TPMDC Eric Kleefeld
Barack Obama
TPMDC Saturday Roundup
Eric Kleefeld | September 12, 2009, 1:01PM
Obama: Losing Insurance Can Happen To Anybody
In this week's YouTube address, President Obama warned that losing health insurance is something that can happen to anybody -- and according to a new report from the Treasury Department, it will happen to half of all Americans under 65, unless something is done about it:
"If you're under the age of 21 today, chances are more than half that you'll find yourself uninsured at some point in that time. And more than one-third of Americans will go without coverage for longer than one year," said Obama. "I refuse to allow that future to happen. In the United States of America, no one should have to worry that they'll go without health insurance - not for one year, not for one month, not for one day. And once I sign my health reform plan into law - they won't."
Cornyn: Instead of More Speeches, Obama Should Listen To Republicans
In this week's Republican address, Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) praised President Obama for taking a bipartisan approach to the Afghanistan War -- and attacked Obama's health care proposals:
"He's paid lip service to bipartisanship while rejecting the ideas that would build bipartisan support," said Cornyn. "As a result, the President has alienated not only independents and divided his own party, but Republicans as well. And, he's ignored the clear wishes of the American people. So the President gave another big speech this week to try to turn his numbers around. But instead of talking, the President and Congressional Democrats should spend a little more time listening."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (24) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: ACORN, Afghanistan, Al Franken, Barack Obama, Census, Health Care, Joe Wilson, John Cornyn, MA-SEN, Tea Party, Tom Harkin
Joe Wilson
Wilson Opponent Rob Miller Raises $1 Million Since "You Lie!" Incident; GOP Says $700,000 For Wilson
Eric Kleefeld | September 11, 2009, 6:51PM
SC-02 Candidate Rob Miller (D) and Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)
Iraq War veteran Rob Miller, the Democratic candidate against Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), has officially passed the $1 million mark in fundraising in the time since Wilson's "You lie!" outburst during President Obama's speech to Congress.
The Miller campaign has just made the announcement of his big haul, which came from over 25,000 individual contributors. "We will put this generous support to work to restore common-sense leadership to Washington, create jobs, and stand up for men and women in uniform," Miller said in the press release. "If there was ever a time to put bickering and name calling aside and be part of the solution, it's now."
Wilson defeated Miller in 2008 by a margin of 54%-46%, which was much closer than Wilson's previous races. A new poll has given Miller a one-point edge in the wake of the "You lie" incident, with 44% to Wilson's 43%.
Still, it's a long time between now and November 2010, and Wilson should probably be able to take in quite a bit of cash himself. It's going to be a fun race!
Late Update: The NRCC announced today that Wilson himself has raised over $700,000. So there's definitely a market out there for "You lie!"
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (33) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (2)Topics: House '10, Joe Wilson, SC-02
MA-SEN
Ed Markey Not Running In Massachusetts Special Senate Election
Eric Kleefeld | September 11, 2009, 6:19PM
Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) has just announced that he will not run in the special election for Ted Kennedy's Senate seat.
"I believe that my leadership positions and seniority in the House allow me to accomplish more for my Congressional District and for Massachusetts," Markey said in a statement. "I have therefore decided not to become a candidate for the Senate."
State Attorney General Martha Coakley is officially in the race, and Reps. Stephen Lynch and Michael Capuano have taken out nomination papers and are expected to launch their campaigns. A recent poll gave Coakley a big lead. The Democratic primary will be held in three months, on December 8.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (0) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: MA-SEN
Norm Coleman
Norm Coleman Diagnosed With Bell's Palsy, Is Expected To Recover
Eric Kleefeld | September 11, 2009, 5:11PM
Fmr. Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN)
Former Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) has announced that he was recently diagnosed with Bell's palsy, a nerve condition involving the paralysis of half of the patient's face. The disease usually heals within weeks, and Coleman expects to make a full recovery -- though some cases can be permanent.
In an interview with local Minnesota reporter Rick Kupchella, Coleman sure seemed to be in good spirits, and even cracked a joke about two-faced politicians. He talked about how odd it feels that his smile, a real part of who he is, isn't working correctly. He said he decided to give the interview rather than hide his condition.
"When I was in the Senate, I spent a lot of time on health-care issues," said Coleman. "There are folks who have conditions that are not temporary, their prognosis is not excellent. So I count my blessings. We'll get through this one."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (8) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Norm Coleman
Nullification
Minnesota's Last Adventure With Tentherism
Eric Kleefeld | September 11, 2009, 5:03PM
Former VP John C. Calhoun (D-SC), Former Gov. Rudy Perpich (D-MN), Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN)
As you may know, Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN) is now threatening to invoke the Tenth Amendment in order to keep his home state of Minnesota out of any health care reform package that gets passed, and raising the possibility of governors filing lawsuits against it. As it turns out, this is not the first time that a Minnesota governor has been embroiled in a battle of states' rights with the federal government -- and the last time it happened, it involved political action from the left.
The last time, in the 1980's, Democratic Gov. Rudy Perpich unsuccessfully went to the Supreme Court, leading a group of governors who argued that the federal government had no authority to send the state National Guards for what were officially billed as training missions in Honduras, in which they would be building roads, over the governors' objections. The governors and other opponents had argued that this was a pretext for aiding the Contras in neighboring Nicaragua, according to an April 12, 1987, article in the Chicago Tribune (via Nexis).
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (1) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: Nullification, Tenthers
Chris Dodd
Poll: Dodd Trails Simmons By Ten Points
Eric Kleefeld | September 11, 2009, 4:32PM
Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT)
A new Rasmussen poll finds that Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) continues to trail former Rep. Rob Simmons, the frontrunner for the Republican nomination.
The numbers: Simmons 49%, Dodd 39%. Former Ambassador to Ireland Tom Foley also leads Dodd by 43%-40%. Dodd leads state Sen. Sam Caligiuri by 43%-40%, and edges out financial commentator Peter Schiff -- a favorite of the Ron Paul crowd -- by 42%-40%.
The state remains good ground for Democrats overall, though. Connecticut voters approve of President Obama by 59%-39%, and they also favor the health care reform plan by 52%-46%. Dodd, however, is still stuck in the mud for now.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (4) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: CT-SEN, Chris Dodd, Senate '10
Joe Wilson
The Sunday Show Line-Ups
Eric Kleefeld | September 11, 2009, 2:50PM
Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)
Here are the line-ups for the Sunday talk shows this weekend:
• ABC, This Week: Sec. of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA), and Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN).
• CBS, Face The Nation: White House Senior Adviser David Axelrod, Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME).
• CNN, State Of The Union: White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA).
• Fox News Sunday: Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND), Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC).
• NBC, Meet The Press: Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), former DNC Chairman Howard Dean, former Speaker Newt Gingrich.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (13) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Joe Wilson
Joe Wilson
Poll: Joe Wilson Trails Dem Opponent Rob Miller In Wake of "You Lie!" Outburst
Eric Kleefeld | September 11, 2009, 2:29PM
SC-02 Candidate Rob Miller (D) and Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)
A new poll of Rep. Joe Wilson's (R-SC) district by Public Policy Polling (D) says that the controversial Congressman may have seriously landed himself in hot water through his "You lie!" outburst -- and is now trailing his Democratic opponent by one point.
Democratic candidate Rob Miller, who has received a ton of money from donors around the country since Wednesday night, now has 44%, to Wilson's 43%. The two both have 75% support among their own parties, but Miller leads among independents by 47%-39%. Only 29% of the total pool of respondents approved of Wilson's actions at the speech, compared to 62% who disapproved.
Wilson won re-election over Miller by 54%-46% in 2008, after having previously won his races with support of more than 60% or even over 80% of the electorate.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (35) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (3)Topics: House '10, Joe Wilson, SC-02
NC-SEN
Poll: GOP Sen. Burr Vulnerable -- And Somewhat Unknown In His Home State
Eric Kleefeld | September 11, 2009, 1:28PM
Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC)
The new survey of North Carolina by Public Policy Polling (D) continues to show that Sen. Richard Burr is on shaky ground, with very low approval ratings -- but nevertheless, he is still able to lead potential 2010 Democratic opponents for now.
