Daily Democratic Wire 2-8-2010

George Wenschhof

President Obama calls for bipartisan summit on health care reform - in an interview yesterday with CBS Katie Couric he says he intends to move forward to pass needed health care reform. The bipartisan meeting will be televised and is scheduled for February 25.

This is a good move by the President as it shows him reaching out to work with Republicans and if they refuse to attend or refuse to reach any compromises, they will be looked upon as the obstructionist party of "no" at a time when Americans want their political leaders working together to solve today's problems.


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Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) ready to use Recess period to appoint nominees by President Obama - In another example to voters of how politics can sometimes really stink, Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) put a blanket hold on 70 Obama nominees forcing them to first receive a 60 cloture vote, prior to the actual vote, which is time consuming and cumbersome. Shelby is fuming over the loss of a FBI counterterrorism lab which was to be built in his state. Reid says he is looking at appointing 15 during next weeks Presidents day recess. Politico.com has more here.

This action by Shelby is similar to the action taken by Senator Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) who demanded and received in return for his "yes" vote for health care reform a blanket pass in payments from his state to Medicare. Americans are disgusted with both major political parties as they learn of the inner workings of our government.

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Illinois Lt. Governor candidate Scott Lee Cohen (D) ends his campaign - he was the surprise winner in the primary who beat more established politicos by in part spending 2 million of his own funds. Revelations of a past stormy relationship with a prostitute caused him to drop out. democratic leaders had feared his continuing in the race would hurt Democratic Governor Pat Quinn. Seems the crazy politics in Chicago and Illinois never ends. you can read more here.

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White House Counterterrorism Adviser Jon Brennen says senior Republican leaders were told the attempted XMAS day bomber suspect was being held by FBI - among those who were called Christmas night and offered no objections were Senators Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Kit Bond (R-Mo.), House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) and Representative Pete Hoekstra (R-Mich.). They all understood Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab had been mirandized and was talking to the FBI. This is yet another example of the silliness of politics as Republican leaders now call for military interrogation - waterboarding anyone? TheHill.com has more here.

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