George Wenschhof
The future involvement of the U.S. in Afghanistan and the continuing slumping economy will be two of the main topics of discussion this Sunday morning. David Gregory, host of NBC "Meet The Press", traveled to Afghanistan to interview General David Petreaus. More military documents are to be released soon on wikileaks.org which will surely add to the many questions surrounding the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan. Will or will not the U.S. begin withdrawal in July of 2011? or will continued U.S. involvement be conditions based? Expect this to become an even more heated issue next summer as the 2012 presidential election will be well underway.
The fear of a double dip recession is real as consumers continue to resist spending and lending by banks remain tight. Economist Mark Zandi will be on Fox News Sunday and economist Laura Tyson will be on ABC "This Week". While another round of stimulus spending may be helpful, there is zero chance of support for that coming from Congress. Expect some analysis of the latest action taken by the Federal Reserve in buying mortgage debt along with what else can be done to get the unemployed working again. For over a year, I have been calling for a federally funded public service employment program (a modern day public works program). let's see if this is mentioned as an option in easing the unemployment burden.
Another topic likely to be discussed will be the upcoming Ethics Trials of Democratic Representatives Charles Rangel (NY) and Maxine Waters (Calf.). Both are African American, a point not lost on the Congressional Black Caucus. Be prepared for the spin as to how it will help Republicans and hurt Democrats in the mid term elections.
The latest statement by President Obama, coming at a Iftar dinner celebrating the Muslim holy month on Friday night, giving support of the building of a Mosque near ground zero in New York City, will surely receive attention by the pundits. The president is correct in saying it is important to protect religious freedom in America.
The ongoing conversation on the outcome of the mid term elections will defintely be a part of the discussion as DCCC chair Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) appears on CNN "State of The Union". also appearing on the same show will be Representative Kevin McCarthy (R-Calf.) who will surely be asked about the Judge ruling overturning the ban on Gay Marriage in California and the subsequent short stay of the decision until August 18. Proponents of the ban have file an appeal and hope to extend the stay until the appeal is heard.
and... how about that oil well in the Gulf? Seems the "top kill" has worked and maybe trying the bottom kill by the relief well may be more harmful than helpful at this point. let's see if this receives any discussion.
NBC "Meet the Press" - taped from Afghanistan - General David Petraeus
CBS "Face The Nation" - DNC chair Tim Kaine and Governor Ed Rendell (D-Pa.).
Roundtable discussion with Ed Gillespie, Ed Rollins, Karen Tumulty and John Harris.
ABC "This Week" - Laura Tyson, Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.)
Roundtable discussion with Cokie Roberts, Matthew Dowd and Jon Corzine
CNN "State of The Union" - DCCC chair Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Kevin McCarthy (R-Calf.).
Fox News Sunday - Senators Jon Cornyn (R-Tex.) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Mark Zandi.
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Saturday, August 14, 2010
Sunday morning "Talking Heads" Lineup for 8-15-2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
Daily Democratic Wire 3-5-2010
George Wenschhof
President Barack Obama will visit a small business in Arlington, Virginia this morning - he will discuss clean energy and job creation. The new jobless report has unemployment remaining at 9.7% which is better than expected after the horrific snowstorms across the country during the past month. Bloomberg.com has more here.
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Separate legislation may be solution to gain Stupak support for health care reform - Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) has opposed the current Senate version as he claims it provides for abortion payments and has threatened he has as many as 12 more democrats who will vote against the bill. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) believes passing another piece of legislation should satisfy Stupak. TheHill.com has more here.
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Representative William Delahunt (D-Mass.) becomes 17th House Democrat to announce retirement - he indicated he had informed the late Senator Ted Kennedy he wanted to retire prior to the last election but was talked out of it by Kennedy who said new president elect Obama was going to need him. Interestingly, his district was won by Scott Brown in the recent senate election. The Boston Globe has more here.
Chris Cillizza, in his Washington post Blog "The Fix" speculates on the Democrats who may run for his seat. You can read it here.