Burr's approval rating is only 38%, which would usually be considered abysmal for an incumbent. Interestingly, his disapproval is only 32%, with a whopping 29% undecided. Burr leads a generic Democrat by 45%-38%, and has various leads over named Democrats. For example, he leads Sec. of State Elaine Marshall -- who recently filed paperwork to create a campaign committee, but has not yet formally announced a candidacy -- by 42%-31%.
It's not that he's unpopular -- it's that in the time since he was first elected in 2004, he has thus far failed to actually make an impression on the voters.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (16) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: NC-SEN, Richard Burr, Senate '10
Tim Pawlenty
Pawlenty Warning Against Threat of Death Panels -- Ten Years From Now
Eric Kleefeld | September 11, 2009, 12:45PM
Just because President Obama set out to fully debunk the "death panel" smear in his speech to Congress last night, it doesn't mean for a moment that Republicans are actually going to stop playing that card, as Greg Sargent has noticed.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN), a potential presidential candidate, appeared today on Morning Joe, and admitted that the health care bill does not create death panels -- but warned that people should be worried about it happening ten years from now, in order to lower costs:
"Joe, there is nothing int he legislation that directly says that," Pawlenty admitted. "It's the indirect concerns that I'm trying to articulate, that I think are at least worth raising."
Pawlenty need not worry about death panels hurting Minnesota, though. If it ever gets to that point, he could always run for governor again and then nullify them.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (18) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: Death Panels, Health Care, Tim Pawlenty
Health Care
Polls Show Health Care Speech Improved Obama's Ratings On Health Care
Eric Kleefeld | September 11, 2009, 12:05PM
President Barack Obama
The polls that have been conducted since President Obama's speech to Congress on Wednesday night collectively suggest that Obama improved his position on the issue of health care.
• Democracy Corps (D) conducted a dial-tested focus group of debate-watchers in Denver, Colorado, made up of swing voters who were almost evenly divided 54%-46% between Obama and John McCain in the 2008 election. Among this group, support and opposition of the health care plan went from 46%-46% before the speech, to 66%-30% afterward. In addition, before the speech only 44% described the plan as "the right kind of change," with 52% saying it was not. That number then shifted to 50%-40% after the speech.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (12) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (2)Topics: Barack Obama, Health Care
Joe Wilson
Joe Wilson Gets $200,000 In Donations Since "You Lie!" Outburst
Eric Kleefeld | September 11, 2009, 11:05AM
Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)
It turns out that the fundraising avalanche for Rep. Joe Wilson's (R-SC) Democratic opponent Rob Miller, in the wake of Wilson's "You lie!" outburst during President Obama's speech, also cuts the other way, too.
Wilson has now taken in more than $200,000 since the outburst, during which time he has hit the radio and TV talk show circuit and launched his own fundraising effort.
It's not as much as Miller's $750,000 from outraged liberals, but it's not chump change, either. And seeing as how the right was a bit slower to mobilize in fundraising over this, in comparison to the immediate flood of donations to Miller from liberals, this could shape up as a real race for money.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (11) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: House '10, Joe Wilson, SC-02
Joe Wilson
Joe Wilson's Opponent Now At Over $750,000 Since Outburst
Eric Kleefeld | September 11, 2009, 9:52AM
SC-02 Candidate Rob Miller (D)
The online donations keep coming in for Rob Miller, an Iraq War veteran and Democratic candidate against Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), in the wake of Wilson's "You lie!" outburst during President Obama's speech to Congress on Wednesday night.
The DCCC announced that as of 6:30 a.m. ET this morning, Miller had received more than $750,000, from over 20,000 individual contributors, in the time since Wilson's interjection.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (23) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (4)Topics: House '10, Joe Wilson, SC-02
Health Care
Poll: Obama's Speech Boosts Approval On Health Care
Eric Kleefeld | September 11, 2009, 9:39AM
President Barack Obama
A new CBS poll finds that President Obama's speech to Congress has had an immediate, positive effect for him on health care.
CBS re-interviewed yesterday the same respondents from a poll in late August. In that previous poll, Obama's approval on his handling of health care was only 40%, with 47% disapproval. Now, he's at 52%-38% with those same people.
The surveys also asked whether Obama has clearly explained his plans for health care reform. Two weeks ago, he was at only 33% yes, 61% now. Now that number is much improved, but still less than spectacular: Yes 42%, No 43%. Among speech-watchers, the number is Yes 58%, No 39%
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (7) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Barack Obama, Health Care
Barack Obama
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Eric Kleefeld | September 11, 2009, 9:14AM
Obama's First 9/11 As President
The Associated Press points out that today is President Obama's first September 11 as president, looking at the changes in policy that have occurred between him and the Bush administration, and the challenges Obama still has ahead: "Eight years later, Obama has the bullhorn. And the way forward in the fight against terrorism is anything but clear. Obama approaches his first 9-11 anniversary as president saddled with two wars that followed the 2001 terrorist attacks, and confronted at every turn by difficult leftovers from Bush's response to them."
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama observed a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. ET, remember the September 11 attacks. President Obama will deliver remarks at a 9:30 a.m. ET wreath-laying ceremony at the Pentagon Memorial.
Topics: Afghanistan, Barack Obama, Carl Levin, Chris Dodd, Joe Biden, Joe Wilson, John Kerry, Nancy Pelosi
Tim Pawlenty
Pawlenty: It's "A Viable Option" To Invoke State Sovereignty, Keep Minnesota Out of Health Care Reform
Eric Kleefeld | September 11, 2009, 8:52AM
Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN)
Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN), a possible presidential candidate in 2012, is now indicating that he could invoke state sovereignty and prevent his home state of Minnesota from participating in a federal health care reform effort if one passes, Minnesota Public Radio reports.
"Depending on what the federal government comes out with here, asserting the 10th Amendment may be a viable option," Pawlenty said, when asked about it by a caller on a Republican Governors Association conference call. "But we don't know the details. As one of the other callers said, we can't get the President to outline what he does or doesn't support in any detail. So we'll have to see, I would have to say that it's a possibility."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (119) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Health Care, Nullification, Tenthers, Tim Pawlenty
Joe Wilson
Joe Wilson YouTube: "I Will Not Be Muzzled"
Eric Kleefeld | September 10, 2009, 6:48PM
Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) has posted this YouTube address, as part of his new fundraising appeal to help defend him from liberal attacks in the wake of his "You lie!" outburst:
"On these issues, I will not be muzzled. I will speak up, and speak loudly, against this risky plan," Wilson proclaims. "The supporters of the government takeover of health care, and the liberals who want to give health care to illegals, are using my opposition as an excuse to distract from the critical questions being raised about this poorly-conceived plan. they want to silence anyone who speaks out against it. They made it clear they want to defeat me, and pass the plan."
"Health care is a matter of life and death for so many," he later adds. "I choose life, with health-insurance reform."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (54) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: House '10, Joe Wilson, SC-02
Joe Wilson
Wilson Fundraising Page: I Shouldn't Have Disrespected President, But "I Will Not Back Down" Against Dem Policies
Eric Kleefeld | September 10, 2009, 6:20PM
Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)
Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) has posted a fundraising appeal on his Web site, asking for supporters to help defend him against liberal attacks in the wake of his "You lied!" outburst. Wilson says he's sorry for the manner in which he responded to President Obama -- but he's not backing down:
Unfortunately I let that emotion get the best of me and I reacted by speaking out during the President's speech. I should not have disrespected the President by responding in that manner.PERMALINK | COMMENTS (9) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)
But I am not sorry for fighting back against the dangerous policies of liberal Democrats. America's working families deserve to have their views represented in Washington, and I will do so with civility. But I will not back down.
Topics: House '10, Joe Wilson, SC-02
Joe Wilson
Joe Wilson: I've Received Encouragement From My Colleagues
Eric Kleefeld | September 10, 2009, 5:48PM
Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) just appeared with local talk-radio host Keven Cohen on WVOC radio in Columbia, South Carolina, where he explained how it was that he came to yell "You lie!" during President Obama's speech to Congress -- and he also said that he's received support from his colleagues in Congress, and even from Democrats.
