Terrorism

Obama Briefed In Hawaii On Northwest Flight

Christina Bellantoni | December 26, 2009, 1:59PM

President Barack Obama

White House Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton issued this statement about President Obama being briefed on the latest regarding the attempted Christmas Day terrorist attack:

"The President convened a secure call this morning at 6:20 a.m. Hawaiian time with John Brennan, his Homeland Security and Counter-terrorism Adviser, and Denis McDonough, National Security Staff Chief of Staff, where he received an update on the heightened air travel safety measures being taken to keep the American people safe and on the investigation. The President will continue to actively monitor the situation."

Barack Obama

Weekly Addresses: Obama, GOP Wish Troops A Happy Holidays (VIDEO)

Evan McMorris-Santoro | December 24, 2009, 6:00PM

President Barack Obama

In the first weekly YouTube address since the passage of health care reform in the Senate President Obama didn't address the issue, taking time instead to offer season's greetings to U.S. troops stationed overseas.

First Lady Michelle Obama joined him in the video for the first time and they talked about ways Americans can give back through national service.

"To all our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen--I have no greater honor than serving as your Commander in Chief," Obama said.

The White House also announced that Obama phoned 10 service members in Iraq and Afghanistan - two from each of the five military branches.

Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) took the same tack in the GOP's weekly address, but he found some time for partisanship along with the good wishes for America's fighting men and women.

"[L]et's resolve in the new year to end misguided efforts to create new laws that will cost even more jobs, whether it's the "cap and trade" national energy tax, the government takeover of health care, "card check," or even more tax increases," Hunter said after expressing his "hope we all take time to offer thanks and prayers to the men and women of our Armed Forces."

Watch both addresses after the jump.

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Christmas

A Very Political Holiday

Christina Bellantoni | December 24, 2009, 4:45PM

Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) offers family photos for Christmas.

Who wouldn't want Franni Franken's recipe for butternut squash?

Politicians have long sent out holiday cards fraught with meaning or smacking of reelection desires.

But with technology getting better every year, the offerings have improved to be a bit zanier, and a lot more personal.

From the Franken family's list of Thanksgiving favorites to posed photos, TPMDC collected a random sample of the funniest, wackiest and sweetest political holiday greetings we've seen so far and we're sharing them with you below.

If you've seen some we've missed, let us know and we'll post them this week.

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Parker Griffith

Alabama Republican Pol Slams Parker Griffith's Switch From Dems To GOP

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

Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL)

Rep. Parker Griffith, the Alabama Congressman who switched from the Democrats to the Republicans this week, is now being denounced by none other than a statewide Republican elected official in his home state.

The Huntsville Times reports that State Treasurer Kay Ivey, who is also a candidate for governor, is openly doubting Griffith's sincerity: "Political self-preservation isn't a virtue. In fact, political expediency is an insult to every grassroots activist who commits untold hours in devotion to getting candidates elected."

Griffith is already facing challengers in the Republican primary,
and some big-name conservative activists are calling for his defeat. In previous years of his political career, Griffith had declared that he was for "health care for all of the citizens," and he'd also donated to Howard Dean and Harry Reid. So some people aren't taking seriously his protest that the "far-left" Democratic Party wasn't welcoming him.

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2010 elections

Dem 2010 Campaign Line Emerges: GOP Will 'Repeal' Health Care

Christina Bellantoni | December 24, 2009, 1:34PM

Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ)

With Democratic senators united on the health care bill today, their campaign arm has settled on an attack plan for 2010: Republicans would "repeal" it if they win control.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, aggressively challenging incumbent GOP senators and vying for open seats, will paint the Republicans as only interested in obstructing.

The DSCC blasted releases to local press out saying Republican Senators are standing "in the way" of giving health care to their constituents. Each one is customized, so for example, they say Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) "Stands In The Way Of Providing Health Care To 1.7 Million North Carolinians."

"Once this bill is signed into law, will Burr pledge to rollback this landmark health care reform which will have afforded coverage to 1.7 million North Carolinians, brought down costs for families and small businesses, ended appalling insurance practices, and lowered the deficit? That is a precarious political position to be in," the DSCC charges.

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Health Care

White House Strategy: Rest, Refresh, Repeat

Christina Bellantoni | December 24, 2009, 12:54PM

President Obama reacts to the Senate health care vote, 12/24/09.

By the time President Obama was wheels up on Air Force One and headed for Hawaii, most West Wing staffers were kicking back with the families and recharging after a long slog to get health care reform passed in the Senate.

But it's going to pick up again right quick.

Sources tell TPMDC the No. 1 goal is to get the victory to hold come 2010 when the House and Senate begin negotiations on the final measure. It was a fragile Senate coalition to get to 60, and they are going to have to do it all over again before agreement is reached on a final measure.

Aides say the health care team is taking a breather for a few days but will get right back to work as soon as possible.

Formal conferees to merge the House and Senate bills won't be named for awhile by Congressional leadership, but the informal negotiations are already under way. Leadership and administration aides have already identified the sticking points and they are treading carefully.

A source suggested the administration's health care team will have talks via phone with leadership as early as next week, though no formal channel is likely to be established before New Year's.

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Jim Cooper

NRCC Robocall Targets Dem Congressman From Tennessee Blue District

Eric Kleefeld | December 24, 2009, 11:51AM

Rep. Jim Cooper (D-TN)

The NRCC is now expanding their 2010 playing field, with a new robocall targeting Rep. Jim Cooper (D-TN) and calling him an out-of-touch liberal -- which may seem odd, considering he's from a blue district.

"Jim Cooper has been in Congress for over seven years, and has lost touch with what Tennessee workers are going through," a woman says in the robocall, provided to us by a reader. "Unemployment in Tennessee is 10.3%, but Jim Cooper spent 2009 helping liberal Speaker Nancy Pelosi pass a massive government takeover of health care that will increase costs and could lower choices."

Tennessee a red state that offers the GOP some solid pick-up opportunities in 2010, such as the retirements of Democratic Reps. John Tanner and Bart Gordon, in districts that were carried by John McCain. However, Cooper's district is one of two solidly Democratic districts in the state. It voted for Barack Obama by 56%-43%, and for John Kerry by 52%-47% before that.

The Republicans are making a big push to pick up Democratic seats in the South in 2010. But could even this one be a good target?

Click To Play

Tea Party

Tea Partiers' Next Target: American Business?

Evan McMorris-Santoro | December 24, 2009, 11:32AM

The end-all-regulation, my-health-insurance-company-is-just-fine-thanks crowd in the Tea Party movement have found an unlikely target for their next national effort: Corporate America.

The Tea Party Patriots group is planning a "National Day of Strike" for Jan. 20, one year to the day after President Obama's inauguration. The goal of the strike, according to the website where it's being planned, is to "financially cripple" the companies across America the group says are "backing the leftist agenda" and "funding socialism."

How can you tell which companies are funding socialism? The answer, according to organizers: they advertise on CNN and/or MSNBC, and they donate money to Democratic candidates.

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Health Care

Health Care By The (OFA) Numbers

Christina Bellantoni | December 24, 2009, 10:48AM

President Barack Obama

The Democratic National Committee's Organizing for America spinoff of the Obama campaign has been bragging about their calling efforts for health care reform for months.

Today, the tally is in.

Per the DNC:

OFA has dropped more than 1 million calls on Congress on health care reform and held nearly 25,000 events on the ground in Congressional districts.

Keeping a close watch on the Senate floor debate, the DNC also "dropped 181 fact checks on Republicans," they tell TPMDC.

Jim Inhofe

Did Jim Inhofe Manipulate Poll Data On Climate Change Policy?

Eric Kleefeld | December 24, 2009, 10:28AM

Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK)

Did Sen Jim Inhofe (R-OK) -- the leading global-warming skeptic in Congress, who has repeatedly called man-made global warming or even global warming itself a hoax, and accused scientists of manipulating data -- himself falsely represented poll data on American public opinion?

Earlier this week, Inhofe published an op-ed piece in USA Today, reviewing his visit to the Copenhagen conference. "The bottom line is this: The American people have caught on to the significant flaws of cap-and-trade policy," Inhofe writes. "The Washington Post released a poll on Friday showing 'growing negativity toward the president's handling of the broader global warming issue.' Approval has plummeted from 61% last spring to 45% last week. Given the state of the American economy, it is hardly surprising that the American public is growing restless with policies that would put more Americans out of jobs and raise the cost of energy."

The problem is this: The poll doesn't say that people are against policies that would raise the cost of energy -- in fact, it says quite the opposite. Even odder, there were other numbers in the poll that Inhofe could have picked out, but didn't, if he'd wanted to undermine the political credibility of climate science. And yet he didn't even mention those.

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Barack Obama

Obama Phones Ted Kennedy's Widow And Others After Senate Health Care Passage

Christina Bellantoni | December 24, 2009, 10:14AM

President Barack Obama

President Obama called several members of Congress and symbolic figureheads of the health care debate after the Senate passed health care this morning.

The White House said Obama called Vicki Reggie Kennedy, Ted Kennedy's widow, and David Turner of Little Rock, Arkansas. Turner's health insurance was rescinded in January of last year, after his insurance company went back into his record and alleged that he failed to disclose his full medical record at the time he applied for coverage, the White House said.

"Mr. Turner was the First Lady's guest at the President's address to the joint session of Congress in September of 2009," the White House said. "The President told Mr. Turner that stories like his motivate him every day to keep working on health insurance reform, and he assured Mr. Turner that he will continue to work to pass health legislation to ban rescission and other abusive practices."

Obama also phoned: Sen. Harry Reid, Sen. Chris Dodd, Sen. Dick Durbin, Sen. Jay Rockefeller, Sen. Max Baucus, Sen. Robert Byrd, Sen. Sherrod Brown, Sen. Charles Schumer, Sen. Tom Harkin, Sen. Debbie Stabenow, Sen. Patty Murray, Sen. Roland Burris.

Health Care

They're Done! (Almost)--What Happens Now That The Senate Has Passed Health Care Reform

Brian Beutler | December 24, 2009, 8:45AM

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV)

The hard part is over. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid kept his caucus aligned all the way to the final vote. He could have afforded to lose several liberal or conservative members, upset about the concessions they've had to make over the last several weeks, but none of them defected.

Now he'll need them to stay united for several more weeks.

According to Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT), Senate health care principals (including himself) and their counterparts in the House will begin working with Democratic leaders and White House officials next week to marry the two chambers' bills. During that process, they'll have to be mindful of just how fragile the coalition in the Senate is, and will likely make no dramatic changes to the legislation that passed this morning.

That means the House will face a vote on a final bill that's likely to be less progressive in a number of ways than the package they passed in November. Speaker Nancy Pelosi is already fielding defection threats from a number of high-profile progressives in her caucus. And given that the first bill passed by an extremely slim margin, for almost every "yes" in her caucus who becomes a "no," she'll have to find a "no" vote, and turn it into a "yes."

