Daily Political Wire

George Wenschhof

Democrats pick up Two Seats in Wisconsin - after millions of special interest money poured into the state for the recall elections. Change did take place, but not enough to alter the majority in the state senate. Democrats needed to pick up three seats to hope to rescind the union busting bill signed by Republican Governor Scott Walker. Two Democrats face recall elections next week. The Washington Post more here.

The results will enable both Republican and Democratic spin masters to claim victory - look to see this outcome used in the 2012 elections as a motivator to get out the votes by both sides.

Full results here.

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Dow Up 400 - the day after losing 635. The roller coaster effect the result of big money taking advantage of low prices as the average investor remains unsure where to put their money. Meanwhile, Federal Reserve chair Ben Bernanke sought to allay investor fears by promising low interest rates through 2012. The NY Times has more here.

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Will Deficit Reduction Super Committee Meetings Be open to the Public? - In addition to selecting the members of the committee, Republican and Democratic leaders will be deciding whether the meetings will be held in the open. There are pros and cons to both approaches, but perhaps with automatic triggers in place to implement 1 trillion in cuts, open meetings would be appropriate. TPM.com has more here.

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Reid Makes Picks For Debt Reduction Super Committee - Who Will be the Rest? - Today, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) will name Patty Murray (Wash.) as co-chair of the committee along with Max Baucus (Mont.) and John Kerry (Mass.). RNC chair Priebus already is complaining about the selection of Murray as co-chair as she is also the chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

Speculation continues to swirl as to who will be piked for the other nine members of the committee. TheHill.com has their contenders here.

Look to see Maryland Representative Chris Van Hollen receive strong consideration and for Representative James Clyburn (S.C.) to be selected by Pelosi.

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Spotlight On Pawlenty as Iowa Straw Poll Nears - Republican Tim Pawlenty is campaigning hard in Iowa and with Mitt Romney skipping the state and Rick Perry announcing afterward, this is the opportunity for Pawlenty to gain some momentum in what has been a lackluster campaign to date. However, if Pawlenty does not fare well in Saturday's Ames Straw Poll, you can kiss his campaign good-bye. Politico.com has more here.

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Jeb Bush Jr. to Endorse Huntsman - the son of former Governor Jeb Bush and grandson of former President George H.W. Bush will make the announcement today. He will become the national chair of GenH, engaging youth and young professionals for the Jon Huntsman campaign. CNN.com has more here.

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Looting Spreads in British Cities - extra police were deployed in London after three days of rioting and as a result, the streets were quiet last night. However, looting spread to the cities of Manchester, Liverpool, and Birmingham. The riots an likely outcome of the economic downtown and economic disparity that exists. London is host of the 2012 Olympics Games so hopes are the current unrest will not impact the event next year. Reuters.com has more here.

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Discontent Also Evident in Israel - England is not the only country where economic disparity has led to demonstrations. A tent city has sprung up in Tel Aviv. It has now been three weeks since activists first pitched some tents in Israel's second largest city to highlight the need for affordable housing for the middle class. You can read more here.

The growing gap between those who have and those who do not is fueling these protests. Do not be surprised to see similar acts in the United States.

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