Health Care

Nevada Robocall Thanks Reid For Including Public Option In Senate Health Care Bill

Brian Beutler | November 20, 2009, 8:35AM

The Progressive Change Campaign Committee will sponsor a robocall in Nevada, thanking Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid for including a public option in the Senate health care bill.

Here's the script:

"Hi, I'm Lee Slaughter. For nearly 20 years, I've taken care of patients who need critical care here in Nevada. I've seen private insurance companies cut off medical care for so many of my patients.

That's why I'm very thankful that Senator Harry Reid has included a public health insurance option in his health care bill. He shocked the political world by being so bold on this issue.

If you want to join me in thanking Senator Reid, and letting him know that we'll stand with him as long as he keeps fighting for a public option, please press one on your keypad.

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Roundup

TPMDC Saturday Roundup

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

Obama: Fort Hood Shooting Will Be Fully Reviewed
In this weekend's YouTube address, President Obama said there will be a full investigation of the shooting at Fort Hood, and whether better steps could have been taken to prevent it:

"The purpose of this review is clear: We must compile every piece of information that was known about the gunman, and we must learn what was done with that information," said Obama. "Once we have those facts, we must act upon them. If there was a failure to take appropriate action before the shootings, there must be accountability. Beyond that - and most importantly - we must quickly and thoroughly evaluate and address any flaws in the system, so that we can prevent a similar breach from happening again. Our government must be able to act swiftly and surely when it has threatening information. And our troops must have the security that they deserve."

Kirk: Dem Health Care Bill Would Make Top Taxes Worse Than France
This weekend's Republican address is by Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL), a candidate for President Obama's former Senate seat in 2010. Kirk attacks the Democrats on health care -- and even says it would make some Americans worse off than if they were in France:

"The Pelosi health care bill has no significant lawsuit reforms and does not guarantee your medical rights from government waiting lines or restrictions," said Kirk. "In the teeth of the Great Recession, the Pelosi bill would impose ten new taxes on the American economy. The top combined tax rate for my state of Illinois would be four percentage points higher than France."

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Roundup

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | October 16, 2009, 9:00AM

Obama Teaming Up With Bush 41, Promoting Volunteerism
President Obama is teaming up today with former President George H.W. Bush, to promote the cause of community service at Texas A&M University. The event at the conservative school will also be protested by the college chapter of the Young Conservatives of Texas. "I actually did get an invitation," said chapter chairman Justin Pullman, age 19, "but I had to decline due to our protest."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will depart from San Francisco at 12:35 p.m. ET, arriving in Houston at 3:55 p.m. ET. He will attend a Point of Light Forum at Texas A&M University, at 5:50 p.m. ET, hosted by former President George H.W. Bush. He will depart from Houston at 8:25 p.m. ET, arriving back at the White House at 11:15 p.m. ET.

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Harry Reid

Reid Already Going On The Air For 2010 Senate Race

Eric Kleefeld | October 15, 2009, 6:25PM

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) is already going on the air in his 2010 re-election fight -- for which current polls show him trailing two different GOP candidates -- with a new pair of ads set to begin airing tomorrow.

Both ads are a full one minute long each, with Reid re-introducing himself to Nevada voters as a self-made man who worked his way up from nothing, faced down long odds (and corrupt, murderous mobsters), and is working hard for Nevada's local interests:

A second ad can be viewed after the jump.

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NV-SEN

RNC Attacks Reid Fundraiser With Biden In New Nevada Radio Ad

Eric Kleefeld | October 15, 2009, 11:23AM

The Republican National Committee is keeping up their push to defeat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) in 2010, with the RNC launching a new radio ad in the Reno media market to attack Reid's upcoming fundraiser tomorrow with Vice President Joe Biden.

The announcer attacks Reid for holding a high-dollar fundraiser, while unemployment is going up in Nevada: "Are you invited? To the fundraiser for Senator Harry Reid. For only $4800 a couple, you get breakfast with the good Senator and his friend Vice President Joe Biden. Must be a good menu."

Click To Play

Jimmy Carter

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | September 16, 2009, 9:01AM

Carter: Wilson's Outburst and Tea Parties "Based On Racism"
Former President Jimmy Carter has accused Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), as well as Tea Party activists opposed to President Obama, of being motivated by racism. "I think it's based on racism," Carter said. "There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will meet one on one with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper at 10:45 a.m. ET, with an expanded meeting at 11 a.m. ET. At 1 p.m. ET, Obama and the First Lady will host an event with the White House Office on Olympics, Paralympics and Youth Sport, to promote Chicago's bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics. Obama will meet with Gen. Colin Powell at 2 p.m. ET, and with Sec. of Defense Robert Gates at 4:30 p.m. ET. Finally, Obama will deliver remarks at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute's 32nd Annual Awards Gala, at 8:10 p.m. ET.

