Daily Political Wire 9-7-2010

George Wenschhof

Yesterday, president Obama unveiled his new 50 billion infrastructure plan to boost the economy - Democrats have to hope it is not coming too late as new polls show only 42% of Americans approve of the president's handling of the economy. You can read more on the NBC News/Wall Street poll here.

The prospects of the Republicans gaining a net of 39 seats in the House remains realistic and if the wave election is strong enough, Republicans could recapture the senate as well. You can read more here.

The biggest thing Democrats have going for them is the Republicans have offered no alternative and being the party of "no" is hardly an encouraging option. In addition, the possibility of John Boehner as House speaker and Mitch McConnell as Senate Majority Leader is not exactly awe inspiring.

Republicans, hopeful of catching the mood of the voters, are set to announce their plan for the future and ask voters to vote for them in the upcoming mid term elections. Democrats should ask why did you wait until two months before the elections to propose them. It could and should backfire against the obstructionist Republican Party leadership.

Tomorrow morning, President Obama will appear on ABC "Good Morning America" - George Stephanopoulos will ask him questions about his new economic proposals. Politico.com has more here.

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Peter Orzag argues for Extension of Bush Tax Cuts - differing from President Obama, the former OMB Director calls for a two year extension of the cuts during this weak economic time and then the elimination of them all together to help pay down the deficit.

This appears to be closer to the eventual compromise Congress will make prior to the cuts expiring at the end of this year. TheHill.com has more here.

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General David Petraeus Requests more Troops for Afghanistan - bad timing coming from the General in charge of a unpopular war. An additional 2,000 troops will be asked for battling the Taliban and training Afghan security forces. Coming only a few months prior to the mid term elections, this request, if granted, will not make the Democratic liberal left base which originally supported President Obama very happy. Reuters.com has more here.

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