TPMDC Morning Roundup
House To Vote On Stimulus Today
The House of Representatives is set to vote today to pass the stimulus bill, after Congressional negotiators spent last night hammering out the final differences over school-construction spending and tax cuts. The Senate could vote on it either today or over the weekend, which would then send it to the White House for President Obama's signature.
Obama's Day Ahead: Meeting With Business Leaders, Heading To Chicago
President Obama is speaking at 10:30 a.m. ET to members of the Business Council at the White House. At 12:20 p.m. ET he will be having lunch with Vice President Biden in the Oval Office. Then at 4 p.m. ET he will leave the White House to go to Chicago, scheduled to arrive at O'Hare at 6 p.m. ET.
Biden Discussing Nuclear Proliferation With Current And Former Diplomats
Joe Biden is meeting today with former Clinton-era Secretary of Defense William Perry, currently of the International Commission on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament. They will be holding a closed-door meeting, at which they will be joined by former foreign ministers from Australia and Japan, as well as the current ambassadors to the U.S. from those countries.
Panetta Confirmed To Head CIA
The Senate last night confirmed Leon Panetta to be CIA Director. Panetta was easily approved on a voice vote.
Gregg: I'm "Probably Not" Running Again; Hodes Still In
Judd Gregg appealers to be giving himself some wiggle room on whether he'll run again for the Senate in 2010, telling reporters yesterday that he is "probably not" going to seek re-election. Meanwhile, Democratic Congressman Paul Hodes has reaffirmed that he's still in the race.
Menendez Predicts Good 2010 For Senate Dems, Pins Economy On GOP
DSCC chairman Bob Menendez told reporters he is optimistic about the 2010 campaign, as the Democrats move to get the 60-plus seats that could overcome Republican filibusters. Menendez also said he does not think the voters will blame Obama and the Democrats for lingering economic problems, giving a preview of what Dems will be saying next year: "They understand what President Obama inherited."
Obama Jokes About Judd Gregg
While paying tribute to Abraham Lincoln at a dinner last night in Springfield, Illinois, President Obama fired off this joke: "Possibly in his law office, his feet on a cluttered desk, his sons playing around him, his clothes a bit too small to fit his uncommon frame, maybe wondering if somebody might call him up and ask him to be commerce secretary..."
Josh
Matt
Eric
Brian
Obama’s Revenge: Vows Not to Count Judd Gregg in 2010 Census
http://satiricalpolitical.com/?p=6157
February 13, 2009 9:03 AM | Reply | Permalink
The republicans really are becoming the modern American Communist Party. Not economically, but in terms of blind loyalty to the party and only the part becoming really the only thing that defines them. All other policies are ephemeral, to be adopted or discarded as they are useful to the Party.
February 13, 2009 9:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
And they have their own press machine in Pravda, er, I mean, the traditional media. Seriously, there is such a GOP slant to the media stories about Gregg's withdrawal that I'm wondering if the DC journalist are also living in the same La-La Land in which the GOP currently resides. Judd's a hero, his withdrawal helps to further energize and unite the GOP, while Obama continues to fail miserably in his attempts for bi-partisanship.
But I worry less and less about that these days because it's become pretty clear that American voters have finally determined that the DC media is full of shit. The media sees one thing - always bad for Obama - and the voters see a conservative Republican whom Obama graciously nominated for a cabinet position suddenly dis the popular president for reasons that are both inexplicable and weak. That's how it will play in Peoria. Buy you'd never know that from reading the conservative blogs - or our major newspapers. Heck, Larry Kudlow wants Gregg to run for president because he's a true man of courage.
Silly people.
February 13, 2009 9:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, well, that's a much juicer story than "Republican Party continues slow, vexing slide into irrelevance", which is what their stuck with, otherwise.
The real problem with bipartisanship, from the media's point of view, is that it doesn't give them anything to fill the remaining 23 hours of their newscasts with.
"In the news today, leaders of both parties came together in the spirit of unity and national progress to craft a consensus on matters key to the future.
...
And here's sports..."
February 13, 2009 11:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
Exactly. I only hope that Obama sees how 'controlled' republicans are by their party leaders. Never trust a member who holds oath to a political party above the oath to the constitution.
To republicans "Country First" really means "Republican Country First". This is what they mean by 'real' Americans. A party known for hypocrisy, lying stealing and cheating will use any means available to control their 'members'. Isn't it odd how suddenly Greg rejects cabinet position and decides to get out of politics in the same week? Just saying...
February 13, 2009 3:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Perhaps also like the Communist Party in their level of internal corruption.
February 13, 2009 10:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
I admit the whole Gregg saga got me very excited. I was always against his appointment, but by now I had gotten used to the idea of a Senator Hodes. That we get rid of Gregg in the Cabinet AND still have an open seat in 2010 is really unexpected and great.
