TPMDC Lamar Alexander
Debt Ceiling
Democrats Eye Potential GOP Supporters Of Reid's Debt Limit Bill
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV)
John Boehner's debt limit bill, dead-on-arrival in the Senate, is on autopilot for passage in the House this evening. If as expected he sends it over to the upper chamber to be killed, he will actually speed up the process by which the Senate can pass its final debt limit bill, for parliamentary reasons outlined at the bottom of this post.
So the great guessing game in the Capitol right now is figuring out 1). Which Republican Senators will ultimately support Harry Reid's debt limit bill, and 2). What changes will have to be made to it between now and midnight to make sure enough of them are on board so the bill doesn't go down in flames in the wee hours of Sunday morning.
Right now, Democrats are looking to about 11 gettable GOP votes: Sens. Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Susan Collins (R-ME), Bob Corker (R-TN), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Scott Brown (R-MA), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Mike Crapo (R-ID), and Tom Coburn (R-OK). The last three were the Republican members of the Gang of Six deficit reduction group.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Bob Corker, Debt, Debt Ceiling, Deficit, Entitlement reform, Entitlements, Harry Reid, John Boehner, Kay Bailey Hutchison, Lamar Alexander, Lisa Murkowski, Mark Kirk, Medicare, Mike Crapo, Olympia Snowe, Saxby Chambliss, Scott Brown, Susan Collins, Taxes, Tom Coburn
Mitch McConnell
Despite Bipartisan Support, Senate Leaders Say Don't Get Ahead Of Yourselves On Gang Of Six Plan
Senators Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Harry Reid (D-NV)
The alacrity with which Democratic and Republican senators have thrown themselves behind the Gang of Six's framework for deficit reduction -- including cuts to entitlement spending and major tax reform -- illustrates how desperate the Senate is to put the debt ceiling brinksmanship behind them.
But the leaders of both parties are well aware there's no time to ram this through the House and Senate before the United States defaults on its payment obligations early next month -- and increasing the country's borrowing limit has to be Congress' top priority.
Here's Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), addressing reporters in the Capitol on Tuesday.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Entitlements, Gang of Six, Harry Reid, Lamar Alexander, Mitch McConnell, Spending, Taxes
Republicans
Pressed On How Obama Made The Economy 'Worse' GOP Says 'He Passed Health Care Reform!'
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell
The GOP has a new favorite line about President Obama and if the speed with which they've all adopted it is any indication, then it works well with focus groups, and, through sheer repitition, it makes its way seamlessly into news article after news article.
Obama inherited a tough economy, they say, but "he made it worse."
Mitt Romney's saying it, members of the GOP congressional leadership say it over and over again at their weekly press conferences. It's not going anywhere.
The problem is that, by most metrics, this is simply false. Yes, the economy shed millions of jobs in late 2008 and early 2009, so unemployment is higher now than it was when Obama took office. But, as others have pointed out, when he took office the economy was shrinking, it's now growing again. When he took office, the economy was shedding jobs, it's now creating them. You can fault him for doing too little, or not doing it well enough, but as bad as things are, they're not worse than they were two and a half years ago. And non-partisan fact checkers agree.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Debt, Deficit, Economy, Financial Reform, Lamar Alexander, Mitt Romney, Republicans
Democrats
Democrats Explicitly Call Out GOP For Sabotaging The Economic Recovery
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL)
They've made it explicit. Democrats are accusing Republicans of trying to sabotage the recovery -- or at least stall it -- by blocking all short-term measures to boost the economy, even ones they previously supported.
In a Capitol press conference Wednesday, the Senate's top Democrats argued that Republicans don't want to pass measures like a temporary payroll tax holiday for employers because they'll improve President Obama's re-election chances.
"Our Republican colleagues in the House and Senate are driven by putting one man out of work: President Obama," said Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL).
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Chuck Schumer, Democrats, Dick Durbin, Economy, Harry Reid, Jeb Hensarling, John Boehner, Lamar Alexander, Paul Ryan, Republicans, Stimulus, Tax Breaks, Tax Cuts, Taxes
Harry Reid
With Economy Faltering, Dems Seize On GOP About-Face On Payroll Tax Cuts For Businesses
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) with Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Charles Schumer (D-NY)
Democrats are increasingly concerned that Republicans are setting them up to endorse large spending cuts in a deal to raise the national debt limit without giving ground on anything -- even GOP-friendly policy measures like tax cuts for business owners -- to stimulate the economy in the near-term.
The concern arises as numerous top Republicans react coldly to the prospect of temporarily reducing the payroll tax burden on employers and employees -- to juice the economy before federal spending draws down in the years ahead.
