Health Care

House Passes Health Care Bill 220-215

Christina Bellantoni | November 7, 2009, 11:19PM

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)

The House of Representatives has passed a bill calling for comprehensive reforms to the American health care system and universal insurance coverage, marking a major milestone in the battle for health care reform.

It's the first time in the nation's history a chamber of Congress has gotten this far as the House passed the Affordable Health Care for America Act by a vote of 220-215.

The vote came after President Obama made a last-minute appeal to his party during the House Democratic Caucus, asking them to "answer the call" of history.

Democrat after Democrat cited history on the House floor during the rare Saturday session, with Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) saying generations of Americans have wanted health care reform.

"Today the call will be answered," Pelosi said, citing the late Sen. Teddy Kennedy who called health care reform the "great unfinished business of our society."

Earlier in the day, lawmakers were getting Pelosi's signature on their copies of the bill.

All but one of the Republicans opposed the bill after a day of debate, joining 39 Democrats who voted 'No.' Rep. Joseph Cao (R-LA) was the only Republican to vote for it.

Read more »

Health Care

GOP Compiles List Of Democrat 'No' Votes

Christina Bellantoni | November 7, 2009, 3:13PM

Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA)

Republicans already let the world know they will unanimously oppose the health care bill tonight, but now they are mocking Democratic divisions as more members of the majority party announce they can't support the plan in its current form.

(Watch the debate live here.)

Staffers in Minority Whip Eric Cantor's office are having some fun today, and are sending reporters updates when Democrats announce their plans to vote "No."

Cantor says: "There will be one bipartisan vote today, and that is against Speaker Pelosi's overhaul of health care. There will not be a bipartisan vote for this bill."

Here's the list they compiled of Democrats who won't back the bill, as of 6:30 p.m. (Updated.)

Read more »

Barack Obama

House Dems Chant Obama's 'Fired Up' Campaign Slogan As He Leaves Caucus

Christina Bellantoni | November 7, 2009, 1:29PM

President Barack Obama

President Obama rallied House Democrats this afternoon on the eve of a major vote on health care.

After he was done outlining the historic significance of the vote, some members spontaneously started chanting "Fired Up, Ready to Go" the White House told reporters.

White House spokesman Bill Burton told reporters that Obama told the caucus they had a unique opportunity before them:

"The President made the case that Congress has a historic opportunity today to provide stability and security for those who have insurance, affordable coverage for those who don't and bring down the cost of health care for families, small businesses and the government. He said that we have made more progress on comprehensive reform than any administration and any Congress in the past 70 years - and we should take this historic opportunity to pass health care reform so that he can sign a bill by the end of this year.

The White House also moved up the president's statement by an hour, he's expected to talk in the Rose Garden any moment.

Health Care

Health Care Saturday: Obama To Rally Dems Before Historic Vote

Christina Bellantoni | November 7, 2009, 10:22AM

Capital Building and President Barack Obama

Democratic leadership is saying this morning they are confident they have the 218 votes needed to pass the sweeping House health care, public option included.

Just in case, President Obama will make his way to Capitol Hill to speak with the Democratic House caucus at 11:25 this morning. Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her leadership team will meet the press around noon.

Then things will get exciting as they start debating in a rare weekend session billed as health care Saturday.

If you want to see the sausage being made, tune into C-Span today, and for an explainer, keep reading.

Read more »

Barack Obama

Obama Awards Two Purple Hearts To Soldiers During Walter Reed Visit

Christina Bellantoni | November 6, 2009, 6:24PM

President Obama pays his respects to fallen American soldiers.

President Obama spent nearly two hours this afternoon meeting privately with soldiers and their families at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

While there, he awarded two Purple Hearts, the White House said.

No press was allowed to witness the visit, but an administration staffer told the pool which accompanies the president when he leaves the White House that Obama "visited with 19 soldiers, three families of soldiers in the ICU, as well as hospital staff."

Michele Bachmann

Michele Bachmann's Stock On The Rise After Her 'Super Bowl Of Freedom'

Christina Bellantoni | November 6, 2009, 6:05PM

Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)

Whether you call it a rally, press conference or "House Call," Republicans think Thursday's Capitol Hill Tea Party was a success -- and they are crediting Rep. Michele Bachmann for having the pizazz to increase turnout and press coverage.

"We didn't know what to expect, we didn't know what kind of energy would be there, but this thing took a life of its own," Brendan Buck, spokesman for the Republican Study Committee, told TPMDC.