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Meanwhile, Representative Nathan Deal (R-Ga.) delays resignation from House - he will stay until the health care reform vote and cast his "no" vote. There are 3 vacancies in the House and with 432 members, Democrats will need 217 votes. The House Health Care Reform version passed last November with a 220-215 vote. The NY Times "The Caucus" Blog has more here.
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Representative Sander Levin (D-Mich.) takes helm of House Ways and Means Committee - yesterday, it was reported that Pete Stark (D-Calf.) the next in line in seniority to Charles Rangel (D-NY), had been named. Stark took himself out of the running after colleagues suggested he do so. Politico.com has more here.
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Senate deliberation continues on finance reform - you would think after a near collapse of the U.S. economy, a 700 billion bail out bill, government need to take ownership in auto maker companies and high unemployment that this bill would have received the most attention from Congress and quick passage.
But, that has not been the case as obstructionist Republicans in the senate have objected to the creation of a Consumer Finance Protection Agency. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), chair of the senate banking committee and Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) have been working on a compromise which would place the consumer finance protection agency inside the Federal Reserve. A bizarre compromise as the federal reserve deals with monetary policy only.
In case you have not seen this yet, below is a hilarious video produced by Ron Howard with past and present SNL actors portraying past and present Presidents who support the creation of the Consumer Finance Protection Agency.
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Saturday, April 4, 2009
Sunday Morning "Talking Heads" Guests 4-5-2009
George Wenschhof Bio
The past week has been an incredible week for President Barack Obama. He continues to ride a wave of popularity in both domestic and international issues. The week began with the announcement of a new auto bailout plan with conditions. One of those conditions was the ouster of Richard Wagoner, the CEO of General Motors. Tongues will move on that move this Sunday morning with some wondering why the White House has been tougher on the auto industry than the financial industry. New GM CEO Fritz Henderson will appear on NBC "Meet The Press".
In spite of unemployment hitting 8.5%, the highest in 26 years, the Dow Jones registered gains for the last four straight weeks and closed above 8000. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, perhaps bolstered by this news will be the guest on CBS "Face The Nation".
On Thursday, the House and the Senate voted to approve the President's 3.55 trillion budget in non-binding resolutions. The final approval is expected by the end of this month
President Obama has wowed them overseas so far and the first leg of his trip was agreement by the G-20 to provide over 1 trillion to the IMF along with adding new regulations to the financial markets. Along the way he met with Russian president Dimitry Medvedev and they agreed to a meeting in Moscow to discuss further nuclear arm reduction. Not satisfied with that, Obama also met with Chinese President Hu Jintao and the two agreed to a meeting in China by the end of the year.
Stops in France and Germany continued the positive vibes for Obama and the NATO summit in Prague is up next where cooperation in rebuilding Afghanistan will be discussed. Dr. Susan Rice, U.S. UN ambassador will be the guest on ABC "This Week".
It appears the Talking Heads" are a little weak with guests with foreign policy experience and that is a disappointment. However, that may be because everyone is overseas with the President. Nonetheless, the discussion will be great. So plan to tune in and watch.
The guests are listed below. Remember to check your local listing for time and channel.
NBC "Meet The Press" - Dick Gregory will interview new GM CEO Fritz Henderson. The roundtable discussion will include John Harwood, Katty Kay, Dr. Bill Rogers, and Joshua Cooper Ramo.
ABC "This Week" - George Stephanopoulos will have as his guest Dr. Susan Rice, the U.S. UN ambassador. The roundtable discussion will include George Will, David Frum, Richard Haas, and Martha Raddatz.
CBS "Face The Nation" - Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner will sit down with Bob Schieffer.
Fox News Sunday - Chris Wallace has Senior White House Adviser David Axelrod, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Governor Mark Sanford (R-SC), and Representative Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-Fla.)
CNN "State of The Union" - John King also has new GM CEO Fritz Henderson and Senior White House Adviser David Axelrod. Also appearing will be Senators Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.)
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