bapifar01: Abbreviated Pundit Round-up

Visual Source: Newseum

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Dozens of new restrictions passed by states this year have chipped away at the right to abortion by requiring women to view ultrasounds, imposing waiting periods or cutting funds for clinics. But a new kind of law has gone beyond such restrictions, striking at the foundation of the abortion rules set out by the Supreme Court over the last four decades.
These laws, passed in six states in little more than a year, ban abortions at the 20th week after conception, based on the theory that the fetus can feel pain at that point ? a notion disputed by mainstream medical organizations in the United States and Britain. Opponents of abortion say they expect that discussion of fetal pain ? even in the face of scientific criticism ? will alter public perception of abortion, and they have made support for the new laws a litmus test for Republicans seeking the presidency.

Because what do facts have to do with Republicans?

Matthew Yglesias on Cuomo and Obama:

Still, I would say that the bigger difference isn?t so much about the leadership style as it is that Cuomo won. Suppose that the New York State Senate operated according to the rules of the United States Senate and a bill failed unless it secured a 60 percent supermajority. What would people be saying about Andrew Cuomo now? Well, it seems to me that many people would be castigating his failed leadership. Instead of Michael Barbaro?s account of his behind-the-scenes leadership reading like a virtuouso performance it would be reading like a story of a failed inside game. The meeting with high-dollar pro-equality Republican donors would seem not savvy, but naive and weak. Conversely, if the US Senate operated on a 50 vote rule, then both the Affordable Care Act and the Dodd-Frank bill would have gone further in advancing progressive priorities, there would have been more economic stimulus in the 111th Congress, the DREAM Act would have passed, and it?s conceivable that some kind of nationwide carbon pricing scheme would be in place.
Which is just to say that political institutions matter, a lot. Getting concurrent majorities in two legislative houses, as Cuomo did, is very hard. Getting a 60 percent supermajority is harder.

EJ Dionne:

Prudence went on vacation during the administration of the second President Bush, but it?s back as the hallmark of President Obama?s approach to foreign policy. And it was the underlying theme of Obama?s speech on Afghanistan last week.
You would think this would be popular. But it turns out that Obama finds himself almost alone in his effort to define a broad new middle ground in international affairs. It?s not that the center isn?t holding. It?s that most politicians don?t seem to want to go near it.
...

The administration is stuck making a case whose only virtue is that it might turn out to be right.

If the administrations insists on sticking to its guns (pun intended), they had better be right. They will get no reflex support on this. And EJ mentions a lack of bipartisan support. Chalk bipartisanship up to another thing about the country that George W. Bush ruined.

WaPo:

Then, as he wrapped up the interview, [Chris] Wallace asked her: ?Are you a flake??
?I think that would be insulting to say something like that because I?m a serious person,? Bachmann retorted.

In the face of sharp questioning from Wallace, Bachmann appeared steely and calm, noting that she has "a titanium spine".

Guess that goes along with her "pudding for brains".

LA Times:

Bachmann's had her share of government aid
The fiscal conservative from Minnesota and 2012 presidential contender has benefited personally from federal funds and federal farm subsidies.

Remember, conservatives have an inexhaustable store of chutzpah.
Nate Silver:

The numbers for Mr. Pawlenty in this survey ? strong favorables, but a poor performance on the ballot test ? are the same numbers that we?re seeing for him elsewhere in the country.
At the same time, Mr. Pawlenty is in something of a Catch-22. On the one hand, he has some interest in being viewed as a top-tier candidate with a strong chance to knock off Mr. Romney and the other contenders ? that?s how you secure donations, endorsements and win the ?shadow primary?. On the other hand, being viewed as a top-tier candidate means that you?ll face higher expectations, which are bound to produce disappointment when you?re polling at 6 percent in what is supposed to be your best state.

The truth is Pawlenty's not going anywhere. We're getting the pundits to admit it about Huntsman, and soon enough they'll say it about Pawlenty.

WaPo:

But even if Obama announces that he favors same-sex marriage and public support for the issue continues to rise, nothing guarantees that the Supreme Court will follow suit. The judiciary, for better and for worse, does not move in lock step with the American people.
Most observers believe that any decision on gay marriage by the current court would probably come down to the opinion of Justice Anthony Kennedy. But that is no cause for pessimism. The gay equality movement has had few judicial friends more staunch than Kennedy, the author of the court?s two leading decisions honoring that cause.