TPMDC Morning Roundup

Poll: Obama's Approval Rating Going Back Up
The new AP/GfK poll finds that President Obama has a 56% approval rating, up from 50% in September -- and the first time that his approval rating has increased in the AP/GfK surveys. Disapproval is at 39%, down from 49% last month.

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will meet at 10:45 a.m. ET with Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. At 1:30 p.m. ET, he will deliver remarks and award the National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation. At 3:30 p.m. ET, he will meet with his national security team on Afghanistan and Pakistan. At 8 p.m. ET, the President and First Lady will host an event for local middle students, to star gaze and conduct hands-on experiments with astronomers.

Biden's Day Ahead
Vice President Biden will host a breakfast meeting with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, at the Naval Observatory. He will then travel to Atlantic City, New Jersey, to deliver remarks to the state AFL-CIO conference. He will then attend a campaign event for New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine. He will return to the White House in the afternoon, joining the President's meeting with his national security team on Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Dems Face Dilemma On The Economy
Roll Call reports that Democratic leaders face a dilemma on whether to craft a second stimulus package -- that not doing so could them make vulnerable to accusations of being ineffectual or uncaring, and doing so would run into public opposition to more spending. "There is a serious case of bailout fatigue on Capitol Hill, and there are severe budget pressures," said an anonymous Senate Democratic leadership aide.

GOP Calls For Quick Decision On More Troops In Afghanistan
Congressional Republicans have announced that they will support President Obama on any decision to send more troops into Afghanistan -- but they're also calling for him to make the decision quickly. "Obviously, there are many of us who feel that delay does signal uncertainty to the region," said House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA).

Palin: Don't Have "Cold Feet" On Afghanistan
In a note on her Facebook page, former Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK) called for more troops in Afghanistan: "I recently joined a group of Americans in urging President Obama to devote the resources necessary in Afghanistan and pledged to support him if he made the right decision. Now is not the time for cold feet, second thoughts, or indecision -- it is the time to act as commander-in-chief and approve the troops so clearly needed in Afghanistan."

DeLay Quits Dancing With The Stars
Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX) officially quit Dancing With The Stars last night. DeLay had the votes to keep going in the show, but left because of stress fractures in both his feet. However, he was invited to return back for the season finale, if he is able to make it -- and you can bet he'll be there, whether the doctors approve it or not.