Roundup

TPMDC Sunday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | June 27, 2010, 1:19PM

Sessions: 'It's Conceivable A Filibuster Might Occur' Against Kagan
Appearing on Face The Nation, Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) did not rule out a filibuster against the Supreme Court nomination of Elena Kagan. "I think the first thing we need to decide is, is she committed to the rule of law even if she may not like the law?" Sessions said. "Will she as a judge subordinate herself to the Constitution and keep her political views at bay? And then secondly, if things come out to indicate she's so far outside the mainstream, it's conceivable a filibuster might occur."

Leahy: If Obama Had Nominated Moses, Some Would Say He Hasn't Produced A Birth Certificate
Appearing on Face The Nation, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) joked that Republican lines have already been drawn against any Supreme Court nomination by President Obama: "It's reached the point that if [Obama] had nominated Moses the law giver, some would have said we can't have him because among other things he hasn't produced a birth certificate."

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Roundup

TPMDC Sunday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | May 16, 2010, 1:14PM

Kyl: I Don't Think Kagan Represents 'Extreme Circumstances' For Filibuster
Appearing on Face The Nation, Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ) said that Elena Kagan's nomination for the Supreme Court would not be filibustered. "I don't think so," he said. "The filibuster should be relegated to the extreme circumstances, and I don't think Elena Kagan represents that."

Feinstein Dismisses 'Gingrich Hyperbole'
Appearing on Face The Nation, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) rebutted former Speaker Newt Gingrich's (R-GA) call for the Senate to oppose Elena Kagan's nomination on the grounds that she is "disqualified from the very beginning" due to her policies on military recruiters at Harvard. Feinstein called it "nonsense. I think it's Gingrich hyperbole. I hope no one would fall for that."

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Sunday Shows

The Sunday Show Line-Ups

Eric Kleefeld | March 19, 2010, 4:02PM

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

• ABC, This Week: Former Bush White House Adviser Karl Rove, former Obama campaign manager David Plouffe, former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD), former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS).

• CBS, Face The Nation: House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC), DCCC Chair Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL).

• CNN, State Of The Union: House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence (R-IN), Rep. John Larson (D-CT), Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).

• Fox News Sunday: Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), NRSC Chairman John Cornyn (R-TX).

• NBC, Meet The Press: House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH), House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), DNC Chairman Tim Kaine, RNC Chairman Michael Steele.

Roundup

TPMDC Sunday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | January 10, 2010, 1:28PM

Steele: Reid Should Resign As Leader Over Obama Comments
Appearing on Fox News Sunday, RNC chairman Michael Steele said that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (R-NV) should have to resign as leader because of his private comments about Barack Obama and race during the 2008 presidential race. "There is this standard where Democrats feel that they can say these things and they can apologize when it comes from the mouths of their own. But if it comes from anyone else, it is racism," said Steele, also adding: "If (Senate Minority Leader) Mitch McConnell had said those very words that this chairman and this president would be calling for his head, and they would be labeling every Republican in the country as a racist for saying exactly what this chairman has just said."

Kaine: 'No Comparison' Between Reid And Trent Lott
Appearing on Meet The Press, DNC chairman Time Kaine rejected any comparison between the Reid controversy and Trent Lott's fall from the Republican leadership in 2002: "But I will say, anybody looking at Trent Lott's statements praising somebody who had been a pro-segregation candidate for president will see that there is no comparison between those comments and those of Senator Reid's. Now, the senator did make comments that were wrong and insensitive, and he's apologized. But he made them in the context of promoting the candidacy, the historic candidacy of Senator Obama."

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Sunday Shows

The Sunday Show Line-Ups

Eric Kleefeld | November 20, 2009, 5:51PM

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

• ABC, This Week: Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK), Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE), Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL).

• CBS, Face The Nation: Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY).

• CNN, State Of The Union: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Senate candidate Carly Fiorina (R-CA).

• Fox News Sunday: Guest list not yet announced.

• NBC, Meet The Press: Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT).

Roundup

TPMDC Sunday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | October 11, 2009, 12:58PM

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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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.

