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Sunday, January 27, 2013

Daily Political Wire

George Wenschhof


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Watch Obama and Clinton Interview on CBS "60 Minutes" Tonight - President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton appear in their first joint interview when they speak together to Steve Kroft. Watch Kroft's report on Sunday, Jan. 27 at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT.

STEVE KROFT, "60 MINUTES" CORRESPONDENT: Why did you want to do this together, a joint interview?

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, the main thing is I just wanted to have a chance to publicly say thank you, because I think Hillary will go down as one of the finest secretaries of state we've had. It has been a great collaboration over the last four years. I'm going to miss her, wish she was sticking around but she has logged in so many miles I can't begrudge her wanting to take it easy for a little bit. But I want the country to appreciate what an extraordinary role she's played during the course of my administration. A lot of the successes we've had internationally have been because of her hard work.

SECRETARY CLINTON: A few years ago it would have been seen as improbable because we had that very long, hard primary campaign. But, you know, I've gone around the world on behalf of the president and our country, and one of the things that I say to people, because I think it helps them understand, I say look, in politics and in democracy, sometimes you win elections and sometimes you lose elections. And I worked very hard but I lost. And then President Obama asked me to be secretary of state and I said yes. And why did he ask me and why did I say yes? Because we both love our country.


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Plouffe Departure From White House Significant - For the president’s first two years, David Axelrod, 57, who is extroverted and disorganized, was the protector of the Obama brand, overseeing the president’s shift from campaign platform to governing agenda on all issues — and doing so amid an economic crisis that forced unanticipated actions like an $800 billion stimulus package and an overhaul of financial industry regulations.
       
For the past two years, the introverted and hyper-disciplined Mr. Plouffe, 45, served as what he called “the connective tissue” between the administration and the re-election campaign, making sure that the actions of one did not threaten the success of the other.
 
Both David's were pivotal in the successful campaigns to elect and reelect Obama.  President Obama has tapped as his new senior adviser Dan Pfeiffer. The NY Times has a good read here.

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Ryan Defends GOP Position Against Revenue Hikes - appearing on NBC "Meet the Press" this morning, Representative Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said "Are we for raising revenues? No we're not," Ryan said. "If you keep raising revenues, you're not going to get decent tax reform." 

Ryan added "I think the sequester's going to happen," blaming Democrats for offering no palatable substitute for those cuts. MSNBC.com has more here.

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Harkin Joins Chambliss in Announcing Retirement from Senate - Iowa Democratic Senator Tom Harkin announced yesterday he will not seek another term, after serving 30 years.

Georgia Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss announ ced earlier in the week he will not run for reelection.

Harkin, who is 73, said “To walk away from this position and this power is not an easy thing,” he said. “But I think it’s the right thing. And I have two years left. I’m not passing the torch sitting down — it’s a running relay. I intend to be very active over the next two years.”  You can read more here.

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Hagel Receives Support From McChystal and Hayden - Retired Gen. Stanley McChrystal and former CIA Director Michael Hayden said Sunday they supported Chuck Hagel’s nomination for secretary of Defense.

Hayden said Hagel’s military experience and ability to talk candidly with those in uniform would help him in the position if the Senate confirms his nomination.

“Frankly, given my time in uniform, that’s a tremendous attribute,” Hayden said on CNN’s "State of the Union." “I think he’ll be fine.”

He also said the new Defense team would be more in sync with the president’s policies.
McChrystal said Hagel was a suitable pick for the job.

"Of course he'll build relationships as he goes. He has already got a lot of credibility," McChrystal said. "I don't think it will be a problem.  Politico.com has more here.

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