slashingtongue

China`s taking heat from the US

Kali — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 01:51:07 +0000

China was being acccused by the Obama administration on Thursday of mistreating its peoples human rights as well as sustaining currency policies with the intention to cost millions of US job opportunities, a double-barrel assault that arrives along with a increasing willingness to faceup as well as antagonize the Asian power.
President Obama used up his 1st year in office debating that China was important to United states measures to handle with nuclear standoffs with Iran along with North Korea as well as key economic and environmental initiatives.
The latest method is being goaded, partly, by U.S. lawmakers’ charges that Obama’s attempts to gain Chinese willingness to assist have been unsuccessful. Those lawmakers are dealing with November elections and are progressively assaulting China as a tactic to gain votes made by Americans concerned about employment.
During the yearly State Department human rights statement, brought out Thursday, China was slammed for a aweful and, in several issues, worsening human rights proof. Michael Posner, an assistant secretary of state, stated that China was tormenting lawyers and activists viewed by Beijing as risks for the Chinese Communist Party, suppressing Tibetan onwards to Uighur minorities as well as strictly controlling and checking the Internet.
Obama himself headed the argument on currency. He utilized a speech towards the Export-Import Bank discussion to urge China to amend its currency policy, saying Chinese development “to a more market-oriented exchange rate” is desirable to facilitate measures to rebalance the worldwide economy.
The Obama administration needs China to permit its currency, the yuan, to go up in value versus the dollar. American companies state that China unjustly make changes to its currency by holding down the yuan’s rate to increase trade gains over the U.s..
Wang Baodong, spokesman in the Chinese Embassy in Washington, claimed that China’s financial as well as currency policies are “responsible and advantageous towards the general interests of our 2 nations, specifically against the environment of jointly dealing with the financial problems.”
Beijing has kept the yuan stabilized opposed to the dollar for 18 months to assist Chinese traders but is besieged from Washington in addition to other trading partners who say it’s bulging China’s trade surplus.
Obama moreover stated that in his speech that nations with external surpluses “have to increase consumption as well as domestic demand.”
China reported Wednesday that its exports increased in February near 45.7% from the year in advance.
Washington as well as Beijing also are mixed up in conflicts over getting into to each other’s markets intended for tires, steel and other commodities.
In January, China warned to punish American businesses in retaliation for the United states declaration of a $6.4 billion arms deal to Taiwan, the self-governing democratic island Beijing states as its own. Obama also enraged China by meeting with the Dalai Lama, the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader China incriminates of looking for independence for Tibet from China.

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Aid for the jobless

Kali — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 06:56:48 +0000

The United states Senate has took on a 140-billion-dollar a great number of measures intended at propping up unemployment benefits as well as initiating tax breaks to stimulate more jobs to be created.
The draft bill causes it longer to give support to those jobless as well as medical coverage till December 2010, afterward it was sanctioned when a week of serious debate by 62 votes in favor to 36 opposing.
“We are determined to carry on with our jobs agenda as well as look forward for bipartisan backing to assist middleclass Us citizens in these tough period,” the Senate’s Democratic Party majority leader Harry Reid stated.
President Barack Obama put out a statement following the bill’s passage emphasizing its significance and congratulating lawmakers.
“Investing within the nation’s small companies, reducing taxes for America’s organizations and businesses, along with getting aid to people hit hard by the financial crisis are crucial to our economic recuperation and longterm growth,” he stated.
“I am thankful to senators in the 2 parties who advanced forward today in bringing our country back on a strong economic footing.”
Previous week, a crisis bill to lengthen unemployment gains for 30 days was delayed for a number of days by Republican Senator Jim Bunning, who utilized time wasting techniques to prevent the legislation.
Wednesday’s strategy also prolongs tax cuts for businesses to aid them invest in research and tax cuts for restaurant as well as store proprietors.
It consists of “a tax cut to assist families pay for college tuition, therefore our youth be able to get the world-class teaching they need without going bust,” the text stated.
The U . s . is combating one of its nastiest financial downturns in decades, which has experienced unemployment escalate to its present level of 9.7%.
The bill will at present go to the House of Representatives for a vote.
Critics claim that the propositions will only intensify the vast US deficit by approximately 100 billion us dollars, somewhat slammed as “irresponsible” by Republican Senator Chuck Grassley.

