Daily Political Wire 4-28-2010

George Wenschhof

Today, President Obama continues his midwest Main Street Tour - he will visit a biorefining plant and wind farm in Missouri before heading to Quincy, Illinois to speak about the need for Wall Street reform. CNN.com has more here.

---

Obama approval rating at 54% - highest since mid-November 2009 - new Washington Post/ABC News poll conducted from 4-22 to 4-25. In many areas when registered voters were asked if they approved or disapproved of the president's handling of that issue, the result was almost a 50-50 result. That was the case for the overall handling of the economy and for health care and the trends on both were moving up. Only when it came to the handling of the federal deficit did the president receive a negative result and that was 40-55%. This is an interesting poll with a lot of trend analysis. You can read it here.

Maybe, the President had an advance copy of the poll, for he had a public announcement and photo-op Monday of his meeting with the co-chairs of the Deficit Commission he appointed.

---

DNC comes out with 30 second ad slamming Republicans on Wall Street reform.



Republicans continue obstructionist ways - vote no for second day in a row for Finance Reform - the vote was an identical 57-41 from Monday, three votes short of moving the bill forward for debate and a final up or down vote. The NY Times has more here.

Republican leaders are spewing lots of rhetoric, but the fact is that not one Republican amendment was put forward during the months the Senate Banking Committee, chaired by Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) was considering the bill.

Democratic leaders have determined it to be wise to show the voters that Republicans are blocking much needed reform on Wall Street. This is probably true short term, however, what the voters want are results.

The three provisions that must be included in the bill are a limit on the size of banks to avoid the "too big to fail" syndrome, a consumer finance protection agency, and strong regulations on the trading of derivatives.

---

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) still acting childish - adding to an already obstructionist Republican Party, Graham is now saying he will filibuster his own bill unless plans to move forward on immigration reform are dropped - say what?

I applaud Graham for working with Senators John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn,) to write a tri-partisan energy bill, but to threaten to filibuster your own bill if immigration reform is also considered is silly. TPM.com has more here.

First, Graham was upset because Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) announced he may move immigration reform in front of the energy bill. Then after Reid indicated he could move on the energy bill first and then immigration, Graham says energy bill or nothing. huh? Is he saying the Senate can not take up consideration of two bills? How crazy is his behavior? This, when voters clearly want immigration reform from congress as well as a energy bill. I believe members of Congress can walk and chew gum at the same time. Stay tuned.....

---

To receive "Daily Email Updates" from Air-it-Out with George Wenschhof, click on "Subscribe to this feed' below or use the sign up box located in the upper right hand margin.