"It came together better than we ever imagined it would in terms of size and energy," he said.

After chatting with press aides from various Republican offices, here's what we know.

Read more »

Capitol Hill Tea Party

Watch: TPMDC's Videos From Tea Party Scene

Christina Bellantoni | November 6, 2009, 3:19PM

Over the last 24 hours we've written a lot about the Capitol Hill Tea Party extravaganza.

Make sure to check out TPMDC's photo slideshow from yesterday's events here.

We also took lots of original video throughout the day - from musical protests against communism to tea partiers heckling police as some anti-abortion protesters were arrested and the crowd storming Capitol Hill office buildings.

Watch it all after the jump.

Read more »

Capitol Hill Tea Party

Gibbs Laments Images, Statements From Tea Party Crowd As 'Stunning'

Christina Bellantoni | November 6, 2009, 3:09PM

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs

David Corn from Mother Jones read an incendiary quote from yesterday's Capitol Hill Tea Party to White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs this afternoon during the press briefing.

Gibbs used the question as an opportunity to lament the state of discourse in the U.S.

Here's the Gibbs exchange:

Read more »

NY-23

NY-23 And GOP Turmoil Makes Urban Dictionary In New Entry: 'Scozzafavaed'

Christina Bellantoni | November 6, 2009, 2:24PM

Well, look at that. Not sure that's how Dede Scozzafava wanted to go down in history when she started her bid to be the next member of Congress from New York.

The Urban Dictionary has added "Scozzafavaed" to its pages.

Scozzafavaed (Pronounced: /skoʊzəfavəd/) -verb

1. Purged of moderation, e.g., within in a Congressional district
2. Inadvertently revealed internal chaos, e.g., within in (sic) a political party
3. Adj., Doomed due to popular support of the GOP electorate
"Dude, you see Glenn Beck talking about how our congressman supports indoctrinating us in the ways of socialism through paper money last night?

Health Care

Obama Administration: We (Heart) House Health Care Bill

Christina Bellantoni | November 6, 2009, 1:14PM

Capital Building and President Barack Obama

The White House just released a lengthy statement supporting the House health care plan.

Statements of administration policy, as they are officially known, sometimes help guide wavering lawmakers on how to vote.

The statement, in full after the jump, says the House bill "meets the President's criteria for health insurance reform."

Read more »

Health Care

Gibbs: Obama Will Rally Democrats Before Health Care Vote

Christina Bellantoni | November 6, 2009, 1:06PM

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs

President Obama will speak to House Democrats before they vote on the health care bill, even if the vote is pushed to Sunday or Monday.

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters in his daily briefing that due to the shootings at Ft. Hood yesterday, schedules changed and that's why Obama is planning to go to the caucus tomorrow instead of today as originally scheduled.

"The president wanted to go closer to the vote," he said.

Obama "will go to Capitol Hill to advocate for continuing that progress," Gibbs said.

Read more »

Health Care

Hispanic Caucus Warns Obama On Immigration Language In Health Care Bill

Christina Bellantoni | November 6, 2009, 10:50AM

Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY)

Roll Call is reporting (sub. req.) this morning that Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairwoman Nydia Velázquez (D-NY) is unhappy with potential language about illegal immigrants not being covered under the health care plan.

The newspaper reports Velázquez warned President Obama yesterday that 20 members of her caucus will vote against the final bill if that language is included.

In their current forms, the Senate version of the bill blocks illegals from getting coverage, the House bill does not.

"He listened to us and he knows where we stand," Velazquez said, according to Roll Call. "We made it very clear that we support the language that is in the House. We expect that the current language will not change."

We've checked in with her office and with the White House and will update readers when we know where this stands.

Barack Obama

Obama Meeting With Newly Elected Rep. Owens, Caucus Pushed To Saturday

Christina Bellantoni | November 5, 2009, 10:23PM

Capital Building and President Barack Obama

Bill Owens will have been a member of Congress less than five hours when he is treated to a private sit-down with President Obama.

The White House said Obama is scheduled to meet with Owens in the Oval Office Friday at 4:25 p.m. after the president returns from a visit to Walter Reed.

Owens (D-NY) was elected Tuesday night after defeating Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman. Speaker Nancy Pelosi will host the swearing-in ceremony around noon Friday.

He was a bright spot in a lousy night for the party in the elections in the Northeast, and the first Democrat to hold the seat since the Civil War.

