Roundup

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | November 2, 2009, 9:01AM

Hillary: U.S. Opposes Israeli Settlements
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is meeting today with several Arab foreign ministers, in an effort to restart peace talks between the Israelis and Palestinians. Clinton reiterated the administration's opposition to continued Israeli settlements: "Successive American administrations of both parties have opposed Israel's settlement policy. That is absolutely a fact, and the Obama administration's position on settlements is clear, unequivocal and it has not changed."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will have his daily briefing at 10 a.m. Et. He will meet at 11:10 a.m. ET with the President's Economic Recovery Advisory Board. He will meet at 2 p.m. ET with Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt. He will meet at 3 p.m. ET with senior advisers.

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Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | October 1, 2009, 8:57AM

WaPo: Obama May Have To Seek GOP Support On Afghanistan
The Washington Post says that the emerging Democratic opposition to a heavily increased troop presence in Afghanistan could put President Obama in an awkward situation: "The emerging Democratic position could compel Obama, whose domestic agenda is facing stiff Republican criticism in Congress, to rely on those same opposition lawmakers for support if he decides to send more combat troops to Afghanistan."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will deliver remarks at a 1:50 p.m. ET fundraiser for the Democratic Governors Association. He will meet at 3:30 p.m. ET with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and at 4 p.m. ET with Secretary of the Treasury Tim Geithner. He will depart form the White House at 6:35 p.m. ET, headed to Copenhagen, Denmark, to lobby for the 2016 Olympics to be held in Chicago.

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Health Care

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | July 29, 2009, 9:02AM

WaPo: Dems Boning Up On Health Care Bill
The Washington Post reports that House Democrats have gone through a five-hour meeting on the health care bill, in which they were briefed on the ins and outs of the 1,000-page bill section by section. "No one's going to say we haven't read the bill," said Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD). After a cram session like this, they better ace their finals...

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will hold an 11:55 a.m. ET town hall meeting on health care reform in Raleigh, North Carolina. He will depart Raleigh at 2:45 p.m. ET, arriving in Bristol, Tennessee, at 3:40 p.m. ET. At 4:15 p.m. ET, he will hold another town hall on health care reform in Bristol, Virginia, with Kroger Supermarket employees. He will depart from Bristol at 6 p.m. ET, arriving back at the White House at 7:25 p.m. ET.

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Barack Obama

Rasmussen Poll: Obama And Romney Would Be Tied In 2012 Matchup

Rachel Slajda | July 20, 2009, 2:39PM

In a hypothetical 2012 general election contest between former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and President Obama, the vote would be tied at 45 percent each, according to a new Rasmussen phone survey.

Rasmussen tends to skew Republican. Conversely, a May survey by Democratic pollster Public Policy Polling had Romney losing to Obama, 35 to 53 percent.

Romney ended his last bid for the presidency in February 2008.

The new Rasmussen poll also said that in a 2012 matchup against Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Obama would win 48 percent to 42 percent.

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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Mitt Romney

Romney Offers Trip To Boston, Signed Baseballs In Donation-And-Essay Contest

Eric Kleefeld | June 10, 2009, 11:00AM

Mitt Romney's political organization, the Free and Strong America PAC, is offering supporters a new chance to take an expenses-paid trip to Boston and join Mitt himself in his family's seats at Fenway Park for a Red Sox Game. But first there are two important questions: What does a free and strong America mean to you? And can you donate 50 bucks for the cause?

Here's Mitt's pitch of the contest:

Anyone can enter the contest by writing a 250-words or less essay giving their own personal answer to that question -- and by donating $50 to the Free and Strong America PAC. The author of the best essay will get to go to Boston with a guest, while the other top-five essays will be featured on the site, and the authors will receive baseballs personally autographed by Mitt himself.

The national Democratic and Republican Congressional campaign committees have done similar contests, offering trips to Washington to meet with top politicians. But they only required the purchase of a raffle ticket through a donation -- there were no merit-based essay portions.

Pres '12

Poll: No Immediate Republican Frontrunner For 2012

Eric Kleefeld | June 2, 2009, 4:11PM

A new CNN poll finds that there is no immediate frontrunner for the Republican nomination in 2012. Here are the numbers, with a ±4.5% margin of error among GOP respondents:

Mike Huckabee 22%
Sarah Palin 21%
Mitt Romney 21%
Newt Gingrich 13%
Jeb Bush 6%
Someone else (volunteered answer) 10%

At this point there really doesn't need to be an immediate Republican frontrunner. It's even quite plausible that the lack of a current leading candidate could have its own mix of pluses and minuses.

