Roundup

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | October 29, 2009, 9:00AM

Obama Seeks Additional Study On Afghanistan Situation
The Washington Post reports that President Obama has asked for a province-by-province analysis of the situation in Afghanistan, on the performance of local leaders and the different needs for additional help. Said a U.S. official who request anonymity: "How do you separate those who have taken up arms because they oppose the presence of foreigners in their area, because they're getting paid to fight us because we're there, from those who want to restore a Taliban government? How many of the people who we're fighting actually share al-Qaeda's ideology?"

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama last night visited the remains of fallen Americans, returning home from Afghanistan. Today, Obama will deliver remarks at 11:50 a.m. ET, on the administration's plans to help small businesses. He will meet at 1:45 p.m. ET with Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore. He will meet at 2:40 p.m. ET with Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT). At 3:15 p.m. ET, he will sign the Girl Scouts USA Centennial Commemorative Coin Act. He will meet at 3:45 p.m. ET with senior advisers. and at 5:05 p.m. ET with representatives of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Congressional Black Caucus, Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.

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Roundup

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | October 19, 2009, 9:01AM

Obama Administration To Issue New Policy In Favor Of State Medical Marijuana Laws
The Obama administration is set to release new guidelines today on medical marijuana, which will not pursue marijuana smokers or their suppliers whose activities are consistent with state laws on medicinal marijuana. The government will still pursue those who are exceeding state limits, or are using the practice of medical marijuana as a cover for other illegal activities.

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will meet at 10:30 a.m. ET with the National Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge winners. He will meet with senior advisers at 3:15 p.m. ET, and with Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND) at 4 p.m. ET.

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Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | October 5, 2009, 9:00AM

NYT: Petraeus' Voice Becomes Harder To Hear
The New York Times reports that Gen. David Petraeus has become a less prominent voice in the policies of the Obama administration than he was under George W. Bush: "The change has fueled speculation in Washington about whether General Petraeus might seek the presidency in 2012. His advisers say that it is absurd -- but in immediate policy terms, it means there is one less visible advocate for the military in the administration's debate over whether to send up to 40,000 additional troops to Afghanistan."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will deliver remarks from the Rose Garden at 11:10 a.m. ET, with doctors from across the country on the need for health care reform this year. Obama will meet at 4 p.m. ET with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.

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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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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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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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Ted Kennedy

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | August 27, 2009, 9:00AM

Push Builds To Quickly Fill Kennedy's Seat
The New York Times reports that Democrats are quickly stepping up efforts to change Massachusetts law so that Ted Kennedy's Senate seat can be filled by an interim appointment. Said state Rep. Michael Moran, chairman of the election rules committee: "Ted Kennedy was one of the most impressive senators we've ever had, and to have him write a letter just prior to his death saying this is something Massachusetts needs -- how do you not take that seriously and give your position another look?"

Palin Supports Glenn Beck
Sarah Palin posted a note to her Facebook page yesterday, supporting Glenn Beck. "FOX News' Glenn Beck is doing an extraordinary job this week walking America behind the scenes of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and outlining who is actually running the White House," wrote Palin. "Monday night he asked us to invite one friend to watch; tonight I invite all my friends to watch."

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Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | August 19, 2009, 8:59AM

NYT: Dems Seem Set To Go It Alone On Health Bill
The New York Times reports that Democrats are getting closer to working without Republicans on health care reform, in the wake of continued intransigence by the GOP. "Administration officials, who maintain that Republicans are badly mischaracterizing the legislation that has emerged from three House committees and the Senate health committee, said they had hoped to achieve some level of bipartisan support," the Times reports. "But they are becoming increasingly convinced that they will instead have to navigate the complicated politics among varying Democratic factions."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will deliver remarks at 4:30 p.m. ET from the South Portico, honoring 2008 Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson. At 5:30 p.m. ET, he will hold a conference call with faith leaders to discuss health insurance reform.