Traditionally, and particularly in tough economic times, this and a handful of other stimulative policies have enjoyed bipartisan support. But with the outcome of the 2012 election likely to hinge on the nation's economic trajectory, the GOP is mysteriously rethinking those positions. And Democrats are starting to note of the suspicious timing.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Debt, Debt Ceiling, Harry Reid, John Boehner, Lamar Alexander, Spending, Stimulus, Tax Breaks, Tax Cuts, Taxes
Lamar Alexander
Lamar Alexander On Blocking Nominations: That's What Nominations Are For!
Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN)
Presidential nominations: What are they good for? Absolutely nothing! Except being blocked in the Senate.
At least that's Sen. Lamar Alexander's (R-TN) understanding.
"That's what nominations are for," he quipped to reporters Wednesday after a Capitol briefing on GOP tax and regulatory proposals. "When I was nominated to be Education Secretary, Senator [Howard] Metzenbaum held me up for three months.
At the time he wasn't pleased, but since becoming a senator, his prerogatives have changed. Though he helped broker a modest truce between the parties over obstructive tactics at the beginning of the year, he still supports a senators right to use advise and consent powers to block nominations and extract policy concessions.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Filibuster, Lamar Alexander, Obstructionism, Republicans, Wall Street
Barack Obama
Top Republicans Pour Cold Water On Obama's Last-Ditch Stimulus Plan
Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN)
Two leading Republicans say they do not support President Obama's plan to broaden, deepen, and extend a payroll tax cut to stimulate the economy in the short-term.
In a briefing with reporters in the Capitol Tuesday, the House and Senate GOP conference chairs said they're through with short-term stimulus measures, even if they take the form of tax cuts.
"Well they've tried this once, and it hasn't seemed to be working," said Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX).
His Senate counterpart, Lamar Alexander (R-TN) echoed this view.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Barack Obama, Debt, Debt Ceiling, Jeb Hensarling, Lamar Alexander, Spending, Stimulus, Tax Breaks, Tax Cuts, Taxes
Medicare
How To Spin Paul Ryan's Medicare Plan: A Guide For Fence-Sitting Republicans
Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI)
The Paul Ryan budget is proving a difficult issue for Republicans across the spectrum to discuss. If you back it, you take a barrage of hits from Democrats for its plan to "essentially end Medicare," a potential death sentence in a tough race or if you have national ambitions. But if you vocally oppose it, a la Newt Gingrich, the base's wrath comes instantly crashing down on you. Fortunately for fence-sitting politicians there are ways to create some wiggle room without getting trapped in either camp. Here's a handy guide for how to spin like a pro:
Rule #1: Paul Ryan Is Awesome
If you're a Republican looking to avoid trouble from the right, this is the single most important thing to remember. Whether or not you agree with Paul Ryan's plan, nothing is more dangerous than suggesting for even a second that you think he was wrong to put it forward or that he is threatening seniors. Newt Gingrich is hardly the only Republican to disagree with his Medicare plan but he's suffered by far the most for his position in part because his comments were interpreted as an attack on Ryan, who is rapidly becoming a martyr figure on the right.
Instead, you could follow the example of Tim Pawlenty -- who has not backed the Ryan plan -- and praise the House budget chair for "offering real leadership in Washington." Or you could take the Mitt Romney approach and praise Ryan for "setting the right tone."
Calling him "courageous" never hurts, either.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: 2012, 2012 Presidential Primaries, 2012 elections, Ann Buerkle, Budget, Jane Corwin, Lamar Alexander, Medicare, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, Paul Ryan, Tim Pawlenty
Medicare
Two More GOP Senators Back Off Paul Ryan's Medicare Plan
Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN)
Two more Republican Senators are backing away from Rep. Paul Ryan's budget and its plan to cut and privatize Medicare, suggesting on Thursday that they may propose their own alternatives.
Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) told TPM that while he would vote for the House budget if it comes to the Senate floor to "move the ball down the field," his own preference on Medicare was a different proposal that would give seniors the option to remain in the traditional government plan.