Mitt Romney

Romney: Sotomayor Nomination "Is Troubling"

Eric Kleefeld | May 26, 2009, 12:45PM

Mitt Romney released this statement on the Sotomayor nomination, with strong words of criticism from a likely 2012 Republican candidate for president:

The nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court is troubling. Her public statements make it clear she has an expansive view of the role of the judiciary. Historically, the Court is where judges interpret the Constitution and apply the law. It should never be the place "where policy is made," as Judge Sotomayor has said. Like any nominee, she deserves a fair and thorough hearing. What the American public deserves is a judge who will put the law above her own personal political philosophy.

Barack Obama

Poll: Obama Leads Big GOP Names For 2012

Eric Kleefeld | May 21, 2009, 1:28PM

A new national survey from Public Policy Polling (D) finds President Obama leading several potential 2012 opponents by substantial margins.

The numbers: Obama leads Newt Gingrich 53%-36%; he's ahead of Mike Huckabee 52%-39%; he leads Sarah Palin 56%-37%; and he beats Mitt Romney 53%-35%.

Obama's approval rating is 55% in this poll, to a disapproval of 38%. By contrast, Gingrich's favorable rating is only 30% against 47% unfavorable; Huckabee's is 44%-32%; Palin's is 42%-50%; and Romney's rating is 40%-36%.

Of course, it's only May 2009, and Iowa Republicans presumably won't be voting until January 2012. So take this all with a heap of salt.

Arlen Specter

TPMDC Sunday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | May 3, 2009, 1:01PM

Specter: "I'm Becoming Much More Comfortable With The Democrats' Approach"
During his appearance today on CBS' Face The Nation, Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) said that besides just the tough Republican primary he was facing, there was genuine principle at work in his party switch. "Frankly, I was disappointed that the Republican Party didn't want me as their candidate," said Specter. "But as a matter of principle, I'm becoming much more comfortable with the Democrats' approach."

GOP Sen. Hatch: Obama Using "Code Words" For Wanting Activist Judge
Appearing on ABC's This Week, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) accused President Obama of using code words for the type of Supreme Court Justice he will seek. "He's also said that a judge has to be a person of empathy -- what does that mean? Usually that's a code word for an activist judge," said Hatch. "But he also said that, that, he's going to select judges on the basis of their personal politics, their personal feelings, their personal preferences. Now, you know those are all code words for an activist judge who's going to be partisan on the bench."

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Barack Obama

Poll: Obama Ahead Of Gingrich, Huckabee, Palin And Romney In 2012 Matchups

Eric Kleefeld | April 23, 2009, 11:35AM

A new national survey from Public Policy Polling (D), already looking forward to 2012, shows President Obama ahead of four potential Republican opponents.

Obama leads Newt Gingrich 52%-39%; he's ahead of Mike Huckabee 49%-42%; he beats Sarah Palin 53%-41%; and he leads Mitt Romney 50%-39%.

"Barack Obama might not have the same overwhelming approval rating he did in the earlier days of his administration," PPP president Dean Debnam said in the polling memo. "But he's certainly still more popular than any of the major Republican figures in the country."

Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | March 20, 2009, 9:02AM

Obama Reaches Out To Iran In New Video
President Obama has posted this new video, reaching out to the people of Iran in celebration of Nowruz, the Iranian New Year:

"So on the occasion of your New Year, I want you, the people and leaders of Iran, to understand the future that we seek," Obama says. "It's a future with renewed exchanges among our people, and greater opportunities for partnership and commerce. It's a future where the old divisions are overcome, where you and all of your neighbors and the wider world can live in greater security and greater peace."

Obama's Day Ahead: Discussing Stimulus With Top State And Local Officials
President Obama and Vice President Biden are speaking at 12:35 p.m. ET today to representatives from the National Conference of State Legislatures, about oversight and transparency in the implementation of the stimulus program. At 2:15 p.m., Obama will be meeting with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ed Rendell and Mike Bloomberg. At 2:45 p.m. ET, the President and First Lady will attend a reception of the National Newspaper Publisher Association, where they will be presented a Newsmaker of the Year award.

