Obama-Hoyer Bond Forms As Pelosi Rejects Budget Deal
The Hill reports: “This year’s budget battles have forged a loose bond between President Obama and Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) while revealing some distance between the White House and Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). The informal alliance has propelled the minority whip into the spotlight of the spending debate, bolstered his reputation as a centrist dealmaker and even led some Democrats to suggest he should lead the caucus in the looming talks over raising the nation’s debt limit.”
Obama’s Day Ahead
President Obama will depart from Los Angeles, California, at 11:55 a.m. ET. He will arrive back at Andrews Air Force Base at 4:15 p.m. ET. He does not currently have any scheduled public events.
Biden, Putin Discuss Trade, Missile Defense
AFP reports: “US Vice President Joe Biden and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Thursday discussed Moscow’s goal of joining the World Trade Organization and missile defense cooperation, the White House said. Biden and Putin talked about “the Obama administration’s commitment to terminate” the application to Russia of a Cold War-era US law that blocks certain non-market economies that restrict emigration from joining the WTO. They also discussed ‘next steps on missile defense cooperation’ and ‘agreed on the importance of continuing momentum in relations between the United States and Russia,’ according to a White House statement.”
Biden Deficit Task Force Off To Rocky Start
The Washington Post reports: “A congressional task force launched by President Obama last week to help cut the federal deficit is off to a rocky start, with some members complaining that the agenda is destined to provide political theater, not a sweeping rewrite of spending and tax policy. Set to begin discussions May 5, members already hit a dispute this week, disagreeing over how many people should have seats at the table. Some are asking what’s the point of meeting at all.”
Race For The Republican Presidential Nomination Begins
Politico repots: “The hazy Republican presidential primary is about to get some clarity. The next two weeks will mark the effective start of the slow-developing contest, with nearly every major potential candidate poised to make an important move. On-the-fence prospects will make up their mind, the first light will be shed on one of the race’s biggest X-factors and many of the candidates will face one another on stage for the first time.”
Evidence Aside, State Lawmakers Debate ‘Birther’ Bills
The New York Times reports: “Around the country, the issue has proved to be a sure winner for the conservative base, with bills popping up in more than a dozen state legislatures to force future presidential candidates to prove their citizenship. Those legislatures, though, have been much more reluctant to turn this issue into concrete law.”
Eric Kleefeld
Eric Kleefeld joined TPM as an intern for the final months of the 2006 midterm elections, and then kept showing up for work. His other interests include guitars, old comic books and the politics of various English-speaking countries.
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