Roundup

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | October 26, 2009, 8:59AM

White House To Rein In 'Too Big To Fail' Institutions
The New York Times reports that the Obama administration is set to bring out new proposals for dealing with "too big to fail" institutions, with increased regulations for preventing failure: "The White House plan as outlined so far would already make it much more costly to be a large financial company whose failure would put the financial system and the economy at risk. It would force such institutions to hold more money in reserve and make it harder for them to borrow too heavily against their assets. Setting up the equivalent of living wills for corporations, that plan would require that they come up with their own procedure to be disentangled in the event of a crisis, a plan that administration officials say ought to be made public in advance."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will meet at 11:30 a.m. ET with his national security team on Afghanistan and Pakistan. He will depart from the White House at 12:45 p.m. ET, arriving at 2:45 p.m. ET in Jacksonville, Florida. He will deliver remarks at 3:15 p.m. ET to servicemen and women, and will meet at 4 p.m. ET, with personnel from the Navy and Marine Corps. He will depart from Jacksonville at 4:25 p.m. ET, arriving at 5:35 p.m. ET in Miami. He will deliver remarks at a 7:25 DSCC/DCCC fundraising reception, and at a 7:50 p.m. ET DSCC/DCCC fundraising dinner.

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Health Care

White House Strongly Denies It's Given Up On The Public Option

Brian Beutler | August 18, 2009, 12:18PM

The White House has strengthened its denial that the administration's non-committal position on the public option has changed one way or another.

"Here's the bottom line: Absolutely nothing has changed," said Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

"We continue to support the public option. That will help lower costs, give American consumers more choice and keep private insurers honest. If people have other ideas about how to accomplish these goals, we'll look at those, too. But the public option is a very good way to do this."

Over the weekend, President Obama referred to the public option as a "sliver" of health care reform, and Sebelius said the public option wasn't essential reform's success. Though the White House's core position hasn't changed, the intensity with which it supports the public option has varied over the last several weeks, and this weekend's remarks were the first indication that the administration doesn't even regard the public option as particularly crucial.

But White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs insists that Sebelius' statements were not a trial balloon. "If it was a signal, it was a dog whistle we started blowing three months ago, and it just got picked up," Gibbs said. "It's crazy. It's not a signal."

Death Panels

Sebelius: In Wake Of 'Death Panel' Furor, End Of Life Provision Probably Off The Table

Brian Beutler | August 17, 2009, 4:28PM

Appearing on This Week with guest host Jake Tapper, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said that a provision to require Medicare to reimburse doctors who provide end-of-life counseling probably won't survive the legislative process.

"I think it's really horrific that some opponents of the health reform bill have used this painful, personal moment to try and scare people about what is in the bill," Sebelius said referring to politicians like Sarah Palin who falsely suggested that the government planned to create "death panels." But, she added, because of their handy work, the end-of-life counseling provision "probably will be off the table."

So now I guess granny gets to keep that freedom-loving privilege of paying for an optional end-of-life counseling session out her social security check. Thanks, GOP.

Health Care

White House: Public Option Not Essential--A Sliver Of Reform

Brian Beutler | August 17, 2009, 9:10AM

Over the weekend, the White House enraged health care reformers by dangling the public option over the edge of a cliff.

On CNN's State of the Union, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said the public option is "not the essential element" of reform.

And, at a Saturday town hall forum in Grand Junction, CO, President Obama himself said, "[T]he public option, whether we have it or we don't have it, is not the entirety of health care reform. This is just one sliver of it, one aspect of it."

White House Office of Health Reform Spokeswoman Linda Douglass sought to contain the controversy late Sunday, saying "nothing has changed," and that Obama still believes the public option is the "best way" to lower the cost of health insurance and create competition in the market. But that will come as little solace to liberals, who have watched the White House waver over the issue for weeks.

The administration has been all over the map on the importance of the public option ever since it became the main battleground of the health care reform fight, pitting liberals against skeptics and raising the ire of reform opponents.

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Barack Obama

TPMDC Sunday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | August 16, 2009, 1:00PM

Obama On Death Panel Smear: "I Just Lost My Grandmother Last Year"
At his town hall meeting on health insurance reform yesterday, President Obama fired back at the "death panel" smear. "I just lost my grandmother last year. I know what it's like to watch somebody you love, who's aging, deteriorate and have to struggle with that," Obama said, attacking those who would put forward "the notion that somehow I ran for public office or members of Congress are in this so they can go around pulling the plug on grandma."

