State Dinner Crashers

Tareq Salahi Donated To Virginia Pols And Sold $25K Worth Of Wine For Kaine Inaugural

Christina Bellantoni | November 27, 2009, 7:26PM

Tareq Salahi, DNC chair Tim Kaine and Michaele Salahi

We already know that now-famed party crashers Michaele and Tareq Salahi of Hume in Faquier County in Virginia like to pose with celebrities and top politicians, but they also dabble a bit in local political donations.

Tareq Salahi, who owns Oasis Winery, has made two donations large enough to make the federal database - $600 to Republican George Allen's first campaign for the U.S. Senate in Virginia and $1,000 to Rep. Jim Moran's (D-VA) primary campaign in 2006.

Virginia Public Access Project records show that Tim Kaine's inaugural committee bought $25,000 worth of Oasis wine for an event held the night before Kaine's inauguration in 2006 as governor of Virginia.

TPMDC tonight interviewed state Delegate Dave Albo, a Republican from Northern Virginia.

Albo is a longtime friend of the Salahis, even attending an ACDC concert with them recently.

"They are really fun and very nice," he said.

Albo said the Salahis spend a lot of time at social events.

"They are the kind of people who would get invited to something like that," Albo said.

As I reported earlier, they have attended events at the executive mansion and were involved with Virginia tourism promotion and active in the state's winery association.

Salahi also donated $2,500 to a Democratic candidate for delegate in 2007.

State Dinner Crashers

Friends In High Places: The Salahis And The Famous People They Take Pictures With

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 27, 2009, 6:15PM

Vice President Biden and Michaele Salahi

Tareq and Michaele Salahi may not have what it takes to get a White House state dinner invite, but the couple has far-ranging connections with the famous, near famous and wannabe famous.

Read more »

State Dinner Crashers

Party Crashers: Who Are Michaele And Tareq Salahi?

Christina Bellantoni | November 27, 2009, 5:22PM

Tareq and Michaele Salahi

For all the consternation about how two uninvited reality show hopefuls were able to crash a state dinner at the White House, much remains unknown about who the husband and wife glitterati wannabes actually are.

TPM has been digging, and on close examination Michaele and Tareq Salahi have been moving in high end social and political circles for quite some time.

The White House is just the creme de la creme of the hot spots they've hit - the Salahis have attended receptions at the Executive Mansion in Virginia, big-dollar dinners for Congressional leadership and appear grinning next to top politicians and celebrities in dozens of photos on the Internet.

Read more »

FL-SEN

Maurice Ferre Gets Going In FL-Sen With Attacks On Crist

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 27, 2009, 12:47PM

Sen. Candidate Maurice Ferre (D-FL)

Former Miami Mayor Maurice Ferre announced his bid for the Democratic senate nomination in Florida back in October, but has been relatively silent since. Not anymore. Ferre has come out swinging this week, attacking Gov. Charlie Crist (R) and slamming Sen. George LeMieux (R), who Crist appointed earlier this year.

Read more »

2008 campaign

Top 10 Things You Didn't Know Before Reading Plouffe's 'Audacity To Win'

Christina Bellantoni | November 27, 2009, 11:56AM

David Plouffe

TPMDC is thankful today for political books that aren't boring or retread, and David Plouffe's "The Audacity to Win" fits into that category.

Plouffe ran the Obama campaign in 2008 and still does work for the DNC's campaign arm Organizing for America. He dishes in his book on some of the campaign's best-kept secrets.

We've reported on a few since the book came out - the Obama camp leaked the John Edwards haircut, they pushed for an early state campaign pledge to "box in" Hillary Clinton and Edwards offered to endorse for a spot on the ticket.

But there's so much more.

I covered the entire long campaign, and it was fascinating to read a candid book and peek under the hood at what had been a famously tight-lipped shop.

There are plenty of examples of Plouffe being cheap, and a few mentions of Plouffe and Robert Gibbs in their boxers.

After the jump, TPMDC's Top 10 things that Plouffe reveals in "Audacity to Win."

Read more »

Ralph Nader

CT Report: Green Party 'Picketing' Ralph Nader In Hopes He'll Run For Senate

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 27, 2009, 11:27AM

Ralph Nader, leader of countless protests during his decades of activism, is now reportedly himself facing "picketers" who want him to run for Senate. CTNewsJunkie.com reports that the Connecticut Green Party is trying to "woo" Nader into a race against Sen. Chris Dodd (D) by showing up at Nader's public appearances "with homemade signs."

Read more »

Barack Obama

Green Bean Casserole And Huckleberry Pie On Obama Thanksgiving Menu

Christina Bellantoni | November 27, 2009, 10:45AM

President Barack Obama

The Obama family's first White House Thanksgiving was resplendent with pie.

They hosted about 50 guests, including family, friends and staff, the White House said.

The White House told the pool reporter on holiday duty that Obama's favorite Thanksgiving dishes are turkey and pumpkin pie. However, last year he told reporters his favorite dish was sweet potato pie.

Republicans used to make fun of all the times Obama would say on the campaign trail that he loves pie. In one example, he goes on and on about the pie:

Yesterday's menu after the jump.

Read more »

Barack Obama

Obama Phoned Troops On Holiday

Christina Bellantoni | November 27, 2009, 10:32AM

President Barack Obama

President Obama spoke with members of the armed services on Thanksgiving, a few days before he will be announcing an increase of more than 30,000 troops to Afghanistan.

The White House said Obama made 10 calls to troops.

He called two service members in each of the five military branches "to wish them a Happy Thanksgiving and to let them know how much Michelle and he are truly thankful for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the nation," the White House told a pool reporter on holiday duty.

Read more »

Doug Hoffman

Hoffman Announces 2010 Bid: I'm Not Saying There Was Voter Fraud In NY-23, But I'm Not Not Saying There Was Either

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 27, 2009, 10:27AM

Conservative Party Candidate Doug Hoffman, Rep. Bill Owens (D-NY)

As Josh reported yesterday, Doug Hoffman is preparing a second run at the NY-23 congressional seat next year.

On his website yesterday, Hoffman laid out his reasons for deciding take on Rep. Bill Owens (D) so soon after he conceded to the freshman Representative for the second time. In short, Hoffman suggests again that the Nov. 3 special election was rigged in Owens' favor -- and then immediately apologizes to elections officials for offending them with the claim.

Read more »

Republicans

From Dollars To Death Panels: How Republicans Distorted Debates On Capitol Hill

Brian Beutler | November 27, 2009, 8:42AM

With Thanksgiving recess now upon us, it seems an appropriate time to revisit the hysterical Republican whoppers and talking points about the Democratic party agenda that have dominated this Congress. Herewith a top-five list:

Number Five: Paul Ryan Draws Line On Graph

Back in the Spring, when Democrats were putting together the federal budget, House Budget Committee ranking member Paul Ryan (R-WI) released a much-mocked Republican alternative, which would have basically canceled the stimulus and instituted a spending freeze of sorts. The ideas in the Republican alternative budget were roundly rebuked by experts, but Ryan wasn't deterred. Instead of accepting defeat, he unveiled some graphs suggesting that, under Republican budgets, spending would be restrained, while under Democratic budgets, it would blow through the roof.

Except his numbers weren't based on any analysis at all. Instead, Ryan used CBO numbers through 2018 and then drew an upward-sloping line on the graph completely at random. It didn't take long for Republicans to catch on and begin claiming that Democratic policies would make government spending half of GDP before the end of the century.

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Tea Party

Death And Taxes (And Tea): The Top Right-Wing Protest Moments Of 2009

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 25, 2009, 6:14PM

Hell hath no fury like a conservative scorned. Or over-taxed. Or "under-freedomed" or whatever.

