Krugman ID's Santorum as a Tool of the Koch Brothers

Does Paul Krugman have a future as an analyst of the power elite? He nails Rick Santorum, but I'll be impressed when he applies his power elite analysis on both the left and the right. He writes:

...reliable conservatives are assured of a safe landing even if they are defeated.

Consider the case of Rick Santorum, rather humiliatingly beaten in 2006. What came next?

The Ethics and Public Policy Center is delighted to announce that the Honorable Rick Santorum is joining EPPC as a Senior Fellow. Mr. Santorum will establish and direct a program, titled America’s Enemies, that will focus on identifying, studying, and heightening awareness of the threats posed to America and the West from a growing array of anti-Western forces that are increasingly casting a shadow over our future and violating religious liberty around the world.

And who funds the Ethics and Public Policy Center? Just who you’d expect: a couple of Richard Mellon Scaife foundations, the Koch brothers, etc..

Follow the money.

I am also forced to give Krugman points for calling it, in the title to his post, "Wingnut Welfare"

Blankfein Shows at Bill Clinton's Birthday Party

While Goldman Sachs chief Lloyd Blankfein has put out a memo to his employees telling them to lay low and stay away from high profile partying, he shows up at Bill Clinton's birthday party in the East Hamptons. It made NyPo's Page Six:

Bill Clinton's birthday bash at a rented Hamptons mansion ended in drama after a valuable vase was broken and a neighbor complained about parking.

A source said, "The Clintons know how to party. A large vase in the front entrance was broken, the front lawn and sprinkler system were shredded, and a neighbor complained. The house was rented by Band from women's golf-wear designer Toby Tucker Peters, who was told it would be a small party, but it ended up being over 100 people."...

Guests at the late-August bash included Paul McCartney, Jimmy Buffett, Pete Peterson, Matt Lauer, Lloyd Blankfein, Christie Brinkley, Katie Couric, Barbara Walters...