That's a precarious balance, and we'll be tracking the Democrats as they try to strike it.

Health Care

Exhausted Senators Pass Health Care Reform

Brian Beutler | December 24, 2009, 8:26AM

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid

Senators couldn't wait to skip town after the long-delayed passage of health care reform legislation this morning, and high on their vacation agendas--up there with celebrating the holidays, and visiting with families--will no doubt be sleep.

A tired Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) set the tone for the event, which vacillated between solemn and lighthearted. When the clerk called out his name, Byrd broke with protocol. Instead of calling out his vote, Byrd shouted "Mr. President, this is for my friend, Ted Kennedy. Aye."

In one of two moments of levity during this morning's vote, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid accidentally voted against his own legislation. Once the laughter died, he changed his inadvertent "no" to a "yes." After the vote, Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) joked "The leader has succumbed to fatigue."

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Health Care

AHIP Statement On Passage: Bill Increases Costs

Christina Bellantoni | December 24, 2009, 7:18AM

AHIP President and CEO Karen Ignagni

America's Health Insurance Plans said health care costs will rise in a statement reacting to the health care bill's passage in the Senate this morning.

AHIP, which commissioned a study that showed premiums would rise but leaving out other key elements, takes a more positive tone in this statement:

From President Karen Ignagni:

"Providing all Americans with health care coverage is crucial for the country. Health plans support legislative changes that would provide guaranteed access to all Americans, with no pre-existing condition limitations and no health-status-based premiums. These reforms are essential to giving all Americans greater peace of mind and health security.

"At the same time, specific provisions in this legislation will increase, rather than decrease, health care costs; reduce coverage options; and disrupt existing coverage for families, seniors and small businesses - particularly between now and when the legislation is fully implemented in 2014.

"These issues can and should be addressed if health care reform is going to fulfill the promise of providing all Americans with guaranteed access to affordable, portable health care coverage."

Health Care

Senate Passes Landmark Health Care Bill

Brian Beutler | December 24, 2009, 7:16AM

Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL)

This morning, after a year-long fight with Republicans, and a weeks-long debate, which ultimately pitted Democrat against Democrat, and liberal against liberal, the Senate passed a historic bill calling for major reforms of the U.S. health care system by a vote of 60-39.

Presiding over the Senate, in a rare appearance, was Vice President Joe Biden. As Senate chair, the Vice President can serve as the tie-breaking vote in the event of a 50-50 deadlock. But tonight's victory for Democrats was never in doubt.

Over the course of this week, Democrats have passed several test votes--set at a 60-member, supermajority threshold. The only question this morning was, would they keep all of their members united for the final vote.

In the end they did.

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Parker Griffith

Buh-Bye! Democrats Take Away Parker Griffith's Cmte Assignments (VIDEO)

Evan McMorris-Santoro | December 23, 2009, 6:38PM

Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL)

To a nearly empty House of Representatives this afternoon, a House staffer slowly and methodically stripped Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL) of his committee assignments. Griffith's switch from the Democratic party to the GOP yesterday meant he lost his Democratically-assigned seats on the Science and Technology, Small Business and Transportation and Infrastructure. Now it's up to to his new party to assign him new committee seats.

After the jump, the video of the committee stripping from C-SPAN today.

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Barack Obama

Is Obama Growing Weary Of The GOP's 'Filibuster Everything' MO?

Brian Beutler | December 23, 2009, 6:31PM

President Barack Obama

There's growing sentiment on the left--most recently evinced by SEIU President Andy Stern and New York Times columnist Paul Krugman--that the Senate's quiet acceptance of the filibuster--and therefore a 60 vote threshold for most legislation--is dangerous to the country's ability to govern itself, no matter who's in power. Well, they may have a powerful new ally.

"[A]s somebody who served in the Senate, who values the traditions of the Senate, who thinks that institution has been the world's greatest deliberative body, to see the filibuster rule, which imposes a 60-vote supermajority on legislation - to see that invoked on every single piece of legislation, during the course of this year, is unheard of," says President Obama in a yet-to-air interview with PBS.

I mean, if you look historically back in the '50s, the '60s, the '70s, the '80s - even when there was sharp political disagreements, when the Democrats were in control for example and Ronald Reagan was president - you didn't see even routine items subject to the 60-vote rule.

So I think that if this pattern continues, you're going to see an inability on the part of America to deal with big problems in a very competitive world, and other countries are going to start running circles around us. We're going to have to return to some sense that governance is more important than politics inside the Senate. We're not there right now.

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Health Care

Fragile Health Care Agreement Fraying? Whispers, But Not Yet

Christina Bellantoni | December 23, 2009, 6:28PM

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)

Some Democrats are popping champagne and already writing campaign talking points for how to champion a health care bill they believe President Obama will sign early next year, but today several progressives pulled on the fragile agreement's thread.

Obama is suggesting they can get right to work and said his White House will remain involved after the final passage of the Senate bill tomorrow, and leaders were hoping for a speedy agreement.

There's no hard evidence they'll be denied that victory and TPMDC sources have been saying all week they are tired of Democrats litigating the merits of health care in the press.

House leadership is confident their liberal members may complain loudly but will back the final compromise even if it doesn't change from the more conservative Senate version.

Some of the rumblings from progressives about holding out on the bill are both predictable and toothless, but today House Rules Chairman Louise Slaughter (D-NY) wrote in a CNN op-ed that she thinks the process should begin anew.

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Health Care

Top Health Economists Endorse New Changes To Harry Reid's Health Care Bill

Brian Beutler | December 23, 2009, 6:12PM

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV)

In a gesture that's likely to bring a smile to Harry Reid's face, many of the country's leading health care economists have signed a letter applauding the Majority Leader, and noting that his manager's amendment to the Senate health care bill, adopted this week, makes the legislation more fiscally sustainable.

And, as an added bonus, it comes just as Republicans are ramping up their critique of the reform package on fiscal responsibility grounds.

You can read the entire letter here.

Health Care

Obama: I'll Start Working On Health Care During Christmas Recess

Rachel Slajda | December 23, 2009, 6:04PM

President Barack Obama

In an interview today with PBS, President Obama said he plans to begin working on merging the Senate and House health care bills before Congress returns from Christmas recess.

"We hope to have a whole bunch of folks over here in the West Wing, and I'll be rolling up my sleeves and spending some time before the full Congress even gets into session," Obama said, "because the American people need it now."

Obama is expected to work with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to merge the bills.

"I intend to work as hard as I have to work, especially after coming this far over the course of the year, to make sure that we finally close the deal," Obama said.

The House returns Jan. 12, and the Senate returns Jan. 18.

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Polls

Poll: Public Still Prefers Dems' Policies Over GOP's

Eric Kleefeld | December 23, 2009, 6:03PM

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH)

Despite all the talk about the GOP being on the rise -- and their activist base certainly does seems to be more fired up and ready to go, at this juncture -- a new CNN poll suggests that a key fundamental measurement is still on the Democrats' side: The public at large thinks their policies are good, and also thinks the GOP's policies are bad.

The survey of American adults asked: "Do you think the policies being proposed by the Democratic leaders in the U.S. House and Senate would move the country in the right direction or the wrong direction?" The answer is 51% right direction, 46% wrong direction, with a ±3% margin of error.

The same question asked about the policies being proposed by Republican leaders in the House and Senate: Right direction 42%, wrong direction 53%.

A key internal number is that majorities of independents view both parties' policies as leading in the wrong direction -- 57% for the Dems, 52% for the Republicans.

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Health Care

Mixed Messages: Dems Differ On Timing Of Final Health Care Vote

Brian Beutler | December 23, 2009, 5:42PM

Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT), Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT)

As soon as the Senate passes its health care bill tomorrow, members will race to get out of town, and begin a long overdue recess. At some point after they return, though, they'll have to hold...yet more health care votes!

The House and Senate bills will be merged in a negotiating process that will begin shortly after tomorrow's passage, so that each chamber can vote on an identical piece of legislation. Originally, party leaders wanted to wrap things up before President Obama's State of the Union address at the end of January. But right now, some Democrats, including Democrats within the White House, differ on when that final vote will take place.

On the Hill, it's no different.

"We're going to get this done," said Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), who will partake in neogtiations, "and I predict we'll get it done before the end of January."

"Now a lot of work is going to be done between now and then," Harkin went on.

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Chris Carney

GOP Looking For More Party Switchers, Uses McCain To Target Chris Carney

Eric Kleefeld | December 23, 2009, 5:41PM

Rep. Chris Carney (D-PA)

Republicans are going fishing for more party-switching House Democrats, the Politico reports -- with the latest target being second-term Pennsylvania Rep. Chris Carney, who received a phone call from Sen. John McCain himself.

Senate Republicans are also reportedly receiving a list of party-switching targets in the House.

"I just said, 'Whatever you do, I know that you'll make right decision for the country,'" said McCain. Carney is also being courted to switch by Pennsylvania GOP Rep. Bill Shuster. Carney was elected in 2006 by a 53%-47%, defeating a scandal-plagued Republican incumbent. He was re-elected by 56%-44% in 2008, at the same time as McCain carried his district by 54%-45%.

If someone were sitting down and making a list of obvious targets in the Democratic caucus that Republicans could court, Carney wouldn't be at the top of it. He voted for the House health care bill this past November, which surely wouldn't endear him to the conservative GOP activist base. However, a House Republican told the site that they'd gotten "a nibble" from Carney, whatever that means. Politico also reports: "A source familiar with the call [with McCain] said that Republicans thought Carney may be susceptible to McCain's entreaty because, like the senator, the 50-year old House member served in the Navy."

A Navy background makes for a Democrat becoming a Republican? How about they try Admiral Joe Sestak next?

Health Care

Republicans Force Christmas Eve Vote Despite Foregone Conclusion (VIDEO)

Christina Bellantoni | December 23, 2009, 5:36PM

Bah humbug?

Everyone knows the health care bill will pass with 60 votes. Weary senators who have worked weekends and late nights for weeks have locked in their support and are ready to say yay or nay.

The official schedule has the Senate bill slated for a final vote at 7 a.m., the first Christmas Eve vote since 1895.

But several senators have said they'd prefer to have it earlier so they could travel to their home states for the holiday.

Today in an example of the arcane Senate procedure, Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) attempted to move the vote earlier and Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) objected.

"There's really no reason to hold over the vote," Harkin said.

Vitter disagreed.

Watch:

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Ben Nelson

Nelson: Earlier Benefits May Complicate Health Care Negotiations

Brian Beutler | December 23, 2009, 3:43PM

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE).

As I noted yesterday, Democrats are starting to talk up the idea that moving the implementation of key benefits forward might be one way to ease a final health care bill through the House of Representatives. The caveat, of course, is that the earlier the benefits kick in, the more the bill will cost in the Congressional Budget Office's initial 10 year window.

This afternoon, Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) says that could create problems.

"We'll just have to look at the numbers," Nelson told reporters. "I think that's what's the question."