"I think there are other proposals that deserve serious consideration and I'm waiting to see what those are and I might vote for those as well," he said. "Senator Domenici has a proposal for example, that would allow seniors to go into the marketplace and find a premium support plan much like the Ryan bill but still have the fallback of a traditional Medicare benefit. I like that idea better, frankly, than the House Budget."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Budget, Eric Cantor, Lamar Alexander, Medicare, Paul Ryan, Rob Portman
Roundup
TPMDC Sunday Roundup
Daley: People Talk About No-Fly Zone As If It Were A 'Video Game'
Appearing on Meet The Press, White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley criticized those who call for a no-fly zone in Libya: "Well, you know, lots of people throw around phrases of 'no-fly zone,' and they talk about it as though it's just a game on a video game or something, and some people who throw, throw that line out have no idea what they're talking about," said Daley. "Bob Gates understands the difficulty of going to war. This is a man who spent his--almost his entire life working for the government. He, he knows the difficulty of war and the challenges, as does Admiral Mullen. So when, when people comment on military action, most of them have no idea what they're talking about."
McCain: Qaddafi 'Insane,' A No-Fly Zone Can Send Message To People Around Him
Appearing on This Week, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) reiterated his support for a no-fly zone as part of an effort to oust Muammar Qaddafi. He's insane. But perhaps the people around him would begin to depart the sinking ship," said McCain. He also added: "Again, by a no-fly zone, by declaring our support for a provisional government, perhaps, which is being formed up now - there is a lot of steps we can take."
Topics: 2012 Presidential Primaries, 2012 elections, Barack Obama, Budget, Donald Trump, John McCain, Keith Ellison, Lamar Alexander, Libya, Michele Bachmann, Mitch McConnell, Muslims, Peter King, Pres '12, Roundup, Sunday Shows, Supreme Court, Westboro Baptist Church, William Daley
Filibuster Reform
Filibuster Reform Effort Falls Short In Senate
Senator Tom Udall (D-NM)
An effort to change the Senate's filibuster rules on a majority-vote basis ended Tuesday evening under growing pressure from Democratic and Republican party leaders.
In its place, senators from both parties will soon consider a bipartisan framework, negotiated by Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN), which include a handful of more modest reforms.
"We don't have an agreement yet," Alexander told reporters Tuesday afternoon. "We're still having discussions. Several of our members, and several Democratic members still have decisions to make. And when we finish, Senator Reid and Senator McConnell will go to the floor and announce an agreement when there is an agreement.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Chuck Schumer, Filibuster, Filibuster Reform, Harry Reid, Jeff Merkley , Lamar Alexander, Senate, Tom Udall
Filibuster Reform
Senators Near Consensus On Filibuster Reform Alternative
Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY)
A quick update on the substance, as opposed to the process, of filibuster reform in the Senate.
Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) will pick up where he left off in pursuit of his filibuster reform proposals when the Senate reconvenes this week. But parallel negotiations between Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN) on a more modest rules reform framework are ongoing. And there's emerging consensus on three flanks.
New to that slate, according to a Senate aide, is a proposal to that would forbid "individual senators [from forcing] the reading of certain pieces of legislation, if they've been posted for certain periods of time." There's still no clarity on what categories of legislation would be exempted from this, or how long they'd have to be public.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Chuck Schumer, Filibuster, Filibuster Reform, Lamar Alexander, Nominees, Secret Holds
Health Care
How The Health Care Repeal Push Marks The End Of The Universal Health Care Consensus
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA)
Here's one case for the individual mandate in the health care law boiled down to two sentences -- both fairly elegant considering they were spoken extemporaneously.
"There isn't anything wrong with it, except some people look at it as an infringement upon individual freedom. But when it comes to states requiring it for automobile insurance, the principle then ought to lie the same way for health insurance, because everybody has some health insurance costs, and if you aren't insured, there's no free lunch. Somebody else is paying for it." -- June 14, 2009
A corollary to that argument is that you can't have a functioning private health care system that treats the sick unless it also draws money from the healthy. In this regard, the individual mandate actually marries two distinctly American priorities -- an obsession with private markets, and the core belief that nobody should go without health care.
Considering just how cacophonous the health care debate has become, it might surprise you to learn that the mystery reformer quoted above is Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), the Republicans' health care point man in the Senate who, during the same interview, with great authority, claimed "I believe that there is a bipartisan consensus to have individual mandates."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Barack Obama, Chuck Grassley, Dave Camp, Government Health Care, Health Care, John Boehner, John Chafee, John Cornyn, John Thune, Lamar Alexander, Mitt Romney, Repealing health care, Republicans
Virginia Foxx
GOP Rep: Loughner's Beliefs 'The Liberal Of Liberals'
Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC)
Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) says political rhetoric doesn't really incite violent behavior at all -- but not before describing Arizona shooting suspect Jared Loughner as a "communist" and "the liberal of liberals."
