TPMDC
Carl Levin

Liz Cheney: Obama Given Nobel Prize For Opposing American Dominance
Appearing on Fox News Sunday, Liz Cheney attacked President Obama's Nobel Peace Prize. "Well, I think what the committee believes is they'd like to live in a world in which America is not dominant. And I think if you look at the language of the citation, you can see that they talk about, you know, President Obama ruling in a way that makes sense to the majority of the people of the world," said Cheney. "You know, Americans don't elect a president to do that. We elect a president to defend our national interests. And so I think that, you know, they may believe that President Obama also doesn't agree with American dominance, and they may have been trying to affirm that belief with the prize. I think, unfortunately, they may be right, and I think it's a concern."

McCain: Palin 'Energized Our Party'
Appearing on State of the Union, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) defended his former running mate Sarah Palin, against the criticism of his former campaign manager Steve Schmidt. "There are fundamental facts ... that cannot be denied," McCain adds. "When we selected or asked Sarah Palin to be my running mate, it energized our party. We were ahead in the polls, until the stock market crashed. And she still is a formidable force in the Republican Party, and I have great affection for her."

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Topics: Afghanistan, Bob Casey, Carl Levin, Dianne Feinstein, Health Care, Jack Reed, John McCain, Lindsey Graham, Liz Cheney, Nobel Peace Prize, Roundup, Sarah Palin, Saxby Chambliss, Steve Schmidt

Sunday Shows

The Sunday Show Line-Ups

Eric Kleefeld | October 9, 2009, 1:35PM

Here are the line-ups for the Sunday talk shows this weekend:

• ABC, This Week: Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), Retired Gen. Jack Keane.

• CBS, Face The Nation: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI).

• CNN, State Of The Union: Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).

• Fox News Sunday: Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D-MI), Gov. Mitch Daniels (R-IN), Moody's economist Mark Zandi, National Transportation Safety Board Chair Deborah Hersman.

• NBC, Meet The Press: Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Retired Gen. Barry McCaffrey, Retired Gen. Richard Myers.

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Topics: Carl Levin, Debbie Stabenow, Dianne Feinstein, John McCain, Lindsey Graham, Mitch McConnell, Saxby Chambliss, Sunday Shows

Afghanistan

Levin, McCain Each Claim McChrystal For Himself

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 7, 2009, 4:52PM

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI)

It wasn't exactly potato/potahto, but before reporters this afternoon the two senators most prominently on opposite sides of the debate over what to do next in Afghanistan each said the recent report by Gen. Stanley McChrystal supported their view of the conflict.

At a Capitol Hill press conference announcing the final version of this year's defense appropriations bill, Sens. Carl Levin (D-MI) and John McCain (R-AZ) took questions about their differing views on the future of the Afghanistan conflict a day after both men joined President Obama in a White House meeting on the subject. As has been the case all week, the focus turned to McChrystal's recent report calling for more troops and new attention on winning Afghan hearts and minds.

Levin, who has been vocal with his skepticism toward the idea of more troops in Afghanistan, said McChrystal's report vindicated his view of the conflict. Levin is supportive of Obama's push for a new strategy in the conflict and said McChrystal's report and recent London speech showed he and the general agree.

"He said we need a change in strategy," Levin said. "Those are his exact words."

McCain, who has supported a so-called "surge" strategy in Afghanistan, said it was clear it was he and McChrystal who shared the same view on the war. "I didn't say it has to be the exact number of troops General McChrystal has requested," he said. "But I've been to Afghanistan many times -- I understand it. And I support a surge-style strategy."

There was one thing both men agreed on at the press conference. Levin and McCain refused to say Obama is "dragging his feet" on making a decision about the future of the conflict. Levin said McChrystal's report showed support for what Levin called "the usefulness of a deliberative process" over what to do next.

McCain said he supported the idea of a review but cautioned that "delays" in announcing and implementing a new strategy "are being interpreted as vacillations on the part of the Americans" in Pakistan and regions of Afghanistan.

"There is a true sense of urgency," McCain said, pointing to rising American casualties in recent weeks as evidence that Taliban forces feel the deliberations in Washington are an advantage.

"There are lives at stake on the time and right strategy side of things," Levin responded. "We have to ensure that our troops are doing the right thing."

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Topics: Afghanistan, Carl Levin, John McCain

John McCain

Fly On The Wall: Details Emerge On Obama's Exchanges In WH Afghanistan Meeting

Christina Bellantoni | October 6, 2009, 10:35PM

Details are still emerging about President Obama's 90-minute closed-door session with 31 members of Congress today about his plan for Afghanistan, but mentioned in some stories is that Sen. John McCain had a terse exchange with his onetime rival.

Both the New York Times and Politico are reporting tonight that McCain (R-AZ) suggested Obama was making the decision about whether to send a surge of troops at a "leisurely" pace and was rebuffed.

While disputing the suggestion of a tense moment, sources confirmed the general sense of the exchange -- and that Obama assured everyone that he was moving as quickly as he believes prudence allows.

TPMDC checked in with McCain spokeswoman Brooke Buchanan, who said the senator was "astonished" by early reports characterizing the exchange as an argument because they aren't accurate. The White House also suggested there weren't any fireworks.

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Topics: Afghanistan, Barack Obama, Carl Levin, John Kerry, John McCain

Chuck Schumer

The Sunday Show Line-Ups

Eric Kleefeld | October 2, 2009, 4:31PM

Here are the line-ups for the Sunday talk shows this weekend:

• ABC, This Week: Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX).

