On paper, yes. But Marc Ambinder adds:

In reality, it's not quite so simple. A quiet concern in the White House is the logistical difficulty of getting Ted Kennedy and Robert Byrd, both of them long absent with serious health issues, to the Senate floor to cast a vote. This is putting additional pressure on conservative Democrats like Evan Bayh to toe the party line, and raising the importance of Olympia Snow and Susan Collins, considered to be the two most gettable Republicans on issues like health care.

Norm Coleman, the standout for the Republicans, finally conceded the win in the Minnesota Senate race to Al Franken. Does this mean the spineless Democratic congress will actually push through any of the real change we all hoped and voted for?

Don't count on it.

Iraqi Forces Assume Control Over Cities from US Troops as they celebrate Iraqi National Sovereignty Day on June 30, 2009.

Fireworks, outdoor cooking, dancing in the streets, gatherings of people in celebration of their country's freedom and independence. Sounds like we gave them their own July 4th.

Ingrates. We "free" them from the tyranny of an oppressive military force and what do we get in return? Some 150 lousy, sand-flea-infested military bases peppered all over their country...Maybe we shouldn't have left them all that money and state-of-the-art weaponry...

Moved from my Facebook Wall:

Tom Tancredo actually suggested that Obama release anti-Iranian mercenaries into Iran to depose the Mullahs. Do the neoCONS actually think Iraq is a success story? What about the Reagan-backed mujahideen jihad in Afghanistan? Did that work out well?

To sum up: SOME Republicans are suggesting releasing ACTUAL TERRORISTS into a sovereign country to add to an even bloodier rebellion in hopes that it'll overturn their government, creating yet another oasis of peace, freedom and democracy in the region. I guess, because it worked so perfectly for us with Al-Queda...

In case you missed it... Lincoln is #1. Jefferson is #7. W is #36. I agree for the most part. My heart wants Jefferson to be higher, but my mind thinks that #7 is about right.

Recovery.gov

Political quotation of the day: "What do you think stimulus is? It's spending -- that's the whole point! Seriously." -President Obama

Also, check out this video:

President Obama (That feels so good to say, hm?) hosted a cocktail party at the White House this evening.

The event is another sign that the Obamas will have a more youthful, energetic approach to life in the White House than Washington has seen over the past eight years – one where the president hosts roughly two dozen Republicans and Democrats for drinks and economic stimulus chit-chat.

The 50 Most Loathsome People in America.

via Pharyngula

I feel better already.

Also, watch Paulson during the statement. What is with those bizarre head twitches? Is he watching a fly?