"This guy appears to be a communist," Foxx told the Winston-Salem Journal. "His beliefs are the liberal of the liberals [sic]. There is no evidence whatsoever that this man was influenced by Sarah Palin or anybody in the Republican Party. This man is not a conservative; he's a fan of communism - that's the opposite of conservatism."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Arizona, Gabrielle Giffords, Jared Loughner, Lamar Alexander, Virginia Foxx
Fox News
How Glenn Beck And Fox News Successfully Painted AZ Shooter As Hitler, Marx Devotee
Conservative commentator Glenn Beck
Within hours of the shooting spree in Arizona, conservative blogs lit up with the news that the suspect, Jared Loughner, was an aficionado of Mein Kampf and the Communist Manifesto. A Hitler/Marx devotee, the logic went, is someone too idiosyncratic or crazy to be part of any mainstream political movement. Some went further, and cited the information as proof that Loughner was the sort of big-government liberal they had nightmares about.
As with so many of these fast-propagating conservative memes, this one got its start on Fox News.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Adolf Hitler, Ayn Rand, Communism, Fox News, Gabrielle Giffords, Glenn Beck, Jared Loughner, Karl Marx, Lamar Alexander, Sean Hannity
Health Care
Alexander: Back To Business Quickly On Capitol Hill
Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN)
If you think yesterday's events will ease the partisan gridlock on Capitol Hill for a long time going forward, think again. On CNN Sunday morning, Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) said Congress will return to business as usual quickly.
"For the next few days, obviously it's going to affect our agenda," Alexander acknowledged. "The House of Representatives has already said they're not going to vote on repealing the health care law now. So we need to stop pause and reflect."
"But then I think we're back to business," he added.
Alexander wasn't just referring to health care repeal. He said members of Congress should return to normal outreach right away, to provide constituents with a sense that the government will continue to function normally in the wake of the shooting.
Topics: Gabrielle Giffords, Health Care, Lamar Alexander
Lamar Alexander
Alexander: Unlike Tea Partiers, Shooter Read Marx, Hitler, And Burned U.S. Flag
Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN)
On CNN Sunday morning, Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) sought to deflect blame for yesterday's attack in Arizona away from the Tea Party.
Twice, unsolicited, Alexander highlighted facts about the culprit that clash with tea party norms.
"What we know about this individual, for example, is that he was reading Karl Marx, and reading Hitler, and burning the American flag," Alexander said. "That's not the profile of a typical tea party member if that's the inference that's being made."
[TPM SLIDESHOW: Across the Nation, Vigils Held for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords]
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Adolf Hitler, Dick Durbin, Gabrielle Giffords, Lamar Alexander, Sarah Palin, Tea Party
Filibuster Reform
Filibuster Reform Effort Kicks Off Today
Senator Tom Udall (D-NM)
Today, a number of Democrats will launch their attempt to amend the filibuster.
Wednesday afternoon on the Senate floor, armed with a package of reforms, Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM) will take the first in a complicated, unusual series of steps that allows a simple-majority of senators to change the Senate rules.
Topics: Anonymous Holds, Chuck Schumer, Constitutional Option, Filibuster, Filibuster Reform, Harry Reid, Lamar Alexander, Mitch McConnell, Secret Holds, Senate, Tom Udall
Filibuster
Top GOPer Lamar Alexander Rails Against Filibuster Reform
Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN)
Be careful what you wish for, progressive filibuster reform advocates. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) says the proposed changes to the filibuster pushed by Democrats like Sen. Tom Udall (NM) would make it possible for a legislative "freight train" to run unfettered through the Senate -- one that Democrats facing a tough election in 2012 may not like.
"They better be careful, because the freight train could be the Tea Party Express," Alexander told reporters today.
Alexander stopped by the conservative Heritage Foundation this afternoon to talk up the filibuster -- and scare the daylights out of anyone who'd dare try to change it.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Filibuster, Lamar Alexander
Don't Ask, Don't Tell
Blame The Lame Duck: Republicans Find A New Reason For 'No' Votes
This year's lame duck Congress has been described as the most productive since World War II, with the passage of a tax cuts deal, a repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, ratification of the new START treaty, and the passage of a bill to provide health care to 9/11 first responders.
But despite the Democrats' legislative victories, and even some bipartisan support, many top Republicans this week have been offering up the lame duck session itself as the latest sacrifice on the "Party of No" altar...
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Jim DeMint, John Thune, Jon Kyl, Lamar Alexander, Lindsey Graham, Louie Gohmert, Michele Bachmann, Orrin Hatch, START treaty, Steve King
START treaty
Dems Close In On START Ratification
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and President Obama
At this point it's all but certain that the Democrats will be able to ratify the new START treaty before the end of the week. Yesterday was a breakthrough, as key on-the-fence Senators announced their support or near support. But the dam fully broke this morning when Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) -- the Senate's third-ranking Republican -- broke with his leadership team, including anti-START ringleader Jon Kyl, to announce his support.
