Daily Political Wire 9-22-2010

George Wenschhof

New Woodward Book reveals division in White House - Washington Post Bob Woodward's new book, "Obama's Wars", highlights the division within the White House on the strategy toward Afghanistan. The New York Times has a good read with excerpts from the book here.

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Republicans Block repeal of D.A.D.T. - as expected the strictly political move by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to include D.A.D.T. and the DREAM Act as amendments to an appropriations bill failed by a vote of 56-43 with Democrat Blanche Lincoln (Ark.) voting against. First Read has more here.

A questionable move by the Senate Majority Leader. Look to see Democrats point to continued obstructionism by the Republicans and Republicans pointing at the games Democrats play.

The inclusion of amendments to allow gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military prior to when an agreed upon survey of opinions from the enlisted service men and women was complete along with a measure which would allow a pathway to citizenship for children of illegal immigrants were put forward by the Obama administration in a move to appease supporters.

However, it had to be known by the folks who count votes, these amendments would fail.

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Another Obama administration Economic Adviser Departs - this time it is Lawrence Summers who has announced he will be leaving after the mid term elections. Bloomberg.com has more here. He joins Peter Orzag and Christine Romer as top economic advisers to leave the White House. look to see Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner be next to either resign or be canned after the mid term elections.

The Obama administration efforts in regard to the sluggish economy have not worked as well as intended with unemployment remaining near 10%.

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House Ways and Means Committee to vote on Chinese Currency - a long term problem for the U.S., the undervalued Chinese currency has been a drag on the U.S. economy. The undervalued currency gives Chinese companies an unfair trade advantage. Bloomberg.com has more here.

Unfortunately, China also holds between 10-20% of U.S. debt in treasury bills so Congressional action must be carefully considered.

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Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. latest politician to have revelations of infidelity come forward - a businessman has claimed he was asked to pay air fare between D.C. and Chicago for a woman acquaintance of Rep. Jackson.

The same businessman has also claimed he was asked to raise 6 million for then governor Rod Blagojevich in exchange for Jackson being appointed to the vacant Obama senate seat.

CNN.com has more here. Stay Tuned...

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