TPMDC Robert Wexler
FL-SEN
'Fire-Breathing Liberal' Dem Wexler Endorses Crist In FL-SEN
Gov. Charlie Crist (I-FL) and Fmr. Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL)
Gov. Charlie Crist (I-FL), the former Republican now running for Senate as an independent, picked up the support of a big Democratic name yesterday: Former Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL), the self-proclaimed "fire-breathing liberal."
"There is a special time in which elected officials and people to which people look to have to put country before party and this is one of those times," Wexler told a campaign audience in his old district. "I am here to endorse Gov. Charlie Crist because he has earned it. He has truly earned it."
As reasons for his support, Wexler cited Crist's veto of a bill that would have eliminated teacher tenure -- a key event that sealed Crist's switch from a Republican to independent -- and his veto of another bill that would have required women seeking abortions to get ultra-sounds.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: 2010 elections, Charlie Crist, FL-SEN, Kendrick Meek, Robert Wexler, Senate '10
Health Care
Four Empty House Seats Mean Pelosi Only Needs 216 Votes to Pass Health Care
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
Most of the time, the magic number for passing significant legislation in the House is 218--a simple majority of the lower chambers' 435 members. So that's the number House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is looking at to pass the Senate health care bill, right? Try 216.
Come March 8, when Rep. Nathan Deal's (R-GA) resignation goes into effect--and barring any surprises--there will be four vacancies in the U.S. House: Deal's seat, along with the seats of retired Reps. Robert Wexler (D-FL) and Neil Abercrombie (D-HI), and deceased Rep. John Murtha (D-PA).
The four empty seats brings the number of serving House members down to 431. Which means that--if everybody's present and voting, a health care bill can pass the House on a paper-thin 216-215 margin. That may sound like good news for Pelosi--and in some ways it is. But recall that all three of those Democrats--Wexler, Abercrombie, and Murtha--were "yes" votes. She needs two fewer votes than she'd need if the House was fully seated. But she's lost three.
PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)Topics: Democrats, Health Care, House of Representatives, John Murtha, Nancy Pelosi, Neil Abercrombie, Robert Wexler
Roundup
TPMDC Morning Roundup
Hillary Clinton Calls For Political Freedom In Russia
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke at Moscow State University, calling for human rights and political freedom in Russia. "In an innovative society, people must be free to take unpopular positions, disagree with conventional wisdom, know they are safe to challenge abuses of authority," said Clinton. "That's why attacks on journalists and human rights defenders here in Russia is such a great concern: because it is a threat to progress."
Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will meet at 9:45 a.m. ET with his national security team on Afghanistan and Pakistan. At 2:05 p.m. ET, he will join Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to tour the Fairfax County Parkway Extension construction site, and he will speak at 2:20 p.m. ET. AT 3:50 p.m. ET, he will sign an executive order restoring the White House Advisory Commission and Interagency Working Group, concerning the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. He will also observe the holiday of Diwali. At 7:10 p.m. ET, he will deliver remarks at an event celebrating the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate.
Topics: Afghanistan, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Immigration, Joe Biden, Pakistan, Robert Wexler, Roundup
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