"I will vote to ratify the new START treaty," Alexander said on the Senate floor. Even after the arms reductions the treaty demands, Alexander said, the US will still have enough weapons to blow "enemies" to "kingdom come."
He joins Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA) as the most recent Republican to announce their intent to support the treaty; Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) is widely expected to solidify his support for the treaty as well.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Bob Bennett, Bob Corker, Dick Lugar, George Voinovich, John Kerry, John McCain, Johnny Isakson, Judd Gregg, Lamar Alexander, Lisa Murkowski, Mark Kirk, Olympia Snowe, Richard Lugar, START treaty, Scott Brown, Susan Collins, Thad Cochran
START treaty
Lamar Alexander Announces START Support
Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN)
Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) announced his support for the START nuclear weapons reduction treaty with Russia, becoming a key Republican backer who brings some momentum to the Obama administration's efforts to get to the Constitution's required 67 votes for ratification.
"Madam President, I will vote to ratify the new START treaty with Russia -- because it leaves our country with enough nuclear warheads to blow any attacker to Kingdom Come, and because the president has committed to an $85 billion, ten-year plan to make sure that those weapons work," Alexander said on the Senate floor just now.
"I will vote for the treaty because it allows for inspection of Russian warheads, and because our military leaders say it does nothing to interfere with the development of a missile defense system. I will vote for the treaty because the last six Republican Secretaries of State support its ratification. In short, I'm convinced that Americans are safer and more secure with the new START treaty than without it."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Lamar Alexander, Nuclear nonproliferation, START treaty
Financial Reform
Boehner: Wall Street Reform Should Be Repealed
House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence (R-IN), Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH), and Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA)
They're not campaigning on it in earnest -- at least not yet -- but Republican leaders say that, given the power, they would like to do away with Wall Street reform much like they have already discussed repealing health care reform.
"I think it ought to be repealed," said House Minority Leader John Boehner, in response to a question from TPMDC, at his weekly press conference this morning.
One of his top lieutenants, Republican Conference Chair Mike Pence agrees. "We hope [the Senate vote] falters so we can start over," Pence told TPMDC yesterday. "I think the reason you're not hearing talk about efforts to repeal the permanent bailout authority is because the bill hasn't passed yet."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Financial Reform, John Boehner, Lamar Alexander, Mike Pence, Republicans, Wall Street
John Kerry
Kerry: We Don't Have 60 Votes For Climate Bill...Yet
Sen. John Kerry (D-MA)
With only days to go before Majority Leader Harry Reid unveils his forthcoming energy legislation, the Senate's lead climate change negotiator acknowledged today that he's shy of the 60 votes he'd need to overcome a filibuster if it includes provisions meant to mitigate global warming.
"Are we there? No," said Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) in response to a question from TPMDC this afternoon. "We don't have the 60 votes yet. I know that. But we're close, enough to be able to fight for it, and we'll see where we wind up."
Kerry has never claimed otherwise, and has always suggested that building a 60-plus vote coalition for climate legislation would be a tough climb. But his acknowledgment comes as other key Democratic members and chairmen are trying to prevent any plan to cap and price global warming pollution from coming to the floor without 60 votes in the bag. Just today, Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND), chair of the Democratic Policy Committee, publicly cast doubt on whether that's possible.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Byron Dorgan, Climate Change, Energy, Filibuster, Harry Reid, John Kerry, Lamar Alexander, Republicans
Sunday Shows
The Sunday Show Line-Ups
Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Here are the line-ups for the Sunday talk shows this weekend:
• ABC, This Week: Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele.
• CBS, Face The Nation: White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA).
• CNN, State Of The Union: Gov. Ed Rendell (D-PA), Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN), BP managing director Bob Dudley.
• Fox News Sunday: Former Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK), Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele.
• NBC, Meet The Press: Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA), Senate nominee Rand Paul (R-KY), National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn (R-TX), Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ).
Late Update: Rand Paul has canceled his Meet The Press appearance, citing exhaustion.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: 2010 elections, Ed Rendell, Joe Sestak, John Cornyn, KY-SEN, Lamar Alexander, Michael Steele, PA-SEN, Rand Paul, Robert Gibbs, Robert Menendez, Sarah Palin, Senate '10, Sunday Shows, Tim Kaine
Financial Reform
Reid: A Number Of Republicans Have Told Me They'll Support Wall Street Reform
Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV)
At his weekly press availability this afternoon, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid predicted that several Republicans will break from their party tomorrow morning, likely thwarting a financial reform filibuster.