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Health Care

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | August 24, 2009, 9:02AM

Roll Call: Hope For Bipartisanship Lingers, But Reconciliation Talk Increases
Roll Call says that while Senators are holding out hope for a bipartisan deal on health care, the talk of using budget reconciliation to produce a Democrats-only bill is rising: "With bipartisan talks yielding no results, Democrats have urged President Barack Obama to abandon efforts to win Republican support and instead push a bill through on party-line votes."

Obama On Vacation
President Obama and his family are spending the week at Martha's Vineyard, and do not have ay public events scheduled. Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton said Obama is hoping for a quiet time: "He wants you to relax and have a good time. Take some walks on the beaches. Nobody's looking to make any news."

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Harry Reid

Reid's Office Strongly Denies Making Any Deals With GOP Congressman Over Senate Race

Eric Kleefeld | August 13, 2009, 2:04PM

Harry Reid's office is quickly moving to quash a rumor that got floated in the Nevada press.

The Las Vegas Sun's report on GOP Rep. Dean Heller's (R) decision to not run for Senate -- which mainly focused on wanting to avoid being associated with Sen. John Ensign -- also contained this line: "A Republican operative, granted anonymity to speak freely, speculated that Reid assured Heller that he would not stand in the way of a 2012 run and would even tacitly help him by directing his fundraising network toward Heller."

Reid's campaign manager Brandon Hall shot that down to the Sun that any deal had been made regarding Ensign's Senate seat: "It's a ridiculous claim. Dean Heller made the decision on his own. You'd have to ask him what led to that decision."

In an e-mail to TPM, Reid spokesman Jim Manley was even clearer "The key word is 'speculated,'" Manley wrote. "As we made clear in the story, that theory is absolutely ridiculous. It didn't happen. Period."

Harry Reid

Report: Top Nevada Republican Dean Heller Won't Run Against Reid

Eric Kleefeld | August 11, 2009, 2:46PM

Rep. Dean Heller (R-NV) has reportedly decided that he will not run for Senate in 2010 against Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, depriving the Republicans of what would have been a top recruit.

Polls have shown Reid with weak popularity ratings, but at the same time he's built up an impressive war chest, and the Republicans simply haven't been able to attract a solid candidate.

A group of Republicans have released a poll showing Reid losing to state GOP chairwoman Sue Lowden, but this does seem a bit suspicious -- it's part of a draft effort to get Lowden to actually become a candidate.

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."

John Ensign

Did Reid Urge Ensign To Keep His Senate Seat?

Rachel Slajda | July 14, 2009, 12:39PM

A little more on yesterday's Las Vegas Sun report on Ensign's intent to run for re-election in 2012. This part of the story caught our eye:

When asked Monday whether he had any thoughts about stepping down, Ensign said his supporters are sending one message: "They say, 'Don't.' "

... [Ensign said] his support is coming from his fellow senators as well as those "on both sides" of Senate leadership.

Ensign said his supporters are telling him, "Keep your head up. This thing will pass."

We were curious about this alleged support from Senate leadership, so we asked Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) whether he's urged Ensign to keep his Senate seat.

"These are the kinds of personal decisions that Senator Ensign will have to make," said Reid's spokesman, Jim Manley.

John Ensign

Ensign Says He'll Seek Re-Election

Rachel Slajda | July 14, 2009, 10:01AM

Despite admitting to having an affair and having his parents pay off his mistress, Sen. John Ensign (R-NV) yesterday said he plans to stay in office -- and run for re-election in 2012.

Ensign told the Las Vegas Sun he's been getting emails and phone calls from supporters urging him to stay put. Those supporters, he said, include senators on both sides of Senate leadership.

"I fully plan on running for reelection," Ensign said. "I'm going to work to earn their respect back."

He quoted his supporters as saying, "Keep your head up. This thing will pass."

Harry Reid

Ensign Still More Popular Than Reid?

Eric Kleefeld | June 22, 2009, 1:25PM

Here's an interesting number from the new Mason-Dixon poll of Nevada, which showed that Sen. John Ensign's (R-NV) favorable rating has fallen to a paltry 39% in the wake of the news about this affair: He's still more popular than Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

As it turns out, Reid's own favorable rating is only 34%. And of course, nothing has happened recently to call Reid's personal life into question. And the polls are much more important for Reid, because he's up for re-election in 2010.

The interesting thing is that while Reid has consistently lousy ratings back home, he currently has the advantage of not having any real opponent. The Nevada GOP has been battered in recent elections, and no Republican has stepped up to the plate to challenge him -- for example, former Rep. Jon Porter, who was defeated in 2008, recently took himself out of the running. And Reid has millions of dollars in the bank, as well, which can both ward off opponents and of course overpower anyone who does emerge.