Sebelius: Death Panel Scare Attack Is "Horrific"
Appearing on This Week, of Sec. of Health and Human Services fired back at the "death panel" attack, -- but also conceded that end-of-life counseling is likely to be taken out of the bill. "And I think it's really horrific that some opponents of the health reform bill have used this painful, personal moment to try and scare people about what is in the bill," said Sebeilus.

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Health Care

Teabaggers Try To Shout Down Health Care Reform At Town Halls

Rachel Slajda | August 3, 2009, 12:05PM

Angry teabaggers and other opponents of health care reform are heckling members of Congress at their town hall meetings back home in an effort to sway the debate and drown out reform supporters.

This weekend, a group of teabaggers showed up at a town hall in Philadelphia with Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. They shouted and booed to drown out remarks from both officials and questions from the audience. The Philadelphia Tea Party Patriots reportedly brought 40 people. Watch:

In Austin on Saturday, protesters followed Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) out of a forum at a grocery store, chanting "Just say no!" after he told the crowd he'd vote for a health care reform bill even if his constituents opposed it. Watch.

These aren't the first incidents of this kind, but we think it's a pretty safe bet they'll continue and intensify throughout August.

Rep. Tim Bishop (D-NY) has suspended town hall meetings after screaming protesters disrupted a June 22 forum in Long Island to the point where residents called the police to escort Bishop to his car.

Last week, a crowd erupted into thunderous applause after a soldier demanded an apology from Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) at a town hall with her staff. (The senator wasn't there.) The meeting was moderated by Americans for Prosperity's Missouri chapter. AFP was a major organizer of the tax day "tea party" protests.

Make sure to check out the teabaggers' strategy memo obtained by Think Progress.

Late update: We'll be adding more incidents as we track them down.

On July 6, Rep. Dan Maffei (D-NY) held a town hall meeting that devolved into a shouting match, with tea party protesters loudly interrupting whenever someone mentioned a public plan. Maffei threatened to break up the meeting, and has since said he plans to hold smaller, less publicized events with constituents.

Late late update: On Saturday, Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA) showed up to a restaurant, where he was supposed to hold one-on-one meetings with constituents, to find 150 angry people who demanded it be a Q&A, town hall style meeting. Murphy and his staff obliged, and changed the format at a second event held later in the day.

The crowd "erupted in a chorus of boos and catcalls" when Murphy said he thought Obama was doing a "pretty great job." Murphy tried to keep the crowd cool, admonishing hecklers from time to time to be respectful.

Late late late update: Saturday was a red-letter day for these protesters. A group shouted the Pledge of Allegiance at Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) as he left a local Democratic Party picnic, where he had pushed for universal health care. Watch:

John McCain

TPMDC Sunday Roundup

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

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

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

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Health Care

Sebelius: Health Care Legislation Must Lower Costs--And It's Hard To Do That Without A Public Option

Brian Beutler | June 24, 2009, 6:05PM

After yesterday's press conference, reporters are understandably trying to get a clearer sense from the administration on whether the president's obvious personal preference for a public option will ultimately translate into an ultimatum to Congress demanding one.

Here's Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius fielding one such question.

"One of his bottom lines is, he refuses to talk about any plan that really doesn't lower costs. And if you have a monopoly in the marketplace, it's very difficult to lower costs."

That may be the closest we'll get to an answer at this point--but the idea here is that Obama a). wouldn't support a plan that doesn't lower costs, and b). finds it hard to believe
that a reform proposal without a public plan would succeed at lowering costs. Ergo.... we wait for the CBO, I guess. But Obama's been pretty clear that he's going to keep his powder dry publicly until the process in Congress reaches greater maturity.

Barack Obama

TPMDC Sunday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | June 14, 2009, 1:04PM

Biden Casts Doubt On Iranian Election Results
Appearing on Meet The Press, Vice President Biden express doubt regarding the re-election of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. "It sure looks like the way they're suppressing speech, the way they're suppressing crowds, the way in which people are being treated, that there's some real doubt," said Biden. He added: "I have doubts but we're going to withhold comment until we have a thorough review of the whole process and (see) how they react in the aftermath."

Biden: "Everyone Guessed Wrong" On Economic Figures
Also during his Meet The Press interview, Vice President Biden said that "everyone guessed wrong" on the impact of the economic stimulus. Biden's explanation was that White House economists used standard formulas to estimate that the stimulus program would save or create 3.5 million jobs -- but in fact the economy was really worse off than anyone thought. Biden promised that with money now flowing out of Washington to states and cities, there would be 600,000 new jobs in the coming months.