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DNC

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | August 11, 2009, 8:57AM

New DNC Ad: "There's Something In It For All Of Us"
The Democratic National Committee has this new TV ad, a mostly positive spot on health care that will run on national cable and on local cable in New Hampshire, Montana, Colorado and D.C.:

"Health insurance reform means your family's care comes first -- not insurance industry profits," the announcer says. "Call Congress. Tell them when it comes health insurance reform, there's something in it for all of us."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will depart from the White House at 11:15 a.m. ET, arriving at 12:40 p.m. ET in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and holding a town hall on health insurance reform at 1 p.m. ET. He will depart from Portsmouth at 3:20 p.m. ET, arriving back at the White House at 4:50 p.m. ET. He will meet at 5:30 p.m. ET at Sec. of Defense Robert Gates.

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Health Care

TPMDC Morning Roundup

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

Report: White House Advises Dems On Health Care Protests
The Associated Press reports that White House officials have advised Democratic lawmakers on how to respond to disruptions at town halls, and promised a strong response if any lawmaker faces direct criticism in TV advertising. This reportedly took place at a closed-door session before members went home for the recess.

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will deliver remarks on the economy at 1:15 p.m., from Henderson Hall at Fort Myer. At 5 p.m. ET, he will meet with Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY).

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Sonia Sotomayor

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | August 4, 2009, 9:02AM

Senate To Take Up Sotomayor Confirmation
The full Senate is set to begin debating the Sonia Sotomayor nomination today, with a final vote as early as Thursday. Sotomayor is on track to win confirmation by a comfortable margin, with all or nearly all Democrats plus a few Republicans supporting her.

Obama's Birthday Ahead
Today is President Obama's 48th birthday -- but in terms of his schedule, it's a regular work day at the White House. Obama will meet at 11:05 a.m. ET with Dave Rehbein, the National Commander of the American Legion. At 12 p.m. ET, he and Vice President Biden will have lunch with the Senate Democratic Caucus. Obama will meet with Biden at 3:45 p.m. ET, and with Sec. of Defense Robert Gates at 4:30 p.m. ET.

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John McCain

TPMDC Sunday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | August 2, 2009, 1:07PM

McCain: I Respect Palin, Am Saddened By Attacks On Her
Appearing on State of the Union, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) said he respects Sarah Palin and her decision to resign as Governor of Alaska. "I think she will continue to play a major role in the future of the Republican Party. And I have to respect the decision she made," said McCain, who also added that he is "saddened by the fact that there are still such vicious attacks on her and her family."

McCain: Stimulus Has Had Effect, But Still "Generational Theft"
Also during his State of the Union appearance, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) conceded that the stimulus program has had some positive effect, though he still does not think it is worth the high price-tag in national debt. "I think it's very clear that the stimulus has had some effect," said McCain. "But, what I worry more than anything about is the long-term effects, because we are committing generational theft."

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Barack Obama

TPMDC Saturday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | August 1, 2009, 1:04PM

Obama: Economic Situation Improving, But More Work Needed
In this weekend's YouTube address, President Obama said that the latest GDP numbers show that the stimulus bill is working, and that the economy is on the way to recovery -- but there is still work to be done:

"This won't happen overnight. As I've said before, it will take many more months to fully dig ourselves out of a recession - a recession that we've now learned was even deeper than anyone thought," said Obama. "But I'll continue to work every day, and take every step necessary, to make sure that happens. I also want to make sure that we don't return to an economy where our growth is based on inflated profits and maxed-out credit cards - because that doesn't create a lot of jobs. Even as we rescue this economy, we must work to rebuild it stronger than before."

GOP Address: "Republicans Want Health Care Reform That Works"
In this weekend's Republican address, Sen. John Thune (R-SD) warned against a government takeover of health care by the Democrats:

"Republicans want health care reform that works. Reform that brings down costs for families and small businesses, and reform that provides better care to more people," said Thune. "On all these points, the current proposals by the President and the Democrat leadership in Congress fall short. Their plan for government-run health care would disrupt our current system and force millions of Americans who currently enjoy their employer-based coverage into a new health care plan run by government bureaucrats."

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Supreme Court

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | July 28, 2009, 9:02AM

Judiciary Committee To Vote On Sotomayor
The Senate Judiciary Committee will vote today on the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court, and is expected to easily advance her to the full Senate. At the rate things are going in both the committee and the overall Senate, most Republicans will probably vote against her, but she should win by a comfortable margin thanks to Democrats and a few GOP Senators.