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Looks Like the “House” does not want pull out from afghan

Kali — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 01:46:19 +0000

The United States House of Representatives on Wednesday overpoweringly declined a measure calling for President Barack Obama to withdraw U.S. armed forces from Afghanistan, in an election-year test of his choice to step up the war.
However many of Obama’s Democrats among the House did endorse the pullout solution, suggesting separation over war policy before November congressional elections in which Republicans are anticipated to attain gains.
65 lawmakers, the majority of them Democrats, voted for the pullout resolution written by liberal Democratic Representative Dennis Kucinich, despite the fact that 356 voted against.
It was the primary issue by Democratic majority in Congress to U.S. participation in the struggle seeing as Obama ordered 30,000 additional military personnel to Afghanistan as well as an offensive commenced last month to recapture the Taliban stronghold of Marjah in Helmand region.
People who agree with the solution claimed that it was about time for U.S. lawmakers to think about if they intend to carry on the nearly 9year old campaign in which nearly 1,000 U.S. troopers have been killed in addition to many hundreds billions of US dollars have been spent.
“Unless this Congress acts to assert its constitutional responsibility, we have a tendency to stay in Afghanistan for a very, very long time at vast cost to our military personnel and to our national priorities,” Kucinich stated.
Detractors debated the U . s . couldn’t pull from Afghanistan before the government at hand was able to give security for the reason that the Taliban could possibly then offer cover for al Qaeda again.
“I am strongly aware that although we stay in Afghanistan, and at this point I intend to highlight this, there is no assurance that we will be victorious in our battle against al Qaeda. However if we do not try, we are sure to be unsuccessful,” said Representative Howard Berman.
Congress approved a solution authorizing military force in Afghanistan in 2001 following the September 11 assaults by al Qaeda on the US. Although Kucinich claimed that the 2001 vote was not planned to support endless conflict at an ever soaring cost.
Be aware that a lot of liberal Democrats are discontented about the ongoing conflict, Obama has stated that the strategy is to begin with pulling U.S. armed forces from Afghanistan beginning July 2011.

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President Obama and Preval get together in haiti

Kali — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:11:45 +0000

President Barack Obama gets together Wednesday along with Haitian President Rene Preval, renewing his oath of US backing meant for efforts to reconstruct the quake-devastated Caribbean state.
Leading the agenda intended for the assembly, which comes ahead of an international donors’ talks later on this month, had been on-going relief, recuperation, as well as restoration efforts within Haiti.
Preval is requesting billions of dollars to assist in rebuilding his country, the poorest nation among the Americas, that lost 222,000 people, 70% of its capital Port-au-Prince as well as over half its wealth in the January 12 devastation.
The USA and UN previous week introduced a Haiti Donors’ Conference to be hosted in New York on March 31st to rally international backing for Haiti’s revival.
Wednesday’s White House call comes one day as soon as Preval met here with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who asked for fresh elections in Haiti when probable.
“I guaranteed President Preval that the United States would work with the international community to hold elections as soon as appropriate,” the chief US diplomat said.
Legislative polls at first placed for February and March had been deferred after the January 12 quake that destroyed the capital Port-au-Prince plus left a million Haitians on the streets.
The elections plea comes as earthquake survivors say weak governance, corruption and poor engineering amplified a catastrophe that was many times less vigorous than the earthquake in Chile but way more deadly and devastating.
Preval, 67, who was also a president from 1996 to 2001, is constitutionally blocked off from looking for a 3rd mandate. His present term ends in February 2011 moreover presidential elections are anticipated in December.
Preval emphasized that stability was the answer to getting badly wanted foreign investment as well as hinted Haiti has to be reconstructed in a different way with better economic possibilities intended for people outside the capital.
“At the moment, we are confronted with a chronological circumstances that will let us to improve, refound this country,” he said.
“Previously, the whole thing had been targeted and focused on the capital, where the political as well as economic elites of the nation live, plus the remainder of the nation was neglected,” he said.