"A number of senators, Republican senators, have told me they will vote for cloture," Reid said.
If Reid's right, it's all but certain that Democrats and Republicans will avoid a repeat performance of their dramatic floor fight several weeks ago, and the Senate will move swiftly to a vote on final passage. Earlier in the press conference, though, Reid hedged, suggesting it's possible the GOP will vote unanimously not to end debate.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Financial Reform, Harry Reid, Lamar Alexander, Mitch McConnell, Republicans, Senate
Republicans
Their Dirty Little Secret: GOP Senators Say Bailouts Worked -- Just Please Don't Tell Anyone!
Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), John McCain (R-AZ), Bob Bennett (R-UT), and Judd Gregg (R-NH)
Perhaps the most fascinating political conundrum of the 2010 election is one faced by GOP senators, almost all of whom voted for TARP and supported some of the other bailouts in the thick of the financial crisis. The good news is that, for all their shortcomings, the bailouts did the trick, preventing a deeper economic crisis. The bad news is those bailouts are now considered political poison by the tea partying conservative base.
That puts Republicans in a strange position: unable to say the legislation failed, but at pains to distance themselves from their vote nonetheless. Over the past couple days, I've asked a number of GOP senators whether, nearly two years later, they think the bailout bill was effective. Their answers were revealing.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (2)Topics: Bailout, Bob Bennett, John Cornyn, John McCain, Judd Gregg, Lamar Alexander, Republicans, Senate
Bob Bennett
Republicans And Democrats Mourn Bennett's Defeat
Sen. Bob Bennett (R-UT)
Republicans and Democrats are unanimous: the end of Bob Bennett's career is a loss for the Senate--perhaps for the country. In fact, it is with almost a sense of reluctance that GOP leaders say they'll support the eventual winner of the Republican primary in Utah--likely a Tea Party-backed insurgent candidate with no experience in politics.
Part of that sentiment, no doubt, has to do with the myopic and inward-looking culture of the Senate itself. Bennett, for better or worse, was part of the club, and the club protects its own. But Bennett--no centrist, he--was, by all accounts ousted thanks to conservative anger over of a handful of instances in which he worked with Democrats, or cast difficult, but perhaps necessary, votes. He voted for TARP, for instance, and he co-authored a far-reaching health care reform bill with Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR).
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: Bob Bennett, Chris Dodd, Democrats, John Cornyn, Jon Kyl, Lamar Alexander, Lincoln Chafee, Republicans, Senate, Susan Collins, UT-SEN
Sunday Shows
The Sunday Show Line-Ups
Gov. Charlie Crist (I-FL)
Here are the line-ups for the Sunday talk shows this weekend:
• ABC, This Week: Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar.
• CBS, Face The Nation: Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-LA), Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), former Rep. J.D. Hayworth (R-AZ).
• CNN, State Of The Union: Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Gov. Charlie Crist (I-FL), Senate candidate Marco Rubio (R-FL).
• Fox News Sunday: Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Senate candidate Marco Rubio (R-FL).
• NBC, Meet The Press: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Gov. Charlie Crist (I-FL), Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D-MI), Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN), Gov. Bill Richardson (D-NM).
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: 2010 elections, Bill Nelson, Bill Richardson, Charlie Crist, Charlie Melancon, FL-SEN, J.D. Hayworth, Janet Napolitano, Jennifer Granholm, Ken Salazar, Lamar Alexander, Luis Gutierrez, Marco Rubio, Mike Pence, Senate '10, Sunday Shows
Sunday Shows
The Sunday Show Line-Ups
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Robert Gates
Here are the line-ups for the Sunday talk shows this weekend:
• ABC, This Week: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
• CBS, Face The Nation: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.
• CNN, State Of The Union: Gov. Haley Barbour (R-MS).
• Fox News Sunday: Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN).
• NBC, Meet The Press: Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Chuck Schumer, Haley Barbour, Hillary Clinton, Jeff Sessions, Joe Lieberman, Jon Kyl, Lamar Alexander, Michele Bachmann, Patrick Leahy, Robert Gates, Sunday Shows
Repealing health care
Republicans Back Off Health Care Repeal Pledges
Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL), Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) and Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC)
Republican promises to repeal health care have gone from full speed ahead to ... we'll see.
As Democrats are out celebrating the passage of the sweeping health care reform package, some Republicans are having second thoughts. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich went from promising repeal at campaign events to admitting recently on Fox that President Obama would veto any repeal legislation should the GOP win back control of Congress. Hence the new "repeal and replace" push from Republicans.
