February 2012
2 posts
9 tags
2012 Democratic National Convention
Hello,
I am running to represent Connecticut’s 4th Congressional District in Charlotte, NC this September at the 2012 Democratic National Convention! Check out my candidacy announcement here: http://www.tomdec.com/dnc.
I am excited for the weeks and months ahead as we prepare for what will be an exciting and historic election year. As always, don’t hesitate to contact me with...
10 tags
December 2011
5 posts
The Wealth Gap Between Congress and Voters Is... →
Both The New York Times and The Washington Post have separate reports today about the widening wealth gap between members of Congress and the people they represent. Almost half of all Congresspeople are millionaires and their median net worth has climbed to $913,000, compared to $100,000 for the rest of America households. According to the Post, that number drops to $725,000 when excluding home...
9 tags
Huntsman's last stand
abitnippy:
Jon Huntsman has 72 hours to prevent a devastating loss in New Hampshire. In my view, he has three main problems:
He is perceived as Romney’s stunt double. People don’t really know the difference between them.
His name recognition isn’t high enough. A significant number of people in New Hampshire (let alone the rest of the country) still don’t know who he is. I know this from...
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Trump's Indy Bid?
The media is again devoting airtime to Donald Trump and the drama of his presidential conquest.
After soaking up weeks of coverage this spring with his prospective run for the GOP nomination, Trump receded from the limelight. Then, after he couldn’t get Romney to agree to join a debate he was slated to moderate, he took the opportunity to bolt. The move attracted news coverage of course,...
The OOTBlog: 5 Ways the New YouTube Design Could... →
yaleootb:
It’s no exaggeration that YouTube is an important tool for a cappella groups. YouTube channels are a great way for groups to show off their talent to fans and potential clients. Recently, YouTube unveiled a new design that changes how the homepage works. What do these changes mean for your…
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November 2011
2 posts
18 tags
A Patriotic Holiday
As we get ready to sharpen our carving knives and cut up our Thanksgiving turkey, we should take a moment to recognize the importance of Thanksgiving. It is a holiday that is distinctly American. I would even argue that it is the most patriotic holiday that we celebrate. It is a holiday that has its roots in the partnership of the pilgrims and natives, and it is one that even survived the divide...
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August 2011
3 posts
7 tags
State Credit Ratings →
The Federal Government may have been downgraded by S&P to AA+, but where do our states stand?
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Hillary for President Op-Ed from UVa Law Prof
Professor Sprigman of the University of Virginia School of Law authored an op-ed that ran in today’s Chicago Tribune that I thought was especially timely and provoking. Sprigman is a former Obama ‘08 employee, but has since resolved that the President is “weak,” that he has “broken with the faith that has sustained Democrats since the 1930s” and that, in the...
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Yale OOTB's 16 Edgewood - Pre-Orders Up! →
You can check out the making of my a cappella group’s newest CD, 16 Edgewood, AND get a 20% discount if you pre-order it now! Check it out - you won’t regret it.
July 2011
8 posts
13 tags
A Guide to the Politics of the Debt Deal
The U.S. is immersed in a largely unprecedented crisis. We have a highly-divided government, with a 2010 coalition of conservative (often Tea Party) Republicans controlling the House and the remnants of the 2006 and 2008 coalitions of moderate and liberal Democrats controlling the Senate and Presidency. Americans usually love divided government (we’ve voted for it time and time again), yet...
What Would Jared Do: Today, Ronald Reagan is a... →
whatwouldjareddo:
After he switched to the Republican Party in 1962, Ronald Reagan famously said: “I didn’t leave the Democratic Party. The party left me.” Well now the Republican Party is doing the same thing to him.
As President, Ronald Reagan committed to many actions that would get him branded a “socialist” or…
The Most Common Grade Given By Colleges Is An 'A' →
kohenari:
A comprehensive look at historical data on letter grades given by more than 200 four-year colleges and universities found that A’s have become “ordinary.”
In a study published Wednesday in Teachers College Record, Stuart Rojstaczer and Christopher Healy found that A’s represent 43 percent of all letter grades, making it the most common mark.
Well … now I have data that shows why...
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YALE OOTB PRESENTS: 16 Edgewood →
My a cappella group is releasing an AWESOME new album next month. Check out the promo page to stay connected!
The track list:
21 Guns
Animal
Black and Gold
Chasing Pavements
Cowboy Casanova
Fireflies
Haven’t Met You Yet
Sixteen Military Wives
Smile
The Fame Monster (Lada Gaga Medley)
Use Somebody
Waking Up in Vegas
You Belong With Me
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Photos of Yale University →
Taken throughout the 2010-2011 academic year. Beautiful campus.
BOOLA BOOLA: Jonathan Edwards College →
ivywise:
The College: Ahhh, JE. I have so many memories within your fine, beautiful courtyard, and running around the halls of Farnam like a confused…drunk…thing. Yes. Wonderful memories, of things like C.O.M.A., which happens on the first night of finals week and involves freshmen hellbent on waking up…
June 2011
19 posts
7 tags
http://kenyathereandbackagain.blogspot.com/ →
One of my high school friends is in Kenya for the summer! Check it out!
18 tags
5 Remarkable Things About NY's Approval of...
The story of yesterday’s gay marriage vote in New York isn’t that it was approved, but how it came to be approved. New York isn’t the first state to allow gay couples to marry, but it indicates an amazing milestone for the movement. Why?
