Roundup

TPMDC Sunday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | November 22, 2009, 1:16PM

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."

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Sunday Shows

The Sunday Show Line-Ups

Eric Kleefeld | November 20, 2009, 5:51PM

Here are the line-ups for the Sunday talk shows this weekend:

• ABC, This Week: Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK), Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE), Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL).

• CBS, Face The Nation: Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY).

• CNN, State Of The Union: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Senate candidate Carly Fiorina (R-CA).

• Fox News Sunday: Guest list not yet announced.

• NBC, Meet The Press: Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT).

Roundup

TPMDC Sunday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | October 25, 2009, 1:02PM

Schumer: Dems 'Very Close' To 60 Votes
Appearing on Meet The Press, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said that Democrats are approaching 60 votes for a compromise public option: "The liberals, they like it stronger, but they're willing to live with level playing field, opt-out. The more moderate Democrats, there are some who actually like it. As long as it's a level playing field, they're comfortable with it. There are others who say that, 'I'm not sure I like it, but I won't hold up passage of the bill.' I think we're very close to getting the 60 votes we need to move forward, and my guess is that the public option level playing field with the state opt-out will be in the bill. But Leader Reid will make that decision after he talks to everybody several times.

Abdullah Calls For 'Dramatic Increase' In American Troops In Afghanistan
Appearing on Fox News Sunday, Afghan presidential candidate Dr. Abdullah called for a "dramatic increase" in the number of American troops in his country: "If the situation is not reversed from deteriorating further the security situation, so the future of this country will be at risk, and the future of the engagement of the international community will be at risk. So this situation requires a sort of dramatic increase in the number of troops in order to stop -- stop it from further deteriorating and reversing it. The permanent solution is in a road map that Afghanistan stands on its own feet in a few years down the road, troops -- number of troops could be decreased in Afghanistan, finally, and eventually will stand on its own feet."

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Sunday Shows

The Sunday Show Line-Ups

Eric Kleefeld | October 23, 2009, 5:34PM

Here are the line-ups for the Sunday talk shows this weekend:

• ABC, This Week: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO).

• CBS, Face The Nation: Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI).

• CNN, State Of The Union: Dr. , Afghan presidential candidate; Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE), Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA).

• Fox News Sunday: Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, Afghan presidential candidate; Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI), Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ).

• NBC, Meet The Press: SEn. John Cornyn (R-TX), Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY.

Sunday Shows

The Sunday Show Line-Ups

Eric Kleefeld | October 9, 2009, 1:35PM

Here are the line-ups for the Sunday talk shows this weekend:

• ABC, This Week: Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), Retired Gen. Jack Keane.

• CBS, Face The Nation: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI).

• CNN, State Of The Union: Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).

• Fox News Sunday: Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D-MI), Gov. Mitch Daniels (R-IN), Moody's economist Mark Zandi, National Transportation Safety Board Chair Deborah Hersman.

• NBC, Meet The Press: Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Retired Gen. Barry McCaffrey, Retired Gen. Richard Myers.

Ted Kennedy

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | September 3, 2009, 9:00AM

Kennedy Memoir Does Not Ignore Personal Lows
The New York Times reports that Ted Kennedy's upcoming memoir, True Compass, does not gloss over his personal flaws -- notably calling his behavior after his 1969 car accident, which killed Mary Jo Kopechne, "inexcusable." Kennedy also wrote: "I have enjoyed the company of women. I have enjoyed a stiff drink or two or three, and I've relished the smooth taste of a good wine. At times, I've enjoyed these pleasures too much. I've heard the tales about my exploits as a hell-raiser -- some accurate, some with a wisp of truth to them and some so outrageous that I can't imagine how anyone could really believe them."

Biden's Day Ahead
Vice President Biden will deliver a speech at 10 a.m. ET today from the Brookings Institution, on progress that has been made under the stimulus bill. He will spend the remainder of the day in private meetings at the White House.

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Howard Dean

TPMDC Sunday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | August 9, 2009, 12:56PM

Dean: Palin "Just Made That Up" About The Death Panel
Former DNC Chairman Howard Dean told CNN that Sarah Palin's line about President Obama establishing a "death panel" was simply wrong. "About euthanasia, they're just totally erroneous. She just made that up," said Dean. "Just like the 'Bridge to Nowhere' that she supposedly didn't support.

Gingrich Defends Palin On The Death Panel
Appearing on This Week, former Speaker Newt Gingrich defended Palin on the "death panel" talk, even though George Stephanopoulos pointed out multiple times that the health care bill does not promote euthanasia. "You are asking us to trust turning power over to the government," said Gingrich, "when there are clearly people in American who believe in establishing euthanasia, including selective standards."

