TPMDC Morning Roundup
Congressional Dems Ironing Out Stimulus Plan
Congressional Democrats worked hard last night to negotiate differences between the House and Senate stimulus plans. Nancy Pelosi downplayed the idea of restoring the greater spending increases in the House version: "You cannot allow the perfect to be the enemy of the effective and of the necessary, and we will not."
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama is hitting the trail again to promote his stimulus package, this time holding an 11 a.m. ET visit to a construction site in Springfield, Virginia, accompanied by Governor Tim Kaine. Then at 3 p.m. ET he'll be meeting in the Oval Office with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.
Biden Promoting Stimulus Package In Pennsylvania
Vide President Biden is visiting Pennsylvania today, where he'll be campaigning for the stimulus package alongside Governor Ed Rendell. First up is a 1:10 p.m. ET photo opportunity at the Route 34 Bridge in Carlisle, to promote the need to improve existing infrastructure. Biden and Rendell will then speak in Harrisburg at 2:10 p.m. ET.
Crist: "I'm Trying To Be Practical" About Stimulus
Governor Charlie Crist (R-FL) told The Hill that he's not trying to undercut Congressional Republicans with his appearance alongside President Obama to promote the stimulus plan. However, he also says: "obviously, this bill's passing, so I'm trying to be practical and pragmatic and make sure Florida gets its share."
Franken And Coleman Both Visiting Washington
Al Franken and Norm Coleman are both spending time in Washington today. Franken is in D.C. in order to prepare for being a Senator, while Coleman is in town for an NRSC fundraiser for his legal effort.
Dingell Is Longest-Serving House Member
Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) has now become the longest-serving member of the House, beating the record of 53 years and two months that were previously set by conservative Democrat Jamie Whitten of Mississippi. In an interview with the Washington Post, Dingell brushed off the recent loss of his chairmanship of the Energy and Commerce Committee: "I'll be up again, don't worry. And I'll find things to do."
Hoekstra Defends Himself After Twittering Overseas Trip
Rep. Pete Hoekstra is defending himself from criticism after he Twittered during his trip with a Congressional delegation to Iraq and Afghanistan, thus making public the movements of the delegation in the middle of a conflict zone. A spokeswoman told CQ that Hoekstra did not harm the delegation's security, and that he had not signed on to any agreement to not discuss details of the trip.
Palin Skipping CPAC
Sarah Palin will not be attending this year's Conservative Political Action Conference, apparently because the schedule conflicts with Alaska's legislative session. Other potential 2012 Republican candidates, including Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney, will be in attendance.
Memo To Virginia GOP Chairman: Some Things You Don't Twitter
We usually don't cover obscure state politics, but this is too much. Virginia Republican chairman ruined a bid by the party to get a Democratic state Senator to switch parties and flip control of the chamber. How did he ruin it? By Twittering the secret negotiations!
Josh
Elana
Matt
Eric
Can someone please give her a little backbone? The House is supposed to roll over and play dead because of three egomaniacal Republican senators and one idiot Democrat (Nelson)? How about listening to the governors? How about getting rid of some of the ridiculous, non-stimulative tax cuts in the Senate bill? How about splitting the difference, which wouldn't be great but would at least be better than what Pelosi's suggesting?
February 11, 2009 9:08 AM | Reply | Permalink
1. There are 19 blue dog dem senators, 1 dem traitor, and 47 blue dog house members that they have to consider. Throw out those votes and there goes the package. There are alot more than 3 senators at issue.
2. Put the spending cut in regular appropriations and then it's only 50 plus 1, big difference.
3. Just get this stupid bill through asap and get the money in the system. That's the most important thing at this point.
February 11, 2009 9:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
But the one thing they really do need to fight hard for is restoring the original level of aid to states. That may be critical to an effective stimulus.
February 11, 2009 9:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed.
February 11, 2009 9:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ditto. I hope they can pull it off, because that spending really is critical. If they can't maybe they can do another targeted bill to the states and get the republicans to filibuster that one. That will make them look like total sh*t to their constituents and put the heat on them.
