Roundup

TPMDC Sunday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | October 25, 2009, 1:02PM

Schumer: Dems 'Very Close' To 60 Votes
Appearing on Meet The Press, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said that Democrats are approaching 60 votes for a compromise public option: "The liberals, they like it stronger, but they're willing to live with level playing field, opt-out. The more moderate Democrats, there are some who actually like it. As long as it's a level playing field, they're comfortable with it. There are others who say that, 'I'm not sure I like it, but I won't hold up passage of the bill.' I think we're very close to getting the 60 votes we need to move forward, and my guess is that the public option level playing field with the state opt-out will be in the bill. But Leader Reid will make that decision after he talks to everybody several times.

Abdullah Calls For 'Dramatic Increase' In American Troops In Afghanistan
Appearing on Fox News Sunday, Afghan presidential candidate Dr. Abdullah called for a "dramatic increase" in the number of American troops in his country: "If the situation is not reversed from deteriorating further the security situation, so the future of this country will be at risk, and the future of the engagement of the international community will be at risk. So this situation requires a sort of dramatic increase in the number of troops in order to stop -- stop it from further deteriorating and reversing it. The permanent solution is in a road map that Afghanistan stands on its own feet in a few years down the road, troops -- number of troops could be decreased in Afghanistan, finally, and eventually will stand on its own feet."

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Roundup

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | October 22, 2009, 8:56AM

Treasury To Order Steep Pay Cuts At Bailed-Out Firms
The Treasury Department is expected to order bailed-out financial firms to cut their compensation packages for their top executives -- with a 90% slash to base salaries, and a 50% cut to total compensation. Elizabeth Warren, the head of the TARP oversight committee, confirmed the reports: "It's real in the sense that it says,Guys, you have to understand that you can't party on like it's 2007. If you're going to take taxpayer dollars, then the game has to change. In that sense it's real."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will hold a videoconference at 10 a.m. with Lt. General Karl Eikenberry, U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan. He will meet for lunch at 12:30 p.m. ET with Speaker Nancy Pelosi. At 2:15 p.m. ET, he will sign the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act. He will meet at 3:15 p.m. ET with Secretary of the Treasury Tim Geithner, and at 3:45 p.m. ET with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

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Dick Cheney

DNC Ad Blasts Cheney On Torture, Uses Video Of McCain

Eric Kleefeld | September 2, 2009, 3:39PM

The Democratic National Committee has a new TV ad on national and D.C. cable, firing back at former Vice President Dick Cheney's continued advocacy of torture techniques. The ad says that Cheney's insistence, "Enhanced interrogation techniques were absolutely essential," is about as reliable as his past pronouncements that the Iraq War would go well and that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction:

Note that the ad uses a TV clip of none other than John McCain, the 2008 Republican candidate for President, saying that the internal conventions against torture were violated. When was the last time we heard Democrats favorably citing him?

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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Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | August 25, 2009, 8:59AM

Obama Reappoints Bernanke To The Fed
President Obama took a moment out of his vacation to deliver a statement to the press this morning, announcing that he is reappointing Ben Bernanke as chairman of the Federal Reserve. "As an expert on the causes of the Great Depression, I'm sure Ben never imagined that he would be part of a team responsible for preventing another," said Obama.

Cheney Blasts Obama, Says Interrogators "Deserve Our Gratitude"
Former Vice President Dick Cheney has released a statement condemning the new investigation of Bush-era interrogation practices. "The people involved deserve our gratitude. They do not deserve to be the targets of political investigations or prosecutions," said Cheney. "President Obama's decision to allow the Justice Department to investigate and possibly prosecute CIA personnel, and his decision to remove authority for interrogation from the CIA to the White House, serves as a reminder, if any were needed, of why so many Americans have doubts about this Administration's ability to be responsible for our nation's security."

