Daily Political Wire 9-17-2010

George Wenschhof

Today, President Obama will announce Elizabeth Warren as special adviser to new Consumer Finance Protection Agency - Warren was long rumored to head the new agency established under the recently passed financial reform bill. Far left leaning Democrats are expected to be happy with the announcement made today from the White House Rose Garden.

She was not expected to be confirmed in the Senate as Republicans were sure to block her appointment. The president will get around this by naming her as a special assistant to the Treasury Secretary today. Politico.com has more here.

This move by the president will become red meat in the upcoming mid term elections.

---

New Quinnipiac poll has Kasich 17 points up on Strickland in Governor's race - in a battleground state that has been a barometer in recent elections. Democratic Governor Ted Strickland has fallen 17 points behind Republican John Kasich 54-37%. You can read more details from the poll here.

---

Retiring Democratic Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd gives Republicans credit on their term limits system for committee chairmen - Republicans limit chairmen or ranking positions to six years, providing for more diversity. Dodd had to wait 27 years before he was named chair of the Senate Banking Committee. Once appointed to chair of a committee, Democrats can and usually do serve indefinitely or until they lose election. FirstRead.com has more here.

---

O'Donnell - Coons meet in first debate - Just two days following her upset of Mike Castle in the Delaware Republican Senate primary. She faced Democratic candidate Chris Coons. Early analysis was a break even debate with Coons showing more poise. TheHill.com has more here.

This race is now considered a toss up in a strong Democratic state long represented by Vice president Joe Biden. His son Beau, was his presumptive successor and a place keeper was appointed to serve the remainder of Joe Biden's term in the senate when he became Vice President. Beau's decision not to run may cost the Democrats a seat. Stay tuned..

---

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) set to unveil new "Contract with America" - in an attempt to capture the magic Newt Gingrich created back in the 1994 elections. However, unlike in 1994, when Republican candidates signed the pledge, this time they will not be asked to sign it. You can read more here.

The question Democrats and American voters should ask is why is this being announced less than seven weeks prior to the elections and why haven't Republicans been working to solve the problems facing the nation over the last two years.

Will the new "contract with America" have success and resonate with voters or will the "party of no" be what voters remember when they go to the polls on November 2. Republicans are assured, if past historical data is repeated, of picking up seats in the House and Senate. Whether the Republican wins result in control of the House and Senate remains to be seen.

---

House Ethics Committee may wait until after Election to Try Rangel and Waters - the high profile ethics trials for Representatives Charles Rangel (D-NY) and Maxine Water (D-Calf.) are not close to beginning. The latest scuttlebutt is the trial will be pushed back to after the elections on November 2 and possible until after the new Congress is sworn in. Politico.com has more here.

Republicans were hopeful the trials would take place prior to the elections.

---

Palin to headline Iowa Republican's Reagan Dinner - tonight, she will speak to the estimated 1000 attendees of the annual Republican dinner. A move, by the former Governor of Alaska and tea party favorite, seen to be further evidence of her intention to run for president in 2012. CNN.com has more here.

---

To receive "Daily Email Updates", click on "Subscribe to this feed" below or use the sign up box located in the upper right hand margin.

Daily Political Wire 9-5-2010

George Wenschhof

81% of Americans say the Economy is in Poor Shape - a new CNN/Opinion research poll released today says only 18% believe the economy is in good shape. 44% say the economy is in very poor shape.

The economy remains the number one issue to voters and how they respond to new economic policies planned to be unveiled by President Obama this week could determine who wins control of Congress in the mid term elections on November 2.

The little bit of good news in the poll for Democrats is that 44% of voters blame the economic problems on the Republicans and 35% blame Democrats. CNN.com has more here.

---

Whitman leading in California Governor Race - a recent SuyveyUSA poll shows republican Meg Whitman leading Democrat and former Governor Jerry Brown 47-40%. Whitman has spent 100 million of her own money on this race.

In the important Senate race, Republican challenger Carly Fiorina and incumbent Democrat Barbara Boxer are also locked in a statistical tie. Stay Tuned... Reuters.com has more here.

---

Maryland Democratic Representative Frank Kratovil makes Politico's Top 10 most vulnerable List - over on the eastern shore in Maryland's 1st district first term congressman Frank Kratovil will be facing a tough reelection battle against Republican Andy Harris. In a rematch of the the 2008 election won by Kratovil by only 3,000 votes. Obama lost the district by 19 points in 2008. Politico.com has more here.

---

NY Times endorses Democrat Joyce Johnson over New York Democratic Representative Charles Rangle - the 40 year congressman is facing trial on 13 ethics charges. The NY primary is September 14. The NY Times has more here.

---

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer admits beheadings claim was in error - just days after her 17 second brain freeze during a debate with Democrat Terry Goddard. Brewer, who's claim to fame has been her signing of the state immigration law, now admits her statement on beheadings in Arizona being related to illegal immigration was in error. MSNBC.com has more here.

---

To receive "Daily Email Updates", click on "Subscribe to this feed" below or use the sign up box located in the upper right hand margin.

Daily Political Wire 8-11-2010

George Wenschhof

President Obama signs 26.1 billion state aid bill - the House returned for a special session to pass (247-161) the bill which will help states avoid teacher lay offs and help in medicaid deficits.

The House also passed the 600 million border security bill which had been passed by the Senate. Reuters.com has more here.

