From TNR, John Judis on where Barack Obama’s sympathies lie: They ain’t with Main Street (and he's a yuppie); Obama’s politics aren’t anti-democratic — they’re liberal; and a look at Obama’s latest problem: Democrats who still love the Bush tax cuts. Obama’s other deficit: The president needs to tell the truth on taxes, entitlements, and how to really reform health care — before it's too late. From TAP, Mark Schmitt on fantasy-league politics: The recurring dream of an independent candidate or party protects the status quo; and on the problem of too little money in politics: The real concern after Citizens United should be that small donors will stop giving. Victor Davis Hanson on the trouble with elitist theories: Nobody likes to be lectured by those claiming superior wisdom but lacking common sense. Where is the evidence that liberals are more condescending than conservatives? Michael Kinsley wants to know. Michael Hirsh and Daniel Gross on the wisdom of crowds: When populist rage leads to smart policy. American Grotesque: Insane birthers and Glenn Beck-worshipping tea-partiers, proud racists and gun-toting antigovernment loons — they're all here, and they're all angry about something (and more). Jon Avlon on how the birthers began on the Left (and a response). From The Nation, Tea partyers' enthusiasm may be genuine, but let's not forget: this is a right-wing reactionary movement (and more). Stuart Whatley on how the Tea Party Movement is a national embarrassment (and more). Never mind Sarah Palin and the tricornered hats — the tea-party movement is dominated by conspiracist kooks (and more). Color Revolution: EJ Dionne on nativism and the Tea Party movement (and more and more from TNR). What will be our Second Revolutionary War?