From the August town hall meetings to Michele Bachmann's very own Tea Party a couple of weeks ago, here's a look back at the special moments that have defined this year's right-wing protest meme.

Read more »

Republicans

Top 10 Wild And Wacky Political Voices -- For Whom We're All Very Thankful

Eric Kleefeld | November 25, 2009, 6:04PM

Former Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK), Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), Rush Limbaugh

Here at TPM, we definitely have an eye for the weird -- and speaking for myself, I particularly enjoy the crazy stuff that right-wingers often say.

The American right often uses the rhetoric of a persecuted minority, even when they're actually in power. So having a Democrat in the White House, let alone a progressive black Democrat from Chicago named Barack Hussein Obama, has driven them to whole new heights (or lows, depending on how you count it) of rhetoric.

So let's take a look at some real stars of our current political rhetorical wars. The list is mostly Republican -- and you betchya that it was an obvious choice for the top spot -- plus one Democratic "Congressman With Guts" who gives the opposition a taste of their own medicine. We've got politicians, talk show hosts, and people who seem to be both at the same time. So sit back, and enjoy the crazy.

I'm certainly thankful to them -- for making my job a lot more interesting. If they weren't around, what would there be for me to write about?

Read more »

Visitors Logs

Who Visited The White House (And Why You Should Care)

Christina Bellantoni | November 25, 2009, 4:38PM

White House

Taking a step back, let's evaluate what the release of 1,615 visitors to the White House show us.

* First, it's a busy White House.

President Obama has often been accused of doing too much, and it's clear from the frequency the gates open that his team has dozens of balls up in the air at once.

From health care summits, education strategy talks with state and big-city officials in the Oval Office and meetings with industry leaders to press interviews, poetry readings and the luau for members of Congress, by all accounts there is never a dull moment at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Read more »

Afghanistan

Sec. Gates, Sec. Clinton, Adm. Mullen Scheduled To Testify Wednesday On Afghanistan

Christina Bellantoni | November 25, 2009, 3:18PM

One day after President Obama announces his decision on a troop surge to Afghanistan, his top Cabinet members will testify on Capitol Hill about the plan.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Adm. Mike Mullen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff will appear before the House Foreign Affairs Committee at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

They have been present in most of the nine meetings Obama has held with his War Council as he considered his options on whether to send more troops to the region at the recommendation of Gen. Stanley McChrystal.

As we reported earlier, Obama will address the nation Tuesday night from West Point Military Academy.

Visitors Logs

FCC Chairman Jules Genachowski On White House Visitors List 46 Times

Christina Bellantoni | November 25, 2009, 3:07PM

Julius Genachowski, Chairman, Federal Communications Commission

FCC Chairman Jules Genachowski has been a frequent White House visitor, both before and after getting the job.

His first meeting on Feb. 18, according to the White House visitors logs released today, was several weeks before he was nominated for the job.

He came again Feb. 24 to meet with Pete Rouse.

The day before President Obama nominated him, Genachowski met with both David Axelrod and Valerie Jarret, presidential advisers.

He was nominated March 3.

Read more »

Barack Obama

UPDATED: Some War! Chamber CEO Visited White House Ten Times

Zachary Roth | November 25, 2009, 2:54PM

Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tom Donohue

Last month, the White House was accused of launching "a frontal assault against free enterprise and the Chamber of Commerce," by an executive of the business lobby.

It's true that the White house signaled its intention to play hardball with the Chamber. But it's not like the group has been shut out from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue since Obama took office.

Read more »

Visitors Logs

UPDATED: White House 'Message Meeting' For Pundits On List

Christina Bellantoni | November 25, 2009, 2:28PM

A group of Democratic talking heads gathered at the White House March 13 for a meeting with Ellen Moran and David Axelrod.

The White House visitors logs released today show Axelrod, President Obama's senior adviser, met that day for about two hours in the West Wing with 18 people. Among them were Chris Kofinis, Karen Finney, Margaret Omero, Margaret Myers, Steve McMahon, Peter Fenn, Michael Feldman, Jennifer Palmeri, Hillary Rosen, Simon Rosenberg, Brad Woodhouse (of the DNC) and Mo Elleithee.

It was called a "communications message meeting" on the spreadsheet.

A source who attended the meeting tells TPMDC the White House hosts weekly message calls sharing their talking points with pundits who appear on television. The meetings are sometimes hosted in person at the White House. The March meeting actually was called and led by Moran, then communications director. She has since departed the White House.

Read more »

Visitors Logs

New Logs Show Obama's Private Oval Office Meeting With Colin Powell On Afghanistan

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 25, 2009, 2:25PM

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell

New visitors logs released by the White House today seem to confirm that Colin Powell has been among those President Obama has consulted with while drafting a new strategy for Afghanistan.

The logs don't include any details of the meeting, other than the fact that it was between the two men alone. That makes it one of less than a dozen total one-on-one meetings with Obama included in today's list.

Read more »

Barack Obama

MoveOn's Pariser Met With Obama

Zachary Roth | November 25, 2009, 2:15PM

Eli Pariser, former executive director of MoveOn.org

If you've been feeling like President Obama has shut out his progressive base since taking office, you might be mildly comforted to know that the POTUS met directly with MoveOn's Eli Pariser back in February, according to White House visitor logs.

Pariser is the former executive director, and current board preisdnet, of MoveOn.org.

Another MoveOn leader doesn't seem to have had as much access. Joan Blades, one half of the California couple that founded the group, made her own White House visit in March, but it was with a mid-level aide to Michelle Obama.

Visitors Logs

Chevron CEO Visited Five Times, Had One-on-One With Rahm

Rachel Slajda | November 25, 2009, 2:02PM

David J. O'Reilly, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Chevron Co.

David J. O'Reilly, the chairman and CEO of Chevron Corp., visited the White House at least five times this year, including a one-on-one meeting with Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel on Sept. 17.

O'Reilly also met once with Carol Browner, the director of the White House Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy, on Feb. 10. He met twice with Larry Summers, the director of the National Economic Council, once on Feb. 10 and once on Sept. 18.

He was also part of the audience when President Obama spoke to the Business Council on Feb. 13.

Barack Obama

Cory Booker Met With Obama, Jarrett

Zachary Roth | November 25, 2009, 1:56PM

Newark Mayor Cory Booker

Newark mayor Cory Booker has visited President Obama's White House four times, including one meeting with the president himself, according to the White House visitor logs that were released this afternoon.

The meeting with Obama occurred in March. There was another White House visit later that month for Booker, as well as one in May. And in August, Booker met with Valerie Jarrett, a close confidante of the president.

Booker and Obama have long been political allies, and some observers have noted that Booker's "post-racial' political style echoes the president's own.

Lou Dobbs

Poll: Lou Dobbs Wouldn't Go Far As Indy For President

Eric Kleefeld | November 25, 2009, 1:17PM

Lou Dobbs

A new Rasmussen poll tests Lou Dobbs as an independent candidate for President against Barack Obama and various Republicans -- finding that Lou wouldn't poll very strongly as an indy, and would only take votes away from the GOP.

With Mitt Romney as the Republican nominee, Obama is ahead 42%-34%-14%. With Mike Huckabee, it's 42%-36%-12%. With Sarah Palin, it's 44%-37%-12%. By comparison, without Dobbs in the mix Obama is tied with Romney at 44%-44%, leads Huckabee by 45%-41%, and leads Palin by 46%-43% (with "some other candidate" in the single digits in all those matches).

Interestingly, there is no match-up of Dobbs one on one against Obama -- that is, Dobbs himself as the Republican nominee.

From the pollster's analysis: "Obviously, it's way too early to evaluate the political environment for the 2012 election, and it's important to remember that four years ago Obama would not have been considered a serious national challenger for 2008. For Dobbs, the data shows how improbable such an independent bid could be."