1. It was a GOP-controlled Senate that passed it.
While it’s true that it passed with only a handful of Republican votes, it is still...
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“You get to the point where you evolve in your life where everything isn’t...”
– New York Republican State Senator Roy McDonald speaking to a reporter (New York Daily News)
Watchstarfishncoffeeinsunnydale:
Why Does Yale Cost $55,000 A Year?
Program: PBS NewsHour
Episode: Why Does Yale Cost $55,000 a Year?
Recently, we caught up with economist Robert Shiller closer to home — outside the admissions office at Yale University, where he’s taught economics since 1982. He suggested we waylay a Yale campus tour — guide and group — to get their take on inflation. One soon...
I voted Democrat and all I got was ... →
thecranium:
Women’s suffrage (constitutional amendment) - 1920
Securities and Exchange act - 1934
Federal Home Loan Administrations - 1934
Social Security Act - 1935
Rural Electrification Act - 1936
40-hr week - 1938
Minimum wage - 1938
Overtime pay - 1938
Federal Unemployment Compensation Act - 1939
GI Bill - 1944
School Lunch program - 1946
Marshall Plan (postwar reconstruction of...
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Adele's Album Takes Top Spot →
I was talking with one of my friends about this. The direction of pop music seems to be binary, with a bunch of really pretty awful music comprising about 70% of what you hear and then a couple voices of sanity that make it more palatable. Adele is one of those voices. It makes me excited that she’s finally being discovered by the mainstream.
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There's a show called "Swamp People?" →
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GOP Debate Shorthand Commentary
I think Ezra Klein’s tweet summed it up well:
Romney: Came in line with expectations, probably seemed the most presidential on the stage and had a commanding tenor and presence. He’s the guy to beat, and he was afraid to act it.
Pawlenty: Underperformed. Should have backed-up his claim about Obamneycare but didn’t do it well.
Bachmann: Exceeded expectations. Seems like...
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“But those [GOP] gains are likely to add up to fewer than 10 seats in the House...”
– For Republicans, Redistricting Offers Few Gains (New York Times)
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“The map shows Democrats gaining an advantage in more Congressional districts...”
– New California Lines Create Upheaval : Roll Call Politics (via redistricting)
How has your district been redrawn? - latimes.com →
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Remember how I said I was going to read one book per week? Well, that’s pretty much out. I’m still reading a lot (RA work and all), but leisurely reading is slow.
Running Chicken: On Weinergate and the Worst of... →
kohenari:
I managed to avoid writing a word about Anthony Weiner for so long. But there’s an aspect of the story that’s been bothering me for days now and I need to put it out there for discussion.
Why are libertarian bloggers expressing happiness about all of this? Shouldn’t they be fuming about the…
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Obama Disapproval at 18-Month Low →
I find it interesting that despite gas prices at a three-year high, a seemingly stagnant recovery, and controversy over the fact that the debt ceiling hasn’t been raised and we may begin to default on debt have not seriously impacted his disapproval rating. It’s pretty impressive that he has been able to sustain these numbers. I wouldn’t be surprised if they soften in next couple...
May 2011
14 posts
Wandering Reveries: How Important Is Iowa? →
zachvaughn:
In yesterday’s Washington Post, Greg Sargent blogs about the importance of Iowa’s place in the primary cycle in suggesting that candidates cannot skip the caucuses, and therefore, they are not losing their influence. My opinion? Iowa’s influence hasn’t really been proven. Since 1972, there…
Who's the Most Unpopular Governor in America? →
motherjones:
He’s a GOPer. In a battleground state. And that’s good news for Obama’s reelection bid.
4 tags
Bachmann to Run →
Bachmann is actually going to run? It’s going to be fascinating to see how the GOP primary plays out.
On a different note, this is great news for the Democrats. Time to rev up the base!
Yes we Cain....make mistakes.
jennaologie:
Herman Cain, an Atlanta businessman, formally announced his plans to run for president on Saturday at a rally in Centennial Park. He’s a good contender to a lot of GOP constituents because he is a businessman. Plus, it would be kind of cool to see 2 African-Americans running for president. Cain would also make Republicans look more progressive….which isn’t exactly their strong...
4 tags
Blind Allegiance to Sarah Palin
I bought the book about Palin by her former campaign manager and director of the State of Alaska Office of Boards and Commissions and am going to start reading it. My first book of the summer!
I’ll report back with my review once I finish it.
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Commentary on the Pawlenty Announcement
I’m not sure why the political universe isn’t giving Tim Pawlenty more attention.
Coming from my viewpoint as a stalwart Democrat, I think he’s been making strides that will make him the hardest GOP candidate to beat if he can make it to the general election. He is probably the most electable candidate in the GOP field so far.
Based on Pawlenty’s speech, he is definitely...
“I am going to tell you the truth. The truth is, Washington’s broken.”
– Tim Pawlenty, telling the truth while announcing for president in Iowa, May 23, 2011.
I’m pretty sure I’ve heard that somewhere before. Like, everywhere.
(via politicalprof)
New Book! Blind Allegiance to Sarah Palin: A... →
This seems like it would be an interesting read. Maybe I’ll add this to my summer reading list (which seems to be growing longer and longer).
Politicalprof: Obama and the War Powers Act →
politicalprof:
Bruce Ackerman and Oona Hathaway have a nice op ed in today’s Washington Post examining the United States’ on-going military operations in Libya and the War Powers Act.
As a quick primer, the War Powers Act was passed in 1973 over President Nixon’s veto. it provides that, at most, the…