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People do want something to be done about healthcare

Kali — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 03:25:25 +0000

Us citizens as well as their lawmakers are drastically unsynchronized went it comes to healthcare, plus the huge majorities of citizens aiming for bipartisan cooperation that is nowhere in sight.
A recent GfK Poll shows a extensive yearning for enhancements to the healthcare system, which indicates that President Obama along with his Democratic allies possess a political break to push their strategy. Nearly half of every Us citizen says healthcare ought to be altered quite a lot or “a great deal,” in addition to merely 4% state that it should not be altered in anyway.
However they do not like the approach the debate is playing out in Washington, where GOP lawmakers commonly go up against the Obama endorsed legislation furthermore Democrats are clambering to pass it by themselves among narrow House and Senate majorities.
On average 4 in 5 Us citizens state that it is vital that every healthcare plan includes the backing from both parties. Also 68% suggested the president along with congressional Democrats must be trying to make a deal with Republicans instead of passing a bill without GOP backing.
Leaders of both parties in Congress state that that is not how it is gonna work out. Following a year of negotiations, Republicans unyieldingly go up against Obama’s plans. The White House and Democratic leaders state its now-or-never for a healthcare improvement, that might cover up to 30 million people, want virtually everybody to get health insurance as well as enforce additional limitations went it comes to insurance companies.
The Democrats’ strategy depends on parliamentary regulations that exclude Senate filibusters. So as to allow Senate Democrats to pass a companion healthcare bill, which House Democrats are calling for among a simple majority. Democrats control 59 of the Senate’s 100 votes, short of one required to bring to an end to GOP filibusters.
The recent poll underscores Obama’s conflicts to take charge of the healthcare debate from Republicans, who claim his attempts being a government conquest along with pricey invasion into confidential lives.
A lot of of his allies are bewildered, as people evidently yearn for change, moreover a number of the particularized components of the Democrats’ healthcare agenda appears popular. Furthermore, the community hasn`t comprehended the Republicans’ general approach toward legislating, passing lower approval ratings to GOP lawmakers in comparison to Democrats, even though the 2 parties fared poorly.
During the GfK Poll, 43% of folks surveyed stated that Obama along with Congress must remain working towards passing healthcare this year, whilst 41% believed they ought to start from the beginning. Went it comes to Capitol Hill, the Republicans support that fresh start approach; Democrats suggested that is merely a method to waste the effort and time.
Sandy Stemm of Springfield, Ore., might look as if the perfect target meant for Obama’s appeal. She’s a Democrat also a ex- bakery manager who lately lost her employment and health insurance.
However Stemm, 47, does not like the thought of congressional Democrats going it solitarily went it comes to healthcare.
“I believe it is essential settle on an agreement,”.”We are all in this together, irregardless if we are Democrat or Republican.”
John DeHority, a Democrat from Rochester, N.Y., backs Obama’s attempts and suggests Republicans have “made a travesty of the process.” Nevertheless he state that the GOP is winning the political battle.
“I feel passing the bill in its present structure might be political suicide designed for Democrats,” said DeHority, 56, a researcher in healthcare imaging. He said he thinks the projected modifications might be unsuccessful for the reason that they might not control expenses, and “Democrats will take the fall for that.”
Obama’s own message, now and then changing, would seem unconvincing to several.
Over the previous year, he has stimulated his importance from the moral implications of enhancing healthcare to the lowering cost possibilities to the impact on the deficit. During a fierce dialogue near Philadelphia on Monday, he reinstated his harsh attacks on insurance firms, that he claims are surcharging individuals and restricting insurance policy coverage to less-desirable clients.
The president goes to St. Louis on Wednesday to push his case for improvement, even as major organisations launch a multimillion-dollar advertisement promotion to undercut the legislation.
The outcome is a message muddled that causes a lot of folks uncertain why they ought to support Obama’s plans, said Kathleen Hall Jamieson, an authority on political communications.
“They did not create those errors during the campaign,” she said, calling Obama a professional at staying on message as a candidate. White House communications director Dan Pfeiffer stated on Tuesday that Republicans “have played politics with health reform from the very beginning.” In addition, numerous Us citizens have been turned off by the political dealmaking that happened in Congress, Pfeiffer said, and “the insurance business has spent tens of millions demonizing health reform.”
More expenses is on the way. Main business groups Tuesday introduced a multimillion-dollar ad movement mocking Obama’s proposals. Health insurance firms are among those having to pay for the advertisings, scheduled to broadcast on cable channels nationally and then featuring in 17 states that are home to moderate Democratic lawmakers.
House Democratic leaders are waiting for final legislative language before setting up an all-out approach to enact the healthcare bill that the Senate passed on Christmas Eve. The House’s rather different version got accepted 220-215, with 39 Democrats voting against it.
Presidential adviser David Axelrod told supporters on a conference call Tuesday that “what occurs in the next 10 days will be crucial.” He asked them to talk to acquaintances and neighbors to increase momentum.