Visitors Logs

White House Visitors Logs: Who Came To See President Obama?

Christina Bellantoni | November 25, 2009, 1:13PM

White House

The White House just posted more than 1,600 records of visitors who came through the gates at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue this year. The release includes the names of people who visited President Obama and other top officials.

Check out the names here, and TPMDC will update readers as we go through the names.

As we reported earlier, the White House is releasing the names from before Sept. 15 as part of its new transparency policy.

It's an earlier release than expected due to the holiday.

They are the first administration in history to release the names of people who have visited the White House. Read through our coverage of the release here. The spreadsheet is more detailed than the last one, offering a description of the meeting.

Read more »

Copenhagen

Al Gore Also Going To Copenhagen

Christina Bellantoni | November 25, 2009, 12:48PM

Fmr. Vice President Al Gore

Vice President Al Gore will travel to Copenhagen next month for the climate change talks.

We reported earlier that President Obama will be going with the aim of giving "momentum" to the U.S. team's negotiations.

TPMDC has learned that Gore, who won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 for his work on global warming, also is making the trip.

Read more »

RNC

GOP Operative: Party Campaign Committees Probably Won't Honor 'Purity' Resolution

Eric Kleefeld | November 25, 2009, 12:27PM

RNC chairman Michael Steele

A Republican operative tells us that if the Republican National Committee ends up passing the so-called "purity" resolution - which would cut off party support for candidate that violate three or or more out of ten key conservative policy positions -- it's unlikely that party campaign committees will actually abide by it.

"The litmus test puts too little emphasis on people's most pressing concerns of spending and taxes and therefore cannot be considered an effective tool to fully judge a candidate," the source said. "Because of this, its doubtful this will be a major factor in candidate support."

The resolution officially calls for cutting off support for candidates from the Republican National Committee. But another important question with this resolution is whether the party's other campaign committees -- such as the NRCC and the NRSC, among others -- would obey the edict to exclude candidates who don't measure up. As far as this one GOP operative says, probably not.

Read more »

Health Care

Single Payer Advocates Say Bernie Sanders 'Not A Fighter'

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 25, 2009, 12:20PM

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT)

Universal health care advocates called on President Obama and progressives in Congress the scrap both reform bills on Capitol Hill and "start from scratch" on a bill that creates single payer coverage for all Americans at at press conference today. They specifically aimed fire at Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), who they called too weak to vote no on the Senate health care reform package they say doesn't go far enough.

Russell Mokhiber, the president of Single Payer Action, said he had "low expectations" that Sanders would vote to stop the bill his group says is nothing more than a "bailout for health insurance companies."

"We have had a history of fighters in the Senate," Mokhiber said today. "Bernie Sanders is apparently not that."

Read more »

Blue Dogs

Liberal Groups Organize In Opposition To Entitlement Reform Panel

Brian Beutler | November 25, 2009, 11:44AM

Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND)

Earlier this month, Republican and Democratic deficit hawks in the Senate, led by Kent Conrad issued a veiled threat to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi: let us set up an entitlement-reform commission to address budget deficits, or we'll kill annual legislation raising the country's debt ceiling.

That may sound like a bunch of jargon, but loosely translated it means they want to get their hands on Social Security and they're willing to let America default on its debt, potentially unleashing economic catastrophe, if they don't get their way.

That has touched off a game of chicken as Congress counts down to the new year. Though she's somewhat handcuffed by Blue Dogs, who could join Republicans in forcing legislation calling for such a commission through the House, Pelosi is adamantly opposed to the idea. One side or the other will have to budge. For her part, Pelosi will have progressive organizations on her side.

Read more »

FL-SEN

Rush Limbaugh: 'I Like Rubio'

Eric Kleefeld | November 25, 2009, 11:38AM

Gov. Charlie Crist (R-FL) and former state House Speaker Marco Rubio (R)

The Marco Rubio campaign has now posted a very interesting YouTube video, in which the conservative insurgent candidate for Senate wins the praise of a notable right-wing activist and Florida resident: Rush Limbaugh.

"I like Rubio," said Limbaugh, in a guest appearance on a local Florida radio show. "I've never met him, nor have I met Crist, but I know that there's a sea change brewing and effervescing in this country."

And Limbaugh took aim at Charlie Crist's provocative insistence that he's a conservative, and Crist's ridicule of his detractors: "I noticed that Crist is out there now, 'Hey what do you mean, who says I'm not conservative? I'm pro-life, I'm pro-gun, well I don't know what more I have to be, except angry.' That's not gonna sit well."

Lou Dobbs

Lou Dobbs: Friend Of Illegal Immigrants Everywhere?

Eric Kleefeld | November 25, 2009, 11:06AM

Lou Dobbs

Lou Dobbs is looking at any number of possibilities for a political career, such as running for Senator from New Jersey, or even the presidency. And he would of course be running on a signature issue of...his great friendship with the Latino community, and support for amnesty for illegal immigrants, and a path to citizenship???

This does seem quite odd, for a man who made his career denouncing illegal immigrants for several years on his CNN show. But as the Wall Street Journal points out:

In a little-noticed interview Friday, Mr. Dobbs told Spanish-language network Telemundo he now supports a plan to legalize millions of undocumented workers, a stance he long lambasted as an unfair "amnesty."

"Whatever you have thought of me in the past, I can tell you right now that I am one of your greatest friends and I mean for us to work together," he said in a live interview with Telemundo's Maria Celeste.

Read more »

Harry Reid

Broder: Reid Is Parochial, Uninspiring Leader

Brian Beutler | November 25, 2009, 10:31AM

Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) and David Broder

This past Saturday, at the beginning of a marathon health care debate, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid took a pot shot at Washington Post columnist, and liberal bête noir David Broder.

"To focus on a man who has been retired for many years and writes a column once in a while is not where we should be," Reid said.

Well now Broder, typically not much one for diving into the mud, is hitting back.

"I hope he's more accurate about the [health care] bill than he is about me," Broder told Politico. "And I'm not retired."

Broder didn't limit his critique to Reid's accuracy, and hammered the Nevada senator for his parochial approach to leadership.

Read more »

Visitors Logs

No Pardon For The Press: WH Visitors' Names Being Released Today

Christina Bellantoni | November 25, 2009, 10:24AM

President Barack Obama

The White House this afternoon will be releasing more names of visitors who came through the gates at Pennsylvania Avenue this year.

Last month the administration for the first time offered citizens a look at names - requested by watchdog groups and press - and starting at the end of this year they will release every name.

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters in his morning gaggle this morning there are about 1,600 names on this list that covers requests before Sept. 15.

The names would normally come out at the end of the day the last Friday of the month. They are being posted at WhiteHouse.gov early due to the holiday.

Afghanistan

Obama Will Address Nation On Afghanistan Decision Tuesday Night

Christina Bellantoni | November 25, 2009, 10:16AM

President Obama holds what will likely be the final meeting of his War Council before deciding to send a surge of troops to Afghanistan.

President Obama will address the nation from West Point Military Academy at 8 p.m. Tuesday to explain his decision on sending more troops to Afghanistan, Robert Gibbs told reporters in his morning gaggle.

NY-SEN

Poll: Giuliani Ahead Of Gillibrand By Double Digits

Eric Kleefeld | November 25, 2009, 10:15AM

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani

Another poll suggests that Rudy Giuliani could potentially beat appointed Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), if he enters the 2010 Senate race as he's reportedly been considering.

The new numbers from Rasmussen: Giuliani 53%, Gillibrand 40%, with a ±4.5% margin of error. A Zogby poll yesterday gave Rudy a narrower lead of 45%-43%, within that poll's ±3.2% margin of error.