According to CBO, the current legislation before the Senate will require $871 billion in federal spending over 10 years. Asked whether he'd set a ceiling for the cost of the final health care bill, Nelson left some wiggle room. "871-ish," he said.

Health Care

Sestak On House-Senate Health Care Negotiations: 'Can't Be A Roll Over'

Christina Bellantoni | December 23, 2009, 3:21PM

Rep. Joe Sestak said he will keep pushing House leaders not to fold under pressure from the Senate to make the health care bill more conservative.

"It can't be a roll over," Sestak (D-PA) said on MSNBC's The Ed Show last night. "This agenda is not over, yet."

Several progressives were holding their powder as leadership predicted they would do just that and roll over to pass a compromise bill that does good and ends the intraparty fighting.

But Sestak wrote Speaker Nancy Pelosi a letter saying the Senate bill lacks many key elements central to reform.

"It is not acceptable for the House to simply accept the compromises made to appease members of the Senate, especially when those compromises weaken the bill at the expense of working families," he wrote. "We urge you to fight to preserve the best components of both bills, House and Senate, in Conference Committee."

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Parker Griffith

Griffith: 'The Far Left Tilt' Of Dems Didn't Want Me

Rachel Slajda | December 23, 2009, 3:20PM

Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL), who announced yesterday that he was switching parties, said today that he left the Democratic party because he was no longer welcome there.

"I felt the far left tilt of the Democratic party no longer welcomed me or my ideas," Griffith said today on Fox News.

Watch:

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Health Care

House Rules Committee Chair: Kill The Bill And Start Over

Rachel Slajda | December 23, 2009, 2:27PM

Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY)

Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY), chairman of the powerful Rules Committee, wrote in a CNN op-ed today that the health care bill should be scrapped entirely.

"The Senate health care bill is not worthy of the historic vote that the House took a month ago," Slaughter wrote.

She listed her problems with the Senate bill: an individual mandate, no public option, no antitrust exemption and the Nelson abortion language, among other things.

"Supporters of the weak Senate bill say "just pass it -- any bill is better than no bill. I strongly disagree," she wrote. "It's time that we draw the line on this weak bill and ask the Senate to go back to the drawing board. The American people deserve at least that."

(H/T The Hill)

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FL-SEN

Little Diss, Big Implications: Why The Diaz-Balarts Turned Their Backs On Charlie Crist

Evan McMorris-Santoro | December 23, 2009, 1:34PM

Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL)

It's a classic story of you-don't-scratch-my-back-I-don't-scratch-yours: According to the developing narrative of yesterday's decision by the Diaz-Balart brothers to withdraw their endorsement of Gov. Charlie Crist for Senate, the southern Florida representatives were miffed that Crist didn't appoint who they wanted for a state judgeship.

Crist claims he never saw a letter from Lincoln Diaz-Balart calling on him to nominate a friend of Diaz-Balart's son to the Gasden County bench. In October, Crist appointed someone else. Though no one is admitting directly that the political slight is what caused the brothers, important backers for the embattled Crist, local political reporters report all signs point to the judicial nomination as the moment things went sour.

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Health Care

Dean Softens On Senate Health Care Bill: If The GOP Hates It, It Can't Be So Bad

Brian Beutler | December 23, 2009, 12:52PM

Governor Howard Dean raised the ire of the White House and Democratic leaders last week when he publicly denounced the Senate health care bill, and urged liberal members to kill it. Dean's influence with progressive reformers goes without saying, so members weren't shy about dismissing his proclamation.

But he seems to have changed his tune.

Here he is on the Rachel Maddow show last night.

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Norm Coleman

Poll: Even Minnesota's Most GOP District Doesn't Like Norm Coleman

Eric Kleefeld | December 23, 2009, 11:53AM

Norm Coleman, American Action CEO

Some new numbers by Public Policy Polling (D) have some bad news and good news for former Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN), if he decides to run for governor in 2010: Even the state's most Republican Congressional district, which is represented by Michele Bachmann, doesn't actually like him -- but they'd still vote for him against a Democrat.

Coleman's favorable rating here is only 41%, with a 42% unfavorable rating and a margin of error of ±3.7%. However, in gubernatorial general election match-ups Coleman leads Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak by 49%-36%, and he leads former Sen. Mark Dayton by 50%-36%.

Intuitively, you would think that Coleman might benefit from a certain "we was robbed" mentality with the party base, after his disputed re-election defeat by Democrat Al Franken. But in a district that John McCain carried by 53%-45%, and which also views its fiery conservative Congresswoman quite favorably, Norm's ratings are pretty lackluster.

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Health Care

If House Progressives Reject The Senate Health Care Bill, Where Will Pelosi Turn?

Brian Beutler | December 23, 2009, 11:34AM

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)

In November, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi passed a health care bill by almost the slimmest of margins. The final vote was 220-215. One Republican--Rep. Joseph Cao (R-LA)--voted with 219 Democrats to pass the bill.

Pelosi probably could have forced a wider victory, but freed up vulnerable members to vote against the bill for political reasons. Next year, though, her caucus will be faced with a fairly different, less progressive bill--something modeled on the Senate's health care package--and she'll likely have to draw on a marginally different coalition of members.

On the left, Pelosi could lose some progressives, miffed about the demise of the public option, and unhappy with the abortion language in both bills. On that score, she could lose a number of resolutely pro-choice Democrats. Cautioning that the abortion language in the conference report hasn't been finalized yet, and that nobody's committed to vote one way or another, one keyed in aide said members like Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO), Jane Harman (D-CA), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Louise Slaughter (D-NY), and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) have grave concerns about both the House and Senate bills' abortion provisions.

Of course, with 218 members needed to pass a bill, and 219 Democrats voting 'aye' the first time around, Pelosi faces a nearly zero-sum game. If she encounters defections from her progressive wing, she'll have to make up those votes among conservative-voting freshmen, sophomore, and Blue Dog members, who opposed the House bill the first time around.

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Death Panels

Bachmann Changes Definition of Death Panels

Eric Kleefeld | December 23, 2009, 10:49AM

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) is still warning against the presence of "death panels" in the health care legislation. However, on close examination the definition of "death panels" has changed radically.

Bachmann appeared on Glenn Beck's radio show, and told guest host Chris Baker: "Also, we're just reading this morning, Chris, that Harry Reid slipped in a provision that made it virtually impossible to repeal part of this legislation. And it's the part dealing with the Medicare Advisory Board -- what many people have labeled the death panels -- because these unelected bureaucracies will decide what we can and can't get in future health insurance policy. That's why they're called death panels."

Um, no, that's not why they're called death panels -- or at least, not why they were originally called death panels. As Sarah Palin first laid out the idea when she coined the term, "death panels" refers to a group of government bureaucrats who would allegedly would stand in judgment of individuals' worthiness of receiving health care. Specifically, they would kill Palin's Down syndrome baby by cutting off his access to medical treatment. (Palin was in fact referencing a speech by Bachmann, who was referencing Betsy McCaughey, who was in turn taking Ezekiel Emanuel seriously out of context.)

But now, "death panel" refers to a government body that would regulate insurance policies and the range of treatments that would have mandated coverage. Talk about moving the goalposts!

John Cornyn

Cornyn To Conservative Partisans: Slow Your Roll If You Want To Win

Evan McMorris-Santoro | December 23, 2009, 10:46AM

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tx)

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), the man in charge of getting Republicans elected to the Senate next year, said yesterday that right-wing members of his party eager to enforce conservative purity need to "yield to reality" if they want to win seats in 2010.

In a Reuters story about the Delaware Senate race, where Cornyn and the NRSC are backing Rep. Mike Castle in his run for Vice President Biden's old Senate seat, Cornyn says that moderates like Castle are what the party needs to win in areas where the Democrats are strong. That flies in the face of the conservative-or-nothing strategy pushed by the Club For Growth and others in states like Florida and Pennsylvania.

Cornyn told Reuters:

Folks on the right, and frankly I'm one of them in terms of voting record, have to yield to the world as it is and not necessarily how they wish it would be.

Read more »

Health Care

SEIU's Andy Stern On Improving Health Care Bill: 'It's Now Or Never'

Christina Bellantoni | December 23, 2009, 10:43AM

SEIU President Andy Stern

Service Employees International Union president Andy Stern sharply criticized politicking and lack of subsidies for lower middle class families in the Senate health care bill but isn't threatening action against lawmakers he says have let voters down.

Stern told TPMDC in an interview that SEIU members will use the holidays for a last-chance pressure campaign through phone calls and grassroots efforts in members' home districts. The broader game plan will shape up in the first two weeks of January.

"We've really said to people this is your last chance to improve this bill, at least at this moment in history," Stern said. "It's now or never."

He asked why should progressives and union members who were major players in forcing health care to be part of the campaign discussion in 2007 and 2008 should settle for a bill that's less-than.

"When there is more that can be done that's reasonable and responsibile you don't stop fighting," he said.

But without a clear threat, it's a continued softening of the critique last week as House Democrats signal they are mostly willing to accept the Senate version of the bill with little more than a surface fight so they can move on.

Read more »

KY-SEN

Poll: GOP Favored To Hold Kentucky Senate Seat

Eric Kleefeld | December 23, 2009, 10:18AM

Senate candidate Rand Paul (R-KY)

A new survey of Kentucky by Public Policy Polling (D) gives Republicans the early advantage to hold on to this state's open GOP-held Senate seat in 2010, with both GOP candidates Rand Paul and Trey Grayson leading the two Democrats.

Paul, a conservative activist and son of Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), leads state Attorney General Jack Conway and Lt. Gov. Dan Mongiardo by identical margins of 42%-36%. Grayson, Kentucky's Secretary of State, leads Conway by 40%-33% and Mongiardo by 44%-35%. The margin of error is ±2.8%.

A PPP survey released yesterday gave Paul a 44%-25% lead over Grayson in the Republican primary, and Conway a 37%-33% edge over Mongiardo for the Democratic nomination.

PPP's Tom Jensen notes that the candidates are still largely unknown, with 38% having no opinion of Mongiardo, 51% with no opinion of Paul, 63% with no opinion of Conway, and 64% with no opinion of Grayson. "The dynamics of the race could change a lot as the eventual nominees become better known and voters in the state react favorably to them or not," Jensen writes. "For now though in a Republican state in what's shaping up to be a Republican year the Republicans are favored to hold this seat."

Barack Obama

Obama: I Didn't Campaign On A Public Option; Progressives: Excuse Me?!

Brian Beutler | December 23, 2009, 10:13AM

President Barack Obama

Yesterday, President Barack Obama created a firestorm among progressives when he told the Washington Post something readily falsifiable.

Echoing an idea first put forth by Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Obama said, "I didn't campaign on the public option."

In fact, though the public option wasn't a regular part of his stump speech, Obama appointed the public option's intellectual father, Jacob Hacker, to his health care advisory committee, and his campaign's health care white paper prominently featured a government run plan, with no mandate requiring uninsured people to buy insurance. The bill he will likely sign next year will do the opposite.