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Activists from Greenpeace arrested

Kali — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:39:23 +0000

3 Greenpeace activists ended up being apprehended Monday as soon as their balloon-powered banner mocking Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, was brought in the Senate Hart Office Building.
Sgt. Kimberly Schneider, a Capitol Police spokeswoman, stated that they might be charged with unlawful conduct, protesting inside a Capitol building.
The banner that floated to the ceiling of the building’s 90-foot atrium said “Lisa Murkowski, Happily matched since 2004″ and contain the logos of 3 companies: Exxon, Chevron along with Southern Co.
Greenpeace spokesman Joe Smyth claimed that Greenpeace was demonstrating the link involving Murkowski and polluters.
Murkowski spokesman Michael Brumas stated that, “This is another frantic effort by an external group to divert from the merits of the debate. Sen. Murkowski has genuine worries regarding the economic consequences of EPA moderating greenhouse gases as well as believes the U . s citizens need a extensive debate on the subject. It is regrettable that a number of radical groups take part in breaking the law to try and suppress that debate.”
Smyth recognized the 3 who had been caught as Rachel Humphreys and Alec Rothman of Washington, D.C., and Samantha Corbin of New York City.

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Anti-homosexual demonstrators under Supreme Court surveillance

Kali — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 05:05:55 +0000

The US Supreme Court has decided to look at whether or not malicious anti-homosexual demonstrators who picket the death ceremonies of US soldiers are protected by means of free speech laws.The emotionally-charged case was introduced via the family of US Marine Matthew Snyder, who was killed in combat in Iraq in 2006. His relations prepared a non-public Christian funeral intended for him within Maryland that drew in affiliates of the fanatical Westboro Church headed by Baptist preacher Fred Phelps. Phelps as well as his congregation frequently rally at military funerals, holding onto inciting signs to get noticed for their anti-samesex message. The religious gatherers demonstrated along at the funerals of soldiers, whatever the sexuality of that late military personnel maybe, in addition to exploit the events to bring publicity for their movement. The preacher and 6 relations gathered at Snyder’s funeral hauling signs that showed “America is doomed,” “Matt in hell” and “Semper Fi fags,” in reference at the Marine motto “Semper Fi.” Once the death ceremony was done, Phelps went on to mock as well as pick apart Snyder on his web site, prompting the dead Marine’s relations to take action against the preacher before a Maryland court. Snyder’s father Albert stated that Phelps had trespassed on a private event and deliberately caused emotional hurt within the mourning family and gained an initial award of 5 million dollars.
However the award was reversed on appeal, where a court ruled that Westburo demonstrators have been only exercising their First Amendment right toward free speech. Demonstrations started via Phelps along with his colleagues are met with dislike across the United States and all over the 40 states now have accepted laws moderating protests at death ceremonies.

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Warren Buffet hits the nail on the head

Kali — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:48:08 +0000

He is the person that the business world call the Oracle from Omaha and is one of the richest people in the world. His company just made $3 billion last quarter. This time, where our politicians and media did not get it, he hit the nail right on the head …. on health-care!

Yes, yes, yes…. Finally there was a person that got how the American people were feeling about the healthcare bill. Hey Democrats and Republicans listen to what this man has to say, after all he is the person with money that you guys seem to adore, unlike we normal people whom you chose to ignore!