The pollster's analysis speculates that Giuliani could be getting a short-term boost in this Democratic state, due to the Obama administration's decision on terrorism trials: "Fifty-five percent (55%) of New York State voters oppose U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder's decision to try the confessed mastermind of the 9/11 attacks and five other suspected terrorists in a civilian court in New York City rather than before a military tribunal."

He's In!

Obama Will Attend Climate Talks In Copenhagen

Christina Bellantoni | November 25, 2009, 9:52AM

President Barack Obama

A White House official tells TPMDC President Obama will attend the climate talks in Copenhagen on Dec. 9. The trip coincides with Obama's acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo.

In addition to the president's address, the White House will send a large delegation, including Obama's "Green Cabinet" who aim to "maximize" chances of success at Copenhagen.

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters the move would "give momentum" to the U.S. position on climate talks.

EPA administrator Carol Browner told reporters he would lay out clear goals for cutting carbon emissions, in metrics that are "fairly similar" to the bill which passed the House and what is being considered by the Senate.

Read more »

Tom DeLay

DeLay Offers Official 'Dancing' Farewell With A Texas Two-Step

Christina Bellantoni | November 25, 2009, 9:12AM

Tom Delay on Dancing with the Stars

Tom DeLay promised he'd be back after dropping out of Dancing with the Stars last month.

Last night, he delivered, performing a Texas two-step on the finale.

Watch:

White House

WATCH: White House Spoofs Turkey Pardon

Christina Bellantoni | November 25, 2009, 6:33AM

President Barack Obama

Move over, BarneyCam!

The White House new media team had some fun with President Obama's first official pardoning of a turkey for the Thanksgiving holiday.

In a video posted to the White House YouTube page, a "turkey" does the slow walk right through the gates outside 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, past "Pebble Beach" where reporters do stand-up television shots, through the West Wing and Oval Office into the Rose Garden.

The spoof is the brainchild of Arun Chaudhary, who traveled with Obama during the long primary and general election campaigns.

But Ben LaBolt from the White House press shop steals the show as narrator.

The bird will "be trotting a little prouder as he walks down these hallowed halls for his appointment with destiny," LaBolt deadpans.

It's all geared toward getting people to watch the pardoning live today on the White House Web site.

Today, "one turkey will be a free bird," LaBolt said.

Watch it after the jump:

Read more »

Jon Corzine

Needy NJ Families Giving Thanks That Corzine Is Still Governor?

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 24, 2009, 6:53PM

Gov. Jon Corzine (D-NJ) and Former US Attorney Chris Christie (R)

Needy families in New Jersey are learning that elections matter. Outgoing Gov. Jon Corzine (D) and his incoming successor, Chris Christie (R) are having their first open policy disagreement since the election this week over how to care for the growing number of hungry families in New Jersey this Thanksgiving.

Corzine says he's using the final weeks of his term in office to pass an emergency plan to use state funds to fill the pantries of soup kitchens across the state, which have seen a decline in donations during the economic crisis. Christie, who takes office in January, says he's against any new spending while the state is still "broke."

Read more »

India

TPMDC Video: Michelle Obama Previews State Dinner

Christina Bellantoni | November 24, 2009, 6:32PM

First Lady Michelle Obama with schoolchildren at state dinner

First Lady Michelle Obama today previewed the first official state dinner of the Obama presidency, talking about the importance of honoring visiting dignitaries.

The guests are arriving now and will dine under a large tent set up on the White House South Lawn.

Read more »

FL-SEN

Crist's Plan For FL-Sen: Throw A Little Gas On The Fire

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 24, 2009, 5:50PM

Gov. Charlie Crist (R-FL) and former state House Speaker Marco Rubio (R)

Gov. Charlie Crist asked for a fight. And now he's getting one. Yesterday, Crist asked Marco Rubio's Republican supporters to explain why they're so "angry."

Today, came the predictable response:

"Charlie Crist is demonstrating an alarming contempt for the very Republican voters whose support he seeks," Rubio spokesperson Alex Burgos said. "Crist is clearly frustrated about his self-made credibility crisis and his endorsement of a stimulus policy that has failed to create the jobs he promised, but these are not acceptable excuses for him to lash out at Republicans."

Read more »

India

Steven Spielberg, Fareed Zakaria, Tom Friedman Among Guests At State Dinner

Christina Bellantoni | November 24, 2009, 5:49PM

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Newsweek International Editor Fareed Zakaria, and filmmaker Steven Spielberg

Producer Steven Spielberg, music mogul David Geffen and New York Times columnist Tom Friedman are among the guests at tonight's White House state dinner in honor of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-LA) will be attending, and he's not the only Republican.

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell is attending, as is Sen. Dick Lugar (R-IN).

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, an independent who has backed the White House on key matters, also is attending.

Ari Emanuel, brother to White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel.

Congressional leadership, Cabinet members and White House staffers are on the list, including incoming general counsel Bob Bauer.

Oprah Winfrey isn't on the list, but her best friend Gayle King, is.

Television personalities Katie Couric of CBS, Brian Williams of NBC and Sanjay Gupta and Fareed Zakaria of CNN are on the list.

Late Update: The Associated Press caught another journalist on the list - Washington Post national editor, Rajiv Chandrasekaran.

Full guest list after the jump.

Read more »

India

Biden Toasts India's Singh: 'You're Hottest Ticket In Town'

Christina Bellantoni | November 24, 2009, 5:36PM

Vice President Joe Biden

As part of the official state visit festivities today, Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hosted a lunch for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur at the State Department this afternoon.

Biden told Singh he was so popular they couldn't find a large enough room to host everyone who wanted to be there.

"There's a phrase Mr. Prime Minister here in this country, you're the hottest ticket in town," Biden said.

Biden toasted Singh with a Gandhi quote.

"As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world as in being able to remake ourselves," he said. "I would argue that as we adapt to this new century, as we enter this new era of growth and prosperity, as we remake ourselves India and America, and our partnership will help remake the world."

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Barack Obama

Poll: Obama's Fall In Popularity Comes Mainly From Whites

Eric Kleefeld | November 24, 2009, 4:43PM

President Barack Obama

A new Gallup poll finds that President Obama's approval rating has fallen precipitously among one group in particular: White Americans.

Back in February, during his honeymoon period, Gallup had Obama's approval among whites at 61%. Today, it is only 39%. By comparison, his approval among non-whites had a much smaller decrease, from 80% during the honeymoon to 73% now.

Interestingly, the decline in white approval extends to white Democrats, as well, though to a lesser extent than the white demographic overall. His approval among white Dems has fallen from 87% during the honeymoon, down to 76% now. By contrast, his approval among non-white Dems has actually gone up slightly, from 90% then to 92% now.

It shouldn't be surprising that whites are a weaker demographic for Obama, as they tend to be tough ground for national Democrats in general. Obama won only 43% of this group in 2008, even as he won 53% of the total popular vote. This was actually pretty good for a Democrat, and an improvement from John Kerry's 41% in 2004.

NY-SEN

Gillibrand Faces Trouble From Giuliani In New Poll

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 24, 2009, 4:33PM

Sen. Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY)

Rudy Giuliani hasn't made up his mind about running for Senate for a second time, but a new poll out today from Zogby suggests he's in a good position to take a shot at winning the seat he ran for in 2000.

The poll shows Giuliani in a statistical dead heat with incumbent Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D), who took over the seat earlier this year after Hillary Clinton left it to become Secretary of State. Giuliani leads a hypothetical matchup with Gillibrand 45-43, which is within the 3.2% margin of error. Former Gov. George Pataki (R), another potential candidate for the seat, trails Gillibrand 43-38.

Read more »

Health Care

The Final Four: Who's Standing In Reid's Way, And Can They Be Won Over?

