Power Line

Ask The Economist

powerlinefeedback@gmail.com — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 09:32:51 -0500

Like most people, I find the world of money and banking to be mostly a mystery. Unlike most people, I'm not afraid to ask questions that make me look stupid. So last week on our radio show, I had my friend King Baniain as a guest for a session of "Ask the Economist." King is the chairman of the Economics Department at St. Cloud State University and is very knowledgeable about banking. So I thought it would be interesting to talk about banking, the Federal Reserve and the money supply, in the context of the Obama administration's unprecedented orgy of debt. What are the implications for the value of your savings and our children's future? Go here to listen or download the conversation, and find out.

Andrew Meier Discusses The Lost Spy

powerlinefeedback@gmail.com — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 20:45:59 -0500

The Lost Spy is an excellent new book by Andrew Meier, formerly Time magazine's Russia correspondent. I wrote about the book here. It tells the story of Cy Oggins, an American who attended Columbia, became a Communist and, with his wife Nerma, spied for Josef Stalin.

Oggins' story reprises much of the history of pre-World War II Europe, as he served Stalin in Weimar Berlin, Paris, Spain and the Far East. Meier does a fine job of re-creating these colorful milieus. In the end, Stalin turned on Oggins. He was arrested, sent to Lubyanka prison, and sentenced to eight years in the Siberian gulag. In 1942, the U.S. government learned of Oggins' existence and requested his release. But Oggins knew far too much to be allowed to go free. In 1947, his prison term having been served, Stalin ordered him murdered.

The Lost Spy is a well-written, riveting story that until now has been unknown. Meier spent years researching Oggins, with the cooperation of his son, a retired professor. He traveled around the world to uncover clues to Oggins' activities and his ultimate fate. I recommend the book highly.

Yesterday, I interviewed Andrew Meier on our radio show. You can download or just listen to the interview here. Or you can subscribe to our podcasts on iTunes by going here. It's a fun interview and an excellent book.

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Bill Clinton goes to bat for Obama

powerlinefeedback@gmail.com — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:31:16 -0500

As I noted last night, the one gap in Hillary Clinton's speech from the perspective of the Obama campaign was strong praise for her adversary. Tonight, Bill Clinton filled that gap. The former president praised Obama frequently. At the outset, he said that the Democratic race came down to two great Americans. A few minutes later he pronounced Obama "the man for the job." Clinton cited Obama's ability to rally people to his vision, his intellectual curiosity, and his superior policies. Then, responding to concerns about Obama's security credentials, Clinton (for what it's worth) specifically blessed Obama in this area too. Clinton also cited Obama's heritage, claiming that it will give him a unique ability to lead American in the 21st century. Three times, Clilnton repeated that Obama "is ready."

Clinton went on to offer the highest praise he can bestow -- a comparison to himself. He compared the Obama of 2008 -- said to be too young and too inexperienced -- to the Bill Clinton of 1992. The charge, he noted, didn't work then (although the "too lecherous" claim stuck) and it shouldn't work now.

Clinton concluded by calling Obama the 21st century embodiment of the American dream. "If you beleve America must always be a place called Hope," he intoned, "then join Hillary and me in making Barack Obama the next president of the United States."

The Clintons, it seems to me, have now done their part to propel Obama. The rest is up to Obama and his running mate.

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Come on, you miserable lefties

powerlinefeedback@gmail.com — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 10:08:10 -0500

The Daily Mail invites left-wing readers to take issue with Peter Schweizer's findings in "Right-wingers are really nicer people, latest research shows," summarizing the findings in Peter's new book Makers and Takers.

JOHN adds: We interviewed Peter on our radio show last week, and talked about Makers and Takers. It's a fun interview; just click the button below to play it:

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Another Press Secretary Gives A Contrary View

powerlinefeedback@gmail.com — Wed, 28 May 2008 21:55:24 -0500

I noted earlier today that Tony Snow, who succeeded Scott McClellan as White House press secretary and did a far better job, came away deeply impressed by President Bush. As an antidote to today's frenzy over McClellan's hatchet job, here is an interview that I did with Snow in October 2006. He talks about President Bush beginning at around the six minute mark. Just click to play.

Kathryn Lopez notes that Tony appears to be very ill. Please pray for him.

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