TPMDC Mike Johanns
Liberals and environmentalists are rejoicing tonight over the Obama administration's decision to delay -- or in bureaucratese, "seek further review of" -- a proposal to build a massive pipeline from the Canadian Tar Sands to the gulf coast. But their celebration could be short lived.
Here's the full backstory. The so-called Keystone XL pipeline has become the frustrated environmental community's final litmus test for the President. Though the bureaucratic questions surrounding the project have to do with domestic health and safety concerns, environmentalists fear, with good reason, that the pipeline would assure the extraction of too much carbon for the climate to bear. So they've been hounding the White House and State Department for months in an effort to get the project scrapped altogether.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Barack Obama, Environment, Mike Johanns, Oil, State Department, White House
Roundup
TPMDC Saturday Roundup
Obama: 'No Silver Bullet' For Gas Prices, 'But There Are A Few Things We Can Do'
In this weekend's YouTube address, President Obama discussed his administration's response to high gasoline prices.
"Now, whenever gas prices shoot up, like clockwork, you see politicians racing to the cameras, waving three-point plans for two dollar gas," said Obama. "You see people trying to grab headlines or score a few points. The truth is, there's no silver bullet that can bring down gas prices right away.
"But there are a few things we can do. This includes safe and responsible production of oil at home, which we are pursuing. In fact, last year, American oil production reached its highest level since 2003. On Thursday, my Attorney General also launched a task force with just one job: rooting out cases of fraud or manipulation in the oil markets that might affect gas prices, including any illegal activity by traders and speculators. We're going to make sure that no one is taking advantage of the American people for their own short-term gain. And another step we need to take is to finally end the $4 billion in taxpayer subsidies we give to the oil and gas companies each year. That's $4 billion of your money going to these companies when they're making record profits and you're paying near record prices at the pump. It has to stop."
Topics: Air Traffic Controllers, Barack Obama, Budget, Energy, Labor, Medicare, Mike Johanns, Roundup, unions
Roundup
TPMDC Saturday Roundup
Obama: Senate GOP Leaders 'Holding America's Small Businesses Hostage To Politics'
In this weekend's YouTube address, President Obama promoted his administration's program of aid to the auto industry. And he also blasted Republican leaders for filibustering the small business jobs bill.
"It's a bill that includes provision after provision authored by both Democrats and Republicans. But yesterday, the Republican leaders in the Senate once again used parliamentary procedures to block it," said Obama. "Understand, a majority of Senators support the plan. It's just that the Republican leaders in the Senate won't even allow it to come up for a vote. That isn't right. And I'm calling on the Republican leaders in the Senate to stop holding America's small businesses hostage to politics, and allow an up-or-down vote on this small business jobs bill."
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: 2010 elections, Arizona, Barack Obama, Charlie Rangel, Chelsea Clinton, Edwin Kneedler, Immigration, Israel/Palestine, Jobs, Mahmoud Abbas, Mike Johanns, Roundup
Blanche Lincoln
HCAN Thanks Lincoln, Pryor For Voting To Debate Health Care Bill
The health care debate in the Senate could take weeks, and Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) is threatening to filibuster if the public option isn't stripped out of the bill. But, for the time being anyhow, Health Care for America Now isn't making an issue of that potential flashpoint, and is instead thanking her and her Arkansas colleague Mark Pryor for allowing debate in the first place.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: Ben Nelson, Blanche Lincoln, HCAN, Health Care, Mike Johanns, Senate
Ben Nelson
HCAN Targets Lincoln, Pryor, Nelson Ahead Of Key Health Care Votes
The reform campaign Health Care for America Now is running ads in health care swing states Arkansas and Nebraska, pressuring key Democrats (and one Republican!) to support the Senate health care bill.
Arkansas:
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Ben Nelson, Blanche Lincoln, HCAN, Health Care, Mark Pryor, Mike Johanns, Senate
Roundup
TPMDC Saturday Roundup
Obama: Big Banks Must Help Small Businesses
In this weekend's YouTube address, President Obama talked about his administration's commitment to small businesses -- and called on large banks that have been helped by the bailout to do their part:
"But while credit may be more available for large businesses, too many small business owners are still struggling to get the credit they need," said Obama. "These are the very taxpayers who stood by America's banks in a crisis - and now it's time for our banks to stand by creditworthy small businesses, and make the loans they need to open their doors, grow their operations, and create new jobs. It's time for those banks to fulfill their responsibility to help ensure a wider recovery, a more secure system, and more broadly shared prosperity. And we're going to take every appropriate step to encourage them to meet those responsibilities."
Johanns Denounces 'Shameful' Health Care Deals
In this weekend's Republican address, Sen. Mike Johanns (R-NE) went after the Democrats on health care:
"We're about to significantly alter one-sixth of our economy -- now is not the time to shut Americans out," said Johanns. "Reports of this deal-making are shameful. Why do Michigan, Rhode Island, Oregon and Nevada get special deals on Medicaid costs? Why do New Yorkers with Cadillac plans get a pass on paying the tax? It is shameful. So now, as a select few deliberate over legislation that will mean higher premiums across the board; higher taxes for hard-working families; and cuts to Medicare for senior citizens; I ask: will this improve your life?"
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)Topics: Bailout, Barack Obama, Ben Bernanke, Chris Christie, Climate Change, Health Care, House '10, Jim Inhofe, Jon Corzine, Mike Johanns, NJ-GOV, Roundup, Rudy Giuliani, Swine Flu, Tom Price
Afghanistan
TPMDC Morning Roundup
McChrystal Asks For More Troops, Warns Against Failure In Afghanistan
The Washington Post reports that Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top American and NATO commander in Afghanistan, has urgently asked for more troops, warning against potential failure in the country. McChyrstal wrote in a confidential memo: "Failure to gain the initiative and reverse insurgent momentum in the near-term (next 12 months) -- while Afghan security capacity matures -- risks an outcome where defeating the insurgency is no longer possible."
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will depart the White House at 9:25 a.m. ET, arriving at 10:55 a.m. ET in Albany, New York. At 11:30 a.m. ET, he and Dr. Jill Biden will tour Hudson Valley Community College, and he will deliver remarks on the economy at 11:50 a.m. ET. He will depart from Albany at 1:05 p.m. ET, and will tape an appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman at 3:55 p.m. ET, at CBS Studios in New York.
Topics: Afghanistan, Barack Obama, Climate Change, Joe Biden, Joe Lieberman, Mike Johanns, NY-GOV
