Roundup

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | November 20, 2009, 9:00AM

Tomorrow's Cloture Vote Could Predict Bill's Success (Or Failure)
Roll Call reports that tomorrow's vote on cloture to proceed to debate on the health care bill could indeed be very crucial, and not simply a procedural motion. A Congressional Research Service report, requested by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK), shows that on the 41 bills where such a vote has been held since 1999, the Senate ultimately passed the underlying bill in 40 of those occasions.

No Obama Events Today
President Obama does not have any scheduled public events today.

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Roundup

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | November 11, 2009, 9:02AM

Poll: Public Opposes Afghanistan Surge, Split On Obama's Decision-Making
A new CNN poll finds that only 40% of Americans favor the war in Afghanistan, with 58% opposing it. American also do not support sending more troops to Afghanistan, by a 42%-56% margin. The public is split on President Obama's decision-making process with 49% saying he is taking too long, and 50% who disagree.

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama and the First Lady will host a Veterans Day breakfast, at 9:05 a.m. ET in the White House. At 11 a.m. ET, he will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns, and will deliver remarks at 11:25 a.m. ET. He will meet at 2:30 p.m. ET with his national security team on Afghanistan and Pakistan.

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Roundup

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | October 22, 2009, 8:56AM

Treasury To Order Steep Pay Cuts At Bailed-Out Firms
The Treasury Department is expected to order bailed-out financial firms to cut their compensation packages for their top executives -- with a 90% slash to base salaries, and a 50% cut to total compensation. Elizabeth Warren, the head of the TARP oversight committee, confirmed the reports: "It's real in the sense that it says,Guys, you have to understand that you can't party on like it's 2007. If you're going to take taxpayer dollars, then the game has to change. In that sense it's real."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will hold a videoconference at 10 a.m. with Lt. General Karl Eikenberry, U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan. He will meet for lunch at 12:30 p.m. ET with Speaker Nancy Pelosi. At 2:15 p.m. ET, he will sign the Veterans Health Care Budget Reform and Transparency Act. He will meet at 3:15 p.m. ET with Secretary of the Treasury Tim Geithner, and at 3:45 p.m. ET with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

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Roundup

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | October 20, 2009, 9:01AM

Gates: Don't Wait For Afghanistan Election To Be Resolved
Speaking to reporters yesterday, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said that the United States should not wait for the Afghanistan election to be resolved before deciding on a strategy for the country -- putting him at odds with top White House officials. "We're not just going to sit on our hands, waiting for the outcome of this election and for the emergence of a government in Kabul," said Gates, also adding: "The outcome of the elections and the problems with the elections have complicated the situation for us. But the reality is, it's not going to be complicated one day and simple the next."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will meet at 10:40 a.m. ET with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. At 11:50 a.m. ET, he will honor recipients of the Presidential Unit Citation, honoring the 11th Armored Combat Regiment of the U.S. Army for service in the Vietnam War. Obama will meet at 1:10 p.m. ET with senior advisers, and depart the White House at 2:20 p.m. ET, arriving in New York City at 3:30 p.m. ET. Obama will tour the Joint Terrorism Task Force Headquarters at 4:15 p.m. ET, and deliver remarks to staff members at 4:30 p.m. ET. He will attend a 7:10 p.m. ET fundraiser for Bill Owens, the Democratic candidate in the NY-23 special election, and deliver remarks at 8:10 p.m. ET at a DNC fundraiser. He will depart from New York at 9:50 p.m. ET, arriving back at the White House at 10:55 p.m. ET.

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Roundup

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | October 13, 2009, 8:59AM

Senate Finance Committee To Vote On Health Care Bill
The Senate Finance Committee is expected to vote today on the Baucus health care bill. Democrats hold a 13-10 majority on the committee, so approval is widely expected -- though questions remain as to whether any Dems will vote against it from the left, or whether Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe might vote yes.

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will meet at 11:25 a.m. ET with Vice President Biden. He will meet at 12:15 p.m. ET with President Zapatero of Spain, and the two of them will make statements to the press at 1:05 p.m. ET. He will meet at 2:10 p.m. with Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN). Obama and Biden will meet at 4:35 p.m. ET with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. At 7:15 p.m. ET, the Obamas and Bidens will attend a performance on the South Lawn, "Fiesta Latina."

