Hell freezes over

Helen Thomas gets tough with the Obama administration. Chip Reid of CBS starts it, but Thomas finishes it, saying it’s “shocking” how this administration tries to control the press, that “it’s part of a pattern,” and that no administration has ever done it to this extent. Watch it all here.

They Know Liberalism When They See It

Two sets of data indicate that the sharp left turn toward liberal, interventionist policies we’ve seen over the past six months is opening some eyes. More Americans now realize what they’re seeing.

First, from Gallup:

A Gallup Poll finds a statistically significant increase since last year in the percentage of Americans who describe the Democratic Party’s views as being “too liberal,” from 39% to 46%. This is the largest percentage saying so since November 1994, after the party’s losses in that year’s midterm elections.

Second, from Public Policy Polling:

Barack Obama’s approval rating in North Carolina hit its lowest level since he took office this month, and one group that he’s seen a particularly steep decline with is conservative white Democrats.

Unknown lifeform found in Raleigh

At first I thought it was a live feed from the legislature:

UPDATE: Lifeform supposedly identified by a Dr. Kwak. I’m not kidding.

Root Canals, Tote Bags, and Tattoos

A bunch of new fees take effect today around the Triangle, and the list is pretty interesting.

It Depends on What the Definition of “firm pledge” is

First, Sen. Kay Hagan time-traveled back to the Clinton days with her assertion that we shouldn’t make judgments about the government’s proposed “public choice” health insurance option because, she says, it depends on what the meaning of “public” is.

Now the “it depends” approach to policymaking is being employed by President Obama, who is clearly looking to break his campaign promise not to raise taxes on those making less than $250,000 per year.

Check out this exchange between White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs and a reporter, as blogged by the Washington Examiner.

If the administration supports another tax hike, then the spokesperson should simply say so. Is that really too much to expect of a public official?