TPMDC reported earlier that Obama is meeting with House Democrats during a caucus meeting before they vote on health care. That was scheduled for Friday but the White House just announced the meeting will be Saturday instead.

Late update: Vice President Biden on Friday will speak via phone to "members of the House of Representatives about the need to pass health insurance reform." In announcing Biden's schedule, the White House didn't specify if he was speaking to Democrats and Republicans or just one party. TPMDC will update when we find out.

Capitol Hill Tea Party

Tea Partiers Came With 2010 Warnings

Christina Bellantoni | November 5, 2009, 6:52PM

The scene today at the Capitol Hill Tea Party probably worried incumbents of both parties.

TPMDC was there, following every "Kill the bill" refrain and impromptu "USA! USA!" chant from the many thousands gathered on the West Front Lawn of the Capitol.

Evan captured the mood on the ground (with extra fun video of women singing their own anti-health care version of "Yankee Doodle") and as we reported earlier, I stumbled upon tea partiers heckling police who had arrested protesters.

My takeaway after several hours interviewing people who had taken time off work, sacrificed sleep and hopped on buses to make the trip from across the country is that there is a real spark to the movement.

The group is angry, and in many cases ill-informed about the 1,900-page health care bill that they delighted in shredding across the Capitol today. But they vote, and each person told me they are angry with incumbents and government spending.

Read more »

Capitol Hill Tea Party

Strange Scene: 10 Arrested As Tea Partiers Heckle Police

Christina Bellantoni | November 5, 2009, 4:04PM

U.S. Capitol, Tea-party rally

U.S. Capitol Police arrested 10 people this afternoon after the Capitol Hill Tea Party crowd stormed Congressional office buildings.

Sgt. Kimberly Schneider, public information office for the Capitol Police, told TPMDC the arrests happened in the Cannon House building as tea partiers attempted to protest Speaker Nancy Pelosi about health care.

They were charged with unlawful entry (entering a Congressional office and refusing to leave when told to do so) and/or disorderly conduct (yelling in the hallway outside an office) at Room 235 in the Cannon House Office Building.

Room 235 is Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office for district business, not where she conducts her duties as Speaker. That's handled at an office in the Capitol building.

TPMDC happened upon a crowd that formed around two police vans as the protesters were prepared for "transporting," according to one officer there.

Without those official details, protesters in the crowd watching the arrests were furious. They shouted "Let them go!" and one man yelled at the police that "Martin Luther King" was being dishonored and shouted "Letter from Birmingham Jail!"

One woman told officers they were "shameful." Others called the arrested protesters "political prisoners."

"This is America, this is not the Soviet Union," one woman said.

Read more »

Capitol Hill Tea Party

Cantor Promises Tea Partiers: 'Not One' GOP Vote For Health Care

Christina Bellantoni | November 5, 2009, 1:13PM

Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA)

House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) made it clear at the tea party "House Call" this afternoon that President Obama won't be getting his party's health care vote.

"Your efforts to stop this bill are being heard loud and clear," Cantor told the thousands gathered at the base of the Capitol in what some billed as a smaller reunion of the 9/12 rallies.

"Be assured not one Republican will vote for this bill," Cantor said, to big cheers and shouts of "Kill the bill."

Read more »

Health Care

Obama Gets More Visible On Health Care As House Prepares Weekend Vote

Christina Bellantoni | November 5, 2009, 10:28AM

Capital Building and President Barack Obama

President Obama will travel down Pennsylvania Avenue Friday to speak privately with House Democrats on the eve of a critical vote on health care.

The White House may be attempting to put more of a stamp on the legislation as it weaves its way through the halls of Congress, and administration officials have been forcefully pushing back against reports suggesting health care won't happen until next year.

Last night, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and administration health care staffers huddled with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and leadership senators Dick Durbin, Chuck Schumer and Patty Murray on Capitol Hill.

Leadership and administration officials were mum on the details.

Meanwhile, the DNC's Organizing for America has been urging supporters to phone their member of Congress before the Saturday vote.

"We expect it to be very close," Mitch Stewart, director of OFA, wrote to the campaign's 13 million-strong email list.

2010 elections

DGA Hunkers Down For '10 Battle As Leaders Warn Democrats To Keep Races Local

Christina Bellantoni | November 4, 2009, 6:18PM

Democratic candidates for governor in 2010 need to avoided being baited by Republicans on national issues such as health care or climate change, Democratic officials said today in the wake of two big losses in New Jersey and Virginia.

