveOn.org—all of whom are planning major campaigns during the recess. The big message: We can no longer afford to wait on health care reform. All told, Obama allies have spent at least $10 million so far advocating for the president’s health care proposal, according to the Campaign Media and Analysis Group, which tracks ad buys.

    Those opposed to the bill have spent a little over half that much—but that disparity likely won’t last.

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  • How Worried Should Obama Be About His Poll Numbers?

    Katie Connolly | Jul 30, 2009 10:34 AM
    Today’s headlines are screaming with bad news for President Obama. Two significant polls – from the Wall Street Journal / NBC and the New York Times / CBS – show support for his health care reform plans slipping,alongside his general approval rating. This is perhaps an unsurprising development when health care is dominating the national debate. Historyhas proven repeatedly that this issue is kryptonite for presidents.Health care reform is an easy issue to dog – it’s far simpler to criticize a system than fix it, and promoting fear of change is easier than explaining the complex nuances of policy alterations. Simply put,health care reform is a really hard sell, even for gifted communicators. Just ask Bill Clinton.

    So just how bad are these polls for the President? They’re certainly worrying, but in my view there are hopeful signs. We in the news media delight in dramatic narratives, and these polls can easily paint  a damaging picture. But there is enough conflicting evidence in the numbers that the message I’m taking away is this: Americans are hedging. Let’s check out the evidence, starting with the positives. (continued after the jump)
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