TPMDC Morning Roundup

Poll: Big Majority Of Americans Support Cap-And-Trade
A new CNN poll finds 60% of Americans supporting a cap-and-trade proposal to control carbon emissions, with only 37% against it. The pollster's analysis says that independents are environmentally conscious, but Democrats would still have to work to mobilize those concerns: "Independents may not be red or blue, but they appear to be green. Earlier polls indicate that Independents believe in global warming and believe that the government can take steps to curtail the problem. But the environment is not a big priority for Independents, as it is with Democrats."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will depart from Miami at 10 a.m. ET, arriving at 10:50 a.m. ET in Sarasota. At 12:10 p.m. ET, he will tour the DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center in Arcadia, Florida, and will deliver remarks at 12:25 p.m. ET. He will depart from Sarasota at 2:05 p.m. ET, arriving at 3:50 p.m. ET in Norfolk, Virginia. He will deliver remarks at a 4:55 p.m. ET rally for Creigh Deeds. He will depart from Norfolk at 6:05 p.m. ET, arriving back at the White House at 7:05 p.m. ET.

Biden's Day Ahead
Vice President Biden will travel this morning to Wilmington, Delaware. He will be joined by Gov. Jack Markell and other Delaware officials to make an announcement at 10:30 a.m. ET, about the future of the former General Motors Boxwood Plant. He will then hold calls with Gen. Ray Odierno, and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Christopher Hill. AT 2:30 p.m. ET, he will host conference calls with governors and mayors from across the country, about stimulus implementation. Later, he will travel to New York City, to attend an event for Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY), and will return to Washington in the evening.

House GOP Divided On Whether to Offer Their Own Health Care Bill
The Hill reports that House Republicans are divided on whether to offer their own health care bill, or whether to focus on arguing against the Democrats. "I happen to believe we ought to have a bill," said Rep. Tom Price (R-GA). "There are others who believe, as strongly, that the principles that would be outlined and would be adhered to in the Republican bill are what need to be discussed because everybody can embrace those principles."

U.S. Opposes Bid To Bar Defamation of Religions
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has come out against international efforts by Muslim countries to restrict the defamation of religions. "The protection of speech about religion is particularly important since persons of different faith will inevitably hold divergent views on religious questions," said Clinton. "These differences should be met with tolerance, not with the suppression of discourse."

Hillary Clinton Embracing Former Congressional Colleagues
Roll Call reports that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has been staying in close touch with her former colleagues in Congress, attending social events and meeting with members of the House and Senate. "I think she maintains a lot of these relationships because they were already there and they can be useful," said Sen. John McCain (R-AZ). "You never know when you might need someone."

Dodd Proposes Freeze On Credit Card Interest
Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) is proposing legislation to freeze interest rates on existing credit-card balances, though the proposal is unlikely to pass in the Senate. At a time when families are struggling to make ends meet, jacked-up rates can quickly create crushing debt," Dodd said in a statement. "People need to be responsible with their money, but they shouldn't be taken to the cleaners by outrageous rates."