But several Republicans have gone even farther in recent days, backing away from repeal pledges.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Bob Corker, Health Care, John McCain, Lamar Alexander, Mark Kirk, Newt Gingrich, Repealing health care, Richard Burr
Roundup
TPMDC Sunday Roundup
Jarrett On Health Care Reform: 'We Are Confident That The American People Will Support This. It's Good For Them'
Appearing on This Week, White House Senior Adviser Valerie Jarrett predicted that public opinion on the new health care law will improve: "There has been a lot of negative rhetoric that we've heard around the country. But what we are sure of is that this is as the American people begin to understand what's in this package...we are confident that the American people will support this. It's good for them. As you go around and you start talking about the individual components of this bill, we're seeing overwhelming support.
DeMint: Obama 'Mocking Americans Who Continue To Be Against This Bill'
Appearing on Face The Nation, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) continued to push for repealing the new health care reform law. "All of us who believe in freedom in this country recognize that if this health care bill stands, it will not only destroy our health care system, we believe it will bankrupt our country. So to give up on repealing this bill will be giving up on our country, for me and, I think, for millions of Americans," said DeMint, who also added: "Bob, the president is mocking Americans who continue to be against this bill."
Topics: David Axelrod, Health Care, Jim DeMint, Lamar Alexander, Lindsey Graham, Michele Bachmann, Recess appointments, Roundup, Sunday Shows, Valerie Jarrett
Health Care
Divide And Conquer: The GOP's PsyOps Strategy To Scare Shaky House Dems Off Health Care Reform
Senate Republicans are running out of options. As Democrats inch closer to passing health care reform, the GOPers in the upper chamber have realized they can't rely on the procedural tricks they have at their disposal in the Senate to stall or derail the process because all of the action is in the House.
So their latest plan to derail the reform legislation is more devious: Senate Republicans have embarked on a rhetorical scorched-Earth strategy about the political perils of passing health care, to sow the seeds of doubts in the minds of House Democrats in the hopes that they lose their nerve and sink the bill.
Call it Congressional psy-ops.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: Democrats, Health Care, House Democrats, House of Representatives, John Thune, Judd Gregg, Lamar Alexander, Mitch McConnell, Reconciliation, Republicans, Senate
Roundup
TPMDC Sunday Roundup
Pelosi: Health Care Can Still Be Bipartisan Without Republican Votes
Appearing on State of the Union, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) declared that "Bipartisanship is a two-way street," and said the health care bill could still be considered bipartisan even without Republicans voting for it. "The bill can be bipartisan, even though the votes might not be bipartisan, because they [Republicans] have made their imprint on this," said Pelosi, also adding: "We went into the legislative process - hundreds of hours of hearings and bill writing and all the rest - where the Republicans made their suggestions."
McConnell: 'If The Election Were Today, We'd Have A Very Good Day'
Appearing on State of the Union, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said that Republicans are "optimistic" about this NOvember's elections. "I think the elections in Virginia and New Jersey and particularly Massachusetts were encouraging. But, in the meantime, we need to be doing the people's business and not trying to predict what the environment may be in November," said McConnell, also adding: "If the election were today, we'd have a very good day."
Topics: Health Care, John McCain, Jon Kyl, Lamar Alexander, Mitch McConnell, Nancy Pelosi, Nancy-Ann DeParle, Roundup, Steny Hoyer, Tea Party
Sunday Shows
The Sunday Show Line-Ups
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
Here are the line-ups for the Sunday talk shows this weekend:
• ABC, This Week: Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN).
• CBS, Face The Nation: Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK), Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND).
• CNN, State Of The Union: Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).
• Fox News Sunday: Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI).
• NBC, Meet The Press: Sen. John McCain (R-AZ).
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: John McCain, Jon Kyl, Kent Conrad, Lamar Alexander, Marsha Blackburn, Mitch McConnell, Nancy Pelosi, Paul Ryan, Robert Menendez, Steny Hoyer, Sunday Shows, Tom Coburn
Roundup
TPMDC Sunday Roundup
Boehner: 'There Aren't That Many Places Where We Can Come Together'
Appearing on Meet The Press, House Minority Leader John Boehner downplayed the possibility of bipartisanship. "Listen, there aren't that many places where we can come together. The President-- is-- he was the most liberal member of the United States Senate. You don't get there by accident," said Boehner. "And if you look at the policies that we've seen over the course of this year from the Administration and -- his Democratic colleagues in Congress-- there are all these leftist proposals. And the people of Massachusetts, the people of Virginia, the people of New Jersey are sending a pretty loud signal, just like the other 47 states to -- to Washington, saying, 'Stop. This is -- this is way more than we ever want -- wanted Washington to do.'"
