George Wenschhof
Obama makes four recess appointments - a move made while Congress was on vacation. All four under level positions had been blocked by Republicans. Reuters.com has more here.
Many of the mid level administrative positions in government agencies are by presidential appointment, leading to the question as to why? Instead, they should be merit based and the thousands of these brown bag appointments discontinued.
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Today, Vice President Joe Biden will address the DNC - at their meeting in St. Louis at the Marriott Hotel. He will be rallying the troops prior to the mid term elections. The DNC sent out an email blast to supporters yesterday inviting them to tune in the watch Biden's speech beginning this morning at 10:50 AM ET by clicking on this link: http://my.democrats.org/VPSpeech.
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Israel-Palestine Peace Talks To Resume - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is expected to make the announcement today. Both Israel prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestine Authority President Mahmoud Abbas are expected to arrive in Washington September 2 to begin the direct talks. The NY Times has more here.
Border issues, the status of Jerusalem, the return of Palestinian refugees, and the security of Israel are some of the many issues to be discussed. U.S. Middle East Envoy George Mitchell has been the go between in the so-called "Proximity talks" between the two leaders and it was his efforts which led to the announcement of the direct talks.
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O'Malley-Ehrlich tied in Maryland Governor race - In a rematch of the close 2006 election won by Democrat Martin O'Malley. The latest Rasmussen poll has it O'Malley with 45% and Republican former governor Robert Ehrlich at 44%. Only 3% prefer another candidate and 8% remain undecided. Rasmussen.com has more here.
This poll reflects the uneasiness of voters today as registered Democrats in the state outnumber Republicans 2-1. The Independent voters unaffiliated with a political party may well determine the outcome of this race.
While the state has been spared the the nationwide 9.5% unemployment rate (Md. is at 7%), O'Malley has been hurt with the sloppy and ineffective roll out of slots which were suppose to help raise revenue for the state. Increased scrutiny of the less than effective Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development will also surely come as the campaign heats up.
However, Ehrlich has yet to detail any specifics on his proposals to help business and economic growth. Yesterday, he refused to acknowledge Maryland Democratic Party communications director Issac Salazar who had attended a Ehrlich event and tried to ask a question. The Baltimore Sun reported Salazar was trying to point out that it was during the Ehrlich administration that the fees for personal property returns required annually by small businesses, increased from $100 to $300. The Baltimore Sun has more here.
FirstRead.com has Maryland rated as leaning Democrat. In their top ten list of takeovers in Governors across the country, seven favored the Republican candidate. You can read more here.
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Obama criticizes Republicans for blocking aid to small business - he wants the senate to take up the proposal again when they reconvene. The bill which would increase lending to small business and reduce their taxes was unable to break a Republican filibuster - the vote was 58-42. TheHill.com has more here.
Unemployment which stands at 9.5% across the country, appears ready to jump as the summer is coming to an end and the mid term elections near - a difficult scenario for Democrats.
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Friday, August 20, 2010
Daily Political Wire 8-20-2010
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Daily Political Wire 7-18-2010
George Wenschhof
President Obama and his family are enjoying their quick two day trip to Bar Harbor, Maine - visiting a Light House, fitness center, walking a scenic trail, and partaking in the great food. They return to D.C. today.
My first taste of Lobster came during a backpacking trip through the upper northeast and it was during a stay in Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. Back in the late 1970's, lobster pots were plentiful along the side of the road, and a sit down dinner with "Bib" and a paper place mat with instructions (very much needed!) was only five bucks!
For more details of the First Family trip, click here.
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So far, so good, as the newest cap on the Gulf BP oil well holds - continuing monitoring of the cap is needed to test build up of pressure to make sure there are no sub surface leaks from the well. With fingers crossed, this procedure could end the tremendous flow of oil into the ocean and the relief well is scheduled for completion within two weeks. The NY Times has more here.
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New Massachusetts Senator Carte Goodwin (D) to have an immediate effect when sworn in Tuesday - the interim replacement appointed by W. Virginia governor Joe Manchin (D) will make the 60th vote and enable the senate to pass a 34 billion unemployment benefits extension later in the week. TheHill.com has more here.
Republicans had been blocking the bill, saying there was no money to pay for it. Passage of the bill will provide for retroactive payments and up to 99 weeks of benefits through November.
Still absent from the Obama administration is a federally funded public service employment program which I have advocated, paid for with remaining Stimulus bill funds.
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U.S. Middle East Envoy George Mitchell still trying to set up direct talks between Israel and Palestine - a dubious task. he has been shuttling between the two countries in what has been dubbed "proximity talks" as the two leaders will not directly talk to each other. Hardly, an encouraging sign for long lasting peace between neighbors. After meeting with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Mitchell meet yesterday with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Politico.com has more here.
Abbas wants a third part to guard the borders and Israel to agree to an equitable land swap for any West Bank settlement land it does not relinquish.
Both Netanyahu and Abbas meet with President Obama over the last two weeks as Obama continues to push for a two state solution and lasting peace.
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Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Pakistan - meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari. Improved relations and cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan is needed in battling al-Qaida and the Taliban. The U.S. has pledged 1.5 billion a year for five years in non military aid to Pakistan. MSNBC.com has more here.
The economies in both Pakistan and Afghanistan are terrible and the leadership weak and corrupt and Clinton's efforts could well be a fools errand.
