TPMDC Morning Roundup

Kennedy Memoir Does Not Ignore Personal Lows
The New York Times reports that Ted Kennedy's upcoming memoir, True Compass, does not gloss over his personal flaws -- notably calling his behavior after his 1969 car accident, which killed Mary Jo Kopechne, "inexcusable." Kennedy also wrote: "I have enjoyed the company of women. I have enjoyed a stiff drink or two or three, and I've relished the smooth taste of a good wine. At times, I've enjoyed these pleasures too much. I've heard the tales about my exploits as a hell-raiser -- some accurate, some with a wisp of truth to them and some so outrageous that I can't imagine how anyone could really believe them."

Biden's Day Ahead
Vice President Biden will deliver a speech at 10 a.m. ET today from the Brookings Institution, on progress that has been made under the stimulus bill. He will spend the remainder of the day in private meetings at the White House.

Biden: Stimulus Working Better Than We Had Hoped
During his speech today at the Brookings Institution, Vice President Biden will declare that the stimulus program has been working better than anticipated. Despite continued economic problems, Biden will say, "the Recovery Act is doing more, faster, more efficiently and more effectively than we had hoped." Biden will also say: "Our goal is not just to emerge from the recession. We will. That's not enough. We must emerge stronger than we were before we entered it."

Poll: Americans Say Economy Still In Recession
A new CNN poll finds that 87% of Americans think the economy is still in a recession, with 69% saying that things are still going badly. In addition, only a 52% majority support President Obama's economic program, down from 65% in March.

Rove: DeMint Was Right About "Waterloo"
In his latest Wall Street Journal column, Karl Rove lays out the political peril facing President Obama on health care. "Sen. Jim DeMint (R., S.C.) was inartful but basically correct when he said if Mr. Obama loses on health care, 'it will be his Waterloo,'" Rove writes. "It would destroy confidence in the ability of Democrats to govern. Mr. Obama knows this, which is why he will stop at nothing to get a bill, any bill, on which the label "health-care reform" can be stuck."

Daschle: If Bipartisanship Fails, "Majority Rule Should Not Pose A Dilemma"
In an op-ed piece for the Wall Street Journal, Tom Daschle argues forcefully that while bipartisanship is preferable, but that Democrats should potentially act alone. "However, should Republican intransigence continue, Democrats cannot simply stop," Daschle writes. "They cannot ignore the human suffering as well as their fiscal responsibility to act. They must focus on the budgetary implications of health reform and use the Senate rules of budget reconciliation to allow a health-care bill move with majority support. The choice between complete legislative failure and majority rule should not pose a dilemma for any Democratic senator."

McConnell: Obama's Speech Won't Make A Difference
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said yesterday that President Obama's upcoming speech to Congress on health care won't make a difference. "I don't think the problem is messaging," said McConnell. "The problem is what he's trying to sell. I think there is a serious blowback and a negative reaction across the country to what they are proposing."