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Mitt Romney

CPAC Straw Poll: It's A Wide-Open Race

Eric Kleefeld | February 28, 2009, 6:15PM

The CPAC straw poll results are in showing that there is no clear favorite among the assembled conservative activists for the 2012 Republican nomination:

Mitt Romney 20%
Bobby Jindal 14%
Ron Paul 13%
Sarah Palin 13%
Newt Gingrich 10%
Mike Huckabee 7%
Mark Sanford 4%
Rudy Giuliani 3%
Tim Pawlenty 2%
Charlie Crist 1%
Undecided 9%

A lot of news outlets are reporting this as a Romney win, but that doesn't seem all that accurate for a 20% plurality in a field this large. The bottom line is that there are a whole bunch of possible candidates who could pick up support, and the field still has a lot of time to really form.

It's a wide-open field with no clear favorite -- and it doesn't really have to be anything other than that, at this very early point in the game.

Barack Obama

TPMDC Saturday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | February 28, 2009, 12:53PM

Obama's Weekly Address: Budget Keeps Promise Of "Sweeping Change"
In this weekend's YouTube address, President Obama declares that with his new budget he is keeping the promises he made during the campaign on issues such as the tax code, education, energy policy and other issues -- and that he expects a fight in Washington to get it passed:

"The system we have now might work for the powerful and well-connected interests that have run Washington for far too long, but I don't. I work for the American people," says Obama. "I didn't come here to do the same thing we've been doing or to take small steps forward, I came to provide the sweeping change that this country demanded when it went to the polls in November."

GOP Response: Senator Burr Blasts Deficit Spending
In this weekend's Republican response, Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) -- who voted for the Bush tax cuts and expansions in entitlement spending -- denounces the deficit spending being conducted under President Obama:

"Looking at the spending priorities of Democrats in Washington in the proposed budget and over the past month, it's hard to escape the reality that for the first time we could see the American Dream vanish," says Burr. "Now, instead of working hard so our children can have a better life tomorrow, we are asking our children to work hard so that we don't have to make tough choices today."

CPAC Honoring Limbaugh
The 2009 Conservative Political Action Conference third and final day is today, featuring such speakers as Rick Santorum, Tim Pawlenty, Phyllis Schlafly, Bill Bennett, Ann Coulter, David Horowitz and others. The crowning moment will come at 5:30 p.m. ET, when the "Defender of the Constitution Award" is presented to Rush Limbaugh.

No Obama Or Biden Events
President Obama and Vice President Biden do not have any public events scheduled for today.

Pawlenty: GOP Must Reach Out To 'Sam's Club Voters'
During his speech at CPAC, Minnesota Governor and possible presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty made the case that the Republican Party has to reach out to working-class "Sam's Club Voters." Pawlenty declared that the GOP must speak "with a feel and concern and tone and an understanding of the importance and the challenges of the working class of this country," also adding: "And it doesn't mean we have to sacrifice our principles to do it."

Romney: Bush Should Done A Stimulus; GOP Needs A Spokesperson
In an interview with the Politico, Mitt Romney criticized George W. Bush for failing to propose his own stimulus plan last fall, "so that in September, October, November, December, there would have been a stimulus plan," rather than the one eventually passed by President Obama. Romney also got to the bottom of the problem now facing the GOP: "What's challenging about being in the minority is we don't have a spokesperson for our position who lays out a plan."

Labor Unions Aiming For Reconciliation, New Federation
The Associated Press reports that the top labor unions are negotiating to re-forum under a single new federation, four years after several AFL-CIO member unions broke away to form Change to Win. "There's obvious benefits in terms of efficiency, message delivery, financial savings and a host of other reasons," said former House Dem Whip David Bonior, who has been brokering the discussions. "You can always be more effective if you're talking in one house as opposed to three."

Bunning Denies Story About Threatened Resignation
Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY) is denying reports that he threatened at a Washington fundraiser to resign his seat -- and thus let the Democratic governor appoint his replacement -- if Republican leaders keep trying to pressure him into retirement. "It's not true," he told Roll Call in a statement. "I intend to fulfill my obligation to the people of Kentucky. If you are going to write something like this, you'd better make your sources known because they are lying."

