Wednesday Morning Open Thread

Good morning.

It's going to be a busy day at the White House. Early this afternoon, the President "will lay out a comprehensive regulatory reform plan to modernize and protect the integrity of our financial system in the East Room." This is getting a lot of attention. It's designed to impose some oversight in an arena that affects all of us. Sounds like a lot of planning went into this plan.

Then, at 5:54 PM, Obama will make what's supposed to be the big announcement about providing benefits to the partners of federal employees. Now, we all know that's not really a big announcement, but it's a one small step in the right direction. It might have been a big deal back in 1996 -- during Rahm's first term. But, the White House is really playing it up in order to quell the furor over DOMA. And, sounds like the brain trust really just slapped this one together. When most people hear the term "benefits," health care comes to mind. That's not part of the package. DOMA, which Obama wants to repeal but is defending in the Courts, prevents health benefits for partners.

So, let's hope the regulatory reform plan actually meets the hype, because the gay announcement doesn't. And, let's get started...