Gibbs: Health Care Reform 'Still Inside The Five-Yard Line'
Appearing on State of the Union, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said that Democrats are "still inside the five-yard line" on health care reform. "We're one vote in the House of Representatives from making health care reform a reality," said Gibbs, though he was noncommittal on whether it was definite strategy to have the House of Representatives pass the Senate bill: "I don't think we know yet the answer on the process of this."
Topics: Barack Obama, David Axelrod, Eric Holder, Haley Barbour, Health Care, John Boehner, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Lamar Alexander, Robert Gibbs, Roundup, Samuel Alito, Scott Brown
Sunday Shows
The Sunday Show Line-Ups
Here are the line-ups for the Sunday talk shows this weekend:
• ABC, This Week: Senior White House Adviser David Axelrod, Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ).
• CBS, Face The Nation: Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA).
• CNN, State Of The Union: Senior White House Adviser David Axelrod, New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I), Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA).
• Fox News Sunday: Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).
• NBC, Meet The Press: Senior White House Adviser David Axelrod, former DNC chairman Howard Dean.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Amy Klobuchar, Arnold Schwarzenegger, David Axelrod, Dick Durbin, Howard Dean, John McCain, Jon Kyl, Kent Conrad, Lamar Alexander, Mary Landrieu, Mike Bloomberg, Olympia Snowe, Sunday Shows
Roundup
TPMDC Sunday Roundup
Ben Nelson: If Bill Isn't Improved, I Won't Vote to Get It Off The Floor
Appearing on This Week, Sen. Ben Nelson, made clear that his vote last night to proceed with debate on the health bill was contingent on being able to amend the bill in the next stages of the process -- and that he has a continuing list of issues with the bill, including abortion and other concerns: "Even if that -- even if that was perfected, where I could support that particular provision, if the public option is wrong, if the CLASS act is still in it, if -- if there are a whole host of other items that are the same as they are right now, I wouldn't vote to get it off the floor."
McCain: I Enjoyed Palin's Book, Criticism of Campaign Aides 'No Big Deal'
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) told the Associated Press that he enjoyed reading Sarah Palin's book. "I enjoyed the book and she and I are dear friends. I talked to her on the phone yesterday. We got along fine," said McCain, who downplayed the book's harsh criticism of McCain's presidential campaign aides: "In campaigns there's always tension. Outside of combat, it's the most tense situation. There's always differences that arise, but it's no big deal."
Topics: Abortion, Ben Nelson, Chuck Schumer, Health Care, Joe Lieberman, John McCain, Lamar Alexander, Michael Bennet, Mitch McConnell, Patrick Kennedy, Public Option, Roundup, Sarah Palin, Sunday Shows
Health Care
GOP Brings Back Health Care Town Halls
Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA) town hall.
For Republicans battling Democratic-led health care reform, there's August -- and then there's everything after. Starting in a couple of weeks, the GOP hopes to take the country back to the heady days of the health care town halls.
The late summer was the high-water mark for the GOP on health care, when poll support for Democratic reform lagged after an August full of raucous town hall meetings with members of Congress across the country. The town halls caused the reform debate to shift from "public options" and "mandates" to "death panels" and "socialized medicine." President Obama gave a primetime address before a joint session of Congress to address the fears raised by the town halls, and polls began to shift back toward support for Democratic reforms.
Now, the GOP wants to capture some of that August magic again as the Senate takes up a reform bill.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: Dick Durbin, Health Care, Lamar Alexander, Town Hall Meetings
Michael Steele
GOP Leaders To Steele: Back Off On Policy
RNC Chairman Michael Steele
In a meeting with Michael Steele, top Congressional Republicans told the national GOP chair to back off from having the RNC roll out policy initiatives, due to the potential of stepping on the elected officials' prerogatives.
As the Politico reports:
And at one point, Steele, a Washington native, said that his upbringing in the "streets" made him a fighter and that he was determined to continue fighting and aggressively defending the party, according to two people familiar with the account.
Senate GOP Conference chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN) said that the two sides came to an understanding. "We are elected to set the policy," said Alexander. "But in my view, the national committee's job is to create the environment in which Republicans can be elected to set policy. Michael Steele said that was exactly his point of view, so I think we see eye to eye on it."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: GOP, Lamar Alexander, Michael Steele, RNC
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