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Afghanistan

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | October 6, 2009, 9:04AM

Gates: "We're Not Leaving Afghanistan"
In an interview with CNN, held jointly with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates bluntly declared that "we're not leaving Afghanistan." He explained: "There should be no uncertainly in terms of our determination to remain in Afghanistan and to continue to build a relationship of partnership ... with the Pakistanis."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will meet with the National Counterterrorism Center leadership at 11:10 a.m. ET, and will deliver remarks to NCTC staff members at 11:40 a.m. ET. Obama and Vice President will meet with the Congressional leadership and the chairs and ranking members of the relevant committees to discuss Afghanistan and Pakistan.

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Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | September 29, 2009, 8:58AM

U.S. Plans To Isolate Iran If Nuclear Talks Fail
The Washington Post reports that the Obama administration is preparing to further cut Iran's economic links with the rest of the world: "While officials stress that they hope Iran will agree to open its nuclear program to inspection, they are prepared by year's end to make it increasingly difficult for Iranian companies to ship goods around the world. The administration is targeting, in particular, the insurance and reinsurance companies that underwrite the risk of such transactions."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama and Vice President Biden will meet at 11:30 a.m. ET with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. Obama and Vice President Biden will meet at 4:30 p.m. ET with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.

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Barack Obama

TPMDC Sunday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | September 27, 2009, 1:05PM

Obama: World Leaders Don't Understand The American Right's Hitler References
President Obama spoke last night to the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's annual dinner, and he discussed an amusing moment with an unnamed world leader at the G-20: "One of the leaders -- I won't mention who it was -- he comes up to me. We take the picture, we go behind. He says, 'Barack, explain to me this health care debate.' He says, 'We don't understand it. You're trying to make sure everybody has health care and they're putting a Hitler mustache on you -- I don't -- that doesn't make sense to me. Explain that to me.'"

Bill Clinton: Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy Not As Strong, "But It's As Virulent As It Was" In the 1990's
Appearing on Meet The Press, former President Bill Clinton said that the "vast right-wing conspiracy" of the 1990's is still there: "It's not as strong as it was, because America's changed demographically, but it's as virulent as it was. I mean, they're saying things about him--you know, it's like when they accused me of murder and all that stuff they did. He--but it's not really good for the Republicans and the country, what's going on now. I mean, they may be hurting President Obama. They can take his numbers down, they can run his opposition up. But fundamentally, he and his team have a positive agenda for America. Their agenda seems to be wanting him to fail, and that's not a prescription for a good America."

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Barack Obama

TPMDC Saturday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | September 5, 2009, 1:25PM

Obama Announces New Initiatives For Retirement Savings
In this weekend's YouTube address, President Obama announced a set of new policies to make it easier for workers to invest towards their retirements. Obama tied the importance of this policy into the current economic troubles:

"We have to revive this economy and rebuild it stronger than before," said Obama. "And making sure that folks have the opportunity and incentive to save - for a home or college, for retirement or a rainy day - is essential to that effort. If you work hard and meet your responsibilities, this country is going to honor our collective responsibility to you: to ensure that you can save and secure your retirement."

GOP Address: "No Wonder Americans Are Scared"
In this weekend's Republican address, Rep. John Kline (R-MN) called for "hitting the rest button on health care reform," and warned against the dire consequences of the current Democratic proposals:

"No wonder Americans are scared," said Kline. "Health care reform is being imposed upon them, rather than developed with them, and the potential costs are far too high. And sadly - monetary costs are only part of the picture. Many are concerned that Democrats' plans may cost patients the right to see their family doctor or have any input into a life-altering - if not life-saving medical treatment."

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Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | September 4, 2009, 8:59AM

Axelrod: Obama To Lay Out Health Care Specifics
The Washington Post reports that President Obama will use next week's speech to Congress on health care to deliver a detailed policy on health care. "I don't think that there will be any ambiguity about where he thinks we have to go from here," said White House senior adviser David Axelrod.

