We invited DCCC Chair Chris Van Hollen over to FDL today to talk about Wednesday’s incendiary Politico piece by Alex Isenstadt. In what Van Hollen’s office claims were out of context remarks, Isenstadt seems to have framed Van Hollen as “calling on liberal groups to back off in their efforts to target moderate Democrats who have been skeptical of President Barack Obama’s ambitious budget.” Van Hollen couldn’t make our chat today but his office claimed a NY Times report on the same day by Kate Phillips more accurately– less Drudgily– described what the chairman was saying.

The WSJ confirms what we’ve all probably suspected: the creditors that are forcing Chrysler into bankruptcy are the same banks that have been surviving only with the help of the federal government. And of course, they are refusing to offer the same generosity to Chrysler.

Iowa Supreme Court Justice Mark Cady, author of the opinion striking down Iowa’s prohibition on same-sex marriage, sure can write well. That’s a good thing, because his words in Varnum v Brien will get a lot of attention — as well they should.

Meet Richard L. Scott, conservative sugar daddy, ethical pariah, and would-be destroyer of health care reform. He’s the guy the right wing holds at a distance — and for good reason — even as they gladly take his money: Once lauded for building Columbia/HCA into the largest health care company in the world, Mr. Scott was ousted by his own board of directors in 1997 amid the nation’s biggest health care fraud scandal. Oh yeah: And like so many self-styled anti-government crusaders, Scott made his money from government programs.

There were three moments in the past 24 hours worthy of everyone’s attention. One was Bill Black’s appearance on Bill Moyers (above). The second was the article in the Wall Street Journal outlining how Larry Summers was paid millions by hedge funds and Wall Street banks last year. And the third, piece…

It’s been a while since we talked about music, and I thought it might be a nice break this morning to compare notes.

Best concert you ever saw? Where, when, and who?

Best album EVAR?

If I could see any live performance past, present or future — who would it be and why?

Song you’ve found yourself humming along to lately that you are embarrassed to admit you like?

Join us for an early and a late show featuring Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad and Tricky.

You know, there are two kinds of Republicans. . . . Yeah, I hear ya’—there many two kinds of Republicans. The urban and the rural, the old money and the new money, the religious and the secular, the ultra-right and the ultra-ultra-right. . . . But tonight, I want to talk about a certain two types of Republicans: the stupid and the venal.

The Iowa Supreme Court strikes down the same-sex marriage ban

Larry Summers got $5.2 million from D.E. Shaw, a giant hedge fund. Taxpayers get the shaft.