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will hold a 1:30 p.m. ET tele-town hall meeting on health care reform, hosted by the AARP. At 4 p.m. ET, he and Vice President Biden will meet with the chairs of the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue. At 4:15 p.m. ET, Obama and Biden will greet the expanded delegations of the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue.

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Barack Obama

TPMDC Saturday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | July 11, 2009, 1:22PM

Obama: Stimulus Designed To Work Over Two Years -- Not Four Months
In this weekend's YouTube address, President Obama answered stimulus opponents who say that it has not restored the economy -- as well as those who say it didn't go far enough -- by saying that it has saved the economy from greater disaster, and calling for patience:

"But, as I made clear at the time it was passed, the Recovery Act was not designed to work in four months - it was designed to work over two years," said Obama. "We also knew that it would take some time for the money to get out the door, because we are committed to spending it in a way that is effective and transparent. Crucially, this is a plan that will also accelerate greatly throughout the summer and the fall. We must let it work the way it's supposed to, with the understanding that in any recession, unemployment tends to recover more slowly than other measures of economic activity."

Cantor: "This is now President Obama's Economy"
In this weekend's Republican address, House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) blasted President Obama and Congressional Democrats for producing a stimulus program that he said has failed to create jobs:

"In fact, they said that unemployment would stay under eight percent. Yet just months later, they are telling us to brace for unemployment to climb over ten percent," said Cantor. "They promised jobs created. Now they scramble to find a way to play games with government numbers by claiming jobs saved. Simply put, this is now President Obama's economy and the American people are beginning to question whether his policies are working."

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Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

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

Obama Calls For Climate Deal This Year
At the G8 Summit, President Obama called for the member countries to make continued progress on climate change, before a new round of U.N. treaty talks this December. Press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters that Obama said "there was still time in which they could close the gap on that disagreement in time for that important (meeting)."

Obama's Day In Italy
President Obama is in Rome today. At 3:30 a.m. ET (9:30 a.m. local time), he met with Brazilian President Lula da Silva. At 4 a.m. ET, he attended a meeting of leaders of the G-8, plus China, India, Mexico, South Africa and Egypt, with a working lunch at 6:30 a.m. ET. At 8:30 a.m. ET, he attended a meeting with representatives of the Junior 8, and he attended a world trade discussion at 9 a.m. ET. At 10:15 a.m. ET, he will attend a Major Economies Forum discussion on the environment, and will make a statement to the press at 12:30 p.m. ET. AT 2:30 p.m. ET, he will attend a G-8 working dinner, hosted by Italian President Giorgio Napolitano.

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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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Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | June 25, 2009, 9:02AM

Obama: In Ten Years, Health Care Will Cost Twice As Much If We Do Nothing
In his town-hall special on health care last night, President Obama sought to communicate a message of urgency for reform. "So if you're happy with your health care right now -- and many people are happy with their health care right now," said Obama, "the problem is, 10 years from now, you're not going to be happy, because it's going to cost twice as much or three times as much as it does right now."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will participate in a "United We Serve" event today, joining hundreds of Congressional family members and five national nonprofit organizations at Fort McNair to prepare 15,000 backpacks with books, healthy snacks, Frisbees and other items for the children of servicemen and women. At 2 p.m. ET, Obama and Vice President Biden will meet with members of Congress from both parties to discuss immigration. At 3:15 p.m. ET, Obama will meet with Sec. of the Treasury Tim Geithner, and at 4 p.m. ET with Sec. of State Hillary Clinton. At 6:30 p.m., Obama, the First Lady and Biden will host a luau on the South Lawn, for members of Congress and their families.

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Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | June 23, 2009, 9:00AM

Sanford's Office: He's Hiking
Gov. Mark Sanford's (R-SC) office told reporters last night that he is hiking the Appalachian Trail. However, they apparently do not know exactly where is along the Trail, which stretches from Georgia to Maine -- but interestingly enough, does not pass through South Carolina. "He's an avid outdoorsman," said his spokesman. "Nobody's ever accused our governor of being conventional."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will hold a news conference at 12:30 p.m. ET, in the Rose Garden. At 2:15 p.m. ET, he will meet one-on-one with President Michelle Bachelet of Chile, and they will have an expanded meeting at 2:45 p.m. ET. At 4:45 p.m. ET, Obama will meet with Sec. of Defense Robert Gates.

