TPMDC Morning Roundup

Dems To Scrap Conference Committee For Health Care Bill, Amend The Senate Bill In The House
House and Senate Democrats have agreed to bypass the conference committee process for the health care bill, in order to circumvent additional Republican delaying tactics. Instead, the House of Representatives will pass agreed-upon amendments to the Senate version, and then send the bill back to the Senate for a final vote.

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama and Vice President Biden will receive the presidential daily briefing at 9:45 a.m. ET, and the economic daily briefing at 10:15 a.m. ET. Obama will meet with senior advisers at 11:30 a.m. ET. Obama will deliver remarks at 1:35 p.m. ET, honoring educators for awards received for excellence in mathematics and science teaching and mentoring.

Biden's Day Ahead
Vice President Biden will attend PResident Obama's morning briefings. Later, he will receive briefings form senior staff at the White House.

Harold Ford Considering Senate Primary Bid Against Gillibrand
The New York Times reports that former Rep. Harold Ford Jr. (D-TN), who ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate from Tennessee in 2006, is considering primary challenge this year against appointed Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). The Times says: "Mr. Ford, 39, who moved to New York three years ago, has told friends that he will decide whether to run in the next 45 days. The discussions between Mr. Ford and top Democratic donors reflect the dissatisfaction of some prominent party members with Ms. Gillibrand, who has yet to win over key constituencies, especially in New York City."

South Carolina Republicans Rally To Graham's Defense, Blast His Detractors
Roll Call reports that a group of former GOP county chairmen in Lexington County, South Carolina, have written a letter lambasting the county party's recent censure of Sen. Lindsey Graham, and attacking the process that they say is dividing the party: "On the e-mail notice that went out before the meeting, there was no mention that any resolutions would be considered, much less a resolution to censure our senior United States Senator. When the time came for a decision about whether a quorum existed or whether the motion should be postponed until February, the demands of a vocal minority won. For something as serious as a censure resolution, the process should have been above reproach."

Pelosi Faces First Election Without Bush
The Hill says that Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats face a new challenge in 2010, Pelosi's first election without George W. Bush in the White House: "Like professional athletes and protagonists in Hollywood blockbusters, politicians are judged against their adversaries. Bush was Pelosi's Darth Vader, and she was his. Now she and other leading House Democrats face a decision about how much to emphasize what they have done while controlling Congress and the White House, how much to contrast this with their former bogeyman, Bush, and how much to go after other high-profile conservatives such as Rush Limbaugh and Sarah Palin."

Jenny Sanford's Book Gets Early Release Date
South Carolina First Lady Jenny Sanford's upcoming book, Staying True, has been fast-tracked for a February 5 release date, ahead of the originally planned publication in April. Jenny Sanford got the book deal this past September, and in December filed for divorce from her husband Gov. Mark Sanford (R), as a result of his infidelity.