On Tuesday President Obama and Republican congressional leaders both emerged from the White House's long-awaited "Slurpee Summit" sounding, perhaps surprisingly, a similar tune. But as with much else in Washington, what was going on under the surface was more than what met the eye--or ear, in this case.
On Mondays we have staff calls, with lunch. If seven of the thirteen of us opt for Thai, and the other six would rather try that new barbecue place, unfortunately, some tough choices must be made, "We'll try to do the barbecue place next week." I would never announce, "Everyone! There is a clear mandate for Thai food!" And yet this is basically what happens every election cycle.
It used to be essentially impossible for a congressional candidate in one state to raise money from potential supporters in other states in any kind of cost-effective way. With Google AdWords and Facebook, everything changes.
The Minnesota Rep.'s team prepared a TV commercial lambasting her opponent's (alleged) support for taxes on beer, corn dogs, and deep-fried bacon, then they blasted the ad out to people at the Minnesota State Fair as it was happening.