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Dick Cheney

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | August 13, 2009, 9:01AM

Report: Cheney Frustrated That Bush Went Soft, Didn't Follow His Advice
The Washington Post reports that former Vice President Dick Cheney's upcoming memoirs will show a great sense of disappointment at former President George W. Bush -- that Bush didn't take his advice as much in the second term. "The implication was that Bush had gone soft on him, or rather Bush had hardened against Cheney's advice," said a participant at a recent gathering. "He'd showed an independence that Cheney didn't see coming. It was clear that Cheney's doctrine was cast-iron strength at all times -- never apologize, never explain -- and Bush moved toward the conciliatory."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will receive his routine daily briefings this morning. There are no scheduled public events.

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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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Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | June 30, 2009, 9:01AM

Iraqis Gain Control Of Cities As U.S. Troops Pull Back
U.S. combat troops have officially pulled out of Iraqi cities and towns, handing control over to the Iraqis. "This day, which we consider a national celebration, is an achievement made by all Iraqis," said Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. At the same time, there was a significant increase in violence over the last few weeks, in the run-up to the pullback, leaving questions as to what the future will hold.

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will speak at 2 p.m. ET from the East Room, highlighting innovative nonprofit programs from across the country. At 3:15 p.m. ET, he will meet with Sec. of Energy Steven Chu.

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Dick Cheney

CIA Walks Back Panetta Comment: He Doesn't Think Cheney Wants A Terrorist Attack

Eric Kleefeld | June 15, 2009, 5:40PM

The CIA is now walking back Director Leon Panetta's comments that former Vice President Dick Cheney may be hoping for the country to be attacked by terrorists again.

"The Director does not believe the former Vice President wants an attack," CIA spokesman Paul Gimigliano said in a statement to CNN. "He did not say that. He was simply expressing his profound disagreement with the assertion that President Obama's security policies have made our country less safe. Nor did he question anyone's motives."

For the record, here's what Panetta said to the New Yorker about Cheney's recent speeches. "I think he smells some blood in the water on the national-security issue," said Panetta. "It's almost, a little bit, gallows politics. When you read behind it, it's almost as if he's wishing that this country would be attacked again, in order to make his point. I think that's dangerous politics."

Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | June 15, 2009, 9:02AM

Panetta: Cheney Almost Wishing For America To Be Attacked
CIA Director Leon Panetta told the New Yorker that former Vice President Dick Cheney may be hoping for America to be attacked by terrorists. "It's almost, a little bit, gallows politics," Panetta said of Cheney's recent speeches. "When you read behind it, it's almost as if he's wishing that this country would be attacked again, in order to make his point. I think that's dangerous politics."

Obama's Day Ahead: Pitching Health Care To AMA
President Obama will be speaking today, at the annual meeting of the American Medical Association, at 12:15 p.m. ET in Chicago. The AMA has come out against a public option, so expect Obama's remarks on health care to rebut potential objections. He will then go back to Washington, where he will meet with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi at 4:15 p.m. ET in the Oval Office.

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Dick Cheney

Gingrich: Cheney Concentrated On National Security; Obama Read A Couple Of Left-Wing Books

Eric Kleefeld | June 5, 2009, 1:17PM

Newt Gingrich spoke last night to the Connecticut Republican Party, and made it clear just how much he trusts Dick Cheney over President Obama.

"One was chief of staff, secretary of defense and a vice president who concentrated on national security," Gingrich said to the assembled Republicans. "The other read a couple of left-wing books on the CIA."

It's an interesting description of the current President of the United States, who was also previously a U.S. Senator -- making him sound like the lefty kids you see on college campuses, carrying around copies of Noam Chomsky.

Interestingly, there was a dog that didn't bark: Gingrich didn't mention Sonia Sotomayor, against whom he's kind of, sort of, not really backed away from calling a racist.