---

Obama backed Bennet wins in Colorado primary - he easily beat Democratic senate candidate Andrew Romanoff who had received the backing of former President Bill Clinton. This make make Democratic rethink questions of having President Obama stump for them this fall.

The Georgia Republican gubernatorial run off remains too close to call with Nathan Deal 3,000 votes ahead of Karen Handel. The Democratic nominee for governor Roy Barnes appears to be the front runner for the general election.

In Connecticut, Wrestling Promoter Linda McMahon (R) will face Richard Blumenthal for the rights to occupy the seat left open by retiring Senator Chris Dodd (D).

Politico.com has a good recap here.

---

Rangel floor speech Ridiculous - the House returned to a session to vote for 26.1 billion in aid to states, but it was a questionable speech by embattled Representative Charles Rangel (D-NY) that received all the attention. TheHill.com has more here.

Defying members to expel him and stating he was not going away, he complained of the almost two year process which led to 13 ethics charges being filed against him. He claimed his innocence based on stupidity and negligence, saying no corruption was involved.

He would have been better off two years ago admitting irregularities and accepting a reprimand by the House. Now, trying to use his waning power and influence which came from serving for 40 years to avoid responsibility, he has become an embarrassment to himself and the Democratic Party.

---

Gloomy Outlook for U.S. Economy - economists polled by Bloomberg, all say declining consumer spending, an upside down trade balance and lack of job growth will decelerate any economic growth. Bloomberg.com has more here.

This will be the signature issue in the mid term elections. Unless the Obama administration can come up with a new program, such as a federally funded public service employment program which would put the unemployed to work immediately in public service jobs, the Republicans will make significant gains in Congress this fall.

---

Will U.S. withdraw completely from Iraq? - as President Obama states the U.S. is maintaining their withdrawal timetable, questions remain as to how long an American military presence will remain in Iraq. All troops are scheduled to be withdrawn by the end of 2011, but doubts remain if this will actually be accomplished. The NY Times has a good read here.

---

To receive "Daily Email Updates", click on "Subscribe to this feed" below or use the sign up box located in the upper right hand margin.

Rangel To Accept Deal

George Wenschhof

A New York station; WCBS is reporting a deal may have been reached between Representative Charles Rangel's attorneys and the attorneys for the House Ethics committee.

If so, it is likely the details will be released when the House Ethics committee holds it's public meeting later this afternoon.

A deal would most likely include some admission of guilt along with possibly a censure of Rangel.

However, a public trial would be avoided which would detail the various accusations which include failure to report income and possible misuse of low-rent apartments. Democratic leadership is wary of a public trial with mid term elections taking place this fall.

We will update this story when the Ethics committee meets later today.

No deal had been reached when the House Ethics Committee met and 13 charges against Representative Charles Rangel were entered into the record - while none of the charges involved corruption, the charges were many, ranging from using office stationary to solicit funds for a library, failing to report income from overseas rentals, to improper use of low income housing units.

The trial, if continued, would not begin until after the August recess. House rules also prohibit a trial taking place within 30 days of an election, which means the trial would have to be concluded by October 3 or suspended until after the General Election to be held on November 2.

5:00 PM ET Update - AP reporting lawyers reach agreement on plea deal - however, members of the Ethics committee still have to approve the agreement, which was not disclosed. The committee consists of 8 members, 4 Republicans and 4 Democrats. Some Republican members were quick to say no to agreeing to the deal. Unless, at least one Republican and all four Democrats agree to the agreement reached by the attorneys, the trial will proceed.

---

To receive "Daily Email Updates", click on "Subscribe to this feed' below or use the sign up box located in the upper right hand margin.

Daily Democratic Wire 8-26-2009

George Wenschhof

Senator Edward Kennedy passes away at age of 77 - his battle with brain cancer mirrored his many battles in the Senate. First diagnosed in May 2008, he courageously fought the incurable form of cancer, living longer than what medical experts had predicted. It doesn't seem that long ago when his picture with his brothers President John Kennedy and Attorney General Robert Kennedy hit the newsprint in 1960. They looked so young back then and I was but seven, but the photos and the name became etched in my memories along with "...and the Dream lives on..". Much will be written of the Lion of the Senate over the following days and weeks, as it should be for the champion of those less fortunate.

The NY Times has a article this morning you can read here.

--------------------

This morning, President Barack Obama to make a statement to the press in regard to the death of Senator Kennedy - He and the First Family are vacationing on Martha's Vineyard and it was speculated the president might visit Ted Kennedy. Senator Kennedy's endorsement and backing of Obama during a very close Democratic primary in 2008 helped secure the Party nomination for Obama. You can read the prepared statement here.

--------------------

Representative Charles Rangel (D-NY) failed to disclose $660,000 in assets in 2007 - this may prove problematic as he is already facing an ethics panel inquiry surrounding several issues, including income from a vacation home in the Dominican Republic. Stay Tuned. Politico.com has more here.

--------------------

Howard Dean speaks at Health Care Reform Town Hall meeting in Virginia - the former DNC chair spoke at the meeting held by representative Jim Moran (D-Va.). Supporters of reform backed by Organizing for America (OAS) and Change that Works packed the 2700 seat auditorium. Opponents of reform were a minority, but nonetheless loud. TheHill.com has more here.

--------------------

To receive "Daily Email Updates" from Air-it-Out with George Wenschhof, click on "Subscribe to this feed" below.