"I was of course so energized with the town hall meetings that we had throughout the district," said Wilson. "I was really looking forward to betting back and hopefully hearing a speech where there would be a real effort to bring Republicans and Democrats together for health insurance reform. But as the speech kept on going, it really got to the point where statements were made concerning illegal aliens that I knew were not true."
Cohen asked Wilson if he'd snapped. "I didn't snap, either," Wilson replied, "because if I'd snapped I would have kept on objecting. It was this specific fact that I knew about, that I had done research on, that I had worked with my colleagues on."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (28) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: Joe Wilson
Joe Wilson
Rob Miller Raises Over $500,000 Since Wilson's Outburst
Eric Kleefeld | September 10, 2009, 5:30PM
SC-02 Candidate Rob Miller (D)
The money is still coming in for Iraq War veteran Rob Miller, the Democratic House candidate who has received a flood of donations since incumbent Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) shouted "You lie!" during President Obama's speech last night.
The DCCC just announced that in the time since the Wilson outburst, Miller has received more than $500,000, from over 14,000 individual contributors.
Think about this: It isn't even the main campaign season yet, and nevertheless a cool half-million has come in online for Miller in less than 24 hours.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (11) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (3)Topics: House '10, Joe Wilson, SC-02
Joe Wilson
Rob Miller: "The Outpouring of Support Has Truly Been Humbling"
Eric Kleefeld | September 10, 2009, 5:03PM
SC-02 Candidate Rob Miller (D)
Rep. Joe Wilson's (R-SC) Democratic opponent, Iraq War veteran Rob Miller, has released this statement, thanking people for the hundreds of thousands of dollars he's received since Wilson's "You lie!" outburst:
Representative Joe Wilson's stunning behavior last night exemplifies all that is wrong in Washington DC. Time and time again, instead of real solutions to help South Carolina families, we see more partisan politics and petty name-calling.PERMALINK | COMMENTS (8) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)
Topics: House '10, Joe Wilson, SC-02
Michael Steele
Steele: "Bad Form" For Obama To Invoke Kennedy At Last Night's Speech
Eric Kleefeld | September 10, 2009, 4:31PM
RNC Chairman Michael Steele
RNC Chairman Michael Steele told the Washington Times that it was "bad form" for President Obama to talk about a letter he received from the late Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA), at last night's speech to Congress.
"I'm sorry, but I just felt a bit unnerved by it, in the sense he just passed," said Steele.
"His wife was still clearly emotional," Steele added. "I just thought that was bad form. We all understand and appreciate the role Sen. Kennedy has played in this debate and the passion he brought to health care. I just thought that was a little bit much for me, so soon after his death, using that as a political tool."
Steele seems to be under the impression that this was all a surprise to Vicki Kennedy -- that it was some kind of coincidence that she'd been invited to sit as a guest of Michelle Obama during a speech on one of her late husband's biggest political issues.
(Via Political Wire)
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (62) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: Health Care, Michael Steele, Ted Kennedy
Joe Wilson
Joe Wilson: "I Have Been Overwhelmed" By Supportive Phone Calls
Eric Kleefeld | September 10, 2009, 4:04PM
Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) gave an interview with WIS, the local NBC affiliate in Columbia, South Carolina, and expressed contrition for his "You lied!" outburst -- but he also said he's received a lot of support for it back home.
"Well, I have been overwhelmed by phone calls from constituents -- people of the Second District -- who say, 'Joe, thank you for speaking up for us,'" said Wilson. "'Thank you for your passion, for the people who you represent, because you understand the threat to the health care system -- the potential for rationing -- and we appreciate so much you speaking up for the people of the United States.'"
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (53) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (2)Topics: Joe Wilson
Joe Wilson
Limbaugh: I Wish Wilson Hadn't Apologized
Eric Kleefeld | September 10, 2009, 2:26PM
On his radio show today, Rush Limbaugh lambasted Republicans for condemning Rep. Joe Wilson's (R-SC) outburst of "You lie!" during President Obama's speech last night -- and even said he wished Wilson hadn't apologized:
"That was a blatant lie. I'm gonna tell you something. I've -- one of the things that's really irritated me all morning and last night, was listening to Republicans, even after wilson has apologized -- and I wish he had not. But he's apologized, and even after he's apologized, members of his own party are all over television denigrating him."
Does this mean Wilson will now have to apologize to Limbaugh for the apology to Obama?
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (9) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Joe Wilson, Rush Limbaugh
Death Panels
Palin: "So Much For Civility" With Obama's Debunking of Death Panels
Eric Kleefeld | September 10, 2009, 12:55PM
Former Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK)
In a Facebook post responding to President Obama's speech last night, Sarah Palin said that Obama's debunking of the "death panel" smear -- which she has propagated -- showed a lack of civility:
"In his speech the President directly responded to concerns I've raised about unelected bureaucrats being given power to make decisions affecting life or death health care matters," Palin wrote. "He called these concerns 'bogus,' 'irresponsible,' and 'a lie' -- so much for civility."
Yes, Palin is saying Obama lacks civility. This from the politician who said: "The America I know and love is not one in which my parents or my baby with Down Syndrome will have to stand in front of Obama's 'death panel' so his bureaucrats can decide, based on a subjective judgment of their 'level of productivity in society,' whether they are worthy of health care. Such a system is downright evil."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (56) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (3)Topics: Death Panels, Sarah Palin
Health Care
Americans United Ad Attacks Insurance Company In Transplant Case, And For CEO Pay
Eric Kleefeld | September 10, 2009, 12:39PM
Americans United For Change has a new ad on Washington cable TV, essentially aimed at the media and pundit class, as well as testing it for wider distribution, attacking an insurance company for denying a liver transplant to a 17-year old girl, who died just a few hours after they finally approved it -- and for paying big money to executives:
"This year Cigna CEO Ed Hanway will retire with a $73 million golden parachute," the announcer says. "Seventy three million dollars. That's 292 liver transplants. Nataline only needed one. If insurance companies win, we lose."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (3) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Health Care
Joe Wilson
DCCC Raising Money Off Joe Wilson's "You Lie!" Outburst
Eric Kleefeld | September 10, 2009, 12:18PM
Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)
The Democratic Congressional Committee is now aiming to cash in on Rep. Joe Wilson's "You lie!" outburst, with a new fundraising e-mail sent out to its supporter list.
"Help us raise $100,000 in the next 48 Hours to send a message to Republicans like Congressman Joe Wilson that we will not stand for our President to be called a liar in front of the nation," the e-mail says. "Your contribution will be immediately put to work to defeat Republican Members of Congress and support meaningful health insurance reform."
Wilson's Democratic opponent, Rob Miller, has already taken in $200,000 in less than 24 hours since the big moment.
Check out the full e-mail, after the jump.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (6) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: DCCC, House '10, Joe Wilson, SC-02
Joe Wilson
Wilson: I Spoke To White House, "Certainly Agree" With Having Civil Discussion
Eric Kleefeld | September 10, 2009, 11:56AM
A very, very nervous Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) just spoke with reporters, confirming that his party leadership approached him after his "You lie!" outburst last night, and that he contacted the white House to apologize.
"Well I, uh, last night heard from the leadership that they, uh, wanted me to contact the White House, uh, and state that, uh, my, uh, statements, uh, were inappropriate," said Wilson. "I did, I'm very grateful that the White House, in talking with them, uh, they indicated that they appreciated the call and that we needed to have a civil discussion about the health care issues. And I certainly agree with that."
Wilson then mounted a defense of the substance of his complaint -- insisting that the health care bill would cover illegal immigrants. Non-partisan fact-checkers have disagreed.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (26) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Joe Wilson
Curt Schilling
Poll: Massachusetts Voters Don't Want Schilling To Run For Senate
Eric Kleefeld | September 10, 2009, 11:27AM
Fmr. Major League Baseball Player Curt Schilling (R)
A new Rasmussen poll finds that Curt Schilling could have a tough time if he were to run in the special election in Massachusetts for Ted Kennedy's Senate seat.