Republicans

Mitt Romney on Obama

Matthew Cooper | February 27, 2009, 3:28PM

Your reporter tried to get a little private time with the former Massachusetts Governor but the throng around Mitt Romney was such that we wound up piggy backing on the interview of Salena Zito of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Here it is:

Pres '12

Poll: GOP Field For 2012 Wide Open, Palin Has Small Lead

Eric Kleefeld | February 27, 2009, 1:33PM

A newly-released CNN poll, conducted just over a week ago, asked Republicans their choice for the 2012 nomination: Sarah Palin 29%, Mike Huckabee 26%, Mitt Romney 21%, Bobby Jindal 9%, Someone Else 10%. The margin of error is ±4.5%.

Bear in mind this poll as done before this week's address to Congress by President Obama -- and thus before Jindal's response speech.

So who knows what impact the speech has had on Jindal's numbers. It raised his name recognition, certainly -- but it wasn't exactly a good speech, and he's been ridiculed on all the late-night comedy shows. That, and it obviously predates today's news that he completely lied during his speech about his experiences in Hurricane Katrina.

Then again, Rush Limbaugh has been rallying the Republican base against the liberal media's ganging up on Jindal, and also against the Republicans who have joined in.

Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | February 5, 2009, 9:01AM

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama is speaking at 9 a.m. at the National Prayer Breakfast. At 11 a.m. he will sign an executive order establishing the President's Advisory Council on Faith, which will revamp the former Bush Administration's faith-based initiatives. At 12 p.m. he will speak at the Department of Energy. At 3 p.m. he and Joe Biden are meeting with Tim Geithner, and at 3:45 p.m. Obama and Biden will meet with Hillary Clinton. At 8 p.m. ET he will speak to the House Democrats' Issues Conference.

Biden Meeting With O'Malley, Cardin And LaHood
Joe Biden is holding a public event at 10 a.m. with Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley and Senator Ben Cardin, plus Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, to discuss the need for greater investments in infrastructure.

Today: Minnesota Supremes Hearing Case For Franken Certification
The Minnesota Supreme Court will be hearing arguments in a very important lawsuit at 10 a.m. ET this morning: The Franken campaign's case that he is entitled to a certificate of election, while Norm Coleman continues to dispute the election result in court. Franken's attorneys believe they have found a state statute that requires a certification, as opposed to the conventional wisdom that one can't be issued until the court case is over, and also argue that he is also entitled to his Senate seat under the federal Constitution.

Gregg: We Need To Work Together On Economic Measures I've Recused Myself From
In his interview with CNBC yesterday, Judd Gregg called for bipartisanship as Washington works to improve the economy: "I think it's necessary we work together." Note: Gregg has recused himself from voting on the stimulus package while his nomination for Secretary of Commerce is pending, which in terms of parliamentary procedure is the same as if he were voting No on every cloture motion.

Poll: Dems Start Out Ahead In Wide-Open 2010 Ohio Senate Race
A new Quinnipiac poll shows Republican former Congressman Rob Portman trailing two potential Democratic candidates in the 2010 Ohio Senate race, which is an open GOP-held seat. The undecideds remain rather high, though: Portman trails Democratic Lt. Governor Lee Fisher by a 42%-27% margin, and Portman trails Dem Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner by 38%-28%.

Mitt To Headline GOP Dinner
The Hill reports that Mitt Romney will be headlining the National Republican Senatorial Committee's annual fundraising dinner, keeping his name and political presence out there for any potential 2012 presidential candidacy. The dinner is scheduled for April 1.

Iowa's David Yepsen Leaving Journalism
David Yepsen, the long-time top political columnist in Iowa, is leaving the Des Moines Register to become director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute in Southern Illinois. Yepsen has been a major presence in the coverage of past Iowa caucuses, and his departure is a sign of just how much the political journalism field is now changing.

AP Makes Copyright Infringement Claim On Obama "Hope" Poster
The Associated Press is claiming copyright infringement on the iconic "Hope" poster of Barack Obama, which appears to have been modeled after a photo of Obama from 2006. The AP wants credit and compensation for the use of the photo, while poster creator Shepard Fairey believes he is protected by fair use, and his attorney is in discussions with the AP.