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Afghanistan

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | June 19, 2009, 9:01AM

New Health Care Draft Leaves Out Public Option
The Washington Post reports that a new draft health-care proposal from the Senate Finance Committee includes an individual mandate expands Medicaid coverage -- and leaves out the public option: "Yesterday, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) met with four Republicans, including Sen. Charles Grassley (Iowa), the ranking GOP member on the panel, along with two Democratic colleagues in an attempt to find bipartisan consensus. Baucus dubbed the group 'the coalition of the willing.'"

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will deliver remarks at 9:30 a.m. ET, at the Esperanza National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast and Conference. At 3:15 p.m. ET, he will mark Father's Day weekend by holding an event in the East Room to discuss fatherhood and mentoring. At 4 p.m. ET, he will meet at the South Lawn with young men from local schools. At 8 p.m. ET, he will attend the Radio and Television Correspondents Dinner.

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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 12, 2009, 9:04AM

Obama And Congressional Negotiators Reach Compromise On Abuse Photos
House and Senate negotiators have approved a $106 billion compromise bill to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, after President Obama personally intervened on the controversy over an amendment to forbid the release of detainee abuse photos. The amendment was removed in the hope of assuaging liberal Democrats -- but Obama promised to use all means at his disposal to prevent their release.

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will meet at 2:30 p.m. ET with Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and at 2:50 p.m. ET with Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). At 3:30 p.m. ET, he will meet with Zimbabwean Prime Minister Moran Tsvangirai, who will press Obama for international aid and try to assuage the doubts about his country's political situation, given the uneasy power-sharing government he has with his rival, President Robert Mugabe.

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Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | June 10, 2009, 9:01AM

Mitchell: Obama Administration Committed To Palestinian State
George Mitchell, the White House Special Envoy on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, said today after meeting with Palestinian officials that Washington is committed to the creation of a Palestinian state, saying that Obama considered it "the only viable resolution to this conflict...for the aspirations of both sides to be met through two states." He also said the Administration will be seeking "prompt resumption and early conclusion" of peace talks.

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will have lunch with Vice President Biden at 12 p.m. ET. At 4 p.m. ET, Obama will meet with Sec. of the Treasury Tim Geithner. At 4:45 p.m. ET, Obama and Biden will meet with with Sec. of State Hillary Clinton.

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Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | June 8, 2009, 9:01AM

Obama To Speed Up Stimulus Spending
President Obama is set to announce today that the administration is ramping up stimulus spending this summer, with a targeted goal of saving or creating more than 600,000 jobs. "We have a long way to go on our road to recovery but we are going the right way," Obama will say, according to prepared remarks.

Obama's Day Ahead: Meeting With The Cabinet
President Obama will be meeting with his Cabinet at 11:45 a.m. ET, after the morning's routine briefings with advisers. The big subject of the Cabinet meeting will be implementation of the Recovery Act, after reports over the weekend that Obama was going to ask his administration for specific goals to ramp up stimulus spending.

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Barack Obama

TPMDC Saturday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | June 6, 2009, 1:03PM

Obama YouTube: Health Care Must Be Fixed
In his weekly Presidential YouTube Address, President Obama discussed his proposals for health care -- and the urgency to get a new reform bill passed:

"Simply put, the status quo is broken. We cannot continue this way," said Obama. "If we do nothing, everyone's health care will be put in jeopardy. Within a decade, we'll spend one dollar out of every five we earn on health care - and we'll keep getting less for our money. That's why fixing what's wrong with our health care system is no longer a luxury we hope to achieve - it's a necessity we cannot postpone any longer."