• CBS, Face The Nation: National Security Adviser Gen. James Jones, Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI), Gen. Anthony Zinni, Rep. Ike Skelton (D-MO).

• CNN, State Of The Union: National Security Adviser Gen. James Jones, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ).

• Fox News Sunday: Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA).

• NBC, Meet The Press: Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice.

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Topics: Barbara Boxer, Bob Casey, Carl Levin, Chuck Schumer, Evan Bayh, Ike Skelton, James Jones, John Cornyn, Jon Kyl, Lindsey Graham, Saxby Chambliss, Susan Rice

Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | September 11, 2009, 9:14AM

Obama's First 9/11 As President
The Associated Press points out that today is President Obama's first September 11 as president, looking at the changes in policy that have occurred between him and the Bush administration, and the challenges Obama still has ahead: "Eight years later, Obama has the bullhorn. And the way forward in the fight against terrorism is anything but clear. Obama approaches his first 9-11 anniversary as president saddled with two wars that followed the 2001 terrorist attacks, and confronted at every turn by difficult leftovers from Bush's response to them."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama observed a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. ET, remember the September 11 attacks. President Obama will deliver remarks at a 9:30 a.m. ET wreath-laying ceremony at the Pentagon Memorial.

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Topics: Afghanistan, Barack Obama, Carl Levin, Chris Dodd, Joe Biden, Joe Wilson, John Kerry, Nancy Pelosi

Barack Obama

TPMDC Saturday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | September 5, 2009, 1:25PM

Obama Announces New Initiatives For Retirement Savings
In this weekend's YouTube address, President Obama announced a set of new policies to make it easier for workers to invest towards their retirements. Obama tied the importance of this policy into the current economic troubles:

"We have to revive this economy and rebuild it stronger than before," said Obama. "And making sure that folks have the opportunity and incentive to save - for a home or college, for retirement or a rainy day - is essential to that effort. If you work hard and meet your responsibilities, this country is going to honor our collective responsibility to you: to ensure that you can save and secure your retirement."

GOP Address: "No Wonder Americans Are Scared"
In this weekend's Republican address, Rep. John Kline (R-MN) called for "hitting the rest button on health care reform," and warned against the dire consequences of the current Democratic proposals:

"No wonder Americans are scared," said Kline. "Health care reform is being imposed upon them, rather than developed with them, and the potential costs are far too high. And sadly - monetary costs are only part of the picture. Many are concerned that Democrats' plans may cost patients the right to see their family doctor or have any input into a life-altering - if not life-saving medical treatment."

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Topics: Afghanistan, Barack Obama, Carl Levin, Health Care, Lynn Woolsey, Robert Gates, Ted Kennedy

Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | July 9, 2009, 9:02AM

Obama Calls For Climate Deal This Year
At the G8 Summit, President Obama called for the member countries to make continued progress on climate change, before a new round of U.N. treaty talks this December. Press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters that Obama said "there was still time in which they could close the gap on that disagreement in time for that important (meeting)."

Obama's Day In Italy
President Obama is in Rome today. At 3:30 a.m. ET (9:30 a.m. local time), he met with Brazilian President Lula da Silva. At 4 a.m. ET, he attended a meeting of leaders of the G-8, plus China, India, Mexico, South Africa and Egypt, with a working lunch at 6:30 a.m. ET. At 8:30 a.m. ET, he attended a meeting with representatives of the Junior 8, and he attended a world trade discussion at 9 a.m. ET. At 10:15 a.m. ET, he will attend a Major Economies Forum discussion on the environment, and will make a statement to the press at 12:30 p.m. ET. AT 2:30 p.m. ET, he will attend a G-8 working dinner, hosted by Italian President Giorgio Napolitano.

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Topics: Barack Obama, Carl Levin, Climate Change, Harry Reid, Health Care, Jeb Bush, Joe Biden, Sonia Sotomayor, Stimulus, Supreme Court

Carl Levin

Levin Calls Cheney A Liar On Torture

Eric Kleefeld | May 28, 2009, 6:39PM

Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) spoke last night at a dinner of the Foreign Policy Association, where he lambasted former Vice President Dick Cheney's speech last week for dishonestly claiming that the interrogation techniques he approved were not torture, and were not connected to Abu Ghraib -- saying that Cheney "bore false witness":

"I do so as Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, which recently completed an 18-month investigation into the abuse of detainees in U.S. custody, and produced a 200-page bipartisan report, which gives the lie to Mr. Cheney's claims," said Levin. "I do so because if the abusive interrogation techniques that he champions, the face of which were the pictures of abuse at Abu Ghraib, if they are once more seen as representative of America, our security will be severely set back."

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Topics: Carl Levin, Dick Cheney, Torture

Guantanamo Bay

Some Americans Do Want Terrorists In Their Communities

Brian Beutler | May 22, 2009, 12:58PM

On Wednesday, the Senate voted overwhelmingly to deny President Obama the funds he needs to shutter the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The stall may be temporary, but many are convinced that it's yet another example of the tired political dynamic in post-9/11 Washington whereby Democrats cave to cowing Republicans the moment the conversation turns to terrorism.

Two weeks ago, though, the GOP got a little bit ahead of itself. "Do you know of any community in the United States of America that would welcome terrorists -- former terrorists, would-be terrorists, people trained as terrorists -- that have been incarcerated at Guantanamo Bay into any community in this country?" asked Sen. Richard Shelby (R-KY).

The question was directed at Attorney General Eric Holder, who basically punted. But it turns out there are at least a few communities in the country that might just welcome a suspected terrorist or two to stay for a while.