Roundup

TPMDC Sunday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | January 17, 2010, 1:04PM

McConnell: MA-SEN Race A Referendum On Health Care Bill
Appearing on Fox News Sunday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said of the special Senate election in Massachusetts: "The important thing to remember, though, is that this is, in effect, a referendum on the national health care bill which the Democrats, in secret, are trying to work out now. They have arrogantly ignored American public opinion all the way to this point. And they're trying to get their members to continue to ignore public opinion one more time. Regardless of the outcome Tuesday, we know that in the most liberal state in America you're going to have a close election for the United States Senate because people in Massachusetts don't want this health care bill to pass."

Obama's Day Ahead
The President and First Lady attended a church service at 10:45 a.m. ET, and President Obama delivered remarks. At 1:30 p.m. Et, Obama will depart from the White House arriving at 2:55 p.m. ET in Boston, Massachusetts. At 3:35 p.m. ET, he will deliver remarks at a campaign event for Democratic Senate nominee Martha Coakley. He will depart from Boston at 4:55 p.m. ET, arriving back at the White House at 6:30 p.m. ET.

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Roundup

TPMDC Saturday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | January 16, 2010, 1:21PM

Obama Pushes Proposed Fee On Financial Firms
In this weekend's YouTube address, President Obama promoted his proposed fee on major financial firms, in an effort to recover government money spent on the TARP bailout to save the industry from collapse. And he blasted the financial industry and Republicans for opposing the fee:

"Of course, I would like the banks to embrace this sense of mutual responsibility. So far, though, they have ferociously fought financial reform," said Obama. "The industry has even joined forces with the opposition party to launch a massive lobbying campaign against common-sense rules to protect consumers and prevent another crisis. Now, like clockwork, the banks and politicians who curry their favor are already trying to stop this fee from going into effect. The very same firms reaping billions of dollars in profits, and reportedly handing out more money in bonuses and compensation than ever before in history, are now pleading poverty. It's a sight to see."

GOP Address: Castle Supports Fight In Afghanistan, Credits McChrystal And Gates

This weekend's Republican address was delivered by Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE), the party's candidate for Vice President Biden's old Senate seat. Castle discussed the importance of the fight in Afghanistan, and prominently gave credit to Gen. Stanley McChrystal and to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates:

"Understanding the realities on the ground in Afghanistan directly from our top military commanders is essential," said Castle. "Republicans are pleased with the decision by Secretary Gates to stay on as head of the Pentagon, and, we urge the President to follow his advice of making strategic decisions based on conditions on the ground. Secretary Gates has worked to reaffirm our short and long-term goals to our troops and continues to commend their sacrifice. This outreach is very important and we thank him."

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Roundup

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | January 15, 2010, 9:00AM

Obama Pledges Campaign For Health Care Bill And Democrats
Speaking to the House Democratic caucus yesterday, President Obama pledged to mount a nationwide campaign for them in this year's elections, promoting the health care bill: "I'll be out there waging a great campaign from one end of the country to the other, telling Americans with insurance or without what they stand to gain."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will receive the presidential daily briefing at 9:30 a.m. ET, and meet at 10 a.m. ET with senior advisers. He will receive the economic daily briefing at 1:45 p.m. ET, and he will meet at 3:45 p.m. ET with Secretary of Treasury Tim Geithner.

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Roundup

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | January 14, 2010, 9:01AM

Obama To Announce 'Financial Crisis Responsibility Fee'
President Obama will formally unveil today his proposed "Financial Crisis Responsibility Fee," a fee on 50 of the largest financial firms, in order to recoup taxpayers' money from the TARP bailout. The proposal is aimed at raising $90 billion over the next ten years, and will bring the total cost to the government of the bailout down to $117 billion, including both the fee and money that has been paid back..

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama and Vice President Biden will receive the presidential daily briefing at 10 a.m. ET. Obama will meet at 10:30 a.m. ET with senior advisers, and at 11:05 a.m. ET with Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki. At 11:50 a.m. ET, he will deliver remarks to announce the new financial crisis responsibility fee, to be levied on large financial institutions. He will have lunch at 12:05 p.m. ET with Vice President Biden. At 1:45 p.m. Et, he will deliver remarks at the opening session of the Forum on Modernizing Government. He will receive the economic daily briefing at 2:15 p.m. ET, and meet at 3 p.m. ET with Secretary of the Treasury Tim Geithner. At 5:05 p.m. ET, he will deliver remarks at the House Democratic Caucus retreat.

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