Biden's Day Ahead
Vice President is spending the day in Washington, receiving the Presidential Daily Briefing and meeting with senior staff. At 12 p.m. Et, he will deliver remarks via satellite to an event in Fremont, California, hosted by Sec. of Energy Steven Chu, where the two of them will make a major funding announcement regarding the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

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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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Supreme Court

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | July 1, 2009, 9:03AM

SCOTUS Moving Rightward Under Roberts
The Washington Post reports that this past Supreme Court session shows the Roberts Court to have moved definitely to the right, through a cautious and incremental -- but definitely conservative -- approach. "One thing I think is going on is that the Chief Justice has a devotion to the institution of the Supreme Court, and not wanting to get it out on a limb in front of public opinion," said Ilya Shapiro of the Cato Institute. "But Roberts is, after all, a conservative." The New York Times says the same thing, pointing to the key role played by Justice Anthony Kennedy as the swing vote.

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will hold an online town hall discussion on health care at 1:15 p.m. ET, hosted at Northern Virginia Community College. At 4:45 p.m. ET, he will sign a bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Women Airforce Service Pilots.

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Defense Spending

Obama Army Secretary Nominee Tussled With Obama, Gates Over Pentagon Budget

Brian Beutler | June 2, 2009, 11:44AM

As Eric Kleefeld reported, President Obama will nominate Rep. John McHugh (R-NY)--ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee--to be the Secretary of the Army later today. If all goes as planned, though, McHugh will be working in a Pentagon he has recently, and dubiously, attacked.

In April, McHugh criticized the administration's Pentagon budget outline, which he inaccurately characterized as a proposed defense spending cut. He suggested, moreover, that Pentagon officials had complained to committee minority that the budget would slash defense spending by $8 billion. That claim couldn't be verified, but Defense Secretary Robert Gates told reporters, basically, that McHugh was fudging.

"Some of these things we have put in the base budget we elected to put into the base budget to send a signal to the troops that these things were going to be a permanent part of the budget, that we weren't going to be dependent on a supplemental," Gates said. "[W]hat you chose to put into the supplemental and so on, is probably how Mr. McHugh gets to his numbers."

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Barack Obama

TPMDC Saturday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | May 30, 2009, 1:04PM

Obama Praises Sotomayor -- And Dismisses Criticism -- In YouTube Address
In this week's Presidential YouTube Address, President Obama discussed his nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court, praising her qualifications -- and rebutting the critics:

"There are, of course, some in Washington who are attempting to draw old battle lines and playing the usual political games, pulling a few comments out of context to paint a distorted picture of Judge Sotomayor's record," said Obama. "But I am confident that these efforts will fail; because Judge Sotomayor's seventeen-year record on the bench - hundreds of judicial decisions that every American can read for him or herself - speak far louder than any attack; her record makes clear that she is fair, unbiased, and dedicated to the rule of law."

RNC Address: Daniels Blasts "Imperialistic" Cap And Trade Proposal
In this weekend's Republican address, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels blasted President Obama and Speaker Nancy Pelosi for supporting cap and trade:

"It's become clear that the Pelosi bill has little to do with a cooler planet and everything to do with raising money for the out-of-control federal spending now underway in Washington," said Daniels. "Please excuse us Midwesterners for feeling a bit like the targets of an imperialistic policy, devised in places like California, New York, and Massachusetts for their benefit, at our expense."

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Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

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

Bush: "The Information We Got Saved Lives"
Former President George W. Bush spoke last night in Michigan, defending the legality of his administration's interrogation methods. "I made the decision, within the law," Bush explained, "to get information so I can say to myself, 'I've done what it takes to do my duty to protect the American people.' I can tell you that the information we got saved lives." He later added that nothing he was saying was meant to criticize his successor: "I wish him all the best."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will be meeting with Vice President Biden at 9:45 a.m. ET, in addition to his regular daily meetings with advisers. He will be speaking on securing the country's cyber-infrastructure, where he is expected to announce the appointment of a new "cyber czar," at 10:55 a.m. ET from the East Room. At 2:30 p.m. ET, he will attend a hurricane preparedness meeting at FEMA Headquarters.

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Guantanamo Bay

TPMDC Sunday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | May 24, 2009, 12:53PM

Mullen: Gitmo Needs To Be Closed
Appearing on ABC's This Week, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen reaffirmed his belief that the prison at Guantanamo Bay should be closed. "The concern I've had about Guantanamo in these wars is it has been a symbol, and one which has been a recruiting symbol for those extremists and jihadists who would fight us. So and I think that centers -- you know, that's the heart of the concern for Guantanamo's continued existence, in which I spoke to a few years ago, the need to close it."