Progressives have taken notice, and responded rapidly.

Read more »

Health Care

Quelling The Drama: Democrats Mum On House-Senate Health Care Negotiations

Brian Beutler | December 23, 2009, 9:49AM

President Barack Obama talks with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in the Oval Office.

It's been a difficult year for President Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. The two have clashed with each other, and Reid has clashed with his caucus, over how to solve a seemingly insoluble problem: how to push a health care bill through the Rube Goldberg-like legislative factory better known to most as the United States Senate.

But, in fits and starts, and after several near-stalls, they've done it. Today, 60 senators will vote to end the last of several filibusters, and tomorrow morning, more than 50 will vote to pass a single, historic piece of legislation. Time for a victory lap, right? Hardly.

Now that all 60 members of Reid's caucus have formed a fragile alliance, though, wouldn't you know that all anybody cares about is whether, and how, it can survive the next theater of battle--a contentious conference process where it will be merged with different, and farther-reaching, House health care legislation. In response, in a bid to keep the next weeks free of the drama of the last several months, Democrats are doing the obvious thing: keeping it extra quiet.

Read more »

Afghanistan

Poll: Public Opposes Afghanistan War -- And Favors Sending More Troops

Eric Kleefeld | December 23, 2009, 9:47AM

A convoy of trucks leave Kandahar Air Field.

A new CNN poll finds a curious result: Overlapping majorities of Americans oppose the Afghanistan War and favor President Obama's decision to send more troops there.

Respondents were asked: "Do you favor or oppose the U.S. war in Afghanistan?" Here the answer is that only 43% favor the war, and 55% oppose it.

But another question: "Regardless of how you feel about the war in general, do you favor or oppose President Obama's plan to send about 30,000 more U.S. troops to Afghanistan in an attempt to stabilize the situation there?" Here it becomes 59% in favor, to 39% against.

The bottom line: Support for sending more troops runs 16 points ahead of support for the war itself. A previous CNN poll a month ago had a similar case of overlapping majorities, though the gap wasn't as stark then as it is now.

The pollster's analysis points out that only 18% of respondents think the United States is winning right now. "That may explain the support for Obama's plan, since a victory is likely to require more troops," said CNN polling director Keating Holland. "But it may also explain the overall opposition to the war, since Americans tend to dislike losing."

Health Care

Rep. Keith Ellison Sings Christmas Carol For Health Care And Public Option (VIDEO)

Christina Bellantoni | December 23, 2009, 8:59AM

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) does some health care caroling.

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) promised health care advocates who visited his district office he "absolutely would" fight for putting a public option into the final compromise legislation

Ellison also joined the group in a health care carol set to the tune of Jingle Bells.

Some lyrics:

"The time has come/For change you know/It's happening this week. We can't wait/We can't wait/We can't wait at all Health care now/For everyone/Listen to our call"

Read more »

Parker Griffith

Dems Searching For Their Griffith Opponent

Evan McMorris-Santoro | December 23, 2009, 8:17AM

Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL)

Alabama Democratic Party executive director Jim Spearman told TPMDC his party is more than ready to move on from Rep. Parker Griffith's party switch, but probably won't find a candidate to run for the seat until after the holidays.

"There are no specific names yet," Spearman said. "There will be several people" on the party's shortlist for nominees. Though he said he was in discussions with national party leaders yesterday, he said the Democrats have yet to discuss a replacement candidate or plan to get behind one.

Spearman said he was still surprised by Griffith's turn away from the Democrats, who Spearman said used to be a "Liberal." (Yesterday afternoon, Politico dug into Griffith's fundraising past and discovered he contributed $1,500 to Howard Dean's 2004 presidential campaign).

Read more »

AL-05

Taking Stock Of Parker Griffith: From The D To The R In The AL-05

Christina Bellantoni | December 22, 2009, 6:47PM

Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL)

In what should have been a sleepy recess week for the House of Representatives, Rep. Parker Griffith dropped a bombshell - he was leaving the Democratic party to join the Republicans.

The GOP was thrilled to add to their ranks and ready to use it as proof, they say, that Democrats could lose control of the House in 2010.

The Democrats were sad to lose a member but not really missing his vote since Griffith (AL) wasn't with them on health care or other broad party agenda items and was a frequent Obama critic.

The facts on the ground suggest it's certainly not going to be smooth sailing to reelection from a new party.

National Republicans were elated but the conservative, anti-establishment movement within the party cast a skeptical eye toward Griffith.

The two Republican candidates who were vying to challenge him as an incumbent now plan to primary him faster than you can say Dede Scozzafava.

Read more »

FL-SEN

Florida GOPers In Civil War

Eric Kleefeld | December 22, 2009, 6:46PM

Clockwise from left, Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, Florida Republican Party Chairman Jim Greer, Rep. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Center Florida Gov. Charlie Crist

The Florida Republican Party organization is now in the midst of a civil war, with the latest shoe to drop being that embattled party chairman Jim Greer has called for a special executive committee meeting, in response to a request that he be ousted as chairman -- but at the same time, he's telling his enemies that the motion itself isn't allowed under the party rules.

Greer, an ally of moderate Gov. Charlie Crist, has come under fire by intra-party critics who accuse him of mismanaging the state GOP's finances. For his part, Greer is putting the blame for this controversy on allies of former state House Speaker Marco Rubio, the more conservative challenger against Crist in the Senate primary. And Greer has accused these critics of "slander," "libel," and even "treason" against the Republican Party!

Now Greer has sent out his new letter (available after the jump) calling the meeting, but declaring its raison d'etre of ousting him to be against the party's rules. "Chairman Greer is agreeing to call the special meeting in conjunction with the already-scheduled annual meeting to discuss a variety of issues the board has expressed interest in discussing -- one of which is to rescind his election as Chairman," Florida GOP press secretary Katie Gordon Betta explained to us. "By this letter, the Chairman is pro-actively informing the members that one of their intended motions is not permitted under party rules, in order to avoid confusion at the meeting in January."

Yes, this letter should probably help to avoid confusion, and will clear a lot of things up. But that's not all. Crist has also lost the support of some key GOP Congressmen in his Senate bid -- but nobody is exactly sure why.

Read more »

Bobby Bright

Alabama Blue Dog Bobby Bright, Asked Whether He'll Stay A Democrat: Merry Christmas

Eric Kleefeld | December 22, 2009, 6:21PM

Rep. Bobby Bright (D-AL).

Earlier today I asked the office of Rep. Bobby Bright (D-AL), now the only remaining conservative Democrat from a McCain district in Alabama, whether he could end up following in the footsteps of Rep. Parker Griffith and leaving the Democratic Party -- and I received a very inconclusive answer.

Bright has a lot in common with Griffith, who announced his party switch earlier today: Both are freshmen from districts that voted heavily for John McCain in 2008; they each won their races very narrowly; and both have voted against the big-ticket items of the Democratic agenda this year. So I asked what Bright's thoughts were on Griffith, whether he was committed to staying with the Democrats, and what his overall concerns might be about the political situation in Congress.

His spokesman just sent me back this statement from the Congressman: "In this season of great promise, we should focus on that which draws us together: faith, family, and service. These are not partisan values and as I have said many times, we are stronger as people, communities, and as a nation when we seek common ground rather than focusing on what divides us. I hope, for a few days at least, we can put politics aside and focus on the true joys of the Christmas season."

Chris Dodd

Dodd Internal Poll: He Can Win!

Eric Kleefeld | December 22, 2009, 4:49PM

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT)

Sen. Chris Dodd's (D-CT) campaign has released an internal poll, saying that the endangered incumbent's chances for re-election in 2010 aren't so bad as people think.

The poll, conducted by the Democratic firm Greenberg Quinlan Rosner, has Dodd trailing Republican former Rep. Rob Simmons by 51%-46%, and in a 46%-46% tie with former Worldwide Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon. That might sound unimpressive for an incumbent, but consider that other recent polls have Dodd behind Simmons by around ten points. Then again, this is an internal poll that the campaign chose to release, so the obvious caveats apply.

"Once voters hear both positive and negative information about all three candidates, Dodd gains ground and leads McMahon by 5 points, 50 to 45 percent, and is in a statistical dead heat with Simmons, 49 to 48 percent," the polling memo says, though it's not immediately clear just what all of these pieces of information were. "Furthermore, voters respond positively to Dodd's work in the Senate, particularly on health care reform, the passage of the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure Act, and Dodd's economic plan to help small businesses and create jobs."

Health Care

Earlier Benefits Could Be On The Table In House/Senate Health Care Conference

Brian Beutler | December 22, 2009, 3:44PM

Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA)

With the public option dead, progressives are looking for something else to get out of negotiations and moving up the list is the possibility of speeding up implementation.

When the two chambers meet in conference, House leaders will have a prioritized package of goodies in mind, and they'll be pushing hard for them. On the list will likely be familiar issues like financing--should wealthy Americans pay for reform, or should a tax on high-end health insurance policies cover the cost, or should it be a mix of the two?

But a separate issue is beginning to come into focus.

"I think one other one, is starting date," Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) told reporters today.

Read more »

Parker Griffith

Griffith To Face Two GOPers -- And Probably A Democrat, Too

Evan McMorris-Santoro | December 22, 2009, 3:18PM

Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL)

When Rep. Parker Griffith (the brand-new R-AL) switched parties today, he increased the number of candidates he has to face before getting reelected by a factor of three.

Both Republicans who were already vying for the chance to face Griffith in the general election next year say they'll stay in, eager to square off against Griffith sooner rather than later. And in a fiery statement this afternoon, the state Democratic party promised to find a new candidate to run for the seat.

Read more »

Health Care

Reid: Final Health Care Vote 8 a.m. Thursday

Brian Beutler | December 22, 2009, 3:13PM

Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV)

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid just triggered a sigh of relief among the hallowed population of members, staffers and reporters on Capitol Hill.

"I ask unanimous consent that all post cloture time be expired at 8 am Thursday," Reid said.

That may sound like gobbledeegook, but in Senate-ese, it means that the final vote on health care will be held at 8 a.m. on Christmas day. You can follow all the action here at TPMDC.

Parker Griffith

Palin Welcomes Griffith To GOP: 'Congratulations Alabama!'

Eric Kleefeld | December 22, 2009, 3:08PM

Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL) and Sarah Palin.

Rep. Parker Griffith (D-AL R-AL) might be facing some opposition on right after his party switch, but he is being welcomed to the GOP by one top name: Sarah Palin.

Palin posted this on her Twitter account: "Congratulations Alabama!And all Americans concerned about Capitol Hill's current agenda;Rep Parker Griffith just did the right thing.Welcome"

Other big right-wing names, such as the Club For Growth and Erick Erickson, are already laying the groundwork for a primary challenge against Griffith by what they would think of as a truly loyal conservative. But so far at least, Palin is greeting the new GOP Congressman with open arms.