Dick Cheney

Pfotenhauer: I Don't Believe Cheney Would Say Things He Knew To Be Inaccurate

Eric Kleefeld | June 1, 2009, 5:23PM

Check out this appearance today on MSNBC by former McCain campaign spokesperson Nancy Pfotenhauer, saying how her candidate of course disagreed with Dick Cheney on "harsh interrogation" -- but she doesn't believe Cheney would say things he knew to be inaccurate:

"I don't believe, however, that the former Vice President would be making statements that he knew to be inaccurate," said Pfotenhauer -- spurring open laughter and ridicule from Bill Press and David Shuster.

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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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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Dick Cheney

Cheney: Powell Welcome In GOP -- But Party Must Remain Conservative

Eric Kleefeld | May 27, 2009, 5:58PM

In an interview with Larry Kudlow on CNBC, Dick Cheney extended an olive branch to Colin Powell, saying that Powell is welcome in the Republican Party -- but the GOP itself must remain a conservative institution, lest the party go against its core supporters:

KUDLOW: Speaking of political, I guess you're trying to outline a message for the Republican Party here to limit government and limit taxation and so forth. You kind of took a shot at General Colin Powell the other day, said you didn't know he was still a member of the Republican Party. He responded to you by saying that you were mistaken. He is a member of the Republican Party, and he regards himself a, quote, "Jack Kemp Republican," end quote. Could you react to what Mr. Powell is saying?

Mr. CHENEY: Well, we're happy to have General Powell in the Republican Party. I was asked a question about a dispute he was having, I think, with Rush Limbaugh, and I expressed the consent, the notion I had that he had already left since he endorsed Barack Obama for president. But I meant no offense to my former colleague. I wasn't seeking to rearrange his political identity.

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Colin Powell

Poll: Powell Viewed Favorably By Republicans -- And So Are Cheney And Limbaugh

Eric Kleefeld | May 25, 2009, 4:11PM

A new CNN poll finds that Colin Powell has much higher national favorable ratings than his two main Republican antagonists, Dick Cheney and Rush Limbaugh -- but among Republican respondents only, it's a close one.

The numbers, among all Americans: Powell is viewed favorably by 70%, compared to only 37% for Cheney and 30% for Limbaugh.

But among Republicans only, it's 66% favorable for Cheney, 64% for Powell, and 62% for Limbaugh. So Powell still remains popular with Republicans. But so are Cheney and Limbaugh, too -- and it would make some intuitive sense that Powell's portion differs somewhat from Cheney's and Limbaugh's.

Said CNN analyst Bill Schneider: "Moderate Republicans fighting back against Rush Limbaugh and Dick Cheney. They're ready to rumble. And they've got a soldier to lead them."

Barack Obama

TPMDC Saturday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | May 23, 2009, 1:04PM

Obama Thanks Troops In Memorial Day Weekend Address
In this weekend's Presidential YouTube address, President Obama recognized the troops on Memorial Day weekend -- and said that the public hasn't always fully support them, but he will change that:

"That is why I will send our servicemen and women into harm's way only when it is necessary, and ensure that they have the training and equipment they need when they enter the theater of war," said Obama. "That is why we are building a 21st century Department of Veterans Affairs with the largest single-year funding increase in three decades. It's a commitment that will help us provide our veterans with the support and benefits they have earned, and expand quality health care to a half million more veterans."

GOP Address: Barrasso Support "Red, White And Blue Jobs" For Energy
In this weekend's Republican YouTube, address Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) also thanked the troops on Memorial Day weekend -- and then proceeded to attack the Democrats on energy issues:

"Democrats have focused solely on what they call green jobs," said Barrasso. "Those are jobs from alternative energy. I support green jobs, but why discriminate? American energy means American jobs, which is why I support red, white, and blue jobs."

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Barack Obama

Kristol: Obama "Pseudo-Thoughtful," Cheney A "Grownup"

Eric Kleefeld | May 21, 2009, 12:00PM

Here's Bill Kristol's take on today's dueling speeches:

Cheney vs. Obama: A Mismatch

I've read both speeches.

