TIMES crunches the numbers and comes up with some encouraging data… The initial data released by Department of Transportation, however, shows that so far cash for clunkers has been a green success. The clunkers averaged 15.8 m.p.g., compared with 25.4 m.p.g. for the new vehicles purchased, for an average fuel-economy increase of 61%. On the [...]

A new website for the controversial, popular program is up and it includes some things you need to know if you’d like to take advantage. Your vehicle must be less than 25 years old on the trade-in date Only purchase or lease of new vehicles qualify Generally, trade-in vehicles must get 18 or less MPG [...]

INDEPENDENT VOTERS If you want to call it “fickle” to leave the two-party system behind in favor creating a new political culture, call me fickle! 2010: Fight for fickle kids (By: Eamon Javers, Politico) Stanford University political science professor Morris Fiorina is convinced that both political parties haven’t yet grasped the scale of the change [...]

As this health care debate continues, what I find puzzling is how people seem completely fine with private insurance companies denying care because they might lose money, but if the government would ever suggest rationing, well, it’s time for a revolt! Take the case of Shelly Andrews-Buta, who was denied treatment for brain cancer because…wait [...]

As this Technorati chart shows, discussion of the terms ‘Obama Birth Certificate‘ in the blogosphere is rising. And fast. It’s nice to know that I’m not the only blogger out there who seems interested obsessed with the Birther conspiracy movement. But why the uptick in discussion? What are the true roots of the movement, and [...]

NY Times link…

I wanted to follow up the health care redux post from the other day with a similar post on the status of energy reform legislation and developments along the leading edge of energy technology, but this is a totally different can of beans. While the health care legislation seems to be crystallizing into something that [...]

INDEPENDENT VOTERS Continued look at who independent voters are/are not and Obama’s poll numbers… A reminder: Most ‘independent’ voters aren’t (LA Times/Top of the Ticket) Sick and Tired of Republicans and Democrats? New Parties Say They Offer Alternatives (By James King, Phoenix News Times) Pa.’s Sestak plans Tuesday announcement (USA Today) Poll: Pennsylvania ranks 20th [...]

I wrote about the problems the Postal Service faced back in January, and today we get word that their financial woes are even more severe than previously thought. From NBC… Back to the January post, which was about cutting back on delivery days, I saw two advantages to that model… First, the fewer the days [...]

Bill Moyers recently sat down with Wendell Potter, an industry insider who worked for CIGNA, one of the top health insurance companies in the US, for the past 15 years. Now Potter has now turned into health reform advocate, and the result is a must watch interview. Because not only does it uncover what many [...]

We’re already starting to hear the 1992 meme, but will 2010 be a watershed moment for Repubs? According to First Read, the results will be a lot different… The 1992 election actually provided hints of the 1994 tsunami (redistricting, strength of anti-establishment Perot etc.; Republicans actually did well in 1992 House races and picked up [...]

Gallup did a state by state assessment and came up with the following map. Very discouraging for the Repubs out there. I think this is mostly due to the fact that Republicans still aren’t proposing viable solutions. And that’s probably because they lack any true leadership right now. Also, whether they want to admit it [...]

Hi all, Earlier today a post entitled “The Rules Of Zionism” was published on the site by a new contributor. Upon reading it I felt the tone was entirely inappropriate, so I immediately took it down. Also, at mw’s request, I took his one-sided post down too. So why did this happen? On Donklephant, my [...]

Hello Donklephanters! Thanks to Justin Gardner, one of my first and favorite “blogger buddies”, I want to welcome you to “News Headlines for Independents”, an as-needed post of news from, for and about the fastest growing electoral sector in America today: independent voters. Justin and I got to know each other a little bit  in [...]

Well, it’s been another great week at Donklephant. I’d be remiss if I started anywhere other than with the woman who inspired us to stand up and take control of our … uh, um, well, our something. Having attended thousands of community planning board, school board, city council and other public meetings and hearings in [...]

Less than half. Good god. This is after we found out that a majority of Republicans either don’t think or aren’t sure that Obama is a United States citizen. (h/t: Political Wire)

Roll Cal has more (subscription required) reports that Max Baucus is setting this new date and my guess is that it’ll all come down to whether or not the Dems can get the Repubs to jump on the health care co-ops. Here’s more on what’s moving through the committees… Four congressional committees have approved bills, [...]

Looks like the world’s largest retailer is getting serious about green. From The Register: The five latest stores in Walmart’s pilot program, which now totals 20 stores, Sam’s Clubs, and distribution centers in Hawaii and California, will all be located in sunny Puerto Rico. Their solar installations will be provided by SunEdison, described by Walmart [...]

The following story doesn’t say it explicitly, but when both Dems and Repubs are saying yes to this, you know it’s going to pass. From Politico: On ABC’s “This Week,” Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said in response to a question by host George Stephanopoulos about extending benefits: “I think that is something that the administration [...]

Is it just me or did the Palestinians hire a PR firm?