Daily Political Wire 11-20-2010

George Wenschhof

Sunday morning "Talking Heads" lineup - below, Politico.com has a preview of the morning shows. The discussion will be heavily focused on foreign policy as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen fan out to appear and push for the ratification of the START treaty with Russia during the lame duck session of congress.

Also, sure to be discussed is the recent NATO agreement to end involvement in Afghanistan by the end of 2014 and the U.S. offer of 3 billion in stealth fighter planes to Israel in exchange for a ninety day building moratorium in the disputed West Bank.



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Federal Elections Commission Dismisses Complaint against Republican Senator John Ensign (Nev.) - a complaint had been filed against him in regard to the $96,000 his parents gave a campaign worker who was the former mistress of the Senator.

It was determined that the money was a gift and not a campaign contribution. TPM.com has more here.

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House Ethics Committee Cancels Trial for Representative Maxine Waters (D-Calf.) - only citing new evidence became available which caused them to refer the case back to the subcommittee who originally recommended the trial. The trial had been scheduled to begin November 29.

Waters claims this proves the evidence was weak in regard to her case. She was questioned in regard to her acting on behalf of a Bank receiving bail out funds which her husband owned stock. TheHill.com has more here.

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Representative Steve Israel (D-NY) to be new DCCC Chair - he was named by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calf.) to replace Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) who served as chair for the last two election cycles.

Israel will be tasked at regaining the majority in the House. The NY Times Caucus Blog has more here.

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Senate Settles Black Farmers and American Indian Lawsuits for 4.55 Billion - the long standing lawsuits were finally settled yesterday. Black Farmers had argued they had been denied or underpaid aid and American Indian trust funds had been mismanaged.

It now goes to the House for a vote prior to being signed by President Obama. The NY Times has more here.

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Sunday morning "Talking Heads" Lineup for 8-1-2010

George Wenschhof

Expect debate and discussion on the information provided by www.Wikileaks.org on the United States foreign policy in regard to Afghanistan/Pakistan. The stunning disclosure that Pakistan intelligence agencies have been aiding the Taliban in their efforts against the United States in Afghanistan will feed the discussion.

Congress will be taking their August recess shortly with the Senate the last to leave on Thursday evening. Republicans have stuck with their obstructionist action in using an unprecedented number of filibusters and just saying "No" to whatever legislation the Democrats propose, including a Democratic sponsored bill to aid small business. Aid for states for help with Medicaid and teacher layoffs is another bill languishing in the senate.

Other topics will be the confirmation vote on Supreme Court Justice nominee Elena Kagan that will take place on Thursday, the gutting of the Arizona immigration law by a federal law, the dismal economy, the upcoming Representative Charles Rangel (D-NY) Ethics Trial, whether a watered down energy bill has any success in passing before the recess and speculation on the outcome of the upcoming mid term elections.

Sure to get some mention is the legislative theatrics which took place in the House and resulting Republican opposition to a bill providing health care to the first responders of 9/11 who have suffered debilitating illnesses as a result of their efforts on that day.

NBC "Meet the Press" - Former Federal Reserve chair Alan Greenspan - see if he repeats what he said earlier about supporting allowing the former George W. Bush administration tax cuts for the wealthy to expire.

Admiral Mike Mullen, chair of the Joints Chief of Staff who will surely add his comments to the AfPak leaks. New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg, and Governor Ed Rendell (D-Pa.).

ABC "This Week" - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calf.) and Defense Secretary Robert Gates. Will the Rangel Ethics trial hurt the Democrats? Expect Pelosi to praise the system Democrats were responsible for implementing in dealing with ethics issues in the House.

Gates will talk about the suspected individual who leaked the classified information to WikiLeaks and try to spin the fact the Obama administration has been refocusing the effort in Afghanistan. A tough sell in light of the information being disclosed.

CBS "Face The Nation" - Senator Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) - expect him to bemoan the federal judge ruling in regard to the state's immigration law. Also sure to express opinion will be, Thomas Saenz; President Mexican American Legal and Education Fund.

Admiral Mike Mullen will be joined with Richard Haass, president of Council on Foreign Relations. More discussion on U.S. policy in Afghanistan and Pakistan. CFR is known to be more conservative in their thought.

CNN "State of The Union" - Senators Carl Levin (D-Mich.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). Levin has to be happy with the trip by President Obama to Detroit, highlighting the comeback of the auto industry. Graham has to be sick over the fact a strong energy/climate bill he stuck his neck out to support with Senators Kerry and Lieberman, has now died a natural death and been replaced with an offering of a bill that basically bashes BP and does little else.

Fox News Sunday - Sarah Palin is their darling and headliner today. Rounding out their Republican leanings will be guests; Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Oh.).

Think they will be bashing Democrats, with Palin talking about is the most recent "mama grizzly" to receive her endorsement? You bet ya - Now, listen closely to see if they offer any concrete proposals in regard to any single issue - don't bet on it.

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