Only 26% of likely voters think Schilling should run, compared to 53% who say he should not. Only 34% of voters say it is either somewhat or very likely that they would vote him, compared to 54% who say it is not very or not at all likely. Only 25% said Schilling is qualified to serve in the Senate, while 46% say he is not.
Schilling is thinking of getting into the race, running as a Republican in this very Democratic state. Clearly, he would have a tough hill to climb.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (5) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: Curt Schilling, MA-SEN
Joe Wilson
Wilson Opponent's Fundraising Hits $400,000 Since Outburst (Updated)
Eric Kleefeld | September 10, 2009, 11:17AM
Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)
The money keeps rolling in for Rob Miller, the Iraq War veteran and Democratic candidate against Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC).
The DCCC tells me that in the time since Wilson yelled "You lie!" during President Obama's speech last night, Miller has now taken in $200,000, from 5,000 contributors.
Late Update: As of 2 p.m. ET, Miller has now taken in $350,000, from 10,000 individual contributions, the DCCC tells me.
Late Update: As of 2:42 p.m. ET, Miller has now taken in over $400,000, from 11,000 contributors.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (9) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (2)Topics: Joe Wilson, SC-02
James Clyburn
Clyburn: Wilson "Ought To Man Up" And Make Public Apology From House Floor
Eric Kleefeld | September 10, 2009, 9:53AM
Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC)
House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-SC) appeared on the Bill Press radio show this morning, and said that Rep. Joe Wilson's (R-SC) written apology for having shouted "You lie!" at President Obama wasn't good enough.
Instead, Clyburn says Wilson should go to the well of the House -- the same place where he made the insult -- and give a public apology there.
"That's a cowardly way to do it," Clyburn said of the written statement. "He ought to man up and go down to the well of the House and say, I acted with a lack of decorum the last evening, and I apologize to the President of the United States, and I apologize to my colleagues in both bodies, and I apologize to the people of South Carolina for having done so.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (17) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: James Clyburn, Joe Wilson
Barack Obama
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Eric Kleefeld | September 10, 2009, 9:29AM
Biden: Health Care Bill By Thanksgiving
Vice President Biden told ABC's Good Morning America that President Obama has "re-centered" the debate on health care, and that a bill will be passed soon. "I believe we will have a bill," said Biden. "I've been in the Congress for a very long time, eight presidents. I believe we will have a bill before Thanksgiving."
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will deliver remarks on health insurance reform at 10:15 a.m. ET, from the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. He will meet with the Cabinet at 10:45 a.m. ET, and have lunch with Vice President Biden at 12:30 p.m. ET. At 1:45 p.m. ET, he will meet with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, with Sec. of State Hillary Clinton at 2:45 p.m. ET., and with Treasury Sec. Tim Geithner at 3:30 p.m. ET. At 6 p.m. ET, he will welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins to the White House. At 7:30 p.m. ET, he will chair a meeting with the Homeland Security Council on H1N1 preparations.
Topics: Barack Obama, Health Care, Joe Biden, Joe Wilson, Karl Rove
Joe Wilson
Joe Wilson's Opponent Brings In Big Money After Outburst
Eric Kleefeld | September 10, 2009, 9:18AM
Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC)
Rep. Joe Wilson's (R-SC) outburst of "You lie!" against President Obama has been good for at least one person: Rob Miller, a Marine and Iraq War veteran who ran unsuccessfully against Wilson in 2008, and is running again for 2010 -- and who has now brought in a lot of money.
Jessica Santillo, the Southern regional press secretary for the DCCC, confirms to us that Miller has raised over $100,000.
In the 2008 election, John McCain carried the district 54%-45%, and Wilson himself was re-elected 53.7%-46.2% over Miller. This was a significant swing from previous elections -- when Wilson would win with over 60% or even over 80% of the vote, and George W. Bush carried it 60%-40% in 2004.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (8) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: House '10, Joe Wilson, SC-02
Barack Obama
Post-Speech Poll Has Some Good News For Obama
Eric Kleefeld | September 9, 2009, 11:02PM
The new CNN snap poll from after President Obama's speech provides some preliminary good news -- though the self-selectiveness of the speech-watchers does make for something of a caveat.
Going into the speech, 53% of the speech-watchers favored Obama's proposals. Coming out of it, that support has now risen to 67%. More than seven in ten say Obama clearly stated his goals -- which was of course a key goal of the speech itself. And three out of four think it's somewhat or very likely that Obama will pass most of his proposals through Congress.
However, the speech audience polled was 45% Democratic, only 18% Republican, and the remainder independent. And while Democrats certainly do out-number Republicans, it's not by that much -- meaning that the people who chose to tune in were naturally more sympathetic to Obama to start with than the population as a whole.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (20) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (2)Topics: Barack Obama, Health Care
Joe Wilson
Joe Wilson's "You Lie!" Outburst, And Other GOP Highlights During The Speech
Eric Kleefeld | September 9, 2009, 10:26PM
There were a few moments during tonight's speech in which Republican members were less than respectful to President Obama, given the usual tradition in this country of deferring to the President during a speech to Congress.
The real star of the night, of course, was Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) who shouted out "You lie!" after Obama said the health care plan would not cover illegal immigrants, and was then himself booed by other House members:
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), who for his part went through a real knock-down drag-out fight with Obama in last year's election, has condemned Wilson's outburst as "totally disrespectful," and said there is "no place for it in that setting or any other and he should apologize immediately."
Wilson has in fact just apologized: "This evening I let my emotions get the best of me when listening to the President's remarks regarding the coverage of illegal immigrants in the health care bill. While I disagree with the President's statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable. I extend sincere apologies to the President for this lack of civility."
It's an understatement to say that Wilson is a big-time conservative activist -- he's actually opening his office this Saturday, to host people marching in the Glenn Beck-organized "9/12 March on Washington." And nothing says the spirit of national unity -- the original premise of Beck's 9/12 movement -- like yelling "You lie!" at the President in the middle of a speech to Congress.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (63) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (6)Topics: Health Care, Joe Wilson
Health Care
Conservative House GOPers Wave Own Bill, Promoting Individual Policies Over Employer-Provided Ones
Eric Kleefeld | September 9, 2009, 10:06PM
During President Obama's speech tonight, some Republican House members were waving around their own bill -- to disprove the contention that the GOP doesn't have a plan of its own. It was announced as being an act of "silent protest," perhaps in contrast to the loud "You lie!" protest:
The bill from the Republcian Study Committee -- the caucus of hte most conservative members of the House GOP -- is available here.
A three-page summary shows that it is focused on promoting individually-owned insurance policies, while preserving employer-provided health care as an alternative with an opt-out clause.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (9) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (2)Topics: Health Care
Barack Obama
Obama Calls Out GOP For Spending Big Without Paying For It; Cantor Types On BlackBerry
Eric Kleefeld | September 9, 2009, 8:51PM
President Obama just pledged to be fiscally responsible with the health care bill -- and he called out the Republicans who might criticize him, for having been very irresponsible during this past decade:
"First, I will not sign a plan that adds one dime to our deficits - either now or in the future. Period. And to prove that I'm serious, there will be a provision in this plan that requires us to come forward with more spending cuts if the savings we promised don't materialize. Part of the reason I faced a trillion dollar deficit when I walked in the door of the White House is because too many initiatives over the last decade were not paid for - from the Iraq War to tax breaks for the wealthy. I will not make that same mistake with health care."
During the applause by the Democrats, the news cameras then went to the Republican leadership -- where House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) could be seen looking down, typing out something on his BlackBerry.
Topics: Barack Obama, Budget, Eric Cantor, Health Care
Barack Obama
Obama Gives Shout-Out To McCain, Borrows Idea On Health Care
Eric Kleefeld | September 9, 2009, 8:40PM
President Obama just reached out to Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), his Republican opponent in the 2008 general election -- by borrowing one of his ideas as part of the health care package:
"For those individuals and small businesses who still cannot afford the lower-priced insurance available in the exchange, we will provide tax credits, the size of which will be based on your need. And all insurance companies that want access to this new marketplace will have to abide by the consumer protections I already mentioned. This exchange will take effect in four years, which will give us time to do it right. In the meantime, for those Americans who can't get insurance today because they have pre-existing medical conditions, we will immediately offer low-cost coverage that will protect you against financial ruin if you become seriously ill. This was a good idea when Senator John McCain proposed it in the campaign, it's a good idea now, and we should embrace it."