Nathan Daschle, executive director of the Democratic Governors Association, told reporters the 37 races they have on the map next year will be tough. He advised that candidates talk about jobs, the party's ability to govern and local issues.

"Republicans are going to try to use federal issues to box in Democrats and we can't fall for that," he said. "We need to demonstrate our capacity to govern and our capacity to get results."

Daschle said candidates "cannot fall for the trap" of federal issues, saying that if GOP rivals are pushing on health care or climate change they probably don't know about state issues.

TPMDC asked Daschle about candidates getting pushed on health care, especially whether they would "opt-out" of the public option in its current form. It's an issue that hurt Creigh Deeds (D) in Virginia as liberals felt like he was moving too far to the right by saying he would likely opt-out.

Read more »

2010 elections

Conservatives Emboldened: DeMint Says 'Army Of Americans' Will Fight For Freedom In '10

Christina Bellantoni | November 4, 2009, 4:05PM

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC)

Sen. Jim DeMint says Republicans must be "rock solid" conservatives to win in 2010, and predicted a national "army" will rise up next year.

TPMDC listened in last night on a call run by DeMint's Senate Conservatives Fund as they ticked off the races they are watching and detailed the conservative direction they think Republicans need to head toward.

DeMint said he wanted to "harness the energy" he saw during the tea parties.

He said he wants to show that "anywhere in the country," a "principled Republican with conservative principles" can win.

"That is going to change politics in America," he said. "You're going to see an army of Americans fighting for freedom in this next election."

Read more »

2009 elections

Obama Has Made The Calls

Christina Bellantoni | November 4, 2009, 1:49PM

New Jersey Gov.-elect Chris Christie (R), President Barack Obama, Virginia Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell (R)

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs tells TPMDC that President Obama has phoned the winners from last night's competitive East Coast races.

Gibbs said Obama has called Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell (R-VA), Gov.-elect Chris Christie (R-NJ) and Rep.-elect Bill Owens (D-NY).

Obama also phoned New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg, an independent who won reelection, and he left a message for Rep.-elect John Garamendi (D-CA).

As we reported earlier, Obama phoned the losing candidates last night.

The Washington Post has some more detail on the McDonnell call.

CA-SEN

Senate Conservatives Fund Picks Sides In Ca. As DeMint Backs DeVore

Christina Bellantoni | November 4, 2009, 12:53PM

CA-SEN Republican candidates Chuck DeVore and Carly Fiorina

A California Republican aiming to unseat Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) next year has gotten a boost from conservative Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC).

DeMint announced last night his Senate Conservatives Fund was endorsing state Assemblyman Chuck DeVore over former Hewlett Packard chief Carly Fiorina. The group supports only "rock solid" conservatives, organizers told supporters on a conference call last night as election results came in.

DeVore "will work with me to shake things up," DeMint said, and "vote the right way ...
stand up in our conference meetings and say, 'Folks this is wrong let's turn this thing around.'"

DeMint's fund already has endorsed Republican senate candidates Marco Rubio in Florida and Pat Toomey in Pennsylvania.

Read more »

2009 elections

Obama Called Losers Last Night, Will Call Winners Today

Christina Bellantoni | November 4, 2009, 10:38AM

New Jersey Gov.-elect Chris Christie (R), President Barack Obama, Virginia Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell (R)

President Obama has not yet called Republican governors-elect Chris Christie in New Jersey or Bob McDonnell in Virginia.

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters in his gaggle today that Obama did not watch the returns last night, a trend which is not unusual since he didn't watch returns for his own races as they came in.

"He wanted them to enjoy their night with their families and supporters," Gibbs said.

Gibbs said he sent Obama some email updates throughout the night and spoke with him on the phone. (As for what the races mean, all politics is local, Gibbs said this morning.)

The president was "disappointed" that his "friend" Gov. Jon Corzine (D-NJ) was defeated, Gibbs said.

The president did talk to Corzine and state Sen. Creigh Deeds (D-VA) last night.

Gibbs said Obama will call the victors today.

McDonnell is holding a press conference this afternoon.

2009 elections

Gibbs: Dem Losses In VA And NJ 'Didn't Involve The President'

Christina Bellantoni | November 4, 2009, 10:28AM

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters in his morning gaggle that Republican wins last night "demonstrate that voters" are working through "local issues that didn't involve the president."

