Tried to watch first episode of History Channel’s The Bible last night, but turned it off when angels escorting Lot’s family from Sodom started sporting martial arts moves.
Anyway, the White House announced a three-pack of major nominations this morning, and that leads our lunchtime offerings:
* MIT’s Ernest Moniz nominated to succeed Stephen Chu as Secretary of Energy; some environmentalists have criticized him for alleged indirect support for fracking.
* Gina McCarthy, currently assistant EPA administrator for Air and Radiation, nominated to lead EPA. Coal interests really don’t like her, but other businesses seem reasonably supportive.
* Shirley Mathews Burwell, deputy OMB Director and deputy White House chief of staff under Bill Clinton, nominated to head OMB. She also had notable stint with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and most recently has headed the Walmart Foundation, which may raise eyebrows.
* After complaints from Jeff Sessions’ staff, Jonathan Chait reconsiders a post savaging Sessions use of a GAO study on Obamacare costs, then concedes it was far too generous to the junior senator from Alabama.
* Wonkblog’s Dylan Matthews reports study showing state legislators–and particularly conservatives–systematically overestimate the conservatism of their constituents.
And in non-political news:
* Latest World’s Tallest Hotel Building–72 floors–opens in Dubai.
Back after a chore break.
