TPMDC Morning Roundup

Axelrod: Obama May Get More Specific In Health Care Rhetoric
White House senior adviser David Axelrod told the Associated Press that President Obama is considering a speech that would be more specific about health care reform, which could be delivered before the September 15 that the White House has given the Senate negotiators. "The ideas are all there on the table," said Axelrod. "Now we are in a new phase, and it's time to pull the strands of these together."

Obama's Day Ahead: Back on Vacation
President Obama will depart from the White House at 12:30 p.m. ET, and will head to Camp David to resume his vacation.

Biden's Day Ahead
Vice President Biden will spend the day in Washington. In the morning, he will attend the Presidential Daily Briefing. He will spend the remainder of the day holding closed policy meetings on issues, including the Middle Class Task Force, the Recovery Act and national security.

Stevens Hires Only One Clerk, Stoking Retirement Speculation
The Associated Press reports that Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens has hired only one law clerk, leading to speculation that the 89-year old jurist could potentially retire next year. Stevens was appointed to the bench in 1975 by President Gerald Ford, and has become the leader of the court's liberals.

Afghan Opium Production Down -- Due To Excess Supply
The Washington Post reports that a new U.N. report to be released today will show opium production in Afghanistan down sharply. However, this is due to the fact that supply of the drug has been so high for the past several years, that prices reached a ten-year low. "Overall, you could say we are now profiting from a fantastic market correction,"said Jean-Luc Lemahieu of the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime.

Garamendi Wins CA-10 Dem Primary Special Election
California Lt. Gov. John Garamendi won yesterday's special primary election in California's 10th Congressional District, a safely Democratic seat where the previous occupant Ellen Tauscher left to take a position in the State Department. Garamendi will face Republican businessman David Harmer in a general election on November 3, which Garamendi is heavily favored to win in a district that voted 65% for Barack Obama.

Martinez Says Goodbye
Sen. Mel Martinez (R-FL), who is resigning office early, gave a goodbye to an audience of invited politicians and health care professionals in his home state, in a meeting to put out a Republican message on health care. "I've been very honored to be your senator," said Martinez, who also suggested that this would be his final public appearance.

Traficant Beaming Up Out Of Prison
Former Rep. Jim Traficant (D-OH), a colorful figure known for his populist conservative views, his trademark "Beam me up!" slogan in floor speeches, and his outrageous hairpiece, is being released from prison today after serving his time for a 2002 corruption conviction. Traficant was first elected to the House in 1984, and was expelled in 2002 following his conviction.