Here, is his quote (from Reuters):
“
“ It’s like a tapeworm eating at our economic body,” Buffett said on CNBC television.
“If it was a choice today between Plan A, which is what we’ve got, or Plan B, which is the Senate bill, I would vote for the Senate bill,” he said. “But I would much rather see a Plan C that really attacks costs, and I think that’s what the American public wants to see.”
“

Firstly, Democrats : your bill sucks. It is so lightweight that the only thing that seems heavy is the fact that it is more than 2000 pages long! Your bill is an abysmal failure and the manner that it goes about cutting cost is really bad….

And Republicans, your notion that we have the best form of healthcare is something that only crazy people say, or people who are simply having an agenda doing nothing. All you guys talk about is cutting cost, when what you provide as an alternative is horrifically worse!

Look, the most important factor of the issue with health-care is : Cost! Cost baby cost! It is the cost that is really affecting Americans. We pay a ridiculous 17% if our GDP on healthcare, and rates are still rising like crazy. Why? That is the point where the Big 2 parties have lost out.

We want cheaper plans. We do not care if it is by the government or not by the government! We would prefer a choice of both! That is why public option is very popular with the people in America, but is forgotten or should I say, intentionally ignored by our leaders in Washington.

I find it very sad that it seems very normal that $4 trillion was wasted in the last 10 years and nobody did anything in those times. Where were the Democrats who are the so called champions on this issue? My opinion :In the pockets of special interests and lobbyists with their Republican colleagues.

Where is the media calling them out on this? Don’t they know that $4 trillion is about a third of our national debt? Or are they oblivious to it, or do they want to be oblivious to it? Where is the reporting that a lot of the waste comes from fraud which is not tackled at all in both plans!

And where is the media catching out the Republican plan ? They have the cheek to say that their plan costs ½ as much as the Democrats and covers 1/10th the amount of people? And that is comparing it with the Democratic plan that seemed to be made by kindergarten politicians.

It really pains me that over 500 people in Washington DC cannot get something as crucial as this done! If they cannot do healthcare reform, how are they going to do social security reform?

Brit Hume shows problem in FOX News

Kali — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 09:41:30 +0000

Brit Hume went on air on the Factor recently and said that Tiger Woods should be convert to Christianity to deal with his problems. To the right wing readers, this is the perfect example showing how far right FOX News is and why they do not get it that people are pist off with them…

Before I go on further, I would have to declare that I am an Asian American, am born a Buddhist though I do not practice it much. I am taking what Brit Hume say very personally and am rather pist off that he can get away with it as though it is okay. I also never knew that Tiger Woods is a Buddhist.

Firstly, I really think that Brit Hume should go and read up about Buddhism more. Forgiveness is part of Karma. It is called Metta. That is why Buddhists do not seek revenge, we let Karma do that. Forgiving and forgetting is part of our religion.

I really take offense to the words of Brit Hume who claimed that if you do wrong, you can just convert to Christianity and all would be well. He should have also noted that Tiger Woods was also a Buddhist when he won major after major.

Other races and religion really do not like it when you guys do that. The other religious group that does this a lot are the Muslims. Both often say, “ Islam/Christianity is the true religion,” or “Only Christians/Muslims would go to heaven.”

Why can’t they be like the the Jews? Both Islam and Christianity originate from Judaism and have Jewish Prophets in their religion, so why can’t they live their own life like the Jews do. The Jews do not come up to people and force their ideologies and religion on others.

I am not saying that all Christians are like that. A vast majority in fact are okay. They do not preach. But it is the leaders like Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson and now Brit Hume that really has this condescending message of Christian superiority.

The next point is this : How in the blue world is FOX News oblivious to the message? Should Brit Hume be fired or at least suspended for saying things like that? Why O’Reilly did you not cut his microphone off this time or screaming your head off? The answer is very simple, it is because they are from the right wing, so they would not get it.

Now you know why the Republican party have few non-White supporters? They are oblivious to the sensitivities of other colors and faiths. A normal station like PBS or CNN would have definitely taken action against their staff if they had said something half as bad as Brit Hume said.

