Daily Democratic Wire 10-1-2009

George Wenschhof

Today, President Barack Obama will speak at a fundraiser for the DGA - the Democratic Governors Association expects to raise $500,000 from the event. There are 39 Governor races between this year and next November, of which 21 are presently held by Democrats. CNN.com has more here.

The President will later fly to Copenhagen to join his wife in promoting Chicago as the host for the 2016 Olympics.

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Talks with Iran to be held today - representatives from five members of the UN Security Council; Britain, France, Germany, China, and Russia will join the U.S. as talks will cover a variety of areas, but will mostly center on Iran's nuclear program. The NY Times has more here.

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Consumer spending increases in August - another hopeful sign for the economy as the 1.3% increase for the months was the highest in eight years aided by the popular government "cash for clunkers" program. Income rose by .2% and economists say this must continue to climb to sustain continued consumer spending. AP has more here.

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Senate Finance Committee to vote on Baucus health care bill next week - the mark up of the bill presented by the committee chair Max Baucus (D-Mont.) will be concluded and a vote expected next week. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) would then combine with the Senate bill offered from the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee and schedule floor discussion around October 13. TheHill.com has more here.

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Senator Tom Carper offers health care reform plan which would allow states to decide on "public option" - an interesting new twist that is picking up support. The plan would allow states to individually decide on whether to create a public option, a co-op, or state-based insurance pools. Politico.com has more here.

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Continuing Resolution passed in Senate - a necessary bill to avert a government shutdown. The House had passed the bill earlier so now it goes to the president for signature. It will provide funding for another month as spending resolutions continue discussion in Congress. Reuters.com has more here.

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Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) forms political action committee - in an early prelude to the 2012 presidential election, the political action committee entitled "Freedom First" will include advisers from both the George W. Bush and John McCain presidential campaigns. MSNBC.com has more here.

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