Read more »

White House

White House Blasts Stimulus 'Myths,' Including Cash For Sperm Freezer

Christina Bellantoni | November 4, 2009, 7:53AM

President Barack Obama

In a White House blog post last night, Obama adviser G. Edward DeSeve detailed "10 Recovery Act Myths."

He said some of the commentary in the press and among politicians about the $787 billion plan is "just plain wrong."

DeSeve, Assistant to the Vice President and Special Advisor to the OMB Director for Implementation of the Recovery Act, said "more than 170 proposed Recovery Act projects have been halted or altered due to our review process" on waste, fraud or abuse.

Myth No. 5 - the money is being used for a freezer for fish sperm at the Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery, in South Dakota.

"Actually, no Recovery Act funds are being used for this project," DeSeve writes.

NY-23

NY-23: Owens Wins In Race That Captured National Spotlight

Christina Bellantoni | November 4, 2009, 12:18AM

NY-23 Candidates Bill Owens (D) and Doug Hoffman (Conservative)

Democrats have captured the 23rd Congressional District in New York.

CNN and Fox News called the race for Democrat Bill Owens, making him the first Democrat to hold the upstate New York seat since the Civil War. With 87 percent of precincts reporting, Owens led conservative party candidate Doug Hoffman by 49-45.

Read more »

2009 elections

Red Tide: After Losses In Virginia and New Jersey What Will Obama Say?

Christina Bellantoni | November 3, 2009, 11:49PM

VA-GOV candidate Bob McDonnell and NJ-GOV candidate Chris Christie

President Obama will wake up Wednesday morning on the one-year anniversary of his historic election with two fewer Democratic governors he can call allies.

In New Jersey, Republican Chris Christie unseated Gov. Jon Corzine (D). Virginia Republicans swept the statewide races and picked up seats in the state house as Republican former attorney general Bob McDonnell walloped state Sen. Creigh Deeds (D) by more than 15 points.

Here's what we know:

Read more »

NY-23

Owens Leads In NY-23 As Democrats Have One Chance To Avoid Full Sweep

Christina Bellantoni | November 3, 2009, 10:31PM

NY-23 Candidates Bill Owens (D) and Doug Hoffman (Conservative)

Democrat Bill Owens leads conservative party candidate Doug Hoffman by 51-44 percent with one-third of precincts reporting.

If Owens hangs onto that margin, New York's 23rd Congressional district will be the only bright spot on the map for Democrats tonight.

VA-GOV

Deeds Thanks Supporters, Says 'Next Chapter Has Yet To Be Written'

Christina Bellantoni | November 3, 2009, 10:23PM

VA-Gov. candidate Creigh Deeds (D)

In his victory speech tonight, Gov-elect Bob McDonnell (R-VA) thanked his rival Creigh Deeds (D) and promised to work for all Virginians.

He also said he'd keep working with Deeds, who will remain in the state senate.

Deeds just sent supporters a thank-you note and said he will keep fighting "for the working families of Virginia."

Full note after the jump.

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NY-23

NY-23: Too Close To Call

Christina Bellantoni | November 3, 2009, 10:10PM

NY-23 Candidates Bill Owens (D) and Doug Hoffman (Conservative)

Polls have been closed for more than an hour in New York's 23rd Congressional district, but neither candidate has a clear advantage.

Democrat Bill Owens has a slight lead over Doug Hoffman, the conservative party candidate, with early returns trickling in.

The victor will replace Republican John McHugh, who President Obama named to be his secretary of the Army.

Hoffman appeared earlier on Fox:

VA-GOV

Pawlenty On Virginia: Voters Embraced McDonnell's 'Conservative Message'

Christina Bellantoni | November 3, 2009, 8:46PM

Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN)

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty issued a statement on Bob McDonnell's (R-VA) win in Virginia tonight:

"I want to send my congratulations to Bob, Maureen and their family. Bob ran a positive campaign based on the conservative principles of fiscal responsibility and low taxes. Virginians embraced his conservative message, rejecting more taxes, card-check and spending that would hurt economic growth and job creation. I'm especially proud of the RGA's historic role in supporting Bob's effort, and look forward to working with the Governor-Elect next year."

VA-GOV

Steele: GOP Sweep In Virginia 'Blow' To Obama

Christina Bellantoni | November 3, 2009, 8:14PM

Candidate For Governor Bob McDonnell (R-VA)

RNC Chairman Mike Steele is happy about Bob McDonnell's win in Virginia, and sends over a statement regarding the expected sweep from the GOP ticket.