The cameras then showed a close-up on McCain, smiling and giving a double thumbs-up. McCain certainly seemed impressed and grateful. So what's the chance that McCain actually votes for the final bill?
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (0) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (2)Topics: Barack Obama, Health Care, John McCain
Barack Obama
Scattered Progressives Interrupt Obama With Applause For Single-Payer
Eric Kleefeld | September 9, 2009, 8:29PM
Here's a funny sign that President Obama could still have trouble taming the left.
Obama set out to place himself in the center of the debate. "There are those on the left who believe that the only way to fix the system is through a single-payer system like Canada's," he began -- and was then interrupted by scattered applause from some unidentified progressives. He continued: "--where we would severely restrict the private insurance market and have the government provide coverage for everyone."
He then presented the conservative approach: "On the right, there are those who argue that we should end the employer-based system and leave individuals to buy health insurance on their own."
Curiously, no Republicans applauded -- perhaps not wanting to acknowledge that this is their position, or maybe just not wanting to clap for Obama in any context.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (2) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: Barack Obama, Health Care
VA-GOV
Weekly Standard Attacks Virginia Reactionary...Creigh Deeds?
Eric Kleefeld | September 9, 2009, 6:17PM
VA-GOV Candidates Creigh Deeds (D) and Bob McDonnell (R)
The Weekly Standard is firing back at Democrats and the Washington Post for hammering away at Bob McDonnell, the Republican gubernatorial nominee, over his hard-right thesis/political manifesto that he wrote at age 34.
The Standard has now unearthed some campaign literature from Democratic nominee Creigh Deeds, published in a 1999 legislative campaign, in which Deeds defended his qualifications as a social conservative, after his opponent accused him of supporting "special rights" for gays:
NO SPECIAL RIGHTS FOR GAYSPERMALINK | COMMENTS (7) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)
I don't believe in discrimination, but I don't believe in special rights for anyone. I have never voted to allow gay partners to receive medical insurance -- or any other benefit -- from the state. It's sad that Mr. Collins has to resort to bigotry and hate-mongering.
Topics: VA-GOV
Health Care
Limbaugh: "I Guarantee" Paying Out Of Pocket Is Cheaper Than Health Insurance
Eric Kleefeld | September 9, 2009, 5:46PM
During his radio show today, Rush Limbaugh made a very blunt case we don't hear stated so clearly by Republicans -- that not going through health insurance is better than using it, because it creates a direct link between the patient and the price, and creates the incentive to shop around:
"You oughtta try this, folks, just a standard doctor visit, offer to pay for it yourself," said Limbaugh. "I guarantee it'll cost you less than if you use your insurance."
Josh Marshall commented on this idea yesterday: "To be clear, such an approach probably would cut costs because most people just couldn't afford to get a lot of care, which is a great way of cutting costs. But remember, the problem according to most Republicans in Congress isn't that there's not enough insurance or that it's not good enough. It's that there's too much. The problem is that you have insurance. And good policy will take it away from you."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (45) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: Health Care, Rush Limbaugh
Barack Obama
Obama To Hold Health Care Rally This Saturday In Minneapolis
Eric Kleefeld | September 9, 2009, 5:27PM
President Obama will be hitting the road to campaign for health insurance reform, in a sign that tonight's speech is going to be the opening round of a new wave of direct presidential involvement in the debate.
Obama will hold a rally for health insurance reform this Saturday in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The doors of the Target Center will open at 9:30 a.m. CT, with space given on a first-come, first-served basis, and no tickets required. The event will begin at 12:30 p.m. CT.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (3) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: Barack Obama, Health Care
MA-SEN
Poll: Massachusetts Split On Senate Appointment
Eric Kleefeld | September 9, 2009, 4:37PM
A new Rasmussen poll in Massachusetts finds that support has fallen for changing the law to allow for a temporary appointment to the Senate, and the question is now evenly split.
The numbers: 44% are in favor of a temporary appointment while waiting for the special election, to 43% against it, within the ±3.5% margin of error.
A poll taken nearly three weeks ago, shortly before Ted Kennedy's death, found that 52% supported an interim appointment, to 40% against. The news had just broken at the time that Kennedy had requested a change to the law, to allow Gov. Deval Patrick to make an interim appointment.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (6) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: MA-SEN
MA-SEN
Kerry Testifies For Senate Appointment Bill -- Admits Kennedy Made Mistake Pushing For No Appointments In 2004
Eric Kleefeld | September 9, 2009, 3:57PM
Sen. John Kerry (D-MA)
Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) spoke today before the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Election Laws, testifying in favor of the proposed law to empower Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick to appoint a Senator to Ted Kennedy's seat until the special election in January.
"This is no time for the people of Massachusetts to not be represented fully in Washington. We need to be in the strongest position possible," said Kerry. "Big decisions are being made now -- not in five months. And important votes are coming now -- not in five months. Massachusetts cannot and should not be underrepresented."
There's a certain irony in Kerry coming before the committee -- the legislation that took away the power of governors to appoint Senators was passed by the state Democrats in 2004, when they thought that Kerry himself might get elected President while Republican Mitt Romney was Governor. The old law had provided for an appointment until the next regular general election, and legislators rejected the possibility of even having an appointment combined with an expedited special election.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (1) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: John Kerry, MA-SEN, Senate '10, Ted Kennedy
Blanche Lincoln
Harkin Getting HELP Chairmanship, Lincoln Taking Agriculture
Eric Kleefeld | September 9, 2009, 2:30PM
Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR)
Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) will reportedly be taking over the chairmanship of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee -- which was vacated by the death of Ted Kennedy -- after Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) declined to take the post.
This was a widely-expected move after Dodd turned down the position, as Harkin was next in line in seniority.
Another key development here in the committee shuffle is that Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) will take over Harkin's chairmanship of the Agriculture Committee -- which could potentially give her a real boost as she goes into a tough re-election fight in 2010. Lincoln would be better positioned to argue that she can advocate for her rural state's interest.
On the other hand, Lincoln's move to the Agriculture gavel could also be bad news for climate change legislation.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (7) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: AR-SEN, Blanche Lincoln, Senate '10, Tom Harkin
Mark Sanford
South Carolina GOP Legislators Call On Sanford To Resign, Foreshadowing Potential Impeachment
Eric Kleefeld | September 9, 2009, 2:21PM
Gov. Mark Sanford (R-SC)
The momentum is building for a potential impeachment of Gov. Mark Sanford (R-SC), the Palmetto Scoop reports, with 60 House Republicans signing a letter calling on him to resign.
"Your decision to abandon our state for five days, with no defined order of succession and with no known way to contact you, is inexcusable," the letter says, later adding: "But perhaps even more disturbing than the abandonment of your post and the multiple ethics allegations against you is the extreme amount of stress, uncertainty, an negative scrutiny that the citizens of South Carolina, our government and our party have had to endure due to your behavior."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (8) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: Mark Sanford
Health Care
Poll: Majority Disapprove of Obama's Performance On Health Care
Eric Kleefeld | September 9, 2009, 1:00PM
President Barack Obama
The new AP/GfK poll today, coming out just as President Obama is about to address Congress on health care, finds that he's coming into the debate in a weak position.
Obama's approval on his handling of health care right now is only 42%, with 52% disapproval on health care.
This other question should concern Democrats: "If President Obama and the Democrats in Congress are unable to win support from Republicans to pass a health care plan this year, what should they do?" The numbers: Go ahead and pass a bill without Republican support, 28%; Keep trying until they are able to make a deal with the Republicans, 66%.
Looking at this number, it's clear that the burden on Obama and the Democrats at this point is to demonstrate clearly through tonight's speech and the following events that Republicans won't make a deal. If that case isn't made, there really might not be enough political capital to withstand the potential fallout from a Dems-only bill.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (27) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (2)Topics: Barack Obama, Health Care
Michele Bachmann
Bachmann To Go From Town Hall To Tea Party
Eric Kleefeld | September 9, 2009, 12:17PM
Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN)
Our friends at the Dump Bachmann blog have spotted a fun little quirk in Rep. Michele Bachmann's (R-MN) schedule for this Saturday.