Obama's is the speech of a young senator who was once a part-time law professor--platitudinous and preachy, vague and pseudo-thoughtful in an abstract kind of way. This sentence was revealing: "On the other hand, I recently opposed the release of certain photographs that were taken of detainees by U.S. personnel between 2002 and 2004." "Opposed the release"? Doesn't he mean "decided not to permit the release"? He's president. He's not just a guy participating in a debate. But he's more comfortable as a debater, not as someone who takes responsibility for decisions.

Cheney's is the speech of a grownup, of a chief executive, of a statesman. He's sober, realistic and concrete, stands up for his country and its public officials, and has an acute awareness of the consequences of the choices one makes as a public official and a willingness to take responsibility for those choices.

Dick Cheney

Cheney's National Security Speech

Eric Kleefeld | May 21, 2009, 11:22AM

The following is the prepared text of former Vice President Dick Cheney's speech today on national security, courtesy of the Weekly Standard:

Thank you all very much, and Arthur, thank you for that introduction. It's good to be back at AEI, where we have many friends. Lynne is one of your longtime scholars, and I'm looking forward to spending more time here myself as a returning trustee. What happened was, they were looking for a new member of the board of trustees, and they asked me to head up the search committee.

I first came to AEI after serving at the Pentagon, and departed only after a very interesting job offer came along. I had no expectation of returning to public life, but my career worked out a little differently. Those eight years as vice president were quite a journey, and during a time of big events and great decisions, I don't think I missed much.

Being the first vice president who had also served as secretary of defense, naturally my duties tended toward national security. I focused on those challenges day to day, mostly free from the usual political distractions. I had the advantage of being a vice president content with the responsibilities I had, and going about my work with no higher ambition. Today, I'm an even freer man. Your kind invitation brings me here as a private citizen - a career in politics behind me, no elections to win or lose, and no favor to seek.

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Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | May 21, 2009, 8:56AM

Today: Obama's And Cheney's Big Speeches On National Security
The big headline event will be a dueling pair of speeches from President Obama and former Vice President Dick Cheney, each laying out their visions for national security. Obama will be discussing at 10:10 a.m. ET the steps his Administration is taking on such issues as Guantanamo Bay and fighting terrorism, while Cheney will be speaking at 10:45 a.m. ET from the American Enterprise Institute, laying out a thorough defense of the Bush Administration's policies and condemning Obama's approach.

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will deliver his speech on national security at 10:10 a.m. ET, from the National Archives Museum Rotunda. At 1:30 p.m. ET, he will welcome the Pittsburgh Steelers to the White House, at the South Portico. At 4:15 p.m. ET, he will meet with President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania.

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Michael Steele

DNC: If Steele Wants To Not Look Backward, He'll Disown Cheney, Gingrich And Limbaugh

Eric Kleefeld | May 19, 2009, 11:00AM

Democratic National Committee national press secretary Hari Sevugan released this statement responding to Michael Steele's speech declaring the GOP will not be looking backward:

"While we welcome Chairman Steele's words that the GOP wants to turn the page on its past, we are disheartened by the party's actions that tell the opposite story. While the Chairman talks of moving forward, the very convention he's addressing will not focus on coming up with new ideas to create jobs and setting right what the party got wrong over the last eight years, but instead will revolve around name calling and the petty politics of the past. While the Chairman speaks of no longer looking in the rearview mirror, just this weekend he and other party leaders stumbled over one another to endorse the leadership of one of the most divisive figures in recent American history, Dick Cheney. The test of the sincerity of the Chairman's words will be if he and the other GOP leaders stand up to the fringe elements of their party and whether they tell the polarizing faces of the past - including Cheney, Gingrich and Limbaugh - to stand aside. Unfortunately, they have shown no willingness to do so, which is why fewer and fewer Americans have confidence in the Republican party to lead during these tough times."