Brian Beutler | November 24, 2009, 4:29PM

From left to right Top: Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) Bottom: Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Center: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV)

Toward the end of the summer, when it was unclear whether Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid would include a public option in his health care bill, progressives let it be known that he would not be forgiven if he allowed a handful of nameless Democrats silently filibuster the provision. In the end, this pressure, and various other factors, ultimately convinced Reid to include the opt out public option in the legislation, and the opponents have had to come forward. Their names won't surprise students of Democratic politics: Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Ben Nelson (D-NE), and Mary Landrieu (D-LA).

These conservative Democrats are known for taking stances at odds with the party on key issues, but in this health care debate they are ultimately driven by very different motives. They have suddenly become the targets of every major reform organization in the country, and understanding what makes them tick will be key to the advocates who are now trying to change their minds.

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NY-23

Hoffman Concedes NY-23 To Owens (Again)

Eric Kleefeld | November 24, 2009, 3:40PM

Conservative Party Candidate Doug Hoffman, Rep. Bill Owens (D-NY)

Doug Hoffman, the unsuccessful Conservative Party candidate in the recent NY-23 special election, has now conceded the race to Democrat Bill Owens -- for a second time.

Owens was sworn in two and a half weeks ago, after Hoffman had conceded the election. The correction of routine clerical errors, however, narrowed Owens' margin from 5,000 votes to about 3,000, leading Hoffman to take back his concession. He furthermore accused ACORN of stealing the election.

In his new statement, Hoffman acknowledges that Owens did indeed win. Hoffman wishes the Democrat well, thanks his own supporters, and also calls upon the election officials to avoid mistakes in the future:

"Yesterday, the remaining ballots were counted in the 23rd Congressional District special election. The results re-affirm the fact that Bill Owens won.

Since, the morning of November 4th, many of my supporters have asked me to challenge the outcome of this race. Their concerns centered on the veracity of the new voting machines used, for the first time, in the majority of the eleven counties that make up the Congressional District. Over the past three weeks, we nearly cut Bill Owens' lead in half. Sadly, that is not enough.

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Barack Obama

Obama's Approval In The States: The Honeymoon Is Over -- We're Back To The Campaign

Eric Kleefeld | November 24, 2009, 3:08PM

President Barack Obama

As you know, national polls have shown President Obama's approval rating headed below 50% recently, a sign of discontent after his solid win in the 2008 election, and his sky-high approval ratings during his honeymoon period. But how has this worked out on a state by state level?

A look at key swing states suggests that the current political situation has really become a lot like last year -- from one state to another, Obama's approval ratings are pretty close to election results from 2008. Using those election results as a benchmark, it's as clear a sign as any that the honeymoon is truly over -- we're right back to 2008 campaign mode, in terms of average voter opinion.

In all these states, and in the country overall, Obama had a very strong honeymoon period, but that really does seem to have worn off. There may be one difference, though, and it's a crucial one: Obama's own supporters aren't as revved up as they were back then, while the opposition has become very energetic. And that can make all the difference in 2010.

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CT-SEN

GOP Field Against Dodd Shrinking, From Five Candidates To Four (And Maybe Three)

Eric Kleefeld | November 24, 2009, 2:06PM

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT)

The huge field of GOP candidates to oppose Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) has just gotten a bit smaller, and could shrink even further, as the state readjusts to an open gubernatorial race.

Former Ambassador to Ireland Tom Foley has announced that he is now considering a run for governor, in the wake of GOP Gov. Jodi Rell's announcement that she's retiring: "We no longer have an incumbent Governor seeking re-election. I have had a number of conversations with people who are encouraging me to consider running for Governor because they believe I could better serve Connecticut today as Governor than as a Senator. They believe that as an experienced executive and someone who understands the economy and how jobs are created, I have a background and set of skills uniquely suited to addressing the very serious spending problems and other economic challenges now facing our state."

State Sen. Sam Caligiuri has also announced that he's definitely out of the Senate race, and is instead running for the House of Representatives against second-term Democrat Chris Murphy.

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Feast

Prawns, Pralines And Pumpkin Pie On State Dinner Menu

Christina Bellantoni | November 24, 2009, 2:04PM

Press hustles to photograph the sample place settings for the first official state dinner of the Obama presidency.

The White House is offering reporters a preview of tonight's state dinner, from the menu to the table settings.

TPMDC is among dozens of news outlets currently crammed into the state dining room, where two tables have been set up to show how the festivities will play out this evening.

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Alex Castellanos

CNN Keeps Castellanos, Dems Hit Back

Brian Beutler | November 24, 2009, 1:53PM

RNC Communications Director Alex Castellanos

CNN will retain the services of Alex Castellanos, despite his new role as unpaid flack for the RNC (his official title will be Senior Communications Adviser).

"CNN has political strategists that provide unpaid advice to both sides of the aisle, and Alex will remain as a CNN contributor," a CNN spokesperson emails. "CNN will continue to be vigilant in disclosing contributor affiliations and their profiles."

Castellanos' consulting firms have produced ads for the Chamber of Commerce and America's Health Insurance Plans as part of the groups' ongoing efforts to defeat key Obama agenda items like climate change legislation and health care reform.

And now, Democrats have latched on to the development both to criticize CNN for allowing such a partisan figure to appear on the network as a news analyst, and to attack the Republican party for its closeness to industry.

"By bringing on a senior strategist for the Chamber and AHIP, the Republican Party can no longer pretend that they aren't in the pocket of big business and the insurance industry lobby and it made it crystal clear who Republicans are fighting for -- and it's not our families and small businesses," DNC spokesman Hari Sevugan emails. "When Castellanos is on CNN as a top strategist for the GOP, the insurance industry, and the Chamber of Commerce, he certainly won't be offering any 'independent analysis.'"

Barack Obama

White House Takes On Gun Lobby's Health Care Reform Attacks

Brian Beutler | November 24, 2009, 1:01PM

President Barack Obama

You might not necessarily think that health care reform would end up in the crosshairs of the gun lobby. But you'd be wrong. Gun Owners of America have been raging against the Senate health care bill for all sorts of imagined threats to the Second Amendment, and now the White House has taken notice.

What exactly are their concerns? Well, for instance, "Special 'wellness and prevention' programs (inserted by Section 1001 of the bill as part of a new Section 2717 in the Public Health Services Act) would allow the government to offer lower premiums to employers who bribe their employees to live healthier lifestyles -- and nothing within the bill would prohibit rabidly anti-gun HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius from decreeing that 'no guns' is somehow healthier."

The White House says: "Section 2717 section creates guidelines for insurers to report on initiatives that improve quality of care and health outcomes, and it specifically lists what types of programs would be involved - such as smoking cessation, physical fitness, nutrition, heart disease prevention. There is no mention of guns, and there is no language that could result in higher premiums for gun owners or lower premiums for people who do not own guns."

You can read the gun owners' gripes here, and the fact-check here.

India

Obama And Singh Pledge U.S.-Indian Cooperation

Christina Bellantoni | November 24, 2009, 12:13PM

Indian Prime Minister Singh, President Obama

During a joint press conference on the first official "state visit" of the Obama presidency, President Obama said he and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh have pledged cooperation between the world's two largest democracies.

"The relationship between our two countries has never been stronger," the president said.

Read more »

Barack Obama

Rahm Orders Health Care Article Be Must-Read For Staffers

Christina Bellantoni | November 24, 2009, 11:35AM

President Obama, Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, and Ron Brownstein

When President Obama likes a magazine article, White House staffers had better read it.

Obama's must-read is Ron Brownstein's Saturday blog post "A Milestone in the Health Care Journey" at the Atlantic's political Web site.