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Health Care

Boehner Echoes AP: It's Time To Scrap This $1.6 Trillion Plan And Start Over

Brian Beutler | July 22, 2009, 4:09PM

In a joint press conference this afternoon with Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Minority Leader John Boehner said the Democrats' health care reform bill is too expensive, and that it's time for them to scrap it and start over.

Boehner cited a figure--$1.6 trillion--with origins in Associated Press articles that put the price of House health care legislation at $1.5 trillion. But those articles were based on the assertion of an anonymous congressional aide. Though it hasn't scored a complete piece of legislation, the Congressional Budget Office--normally the authority on these matters--said in a preliminary report that the legislation would cost just over $1 trillion. And budget experts themselves are of a few minds over how various reform provisions should be evaluated, some note that certain measures like healthy lifestyle provisions, which will no doubt have some budgetary impact, but aren't analyzed by the CBO.

We'll have video for you shorlty. In recent days, the White House has characterized statements like Boehner's as backdoor attempts to kill reform entirely.

Health Care

TPMDC Sunday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | July 19, 2009, 1:03PM

Sanford Thankful For Attending His Own Funeral
Gov. Mark Sanford (R-SC) has written a guest column for The State, apologizing again to the people of South Carolina, and discussing his own moral failings and personal growth. "It is true that I did wrong and failed at the largest of levels, but equally true is the fact that God can make good of our respective wrongs in life," Sanford writes. "In this vein, while none of us has the chance to attend our own funeral, in many ways I feel like I was at my own in the past weeks, and surprisingly I am thankful for the perspective it has afforded."

Kennedy: Health Care "The Cause Of My Life"
In a new guest piece in Newsweek, Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) speaks of his own personal and family struggles with diseases and accidents, and his commitment to ensuring universal access to health care. "But quality care shouldn't depend on your financial resources, or the type of job you have, or the medical condition you face. Every American should be able to get the same treatment that U.S. senators are entitled to," Kennedy writes. "This is the cause of my life. It is a key reason that I defied my illness last summer to speak at the Democratic convention in Denver -- to support Barack Obama, but also to make sure, as I said, 'that we will break the old gridlock and guarantee that every American ... will have decent, quality health care as a fundamental right and not just a privilege.'"

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Barack Obama

TPMDC Saturday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | July 18, 2009, 1:04PM

Obama: Health Care Reform Can't Wait, Must Include Public Option
In this weekend's YouTube address, President Obama answered his critics on health care -- and said that any plan he signs must include a public option:

"I don't believe that government can or should run health care. But I also don't think insurance companies should have free reign to do as they please," said Obama. "That's why any plan I sign must include an insurance exchange: a one-stop shopping marketplace where you can compare the benefits, cost and track records of a variety of plans - including a public option to increase competition and keep insurance companies honest - and choose what's best for your family."

Kyl: Health Care "Needs To Be Done Right, Rather Than Done Quickly"
In this weekend's Republican YouTube, Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ) attacked the Democrats' health care proposals:

"But the President and some Democrats insist we must rush this plan through. Why? Because the more Americans know about it, the more they oppose it. Something this important needs to be done right, rather than done quickly," said Kyl. "We know Americans would prefer us to work together to ensure access to affordable quality health care for all. But Americans do not want a government takeover of health care that will jeopardize their current coverage, ration care, and create mountains of new debt and higher taxes."

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Pecora

Boehner, McConnell Announce Pecora Appointees

Brian Beutler | July 15, 2009, 12:32PM

House Minority Leader John Boehner, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell have announced the four Republican appointees to the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission, rounding out the entire commission, which, by law, can convene and begin work immediately

In a statement, the Republican leaders write:

Boehner and McConnell jointly selected former House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Bill Thomas to serve as Vice Chairman of the Commission. In addition, Boehner appointed Peter Wallison, Co-Director for Financial Policy Studies at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), and McConnell appointed former Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Director Doug Holtz-Eakin, and former National Economic Council Director Keith Hennessey to serve on the Commission as well.

More to come on these four appointees, as well as the six Democratic appointees, later today.

John Ensign

Ensign And Reid Have Agreement Not To Criticize Each Other

Rachel Slajda | July 15, 2009, 9:13AM

As the two senators from Nevada, John Ensign and Majority Leader Harry Reid have an agreement not to criticize each other publicly, according to the Las Vegas Sun.

Reid has publicly stayed mum on Ensign's affair and his decision to run for re-election in 2012. But Ensign claims he enjoys support from "both sides" of Senate leadership.