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Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | April 29, 2009, 8:57AM

Obama And Biden Host Specter At White House Press Availability
President Obama and Vice President Biden publicly welcomed Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) to the Democratic Party at the White House earlier this morning -- fittingly, from the Diplomatic Room. "I think that I can be of assistance to you, Mr. President," said Specter. Obama said: "I don't expect Arlen to be a rubber stamp. In fact, I'd like to think that Arlen's decision reflects recognition that this administration is open to many different ideas and many different points of view."

Obama's Day Ahead: Town Hall In Missouri, News Conference From Washington
Following this morning's joint statement with Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA), President Obama departed Andrews Air Force Base at about 8:30 a.m. ET, headed for St. Louis, Missouri. He will arrive in St. Louis at 10:30 a.m. ET, and will hold a town hall at 11:20 a.m. ET at Fox High School in Arnold, Missouri, discussing his first 100 days in office. He will depart from St. Louis at 2 p.m. ET, arriving back at the White House at 4 p.m. ET. At 8 p.m. ET tonight, President Obama will hold a news conference.

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Arlen Specter

Sebelius Confirmed To Health & Human Services, With Specter's Support

Brian Beutler | April 28, 2009, 6:23PM

It's been a day for changing titles. Former Kansas governor was confirmed earlier this evening to be President Obama's Secretary of Health and Human Services. The vote was 65-31. Among the 65 was former Republican Arlen Specter (D-PA). We'll post the Roll Call when it comes down the pipe.

Interestingly, Specter also voted in support of an major piece of anti-fraud legislation earlier today, and, in that roll call, the Senate website still lists him as a Republican. Amateurs.

Anyhow, NARAL/Pro-Choice America has been pushing hard for Sebelius' confirmation, and the group's president, Nancy Keenan, had this to say:

We applaud the Senate's vote to confirm the eminently-qualified Gov. Kathleen Sebelius to serve in this critical position. Anti-choice advocates tried every desperate trick in the book to derail her confirmation, but this vote shows that a majority of senators understand that Americans are tired of the antagonistic politics of the past. As our country faces challenges on a number of fronts, especially on the issue of affordable health care, we look forward to ensuring that women's health and sound science are a priority, rather than the failed political maneuvering that damaged this agency during the previous Bush administration.

Late update: Roll call here. He's still listed as a Republican. Somebody should call the clerk!

Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | April 28, 2009, 8:59AM

Congressional Dems Reach Budget Agreement
House and Senate Democratic negotiators agreed Monday night to a budget outline for 2010, including the parliamentary ability to pass health care legislation without the threat of a Republican filibuster. The $3.5 trillion plan also includes funds for clean energy and other domestic programs, and a tax increase for individuals making more than $200,000 or couples making more than $250,000 per year.

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will meet with FBI Director Robert Mueller and other senior officials at FBI Headquarters, at 10:45 a.m. ET. He will then deliver remarks to FBI employees at 11:10 a.m. ET. At 2 p.m. ET, Obama will meet with the Congressional Progressive Caucus. At 3:05 p.m. ET, he will present the National Teacher of the Year Award in the Rose Garden. At 4:30 p.m. ET, he will meet with Defense Sec. Robert Gates, and at 7:30 p.m. ET he and the First Lady will attend a reception for Cabinet secretaries in the Blue Room.

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Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | April 28, 2009, 8:59AM

Congressional Dems Reach Budget Agreement
House and Senate Democratic negotiators agreed Monday night to a budget outline for 2010, including the parliamentary ability to pass health care legislation without the threat of a Republican filibuster. The $3.5 plan also includes funds for clean energy and other domestic programs, and a tax increase for individuals making more than $200,000 or couples making more than $250,000 per year.

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will meet with FBI Director Robert Mueller and other senior officials at FBI Headquarters, at 10:45 a.m. ET. He will then deliver remarks to FBI employees at 11:10 a.m. ET. At 2 p.m. ET, Obama will meet with the Congressional Progressive Caucus. At 3:05 p.m. ET, he will present the National Teacher of the Year Award in the Rose Garden. At 4:30 p.m. ET, he will meet with Defense Sec. Robert Gates, and at 7:30 p.m. ET he and the First Lady will attend a reception for Cabinet secretaries in the Blue Room.

