Daily Political Wire 4-16-2010

George Wenschhof

Yesterday, President Obama signed into law the 18 billion unemployment extension bill - this, after a handful of Senate Republicans broke rank and voted for the bill.

Today, the president will be discussing Afghanistan policy with advisers and also make a statement on land conservation at a White House conference on America's Great Outdoors.

CNN is also reporting that Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has sent a letter to President Obama which contains continued defiant language pertaining to Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons. CNN.com has more here.

The NY Times is also reporting that President Obama will be issuing new rules to hospitals that receive medicare and medicaid in regard to visitation rights. Same sex partners of patients will be granted visitation rights. You can read more here.

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"Party of No" at it again as they oppose financial reform - republican Party leaders have determined their strategy of no and sending misinformation about a proposed bill to the public should be continued. Democrats will need a cross over vote or two to end a filibuster and send the proposed bill to a vote. Democratic Party leadership is debating whether to send the bill proposed by Senator Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) to a vote next week. Some feel if it is filibustered, being against financial reform will not look good for Republicans. On the other hand, if a bill is to be passed some concessions will need to be made.

Once again, how you frame the message is important and a lesson Democrats should have learned from the health care reform bill process. What Republicans are opposing is a fee to be paid by banks to establish a 50 billion fund to be used in the future should a massive failure occur instead of using federal funds. In addition, Republicans are opposing the creation of a consumer finance protection agency and tighter regulation on the trading of volatile derivatives. TPM.com has more here.

Keep an eye on Republican Senator Susan Collins from Maine. She could be the critical 60th vote to break a filibuster and send the bill to the senate floor for a vote.

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DNC pledges 50 million for mid term election candidates - the Democratic National committee is announcing early their commitment to help candidates in the upcoming elections. The money will be used for House, Senate and Governor races. The first contributions will be made available in June. TheNote.com has more here.

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Senator Jim Bunning (R-Ky.) continues to agitate on his way out - Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell pressured Bunning into retirement and now Bunning is doing his part to aggravate McConnell. Jim Bunning was an awesome major league baseball pitcher in his prime, but in one of the rare moments I would ever agree with McConnell, it is time for Bunning to retire from the Senate.

Bunning has publicly issued his endorsement to Senate candidate Rand Paul, (yes, the son of Ron Paul) after McConnell indicated his support for Trey Grayson. The Caucus.com has more here.

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