WEDNESDAY’S MINI-REPORT…. Today’s edition of quick hits:
* It seems hard to even imagine, but Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) will be released from the hospital this week, and will make the transition to Houston’s Institute for Rehabilitation and Research, which specializes in helping people recuperate from brain injuries.
* Hu Jintao at the White House: “President Barack Obama pressed China on Wednesday to improve its human rights record and let its currency float freely, balancing a protocol-filled state welcome for Chinese President Hu Jintao with pointed messages on two key U.S. priorities.”
* Tunisia: “Leaders of Tunisia’s tiny legal opposition parties prepared a push to reshuffle the nascent unity government, scrambling Wednesday to appease public anger that at the cabinet’s continued dominance by members of the ruling party of the ousted dictator Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali.”
* Afghanistan: “President Hamid Karzai ordered a month’s delay in seating a new Parliament on Wednesday, heightening a constitutional crisis that threatens to fuel bitter infighting and potentially even violence among the country’s rival factions.”
* Unexpectedly, American manufacturing is creating more jobs than it’s losing. It’s the first time in more than a decade.
* I do love the White House White Board. The latest installment tackles the prospect of health care repeal.
* Over 100 leading law professors: “People can disagree about the wisdom of the Affordable Care Act, but there can be no serious doubt about the constitutionality of the minimum coverage provision.”
* Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley (R) apologized for the whole “brothers and sisters” flap. Good move.
* Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) can be a little careless with his rhetoric sometimes. Describing Hu Jintao as a “dictator” was probably not a good idea — especially given that the two are scheduled to meet tomorrow.
* Trying to strip the political discourse of all martial metaphors, including casual references to candidates “in the crosshairs,” is just a silly exercise.
* That said, the political discourse would benefit from officials refraining from making Goebbels-related arguments. Yes, that means you, Rep. Steve Cohen (D) of Tennessee.
* At first blush, Christina Romer’s New York Times op-ed on deficit reduction seems misplaced. But the piece is cleverer than it might seem.
* It’s worth remembering, from time to time, that claims from the right about Social Security’s solvency just aren’t true.
* The first ever attempt to look at college progression in terms of actual learning.
* How mind-numbing was the GOP rhetoric on the House floor today? Rep. John Shimkus (R-Ill.) offers one of the dumber examples.
* Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.), speaking from the floor: “You know, I want to just advise people watching at home playing that now popular drinking game of ‘you take a shot whenever Republicans say something that’s not true.’ Please assign a designated driver. This is going to be a long afternoon.” And it was.
Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.