Politico noted today that Obama found the article, which lauds Max Baucus' approach to health care, a good summary of the cost controls in the health care bill.

An administration official tells TPMDC that White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel assigned the article as homework during a recent meeting.

According to the official, Emanuel told senior staffers "not to come back to the next day's meeting if they hadn't read the article."

NY-23

Report: Hoffman Won't Seek Recount In NY-23

Eric Kleefeld | November 24, 2009, 11:33AM

Conservative Party Candidate Doug Hoffman, Rep. Bill Owens (D-NY)

Doug Hoffman, the unsuccessful Conservative Party candidate in the recent NY-23 special election, will reportedly not ask for a recount in the race, says News 10 Now.

I called Hoffman spokesman Rob Ryan, asking for confirmation or other comment, and he said simply that a statement will be released later today.

The latest results, with 628 absentee ballots left to be counted, have Democrat Bill Owens beating Hoffman by 48.3%-46.0%, with a raw-vote margin of 3,397 votes.

Owens was sworn in two and a half weeks ago, after Hoffman had conceded the election. The correction of routine clerical errors, however, narrowed Owens' margin from 5,000 votes to about 3,000, leading Hoffman to take back his concession. Wednesday night, Hoffman charged that the election was stolen: "ACORN, the unions and Democratic Party were scared, and that's why they tampered with the ballots of voters in NY-23."

Alex Castellanos

In Quest To Reform Steele's Image, RNC Hires Republican Attack Dog Castellanos

Brian Beutler | November 24, 2009, 11:28AM

RNC Communications Director Alex Castellanos

Pretend for a moment that you're Michael Steele. You won the RNC chairmanship earlier this year, and have been at the helm of the GOP for months as it has waged a fierce internal battle over the future of the party. You also have a reputation for being a bit of a buffoon. So the off-year elections roll around, and things go OK. Dede gets Scozzafav'd, but for the most part the media trains its eyes on gubernatorial pick ups in New Jersey and Virginia and declares victory for the GOP.

You might think that's a pretty good outcome. But Steele apparently wanted more credit for the Christie and McDonnell wins. So what's a political chief to do?

According to Politico the answer he arrived at was 'fire my communications director and fill the void with CNN's celebrity GOP talking head Alex Castellanos."

Read more »

Russ Feingold

Poll: Feingold In Good Shape For 2010, Ahead Of Tommy Thompson

Eric Kleefeld | November 24, 2009, 11:17AM

Sen. Russell Feingold (D-WI) and Former Gov. Tommy Thompson (R-WI)

A new survey of Wisconsin by Public Policy Polling (D) finds Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold ahead of former Gov. Tommy Thompson, who has been mulling a possible challenge to the three-term incumbent.

The numbers: Feingold 50%, Thompson 41%, with a ±3.5% margin of error. Feingold is also tested against the two lesser-known Republican businessmen currently in the race, leading Dave Westlake by 47%-32% and Terrence Wall by 48%-34%.

Feingold has an approval rating of 45%, with a disapproval of 37%, and President Obama's rating is tied at 47%-47%. Thompson, despite having been elected governor four times in the 1980's and 1990's, has not fared well since he left office to become Georg eW. Bush's first Secretary of Health and Human Services, and later an unsuccessful presidential candidate -- his favorable rating is in negative territory, at 38%-45%.

"A lot of Democrats were scared yet another of their seats would go on the vulnerable list when Tommy Thompson said he was interested in running for the Senate last week," said PPP president Dean Debnam, in the pollster's analysis. "But Thompson's popularity is not what it used to be, and it looks like Russ Feingold is in a solid position."

India

Obama Says India-U.S. Relationship A 'Defining Partnership'

Christina Bellantoni | November 24, 2009, 9:44AM

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President Barack Obama

President Obama welcomed Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today at the White House, saying it was "fitting" that India was the first country to be hosted for an official state visit.

Obama said the nations can work together to curb the effects of climate change, end poverty and strive for a world without nuclear weapons. He said they each are "speaking out and standing up for the rights and dignity" that all humans deserve.

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Afghanistan

Obama 'Has Information He Needs' On Troops Decision

Christina Bellantoni | November 24, 2009, 7:25AM

President Obama holds what will likely be the final meeting of his War Council before deciding to send a surge of troops to Afghanistan.

President Obama completed his ninth and what is expected to be final meeting of the War Council last night, and all signs suggest he'll be announcing the decision in a primetime address next week.

The meeting ran just shy of two hours, with Office of Management and Budget Director Peter Orszag was present in the Situation Room for the first time.

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs released a statement:

"After completing a rigorous final meeting, President Obama has the information he wants and needs to make his decision and he will announce that decision within days."

Several reports this morning say Obama will tell the nation his decision Dec. 1. His top general and U.S. commander in the field also have been told to prepare to testify on Capitol Hill next week.

Afghanistan

Obama Meeting With Pelosi Tuesday As Troops Decision Crystalizes

Christina Bellantoni | November 23, 2009, 10:09PM

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), President Barack Obama

President Obama will sit down with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tomorrow, an afternoon meeting amid a packed White House schedule.

The White House hasn't offered up their agenda but it's safe to assume Obama, nearing a decision on Afghanistan, will discuss the expected troop buildup with Pelosi (D-CA).

Obama tonight for two hours huddled with his War Council, the ninth and mostly likely final meeting before he announces if he will send the surge of troops recommended by Gen. Stanley McChrystal.

There are several reports out tonight suggesting he's made the decision, and NPR is reporting he would announce it Dec. 1.

The White House isn't offering any guidance, and aides have said for weeks Obama wants to communicate the decision with the American people and lay out a clear exit plan and benchmarks for success.

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Health Care

Race For The Cure Founder Dismisses Socialized Medicine Scare Over New Mammogram Guidelines

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 23, 2009, 6:04PM

Nancy Brinker, founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Nancy Brinker, the founder of the world's largest breast cancer cure advocacy group, is dismissing claims that last week's battle over new proposed breast cancer screening guidelines should be a warning sign in the health care reform debate. She told nervous women not to read anything into the timing of the controversial new guidelines, which she rejects.

"People release data all the time," Brinker said at a press conference this afternoon. Brinker is the founder of the Susan G. Komen For The Cure foundation, the largest organization in the world devoted to breast cancer research. She attacked the report, but dismissed attempts to make the report a political football in the health care debate.

"I don't think so," she said, when asked if the panel was "influenced" by the debate over reform.

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GOP

Steele Responds To Losing Member Of Press Shop

Christina Bellantoni | November 23, 2009, 5:05PM

RNC chairman Michael Steele

Republican National Committee communications director Trevor Francis is leaving the party's press shop after a yearlong stint working for chairman Mike Steele.

Steele's response: "Trevor took a hiatus from a very successful private sector career to give service to the Republican Party this year. Trevor's talents will be missed at the RNC. We have accomplished a great deal in the year he was here. He worked tirelessly, as did the whole team, on the victories in Virginia and his home state of New Jersey."

The Washington Post's Chris Cillizza first reported the departure and he suggests it could mean there's some "turmoil" at the party.

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Mitt Romney

Poll: GOP Base Not Smiling Upon Romney

Eric Kleefeld | November 23, 2009, 4:20PM

Former Gov. Mitt Romney (R-MA)

Public Policy Polling (D) says that Mitt Romney could have a hard time going into the 2012 Republican primary season -- as of right now, less than half of his party base views him favorably.

Romney's favorable rating among Republicans is only 48% favorable, with 19% unfavorable and 33% undecided. Back in April, Romney had a much better of favorable rating of 60%.

Compared to other potential candidates, Mike Huckabee is at 65%, practically the same as his 67% back in April. Sarah Palin is at 75%, compared to 76% in April.