Dick Cheney

TPMDC Sunday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | August 30, 2009, 1:01PM

Cheney: CIA Investigation "Offends The Hell Out Of Me," Obama Administration Should Be Asking Us For Advice
Appearing on Fox News Sunday, former Vice President Dick Cheney lambasted the Obama administration for investigation CIA interrogation methods, calling it an "outrageous political act." "I guess the other thing that offends the hell out of me, frankly, Chris [Wallace], is we had a track record now of eight years of defending the nation against any further mass casualty attacks from Al Qaeda," said Cheney. "The approach of the Obama administration should be to come to those people who were involved in that policy and say, how did you do it? What were the keys to keeping this country safe over that period of time?"

Kerry: Kennedy Would Fight For Public Option -- But Would Accept A Bill Without It
Appearing on This Week, Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) said that Ted Kennedy would not have rejected a health care bill that lacked a public option: "He would fight for it, and he would do everything in his power to get it, just like he did for the minimum wage or like he did for children's health care, et cetera. But if he didn't see the ability to be able to get it done, he would not throw the baby out with the bathwater. He would not say no to anything because we have to reduce the cost. We have to make these changes. And he would find the best way forward."

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Health Care

HCAN, AFSCME Launch $800,000 Ad Buy Targeting Nine Members Of Congress

Brian Beutler | July 17, 2009, 2:11PM

The reform campaign Health Care for America Now, in partnership with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees is airing television ads targeting two senators and seven congressmen. Here's the version that's running in the district of Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI)

The ad will run for five days, targeting Suptak, as well as Reps. Bart Gordon (D-TN), Mike Ross (D-AR), John Barrow (D-GA), Baron Hill (D-IN), Zachary Space (D-Oh), and Charlie Melancon (D-LA). Starting Monday it will air in North Dakota, home of Sen. Kent Conrad. AFSCME is also sponsoring the ad in California, whose senior senator Dianne Feinstein has been lukewarm about the prospects of reform.

Stupak is threatening to derail health care reform efforts in the House unless his fellow Democrats agree to major changes to the legislation.

John McCain

TPMDC Sunday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | July 12, 2009, 1:20PM

Palin Plans To Stay Involved In Politics
Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK) told the Washington Times that she'll be staying involved in politics: "I will go around the country on behalf of candidates who believe in the right things, regardless of their party label or affiliation." She did not rule out a presidential campaign in the future. "I'm not ruling out anything - it is the way I have lived my life from the youngest age," she said. "Let me peek out there and see if there's an open door somewhere. And if there's even a little crack of light, I'll hope to plow through it."

McCain: Palin Will Continue To Be A Major Factor
Appearing on Meet The Press, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) was asked about Sarah Palin's resignation. "Obviously I was a bit surprised, but I wasn't shocked," said McCain. "I love and respect her and her family, I'm grateful that she agreed to run with me." He added: "I'm confident that she will be a major factor in the national scene and in Alaska as well."

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Health Care

The Mark-Up, 07-01-2009

Brian Beutler | July 1, 2009, 6:03PM

TPMDC's update on the biggest legislative initiatives on the Hill:

• Health Care: In contravention of their previous position, and of the position of the Chamber of Commerce, Wal-Mart has come out in support of an employer mandate. That'll help woo Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) aboard the efforts to advance legislation in the Senate Finance Committee. But that means little for the more contentious issue of the public option, and Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) just pulled a Dianne Feinstein, saying there aren't enough votes in the Senate for a public option, and that he'll work with conservative Democrats and moderate Republicans to pass a bill without one.

Health Care

MoveOn Targets Landrieu For Ties To Insurance Industry, Opposition Of Public Option

Brian Beutler | July 1, 2009, 10:49AM

The groups MoveOn, Democracy for America, and Change Congress are out with a new ad in Louisiana targeting Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) for her opposition to a public option.

MoveOn hasn't shied away from criticizing Democrats who are trying to kill the public option. In the last couple weeks, the group has loudly criticized Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Kay Hagan (D-CA) for their positions on the public option, and their lukewarm attitude to health care reform more generally.