Sonia Sotomayor

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | May 27, 2009, 8:59AM

Liberal Group Launches Pro-Sotomayor Ad
A new group called the Coalition for Constitutional Values, a joint venture of the the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, Alliance for Justice and People for the American Way, is going up on the air today with this new six-figure ad buy on national network news and cable news to promote Sonia Sotomayor:

The ad uses on-screen text to go into Sotomayor's background and rise from humble roots, while using audio of President Obama from a few weeks ago, discussing what he would seek in a Justice: "Someone who understands that justice isn't about some abstract legal theory -- it is also about how our laws affect the daily realities of peoples' lives."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will be touring the solar photovoltaic array at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, accompanied by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, at 2 p.m. ET. He will deliver remarks on the progress made in the first 100 days of the stimulus act, at 2:40 p.m. ET. He will depart from Vegas for Los Angeles at 3:30 p.m. ET, and will attend a DNC fundraiser at 10:05 p.m. ET at the Beverly Hills Hilton.

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Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | May 26, 2009, 9:01AM

Obama To Nominate Sotomayor For SCOTUS
President Obama will announce at 10:15 a.m. ET this morning that he is nominating Judge Sonia Sotomayor of New York for the Supreme Court. Sotomayor, age 54, has been one of the top names mentioned in the media since the news first broke of Justice David Souter's retirement. She would be the first Hispanic Justice, and the third woman to serve on the court.

Obama's Day Ahead: Raising Money For Harry Reid
President Obama will be having his regular meetings with advisers today in the Oval Office. At 10:15 a.m. ET he will announce the Sotomayor nomination for the Supreme Court. Then in the afternoon he will depart from the White House for Las Vegas, Nevada. He will arrive in Las Vegas at 8:50 p.m. ET, and at 10:55 p.m. ET he will attend a fundraiser for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, at Caesar's Palace.

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NV-SEN

Poll: Reid Has Weak Approval, Re-Elect Numbers In Nevada

Eric Kleefeld | May 19, 2009, 11:15AM

A new Mason-Dixon poll shows Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid with some very weak numbers in his home state of Nevada.

Only 38% of Nevadans have a favorable opinion of Reid, with a 50% unfavorable number. For his 2010 campaign, only 35% would vote to re-elect him, 17% would consider voting for a challenger, and 45% would definitely vote to replace him.

That said, Reid has reason for optimism: The Nevada GOP is very weak right now, and they don't have a suitable challenger as of this writing. He also has a lot of money saved up, and a lot can happen over the next year and a half.

In an e-mail to TPM, Reid spokesman Jim Manley brushed off the poll:

"Sen. Reid has never put a lot of weight in polls. And polls by the Review-Journal are consistently out of line with other polls. The primary number he's worried about is Nevada's 10.4% unemployment rate and that's why he's focused on fixing the economy and creating jobs in Nevada. Polling numbers move up and down, the only poll that really matters is on Election Day, which is 18 months from now. In the meantime he will continue talking to Nevadans everyday and working on solutions to help Nevadans who have been hit hard by these tough economic times."

Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | April 17, 2009, 9:00AM

WaPo: Banks Seek To Pay Back TARP -- But Are Taking Other Government Money
The Washington Post reports that J.P. Morgan and other major banks are seeking to repay TARP money, which CEO Jamie Dimon called a "scarlet letter." On the other hand, the company is seeking to repay TARP money while still benefiting from other federal programs, which have in fact paid out even more money. Says the Post: "Other large banks are attempting the same combination of breakup and embrace."

Obama At The Summit Of The Americas
President Obama is in Trinidad today, attending this weekend's Summit of the Americas. The gathering of Western Hemisphere leaders will address such issues as the drug war, global warming, and the economy. And as the Associated Press points out, the biggest job Obama will have will be to just improve relations with America's neighbors, after the tumult of the Bush years.

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Barack Obama

TPMDC Saturday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | January 31, 2009, 1:01PM

Obama: Administration Will Increase Credit Availability
In his newest YouTube address, President Obama announced that his administration will soon be rolling out a new set of policies for the financial system to ensure that credit finds its way to businesses and families, though no specific details have been announced just yet:

"We'll help lower mortgage costs and extend loans to small businesses so they can create jobs," said Obama. "We'll ensure that CEOs are not draining funds that should be advancing our recovery. And we will insist on unprecedented transparency, rigorous oversight, and clear accountability -- so taxpayers know how their money is being spent and whether it is achieving results."

No Obama Or Biden Events Today
President Obama and Vice President Biden do not have any public events scheduled for today. (Late Update: It should be noted that President Obama is speaking to the Alfalfa Dinner in Washington tonight, but this event is not public -- it is closed press.)

