U.S. : Politics
Federal Judge Neuters Arizona Immigration Law: What's Next? (The Atlantic Wire)
The Atlantic Wire - The most controversial elements of Arizona's immigration law have been blocked by a federal judge. Major provisions, such as one requiring authorities to check the immigration status of individuals while enforcing other laws, will not go into effect. U.S. District Court Judge Susan Bolton also barred the state from requiring immigrants to carry their papers at all times. While this isn't the last say on the Arizona law, it's a major victory for the bill's opponents. Here's what observers are looking at now and anticipating for the future:
AP - House investigators accused veteran New York Rep. Charles Rangel of 13 violations of congressional ethics standards on Thursday, throwing a cloud over his four-decade political career and raising worries for fellow Democrats about the fall elections.
The Newsroom - In the three months since oil first spewed into the Gulf of Mexico, thousands of people throughout the coastal region have lost jobs or seen their incomes slashed. Many businesses are reeling too. BP has pledged to make good on all legitimate claims for damages. But how well is the process going?
U.S. News & World Report - If you love class warfare, your moment has arrived. The next several weeks, leading up to the November elections, are sure to be filled with resounding political invective over who should pay for Washington's profligate spending over the last decade. Democrats will argue that the rich and near-rich should pony up, since they have the most money to start with. Republicans will point to the needy, arguing that they've been getting too much aid for too long. Tea Partiers will struggle to decide whose benefits should be cut in order to achieve the smaller government they envision. ...
Blagojevich Corruption Trial: Final Theatrics in Court (Time.com)Time.com - The closing arguments in the corruption trial of former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich bring out over-the-top rhetoric, tears and an odd ethnic joke
GOP Gains Weren't Always Inevitable This Year (CQPolitics.com)CQPolitics.com - Sometimes, you can almost hear the conventional wisdom and expectations shift, even when they are based on faulty premises.
Democrats launch ?Republican tea party contract on America? (The Upshot)The Upshot - The Democratic National Committee debuted today a major initiative it says will tie the Republican party to the tea party movement. The idea is to drive a wedge between the activist base of today's GOP and the more moderate and independent voters the party relies on in major elections to make up for the advantage [...]
Somber scene in Rangel 'trial' opener (Politico)Politico - Lawmakers are disheartened by the investigation and worried about the public's growing skepticism.
Ethics unveils 13 Rangel charges (Politico)Politico - The report charges that he broke the chamber's rules.
Dems, GOP warily eye Arizona immigration ruling (AP)
AP - On the surface, a judge's decision to block tough provisions of Arizona's immigration law was a defeat for the state's Republican governor and a win for the Democratic Obama administration. But neither party is sure it will play out that way politically, either this fall or beyond.
