Daily Democratic Wire 8-25-2009

George Wenschhof

This morning, President Barack Obama nominated Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke for another term - so much for the promise yesterday from deputy White House Press Secretary Bill Burton of no news from the president while he was on vacation. Bernanke flew to Martha's Vineyard to be present for the announcement. You can read more here.

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Housing prices rise for first time in three years - for the last quarter. The peak was in 2006. Since then, home prices have fallen 30%. ABCNews has more here.

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Upon new release of information pertaining to abuse of prisoners, Attorney General Eric Holder appoints Special Prosecutor - the newly released report details additional abuse of prisoners by the CIA and their contractors. Holder stated he had no choice but to appoint a prosecutor to determine if a full investigation is to follow. The man chosen for the job is John Durham, a prosecutor from Connecticut. The NY Times has more here.

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Afghanistan Election may be headed for a run-off - Reuters is reporting that with 10% of the vote counted, President Hamid Karzai has a 41% - 39% lead over challenger Abdullah Abdullah. If neither obtains a simple majority of the vote, there will be a run-off election. Reuters.com has more here.

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Daily Democratic Wire 8-19-2009

George Wenschhof

Today, President Barack Obama will discuss health care reform in a series of phone conferences - He has two phone conferences planned with thousands of religious leaders today and will also appear on BlogTalkRadio at 5 PM ET. You can read more here.

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Marist poll shows Palin would get crushed by Obama 56% - 33% in 2012 - the poll also shows the resignation by Sarah Palin of the Governor seat in Alaska also hurt her with voters. You can read more results from the poll here.

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NBC News Poll show Americans feelings toward health care reform unchanged since July - however, the misinformation being spread by Republicans such as death panels, care for illegal immigrants, pay for abortions, and a government take-over of the system is now believed by a majority. Even though, independent fact-checkers say these claims are all untrue. Shows how nasty politics gets sometimes. MSNBC.com has more here.

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Democrats begin talk of going it alone on health care reform - The NY Times has a good read here. Seems White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and Democratic leadership is sending a strong message to Republicans that if they do not stop their misinformation effort and begin meaningful negotiation on health care reform, they will use budget reconciliation as a means to pass reform. In the case of budget reconciliation, a simple majority is needed in Congress to pass the bill.

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Carly Fiorina may challenge Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calf.) in 2010 - Fiorina filed papers allowing her to begin fundraising. Fiorina has her work cut out for her as she will have to overcome her failures in running Hewlett Packard and being let go as manager of the losing John McCain presidential campaign. Politico.com has more here.

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Violence results in deaths of election workers on eve of Afghanistan election - stay tuned as the election will take place tomorrow. Reports also indicate election materials are slow in arriving at polling locations. President Hamid Karzai is facing dozens of opponents and speculation is a run off may be necessary to determine the winner. The winner must receive a majority of the vote and not a plurality. You can read more here.

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North Korean diplomats to meet with Governor Bill Richardson - in what appears to be another overture toward entering into discussions with the U.S. the diplomats are going to Sante Fe to meet with the Governor. This comes soon after former President Bill Clinton's successful trip to N. Korea to free two American Journalists. CNN.com has more here.

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Daily Democratic Wire 8-16-2009

George Wenschhof

President Barack Obama will be back in D.C. Monday after spending several days out west attending town halls on health care reform - the President also took time to pen an op-ed on the need for health care reform that appears in the NY Times - you can read it here.

Meanwhile, Americans are being inundated with TV ads paid for by those who oppose and those who support health care reform. You can read more here.

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Senator Jim Webb (D-Va.) wins release of American from Myanmar government - the American; John Yettaw had made an illegal visit to opposition leader Sori Suu Kyi and had been sentenced to seven years of hard labor. This is the second time in a week a American political figure helped secure the release of an American overseas. Although this did not have the same high profile as former president Bill Clinton's trip to North Korea to free two American Journalists. Reuters.com has more here.

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Health insurance co-ops gathering support over public option - on the Sunday morning "Talk Shows" Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) and HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius signaled the public option in the health care reform legislation may not be needed. TheHill.com has more here.

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Afghanistan election nears with vote uncertain - current President Hamid Karzai is receiving stiff opposition from former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah. Interestingly, state law requires all campaigning to end on Monday, three days prior to the election on Thursday. Speculation is there will be a run off vote between these two as neither will receive the necessary majority of the vote in the multi candidate race for President.

Many from within and outside Afghanistan view Karzai as a puppet of the U.S. government. It is also expected the Taliban will try to disrupt the election. MSNBC.com has more here.

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Daily Democratic Wire 8-15-2009

George Wenschhof

Today, President Barack Obama will attend another town hall meeting on health care - this time in Grand Junction, Colorado. The President and his family will also tour Yellowstone National Park. You can read more here.

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John Podesta suggests strategy to President on health care reform bill passage - the former Chief of Staff to President Bill Clinton feels an end line needs to be set. In addition, certain measures within the bill such as a public option needs to receive clear support from the White House or a decision made to scrap this provision. Bloomberg.com has more here.

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Has the absence of Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) had an impact on health care reform? - the Senator is battling brain cancer which was diagnosed last year. Health care reform has been a career focus of Kennedy. The other question is what has been the effect of former senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle not being the person shepherding the health care bill through Congress. Daschle withdrew from consideration for HHS Secretary when some tax issues surfaced during his confirmation hearing. The absence of both Kennedy and Daschle working on the approval of this bill has to be felt. TheHill.com has more here.

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Hillary Clinton heads home after 11 day trip to Africa - seven nations were visited by the Secretary of State, including yesterday's visit of Liberia with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first democratically elected woman leader in Africa. MSNBC.com has more here.

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Afghanistan election on the horizon - little publicity has been given to this election on August 20. President Hamid Karzai who has received the support of the U.S. is on shaky ground as the election nears. Fears of added and targeted violence on election day by the Taliban is high among citizens. You can read more here.

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