RNC

Gregg On Steele's 'Bird-Flipping' Comment: 'That's Foolishness'

Christina Bellantoni | December 22, 2009, 3:06PM

Sen. Judd Gregg said RNC Chairman Mike Steele was using "foolish" language when he said Congress was "flipping the bird" at the American people.

Interviewed today on MSNBC Gregg (R-NH) called it "foolish language" and said "people are getting a little frayed down here and there has been a lot of foolish language on both sides of the aisle."

He also was asked about a Washington Times report that Steele is raking in speaking fees. He said he wasn't familiar with the issue but added a joke, "He shouldn't charge Republcian groups for it that's for sure."

Watch:

Health Care

A Little Early? Mitch McConnell Suggests A (Slightly) Earlier Vote On Health Care

Brian Beutler | December 22, 2009, 2:54PM

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).

Republicans are torn between a desire to run the clock as long as possible on health care legislation, and a desire not to have to return to work next week to hold an essential vote on a bill to raise the country's debt ceiling. All week, it's been unclear exactly how they'll overcome the impasse, but at his press conference today, McConnell suggested that Republicans might reconfigure their strategy a bit, in order to finish up all of the Senate's business before holiday recess.

"As I said, we'll be voting on the 24th, exactly the time of that, we'll be able to tell you after Senator Reid and I lock in a consent agreement we've been discussing with each other and with our members," McConnell said.

Read more »

Parker Griffith

Griffith Announces He's Joining Republican Party

Rachel Slajda | December 22, 2009, 2:33PM

Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL).

Rep. Parker Griffith, a Congressman from Alabama's fifth district, officially announced this afternoon that he's switching from the Democratic to Republican party.

"As most of you know, I was elected by the people of north Alabama as an independent conservative Congressman," he said in a press conference.

"I have become increasingly concerned that the bills and policies pushed by the current Democratic leadership are not good for north Alabama or our nation and, more importantly, they do not represent my values and convictions," he said.

Read more »

Parker Griffith

Flashback: GOP Accused Griffith Of Abusing Cancer Patients, Cheering For Radical Islam

Eric Kleefeld | December 22, 2009, 2:11PM

Rep. Parker Griffith (R-AL)

The Republican Party is taking a great moral leap in welcoming Rep. Parker Griffith to the caucus -- accepting someone who they believe deliberately gave poor care to cancer patients in order to make money off of them, and who hates America and sympathizes with radical Muslims on top of that. At least, that's what their ads against him in 2008 said!

Griffith, of course, is the Alabama Congressman who who just officially announced in the last few minutes that he is switching parties, from being a conservative Democrat to being a conservative Republican. The National Republican Congressional Committee ran some pretty hard-hitting spots against Griffith in the 2008 campaign -- which were taken down from their YouTube account today. However, a source with an interest in the race was able to capture them first, and gave them to us.

Here's one that accuses Griffith, a medical doctor, of a practice known as "warehousing" cancer patients -- meaning to deliberately give poor care to patients in order to keep them bedridden and make more money from their medical treatments. "His approach caused unwarranted pain and suffering," the announcer said, "but it meant more money for him."

Another ad accuses Griffith of hating America, and apparently even sympathizing with radical Islam -- with audio of the candidate himself speaking! "America's greatest enemy is America, and its materialism...We have nothing to fear from radical Islam." The ad then repeated the audio of him saying "America's greatest enemy is America," and the announcer declared him "wrong for Alabama."

Health Care

Gibbs Dodges FDA Question

Christina Bellantoni | December 22, 2009, 1:49PM

Robert Gibbs and Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND)

There are plenty of unanswered questions about the White House's involvement in the defeat of an amendment that would have allowed reimportation of prescription drugs.

We have been following the issue closely and attempted to pin down White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs today.

TPMmuckracker is up with a post explaining how Gibbs didn't really address the charge the White House pushed the FDA to issue a letter that helped kill the amendment.

Charlie Crist

Diaz-Balart Brothers Take Back Their Endorsements Of Crist In Senate Race

Eric Kleefeld | December 22, 2009, 1:41PM

Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL)

Gov. Charlie Crist (R-FL) just suffered a setback in his Senate primary, in which he's been the establishment candidate against the more conservative former state House Speaker Marco Rubio -- with two top Florida Congressmen now rescinding their endorsements for Crist.

Reps. Lincoln and Mario Diaz-Balart, two brothers who are big names in the Cuban-American Republican community, have now taken back their endorsements -- though they aren't saying exactly why. "We take our endorsements seriously, but the governor knows why we withdrew and he left us with no alternative," said Lincoln Diaz-Balart, who added that he and his brother are unlikely to endorse anyone else in the race.

Lincoln Diaz-Balart also said that the decision was made weeks ago, and is not related to Rubio's numbers in recent polls, which have him either tied or only narrowly trailing Crist.

VA-05

Laura Ingraham Picks Sides In VA-05 - Against Primary Candidate She Says Is Too Moderate

Christina Bellantoni | December 22, 2009, 1:36PM

Laura Ingraham

Talk radio personality and darling of the right Laura Ingraham has a message to deliver in the intra-party feud in Virginia's fifth district: Republicans can't defeat Rep. Tom Perriello with a "middle of the road" candidate.

"Republicans on Capitol Hill still haven't gotten it through their heads," Ingraham said on a recent show before introducing her guest, Republican candidate Laurence Verga.

In the Dec. 7 interview the radio host called Verga "the man who is the conservative in this important primary."

TPMDC told you this month there are seven contenders vying for the nomination to challenge the embattled freshman Democrat.

Read more »

Health Care

Nelson May Ask That His Nebraska Deal Be Removed

Rachel Slajda | December 22, 2009, 1:22PM

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE).

Fox News reports that Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) said he may ask for a Nebraska earmark in the health care bill to be removed.

The deal, granted Nebraska federal funding in perpetuity for a Medicaid expansion -- something no other states got -- and has become political ammo for Republicans, who've been calling it the "Cornhusker Kickback." Nelson got the deal, reportedly, for accepting a compromise on abortion language.

Though he defended the exemption as a "fair deal," he said he never asked for the full federal funding that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid ended up granting his state. Nelson said he instead asked that states be allowed to refuse an expansion of Medicaid.

"This is the way Senate leadership chose to handle it. I never asked for 100 percent funding," he said.

Nelson has maintained that the only reason he even brought up Medicaid was that Nebraska Republican Gov. Dave Heineman put him up to it.

Nelson also said three lawmakers have told him they're seeking similar deals for their states.

Barack Obama

Obama Surprises Kaine With Call To Radio Show

Rachel Slajda | December 22, 2009, 12:57PM

Virginia Governor Tim Kaine and President Barack Obama

President Obama surprised Virginia Gov. and DNC Chair Tim Kaine with a call into Kaine's radio show this morning, identifying himself as "Barry from D.C."

"I just wanted to say how proud we are of your service as governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia," Obama said.

"We continue to think your wife is probably a little superior to you, as I think people think about the first lady, but you and me have to stick together since we're married to better people," he added.

Read more »

Michele Bachmann

Poll: Bachmann Popular In Her District -- Her Constituents Don't Think She's An Extremist!

Eric Kleefeld | December 22, 2009, 12:23PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

A new survey by Public Policy Polling (D) finds that Rep. Michele Bachmann's (R-MN) high profile as a conservative firebrand doesn't seem to be hurting her back home -- in fact, a majority of her constituents approve of her job performance, and they don't think she's an extremist.

Bachmann's approval rating is 53%, with 41% disapproval. She leads both of her Democratic opponents by substantial margins, ahead of state Sen. Tarryl Clark by 55%-37%, and leading former University of Minnesota regent Maureen Reed by 53%-37%. The pollster notes that the challengers have low name recognition, but the points stands that a well-known incumbent is over the 50-percent mark.

Respondents were also asked: "Do you consider Michele Bachmann's political views to be extremist?" Here the answer is 37% yes, 54% no. This might seem a bit odd; you'd think that usually people would consider it extreme to repeatedly call for revolution, express concerns about census data being used to create internment camps, and warn against "government re-education camps."

Bachmann's district is always tough ground for Democrats. George W. Bush carried it by double-digit margins twice, and John McCain held on to it by 53%-45%. President Obama's approval rating is only 39% in this district, with 55% disapproval. Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar is at 45%-43%, and Democratic Sen. Al Franken is at 37%-53%. If the horse-race numbers hold up in 2010, then it would be the first time that Bachmann herself would get over 51% support at the polls.

"Michele Bachmann's constituents don't seem to mind her penchant for controversial comments," said PPP president Dean Debnam, in the polling memo. "Given how poorly national Democrats rate in the district they probably agree with a lot of them."

Parker Griffith

Conservative Backlash Against Griffith Party Switch Begins

Evan McMorris-Santoro | December 22, 2009, 12:18PM

Rep. Parker Griffith (D-AL)

If Rep. Parker Griffith (soon-to-be R-AL) thought the Republican base would welcome him with open arms, he may be getting a wake up call as news of his party switch spreads across the internet.

Two prominent names in the conservative movement -- Erick Erickson at RedState and The Club For Growth -- have promised Griffith will have a tough time convincing Republicans to vote for him, despite the fact that he's now one of their own. Griffith, a self-professed Blue Dog Democrat, has been far to the right of House Democrats this year, even promising to vote against another term as Speaker for Nancy Pelosi.

But those stances aren't enough for Erickson and the Club, both of which say the GOP primary will be a tough one for the Democrat-turned-Republican.

Read more »

Roland Burris

Sen. Burris Blasts GOP In His Own Christmas Rhyme On Senate Floor

Christina Bellantoni | December 22, 2009, 12:04PM

Looks like Sen. Kit Bond isn't the only United States senator who likes to riff on "Twas the night before Christmas."

Sen. Roland Burris (D-IL) had a bit of fun on the Senate floor today with his own version of the holiday rhyme, taking aim at Republicans and saying that a "good bill" would emerge from the health care debate.

We clipped the moment. Watch:

Health Care

Gibbs: Obama Did Everything He Could For Health Care

Rachel Slajda | December 22, 2009, 12:00PM

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs

Asked today about Sen. Joe Lieberman's (I-CT) claim that President Obama didn't pressure him on a public option, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Obama "absolutely" did everything he could for health care reform.

Gibbs said Obama has been clear on what he supported, and senators have been clear on what they didn't support. He added that the president is very pleased with the Senate bill, which has 95 percent of what he wanted.

Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) told TPMDC that he was surprised Obama didn't push for it. "I just assumed that" he did, Harkin said.

Reporting by Christina Bellantoni.

Health Care

Out One Day Early? Reid Suggests Final Health Care Vote Could Come Tomorrow

Brian Beutler | December 22, 2009, 11:23AM

Democratic Senators Harry Reid, Chris Dodd and Tom Harkin

First, a major DC snowstorm called into doubt whether health care reform legislation could pass the Senate by Christmas. Now, a major midwest ice storm is making it possible that the bill might pass earlier than expected.