Can you imagine if a Muslim were to come out and say that all would be okay if Governor Sanford converted to Islam? Wait a minute is that what Osama Bin Laden always told President Bush? What if a Hindu were to tell Governor Elliot Spitzer that all would be okay if he converted to Hinduism?

Come on man! We are living in America, a melting pot, a secular nation where we do not care what you believe in or the color of your skin. Please have some sensitivities to one another…

Healthcare summit : 2nd half

Kali — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:40:26 +0000

The first half came to an end. The President called for a break and all went away. The President was very good in thwarting away the Republicans’ point after point, like a good keeper guarding his post. But it was bound to crumble and it nearly did, till a Republican made a serious blunder…

There were a slight delay because there was a vote in the House of Representatives. When it began, everything seemed to go back to normal. The Republicans carried on pounding. After the break they concentrated on the mandate. Surprisingly, later on, the unelected leader of the progressives, Governor Howard Dean said that this is okay with the Republicans!

There was a hint of a Democratic fight when one of the politicians (sorry I cannot remember the name) came up with the idea of a rope. He said that cutting the bill in parts was as good as throwing a 10-yard rope to a shipwreck victim 50 yards away.

But he was immediately followed by Senator Chuck Grassley, who was vicious. Man, he tore the Democrats apart. He went through some grievances of his constituents. This was almost like an art as he did it without really crossing the line. Here I thought the Democrats were done. Even the President seemed to be going to crack at anytime.

Then came House Minority leader John Boehner. If he saw the exchange between Dylan Ratigan and Representative Joe Wilson, he would have know never to make the claim that the US has the best health-care in the world. He would never have said that the US healthcare system just needs tweaking and not overhaul. He would have not cooked up that the bill is going to fund abortion, nor exaggerate the effects of tort reform. After him, it was downhill all the way. The Republican body language would tell you that.

After a light slap on Leader Boehner’s ridiculous comments, Senator Dick Durban became of the first in line to tear the Republicans apart. He slammed the point of tort reform, saying that it would save $55 billion in 10 years, considered minimal savings in a system that costs $2.5 trillion yearly. He ridiculed the ridiculed the plan for having a plan that only covers 3 million people. He also made the pint about the need of a mandate, as it would increase the pool of people which would drive healthcare costs down.

It was very clear that a comeback was in sight. Even Senator McCain, who made one of the best points in the first half, made an error when it comes to reconciliation. He claimed that the public was not in favor. I felt that that was weak-sauce as people really do not care how you get it done as long as it is beneficial.

Senator John Barosso then had a touching story to tell. He said that all doctors were given a stethoscope. It was to listen for medical matters, but also used to listen. However, he too was one of the bumbling Republicans when he claimed that there should only be catastrophic only plans. He even said that Congress should have that plan and that people should eat less, not smoke or drink.

After being slammed by the President, Senator Henry Waxman ran him down. Amongst the Democrats, he was the toughest Senator. He slammed Senator Barosso by asking him what made him think that people would be able to afford for catastrophic only healthcare. He also rebutted Republicans claim that very little people wanted the Democratic healthcare by saying less people wanted their plan.

The next prominent moment happened when Senator Roskam delivered a very frank exchange with the President. I do agree with him that the session was was out to get the Republicans’ votes rather than work with them. He also made the defense of the fact that the Republican plan only covers 3 million by saying that covering 3 million people well was better than covering 30 million more expensively.

Senator Chris Dodd too put on strong points after this. He was nonsensical in the first “half.” I do agree with him that coverage of Americans were crucial, not having so many people being left uninsured.

The most mean person in the room had to be Leader Nancy Pelosi. The Republicans met their tough match! She was the most damning. She tore apart all the fallacies of the Republican but even this partisan wing-nut still paid homage to Senator Tom Coburn’s ideas.

What is sad though was that it took 7 ½ hours for the public option to be mentioned. No one else dared to mention it. And did it have to be Leader Pelosi to mention it? Come on.

President Obama then delivered the closing arguments, after which he shook the hands of Leaders McConnell and Boehner. Leader Boehner was visibly down, he could tell he was beat. Overall, I think the Democrats looked better on television and President Obama really showed his brilliance and mettle, but the “Man of the Match” was Senator Coburn.