The Waiver President

Hey, Republicans, I've got a new attack ad for you. Obama wants to gut educational standards. He said so, in a Las Vegas high school this week:

we’ve worked with Democrats and Republicans to fix No Child Left Behind.

So here in Nevada, a waiver has been granted because we want high standards but we don’t want teachers teaching to the test.  (Applause.)  We told governors and their states that if you’re willing to set higher, more honest standards for our kids, we’re going to give you more flexibility to meet them -- because what works best in New York might not work as well in Nevada, and vice versa.

Yah, fix it like his HHS secretary "fixed" welfare:

HHS is encouraging states to consider new, more effective ways to meet the goals of TANF, particularly helping parents successfully prepare for, find, and retain employment.  Therefore, HHS is issuing this information memorandum to notify states of the Secretary’s willingness to exercise her waiver authority under section 1115 of the Social Security Act to allow states to test alternative and innovative strategies, policies, and procedures that are designed to improve employment outcomes for needy families.

Hillary bankrupt on bankruptcy?

Live-blogging Nevada Dem debate, 1/15:

After each oozes sympathy for families at risk of foreclosure, Russert challenges Hillary and Edwards on their support for the harsh 2001 bankruptcy bill. Wide opening for Obama -- the only one to oppose 01 and 05 bills. But he keeps the gloves on. He doesn't hit Hillary on judgment for being for 01 bill before she was against it (voted for it, happy that it didn't pass). I'll say it for him: judgment again, consistency again.

Broadly, this has been a lovefest - subtext of penance for the dirt of the last two weeks. Broad agreement on Iraq. Hillary points out that Republican candidates are all on Bush's wavelength, warming up to decades-long occupation.

Hillary panders on sovereign funds' bailouts of U.S. banks: she's going to make World Bank and IMF set rules for them? By what authority? It's their money, isn't it?