War On Terror

Congress Poised To Give President Power To Continue GWOT Indefinitely

Brian Beutler | May 11, 2011, 1:23PM

House progressives are trying to draw attention to language Republicans have included in an annual must-pass defense bill, which they say will dramatically expand Presidential power in the war on terrorism. The pushback comes just over a week after U.S. forces killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, and reignites one of the most controversial disputes the country's faced over the past decade. At stake is the question of whether Congress will allow the war on terrorism to continue indefinitely, or let it slowly dissipate as the years since September 11, 2001 pass.

The origin of the language in the defense bill dates back to March, when President Obama signed an executive order -- derided by some of his closest allies -- that effectively formalized an indefinite detention system at Guantanamo.

In response, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon (R-CA) and his colleagues unveiled legislation intended to codify the intent of that executive order, and update the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force -- the legal underpinning off the war on terrorism.

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Social Security

In Letter, House Dems Tell Obama To Leave Social Security Alone

Brian Beutler | April 12, 2011, 6:20PM

President Barack Obama

House Democrats just sent a letter to President Obama warning him not to cut Social Security as part of the deficit reduction program he'll outline Wednesday, or risk losing their support.

"As you know, 137 members of the United States Congress signed a letter last year opposing any cuts to Social Security Benefits, including raising the retirement age," write Reps. John Conyers (D-MI) and Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), in a letter obtained by TPM.

"The signatories also stated their opposition to any effort to privatize Social Security, in whole or in part... we believe that any discussion of long-term debt issues must consider the strong fiscal integrity of Social Security--which is prohibited by law from adding to the national budget deficit and will have built a $4.3 trillion surplus by 2023."

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John Conyers

Conyers: Obama Would Be In Trouble If The 2012 GOP Field Wasn't So Weak

Evan McMorris-Santoro | March 14, 2011, 12:28PM

Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI)

Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), a stalwart of the House's progressive wing and the self-proclaimed Dean of the Congressional Black Caucus, told reporters Monday that President Obama should be thanking his lucky stars the Republicans can't seem to rustle up someone credible to take him on.

Pointing to the numerous ways Obama has disappointed his wing of the Democratic party since taking office, Conyers suggested Obama might have a hard time of it in 2012 if the Republicans came up with someone suitable.

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Social Security

55 Dems Sign Letter To Obama Opposing Social Security Cuts, Privatization

Brian Beutler | September 20, 2010, 3:18PM

Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ)

Over 50 House Democrats have now signed on to a letter, first obtained by TPM earlier this month, warning President Obama they'll oppose any effort on his part, or on the part of his fiscal commission, to cut Social Security benefits or privatize the program.

The letter was spearheaded by Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. It was originally cosigned by Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), Dan Maffei (D-NY), Mary Jo Kilroy (D-OH), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), and CPC co-chair Lynn Woolsey (D-CA). The advocacy groups Social Security Works, P Street Project (the lobbying arm of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee) and MoveOn helped organize the effort to add signatures.

They will continue to round up signatures through tomorrow, before the letter goes to the White House.

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2010 elections

TPM's Top 10 Senate Races To Watch

Brian Beutler | September 13, 2010, 8:35AM

Kentucky Senate candidates Jack Conway and Rand Paul talk with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY)

Campaign season doesn't really heat up until September ... which means now. That means all the scandals and ads and ups and downs you've heard and read about in the last several months were just stage-setters. Most voters really begin paying attention now.

It's looking like a tough year for Senate Democrats, almost of whom are polling below 50 percent. Several weeks ago, many Republicans -- including NRSC Chair John Cornyn -- thought Republicans wouldn't be able to retake the Senate. Today, it's a distinct possibility. There are a number of critical races, but you should really keep an eye on these 10.

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Afghanistan

Americans Turn Against Obama's Afghanistan Plan As Congress Pushes Him For Exit Strategy

Christina Bellantoni | July 16, 2010, 4:33PM

Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA)

As if President Obama didn't have enough to worry about with two wars raging in Asia, he's now taking heat from both sides of the aisle over his plan for Afghanistan -- and facing an increasingly skeptical American public.

A new ABC News-Washington Post poll shows that less than half of Americans -- only 43 percent -- think the war was worth it, compared to 52 percent at the end of 2008. And Obama's approval rating on the war is down to 45 percent, as compared to 56 percent in April 2010.

The American public isn't alone in its skepticism against the war: both Sens. Jim Webb (D-VA) and Richard Lugar (R-IN), moderates with a level of respect in and out of their caucuses on military and foreign policy issues, came out with pointed criticisms of the Afghan war this week.

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