* “As you look at 2022, we need to stay united.”–President Joe Biden’s pragmatic message to Democratic activists.
* “We are letting a noisy wing of our party define the rest of us. And my point is we can’t do that. … Some of those people need to go to a ‘Woke’ detox center or something.”–Democratic analyst James Carville. Bottom line: Downplay the counterproductive rhetoric such as ‘woke’ and “defund the police’ and play up the need for candor about societal realities, including police accountability.
* The infrastructure bill, however imperfect, finally passed and America is much better off. And let’s not forget that Trump never managed to secure an infrastructure deal—multiple pledges notwithstanding.
* According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 530,000 jobs were created in October. As for unemployment, the rate has dropped from 6.3 percent in January to 4.5 percent. On the other economic hand, inflation rose 6.2 percent in October—compared to a year earlier.
* Re: wealth taxes. The U.S. has 724 billionaires and more than 15 million millionaire households—or nearly 12 percent of all households.
* “Nobody elected (Biden) to be FDR. They elected him to be normal and stop the chaos.”–Moderate Democratic Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger of Virginia. True, but infrastructure needs and social safety nets that require overhauling and updating are no less necessary.
* “As anyone who has been here for more than a few years knows, the gears of the Senate have ossified.”–Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
* “My advice to Democrats: Don’t bring a briefing book to a culture war.”–Eugene Robinson, WaPo. Indeed, not unlike bringing a knife to a gun fight.
* This Saturday is President Joe Biden’s birthday. He’s arguably had happier ones. When you turn 79 and Glasgow summit news coverage included presidential nodding off and gas passing, it will occasion something less than traditional greetings and 79-candle shout-outs.