In response to a question from TPMDC at a press conference this morning, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he remains hopeful that a final vote on health care might happen tomorrow

"We are focused on one thing, and one thing alone, and that is passing this bill," Reid said. "We hope to be able to debate tomorrow. Certainly with ice storms coming to the midwest, we hope that we can finish tomorrow and not have to be here [Christmas eve]."

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) confirmed to me after the event that there's an effort underway to speed the process along, so that members can get home before the midwest gets pummeled.

"I think there's some effort on that regard, but that's at a different pay grade than mine."

Conservative Dem Congressman Parker Griffith Switching Parties

Eric Kleefeld | December 22, 2009, 11:19AM

Rep. Parker Griffith (D-AL)

The House Republican caucus is getting a present in its Christmas stocking: A new member of the caucus, with freshman conservative Democratic Congressman Parker Griffith of Alabama switching parties.

Griffith's switch was first reported by Politico, and confirmed to TPM by a GOP source who requested anonymity so as not to pre-empt Griffith's official announcement later today. Griffith's change of party puts the current makeup of the House at 257 Democrats to 178 Republicans -- the GOP would need to pick up 40 seats, without any other party switches, to win control in 2010.

Griffith, a medical doctor and former Alabama state legislator, was first elected to Congress in 2008, to an open seat previously held by retiring Blue Dog Democratic Rep. Bud Cramer. John McCain carried his district by 61%-38%, while Griffith defeated Republican opponent Wayne Parker by the slender margin of 51%-48%. Over this past summer, he told a local newspaper that he wouldn't support Nancy Pelosi for Speaker again, saying she was too divisive.

Griffith's party switch will provide Republicans with some rhetorical muscle about people rushing to their banner against the Democratic agenda, but in practical terms in Congress it won't mean much for Democrats. Griffith was a consistent vote against the Democratic agenda this whole year -- as examples, he voted against the stimulus, against the cap-and-trade bill, and against the health care bill.

Rand Paul

Poll: Rand Paul Has Big Lead In Kentucky GOP Senate Primary

Eric Kleefeld | December 22, 2009, 10:58AM

Senate candidate Rand Paul (R-KY)

The new survey of Kentucky by Public Policy Polling (D) gives Rand Paul, a conservative activist and son of Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), a huge lead over the establishment candidate in the Republican primary for Senate in 2010.

The numbers: Rand Paul 44%, Secretary of State Trey Grayson 25%. Grayson was recruited to run in place of two-term GOP Sen. Jim Bunning, who is retiring. Paul, however, has mobilized his campaign around the Tea Party movement and his outsider conservative message.

From the pollster's analysis: "Paul is winning the votes of conservatives by a 47-20 margin, while Grayson holds a 36-34 lead with moderates. Paul is having a particularly good amount of success with folks who think that the Republican Party in Washington has become too liberal -- his lead with them is 54-18."

The Democratic primary is a tight race with state Attorney General Jack Conway at 37%, and Lt. Gov. Dan Mongiardo at 33%, within the ±4.2% margin of error.

Health Care

Progressives Begin To Pressure Feingold On Public Option

Evan McMorris-Santoro | December 22, 2009, 10:26AM

Sen. Russell Feingold (D-WI)

Last week, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee asked its members if it was time to pressure left-leaning Senators to fight for a public option during the conference negotiations for a final health care reform package.

The answer from PCCC's 300,000-plus members? Heck yes.

In Wisconsin, home to Sen. Russ Feingold, the group has already begun its efforts to push Feingold, with some local progressives threatening the pull their support from the three-term Senator if he supports a final bill that doesn't include a government-run insurance plan.

Read more »

Abortion

Scholar: Nelson Abortion Compromise No Better Than Stupak

Brian Beutler | December 22, 2009, 10:11AM

Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) and Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE)

When the House of Representatives agreed to adopt tight restrictions on the ability of lower- and middle-class consumers to purchase insurance that covers abortions, a team of researchers at George Washington University concluded that the legislation--the so-called Stupak amendment to the House health care bill--could have far-reaching consequences, including potentially eliminating abortion coverage in the insurance market completely, over time.

Now, the report's lead author says that a new compromise in the Senate--adopted in a bid to secure the support of Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE)--could have similarly significant ramifications.

"Taken together, the provisions of the amendment can be expected to have a significant impact on the ability or willingness of insurance issuers to offer Exchange products that cover a full range of medically indicated abortions," writes Sara Rosenbaum, Chair of the Department of Health Policy at GWU, in a memo obtained by TPMDC.

Read more »

Fundraising

RNC Outraises DNC In November And Spent The Most

Christina Bellantoni | December 22, 2009, 9:56AM

RNC chairman Michael Steele

The Republican National Committee raised $6.3 million in November and has $8.74 million cash on hand.

Party officials say the RNC, with no debt, "averaged 2,352 new donors per day and by the end of November the RNC broke its own record of total new donors for an off election year."

Chairman Mike Steele said he was proud of the numbers and grateful for fundraising in tough economic times.

Read more »

Health Care

House Braces For Final, Painful Compromises But Leadership Confident They'll Win Over More Blue Dogs

Christina Bellantoni | December 22, 2009, 9:50AM

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., House Education Chairman George Miller, D-Calif., House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., House Transportation Chairman James L. Oberstar, D-Minn., and House Appropriations Chairman David R. Obey, D-Wis., during a news conference.

House Democrats believe they will secure additional health care reform votes from Blue Dog Democrats thanks to the Senate's more conservative version of the legislation. And despite deep misgivings, the House Democratic leadership expects to lose few if any progressive Democratic votes over the demise of the public option, paving the way to get a final bill to President Obama's desk by Feb. 1.

As the Senate prepares for a final vote to clear the bill, TPMDC chatted with several top House aides to get a sense of where things stand and what can be expected over the next few weeks. There are four key sticking points to be negotiated: the public option, abortion language, immigration and how taxes are applied to pay for it.

Leadership aides say progressives are prepared to take it on the chin and will vote for a final bill without a public option. But they say pro-life Democrats will seek direction from the U.S. Conference of Bishops as to whether they can support an amendment weaker than Rep. Bart Stupak's, thus setting up what will likely be the most difficult negotiation before a final vote.

Senate Democrats have repeatedly warned that any substantive changes to the bill they will pass tomorrow night will lose the fragile 60-vote coalition they've built, and it looks like they will get their way.

"I don't see how we don't largely accede to the Senate," a House leadership aide said.

Read more »

Jim Greer

Florida GOP Chairman Digs In, Accuses Opponents Of 'Slander,' 'Libel' And 'Treason'

Eric Kleefeld | December 22, 2009, 9:46AM

Former Florida Republican Party Chair Jim Greer

Florida Republican Party chairman Jim Greer, an ally of moderate Gov. Charlie Crist, has sent out a letter to party committee members insisting that he will not resign -- and lambasting supporters of the more conservative former state House Speaker Marco Rubio in the Senate primary, accusing them of "slander," "libel," "treason" and all manner of other bad deeds against the GOP in their efforts to bring him down.

The letter, sent out last night in the midst of calls for Greer's resignation, makes for some very interesting reading as part of an intra-party slugfest:

What has transpired in the last week has been nothing short of slander and libel by a group of people bent on the destruction of the Republican Party. A coordinated campaign of misinformation, complete with late night phone calls and e-mails filled with rumors and innuendo, all in attempt to create the appearance of chaos at a time when the party is laser-focused on defeating Democrats.

...

Now, if I may, I'd like to talk about these recent calls for my resignation. They all have one thing in common, and it is not geography, ideology or good intention. It is treason that for the sake of personal ambition that members of this party are airing dirty laundry and even budget and strategy plans publicly to serve their selfish interests.

Check out the full letter, after the jump.

Read more »

Michael Steele

Report: Steele Slammed By Past GOP Chairs For Charging Speaking Fees

Evan McMorris-Santoro | December 22, 2009, 9:24AM

RNC chairman Michael Steele

RNC chair Michael Steele moonlights as a paid speaker, a fact that the Washington Times reports is riling up some past Republican leaders. According to the paper, Steele demands between $8,000-$20,000 for a speech and is represented by the same agency that represents former Bush White House officials Dana Perino and Stephen Hadley.

An RNC spokesperson told the Times the extracurricular speaking work is normal, but former RNC chairs contacted by the paper criticized Steele's move.

Read more »

Rudy Giuliani

Report: Rudy Giuliani Not Running For Senate Against Gillibrand

Eric Kleefeld | December 22, 2009, 9:16AM

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

Rudy Giuliani is expected to announce today that he will not run for Senate in 2010 against appointed Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a blow for Republican recruitment efforts after Giuliani had consistently led Gillibrand in the polls.

Giuliani will also endorse former Rep. Rick Lazio for governor, after having contemplated that race earlier this year -- an interesting turn of events, considering how Lazio became the 2000 nominee for Senate against Hillary Clinton after Giuliani had dropped out of that race, too.

The polls have shown that Gillibrand remains a largely unknown quantity with the voters, and faces a potential primary challenge from outgoing New York City Comptroller Bill Thompson, who came closer to victory than anybody had expected in his 2009 race for mayor. But without Rudy Giuliani, the Republicans have lost their biggest name in a state where they don't have much of a bench to speak of anymore.

Health Care

Harkin: I Assumed--Wrongly--The White House Pushed Strongly For Public Option

Brian Beutler | December 22, 2009, 9:05AM

Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA)

Yesterday, Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) articulated surprise and disappointment that the White House had not done more to push Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) to support a public option. Moments before a vote this morning, I asked him to elaborate.

"All I'll say, I was surprised to hear this because I had assumed all along that the White House was pushing strongly for the public option," Harkin said. "I just assumed that."

"Regardless of that, I mean it was clear that in the end that we did not have the votes for it," Harkin added. "This bill is too important in its entirety to let it sink on that issue."

"As I said yesterday, the issue of a public option will be revisited," the chairman of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee insisted. "I guarantee it."

Read more »

Health Care

Poll: Public Still Doesn't Like Health Care Bill -- And Still Like Public Option, Medicare Buy-In

Eric Kleefeld | December 22, 2009, 8:48AM

President Barack Obama

A new Quinnipiac poll finds that a large majority of Americans continue to oppose the health care bill -- and that two policies that have been dropped, the public option or the Medicare buy-in, which were both very popular.

The poll finds 53% of respondents saying they mostly disapprove of the health care plan in Congress, to only 36% who approve. From the party internals, support is at 64%-22% among Democrats, 10%-83% among Republicans, and 30%-58% among independents.

The now-departed public option, however, is supported by a 56%-38% majority, including a 54%-41% margin among independents. Also, the Medicare buy-in for Americans ages 55-64 was supported by 64%-30%, including 57%-36% among independents and even a 50%-44% margin among Republicans.

The poll also finds that only 31% agree both that the President and Congress must take on health care reform now and support the current proposals. Another 28% want reform now but don't support the current proposals (a number spread pretty evenly across all partisan sub-samples), while 36% don't think reform should be taken on now.