Steele takes a whack at Obama:

Read more »

VA-GOV

Virginia: McDonnell Wins After Lackluster Turnout

Christina Bellantoni | November 3, 2009, 7:59PM

VA-GOV Candidates Creigh Deeds (D) and Bob McDonnell (R)

The AP and MSNBC have called the Virginia gubernatorial race for Republican Bob McDonnell.

The unsurprising win keeps the Virginia tradition going - the party that controls the White House has lost the election for governor since 1977.

Though it came later than expected, it's bad news for Virginia Democrats, who are likely to lose House seats tonight and potentially the downticket races as well. The Democrats have held the governor's mansion since 2002 and have made gains in recent years.

President Obama was the first Democrat to win the state's presidential vote since 1964, and Virginia's electoral votes put him over the top to capture the presidency.

Creigh Deeds (D) had banked his entire strategy in the last few weeks on turning out Obama voters.

Read more »

2008 campaign

Rubbing It In? OFA's Obama Feed Tweets About Election '08

Christina Bellantoni | November 3, 2009, 7:44PM

President Barack Obama

As Virginia Democrats brace for a potential sweeping loss to Republicans tonight, Organizing for America chooses to reminisce.

The Barack Obama Twitter feed posted for its more than 2.5 million subscribers at 7:06 p.m.:

"Tomorrow will mark a year since our historic victory. Do you have a favorite 2008 Election Day memory? Share your stories via #Nov4"

Tonight the "By the People" documentary about the 2008 campaign is debuting on HBO, so Democrats who don't want to hear bad news can just change the channel and relive the good 'ol days.

As we reported yesterday, OFA is organizing campaign reunions.

VA-GOV

Virginia Early Results: McDonnell Leading

Christina Bellantoni | November 3, 2009, 7:31PM

VA-GOV Candidates Creigh Deeds (D) and Bob McDonnell (R)

Half an hour after polls closed and with less than 5 percent of precincts reporting in Virginia, gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell (R) is leading Creigh Deeds (D).

It's a better-than-expected result at this early hour, since Deeds had been trailing by double digits and many thought the race would be called in McDonnell's favor by this point.

The early exit polls suggest low turnout, a polarized electorate with Democrats favoring Deeds, Republicans backing McDonnell and McDonnell winning more of the indpendent voters.

Hotline OnCall has collected exit poll results.

VA-GOV

Pre-Spin Battle: Dems Say Tonight Not Obama Referendum But Were Happy To Blast Bush

Christina Bellantoni | November 3, 2009, 6:22PM

The White House for more than a week has been saying today's elections don't reflect on the 2010 landscape for the Democratic party or President Obama.

That's been echoed by Democrats across the spectrum today as the party braces for a probable loss in Virginia, a possible loss in the 23rd Congressional district in New York and a toss-up in New Jersey.

"I don't think looking at the two gubernatorial races, you can draw with any great insight what's going to happen a year from now any more than if Jake's team wins tomorrow night I can tell who's going to win next year's World Series," White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said today.

"We don't look at either of these gubernatorial races or the congressional race as something that portends a lot for our legislative efforts going forward or political prospects in 2010," he added.

"In 2001, President Bush lost Virginia and New Jersey. I don't believe that it impacted his legislative initiatives going forward," Gibbs said.

But TPM intern superstar Darius Tahir went searching, and found plenty of examples of Democrats saying Bush was doomed.

Read more »

Afghanistan

Gibbs: Obama Wants To Tell Americans His Strategy When He Announces Troops Decision - Still 'Weeks' Away

Christina Bellantoni | November 3, 2009, 3:39PM

President Obama meets with national security team in Situation Room on Afghanistan, Oct. 30, 2009

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters President Obama is still "weeks away" from making his decision on whether to send up to 40,000 more troops to Afghanistan.

When Obama does decide, he wants to help Americans understand how he came to the conclusion, Gibbs said.

"The president has told us ... that it is important for the American people to understand why he made the decision that he's made," Gibbs said today in his briefing. "And I anticipate that the president will spend some time walking the American people through the process that we've undertaken and the decision points that he's made along the way to come to the ultimate conclusion that he's come to."

White House officials say they haven't discussed if that will be in the form of a speech or if it will come in an Oval Office address. Obama has held seven meetings with his war council in the Situation Room and last week attended a pre-dawn ceremony for troops that had been killed in Afghanistan.