Health Care

MoveOn's Feinstein Ad: " News flash Senator: We don't expect you to lead just on the easy issues."

Brian Beutler | June 25, 2009, 9:36AM

As I noted on Tuesday, MoveOn.org is pointing its cannons at Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) for remarks she made over the weekend, calling the prospects for a broad health care overhaul into doubt. Now the group is airing a television ad in California criticizing her statements and calling on her to stop "dragging her heels" on the issue.

Dianne Feinstein

Feinstein To Critics: It's Not The Public Option--It's The Mandate

Brian Beutler | June 23, 2009, 6:58PM

Gil Duran, a spokesman for Sen. Dianne Feinstein, email's over the following statement in response to inquiries about her support for broad health reform.

I support:

1) Reducing costs and expanding coverage

2) Prohibiting the denial of insurance because of pre-existing conditions

3) Moving toward either a non-profit model of medical insurance or to one where premium costs can be controlled, either through competition in a public or cooperative model or through a regulated authority.

4) Assuring the financial survival of Medicare, because it is slated to run out of money in 2017.

5) Preventing the transfer of Medicaid costs to states, which could result in billions of dollars of additional loss to the State of California.

6) Establishing means testing for programs like Medicare Part D, which pays for prescription drugs

Clearly, the individual mandate - and how it is funded - is the critical, and as yet unanswered, question.

Though Democrats don't bandy about the term too often, the mandate is a provision that will require uninsured people to buy health insurance--private or public--on the individual market. Because many can't afford their own plans, though, it will require a great deal of subsidy and could, in the short term, impose a significant cost. Without the mandate, health care won't be universal. But supporters of the public plan note that without a government run option to root out waste and inefficiency, the choices available to consumers will suffer, and private insurance companies will reap windfall profits on the consumer dime.

Health Care

MoveOn Targets Democrat Feinstein In California

Brian Beutler | June 23, 2009, 6:39PM

As I noted earlier, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) appeared on CNN over the weekend and tried to pour some cold water on the idea that a systemic health care overhaul is in the country's future. In response, MoveOn is pouring some cold water on Feinstein.

The group is calling on its California members to pressure the senior Democrat to get on board with the President's agenda, and threatening to run an ad singling her out.

A slightly abbreviated version of the letter appears below the fold.

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Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | June 3, 2009, 8:58AM

Obama Visiting Muslim World; Bin Laden Puts Out New Message Against Him
President Obama has arrived in Saudi Arabia for a multi-nation tour in the Arab world, most notably including a speech addressed to all Muslims tomorrow in Egypt. And just in time for Obama's arrival, Osama bin Laden has released a new recording, saying Obama was following in the steps of George W. Bush, and planting the seeds for "revenge and hatred."

Obama's Day: Saudi Arabia
President Obama arrived this morning in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. At 8:10 a.m. ET, he attended a welcome reception with King Abdullah at the King's farm. At 9:20 a.m. ET, he will hold a bilateral meeting with King Abdullah.

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Sonia Sotomayor

TPMDC Sunday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | May 31, 2009, 1:00PM

Cornyn Not Ruling Out Filibuster Against Sotomayor
Appearing on ABC's This Week, Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) would not rule out a filibuster against the Sotomayor nomination. "I'm not willing to judge one way or the other, George [Stephanopoulos]," said Cornyn, "because frankly, we need to not prejudge, not pre-confirm, and to give Judge Sotomayor the fair hearing that Miguel Estrada, and, indeed, Clarence Thomas were denied by our friends on the other side of the aisle."

Rove: Bush Appreciates Cheney's "Forthright Defense"
Karl Rove told the Politico that former President George W. Bush -- who has publicly said he won't criticize President Obama -- privately appreciates the role that former Vice President Dick Cheney has taken on. "I know President Bush and Vice President Cheney talk with regularity," said Rove. "I know the former president appreciates Dick's forthright defense of the administration's polices. And I know Vice President Cheney understands the special role that the former president occupies."

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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.

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