"I don't have any theories to explain Romney's popularity slide with Republican voters," writes PPP communications director Tom Jensen, "but it certainly bodes ominous for his 2012 nomination prospects if he can't get it turned around."

Health Care

GOP Meme: Senate Health Care Bill Actually Costs $2.5 Trillion

Brian Beutler | November 23, 2009, 3:50PM

Sen. John Ensign (R-NV)

Whenever a Democratic agenda item spends some time in the spotlight--be it health care or energy--Republicans do a little hocus pocus and claim that, whatever the CBO might believe, the true costs of reform are sky high. So it's no surprise that the new GOP line regarding the Senate health care bill is that it's actually three times more expensive over a 10 year window than the CBO says it will be.

Where does this number--$2.5 trillion--come from? In this USA Today counterpoint, Sen. John Ensign (R-NV), cites this article in The Hill. But the article in question simply quotes Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) who seems to pull the number out of thin air. "When fully implemented, it will cost $2.5 trillion," McConnell said.

And where did McConnell get this idea?

Read more »

Chuck Grassley

Bob Dole Goes After Czars, ACORN In Letter For Grassley

Christina Bellantoni | November 23, 2009, 3:43PM

Former Sen. Bob Dole (R-KS) Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA)

Bob Dole may like the health care bill, but Bob Dole has plenty to criticize in the Obama administration.

Dole has signed on to be Sen. Chuck Grassley's national finance chairman for his reelection campaign. In a letter to Grassley supporters, Dole blasted Obama has hiring "30 of his cronies as 'czars' over massive new bureaucracies with billions of dollars in budgets and thousands of employees."

Dole also said MoveOn and ACORN are trying to unseat Grassley (R-IA), who he believes has been instrumental in standing up to Obama. Grassley, Dole argued, is "good for America."

Grassley has been one of Obama's loudest detractors, and especially opposes the health care plan. Dole has argued for the plan's passage, though last month sparred with Democrats over use of his support in a political ad.

Dole takes aim at health care in this letter, saying Grassley is trying to block "an attempt to allow government to take over health care and for Washington bureaucrats to decide which patients sees which doctor and what limits and access there will be on their treatments, drugs and therapies."

That's a far cry from Dole's statement last month:

The American people have waited decades and if this moment passes us by, it may be decades more before there is another opportunity. The current approaches suggested by the Congress are far from perfect, but they do provide some basis on which Congress can move forward and we urge the joint leadership to get together for America's sake.

Oh yeah, and Dole says liberals are trying to please Castro and Chavez.

Read Dole's full letter to Grassley fans after the jump.

Read more »

Sarah Palin

Poll: Palin Popular Among Iowa Republicans -- But Unpopular With The State As A Whole

Eric Kleefeld | November 23, 2009, 3:10PM

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin

A new Des Moines Register poll finds that Sarah Palin is an unpopular figure in Iowa -- but she's popular where it counts for the 2012 primary season, with the state's Republican voters.

Among Iowans overall, only 37% have a favorable view of Palin, and she has an unfavorable rating of 55%. Among Republicans only, however, she's in very good territory at 68%-24%. In a way, this is a microcosm of where she is nationally -- loved by the Republican base, disliked by the overall population.

"With those kind of numbers, if she were to become a candidate, while it's not a sure thing, she would be starting out in a very good position," said Iowa Republican strategist David Roederer, who ran John McCain's 2008 campaign in the state.

Barack Obama carried Iowa by 54%-45%, a swing away from a 50%-49% George W. Bush win in 2004. Palin seems to have a decent foundation for the Republican caucus, but might have trouble in the general election.

Charlie Crist

Crist: 'It's Hard To Be More Conservative Than I Am'

Evan McMorris-Santoro | November 23, 2009, 3:03PM

Florida Governor Charlie Crist (R)

Gov. Charlie Crist is attacking Marco Rubio's supporters as too extreme to win the Florida Senate race, pointing to their support of the birther movement as evidence that Rubio isn't a real Florida Republican.

Crist sat down with the St. Petersburg Times for what the paper calls a "wide-ranging interview" today on the heated primary fight. Crist, on the difference between his base and Rubio's:

"There are a lot of Republicans that don't have the inclination to go to executive committee meetings,'' he said. "There is wide swath of republican voters out there that don't necessarily listen to cable tv all the time."

Read more »

RNC

A Purity Test For The GOP?

Eric Kleefeld | November 23, 2009, 2:50PM

RNC chairman Michael Steele

The Republican National Committee could be on the verge of imposing a strict purity test on GOP candidates and officeholders, if a proposed resolution passes at their upcoming meeting in January: If you disagree with the party line on three or more out of a list of ten key issues, no money or official party support for you.

The resolution, officially called "Proposed RNC Resolution on Reagan's Unity Principle for Support of Candidates" draws its standard through a literal interpretation of an old saying of the Gipper's -- that someone who agreed with him 80% of the time is his friend, not his 20% enemy. Thus, this resolution sets 80% as a floor for support of GOP issues.

The resolution could set up a new problem for chairman Michael Steele. Earlier this year, he successfully turned back a symbolic measure that called upon the Democratic Party to rename itself the "Democrat Socialist Party." This latest resolution -- coming after the NY-23 special election, in which moderate GOP nominee Dede Scozzafava was forced out in favor of a third-party Conservative, who then lost to the Democrat -- could have real material impacts.

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Climate Change

WH Officials Say Decision On Copenhagen Attendance Coming Soon

Christina Bellantoni | November 23, 2009, 2:13PM

Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), the planet Earth, and President Barack Obama

The White House will announce soon whether President Obama will attend the climate change meetings in Copenhagen, a long anticipated decision that will signal how much effort and political capital the United States wants to spend on promising to curb carbon emissions.

As world leaders and climate experts have criticized a lack of action in Washington in the leadup to the talks, the White House is trumpeting more action in the 10 months since Obama took office than the world saw under President George W. Bush.

When questioned about the delay, White House officials pushed back.

"We go into Copenhagen with a very, very strong hand - if we have an outline that's helpful, but we go in with 10 months of unprecedented leadership on these issues," a senior administration official told reporters in a briefing today.

Read more »

AZ-GOV

Poll: Sheriff Joe Arpaio Is Strongest GOPer For Arizona Governor

Eric Kleefeld | November 23, 2009, 1:21PM

Sheriff Joe Arpaio

A new Rasmussen poll of Arizona finds that Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who is known nationally for his hard-line stance against illegal immigration, would be the strongest possible Republican candidate for governor in next year's election.

Democratic state Attorney General Terry Goddard, the likely Dem nominee for governor, was tested against three Republicans. Goddard leads incumbent Republican Gov. Jan Brewer, who succeeded to the office after Dem Gov. Janet Napolitano was appointed Secretary of Homeland Security, by 44%-35%. Goddard edges state Treasurer Dean Martin by 40%-38%, within the ±3% margin of error.

Arpaio, however, leads Goddard by a convincing margin of 51%-39%. He is not currently a candidate, but that could change with numbers like these.

Late Update: The new Rasmussen primary poll has Arpaio as the heavy favorite for to the Republican nomination: Arpaio 47%, Martin 22%, Brewer 10%, and others in the single digits.

Health Care

Sebelius Unveils State By State Analysis Of Impact Of Health Care Reform

Brian Beutler | November 23, 2009, 12:55PM

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today unveiled state-by-state analyses of the beneficial impacts of health care reform. Using the Senate bill, the report underlines, among other things, the number of working and middle class people who would receive federal assistance, and the extent to which the legislation would reduce the number of uninsured in that state.

So, to pick three states totally at random, if you wanted to know what the goodies for Nebraska, Arkansas, and Louisiana, would be, you can just click.

