Daily Political Wire

George Wenschhof

Santorum Next Republican To Announce - Today is his day to make it official he is running for president. He will announce in southwestern Pennsylvania, near where his father worked in a coal mine. The former Senator will then head to Iowa and New Hampshire. Politico.com has more here

Think Sarah Palin's wayward bus tour will show up in Pennsylvania today?

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Where Are The Jobs? - is a question everyone is asking. The latest is Congressional Black Caucus leader Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.). He wants federal investment in infrastructure which would put people to work. The unemployment rate among African-Americans is 16.2%. FirstRead.com has more here.

For over two years, I have been calling for a Public Service Employment program, similar to the old WPA, but where federal funding would pay for positions in the public service area including local government, where massive layoffs have taken place. This program would put people to work immediately and in ares where the need exists.

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Twenty die As Israel Fires on Protesters - the Palestine/Israel unrest continues. Last month Palestinian protesters demonstrated along borders created when Israel was recognized as a state in 1948. This time, the protests are along borders with Syria created by the 1967 6 Day War. Both actions caused the displacement of Palestinians. Bloomberg.com has more here.

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Lugar Weighs In On Libya War - the Republican Senator from Indiana, criticizes President Obama for not having articulated a U.S. strategy in Libya. He also pointed to the non-binding resolution passed by the house last week asking for the president to answer twenty questions, which he advised the president to do so. The Washington Post has more here.

The War Powers Act requires a president to receive congressional approval to wage war within sixty days of the beginning of U.S. action.

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Diamond Withdraw From Consideration For Fed - the Nobel Prize winner and MIT Economics professor slammed partisan politics as Republicans blocked his appointment to Federal Reserve Governor. Reuters.com has more here.

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Democrats Optimistic On Drive For 25 - the number of seats needed to regain a majority in the House. With the recent upset victory in NY district 26 and nationwide polls showing Republicans losing the Medicare debate, Democrats now believe they can gain the twenty-five seats. Politico.com has more here.

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Strauss-Kahn Pleas Not Guilty - the former IMF Chief faces seven charges relating to alleged sexual abuse of a New York City hotel Maid. CNN.com has more here.

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