In the early part of the morning, Bachmann will be hosting a town hall on health care. Then in the late morning, she will be proceeding directly to speaking at...a Tea Party.
So first it's a Bachmann town hall, and then a Tea Party. Really, how do you tell the difference?
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (5) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (2)Topics: Health Care, Michele Bachmann, Tea Party
David Vitter
Vitter Raising Money Through Deatherism
Eric Kleefeld | September 9, 2009, 11:42AM
Sen. David Vitter (R-LA)
Sen. David Vitter appears to be sending out a new fundraising letter containing an all-too familiar claim -- that if the Democrats pass their health-care bill, the old and disabled will have their health care cut off by government bureaucrats deciding they're not worth the cost -- the main substance of the "death panel" scare.
Here's the key quote from the letter, which was given to us by the Louisiana Dems after a supporter handed it to them in the past week:
So what about the claims that this plan will reduce health care costs? Well, to do that will simply require a plan to ration existing resource sand restrict benefits for certain medicines, procedures and therapies.
The government will determine who is eligible for what and if you are older or have certain other afflictions, an economist will determine if you are worthy of the government's "investment" in your longevity. That's right, a bureaucrat will be making life or death decisions.
The Vitter campaign did not return our requests for comment.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (1) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: David Vitter, Death Panels, LA-SEN, Senate '10
MA-SEN
Poll: Coakley Starts Out With Big Lead In Dem Primary For Massachusetts Senate Seat
Eric Kleefeld | September 9, 2009, 11:20AM
Massachusetts Atty. Gen. Martha Coakley (D)
A new Rasmussen poll of the Massachusetts special election for Senate finds that state Attorney General Martha Coakley starts out with a big lead in the Democratic primary.
The numbers: Coakley 38%, Rep. Stephen Lynch 11%, Rep. Ed Markey 10%, Rep. Michael Capuano 7%, and Rep. John Tierney 3%. Coakley is the only one to have officially launched a candidacy, though Lynch and Capuano have also taken the preliminary step of obtaining nomination papers.
The primary will be held three months from now, on December 8.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (1) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: MA-SEN
Michael Steele
Steele: Public Option Is Socialist
Eric Kleefeld | September 9, 2009, 9:59AM
Michael Steele appeared this morning on CBS, and was asked by host Harry Smith whether he believes the public option is socialist. "Yes I do," he said. "And quite frankly I think a lot more people believing (sic) that there's more to this than meets the eye."
Steele explained: "And the reality of it is, you know, I just don't understand this idea that somehow people think that the federal government can enter into a marketplace and compete with private industry. That goes counter to everything that we know about how markets work and the role that the government plays in those markets."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (8) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: Medicare/Medicaid, Michael Steele, Public Option, Socialism
Barack Obama
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Eric Kleefeld | September 9, 2009, 9:01AM
Obama: Speech Tonight Will Make It Clear Exactly What is Being Proposed
In an interview aired this morning on ABC's Good Morning America, President Obama said that his speech to Congress tonight will bring "clarity" to the health care debate: "So, the intent of the speech on is to, A, make sure that the American people are clear exactly what it is that we are proposing," said Obama. "B, to make sure that Democrats and Republicans understand that I'm open to new ideas, that we're not being rigid and ideological about this thing, but we do intend to get something done this year."
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will address the Walter Cronkite Memorial Service at 10:30 a.m. ET, at Lincoln Center in New York City. He will depart from New York at 1:25 p.m. ET, arriving back at the White House at 2:35 p.m. ET. At 8 p.m. Et, he will address a joint session of Congress, delivering a speech on health care reform.
Topics: Barack Obama, Health Care, Joe Biden, MA-SEN, Sarah Palin, Supreme Court, Tim Pawlenty, VA-GOV
NJ-GOV
Christie Says He Was Never Served With Lawsuit Over 2002 Car Accident
Eric Kleefeld | September 8, 2009, 6:05PM
NJ Gov. Chris Christie (R)
Chris Christie is clearing up a seemingly false statement that he made on Friday, when he said that there had not been a lawsuit over his 2002 car accident in which he injured a motorcyclist after he turned the wrong way onto a one-way street.
In fact, the man that Christie hit, Andre Mendcona, had filed a lawsuit in 2004. It was dismissed two months later, implying a possible out-of-court settlement. For his part, Christie has now told NJN's Zachary Fink that he'd never actually been served with the lawsuit.
Mendonca's attorney Stanley Marcus told me that, without going into private details that would require the permission of his client, he never actually interacted with Christie. "I didn't talk to him, he didn't talk to me," said Marcus. "He may have talked to the insurance company."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (3) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: NJ-GOV
Jean Schmidt
Rep. Jean Schmidt Tells Birther "I Agree With You"
Eric Kleefeld | September 8, 2009, 5:42PM
Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-OH)
Think Progress seems to have caught Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-OH) saying something very interesting to a Birther -- that Schmidt agrees with her.
The Birther spoke to Schmidt, as the Congresswoman was making a very frustrated effort to calm her down. "He cannot be a president by our Constitution," she complained.
Schmidt then ducked in close and tried to whisper something in the woman's ear -- which was picked up by the camera. "I agree with you," said Schmidt, "but the courts don't."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (11) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Birth Certificate, Jean Schmidt
NJ-GOV
Corzine Ad Blasts Christie's "Bush Policies," And For Saying He Would Reject Stimulus Money
Eric Kleefeld | September 8, 2009, 5:10PM
Gov. Jon Corzine (D-NJ) and Former US Attorney Chris Christie (R)
Gov. Jon Corzine (D-NJ) has a new TV ad attacking his Republican opponent, former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie, for saying that he would reject federal stimulus money.
The ad reminds people of what is probably Christie's biggest weakness in this race. Although he's ahead int he polls right now, Christie is a Republican running in a Democratic state -- and he worked in the George W. Bush administration:
"But Chris Christie's so partisan he'd reject President Obama's stimulus funds - driving up property taxes $2 billion," the announcer says. "Chris Christie -- the same Bush policies that got us into this mess."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (0) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: NJ-GOV, Stimulus
Robert Menendez
Menendez: Dems Are Going To Get Health Care Done
Eric Kleefeld | September 8, 2009, 4:45PM
Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ)
On a conference call just now with Democratic supporters, DSCC chairman Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) sought to paint an optimistic but cautious outlook for 2010 -- and also dealt with some skepticism from the base over health care.
Menendez said how the president's party has almost always lost seats in the mid-term elections, but that Dems have a good set of candidates and will have real accomplishments to run on in key races in 2010.
He then took questions that had been submitted by e-mail, and got a tough one: Why should the e-mailer continue to help Democrats, if they can't get health care done?
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (1) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: DSCC, Health Care, Robert Menendez
Mark Foley
Mark Foley To Host Public Affairs Radio Show: "Inside The Mind of Mark Foley"
Eric Kleefeld | September 8, 2009, 3:57PM
Former Rep. Mark Foley (R-FL)
Former Rep. Mark Foley (R-FL), whose resignation following lewd instant messages with teenage House pages was one of the final things to bring down the House Republicans in 2006, is making a comeback -- as a local talk radio commentator in West Palm Beach, with his own show called "Inside the Mind of Mark Foley."
Seaview AM 960, an adult standards station (Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Barbra Streisand, etc.) in West Palm Beach, has announced that Foley will host a new public affairs show, beginning on September 22.
"Well Mark Foley's a local, his district was here locally in West Palm Beach," Seaview operations manager Joe Raineri told me, "So Mark Foley, he's a regular about town and he was no stranger certainly to us at the radio station, and he's quite well received here in West Palm Beach. So we thought with what's going on in the world today it would be great to hear from a former Washington insider."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (15) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: Mark Foley
MA-SEN
Capuano Gets Papers For Kennedy's Senate Seat, Meehan Not Running
Eric Kleefeld | September 8, 2009, 3:07PM
Rep. Michael Capuano (D-MA)
Another Democrat is jumping into the special election for Ted Kennedy's Senate seat. An agent of Rep. Michael Capuano (D-MA) has taken out nomination papers for the race, paving the way for the Congressman to launch a bid.