"These are the kinds of personal decisions that Senator Ensign will have to make," a spokesman for Reid told us yesterday, adding, "Reid is staying out of it."

McConnell also dodged, telling the Sun, "I think Sen. Ensign will have to speak to those issues himself."

How long can they go on in silence? From the Sun:

"There's a nervousness that maybe the full story has not been told," said a Republican strategist from Nevada. "Most people think there's another shoe to drop."

Mitch McConnell

DNC Ad Attacks McConnell In Kentucky -- A Peculiar Choice

Eric Kleefeld | July 2, 2009, 6:15PM

The Democratic National Committee has this new TV ad in Kentucky, set to run on cable in the Lexington and Louisville media markets, attacking Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell for having supported the Bush agenda, and now obstructing the Obama agenda:

"But this year -- when it came to supporting legislation to create and protect Kentucky jobs -- he said," the announcer says, followed by audio of McConnell's voice: "No."

To be perfectly blunt, this seems like an odd choice of how to spend party resources. McConnell was just re-elected in 2008, and his home state of Kentucky voted for John McCain in a 58%-41% landslide.

"He should still care about what his constituents think - and hopefully it'll send a message to others," said DNC spokesman Brad Woodhouse in an e-mail to TPM, when asked why the DNC was doing this.

Barack Obama

TPMDC Sunday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | June 28, 2009, 1:12PM

Axelrod: Obama Won't Rule Out Middle-Class Tax Hike
Appearing on This Week, Senior White House David Axelrod did not rule out the idea of President Obama raising taxes on people making under $250,000 -- which Obama pledged not to do during the 2008 campaign -- in order to fund health care. "One of the problems we've had in this town is that people draw lines in the sand and they stop talking to each other. And you don't get anything done," said Axelrod. "That's not the way the president approaches us. He is very cognizant of protecting people -- middle class people, hard-working people who are trying to get along in a very difficult economy. And he will continue to represent them in these talks."

McConnell: We Have Best Health Care System In The World
Appearing on Fox News Sunday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) attacked the Democrats' health care proposals. "Well, listening to them, you wouldn't recognize that America has the finest health care system in the world. We have some problems with access and with cost, which can -- addressed without wrecking the best health care system in the world," said McConnell. "What they really have in mind, Bret [Baier], is to create a government-run plan after which there won't be any private insurance companies."

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Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | June 22, 2009, 8:58AM

Obama: U.S. Shouldn't Be Distraction For Iran
In an interview with CBS, President Obama explained his cautious approach to the situation in Iran. "The last thing that I want to do," said Obama, "is to have the United States be a foil for -- those forces inside Iran who would love nothing better than to make this an argument about the United States. That's what they do. That's what we've already seen. We shouldn't be playing into that. There should be no distractions from the fact that the -- Iranian people are seeking to -- let their voices be heard."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will sign the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act today, at 2 p.m. ET in the Rose Garden. In the morning, he will have his routine daily briefings.

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Barack Obama

TPMDC Saturday Roundup

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

Obama Calls For Consumer Financial Protection
In this weekend's Presidential YouTube Address, President Obama advocated for a new Consumer Financial Protection Agency, to crack down on complicated and deceptive lending practices:

"This new agency will have the responsibility to change that," said Obama. "It will have the power to set tough new rules so that companies compete by offering innovative products that consumers actually want - and actually understand. Those ridiculous contracts - pages of fine print that no one can figure out - will be a thing of the past. You'll be able to compare products - with descriptions in plain language - to see what is best for you. The most unfair practices will be banned. The rules will be enforced."

McConnell: Democrats Are "Rush And Spend" On Health Care -- Like With Stimulus
In this weekend's Republican YouTube, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) warned that Democratic proposals on health care will spend too much money -- and compared it unfavorably with the stimulus:

"If the stimulus bill taught us anything, it's that we should be wary anytime someone in Washington says the sky's going to fall unless Congress approves trillions of dollars immediately," said McConnell. "Yet once again in the health care debate, it's rush and spend, rush and spend. Americans want health care reform, but they want the right health care reform. And that means taking the time and the care necessary to get it right."

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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 | June 4, 2009, 9:00AM

Obama To Muslim World: "Cycle Of Suspicion And Discord Must End"
In his big speech earlier today in Cairo, Egypt, President Obama reached out to Muslims the world over in an appeal for peace, religious tolerance and understanding, and an overall new beginning for international relations. "So long as our relationship is defined by our differences," Obama said, "we will empower those who sow hatred rather than peace, and who promote conflict rather than the cooperation that can help all of our people achieve justice and prosperity. This cycle of suspicion and discord must end."