Sessions Decries "Empathy Standard" For Judges
In this weekend's Republican YouTube, Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL), the lead Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, discussed the pending nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court -- and warned against an "empathy standard" in law:

"I hope that the American people will engage in this nomination process and follow it closely. They should learn about the issues, and listen to both sides of the argument. And, at the end of the day, ask: 'If I must one day go to court, what kind of judge do I want to hear my case?" said Sessions. "'Do I want a judge that allows his or her social, political, or religious views to impact the outcome? Or, do I want a judge that objectively applies the law to the facts, and fairly rules on the merits?' That is the central question around which this entire nomination process will revolve."

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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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Barack Obama

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | June 2, 2009, 9:00AM

Obama: Cheney "Happens To Be Wrong" On National Security
In an interview with National Public Radio, President Obama responded to Dick Cheney, saying that while Cheney has every right to speak up on national security, "He also happens to be wrong, right?" Obama added: "Last time, immediately after his last speech, I think there was a fact check on his speech that didn't get a very good grade."

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama will be meeting with Senate Democrats at 2:30 p.m. ET in the State Dining Room, to discuss health care reform. At 3:45 p.m. ET, he will sign the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission Act. At 4:15 p.m. ET, he will meet in the Oval Office with Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. At 6:45 p.m. ET, he will depart from the White House, heading for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

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Sonia Sotomayor

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | May 28, 2009, 9:00AM

WaPo: Sotomayor Has Experience With Tough Confirmations
The Washington Post looks back at Sonia Sotomayor's 1997 confirmation hearings to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, which was a contentious process due to rumors that she could later be nominated for the Supreme Court. Sotomayor performed strongly, the Post says, though interestingly enough there was a tense exchange with Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) -- now the head Republican on the Judiciary Committee -- over an apology she gave to a convicted defendant who was given a mandatory five-year sentence.

Obama's Day Ahead: Meeting With Mahmoud Abbas, And Hillary Clinton
President Obama will be leaving Los Angeles at 10:35 a.m. ET, and is scheduled to arrive back at the White House at 3:15 p.m. ET. At 4 p.m. ET, he will have a one-on-one meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in the Oval Office. They will hold an expanded meeting at 4:45 p.m. ET. At 5:30 p.m. ET, Obama will meet in the Oval Office with Sec. of State Hillary Clinton.

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Andy Stern

SEIU Runs Letter To Obama From Pauline Beck In Los Angeles Times

Brian Beutler | May 27, 2009, 11:29AM

The SEIU's bid to get Barack Obama back on board their campaign to prevent the state of California from slashing home health workers wages continues today in the Los Angeles Times.

The group has purchased ad space in the paper, and used it to run a letter from Pauline Beck to President Barack Obama. "Mr. President, I had hoped your stimulus bill, which is bringing billions of dollars to California, would help protect home care," the letter reads. "Unfortunately, it seems that the money is being used for other things."

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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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Andy Stern

Did The White House Hang Workers Out To Dry In The CA Sun?

Brian Beutler | May 21, 2009, 4:52PM

When the California government decided to address his state's budget crisis by slashing pay for home health care workers, and cutting three-quarters of a billion dollars in Medi-Cal healthcare programs for the poor, the White House was furious. So was the SEIU. This is a recession, they reasoned, and those are poor and working class people. Citing the terms of the American Recovery and Reinvestment act, the Obama administration threatened to withhold $6.8 billion in federal stimulus funds unless the California legislature revoked the wage cut.

Obama "went straight for the most direct way to leverage California from the federal government," writes a source with knowledge of deliberations, "it was a big play, no question."

The right was furious about SEIU's involvement in negotiations, as were California government officials. But their concerns were laid to rest today when Washington decided to back down.

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NJ-GOV

GOP Candidate For New Jersey Governor Agrees With Rejecting Stimulus Money

Eric Kleefeld | May 20, 2009, 1:47PM

Former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie, the frontrunner for the Republican nomination in this year's election for Governor of New Jersey, appeared on Sean Hannity's show Monday night and agreed with governors who reject stimulus money, saying governors should have the ability to decide how to spend it:

"I think it makes sense," said Christie. "If they're going to put strings on that money, that are gonna to tie your hands and make you expand programs, and not be able to have the freedom of choice that the people elected you for, then you shouldn't take the money."