Obama's Day: Camp David
President Obama has been spending the weekend at Camp David, and is scheduled to arrive back at the White House tonight at 10 p.m. ET. He does not have any public events scheduled. Vice President Biden is in Wilmington, Delaware, and also does not have any scheduled public events.

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Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Pentagon: Still No Real Talks With White House About DADT

Brian Beutler | May 20, 2009, 10:24AM

Yesterday, Defense Department spokesman Geoff Morrell offered an update of sorts on the progress of a long-awaited repeal of the Pentagon's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy, which forbids openly gay troops from serving in the military.

"I do not believe there are any plans under way in this building for some expected, but not articulated, anticipation that don't ask-don't tell will be repealed," Morrell said at a press briefing. Pentagon leaders, he said, are "aware of where the president wants to go on this issue, but I don't think that there is any sense of any immediate developments in the offing on efforts to repeal don't ask-don't tell."

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Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | May 18, 2009, 9:00AM

Obama's Day Ahead: Meeting With Netanyahu
President Obama will meet one-on-one with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, at 10:30 ET in the Oval Office. He will hold an expanded meeting with Netanyahu at 11:30 a.m. ET, also in the Oval Office, and the two of them will attend a working lunch at 12:25 p.m. ET.

Bibi To Press Obama On Iran
Going into today's meeting, Netanyahu will press President Obama on the issue of confronting Iran's nuclear ambitions. "There is a sense of urgency on our side," said Israeli National Security Adviser Uzi Arad. There could also be some tension on the two-state solution, which is resisted by many on the Israeli right.

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Defense Spending

Republicans Complain To Gates About Lack Of Transparency, Harbinger Of Budget Fight Ahead

Brian Beutler | May 15, 2009, 4:56PM

Several weeks ago, when Robert Gates released early details of the Pentagon budget, we noticed a peculiar, but, I suppose, predictable trend. With an assist from the media, conservatives and other stakeholders--seeking to attack the administration, and protect their parochial interests--began to portray the proposal as a soft-on-defense spending cut, when, in fact, the bottom line represented a modest defense spending increase.

You don't hear too much of that meme anymore. But you do hear quite a bit these days, from Congressional Republicans, and others, that the budget process has been maddeningly opaque--that, for instance officials have been barred via non-disclosure agreement from discussing budget details with anybody outside the Pentagon or relevant government agency while the document was being assembled. John T. Bennett of Defense News first reported the existence of the agreement in February, and he sends along a copy, which you can see for yourself here. The terms of the agreement were rescinded earlier this week.

Still, that didn't please members of Congress who will have ultimate say over the budget itself. At a House Armed Services Committee hearing yesterday, Rep. Randy Forbes (R-VA) grilled Gates about the so-called "gag order," and what he described as the general lack of transparency in the budget process as a whole.

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Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | May 7, 2009, 8:59AM

Obama To Seek $17 Billion In Budget Cuts
President Obama is set to announce today a proposed $17 billion in budget cuts for Fiscal Year 2010. Already, the proposed cuts are getting some pretty negative reviews from the Associated Press and the Washington Post, as being too small. White House Budget Director Peter Orszag defended the cuts this morning on MSNBC: "But $17 billion a year is not chump change by anyone's accounting."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will be speaking at 10:35 a.m. ET from the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, on the proposed budget cuts for Fiscal Year 2010. At 12:45 p.m. ET, he will meet in the Oval Office with Al Sharpton, Mike Bloomberg and Newt Gingrich to discuss education reform. At 2 p.m. ET, he will meet with Council of Economic Advisors Chair Christina Romer. At 2:45 p.m. he will meet with Sec. of State Hillary Clinton. At 4:15 p.m. ET he will meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

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Arlen Specter

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | May 5, 2009, 8:59AM

Specter: "Do I Want To Stay In The Senate, Of Course I Do"
Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) held a town hall event last night in his home state, re-introducing himself to voters as their new Democratic Senator. Specter bluntly acknowledged that a desire to remain in office was a reason for his switch. "Do I want to stay in the Senate, of course I do," said Specter. "Do you like your jobs? Sure you do."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama and Vice President Biden will meet with Democrats from the Energy and Commerce Committees, at 10:30 a.m. ET in the State Dining Room. Obama and Biden will have lunch at 12:30 p.m. ET. Obama will meet with Israeli President Shimon Peres at 2 p.m. ET. At 3 p.m. ET, he will meet with senior advisers.