Read more »

VA-GOV

Virginia Democrats Say There Is Strong Turnout But Reports From Field Suggest Otherwise

Christina Bellantoni | November 3, 2009, 1:44PM

VA-GOV Candidates Creigh Deeds (D) and Bob McDonnell (R)

We've been hearing all day about low turnout in Virginia, with no lines and fewer ballots turned in at this point in the day than one year ago when there was record participation.

But gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds, who is banking everything on turnout, is telling people otherwise.

Deeds Campaign Manager Joe Abbey tells reporters in an email:

"We are seeing encouraging numbers in key parts of the state. Northern and Central Virginia in particular look strong. The Charlottesville area, which includes areas represented by Creigh Deeds in the state Senate is particularly strong and 10 percent of voters in key Democratic precincts had already voted by 10 AM. Meanwhile, voters in the populous and Democratic precincts of Alexandria and Arlington have been voting at rates well above the average in other parts of the Commonwealth."

Read more »

VA-GOV

Deeds Camp: Last Minute Robertson Donations Show McDonnell's 'True Agenda'

Christina Bellantoni | November 3, 2009, 12:58PM

VA-GOV Candidates Creigh Deeds (D) and Bob McDonnell (R)

Creigh Deeds' campaign flags a Washington Post story showing his rival Bob McDonnell (R-VA) took in $40,000 from Pat Robertson, his son and daughter-in-law at the last minute.

The story shows the campaign took in $25,000 from Robertson, who McDonnell has said he has only spoken to a few times this year.

Deeds (D-VA) has made an issue of McDonnell's ties to the religious right and suggested in a statement that the Republican is trying to hide an "out-of-the-mainstream social agenda."

Spokesman Jared Leopold emailed reporters:

"Bob McDonnell's true agenda has been revealed. Pat Robertson's chosen candidate has come back home. If Virginians want a governor beholden to Pat Robertson, Bob McDonnell is their man. But if they want a jobs governor, the choice is clearly Creigh Deeds."

Health Care

Dean: Lieberman, Others Have 'Moral Obligation' To Block Filibuster

Christina Bellantoni | November 3, 2009, 11:59AM

Fmr. DNC Chair Howard Dean

Former DNC Chairman Howard Dean told TPMDC he supports groups like MoveOn targeting his fellow Democrats on health care because they have a "moral obligation" to stand with Senate leadership on procedural votes.

"There is no moral obligation to support the leadership on an issue," Dean told TPMDC in a wide-ranging interview this morning.

"But you have a moral obligation to help the leader run the senate the way he thinks it needs to be run. What these liberal groups are doing is fine," he said.

Dean called out Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and said caucusing with a party and benefiting from committee assignments as a member of the party is dependent on supporting the party leadership.

Read more »

VA-GOV

Deeds Tells Voters To Ignore Polls Showing Him Losing In Landslide

Christina Bellantoni | November 3, 2009, 9:20AM

State Sen. Creigh Deeds (D-VA) asks voters to back him at his final rally in Alexandria, Virginia Nov. 2, 2009

State Sen. Creigh Deeds closed his final rally in the Virginia governor's race on a hopeful note, telling a few hundred supporters gathered in Alexandria last night the only poll that matters is taken today between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m.

But in a less-than-inspirational aside, Deeds (D-VA) also said he was encouraged by the results in his local Bath County high school mock election.

"That's a precursor to this election -- we're on our way baby," Deeds said, to laughter.

Deeds backers told the crowd they know Deeds is behind by double digits but they "are hearing something different" in the calls they make to get-out-the-vote.

It was also Obamatime, as each speaker urged voters to "remember how it felt" when Barack Obama held his final rally in Manassas, Virginia the night before capturing the state and the presidency.

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Health Care

Sen. Blanche Lincoln Meeting With Obama

Christina Bellantoni | November 2, 2009, 10:21PM

Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR)

The White House says President Obama will meet privately with Sen. Blanche Lincoln Tuesday night.

Obama and Lincoln (D-AR) will huddle in the Oval Office at 5:15, less than two hours before polls close in the critical elections in New Jersey, New York and Virginia.

Lincoln is perhaps the most embattled Democrat in the Senate, and she's been getting political pressure from both sides as she declines to tip her hand on health care.

She is one of several moderates who have had the president's ear lately - Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN), Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) and Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) also have visited the White House recently.