Two other Democrats, state Attorney General Martha Coakley and Rep. Stephen Lynch, are already in the race. Rep. Ed Markey is also eyeing the race.
Meanwhile, former Rep. Marty Meehan just announced that he will not run for the seat. Meehan would have been a formidable candidate, due to the large campaign war chest that he still has.
This race should be inviting to any big-name Democrat for a few reasons. First, Senate seats don't open in Massachusetts very often. Second, with former Rep. Joe Kennedy now having announced that he's not running, there's no obvious heir-apparent to the Kennedy name. And third, the special election gives current officeholders the opportunity to run without risking their current positions.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (10) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: MA-SEN
Curt Schilling
McCain Encouraging Curt Schilling To Run For Ted Kennedy's Senate Seat
Eric Kleefeld | September 8, 2009, 1:11PM
Fmr. Major League Baseball Player Curt Schilling (R)
Former baseball player Curt Schilling has a prominent friend encouraging him to run in the special election for Ted Kennedy's Senate seat, CNN reports: Sen. John McCain (R-AZ).
McCain's spokesperson said that the Senator initiated the conversation. Schilling has previously campaigned for George W. Bush in 2004, and for McCain during the 2008 primary and general election seasons.
One problem Schilling has is that he's registered to vote as an independent, and therefore might not be legally able to run as a Republican. If so, the GOP would have to clear the field and back Schilling as an independent with Republican support -- similar to how the Democrats have supported Bernie Sanders since 1990. It's certainly feasible, but getting there could be tricky.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (9) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Curt Schilling, John McCain, MA-SEN
Education
GOP Senate Candidate Pat Toomey Praises Obama's School Speech
Eric Kleefeld | September 8, 2009, 12:55PM
Former Rep. Pat Toomey (R-PA)
Former Rep. Pat Toomey (R-PA), the presumptive nominee for Senate in Pennsylvania in 2010, seems to really be going out of his way to shed his old image of being a right-wing fire-breather. In the latest example, Toomey's campaign has released a statement praising President Obama's back-to-school speech:
Allentown, PA - U.S. Senate candidate Pat Toomey called President Obama's speech today to school children in Arlington, Virginia "an inspiring and moving speech for students across America."PERMALINK | COMMENTS (2) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)
"Education is the cornerstone of our country's future," Mr. Toomey said, "and it is important that we relay that message to our young students. The President's emphasis on responsibility and the personal stories about his own education are exactly the kind of inspiring messages our children need to hear from our country's leaders."
Topics: Education, PA-SEN, Pat Toomey, Senate '10
Tea Party
Right-Wing Woman Dares Dem Congressman To Take $20 Bill Out of Her Hand
Eric Kleefeld | September 8, 2009, 12:21PM
Here's a fun YouTube that's been making the rounds of the right-wing blogs, from an August 31 town hall by Rep. Norm Dicks (D-WA) -- in which a woman literally dared him to come down and take her money right out of her hand.
Here you see a woman describing the Dem health care proposals as an effort to "plunder" from some in order to satisfy arbitrary needs as determined by bureaucrats. "So here is my question," the woman said. "If you are so keen to forcibly take from one person to give to another, who you deem as needier than me. If you believe that it is absolutely moral to take MY money and give to someone else based on their supposed needs, then you come and take this $20 from me and use it as a down payment on this health care plan."
To Dicks' credit, he did have the beginnings of a good response in turning down the money: "I can't accept a contribution like that." The problem was that his delivery, perhaps thrown off by the cheering Tea Party types, was too weak and apologetic. If he'd been a little more sarcastic, it would have been a great snappy comeback.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (7) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Health Care, Norm Dicks, Tea Party
Education
Rove: I Bet "A Dime To A Dollar" That White House Rewrote School Speech
Eric Kleefeld | September 8, 2009, 12:00PM
Karl Rove
Karl Rove appeared on Fox News today, and joined in on the emerging right-wing line that the White House changed the text of the back-to-school speech -- which they say would have originally been aimed at political indoctrination of schoolchildren -- after conservatives objected. And Rove also charged that the whole speech is an improper use of government resources to advance President Obama's political profile.
"Oh, I bet it was," Rove said, when he was asked whether it was rewritten. "I mean, look, the White House was tone deaf, they clearly had a purpose here, which was, let's have the President speak to every student in the country, let's have a study guide, let's have them write the President and the President can write them back.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (11) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (2)Topics: Education, Karl Rove
Charles Boustany
Boustany, Who Has Backed End-of-Life Counseling, To Deliver GOP Response To Obama
Eric Kleefeld | September 8, 2009, 11:56AM
Rep. Charles Boustany (R-LA)
Rep. Charles Boustany (R-LA), a three-term Congressman and medical doctor, will be giving the Republican response to President Obama's address on health care tomorrow night, George Stephanopoulos reports.
Greg Sargent reports that the speech will utilize the standard Republican talking points in this area -- that Democrats are refusing to work with Republicans, and that they'll put government bureaucrats between you and your doctor.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (11) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: Charles Boustany, Death Panels, Health Care
Health Care
New DNC Ads Attack Individual House GOPers For Wanting To End Medicare
Eric Kleefeld | September 8, 2009, 11:04AM
The Democratic National Committee is now rolling out a localized version of its "Republicans Want To End Medicare" ad, targeting individual House GOP members over a proposal from back in April to privatize Medicare for future generations of retirees (everyone currently 54 years and younger).
That proposal failed on a roll call vote, with every Democrat present and even 38 Republicans voting against it. And now, the Dems are using it as political fodder to go after some of those 137 House GOPers who did vote for it. Here's the version attacking its main sponsor, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI):
Other localized versions of this ad are also running against Lee Terry (NE), Patrick Tiberi (OH), Mary Bono Mack (CA), Don Young (AK), Michele Bachmann (MN), Jean Schmidt (OH), Erik Paulsen (MN), John Boehner (OH) and Eric Cantor (VA).
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (0) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (2)Topics: Health Care, Medicare/Medicaid, Paul Ryan
Barack Obama
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Eric Kleefeld | September 8, 2009, 9:00AM
White House Aides: Obama To Be Forceful In Speech To Congress
CNN reports that White House aides say President Obama will make a strong case to Congress in his upcoming speech on health care. "He will be very forceful," said one senior Obama aide. "He will be making the case for action." Another aide said: "He will make a strong case Wednesday night on what health-care reform means to Americans."
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will hold a discussion with 9th graders at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia, at 10:45 a.m. ET, along with Sec. of Education Arne Duncan. He will deliver his back-to-school speech at 12 p.m. ET. At 2 p.m. ET, Obama and Vice President Biden will attend an investiture ceremony in honor of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Obama and Biden will meet with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Speaker Nancy Pelosi at 2:45 p.m. ET. Obama and Biden will meet with the Professional Golfers Association Champions of America, at 3:50 p.m. ET.
Topics: Barack Obama, Education, FL-SEN, Health Care, Public Option, Senate '10
Education
Florida GOP Chair: White House Rewrote School Speech After Conservatives Caught Them Indoctrinating Children!
Eric Kleefeld | September 7, 2009, 6:28PM
Florida GOP chairman Jim Greer appeared on CNN today, and accused the White House of changing the content of President Obama's stay-in-school speech in the wake of conservative outrage at political indoctrination -- outrage that he was instrumental in mobilizing, by the way -- and that the original would have been much more politically-oriented.
"Clearly last week there was a plan with the Department of Education," said Greer. "When you ask students to write a letter to the President on, how we can help you with your new ideas, Mr. President, that is leading the students in an effort to push the President's agenda. Now that the White House got their hand in the cookie jar caught, they changed everything, they redid the lesson plans, they released the text, and tomorrow he's gonna give a speech that every president should have an opportunity to give."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (35) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (2)Topics: Education, Jim Greer
Education
More And More Schools Not Showing Obama's Stay-In-School Speech
Eric Kleefeld | September 7, 2009, 6:04PM
It's become clear that as President Obama delivers his speech on staying in school, a whole lot of schools won't be showing it.