From the pollster's analysis: "While the Senate leadership reportedly has the votes to pass a health care overhaul plan this week, outside the Beltway there appears to be weak support, both to what voters understand as the plan, and the need to pass that plan now."

Health Care

Two (Filibusters) Down, One To Go, Until Senate Passes Health Care

Brian Beutler | December 22, 2009, 8:22AM

Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV)

The Senate cleared its second procedural obstacle this morning, when 58 Democrats and 2 Independents agreed to end a second Republican filibuster of health care reform.

The final vote on the motion to end the filibuster--known as cloture--was 60 to 39. After Monday morning's 1 am vote, the result of today's wasn't much in doubt. But the substance of the underlying was in fact much greater. On Monday, Democrats signaled their unity behind the cause of health care reform, by agreeing to end a filibuster on a package of amendments to Senate health care legislation.

Today, with the 60 vote alliance not in doubt, the party agreed to end a filibuster of the actual reform package--known as the "substitute."

On Wednesday, Democrats are expected to end one final filibuster, before holding an up or down vote on the bill itself Christmas eve. That is, unless the GOP admits the jig is up, and allows the votes to happen sooner than scheduled.

Health Care

Harkin 'Surprised' By Lieberman Claim He Wasn't Pushed On Public Option

Christina Bellantoni | December 21, 2009, 6:27PM

Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) said on MSNBC he was surprised that Sen. Joe Lieberman told reporters the White House didn't pressure him to support a public option.

Harkin, a progressive who wanted to see a public option in the health care bill, said he'd "assumed" that President Obama would have been pushing Lieberman (I-CT) at all costs since that's what Senate Democrats ultimately compromised on to secure Lieberman's vote.

"I'm really surprised at that. I would have thought that President Obama, I know he met a number of times with Sen. Lieberman, and Sen. Nelson and others," Harkin said. "I assumed that they were pushing hard for the public option. ... The senator said 'No' under any circumstance and that's why we had to do the compromise."

Lieberman told Huffington Post his negotiations on the public option were with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

Read more »

DCCC

DCCC Staffer's Fundraising E-Mail: Help Me Meet My Quota So I Can See My Mom And Puppy!

Eric Kleefeld | December 21, 2009, 6:00PM

A cute dog used in DCCC fundraising e-mail.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is using a new pitch in its year-end fundraising: Help our online media guy meet his quota so he can see his mom and his dog for Christmas.

The new e-mail from DCCC New Media staffer Brandon English contains a supposed e-mail from his mom, asking when he's coming home. It is accompanied by a photo purported to be his dog, with his mom saying the dog misses him.

"Help me meet my year-end goal so I can go home and see my puppy!" English exclaims.

Hmm...I can has campaign contribution?

Check out the full e-mail after the jump.

Read more »

Health Care

Poll: Imminent Passage Of Bill Without Public Option Causes Obama's Approval To Go Up Among Democrats

Eric Kleefeld | December 21, 2009, 3:48PM

President Barack Obama

The new CNN poll finds that President Obama's approval rating is going up, now that he's on the verge of passing a health care bill -- and Democratic approval of the bill is going up, too.

Obama's overall approval is now 54%, to disapproval of 44%, with a ±3% margin of error. In early December, he was at 48%-50%. The poll also finds that the Senate health care bill is still opposed by a margin of 42%-56% -- but that this an improvement from only 36% approval in early December, and the jump has come almost entirely from Democratic voters.

Greg Sargent points out that this is a "counter-intuitive finding," given the anger from the left at the dropping of the public option: "It suggests that overall, rank and file Dems may be grateful for action on health care, and see the bill as an achievement even without its core liberal priorities."

My own take is that the drop in liberal support, and then the subsequent increase, make perfect sense from the standpoint of rational decision-making. At the point when things shifted from a public-option bill to no public option, liberal disapproval naturally shot up. But now, at the point where circumstances have changed from a no-bill scenario to simply passing something to deal with health care, liberal approval has risen again.

In short, Democrats preferred a public option to no public option, and now prefer a bill without a public option to no bill at all.

Health Care

Republicans Torn On Christmas Health Care Deadline

Brian Beutler | December 21, 2009, 3:33PM

Sen. McConnell (R-KY) Sen. Reid (D-NV)

Republicans aren't ready to bring the health care reform debate to a merciful close just yet, and it seems very much as if they will object if Democrats seek to hold the final vote earlier than Christmas eve, which is when it's currently scheduled to happen.

"I know that the Majority Leader came over to see the Minority Leader this morning," said Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) emerging from a Republican caucus meeting. "Based on what I heard in this last lunch meeting, I am keeping my [flight] reservation for Christmas day morning, and I am very happy as a citizen of this country...to keep it that way."

Republicans could in theory agree to let Democrats speed up the vote process, but that seems unlikely.

"There has been [objection to speeding things up] so far," said Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ)

Read more »

GOP Voted To Delay Funding For Troops -- As Part Of Health Care Debate?

Eric Kleefeld | December 21, 2009, 3:05PM

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).

Everybody knows the health care debate has become more and more contentious, and dominated by a Republican parliamentary effort to delay the debate. But an under-appreciated aspect of this whole controversy -- exceedingly rare, if not unprecedented -- is the fact that it's even affected defense spending, with Senate Republicans having worked to hold that up, too!

Late on Thursday night, the Senate voted 63-33 to break a Republican filibuster of the defense appropriations bill. Only three Republicans voted against this delay of military spending: Kay Bailey Hutchison (TX), Olympia Snowe (ME) and Susan Collins (ME). The filibuster was part of a Republican effort to further delay the health care bill.

So think for a second about what happened here. The Senate GOP sought to hold up military spending -- and not because of an argument with the defense appropriations bill itself or something in it that might have been offensive to them, but in an attempt to block a domestic political debate. It was an especially interesting position for a party that repeatedly accused then-Senator Barack Obama, during the 2008 campaign, of trying to "defund the troops" when he voted against a military funding bill because it didn't include a timeline to withdraw from Iraq.

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IL-SEN

Mark Kirk's GOP Challenger Asks Him To Defend Flip-Flopping On Climate (VIDEO)

Christina Bellantoni | December 21, 2009, 2:03PM

Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL)

Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL) is under pressure from conservatives to explain his moderate positions as he moves to the right in hopes of winning them over for his Senate bid.

The shift was captured last week in a debate hosted by the Chicago Tribune editorial board.

The short video below, spliced from the hourlong debate by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, captures contender Patrick Hughes calling Kirk out for voting first for a cap-and-trade bill and then against it.

"How can you have two reasons for doing something?" Hughes asks. "How come your reason changed, congressman, from 'We need to do this' to 'It's in the interest of my district' when neither of them are true."

Kirk's response, "I know my district far better than you."

Read more »

Health Care

AMA Endorses Senate Health Care Bill

Rachel Slajda | December 21, 2009, 1:46PM

AMA President Elect Cecil Wilson

The American Medical Association today endorsed the Senate health care reform bill.

The organization's president-elect, Cecil Wilson, spoke at a press conference with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and other Senate Democrats.

"After close and careful review, the AMA is pleased to announce its support for passage of the amended health system reform bill," Wilson said.

He said the AMA supports several "key benefits" in the bill, including "improvements in choice and access" and the elimination of denials for pre-existing conditions.

Read more »

Michael Steele

Steele On Health Reform Bill: 'I'm Tired Of Congress Flipping The Bird' At The American People

Evan McMorris-Santoro | December 21, 2009, 1:18PM

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele

In the latest example of RNC Chair Michael Steele attempting to tie his party to the Tea Party movement, Steele rhetorically out tea-partied a movement leader, Dick Armey, on a conference call the two shared this morning.

"I'm tired of this congress thumbing their nose and flipping the bird at the people of this country," Steele said during one of his many rants that sounded like it could have come from the podium at at tea party rally. He wielded the angry vehemence and promises to get revenge commonplace among tea partiers during the health care debate to set the stage for the GOP next year. "I intend to have my foot on the throat of the Democrats on this issue [health care reform]," Steele said.

For his part, Armey was the calmer one on the call, though welcomed Steele's passion and told reporters that he has a "clear sense" that Steele "wants to lead the party back to being the the champion" of the values tea partiers hold dear.

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Health Care

Here 'Til Christmas? Republicans Differ On Whether To Run Out The Health Care Clock

Brian Beutler | December 21, 2009, 1:00PM

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK)

Apparently not all Republicans think the most fruitful use of their time is delaying a final vote on health care reform. Early this afternoon, Republicans filed into a caucus meeting just off the Senate floor to discuss whether it makes sense to require Democrats to run out the clock, as is their right under Senate rules, or to cede back some time so that members can go home early.

Filing in, though, Republicans I spoke with seemed to think it would be best to stick around for the long haul.

Among Republicans, Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) has been the most adamant that the minority use all of the tools at its disposal--maximize the number of filibusters, and make sure they last as long as possible--to delay (or forestall) a final vote.

In a brief interview with TPMDC, Coburn said he will make sure the Senate stays in session until the last possible moment. "No, there's no chance," he told me.

Coburn said he would object if Democrats asked for unanimous consent to hold health care votes in more rapid succession.

Complicating factors for members is that they have to hold a vote, before the year is out, on raising the country's debt ceiling. If Republicans refuse to cede back time on health care, that vote will have to happen next week, after a very brief Christmas break. But Coburn says he's going to force the issue.

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Jim Greer

Florida GOP Chairman, Crist Ally, Fighting Calls For Resignation

Eric Kleefeld | December 21, 2009, 12:21PM

Florida Governor Charlie Crist (R)

The Florida Republican Party is facing serious internal divisions over the Senate primary between moderate Gov. Charlie Crist and the more conservative former state House Speaker Marco Rubio, with state party chairman and Crist ally Jim Greer denouncing calls from the right for his resignation.

"The governor has told me I'm not to consider resigning,'" Greer told the St. Petersburg Times. Greer denounced his critics: "People have a specific political agenda - to destroy me, to destroy the governor, and to destroy the party." He further slammed them as "non-inclusive purists" who want to remake the GOP as an "anti-Crist party" -- which would certainly be an odd thing for the party to be, an institution opposed to its own incumbent governor.

Read more »

Deficit

Obama Government Finds $19B In Cost Savings By Cutting Contracting, Consolidating Software Buys

Christina Bellantoni | December 21, 2009, 12:02PM

President Barack Obama

The Obama administration identified cuts to contracting within the federal government that puts the United States on track to save $19 billion this year and $40 billion by the end of the 2011 fiscal year.

Among the cuts is the consolidation of software purchases at the Department of Homeland Security to save more than $87 million.

"These changes will save the American people billions of dollars," President Obama said at an event today announcing the award winner from a government contest to identify savings.

He also said that next year he'd host an event at the White House seeking ideas from private sector on how to cut government spending.

