Democrats are hoping that they can permanently lock up the Hispanic vote in much the same way the party has dominated black voters for almost 80 years. The Hispanic minority is larger and faster growing than any single ethnic group since probably the Irish – the ultimate demographic prize in politics today.

The challenge, though, is keeping the move from seeming like a slap in the face to blue-collar workers and every American who believes in the rule of law. If the backlash is too ugly and sharp, the president may benefit. If it is long and simmering, it could be his Waterloo.

“Anticipating opposition, Mr. Obama has sought to shift some of the political burden to advocates for immigrants, by encouraging them to build support among voters for when his proposal goes to Congress.

That is why Rep. Luis Guiterrez, a Democrat from Mr. Obama’s hometown, Chicago, has been on the road most weekends since last December, traveling far outside his district to meetings in Hispanic churches, hoping to generate something like a civil rights movement in favor of broad immigration legislation. … In an interview, Mr. Gutierrez rejected the idea that the timing is bad for an immigration debate. ‘There is never a wrong time for us,’ he said. ‘Families are being divided and destroyed, and they need help now.’”
 
Bloomberg — U.S. Destroyer Arrives Off Somalia as Pirates Hold Ship Captain
 
After the bold moves by the first American ship to be captured by pirates, all but the captain of the ship were freed. As the hostage situation continues and the U.S. Navy gets in the act, a speedy solution followed by a sweep through the Somali pirate camps could boost national pride. An unacceptable outcome followed by continued pirate attacks could make Americans angry at being held up by thugs from the least successful country in the world.

“About one-tenth of world trade passes through the Gulf of Aden, the route for vessels using the Suez Canal. While fewer commercial ships ply the east coast of Somalia, there are also fewer warships to deter attacks.

The area of potential Somali pirate attacks is equal to the Mediterranean and Red Seas combined, or to four times France or Texas.
A total of 165 ships were attacked last year with 43 vessels hijacked, peaking at 10 in November alone. In every case except one, ships were released in exchange for a ransom, and the crews were unharmed. The pirates still hold 16 ships with about 200 crew members.”
 
Politico — White House: No bow to Saudi

Rather than taking its licks for the new president blowing protocol and moving on, the White House is trying to deny that President Obama bowed down before the Saudi king. But the unconvincing line comes to writer Ben Smith from a no-name source. It will only make matters worse and cause millions more views of the embarrassing video that clearly shows the bow.

“The White House is denying that the president bowed to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia at a G-20 meeting in London, a scene that drew criticism on the right and praise from some Arab outlets.

‘It wasn’t a bow. He grasped his hand with two hands, and he’s taller than King Abdullah,’ said an Obama aide, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.”
 
Wall Street Journal — Obama Risks Liberal Backlash on War Funding
 
The president will need more than $5 billion dollars to finance military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan between now and the end of September, and he needs the money soon.

Obama may make his request as soon as today, putting the anti-war crowd on the Hill in the position of actually having to vote against the president whose escalation of Afghanistan and semi-open-ended Iraq commitment they hate, but who personally, they love.

The bill will pass with ease with the support of pro-military Republicans and Democrats and of pork barrel Democrats who will be allowed to pack the bill with home-district goodies.

But having an open debate over the viability of his Afghanistan effort and long-term commitment to Iraq may deflate some of the president’s support on the left.

“Mr. Obama has announced plans to draw down U.S. forces in Iraq. Many of the 140,000 troops now stationed there would exit by the summer of 2010. About 50,000 would be left behind and drawn down further the following year.

U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan, meanwhile, would grow by more than 20,000, on top of the 38,000 already on the ground. The president argues that Afghanistan has been neglected, allowing al Qaeda to regroup and exposing the U.S. to new dangers.”
 
Washington Post — How Bernanke Staged a Revolution
 
Writer Neil Irwin put together a great piece on the ways in which the Federal Reserve chairman has made America’s central bank more reactive, more political, more international and more involved in the U.S. economy than ever before.

But while Irwin goes to pains to explain how strange it is for an unassuming, selfless academic like Bernanke to be the one to shake up the agency, articles like this very one (including a portrait that looks like an Old Testament judge) will eventually show that the chairman doesn’t exactly shun the spotlight anymore

“He has also learned how to make his case publicly. In a first for a Fed chairman, he appeared at a de facto news conference, responding to questions from reporters at the National Press Club after a speech. Then, in another first, he sat for an interview with “60 Minutes,” arguing that the biggest risk to the economy would be a lack of “political will” to solve the financial crisis.
Fisher, the president of the Dallas Fed, said the television interview was important. It gave Americans some reassurance about the economy, and Bernanke came across as thoughtful and deliberate.

‘We all know Ben is not a publicity seeker,’ Fisher said. ‘All of us, in the world of central bankers, are meant to be felt but not seen. But these are unusual times.’”