Late Update: Speak of the Devil, Newt Gingrich is now joining the GOP's rebranding effort, the National Council for a New America.

Dick Cheney

Poll: American Public Disagrees With Cheney -- Obama Not Making America Less Safe

Eric Kleefeld | May 14, 2009, 11:50AM

A new Rasmussen poll tests the reactions of likely voters to former Vice President Dick Cheney's recent public activism against the Obama Administration -- with Obama currently the winner on the issues.

The poll asked: "Former Vice President Dick Cheney has been speaking out lately on a number of topics. Now that he has left office, how important are Dick Cheney's opinions?" Only 39% say his views are very or somewhat important, to 57% who say his views are not very or not at all important.

And finally: "Cheney says America is less safe because of changes President Obama has made in national security. Do you agree or disagree with Cheney's statement that America is now less safe?" Here's it's only 38% agreeing, to 51% disagreeing.

Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | May 14, 2009, 8:59AM

Obama Jokes About ASU Honorary Degree Flap
When delivering the commencement address last night at Arizona State University, President Obama joked about the university's decision to not grant him an honorary degree. "I learned to never again pick another team over the Sun Devils in my NCAA bracket," said Obama. "And your university President and Board of Regents will soon learn all about being audited by the IRS."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will hold a town hall at 12 p.m. ET, at Rancho Rio High School in New Mexico, where he will discuss proposed credit card reforms and consumer protections. He will depart from Kirkland Air Force Base at 2:15 p.m. ET, and is scheduled to arrive back at the White House at 5:50 p.m. ET.

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Bill Clinton

Bill Clinton: I Do Hope Cheney Gets Some More Target Practice

Eric Kleefeld | May 13, 2009, 5:08PM

Former President Bill Clinton has a clever response to former Vice President Dick Cheney's public criticism of the Obama Administration, CNN reports.

"I wish him well," Bill said, adding that "it's over," presumably a reference to the Bush-Cheney years being done with.

Bill added: "But I do hope he gets some more target practice before he goes out again."

Dick Cheney

Cheney: "I Don't Think We Should Just Roll Over"

Eric Kleefeld | May 12, 2009, 5:06PM

Appearing on Fox News with Neil Cavuto, former Vice President Dick Cheney strongly responded to those who have criticized him for his public campaign against the Obama administration's decisions about interrogation/torture programs.

"Well, I don't pay a lot of attention to what the critics say, obviously," said Cheney. "I - from my standpoint, the notion that I should remain silent while they go public, that I shouldn't say anything while they threaten to disbar the lawyers who gave us the advice that was crucial in terms of this program, that I shouldn't say anything when they go out and release information that they believe is critical of the program, and critical of our policies but refuse to put out information that would show the results that we're able to achieve -- bottom line is we successfully defended the nation for seven and half years against a follow-on attack to 9/11. That was a remarkable achievement, nobody would have thought that was possible, but it was. I believe it was possible because of the policies we had in place, which they're now dismantling."

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Barack Obama

TPMDC Sunday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | May 10, 2009, 1:04PM

Obama Plays Comedian At Correspondents' Dinner
President Obama told all manner of jokes last night at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, roasting himself, his administration, his party, the opposition, and the press:

My personal favorite: "Now Sasha and Malia aren't here tonight, because they're grounded. You can't just take Air Force One on a joyride to Manhattan. I don't care whose kids you are."

Cheney: Opponents "Prepared To Sacrifice American Lives"
Former Vice President Dick Cheney appeared today on Face The Nation, and he had a tough response to the Obama Administration's opposition to his approved methods of interrogation: "Well, then you'd have to say that, in effect, we're prepared to sacrifice American lives rather than run an intelligent interrogation program that would provide us the information we need to protect America."

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Dick Cheney

The Sunday Show Line-Ups

Eric Kleefeld | May 8, 2009, 2:54PM

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

• ABC, This Week: Gen. David Petraeus, Commander of CENTCOM; Sen. John McCain (R-AZ).