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Bailout

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | April 21, 2009, 9:05AM

Geithner To Face Questions On TARP
Treasury Sec. Tim Geithner will be testifying at 10 a.m. ET today before the Congressional Oversight Panel for the TARP program, where he is expected to face tough questions on the progress of the program -- and regarding a recent report by Inspector General Neil Barofsky criticizing the program for benefitting business and being potentially unfair to the taxpayer.

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will meet with King Abdullah of Jordan one-on-one at 10 a.m. ET, and the two will hold an expanded meeting at 10:30 a.m. ET. At 2 p.m. ET, Obama will present the Commander in Chief's trophy to the Naval Academy football team. At 2:45 p.m. ET, he will meet with Ted Kennedy and Bill Clinton to discuss national service, and at 4 p.m. ET he will sign the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act into law, at the SEED School in Washington.

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Hillary Clinton

Obama's Health Care Team

Matthew Cooper | March 2, 2009, 5:09PM

It's worth noting that all of the major players on Obama's health care team are women. Today, the president names Kathleen Sebelius to be HHS Secretary and Nancy Ann DeParle, a friend, to be the White House health care czar. Two other pivotal players are Neera Tanden who was HIllary Clinton's top domestic policy advisor and is a counselor at HHS and is constantly in meetings at the White House. Same for Jeanne Lambrew who has been perched at HHS even though she's deputy director of the White House office. Look for more players in the coming weeks as Sebelius staffs up at HHS.

The good news here is that everyone's worked together. Tanden and Lambrew are both alumni of the Clinton White House and the Center for American Progress. Melody Barnes, the domestic policy adviser, is also a CAP alumnus.

One of the interesting things to watch in the coming weeks is how the White House woos Charles Grassley. Can they get the ranking Republican on the Finance Committee to be supportive of some of their principles. It would seem unlikely. But the presence of Bob Dole at this morning's ceremony suggests a big push in that direction. It helps that Nancy Ann DeParle is also close with Jim Cooper, the Tennessee Democratic Congressman who is one of the House's biggest budget hawks. (DeParle was the equivalent of HHS secretary in Tennessee. DeParle and Cooper are both Rhodes Scholars.) Cooper balked at the stimulus plan but he just might play ball on a health care package, say insiders.

It's going to be a very interesting spring.

Health Care

Labor's On Board, So Are Doctors

Matthew Cooper | March 2, 2009, 1:48PM

Labor's on board for the Sebelius nomination. See this statement by AFL-CIO President John Sweeney:

We congratulate President Obama on his choice of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius as our next Secretary of Health and Human Services. The nomination of Gov. Sebelius will provide a great boost to the effort to enact sweeping health care reform.

Her experience as Kansas insurance commissioner and her outstanding record as governor uniquely qualify Gov. Sebelius for this demanding position. Time's selection of her in 2005 as one of the country's five best governors speaks to the critically important leadership and managerial abilities needed for this job.

Gov. Sebelius brings a track record of bipartisanship and the ability to work well with all the players in health care. We look forward to work with her to enact affordable, comprehensive health care for all.

The American Medical Association is similarly enthused. From
Nancy Nielsen, MD, President, American Medical Association:

"In Gov. Sebelius' roles as insurance commissioner and governor, she has demonstrated the leadership skills required to direct HHS and implement health system reform. During her time as governor, she demonstrated her commitment to health care reform by expanding access to care for children.

"As insurance commissioner, she helped preserve competition and choice in the health care marketplace by halting a problematic health insurance merger in the state.

"In these tough economic times, the need for health system reform that provides coverage and high quality, affordable health care for all Americans is clear. We must strengthen the public-private mix of health insurance, and achieve greater value from the nation's health care spending. We look forward to working with Gov. Sebelius the Administration and Congress to improve the health care system for all Americans."

Barack Obama

Obama's Big Health Announcement

Matthew Cooper | March 2, 2009, 1:30PM

"She's forged a reputation for bipartisanship in her own right," said the President. And with that, Barack Obama announced that he was naming Kathleen Sebelius to be HHS Secretary. In another bipartisan move, the president was also flanked by former Kansas Senator Bob Dole and current Kansas Senator Pat Roberts. He was also joined by Nancy Ann DeParle, who becomes head of the White House Health Care Office. DeParle, he said, would lead the "public and legislative effort" for health care. Obama also brought Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus and House Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman on to the state as well.

Sebelius and Obama became close during the presidential campaign. She was an early endorser of his bid and Obama took frequent trips to Kansas, the birthplace of his mother. She was considered for vice president and went through a thorough vetting last summer.