Also, the NRCC is going after House Democrats, and the fascinating list of those who are targeted tells us a lot about the who's who of vulnerable Democratic incumbents.
February 13, 2009 9:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yep. All blue dogs. But we shouldn't care about them. Nah.
February 13, 2009 9:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
This is big news. Obama canning the king's bs "missle defense" system in poland. Thank God. That was one of the dumbest things the king and his cohorts cooked up, especially since it doesn't work anyway. Unbelievable.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090213/ap_on_go_pr_wh/missile_defense;_ylt=AqmqNx401WLYM5BtYV7SpQ6yFz4D
February 13, 2009 9:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
One of the dumbest things? I definitely won't defend the missile defense system in Poland, but it's got some pretty stiff competition if it wants to even get in the weekly top 40 of dumbest things done by the previous administration…
February 13, 2009 9:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't know about that ranking though. It only resulted in the total freezing of us/russian relations and was basically a stick in the eye of a sleeping bear. As opposed to getting russian help in afghanistan, iraq and iran and dealing with terrorists, it basically moved the fools closer to helping out extremist elements and supporting iran and opposing the us at every turn. I think it makes it up in the top ten to be quite frank.
February 13, 2009 9:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
Oh come on, next you'll be telling us it was one of the reasons Georgia got its nose bloodied so badly, and Ukraine recently has been less enthusiastic about joining NATO.
Or that it's among the reasons Russia has been playing hard-ball with European gas supplies.
Or why Kyrgystan is asking the US to leave and stop using their territory to supply US/NATO forces in Afghanistan.
Or they haven't been particularly helpful in negotiations with Iran or North Korea dealing with nuclear proliferation issues.
February 13, 2009 11:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, yes, I would say that. Also, I would say the attempt to expand nato into former soviet areas is another huge problem and is an in your face kind of fu to the russians. Eastern europe was bad enough, now trying to expand into the former soviet union is a huge mistake and will just enflame the russians. I'm not saying it's the only reason, but it is one of the reasons. If you don't see that, so be it.
February 13, 2009 12:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hear hear.
February 13, 2009 9:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm so tired of Krugman. He had the opportunity to join the Obama Administration and decided he's much rather lob in grenades from the outside at seemingly every opportunity. I guess it pays better, and there is no shortage of media who will use him to criticize Obama, so he's really blowing up his profile this way.
February 13, 2009 9:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Really? I don't think krugman was ever going to get in the obama administration. He was anti-obama throughout the primaries and totally pro clintons. His pieces during the primaries were partisan hack jobs for the clintons. Basically, he is playing the same game as republicans now to hopefully say I told you so in a couple of years. Can't stand the guy.
February 13, 2009 9:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
This is complete BS.
For one, Krugman never praised the Clintons. he was criticizing Obama's health care plan - and he was doing so from a point of view closer to Edwards's if anything. (Most of Krugman's anti-Obama columns during the primary were written in December and January, so pre-Edwards's withdrawal, in any case).
Second, Krugman is an economist, not a political staffer. So I'm not sure why he should care about helping this or that candidate. He has his policy positions, and he is defending them. Maybe you shouldn't be so blinded by your pro-Obama bias as to not listen to Krugman's very substantive arguments.
If you are going to disagree with him, sure, but Krugman's arguments are thoroughly defended enough that I have trouble understanding how you can just dismiss him as a "partisan hack."
February 13, 2009 12:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Krugman is a very smart economist, and I'm happy to defer to him on economic issues. His problem is that he ventures into comments on political strategy (e.g., his fiery hatred for Obama's bipartisan positioning), where he often doesn't have any idea what he's talking about.
February 13, 2009 12:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Fiery hatred"? Good Lord. Krugman is skeptical of the wisdom of conceding points before you even start to negotiate. I don't think that qualifies as "fiery hatred." From his point of view, the size of the stimulus needs to be very large indeed to have any significant effect, and so sure, he's going to be critical when he sees Obama starting from a position that is inadequate to begin with and whittling it down.
It's quite possible that something of the size that Krugman wants is not politically possible, but you can't blame the guy for criticizing the inadequacy of something that falls far short of what his analysis tells him is needed. He's simply calling it as he sees it.
February 13, 2009 1:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah...where did you ever get "fiery hatred". Geez, Krugman is just presenting his positions which he would do no matter who was in office. I've never seen him attack anybody or express any kind of hatred. That is complete BS. Obama says he welcomes Krugman's input. Obama wants alternatives that are constructive...aimed at a desire to help the economy and not for political gain. For Obama, Krugman is a breath of fresh air.
February 13, 2009 3:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
In the next census, each Republican should count as three-fifths of a person.