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Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | May 4, 2009, 9:00AM

Gates: Administration Is "Pretty Realistic" About Iran
Defense Sec. Robert Gates is on a trip to the Middle East, telling reporters that he'll reassure America's allies on outreach to Iran: "And I just think it's important to reassure our friends and allies in the region that while we're willing to reach out to the Iranians, as the president said, with an open hand, I think everybody in the administration, from the president on down, is pretty realistic and will be pretty tough-minded if we still encounter a closed fist."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will be speaking at 11:05 a.m. ET from the Grand Foyer, delivering remarks on international tax reform, to close loopholes for overseas tax havens that encourage companies to ship jobs overseas. At 5:15 p.m. ET, he will speak at a Cinco de Mayo event in the East Room.

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Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | April 28, 2009, 8:59AM

Congressional Dems Reach Budget Agreement
House and Senate Democratic negotiators agreed Monday night to a budget outline for 2010, including the parliamentary ability to pass health care legislation without the threat of a Republican filibuster. The $3.5 trillion plan also includes funds for clean energy and other domestic programs, and a tax increase for individuals making more than $200,000 or couples making more than $250,000 per year.

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will meet with FBI Director Robert Mueller and other senior officials at FBI Headquarters, at 10:45 a.m. ET. He will then deliver remarks to FBI employees at 11:10 a.m. ET. At 2 p.m. ET, Obama will meet with the Congressional Progressive Caucus. At 3:05 p.m. ET, he will present the National Teacher of the Year Award in the Rose Garden. At 4:30 p.m. ET, he will meet with Defense Sec. Robert Gates, and at 7:30 p.m. ET he and the First Lady will attend a reception for Cabinet secretaries in the Blue Room.

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Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | April 28, 2009, 8:59AM

Congressional Dems Reach Budget Agreement
House and Senate Democratic negotiators agreed Monday night to a budget outline for 2010, including the parliamentary ability to pass health care legislation without the threat of a Republican filibuster. The $3.5 plan also includes funds for clean energy and other domestic programs, and a tax increase for individuals making more than $200,000 or couples making more than $250,000 per year.

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will meet with FBI Director Robert Mueller and other senior officials at FBI Headquarters, at 10:45 a.m. ET. He will then deliver remarks to FBI employees at 11:10 a.m. ET. At 2 p.m. ET, Obama will meet with the Congressional Progressive Caucus. At 3:05 p.m. ET, he will present the National Teacher of the Year Award in the Rose Garden. At 4:30 p.m. ET, he will meet with Defense Sec. Robert Gates, and at 7:30 p.m. ET he and the First Lady will attend a reception for Cabinet secretaries in the Blue Room.

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Robert Gates

Gates: DADT Repeal Now A Matter Of If, Not When

Brian Beutler | April 17, 2009, 9:36AM

Yesterday, Defense Secretary Robert Gates poured more cold water on the idea that Don't Ask, Don't Tell will be repealed anytime soon. "If we do it," Gates said, "it's very important that we do it right, and very carefully."

Lest you think Gates just misspoke, though, Elisabeth Bumiller of The New York Times said he resorted to conditional language more than once, adding that "if we do go down that road [it's important] we do it right and in a way that mitigates any downsides.''

Emphasis mine.

Back in January, of course, Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs said, in no uncertain terms, that the Don't Ask, Don't Tell would be repealed. But the administration's been slowly walking that back ever since.

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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Defense Spending

Republicans: Government (Defense) Spending Responsible For Thousands Of Jobs

Brian Beutler | April 13, 2009, 3:48PM

Last week, we reported that Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) had experienced an epiphany about the stimulative effects of government spending...when that spending is on weapons.

Over the weekend, Paul Krugman took a shot at Congressional Republicans who fit the Chambliss profile--i.e. the subset of Republicans who voted against the stimulus but are now coming forward to claim that a (fictional) reduction in defense spending will cost jobs.

Since only three of Capitol Hill's 219 Republicans--Sens. Arlen Specter (R-PA), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), and Susan Collins (R-ME)--voted for the stimulus bill, it's possible that many scores of them will ultimately fall afoul of this contradiction.

