Matthew Kaminski
12/16/2010

Pakistan is becoming more like Afghanistan, only with a more advanced economy and nuclear weapons, writes Kaminski. The idea that Islamabad’s leaders can control the Taliban is probably a necessary fiction, but the reality is that many extremists have slipped their leash. Pakistan’s military has yet to show that it wants to–or that it can–control the Islamist wave. Gen. David Petraeus, the American commander in Afghanistan, certainly has contingency plans for Pakistan that go beyond extra doses of drones or diplomacy. Putting American boots in Waziristan is an obvious idea. But, Kaminski concludes, this is unappealing, as the fallout in Pakistan would be hard to predict. So for the moment America gets to pretend that Pakistan can do this on its own.

Kaminski is a member of the Journal’s editorial board.

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E.J. Dionne Jr.
12/16/2010

A nascent “No Labels” movement to reclaim the political center is admirable in its intent but questionable in its pragmatic value. Active Republicans are almost entirely absent from its ranks, and it equates the far left and far right as equivalent dangers even though the socialist position of the 20th century far left has been entirely abandoned. If it cannot garner a broader coalition or take a more accurate view of the current state of American politics, the “No Labels” movement will be consigned to a benign obscurity.

Dionne is a twice-weekly columnist for The Post, writing on national policy and politics.

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Katrina vanden Heuvel
12/15/2010

The recent tax cut deal is yet another example of how President Obama’s centrist focus has resulted in failure to define his principles and values (and, by extension, America’s). While the author concedes that compromising on policy is part of the political game, she disagrees with compromising one’s principles. Strong leadership, says vanden Heuvel, should not be defined by compromise but by a clear, defensible vision and the mobilization of popular support. If Obama’s pattern of compromise continues, he may leave behind few achievements and a disillusioned Democrat party.

Katrina vanden Heuvel is editor and publisher of The Nation magazine.

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Eric Holder and Kathleen Sibelius
12/14/2010

Various suits are challenging the constitutionality of health care reform and particularly the provision that those who are able to afford coverage must purchase an insurance policy. Uninsured citizens currently add approximately $1000 per year to insured individuals’ rates through their burden on the health care system. Without mandating basic coverage, the other provisions, including those for persons with pre-existing conditions, will not be feasible.

Holder is the attorney general of the United States. Sebelius is secretary of health and human services.

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Paul Krugman
12/13/2010

The Obama-McConnell tax-cut deal will probably pass Congress, with both good and bad elements. Krugman says the deal will boost the economy in the short-term but isn’t addressing the heart of the problem. Highly indebted Americans are paying down their debts and not spending in while others who can spend are not spending more. To solve our nation’s economic problems, the government should be spending more while the private sector is spending less to support employment while debts are being paid down. This is a form of stimulus, which will be expensive but is worth it if it is done well and rights the economy. The tax deal will likely not give the nation much “bang for the buck,” he says, and the country will be having this conversation again in 2012.

Krugman is a New York Times columnist.

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George F. Will
12/9/2010

Tea Partyers and social conservatives are urging Republican Rep. Mike Pence to run for president in 2012. The author says it is unlikely that Pence will run, but given the congressman’s voting history and family-oriented personal life, conservative support for his candidacy is understandable. Pence voted no on both versions of the TARP legislation, and he also voted no on President Bush’s proposed addition to Medicare in the form of a prescription drug entitlement. Pence’s dedication to his family and participation in wholesome Americana is a common thread that runs throughout his political career and is attractive to social conservatives.

Will is a twice-weekly columnist for The Post, writing about foreign and domestic politics and policy.

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Dana Milbank
12/2/2010

Republicans led by Bob Bishop and Eric Cantor are introducing a constitutional amendment that would allow states to reject and repeal federal laws that they find objectionable. Improbably, the party brought to power by virtue of the Tea Party’s brand of constitutional originalism is making its first order of business a rather severe edit of the same. The mechanics of the bill would allow the smallest 33 states with a third of the nation’s population to nullify federal law for the 17 largest, comprising two thirds.

Milbank writes about political theater in the nation’s capital.

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Richard Cohen
11/30/2010

While abhorrent in many respects, this week’s Wikilinks leak serves as a stark contrast and counterbalance to President Bush’s book, “Decision Points.” The war with Iraq predictably handed influence in that country to Iran and thereby rearranged the region’s political balance. The various Arab governments and our own remain involved in a far messier debate over how to proceed than is evidenced in the former president’s memoir, which strains credulity in the harsh light of day.

Cohen is a weekly columnist for The Post, writing on domestic and foreign politics.

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