February 13, 2009 9:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
My cat has a bone to pick with you, oskieoskie. That bellowing-with-laughter-out-loud thing I just did scared the crap out of him.
February 13, 2009 9:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
Republicans 3/5ths of a person!! You are being too kind. I don't think they qualify to be in the human being category and certainly not good enough to be an animal, so I think they shouldn't be counted period, unless you count pond scum.
February 13, 2009 8:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Republicans 3/5ths of a person!! You are being too kind. I don't think they qualify to be in the human being category and certainly not good enough to be an animal, so I think they shouldn't be counted period, unless you count pond scum.
February 13, 2009 8:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good riddance to Gregg. He was a square peg in a round hole. It is a short pain for a long term gain for the Obama administration.
The tragic plane crash has totally taken the Gregg story out of the press.
Michelle Malkin would say that some how the Obama administration had something to do with it to get the Gregg story off the radar.
February 13, 2009 9:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
Okay, so it's Friday morning, less than a month after the inauguration. Where are we today on the Obama Epic FAIL Doom and Gloom Assessment Clock?
(opens up the Times and sees Krugman's column; skins DailyKos)
Ah, I see. Three Minutes to Midnight. Gotcha.
Carry on, then.
February 13, 2009 9:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think we need a new Idiotic meme for the upcoming years. Something like:
THIS IS HORRIBLE NEWS!! FOR OBAMA!!!
February 13, 2009 9:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell told the Post he expects Gregg to receive a "standing ovation" when he walks into the next gathering of the Senate Republican Conference.
This says it all...a hero of the repugs in the senate!
February 13, 2009 9:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
THANK YOU for saying "60-plus seats that could overcome Republican filibusters" instead of "filibuster-proof majority"!
2010, here we come!
February 13, 2009 9:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
Can't believe Gregg! How many are we up to? Can't even keep track anymore.
In addition to the number of Obama's cabinet nominees who have stepped down, it looks like there is going to be a new CNAS president (Center for New American Security). Michele Flournoy and Kurt Campbell, the two founders of the CNAS, are reportedly taking jobs in the new administration. See the story here and the video produced about Rumsfeld by a CNAS board member and senior fellow:
http://www.governmentalityblog.com/my_weblog/2009/02/think-tank-reshuffle-new-cnas-president.html
February 13, 2009 9:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Something is rotten in the state of New Hampshire. I can't help but think we don't know the whole story when it comes to this Judd Gregg affair. Really, Judd? You didn't think about the difficulty of your philosophical differences with Obama before you asked to become his Commerce Secretary? And now you are hinting at not running for re-election? I hope there are some reporters out there who are trying to dig deeper and not taking these statements at face value. Hint, hint TPM reporters.
February 13, 2009 11:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
Something stinks with this Greg affair. He's thinking of not running for office again? That suggests that somebody's got something on him for him to suddenly change his mind on the cabinet position and his previous agreement to support Obama and then to also say I'm thinking about giving up public office. He no longer wants to be a part of the whole damned thing indicates that something made him say I've had enough.
Clinton didn't see it coming but Obama has to. Republican's are setting up the agenda for the mid term elections by making sure a stimulus recovery package was passed that would show no results until 2011. Rove has already pointed the direction by his op-ed piece which states that recovery would have happened by 2010 without the 'stimulus' and all it did was slow down recovery.
The stimulus recovery package will begin by stopping the layoffs. For instance, aid to states prevents them laying off more employees as their coffers fill...these employees then in turn have money to spend so they go ahead and have that extra room added or kitchen re-done, so contractors have work and can keep their employees working and they in turn have more money to eat out and tip the waitress...and so it goes on the slow road to recovery.
Republicans are united in this effort caring more for getting political power back than the economy or the nation. They will be screaming that Obama's plan has failed and will do everything in their power to delay or contradict recovery.
All of this...and I do mean all of this was and is completely preventable and the blocks to recovery can be laid at the foot of one person...HARRY REID. By allowing the filibuster rule to be used as extortion and blackmail so republicans can distort and corrupt progress for purely political gain. The last 2yrs have taught him nothing. Get rid of the filibuster rule. Let the 'tyranny' of the majority (known as democracy)rule. We have the house and the executive and Judicial branches that give us all the checks and balances we need without this stupid blackmail senate rule.
Single handedly this "legislation is compromise and census building" majority leader will do more for republicans than they could ever do for themselves. It takes 51 votes to end this filibuster crap. Get rid of it...it no longer serves us in these dire times of emergency. The majority voted for change we could believe in yet the senate allows a minority to obstruct it from happening. Reid won't even 'make' them actually filibuster so the nation can see exactly how ignorant and self serving these republicans are.
A mouse on the house floor. That's the sophomoric mentality of republican leaders. How can you respect people who act like children who need a sitter?
February 13, 2009 3:33 PM | Reply | Permalink