Monday's Daily Brief

2009-04-13

The Daily Brief

Drew Westen: Why the Democrats Are Losing Ground As Obama Is Gaining It

AP/Charles Dharapak

Drew Westen: While the president is off being the leader of the free world and trying to restore prosperity at home, someone needs to manage the blind trust of the Democratic Party before its assets dwindle like shares of Citigroup. President Obama's approval ratings have continued to break records, and with good reason. All of this has happened as Republicans have seemed increasingly impotent, ideologically inflexible, and oppositional, none of which endears them to anyone but the 30% who still think Bush was a great president. Yet at the same time, something else is happening under the radar: the fortunes of Democrats more generally are starting to wane. Click here to read more.

Scarlett Johansson: The Skinny

Since dedicating myself to getting into "superhero shape," several articles regarding my weight have been brought to my attention. I'm frustrated with the irresponsibility of tabloid media who sell the public ideas about what we should look like and how we should get there.

Jeremy Scahill: Will Obama Prosecute the Captured Somali 'Pirate' in a US Court?

What would a "pirate" defense actually look like? Remember, some Somalis -- and other international observers -- do not exactly see the "pirates" as being 100% unjustified in their actions.

Kate Michelman: A System from Hell: How Medical Crises Have Taken My Family to Financial Ruin

It was a crisp and brilliant autumn day last October when the medical and financial crises with which my family had successfully, if barely, coped for seven years became a catastrophe.

Matthew DeBord: Masters Golf: Tiger and Phil -- Boy, Do Those Two Guys Hate Each Other or What?

One of these days, Woods and Mickelson are going to need to recognize that, like Palmer and Nicklaus, they are forever joined, even if Tiger will have the grander career.

Ben Sherwood: Hold Fast: The 5 Survival Lessons of Capt. Richard Phillips

The captain's courage is a model for all of us. As we await details of how he made it through his four-day ordeal, it's clear that there was much more to his survival than just bravery.

HuffPost News

• Captain Richard Phillips Freed From Somali Pirates
• Iraq Sues To Shut Down Newspaper, TV Station In Baghdad
• Obama Overseas Trip Behind The Scenes Photos (SLIDESHOW)
• Amazon Claims 'Glitch' Caused Site To Strip Sales Rankings From Gay/Lesbian Books
• Bo The Puppy Runs With Obama (NEW PHOTO)

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