Neera Tanden, who advised Hillary Clinton on domestic policy, and then worked for the Obama campaign, will also play an important role as will Jeanne Lambrew who, at least at the moment, is the deputy director at the White House Health Care office. Ezekiel Emanuel, brother of Rahm Emmanuel, the White House Chief of Staff, is also likely to play a major role in health care reform. It's important ro remember, too, that any plan that emerges will be scrutinized by Larry Summers, the director of the National Economic Council.

The real question about health care's success depends on whether Obama can make it seem like an essential part of economic recovery. As Obama spoke the Dow continued to sink well below 7000. If he can make universal health care seem like an essential part of economic recovery he has a shot at prevailing. But at the moment too many people see health care as an expensive nicety, something that's desirable but not essential to recovery. The upcoming White House Health Care Summit should give the president another opportunity to reframe the debate but at the moment the fight is not being fought on terrain that's favorable to the president.

Health Care

Sebelius and DeParle

Matthew Cooper | March 2, 2009, 11:27AM

As TPM reported the day Tom Daschle dropped out, Howard Dean was never in play to be the HHS Secretary and Kathleen Sebelius was a leading candidate. It looks like we'll get Sebelius named to the HHS slot later today. As Kansas's governor, she's got a mixed record on health care, as the New York Times notes today. Can she fare better with the much more difficult job ahead? Interestingly, Nancy Ann DeParle, a friend and spouse of New York Times reporter Jason DeParle, seems headed for the White House health care czar job. (Daschle was originally going to hold both positions.) As the Times notes:

From 1997 to 2000, Ms. DeParle was administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration, now known as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Ms. DeParle has extensive experience in the business world that has prompted questions from some liberals and from some of the people who vet appointments for Mr. Obama. Ms DeParle is now or has been a director of huge health care companies including Medco Health Solutions, a pharmacy benefit manager; Cerner, a supplier of health information technology; Boston Scientific, a medical device company; DaVita, which runs kidney dialysis centers; and Triad Hospitals.

A Rhodes Scholar and veteran of Tennessee policy and politics, she's as well versed as anyone to take on the challenge of getting health care passed. No word if Jeanne Lambrew will stay at the White House or move on to HHS. Lambrew is the University of Texas professor who was Tom Daschle's intellectual guru on health care issues. The two wrote a book together and she was to be his deput in the White House health care office. If she stays at the White House or goes to HHS, she'll have huge influence. She was one of the designers of the State Childrens Health Insurance Program, SCHIP, that President Obama recently expanded.

Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | March 2, 2009, 8:58AM

Obama's Day Ahead: Announcing Sebelius For HHS
President Obama will announce at 1 p.m. the nomination of Kathleen Sebelius for Secretary of Health and Human Services. Then at 2 p.m. ET, he will meet with Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki.

NYT: Washington Offers Sebelius Big Chance On Health Care
The New York Times examines Kathleen Sebelius' record on health care, finding a Democrat whose efforts to expand health coverage have faltered against a heavily-Republican state legislature. "Now, with the backing of a Democratic Congress," the Times says, "Ms. Sebelius will have a chance to achieve in Washington what she failed to accomplish in Topeka, and then some."

Dean: I Would Have Liked Health And Human Services Post
In an interview with the Huffington Post, Howard Dean discussed his previous desire for the HHS post. "I was pretty clear that I would have liked to have been Secretary of HHS but it is the president's choice and he decided to go in a different direction," Dean told Sam Stein. But he made sure to compliment Kathleen Sebelius: "I think she will be very good. She is a very nice person and I think she will be fine."

WaPo: Geithner And Summers Steer Obama's Economic Policy
The Washington Post profiles the partnership that has developed between Tim Geithner and Larry Summers. "I'm struck in meetings by the fact that when Tim says something, it was exactly what I thought needed to be said," said Summers, also adding that the two of them will often finish each other's sentences, and can communicate through a single glance.

Reid Reopens Senate Debate, Allowing More GOP Amendments
Roll Call reports that Harry Reid has made a decision to open up Senate debate in a much less controlled manner than he did during 2007 and 2008, in the hopes that such an environment can make it easier to adopt amendments and attract the necessary Republican support to pass bills. Thus far, the paper notes, the decision has attracted praise from Republicans and some consternation from Dems.