Earlier today, staffers from the Office of Management and Budget outlined some of the cuts and announced the government will create an online "dashboard" so taxpayers can gauge whether agencies are meeting their goals.

Read more »

Health Care

GOP Delays Aimed At Political - Not Legislative - Victory

Christina Bellantoni | December 21, 2009, 11:27AM

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY)

Republicans acknowledge that it's not going to be possible to block the health care bill from clearing the Senate chamber.

So why the delay?

One reason the votes have been held at wacky hours is that GOP leaders have forced the full 30 hours required between cloture votes and objecting if Democrats try to shorten that time window. They also are taking advantage of Senate rules that are often waived to make sure that leadership has to file three cloture votes.

There's no going back since the trio of votes were set in motion, so it's highly unlikely the health care bill would be able to clear final passage before the scheduled 7 p.m. Christmas Eve vote, even though the total is a foregone conclusion.

Still, Republicans are complaining about "dead of night" votes.

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Harry Reid

Tea Partiers Take Aim: 'Harry Reid Is Going To Get What's Due Him'

Evan McMorris-Santoro | December 21, 2009, 10:33AM

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV)

No sooner had the deal been sealed for a health care reform vote in the Senate than did the tea partiers began to use it to target Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. In a fundraising email sent hours before the vote that cleared the way for a reform bill's passage in the Senate, organizers of the Tea Party Express series of cross-country lecture tours called on tea partiers everywhere to pay for an ad targeting Reid in Nevada.

"It is we the people who have been slaves to your failures and arrogance," the ad reads. "Our country deserves better."

Read more »

Health Care

Maine Legislator Leaves The GOP Over Health Care Reform

Evan McMorris-Santoro | December 21, 2009, 9:44AM

Rep. Jim Campbell (R-ME)

Democratic leaders in D.C. weren't the only legislators frustrated by Republican party efforts to block health care reform last week. After watching his party promise to stonewall any Democratic reform efforts, Maine state Rep. Jim Campbell decided it was time to drop the (R) from his title.

From Campbell's statement announcing his decision to leave the GOP and become an Independent (h/t Ben Smith):

I have been very frustrated with the Republican Party in Maine, and nationally, for their failure to address the health care crisis in a meaningful way. Nobody has all the answers, but the Republican Party has none when it comes to health care reform.

Read more »

Byron Dorgan

Poll: Dem Sen. Byron Dorgan Vulnerable -- If GOP Gets Gov. John Hoeven To Run

Eric Kleefeld | December 21, 2009, 9:15AM

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND)

A new Rasmussen poll finds that Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) could be seriously vulnerable in 2010 -- but only if the GOP manages to get just the right candidate to oppose him, third-term Republican Gov. John Hoeven.

When Dorgan is tested against Duane Sand, a Navy veteran who has previously run unsuccessfully for the Senate and the House, Dorgan leads by 52%-37%. But if Hoeven were the GOP candidate, Dorgan would trail by a 58%-36% margin.

Hoeven has previously declined a Senate run. The GOP tried to recruit him to run against Democratic Sen. Kent Conrad in the 2006 cycle, but he didn't make the race. Earlier this year, he said he would decide on a Senate run by September -- which has obviously passed already. But if he were to get in, he would start as the frontrunner.

From the pollster's analysis: "Along with Hoeven's popularity in the state, Dorgan has to contend with President Obama's unpopularity. John McCain carried North Dakota over Obama 53% to 45%, and now just 41% approve of how the president is doing his job. Fifty-eight percent (58%) disapprove."

Health Care

SEIU's Stern Softens Tone And Outlines What He Wants From Final Bill

Christina Bellantoni | December 21, 2009, 9:10AM

SEIU President Andy Stern

Service Employees International Union president Andy Stern, who criticized the Senate health care bill last week, issued a statement last night calling the vote a step closer to "reforming" the system.

"While the process to get to sixty and the willingness of individual Senators to use the Senate's rules to distort democracy for their own interest was disappointing - make no mistake about it: for working Americans this vote signals progress," Stern said.

He also blasted Republicans for sitting on the sidelines "jeering, rooting for America to fail."

Stern said there will be a chance to improve the bill after it passes the Senate and lawmakers look to a conference committee to merge that legislation with the House bill. He outlined on CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday what he'd like to see changed during the conference process.

Read more »

Health Care

In Two Days Time, Health Care Reform Went From Uncertain, To A Foregone Conclusion

Brian Beutler | December 21, 2009, 8:35AM

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid

At sundown on Friday, Democrats didn't have a lock on health care reform. That changed late Friday night over a handshake between Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. On Saturday, Reid signaled his confidence that his party was unified and ready to move forward by drawing the amendment process to a close and committing the Senate to voting on his bill. At 1 a.m. Monday morning, Reid proved he was right: All 60 Democrats voted to move ahead with reform, demonstrating with one procedural vote that they will pass major, historic, controversial legislation.

What stands between Senate Democrats and passing legislation now are a series of yet more procedural votes, which will likely take place over the next four days, culminating in a final up or down vote on reform, on Christmas eve at the latest.

That could come earlier, if Republicans accept what everybody knows: they're in checkmate. Barring a truly shocking development, health care reform will pass--can pass today, in theory--and at this point the delays have nothing to do with Democrats coming to agreement, and everything to do with Republicans maximizing the amount of time they can squeeze out of the legislative process under the rules of the Senate.

Read more »

Olympia Snowe

Snowe's A No For Now, But Is She Still In Play?

Brian Beutler | December 21, 2009, 8:19AM

Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME)

After months of negotiating, struggling, and agonizing, Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) has come off the fence. She does not support the Senate health care bill. That's much to President Obama's disappointment. As recently as this weekend he was trying to bring her into the fold.

"He was trying to solicit my support for this legislation," Snowe told reporters.

But is she out of the picture for good? The answer is: probably. But she's not ruling out voting for the legislation that comes out of negotiations between the House and Senate.

I asked her if she'd ruled out voting for the conference report.

"I have no idea...and I said I would help to play a constructive role in any way that I could," Snowe said. "But I wanted time to be able to modify this legislation. I mean, it really, it, I think it defies logic and reasonableness on this generational change that is transcendent for the President and for Congress, and not to have the opportunity to amend it. I mean it's almost absurd, frankly."

So. Not likely. But maybe!

Chuck Schumer

Democrats Elated, Relieved After Pushing Health Care Reform Forward

Brian Beutler | December 21, 2009, 2:09AM

Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL)

"The die is cast. It's done," said Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), moments after 60 Democrats signaled, with a single procedural vote, that they will stick together to pass health care reform.

As the clerk read the final tally aloud in the Senate chamber, Democrats, seated at their desks, muffled all of their emotions--enthusiasm, anxiety, relief. Sitting at his desk Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) clutched Sen. Roland Burris (D-IL) and Sen. Ted Kaufman (D-DE)--his colleague on either side--by the arms. Members smiled and softly pumped their fists, but in accordance with the rules, the floor was mostly silent.

In the reception room just outside the chamber, Sen. Ted Kennedy's widow Vicki embraced Sens. Chris Dodd (D-CT) and John Kerry (D-MA). Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, standing alone in the corner of the room, shouted a hearty congratulations to Dodd.

"Harry's going to almost have a drink," Schumer joked about the Mormon majority leader.

Read more »

Health Care

Senate Overcomes Key Health Care Hurdle--Reform Now On The Horizon

Brian Beutler | December 21, 2009, 1:18AM

Democratic Senators Harry Reid, Chris Dodd and Tom Harkin

By a vote of 60-40, the Senate agreed to end debate on a major package of health care amendments--and by doing so, signaled that the Democratic caucus is unified, and ready to pass a far-reaching reform bill straight down party lines.

The Senate is now expected to hold more procedural votes on Tuesday and Wednesday before finally voting on the bill late Christmas eve. Keep your eyes on TPMDC for all developments.

Health Care

Senate To Hold Key Health Care Test Vote

Brian Beutler | December 21, 2009, 12:43AM

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), Senator Max Baucus (D-MT)

The result is not really in doubt. Tonight, 60 Democrats and zero Republicans will likely vote to end debate on a package of amendments--stripping the public option, adding stricter abortion language, etc.--to Senate health care legislation.

It sounds, boring, but it's actually highly consequential.

If all goes as planned, the successful vote will be tangible evidence that the Senate is making its final descent towards passing health care reform legislation. All that can stop it is an unforeseen political or procedural catastrophe.

Read more »

CBO

Not $1.3 Trillion: CBO Correction Undermines Dems Claim On Health Care Reform

Brian Beutler | December 20, 2009, 7:39PM

CBO Director Doug Elmendorf

As I noted yesterday, Democratic aides were ecstatic about a key CBO finding: "CBO expects that the legislation, if enacted, would reduce federal budget deficits over the ensuing decade relative to those projected under current law--with a total effect during that decade that is in a broad range around one-half percent of GDP."

This, they claimed, implied that the health care bill could reduce deficits by as much as $1.3 trillion from 2020-2029--double the first draft of the Reid bill, which, based on a different CBO analysis, leadership aides claimed would reduce the deficit by as much as $650 billion.

Well, they may have to backtrack now.

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Barack Obama

Feingold: Thank Obama For The #Publicoptionfail

Brian Beutler | December 20, 2009, 7:23PM

Sen. Russell Feingold (D-WI)

That's gotta hurt.

Sen. Russel Feingold (D-WI) has come out in support of the Senate health care bill--but not before placing one of its major failings at the feet of the White House. "[T]he lack of support from the administration made keeping the public option in the bill an uphill struggle," reads a statement from Feingold. "Removing the public option from the Senate bill is the wrong move, and eliminates $25 billion in savings. I will be urging members of the House and Senate who draft the final bill to make sure this essential provision is included."

On the one hand, it's hard to imagine Robert Gibbs taking the criticism sanguinely--the White House has insisted, to an incredulous community of activists, that President Obama did everything in his power to secure a public option. But on the other, this is criticism the White House might secretly be glad to accept in exchange for one of Congress' leading progressives saying he supports the controversial reform bill.

You can read the entire statement after the jump.

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Health Care

She's A No! Snowe Confirms Opposition To Health Care Bill

Brian Beutler | December 20, 2009, 4:24PM

Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME)

She's been saying Christmas is just too soon for several days now, but today, after Democrats rounded up 60 votes in their own caucus, she made it official. Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME) will oppose (and filibuster) health care reform.

"Having been fully immersed in this issue for this entire year and as the only Republican to vote for health reform in the Finance Committee, I deeply regret that I cannot support the pending Senate legislation as it currently stands, given my continued concerns with the measure and an artificial and arbitrary deadline of completing the bill before Christmas that is shortchanging the process on this monumental and trans-generational effort," reads a statement from her office.

The news shouldn't come as a surprise to Democratic leadership, but it does bring home the extent to which the survival of this legislation hangs on a bare thread. In the next several days (and, indeed, for several weeks) Democrats need to keep everybody in the party happy enough, or the bill will not pass.

You can read the entire statement below the fold.

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