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Saturday, July 10, 2010
Sunday morning "Talking Heads" Lineup for 7-11-2010
George Wenschhof
Senior White House Adviser David Axelrod makes the rounds this morning appearing on four of the morning political discussion shows. While he was masterful in his advise in the campaign for the presidency, he has been only average in his appearances in front of the television camera. He is not overly effective as a public speaker and as a face for the white House policies.
In fact, that is one area the Obama administration has failed in, regardless of the issue being addressed, is to have an administration spokesman be effective and connect with the public. The best, to date, has been Thad Allen, who is overseeing the BP Gulf oil spill containment and cleanup effort. Of course, President Obama is in a class of his own when it comes to communicating with voters.
You have stories like the "spy swap" with Russia, the continuing BP Gulf coast oil spill disaster, the U.S. suit against Arizona and it's immigration law, the long awaited recent White House visit by Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the lagging economy on tap for discussion on Sunday.
NBC "Meet The Press" - White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs
ABC "This Week" - David Axelrod, Representatives Luis Guiterrez (D-Ill.) and Brian Gilbray (D-Calf.)
CBS "Face The Nation" - U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder
CNN "State of The Union" - David Axelrod, Governor Bill Richardson (D-N.M.), Representative Trent Franks (R-Ariz.), Kenneth Feinberg
Fox News Sunday - David Axelrod, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
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Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Daily Political Wire 7-6-2010
George Wenschhof
Today, President Obama will meet with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu - after meetings and a working lunch they will hold a joint press conference from the White House. Relations have been strained since Israel announced approval of building permits for the West Bank and Israeli commandos stormed a aid ship bound for the Gaza Strip. Reuters.com has more here.
All of which has made the job of U.S. Middle East Envoy George Mitchell even more difficult as he mediates "proximity talks" between Israel and Palestine.
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Senator Scott Brown (R-Mass.) signals he is now ready to support Financial Reform bill - after forcing Senate Majority Leader to postpone the vote on the bill prior to the 4th of July recess, Brown now says after the Bank fee has been amended, he is ready to support.
The vote delay was caused by the loss of Senator Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.), Brown and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.); who is now saying she will support. TheHill.com has more here.
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RNC Chair Michael Steele likely to survive through 2010 elections - even as high profile republicans such as Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) call for his resignation. Changing leadership only four months before the elections is doubtful. However, it is safe to say Michael Steele is one gaffe away from the exit door. FirstRead.com has more here.
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Saturday, July 3, 2010
Daily Political Wire 7-3-2010
George Wenschhof
President Obama is spending the 4th of July weekend at Camp David - on Tuesday he will meet with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.
This meeting has twice been postponed due to circumstances which erupted in Israel. The first visit was canceled after Israel announced, during a visit by Vice President Joe Biden, the approval of hundreds of building permits in the controversial West Bank. A policy contrary to what the U.S. and the Palestinians had been negotiating fo some time.
The second visit was canceled after Israeli commandos seized a humanitarian aid ship headed to the Gaza Strip.
In spite of these incidents, U.S. Middle East Envoy George Mitchell has continued to hold "proximity talks" between Israel and Palestine. Let's see if Netanyahu has any progress to announce in regard to these peace talks next week. Stay Tuned...
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Sunday morning "Talking Heads" Lineup - expect a lot of talk on Afghanistan with Senators John McCain (R-Ariz.), John Lindsey (R-S.C.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) appearing on different shows live from that country.
Sure to be brought up is the latest gaffe from RNC chair Michael Steele who was caught rambling about how the U.S. should not be involved in a ground war in Afghanistan; a position contrary to the majority of the Republican Party.
NBC "Meet The Press" - no program today - coverage of Wimbleton Tennis
ABC "This Week" - Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.)
CBS "Face The Nation" - Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.)
CNN "State of The Union" - Representatives John Boccieri (D-Ohio), Duncan Hunter (R-Calf.), and Mike Coffman (R-Col.). Also appearing will be Afghanistan Ambassador to the U.S. Said Tayeb Jawab.
Fox News Sunday - Senators Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Jim DeMint (R-S.C.). Kenneth Feinberg - the independent administrator/arbiter of the BP 20 billion Escrow Fund.
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U.S. and Poland sign Missile Shield agreement - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was on hand in Krakow, Poland yesterday to witness the signing. The Obama administration scrapped the former Bush administration proposal for longer range defensive missiles in favor of shorter range missiles to defend against any possible attack from Iran. Russia has long opposed any deployment of U.S. missiles in Poland. MSNBC.com has more here.
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More calls for Steele's Resignation - the embattled chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC). Michael Steele, who barely won nomination as chair after six rounds of balloting less than a year ago has new efforts to oust him. Politico.com has more here.
Conservatives Bill Kristol; Weekly Standard Editor, David Foster of The National Review and Liz Cheney; chair of Keep America Safe all are calling for his resignation. This is coming after he was caught on a "hot mic" saying the U.S. should not be involved in a ground war in Afghanistan.
Republicans are in a tough spot as the mid term elections near. Their chair continues to help Democrats with his gaffes, however, how effective will a change be at this point.
In the meantime, look to see Democrats point out the inability of Republican leadership to make decisions; especially in regard to their own voice of their Party. Is this the kind of leadership you want to elect to Congress?
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