• CBS, Face The Nation: Former Vice President Dick Cheney.

• CNN, State Of The Union: Gen. David Petraeus, Commander of CENTCOM.

• Fox News Sunday: Gen. David Petraeus, Commander of CENTCOM; former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA).

• NBC, Meet The Press: Hamid Karzai, President of Afghanistan; Asif Ali Zardari, President of Pakistan.

Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | May 8, 2009, 9:00AM

Cheney Says GOP Shouldn't Moderate Itself, Stresses "Our Commitment To The Constitution"
During an appearance on a right-wing talk radio show, former Vice President Dick Cheney said the Republican Party should not moderate itself. Cheney explained: "This is about fundamental beliefs and values and ideas ... what the role of government should be in our society, and our commitment to the Constitution and constitutional principles."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will be speaking at 11:30 a.m. ET from the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, on the subjects of job creation and job training. At 3:15 p.m. ET, he will meet in the Oval Office with Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA).

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Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | April 24, 2009, 9:01AM

Al Gore, Newt Gingrich, John Warner To Headline Committee Hearing
The House Energy and Commerce Committee will be holding a hearing on climate change at 10 a.m. ET today, featuring an all-star line-up of guests: Former Vice President Al Gore, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, and former Sen. John Warner (R-VA). Gore and Warner support various legislation to limit carbon emissions, while Gingrich was added at the last minute, at the request of Republicans, as an individual who is skeptical of the claimed human contribution to climate change.

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will meet with Vice President Biden for lunch at 12:30 p.m. ET. Then at 1:30 p.m. ET, he will speak about higher-education costs, discussing his proposal to end the Federal Family Education Loans program, a government subsidy to banks, in favor of direct government financing.

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Barack Obama

Poll: Americans Don't Think Obama Has Increased The Risk Of Terrorist Attack

Eric Kleefeld | April 13, 2009, 2:54PM

A new CNN poll finds that Americans don't agree with former Vice President Dick Cheney when he says President Obama is making the country less safe:

Do you think the actions Barack Obama has taken as president have increased the chances of a terrorist attack against the U.S., or don't you think so?

Have increased 26%
Have not 72%

One thing worth noting is that the question didn't attribute this idea to Dick Cheney -- respondents were asked to judge it on its own merits. If they had included Cheney, pitting his reputation against Obama's, who knows whether agreement would have been higher or lower.

Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | April 8, 2009, 9:02AM

NYT: Obama Promoting "Anti-Bush Doctrine"
The New York Times takes a look at President Obama's now-concluded overseas trip: "Pragmatic, conciliatory, legalistic and incremental, he pushed what might be called, with a notable exception or two, an anti-Bush doctrine." Whereas Bush eschewed broad international alliances and promoted America as a force to push democracy around the world, Obama is instead focusing on broad cooperation to deal with immediate problems such as nuclear weapons or the economy, without a single grand strategy as of yet.

Biden: Cheney Is "Dead Wrong," And He Made U.S. Weaker
Vice President Biden told CNN that Dick Cheney is "dead wrong" in his denouncements of the Obama White House's national security policies: "This administration -- the last administration left us in a weaker posture than we've been any time since World War II: less regarded in the world, stretched more thinly than we ever have been in the past, two wars under way, virtually no respect in entire parts of the world."

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Auto Industry

TPMDC Sunday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | April 5, 2009, 1:24PM

Obama: We Will Work With International Community To "Deliver A Strong Message" To North Korea
A reporter asked President Obama what his message was to North Korea, after today's missile launch. His response, from the White House's transcript: "We delivered it today. They, I think, have taken a provocative action. It creates instability in their region, around the world. If they want to take an appropriate path to rejoin the international community and break out of their isolation, that's available to them. That's not the path they're taking right now. And we intend to work with the international community to deliver a strong message."

