TPMDC Morning Roundup

RNC Ends Coverage Of Abortion In Its Employee Health Plans
The Republican National Committee has told its insurance company to remove coverage of abortion from the RNC's standard health insurance policy for its employees, following a Politico story revealing the policy that has existed since 1991. "Money from our loyal donors should not be used for this purpose," RNC Chairman Michael Steele said in a statement. "I don't know why this policy existed in the past, but it will not exist under my administration. Consider this issue settled."

Obama's Day In Japan
President Obama arrived in Tokyo, Japan, at 4:15 p.m. ET local time (2:15 a.m. ET). He held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Hatoyama at 6:50 p.m. local time, an expanded meeting at 7:10 p.m. They held a joint press conference at 8:20 p.m., and dinner at 8:45 p.m.

Biden's Day Ahead
Vice President Biden is in Washington. He will spend the day in meetings with senior staff at the White House.

Going Rogue Intensifies Fight Between Palin, McCain Aides
Early leaks from Sarah Palin's upcoming book, Going Rogue, is already exacerbating the split between her and former McCain campaign aides, the Washington Post reports -- especially her allegation that she was sent a $50,000 bill for the cost of her vetting: "Regarding the $50,000, several high-ranking McCain aides said Palin was most likely conflating the cost of her vetting, which the McCain aides counter was actually minimal, with the fees she spent to defend herself from various accusations of ethical wrongdoing in her home state."

WaPo: White House Dissatisfied With Craig
The Washington Post reports that Gregory Craig's resignation as White House Counsel was caused by disappointment over the process of closing the Guantanamo Bay prison camp: "The departure comes after months of dissatisfaction over Craig's management of Guantanamo policy and other matters and less than a month after officials said Craig was no longer guiding the effort to close the prison. His departure represents the highest-level White House shake-up to date."

Hillary Clinton: Copenhagen Unlikely To Result In Legally Binding Agreement
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that next month's climate change summit in Copenhagen is unlikely to produce a legally binding treaty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. "We are going to go to Copenhagen 100-percent committed to creating a framework agreement," Clinton told a town hall meeting of college students in the Philippines. "We doubt that we can get to the legally binding agreement that everyone wants because too many countries have too many questions."

Van Hollen: GOPers Predicting 1994 Redux 'Totally Misreading The Current Situation'
DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen dismissed the idea that Republicans could win the House in 2010. "People who think this is a redux of 1994 are totally misreading the current situation," said Van Hollen. He also said, though, Democrats would be damaged if they failed to pass a health care bill: "The political fortunes of the entire Caucus are tied together in getting this passed."

Pawlenty In Florida Today
Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN), a potential presidential candidate, will be speaking today to Republicans in Naples, Florida. Next week he will head to Austin, Texas, for the Republican Governors Association annual meeting.