Steele Speaks to House GOP, Praises Vote Against Stimulus
Michael Steele addressed the House Republican Retreat today, his first interaction with the Congressional GOP since he was election RNC chairman yesterday. Steele praised the caucus for voting against the economic stimulus package: "I thought it was very important to send a signal, and you sent it loudly, very clearly, that this party, the leadership of this caucus, would stand first and foremost with the American people. You made it very clear that in order to grow through this recession that you not redistribute the wealth of the people of this nation."

Daschle Nomination Runs Into Tax Problem
Tom Daschle has now filed an amended tax return in order to pay $128,000 in back taxes, plus $12,000 in penalties, for his failure to properly pay taxes relating mostly to his work for the equity firm InterMedia Partners. Daschle is still expected to be confirmed as Secretary of Health and Human Services, making him the second Obama cabinet officer after Tim Geithner to be tripped up by the tax code.

ABC: Gregg Could Be Picked For Commerce On Monday
ABC News reports that Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) is now the leading candidate for Secretary of Commerce, and could be announced as early as this Monday. If Gregg does end up joining the Obama Administration, this could potentially give the Democrats the 60th Senate seat -- New Hampshire has a Democratic governor who would make an appointment, and in Minnesota it still looks like Al Franken is the most likely winner of their disputed election.

Reid Staffer Detailed To Work For Burris
Harry Reid's office has announced that staffer Darrel Thompson will now be working on detail for Roland Burris, serving temporarily as the appointed Illinois Senator's chief of staff. Thompson served as chief of staff for Barack Obama's Senate campaign in 2004, and will now be helping Burris get his own office up and running while still holding his position as a top Reid adviser.

SEIU Rolls Out Pro-Reid Ad In Nevada
SEIU has announced that they are now running this ad in Nevada on statewide cable TV, praising the work of Harry Reid as Senate Majority Leader:

This ad comes after the National Republican Senatorial Committee began their own ad campaign against Reid, targeting the Democratic leader as he goes into his 2010 re-election campaign.

Senate '10

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | January 28, 2009, 9:03AM

National GOP Targeting Reid -- And Bailouts -- With New Ad
The National Republican Senatorial Committee is running its first ad of the 2010 cycle -- against Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, in the Reno media market. The ad also cements the GOP's new message as the anti-bailout and anti-stimulus party, as opposed to the leadership's pro-bailout policies last Fall:

The GOP successfully took out the previous Senate Democratic leader, Tom Daschle, back in 2004. The Dems made a similar play against Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell in 2008, but only managed to keep him to a 53%-47% win.

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama is holding a series of meetings this morning, receiving his regular daily briefing, an economic briefing, conferring with senior advisers, and meeting with business leaders. At 11:15 a.m. he will be speaking on the economy after his meeting with business leaders. At 3:30 p.m. he will be meeting with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.

Minnesota Trial Keeps Going
Today is the third day of the Minnesota election-contest trial, scheduled to reconvene at 10 a.m. ET. Norm Coleman's legal team is expected to continue their argument that Coleman voters have been unfairly disenfranchised compared to Franken voters, due to election officials in GOP areas being more strict on the matter of improperly-rejected absentee ballots.

House Voting Today On Stimulus
The House of Representatives will be voting some time later today on an $825 billion stimulus package. Democrats are expected to vote overwhelmingly for the mix of public spending and tax cuts, while the Republican leadership has signaled their opposition.

Illinois Senate Hears Blago Tapes
The Illinois state Senate yesterday got to hear Rod Blagojevich's own voice on the FBI wiretaps, in a trial that Blago himself is boycotting as unfair. "It sounds like a couple of organized crime figures out preparing to break some kneecaps," said GOP state Senator Dan Cronin. "It's just horrible. It's nauseating. It's sickening."

WaPo: RNC Race A GOP Referendum On Bush
The Washington Post reports that much of the opposition to RNC chairman Mike Duncan, who faced five different opponents, has come down to conservative resentments against the man who picked Duncan: Then-President George W. Bush. "Most of us strongly supported the Bush administration through the entire two terms," said RNC member Curly Haugland of North Dakota, "but in the last few months, this bailout and the abandonment of capitalism really kind of sealed it."

Bunning: Yes, I Am Running Again
Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) is firing back at Republicans who are spreading the idea that he hasn't been working on his re-election campaign -- such as his own co-Senator Mitch McConnell. "He either had a lapse of memory or something when speaking to the Press Club last week when he said that he didn't know what my intentions were," said Bunning.

Jill Biden Starts New Teaching Job In D.C. Area
Jill Biden began her new job yesterday at Northern Virginia Community College, as an adjunct professor teaching two English courses. "A lot of them either didn't know that she is the wife of the vice president, or act any differently," said spokeswoman Courtney O'Donnell.