As we noted before, some local groups are organizing in favor of the speech, and opposing school officials who have decided not to show it. Most schools are doing the sensible thing and allowing parents who object to their kids seeing a speech by that evil socialist dictator to opt out. But some aren't showing it at all.
Here's just a small sampling of some more schools and school districts that won't be showing the speech, available after the jump.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (89) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (5)Topics: Education
Education
Florida GOP Chairman Approves Of Obama School Speech -- But Sticks To Earlier Attack Against Socialist Indoctrination
Eric Kleefeld | September 7, 2009, 3:52PM
Florida Republican Party chairman Jim Greer, who made waves last week when he sent out a press release attacking President Obama's stay-in-school message, is now expressing his approval of the pre-released text, ABC News reports. In fact, he'll even let his own kids watch it -- but he stands by his earlier criticism.
"It's a good speech," said Greer. "It encourages kids to stay in school and the importance of education and I think that's what a president should do when they're gonna talk to students across the country."
Here's what Greer first said last week:
"As the father of four children, I am absolutely appalled that taxpayer dollars are being used to spread President Obama's socialist ideology. The idea that school children across our nation will be forced to watch the President justify his plans for government-run health care, banks, and automobile companies, increasing taxes on those who create jobs, and racking up more debt than any other President, is not only infuriating, but goes against beliefs of the majority of Americans, while bypassing American parents through an invasive abuse of power."PERMALINK | COMMENTS (9) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)
Topics: Education, Jim Greer
MA-SEN
Joseph Kennedy Not Running For Senate, Stands By Citizens Energy Corporation Work
Eric Kleefeld | September 7, 2009, 2:58PM
Former Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy II (D-MA) announced today that he will not run for the Senate seat held by his late uncle, Ted Kennedy.
"Given all that my uncle accomplished, it was only natural to consider getting back involved in public office, and I appreciate all the calls of support and friendship that have poured in," said Kennedy, in his official statement.
But, he later added this detailed praise of his current job at the Citizens Energy Corporation: "Our efforts cover a broad array of the challenges facing this country - to heat the homes of the poor, install energy-savings technologies to cut costs for homeowners and businesses, build wind farms throughout the United States and Canada to lessen our dependence on foreign oil, and construct transmission lines to carry new sources of renewable energy."
This is quite interesting, after the Boston Globe just ran an article that predicted potential difficulties for Kennedy over this very same project -- due to its extensive connections to Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (5) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: MA-SEN
Education
Gibbs: Attacks Against Stay-In-School Speech "A Sad State of Affairs"
Eric Kleefeld | September 7, 2009, 2:26PM
White House Press Sec. Robert Gibbs
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs today fired back at right-wing critics who have attacked President Obama's upcoming stay-in-school speech. From today's press gaggle:
"I think it's a sad, sad day that the political back and forth has intruded on anyone speaking to schoolchildren and teachers and parents about the responsibilities that they have as we enter a new school year. If one kid in one school hears one message and goes from being a D student to a C student, then the speech is worth it. If one kid decides not to drop out of school, then the speech is worth it. Right now nearly three in 10 kids in school will not walk across a stage and get a high school diploma. If anybody thinks that's the recipe for long-term economic growth, I've got news for them.PERMALINK | COMMENTS (13) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)
Topics: Education, Robert Gibbs
Education
Gingrich Praises Obama's School Speech: "Will Be Good For Students To Hear"
Eric Kleefeld | September 7, 2009, 2:15PM
Newt Gingrich
A voice of sanity is now emerging on the right over President Obama's stay-in-school speech tomorrow: Newt Gingrich.
Gingrich put up this Twitter post this afternoon, after the White House released the text of the speech:
Just read President Obamas speech to students.white House posted it. it is a good speech and will be good for students to hear
And he followed it up with this:
Remember that Presidents Reagan and Bush also talked to students nationwide. As long as it is non political and pro education it is good
Gingrich also appeared yesterday on Fox News Sunday, and spoke out in favor of the speech.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (9) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (3)Topics: Education, Newt Gingrich
Barack Obama
Obama: "And Yes, I'm Gonna Have Something To Say Tomorrow To Our Children"
Eric Kleefeld | September 7, 2009, 1:53PM
During his speech now at the Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Day picnic, President Obama just got in an ad-libbed jab at the right-wingers who are speaking out against his back-to-school speech.
Obama said he was for "an America that commits to education, because the countries that out-educate us today will out-compete us tomorrow. And the best jobs will go to the best-educated. So we got to do a better job educating our sons and our daughters."
He then deviated from the prepared remarks -- and the crowd cheered quite passionately along with it: "And yes, I'm gonna have something to say tomorrow to our children, telling them to stay in school and work hard, 'cause that's the right message to send."
After the extended cheering quieted down a bit, Obama let out a brief laugh, and continued with his remarks.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (1) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: Barack Obama, Education
Education
In Some Places, Activists Mobilize For Obama's School Speech
Eric Kleefeld | September 7, 2009, 1:30PM
Amidst the right-wing activists mobilizing against President Obama's national back-to-school address, there's also another narrative emerging: A backlash of sorts by relatively saner people, speaking out in favor of the speech, and against local officials who have decided to not show it.
The makeup of these groups differs from place to place. In some areas it's a county Democratic organization. In others, it's headed up by churches and civil rights activists.
All in all, it's a fun additional wrinkle to a very absurd story -- and it presents another side of the narrative that definitely deserves attention. Check out some examples, after the jump.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (0) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: Education
David Vitter
Vitter: "Character Is Displayed In A Variety of Different Ways"
Eric Kleefeld | September 7, 2009, 10:52AM
Sen. David Vitter (R-LA)
Sen. David Vitter (R-LA), the religious-right champion whose career became embroiled in the D.C. Madam prostitution scandal, says he is ready to be confronted with his personal issues during his 2010 re-election campaign.
"I have complete confidence in their (voters') judgment, their ability to look at those issues," Vitter told the Times-Picayune. "I think, quite frankly, character is displayed in a variety of different ways."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS (20) | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: David Vitter, LA-SEN, Senate '10
Barack Obama
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Eric Kleefeld | September 7, 2009, 8:55AM
Obama To Meet With Labor Leaders, Could Face Pressure On Health Care
The Washington Post reports that President Obama will meeting today with outgoing AFL-CIO president John Sweeney and his incoming successor Richard Trumka, when he visits the Labor Day picnic in Cincinnati: "In what could be a moment of high tension, they [Sweeney and Trumka] will have a chance to argue that, after being elected in part because the AFL-CIO's persuaded its more skeptical members to vote for him, Obama should not disappoint it by settling for half measures."
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will depart from the White House at 10:45 a.m. ET, heading to Cincinnati, Ohio. He will address the Cincinnati AFL-CIO Labor Day Picnic at 1:15 p.m. ET. He will depart form Cincinnati at 2:35 p.m. ET, arriving back at the White House at 4:10 p.m. ET.
Topics: AFL-CIO, Barack Obama, Health Care, Joe Biden, MA-SEN, Public Option
David Axelrod
TPMDC Sunday Roundup
Eric Kleefeld | September 6, 2009, 1:09PM
Axelrod: Public Option A "Good Tool," But Shouldn't Define Whole Debate
Appearing on Meet The Press, White House Senior Advisor David Axelrod said that President Obama "believes the public option is a good tool." However, Axelrod also added, "It shouldn't define the whole health care debate, however."
Van Jones Resigns
Van Jones, President Obama's adviser on green jobs, has resigned in the wake of controversy surrounding past attacks on Republican, and his having signed a petition by 9/11 Truthers years ago. "On the eve of historic fights for health care and clean energy, opponents of reform have mounted a vicious smear campaign against me," Jones said in his resignation letter, also adding: "I cannot in good conscience ask my colleagues to expend precious time and energy defending or explaining my past. We need all hands on deck, fighting for the future."
Topics: Amy Klobuchar, Arne Duncan, Ben Nelson, David Axelrod, Education, Health Care, Howard Dean, Lamar Alexander, Public Option, Van Jones
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