Obama's Day In Egypt
President Obama arrived in Cairo, Egypt, at 2:10 a.m. ET (9:10 a.m. local time), and participated in a welcome ceremony at the Quba palace at 2:40 a.m. ET. At 3 a.m. ET, he held a bilateral meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, and at 4:50 a.m. ET he and Sec. of State Clinton toured the Sultan Hassan Mosque. At 6:10 a.m. ET, he gave his big speech. At 8:45 a.m. ET, he toured the Pyramids and the Sphinx. At 11 a.m. ET, he will depart from Cairo International Airport, en route to Dresden, Germany.

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Sonia Sotomayor

TPMDC Sunday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | May 31, 2009, 1:00PM

Cornyn Not Ruling Out Filibuster Against Sotomayor
Appearing on ABC's This Week, Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) would not rule out a filibuster against the Sotomayor nomination. "I'm not willing to judge one way or the other, George [Stephanopoulos]," said Cornyn, "because frankly, we need to not prejudge, not pre-confirm, and to give Judge Sotomayor the fair hearing that Miguel Estrada, and, indeed, Clarence Thomas were denied by our friends on the other side of the aisle."

Rove: Bush Appreciates Cheney's "Forthright Defense"
Karl Rove told the Politico that former President George W. Bush -- who has publicly said he won't criticize President Obama -- privately appreciates the role that former Vice President Dick Cheney has taken on. "I know President Bush and Vice President Cheney talk with regularity," said Rove. "I know the former president appreciates Dick's forthright defense of the administration's polices. And I know Vice President Cheney understands the special role that the former president occupies."

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Sonia Sotomayor

One Time Sotomayor Opponents Also Opposed Filibustering Judicial Nominees

Brian Beutler | May 26, 2009, 11:49AM

Earlier today, Eric Kleefeld reported that several still-serving Republicans had cast votes more than 10 years ago on Sotomayor's nomination to the appellate court. In 1998, 23 Republicans voted for confirmation. Eight of them (including now-Democrat Arlen Specter) still serve in the Senate today. At the same time, 29 Republicans voted against her, 11 of whom are still in office.

Among those 11 are several who, in addition to opposing Sotomayor also are on record opposing the idea that judicial nominations should be filibustered.

"Since the founding of the Republic, we have understood that there was a two-thirds supermajority for ratification and advice and consent on treaties and a majority vote for judges," said Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), in a floor speech on May 23, 2005. "That is what we have done. That is what we have always done. But there was a conscious decision on behalf of the leadership, unfortunately, of the Democratic Party in the last Congress to systematically filibuster some of the best nominees ever submitted to the Senate. It has been very painful." Sessions is now the Judiciary Committee's ranking member.

And there's more.

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Mitch McConnell

McConnell Reacts To Sotomayor: "We Will Thoroughly Examine Her Record"

Eric Kleefeld | May 26, 2009, 10:25AM

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has released this statement on the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court:

"Senate Republicans will treat Judge Sotomayor fairly. But we will thoroughly examine her record to ensure she understands that the role of a jurist in our democracy is to apply the law even-handedly, despite their own feelings or personal or political preferences.

"Our Democratic colleagues have often remarked that the Senate is not a 'rubber stamp.' Accordingly, we trust they will ensure there is adequate time to prepare for this nomination, and a full and fair opportunity to question the nominee and debate her qualifications."

Pecora

Financial Crisis Investigative Commission To Become Law

Brian Beutler | May 19, 2009, 9:09AM

Last night, the House passed the final version of a bill intended to enhance enforcement of financial crimes, one of the provisions of which will create a 10-member commission to investigate the causes of the financial crisis. The vote was 338 to 52.

"While the Commission undertakes its investigation," said Speaker Nancy Pelosi upon passage of the legislation, "Chairman Barney Frank and the House Financial Services Committee will continue their ongoing work to reform federal oversight of our financial markets, and to reform lending practices to protect consumers."

The Senate passed the same version of the bill last week, and the President is expected to sign it short order. During deliberations between House and Senate leaders to resolve differences between the bills, negotiators made one potentially important change to the commission's guidelines, which now require that at least one member appointed by the Senate or House Minority Leader assent to the issuance of subpoenas, should they be necessary to compel testimony or other evidence. Whether that impacts the functioning of the commission will depend, I suppose, on how many subpoenas turn out to be necessary, and how much the Republican appointees resemble their appointers in Congress.