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Health Care

Holtz-Eakin Says Democratic Health Care Bill Filled With 'Gimmicks'

Christina Bellantoni | November 2, 2009, 3:58PM

Fmr. CBO Director Douglas Holtz-Eakin

Two former top Congressional Budget Office and Office of Management and Budget officials today said House Democrats aren't offering the full picture on the health care bill.

On a conference call with reporters, former CBO Director Douglas Holtz-Eakin accused Democrats of using "gimmicks" to keep their bill under $900 billion and said it "does not bend the cost curve."

Holtz-Eakin, who served as an adviser to the McCain campaign last year, said the House Democrats' bill adds to much to the debt and assumes unrealistic savings by frontloading taxes and backloading spending.

"The American people are entitled to know," he said.

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Health Care

Reid Tells Republicans They Can Amend The Health Care Bill, Challenges Them To Post Their Plan Online

Christina Bellantoni | November 2, 2009, 3:40PM

Senator Harry Reid (D-NV)

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) told his Republican colleagues today they will get the chance to offer amendments to the health care bill. He noted that the health care bills have been on the Internet "for many weeks" and said he does not want to rush the process or block senators from offering alternatives.

"I assure you that I will make the legislation available to the full Senate and the American people prior to its consideration," Reid wrote. "There will be ample opportunity to examine and evaluate its provisions."

He assumed the Democratic line of late that if Republicans put out a plan, they should adhere to the same level of transparency.

"As soon as a comprehensive Republican alternative is complete, I hope you will be willing to immediately make it public," he wrote.

Reid's full letter after the jump.

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NY-23

Democrats Delight: Say Moderates Pushed From GOP

Christina Bellantoni | November 2, 2009, 2:37PM

NY-23 Candidate Doug Hoffman (Conservative)

There's no doubt that even though they are facing the possibility of triple losses tomorrow, Democrats have found a talking point they are comfortable with.

On the Sunday shows yesterday and in conversations with reporters today, Democrats from the White House press secretary to the national campaign committees say moderates clearly aren't welcome in the Republican Party.

They found this message in the election in New York's 23rd Congressional district, where conservative party candidate Doug Hoffman is surging.

There have been few Republicans to say this publicly, so the Democrats are saying it for them. All day long Democratic operatives have emailed TPMDC links to news stories suggesting the GOP is in "chaos" or the party is in "turmoil."

President Obama's White House has done a nice job of picking off the social moderates, elevating Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman to be ambassador to China and Rep. John McHugh (R-NY) to be Secretary of the Army. (That's why the NY-23 seat is vacant.)

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs jumped on the bandwagon this afternoon, saying the Hoffman surge in New York is "fascinating."

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CT-SEN

CT Dems Charge WWE Violated Campaign Finance Law By Removing Necrophilia Video

Christina Bellantoni | November 2, 2009, 11:19AM

Connecticut Democrats filed a Federal Elections Commission complaint today against Linda McMahon, her campaign and World Wrestling Entertainment, charging they violated the law by removing racy WWE videos last month.

McMahon (R-CT) is one of several candidates hoping to challenge Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) next year. She is the former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment and wife of WWE principal Vince McMahon.

After TPMDC and others posted videos of WWE scenes depicting simulated rape and a wrestler pretending to have sex with a corpse, they were taken down from YouTube.

We spoke at the time to WWE's VP of PR and corporate communications, who said accusations the removal had anything to do with politics are false, but Democrats charge the move is equivalent to a campaign contribution from a corporation.

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Barack Obama

Remember When? White House Staff (And President) Relive Campaign As OFA Plans Reunions

Christina Bellantoni | November 1, 2009, 6:17PM

Organizing for America is putting together campaign "reunions" in honor of the one-year anniversary of Barack Obama's presidential election victory.

Wednesday marks the anniversary of President Barack Obama's historic election, and White House staffers, campaign volunteers and supporters are reliving the moment.

Most prominent in the coming week is Tuesday's HBO debut of the "By the People" documentary, a retelling of the long campaign.

Also happening this week are reunions put together by the volunteers still active in Organizing for America, the next generation of the Obama campaign.

On a sign-up sheet for local reunion events, OFA tells supporters:

"One year ago, President-Elect Obama told us that the election victory was only the beginning of the change we all sought -- and today, through Organizing for America, we're fighting just as hard to make health insurance reform a reality, this year. But while we seek to live up to the President's words, we're planning to gather together to reconnect, celebrate, and remember that moment, last year, when we won a historic victory.

So this week, we're holding reunion events across the country for folks who were involved in the campaign. Can you attend one near you?"

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