Washington Post (December 3)
President George H.W. Bush’s remarkable legacy includes putting together “one of the finest, scandal-free Cabinets in U.S. history.” In contrast, the “current crew” is populated with “liars, braggarts and bullies” who posterity will judge harshly. “None of them will be heralded for leaving American democracy stronger than when they entered office. Neither in their personal dealings nor in their policy choices will they be seen as kind or considerate. They’ve torn up international agreements, frayed relationships (here and abroad) and deformed institutions.”
Tags: Agreements, Braggarts, Bullies, Bush, Cabinets, Democracy, Institutions, Legacy, Liars, Policy, President, Relationships, Scandal-free, U.S.
The Guardian (August 24)
“Something big is slowly stirring in the undergrowth of British politics. Fact by fact, announcement by announcement, the case for Britain to remain in the European Union’s single market and customs union is growing stronger and more irresistible by the day. Such an outcome is most definitely not this government’s policy. But, this autumn, something will have to give.”
Tags: Customs union, EU, Government, Irresistible, Outcome, Policy, Politics, Single market, UK
The Week (May 3)
“The takeaway from Trump’s first 100 days in office isn’t a list of accomplishments or failures but rather a nugget of hard-won knowledge about the president himself: He is so comprehensively ignorant of policy and history, so thoroughly lacking in a core of settled beliefs or convictions, that the Oval Office might as well be unoccupied.”
Bloomberg (December 24)
“Some climate activists worry that Donald Trump’s presidential election will be the death knell for the global environment. That’s almost certainly untrue. Whatever Trump’s attitude toward climate science and energy policy, two big outside factors will be much more important — technological progress and policy in developing nations.
Tags: Activists, Climate, Developing nations, Election, Energy, Environment, Policy, Science, Technological progress, Trump
Wall Street Journal (November 9)
“Donald J. Trump’s unlikely defeat of Hillary Clinton is a political earthquake of a kind that rarely disturbs American politics.” The President-Elect “will now need to pick smart advisers and show generosity in victory” as he “lacks political experience” and his “convictions on public policy are especially elusive.” He has “a chance to succeed if he follows through on his pledge to prioritize the economic growth that creates jobs and lifts incomes for all Americans.” He will need to “govern differently than he campaigned.” He will need to “discover a more optimistic and inclusive politics. Or so we can hope, if only for comity and the good of the country.”
Tags: Advisers, Clinton, Convictions, Earthquake, Experience, Generosity, Growth, Inclusive, Incomes, Jobs, Optimistic, Policy, Trump, U.S., Victory
New York Times (June 3)
“If T.P.P. falls apart, China wins. It’s as simple as that. Nonratification would signal that Beijing gets to dictate policy in the region…. “Like the best trade accords, the Trans-Pacific Partnership is also a strategic boost to liberty and stability in the fastest-growing part of the globe. Congress should resist populist ranting and ratify it.”
Tags: China, Congress, Liberty, Nonratification, Policy, Populists, Ratify, Stability, Strategic, T.P.P., Trade accords
Institutional Investor (April 27)
With no major changes resulting at the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), “it’s easy to overlook the seismic shifts going on just beneath the surface that will impact policy and markets for the remainder of 2016.” The “astounding number of mixed signals and conflicting messages” emanating from Fed speakers of late is one clue to the divisions on the committee and the uncertainty regarding the U.S. economy.
Wall Street Journal (March 23)
“French voters still don’t have a convincing pro-growth option.” While “Sunday’s first round of voting in French municipal elections won’t much affect national policy… it does send a signal about where the electorate stands.” The majority voted “for manifestos that would consign France to more economic stagnation.”
Tags: Economic stagnation, Elections, France, Manifestos, Policy, Pro-growth, Voters
Institutional Investor (March 18)
“Market sentiment today hinges almost entirely on the Federal Open Market Committee’s announcement this afternoon. The anticipation of any change in wording to policy means investors are again ready to rethink what a new market reality may look liked as the process of policy normalization begins.”
Tags: Announcement, Anticipation, FOMC, Investors, Market, Normalization, Policy, Sentiment
New York Times (November 6)
“The Democratic brand did not fare well” in Tuesday’s elections that broadly swept conservative Republican candidates into office. When asked to vote on policy issues, however, “voters made notably liberal decisions in both red and blue states,” passing liberal initiatives ranging from environmental initiatives and gun control measures to legalizing marijuana. These initiatives “were directly at odds with the positions of many of the Republican winners.”
Tags: Conservative, Democrats, Elections, Environment, Gun control, Liberal, Marijuana, Policy, Republicans, U.S.