Obama's Day In Prague
President Obama spent the day in Prague, meeting with Czech President Václav Klaus and Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek at 3 a.m. ET. Obama delivered a speech at 4 a.m. ET, calling for a world without nuclear weapons. He met at 5:30 a.m. ET with EU Commission President José Manuel Barroso, and then attended an EU summit working lunch. Obama met with leaders from Spain at 8:55 a.m. ET, with leaders from Poland at 10:30 a.m. ET, and with former Czech President Václav Havel at 11:10 a.m., and then left Prague for Turkey at 12 p.m. ET.

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George W. Bush

Poll: Bush And Cheney Still Unpopular

Eric Kleefeld | April 3, 2009, 10:13AM

A new Gallup poll tests how former President George W. Bush and former Vice President Dick Cheney have fared in public opinion since they left office. The answer: Badly.

Bush's favorable rating is only 35%, with 63% unfavorable. Cheney is at 30% favorable to 62% unfavorable.

Bush's popularity had been inching up a bit over the course of the 2008 campaign and as he was on the way out -- up to a high of 40% favorable and 59% unfavorable in early January -- but his numbers now are back near the all-time low of 32% favorable and 66% unfavorable from April 2008.

Barack Obama

TPMDC Sunday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | March 29, 2009, 1:04PM

Obama: Afghanistan Is "America's War"
In his interview on CBS' Face The Nation, President Obama was asked whether the Afghanistan War was now his war. "I think it's America's war," said Obama. "What we want to do is to refocus attention on al Qaeda. We are going to root out their networks, their bases. We are gonna make sure that they cannot attack U.S. citizens, U.S. soil, U.S. interests, and our allies' interests around the world."

Petraeus: "I Wouldn't Necessarily" Agree With Cheney That Obama Is Making Us Less Safe
Appearing on CNN's State of the Union with John King, Gen. David Petraeus was asked his opinion of Dick Cheney's comments that President Obama's decisions were increasing the risk of a terrorist attack. "Well, I wouldn't necessarily agree with that, John. I think that, in fact, there is a good debate going on about the importance of values in all that we do," said Petraeus, outlining his own opposition to torture.

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Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | March 25, 2009, 9:00AM

Jindal: Do I Want Obama To Fail? It Depends
At an NRCC dinner last night in Washington, Bobby Jindal blasted Democrats for demanding that Republicans not want President Obama to fail. "Make no mistake: Anything other than an immediate and compliant, 'Why no sir, I don't want the president to fail,' is treated as some sort of act of treason, civil disobedience or political obstructionism," said Jindal, going on to explain the bottom line: "My answer to the question is very simple: 'Do you want the president to fail?' It depends on what he is trying to do."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama is meeting in the Oval Office with NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer at 10:45 a.m. ET. At 1 p.m. ET, he will meet on Capitol Hill with the Senate Democratic Caucus, where he is expected to discuss his budget proposal. At 5:05 p.m. ET, he and Vice President Biden will host an event in the East Room to commemorate Greek Independence Day. And tonight he will speak at two DNC fundraisers: An 8:15 p.m. ET event at the National Women in the Arts Museum, and at 9 p.m. ET in Warner Theater.

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Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | March 24, 2009, 9:01AM

Geithner, Bernanke To Face House Committee Today
Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will be appearing at a 10 a.m. ET hearing of the House Financial Services Committee. The two are expected to be grilled by members of both parties over the AIG bonuses.

Obama's Day Ahead -- And Press Conference Tonight
President Obama will be making a call at 9:40 a.m. ET from the Oval Office, accompanied by middle school students from the Washington area, to congratulate the astronauts on the International Space Station and the Space Shuttle Discovery. At 11 a.m. ET, he will be meeting in the Oval Office with Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, to discuss such issues as the financial crisis, climate change, Afghanistan and Pakistan, and arms control. At 8 p.m. ET, Obama will hold a news conference from the East Room.

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