Until then, though, we've poked around a bit, and come up with the names of a few Republicans that have already fallen in to The Chambliss Hypocrisy.

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Defense Spending

Levin: Gates' Proposal A Step In 'The Right Direction'

Brian Beutler | April 13, 2009, 11:51AM

Politicians in both parties might be reluctant to let Defense Secretary Robert Gates have his way with the Pentagon budget--and they, the rank and file, will ultimately have the final say when a real piece of legislation comes to a vote. But Gates and the administration do have some powerful allies on Capitol Hill, and their efforts will be crucial to the success or failure of the attempted overhaul.

We reported a week ago that one of the lone significant voices speaking out in support of the proposed reforms belongs to Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. But while McCain wasted no time getting in front of the issue, the committee's chairman, Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI), remained silent all week.

He broke that silence on Saturday.

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Defense Spending

You Can Lead A Reporter to Water, But You Can't Make Him Call It A Spending Increase

Brian Beutler | April 9, 2009, 3:26PM

They just can't help themselves! In a live Q&A session today, a reader asked Washington Post Congressional reporter Paul Kane a question that's been on our minds for days now. "I keep hearing the term 'budget cuts,' but the defense budget isn't being cut at all," the reader writes. "Money is being redirected to other defense priorities, but the overall budget is increasing by 4%.... So why is it that certain pols are allowed to spout this inane lie with impunity."

Kane didn't respond to that question, but he did explain that Gates is trying to spend money more wisely...albeit amid a four percent budget cut that's not actually happening.

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Defense Spending

Experts Weigh In On Gates With Metaphors--A Step In The Right Direction? Or Bitter Wine.

Brian Beutler | April 9, 2009, 3:23PM

Here's what we know about the politics of the Pentagon budget proposal so far.

1. Very few politicians have spoken up in support of it.
2. Many of the people speaking out against it are portraying it inaccurately as a "soft-on-defense" spending cut.
3. This meme has found a fairly strong foothold in the media, which has
4. Given me quite a bit of work to do this week.

But what do experts (those people who make the defense budget and other Pentagon arcana their stock and trade) have to say?

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Defense Spending

Retired Admiral And Current House Dem Pushes Back On 'Cuts' Meme

Brian Beutler | April 9, 2009, 12:27PM

You probably haven't seen too many mainstream media reports of politicians arguing convincingly in favor of Gates' defense overhaul, but Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA) did just that on Morning Joe earlier today. Watch:

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Barack Obama

Price: Only Place President Willing To Cut Spending Is On Armed Forces

Brian Beutler | April 9, 2009, 11:09AM

Rep. Tom Price (R-GA) has latched on to the meme we've been following here. "It seems the only place the President is willing to cut spending is on the armed forces," Price said. "The President's priorities are deeply flawed. We will fight to preserve this important program."

"This decision will not only cost thousands of jobs at a critical time, it is detrimental to the country's national defense capabilities," Price added.

Why all the bile?

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Budget

Pentagon: No Comment On House Republican Claim

Brian Beutler | April 8, 2009, 4:16PM

Yesterday I reported that Rep. John McHugh (R-NY), ranking member on the House Armed Services Committee, had said that Defense Secretary Robert Gates' budget proposal was "tantamount to an $8 billion cut in defense spending." His staff had a difficult time defending the number, though, reiterating several times that the figure had come from senior Pentagon officials who'd briefed the committee in advance of Gates' speech.

I just got off the phone with a Pentagon spokesman who said he couldn't get into details about the briefing itself, but that the Pentagon stands by Gates' representation that his outline, if approved by Congress, would amount to a spending increase.

"If people in Congress want to go on the record with what they think they heard" that's their right, said Commander Darryn James.

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Budget

MSNBC Reports Defense Cuts, Guest Corrects Record

Brian Beutler | April 8, 2009, 3:06PM

Here's MSNBC reporting "STEEP CUTS IN MILITARY SPENDING".

More specifically, they're reporting "DEFENSE SECY. GATES ANNOUNCES STEEP CUTS IN MILITARY SPENDING", when what Gates has announced is modest increase in military spending. In fact, as they reported this, their guest William Cohen, a Republican who served as Secretary of Defense under President Bill Clinton, was on the air trying to set the record straight--that the Gates proposal constitutes a four percent increase over last years budget. Watch:

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