rssPosts by Aaron Wiener
Best of Weigel: A Look Back
Now that the ethically dubious publication of some of his private emails has derailed Dave Weigel’s tenure at The Washington Post by raising questions about his ability to report effectively on the conservative movement, we thought it would be a good time to highlight just how effective Weigel can be. More…
Sen. Robert Byrd, RIP
Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.), the longest-serving senator in American history and a steadfast fighter for West Virginia’s interests, died early this morning at the age of 92.
For a rundown of West Virginia’s vacancy laws, see Nate Silver’s explanation here.
A Bittersweet Farewell to a TWI Icon, Spencer Ackerman
It is with a mix of emotions that I announce the departure of The Washington Independent’s national security reporter — and in many ways the cornerstone of the site — Spencer Ackerman. Spencer joined TWI when it was still just an idea, and he’s as responsible as anyone for turning More…
Lugar Shoots Down Utilities-Only Emissions Cap
After pushing for years for an economy-wide cap on carbon emissions, the White House and Senate Democrats appear ready to compromise. Their newest idea is a cap on just electric utilities as part of a broader energy bill. The goal, of course, is to bring moderate Republicans on board, More…
Welcome TWI’s Newest Guest Blogger, Jamelle Bouie
I’m pleased to welcome Jamelle Bouie into the fold as a TWI guest blogger. Jamelle blogs about American politics and public policy at True/Slant (check out his blog here), and will soon join the American Prospect as a Writing Fellow.
He’ll be covering a broad cross-section of national politics More…
How Worthwhile Is a Utilities-Only Emissions Cap?
With the odds of an economy-wide cap on carbon emissions fast approaching zero, the White House is speaking favorably about a cap on just the utility sector as part of an energy bill. So how effective would a utilities-only cap be?
Senate Dems’ Energy Meeting: Too Much Wind, Not Enough Wind Power
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) held a meeting with the Senate Democratic caucus yesterday to discuss the fate of energy legislation — and address the key question of whether it will include a price on carbon. But they didn’t get that far. Darren Samuelson, Politico’s crack new energy reporter, More…
Emanuel Hopes to Push Energy to Get Young Americans to the Polls
There’s a major generation gap in the public’s concerns about the environment — one that White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel hopes to capitalize on in November’s midterm elections.
“On almost every major question examined in the latest weekly Society for Human Resource Management/National Journal Congressional Connection Poll,” More…
BP Agrees to $20 Billion Compensation Fund
Under pressure from the White House, BP has agreed to set aside $20 billion in an escrow fund to compensate victims of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, The Washington Post reports. The fund will be overseen by Kenneth Feinberg, President Obama’s “pay czar” who led the More…
Dems Set Timetable for Energy (and Climate?) Legislation
Mike Allen has the scoop: The White House has instructed the Senate to take up its energy bill — which looks increasingly unlikely to include meaningful climate provisions, particularly after President Obama chose not to push for them in his speech last night — the week of July More…