Durbin: Race Factored Into Burris Controversies
Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) has acknowledged that race became a factor in the discussions surround Roland Burris' appointment to the Senate. "My colleague from Illinois, Congressman Bobby Rush, made strong statements along those (racial) lines," said Durbin. "They were painful and hurtful, and it became part of this calculation."

Hillary Promises Aid For Palestinians, Says No Funds For Hamas
Hillary Clinton is pledging $900 million in U.S. aid for humanitarian help for the Palestinians, including $300 million for Gaza. Hillary has also promised that the money will not go to Hamas: "We have worked with the Palestinian Authority to install safeguards that will ensure our funding is only used where and for whom it is intended and does not end up in the wrong hands."

Canada's Harper: Afghan War Can Never Be Won
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper is making it clearer that his county will not be providing more troops for Afghanistan, a war that President Obama is trying to beef up, without a clear exit strategy. "My own judgment is, quite frankly, that we are not going to ever defeat the insurgency," the Conservative prime minister said, adding: "We have to have an Afghan government that is capable of managing that insurgency and improving its own governance."

Barack Obama

TPMDC Sunday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | March 1, 2009, 12:58PM

Obama Picks Sebelius For Health And Human Services
President Obama has reportedly selected Governor Kathleen Sebelius (D-KS) to be his Secretary of Health and Human Services, and will officially announce the pick on Monday. Sebelius' move to the cabinet would seem to take her out of the running for the 2010 Senate race, for which some had hoped she could be first Democrat to win a Senate seat from Kansas since 1932.

Limbaugh Reaffirms It -- He Wants Obama To Fail, And America To Succeed
Rush Limbaugh accepted his "Defender of the Constitution Award" at CPAC last night, reaffirming that he wants President Obama's policies to fail. "You can't say, Mr. Limbaugh, that you want the President to fail because that's like saying you want the country to fail," Limbaugh said rhetorically. "It's the opposite. I want the country to survive. I want the country to succeed," he added, as the crowd cheered.

Cantor Distances Himself From Limbaugh, Says GOP Doesn't Want Obama To Fail
Appearing on This Week, House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) rejected the rhetoric of Rush Limbaugh, that Republicans want Obama to fail:

STEPHANOPOULOS: So the Rush Limbaugh approach of hoping the president fails is not the Eric Cantor , House Republican approach?

CANTOR: George, absolutely not. And I don't -- I don't think anyone wants anything to fail right now. We have such challenges.

What we need to do is we need to put forth solutions to the problems that real families are facing today. And our common-sense, conservative principles of limited government, and the belief in free markets, and the belief that really opportunity can only be created by the private sector are going to undergird our proposals going forward.

Rahm: Limbaugh "The Intellectual Force And Energy" Of GOP
Appearing on Face The Nation, Rahm Emanuel moved to further tie the Republican Party to Rush Limbaugh, declaring him to be "the intellectual force and energy behind the Republican Party." Of Limbaugh's rhetoric about failure, Rahm said: "He said it, and I compliment him on his honesty. But that's their philosophy that's enunciated by Rush Limbaugh and I think that's the wrong philosophy for America."

Orszag: Deficit Will Go Down In Near Future
Appearing on This Week, White House Budget Director Peter Orszag reaffirmed the White House's projections that they can cut the deficit in half in the next few years, as the economy recovers and the Bush tax cuts expire. "We've got both spending constraints and additional revenue, as the economy recovers," Orszag explained. "That's where a lot of the deficit reduction comes from."

Gates: Obama 'More Analytical' Than Bush
Appearing on Meet The Press, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates compared President Obama to his previous boss, George W. Bush: "I think that probably President Obama is somewhat more analytical. And he makes sure he hears from everybody in the room on an issue. And if they don't speak up, he calls on them." He also said it is "fairly remote" that the current plan for withdrawal from Iraq would change.

Mullen Expresses Confidence In Obama, Withdrawal Plan
Appearing today on Fox News Sunday, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen said that the current timeline to withdraw from Iraq is acceptable, and expressed his confidence in President Obama: "He clearly has sought my advice. I feel very comfortable that as a senior military officer and adviser to the president that he is giving me the time and the opportunity to advise him accordingly."

Pawlenty: Coleman Has 'Plausible' Chance
In an interview with The Hill, Governor Tim Pawlenty (R-MN) said of the disputed Senate race in his home state: "Norm has a plausible chance, a decent chance of winning this thing. He has raised irregularities that rise to the level of legal issues, legitimate legal issues, that could change the result."