February 11, 2009 9:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
>>1. There are 19 blue dog dem senators, 1 dem traitor, and 47 blue dog house members that they have to consider. Throw out those votes and there goes the package. There are alot more than 3 senators at issue.>>
The Dems are not the problem. 36 of the Blue Dogs in the House voted for the bill. The only Dem senator who objected to those spending provisions was Ben Nelson.
So, you're wrong. This is a matter of 3 Republican senators and 1 Democrat. No one else is anywhere close to walking away.
It's not enough to pass any bill; They should try to get in provisions that have a better chance of working. 44% tax cuts in the Senate bill (according to NPR) is just plain gross.
February 11, 2009 9:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
You said: "The only Dem senator who objected to those spending provisions was Ben Nelson."
Publically nelson was the only one speaking, neither you nor I have any idea what was going on behind the scenes. Also, the group of 15 senators that was negotiating the amendment that was passed was comprised of I think 11 blue dog dems and 4 republicans.
I find it hard to believe that it was only nelson acting alone. Also, now that the senate has come back with a more conservative bill you don't think the house blue dogs will be more on board with that bill than what was originally passed?
I guess I am wrong as always.
February 11, 2009 9:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, cause we all know how reluctant US sentors are to face the cameras on an issue. The reason the other Dems who objected to the bill didn't say anything was because they're so shy.
February 11, 2009 9:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
No, I would say that they were political cowards and wanted nelson to lead the charge because he is from ruby red nebraska. The other senators would have pissed off a portion of their constituency and they want to fly under the radar and not appear to oppose an incredibly popular president and harm their reelection chances.
However, in the end, who really knows.
February 11, 2009 9:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
Agreed that the quality of the bill matters. A common premise seems to be that if any changes are made, all the fake Dems and Republicans will refuse to vote for it under any circumstances. There is probably some place in between just accepting the crappy Senate bill and battling for the less crappy House bill as written. What changes would cause the loss of how many votes? How much, and what, can be changed and still pass? The answer is probably not "nothing."
February 11, 2009 9:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
CPAC? Hope the Agenda is nothing like LAST YEAR's.
http://satiricalpolitical.com/?p=1448
February 11, 2009 9:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
That's hilarious. haha
February 11, 2009 9:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
I wonder if Obama will comment on Israel's election. Results show that Livni has a narrow lead against Netanyahu. VIDEO:
http://www.governmentalityblog.com/my_weblog/2009/02/livni-over-netanyahu-by-one-seat-so-far.html
And why is Rep. Pete Hoekstra twittering while in Iraq an Afghanistan??? Stay focused!
February 11, 2009 9:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
Livni beat Benny the Bastard but it doesn't look like she'll get to be PM because she can't form a coalition government. Too bad. Things will only get worse under Likud.
February 11, 2009 9:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
You know I thought the same thing at first. However, the only time historically that there were legitimate peace negotiations and some results was when likud was running the show. Remember begin? It actually makes it easier to sell to the israeli population that the right-wingers are on board with a peace plan. Fingers crossed on this one.
February 11, 2009 9:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
Likud is categorically opposed to a two-state solution. If they won't even discuss a two-state solution, there won't be anything remotely close to a peace deal.
February 11, 2009 9:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well, that sucks. I agree no two state solution no peace deal. I guess mitchell has his work cut out for him. Let's see how it plays out though and unfortunately hope for the best.
Incidentally, the vast majority of the population wants peace and a two state solution to the problem. Maybe likud can be arm twisted to get with the program.
February 11, 2009 9:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
Can someone please give her a little backbone? The House is supposed to roll over and play dead because of three egomaniacal Republican senators and one idiot Democrat (Nelson)? How about listening to the governors? How about getting rid of some of the ridiculous, non-stimulative tax cuts in the Senate bill? How about splitting the difference, which wouldn't be great but would at least be better than what Pelosi's suggesting?
February 11, 2009 9:28 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hoekstra Defends Himself After Twittering Overseas Trip
So the Twit got twipped up twying to twitter on his twip and almost twapped his fellow twits in a terrorwist twist?
February 11, 2009 9:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
Twhat?
February 11, 2009 10:23 AM | Reply | Permalink