And, in case you're wondering, the reports do not address the state-by-state impact of the public option.

Health Care

Poll: Health Care Bill Could Hurt Dems -- And Not Passing It Would Be Worse

Eric Kleefeld | November 23, 2009, 12:26PM

United States Capitol

A new national survey from Public Policy Polling (D) finds that health care has put the Democrats in a tricky situation -- passing a bill with a public option doesn't offer a clear political benefit, but not passing anything would cause an even greater problem.

The Democrats lead on an initial generic Congressional ballot by 46%-38%. If they pass a health care with a public option, the gap becomes 46%-41%. If they don't pass a health care bill at all, though, it becomes a 40%-40% tie -- reminiscent of the loss in Democratic support in 1994, after they failed to pass a health care bill.

"Clearly Democrats need to pass a health care bill if they want to do well at the polls next year," said PPP president Dean Debnam, in the polling memo. "But they don't need to take an all or nothing approach. Allowing the status quo to remain rather than accepting a bill without a public option would be a poor decision politically."

The poll was conducted from November 13th to November 15th, before this past weekend's vote in the Senate to proceed with debate on the health care bill. The margin of error is ±3%.

Harry Reid

What Did We Learn From Saturday's Health Care Vote

Brian Beutler | November 23, 2009, 11:50AM

Senators Nelson (D-NE) and Lieberman (I-CT)

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid got his 60 on Saturday, and when the Senate returns from Thanksgiving recess next week, they'll be debating and amending a major piece of health care legislation. However, the vote, and its aftermath exposed or clarified the cleavages within the Democratic party that will have to be bridged if Reid hopes to keep his caucus in line on the next cloture motion--to end a Republican filibuster and hold a simple majority vote on reform.

If you thought the opt-out compromise was a silver bullet for the public option, you may have gotten a bit ahead of yourself. It held up for a while, and could still survive, but that's going to require some interesting gymnastics from Democratic leaders. Leading up to Saturday's vote, and in its immediate aftermath, conservative Democrats entrenched their opposition to the public option in the Senate bill. Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) repeated his threat to support a health care filibuster if it includes a public option of any kind, and, despite her earlier support for the provision, Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) took to the Senate floor Saturday and announced, "I'm promising my colleagues that I'm prepared to vote against moving to the next stage of consideration as long as a government-run public option is included." That gives her a bit more wiggle room than Lieberman's left himself, and Sens. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and Ben Nelson (D-NE) have a bit more still, but that makes 60 for the opt out a tough climb. On the other side of the caucus, though, Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Roland Burris (D-IL) have inched closer to threatening to block a health care bill from the left if the public option is weakened further. If reform is to pass, one side of the caucus will have to hold its collective nose and vote for something they don't like.

Read more »

IL-SEN

Conservative Insurgent Candidate In Illinois Could Get Support From DeMint Group

Eric Kleefeld | November 23, 2009, 11:30AM

Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL) and IL-SEN Republican candidate Patrick Hughes

Could Sen. Jim DeMint's (R-SC) leadership PAC, the Senate Conservatives Fund, be on the verge of getting involved in the Illinois Senate race, and opposing establishment favorite Rep. Mark Kirk?

DeMint's group held an online poll this past week, asking supporters to choose between Kirk, attorney and conservative activist Patrick Hughes, and "Other." As it turns out, Kirk came in third, even trailing "Other": Hughes 644 votes (73.9%), "Other" 132 votes (15.1%), Kirk 71 votes (8.1%), with "Undecided" and "No Response" totaling 24 votes (2.7%).

Hughes has met with DeMint twice, and is working to mobilize conservatives against the frontrunner. DeMint has taken the sides of more conservative candidates over the establishment in recent months, including Doug Hoffman in the NY-23 special election, Marco Rubio in the Florida Senate race, and Chuck DeVore in the California Senate race.

Kirk has worked hard to move to the right -- such as when he changed his position on the climate change bill, right in the middle of a speech to a local Republican crowd.

Gavin Newsom

Gavin Newsom Throws Tantrum In First Interview Since Dropping Gov. Bid

Christina Bellantoni | November 23, 2009, 11:23AM

San Fransisco Mayor Gavin Newsom (D)

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom was irritable during a recent interview about the city's budget deficit, telling a reporter he was "disappointed" in the line of questioning.

It was his first sit-down with the press since he last month abruptly and without explanation dropped out of the race to be California's next governor.

In the Thursday interview, Newsom criticized CBS 5 political reporter Hank Plante, who asked about the mayor's recent travel schedule and unusual behavior since ending his political bid.

Newsom wanted to talk about San Francisco's $522 million budget deficit but ended up playing defense against Plante's questions. As he left the interview while the cameras were still rolling, he told Plante "off the record," he was disappointed.

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Carly Fiorina

Fiorina: I Would Have Voted To Confirm Sonia Sotomayor To The Supreme Court

Eric Kleefeld | November 23, 2009, 10:52AM

Former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina (R-CA)

Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, a candidate for the Republican nomination to run against Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), may have just gotten herself in trouble with the right -- saying that she probably would have voted to confirm Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court.

Dave Weigel reports:

At a breakfast with reporters this morning, California Senate candidate Carly Fiorina responded to a question about whether she would filibuster Obama nominees by saying that "elections have consequences," but that she'd look at the nominees' qualifications.

"I did not closely follow the Sonia Sotomayor nomination," said Fiorina. "I was battling breast cancer. But I probably would have voted for Sotomayor. She seemed qualified."

Look for state Rep. Chuck DeVore, Fiorina's opponent in the Republican primary, to use this against her in his efforts to be the hard-line conservative option.

Michele Bachmann

Bachmann: 'I Don't Understand Why The Democratic Party Would Be Opposed To Me'

Eric Kleefeld | November 23, 2009, 10:39AM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), a champion of the right wing and a key organizer of the recent Capitol Tea Party, wonders why Democrats attack her so much -- after all, decades ago she was a Democrat herself!

Bachmann told the St. Cloud Times:

In being forceful and fighting for the positions that I'm standing for, I obviously must pose a threat for liberals advancing their agenda. I say that because I grew up a Democrat in a Democrat family. My husband and I both worked on Jimmy Carter's presidential campaign. The first time I ever came to Washington was to dance at Walter Mondale's inaugural ball. It was a thrill for my husband and me, and we were both happy to work on behalf of Walter Mondale and Jimmy Carter. We really believed in them when we were in college. So in some ways I don't understand why the Democratic Party would be opposed to me, because I stand for the same values that my parents stood for when we were Democrats.

Dennis Moore

Report: Blue Dog Dennis Moore Won't Seek Re-Election

Eric Kleefeld | November 23, 2009, 9:22AM

Rep. Dennis Moore (D-KS)

Rep. Dennis Moore (D-KS), a Blue Dog Democrat from a key swing seat, will not be running for re-election in 2010, the Kansas City Star reports.

Moore was first elected in 1998, and faced close re-elections in 2000 and 2002, before getting more and more comfortable margins in the last three elections. The district voted twice for George W. Bush by strong margins -- 53%-42% in 2000, and 55%-44% in 2004 -- but it swung to Barack Obama by 51%-48% in 2008.

A Republican source tells us that the seat could be a strong pickup opportunity for them. One potential GOP candidate would be former state Sen. Nick Jordan, the 2008 nominee, who lost that year by a 56%-40% margin. Jordan is conservative, but is reputed to be in touch with the state party's moderate wing and could provide a unifying force in an open-seat race.

A Democratic source was more optimistic, citing the district's base in the Kansas City suburbs and parts of the liberal college town of Lawrence. "We think this is a strong seat for us," the source said. "Dennis Moore's going to be a hard act to follow for any candidate, but we know what it takes to win in this seat, and demographics are certainly in our favor."