California, it cannot be stressed enough, isn’t necessarily worse than anywhere else; it’s just bigger (and louder). A Reason Foundation study of state spending increases during the comparatively good times of 2002 to 2007 found the Golden State to be in the middle of the pack on a percentage basis. And even after two-plus years of crisis, with unrelenting headlines about “annihilating” cuts, state bureaucracies remain bloated.

When the Bush administration threatened to withhold federal funds from Harvard University in accordance with the 1996 Solomon Amendment — which requires colleges to grant military recruiters the same access as other employers or forfeit federal funds — the law school relented and opened the door for the university to continue receiving federal funds.

But Kagan did not go gently. She sent out a strongly worded memo denouncing the government’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy as “deeply wrong — both unwise and unjust.” No doubt, the memo had an important symbolic effect as well.

Kagan also signed a law school professors’ amicus brief that argued the Solomon Amendment abridged free speech rights, which the U.S. Supreme Court soundly rejected 8-0 in 2006.

To what extent is climate change actually occuring? Late last year, climate researchers were accused of exaggerating study results. SPIEGEL ONLINE has since analyzed the hacked “Climategate” e-mails and provided insights into one of the most unprecedented spats in recent scientific history.

This morning we took a look at President Obama’s approval ratings on a state-by-state basis, noting how it is these figures, and not necessarily a national average, which will dictate how active the president is in helping candidates this fall, and where he is deployed to campaign with them.

This afternoon, we note a fascinating correlation between the strength of Obama’s numbers in Senate battlegrounds and the health of Democratic candidates in those races. First, a look at the races RCP currently classifies as Toss Up this fall.

But it’s Krugman who is confused. All his graph shows is that Greece is worse off than the US now, and in the near future. That should be obvious to anyone following the news of riots in Greece.

Link.

Five years ago, the European Union’s account of itself resonated with end-of history triumphalism. In organic fashion, democratic socialism would spread eastward and southward, recivilizing the old Warsaw Pact and the Balkans through cradle-to-grave entitlements, state unionism, radical environmentalism, and utopian pacifism. No wonder that Turkey begged – and often humiliated itself in the process – to get inside this more perfect union.

Link.

Let’s face it, Romney is old news. Been there, done that and passed already. He’s going to have a hell of time explaining to the GOP base how his Massachusetts health care plan is different than Obama’s. And Pawlenty just isn’t getting any firm footing. His candidacy, at this stage, is not seen as viable. He tacked rightward out of the chute and made himself look like this cycle’s Mitt Romney flip-flopper, prostrating himself before the right wing of the party-even though it was his independent, reform-minded approach that made him an interesting prospect in the first place.

But a look at Obama’s numbers on a state-by-state basis reflects the party’s precarious state in the midst of a critical string of primaries and special elections. RCP compiled state-specific public polling over the past three months, and found Obama’s net job approval rating is in negative territory in 28 of the 44 states where figures are available, including nearly all the battleground states critical to his and the Democrats’ future success.

The deal, reached after days of tortuous haggling, gives Mr Clegg’s party five seats at the cabinet table and several junior ministers. The Tories’ George Osborne will run the Treasury but Vince Cable and David Laws, both Lib Dems, will also fight the economic and fiscal crises as business secretary and chief secretary to the Treasury respectively. Some basics have been agreed upon: £6 billion ($9 billion) of savings will be made this year, and various welfare goodies will be withdrawn from higher-earners. An emergency budget is expected in June.

Link.

Seventy-one percent (71%) of U.S. voters say the United States is a more positive force for good in the world today than the United Nations, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.

Thirteen percent (13%) disagree and say the international organization is a more positive force for good. Sixteen percent (16%) more are undecided.

A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Likely Voters in California shows Boxer with 42% support in a match-up with Campbell, a former congressman, who earns 41%. Five percent (5%) prefer some other candidate, and 12% remain undecided.

These numbers have changed little since March and April.
But Boxer now posts a 45% to 38% lead over former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina. Given that match-up, four percent (4%) like another candidate, and 12% are undecided.

NEW YORK, May 14 (Reuters) – U.S. bankruptcy filings resumed their upward climb in the first quarter, nearly equaling their highest level since 2005, as high unemployment and a still-strained housing market squeezed consumers.

WASHINGTON – The federal Minerals Management Service gave permission to BP and dozens of other oil companies to drill in the Gulf of Mexico without first getting required permits from another agency that assesses threats to endangered species – and despite strong warnings from that agency about the impact the drilling was likely to have on the gulf.

Volcker, a former Federal Reserve chairman and a widely respected economist, told students at the London School of Economics that it was difficult to have a common currency without a common government.

The newspaper cited comments by Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero to members of his party on Wednesday as relayed by people present at that meeting.

I was disappointed when conservatives lost the fight this week in the Kansas Legislature to stop the largest tax increase in state history.

This comes at a time when we can least afford higher taxes. I have never seen higher taxes as the solution – and that is why I have never voted for a tax increase – not once. (more…)

Yesterday we began running a new ad entitled ‘Willing and Able’ on television stations throughout the 4th District. I believe that this ad sums up the tangible levels of frustration from voters that Wink has felt as he’s traveled throughout the District. (more…)