Join Obama in Maryland

The following is from an email sent today from Organizing for America (OFA):

This Thursday, President Obama is holding a rally at Bowie State University.

He'll be getting us fired up for the final stretch of our Vote 2010 campaign -- and making sure we all know how important it is that we keep moving America forward. And he'll be joined by Governor O'Malley, Senator Mikulski, and several other great Democratic leaders in Maryland.

Can you join the President in Bowie?

Here are the details:

What: Rally with President Barack Obama,
Governor Martin O'Malley,
Senator Barbara Mikulski,
Majority Leader Steny Hoyer,
Congresswoman Donna Edwards, and
Congressman Chris Van Hollen

Where: Bowie State University
14000 Jericho Park Road
Bowie, Maryland 20715

When: Thursday, October 7th
Doors open: 1:00 p.m.

Obama Weekly Address 8-21-2010

Today, the president talks about the bill blocked in the Senate by Republicans that would reign in corporate spending in elections. The campaign finance reform bill narrowly passed the House after revisions were made allowing exemptions for the NRA and other large interest groups.

Senate Republicans has been successful in blocking the bill from coming to a vote in the Senate. The bill pushed by Representative Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Senator Chuck Shumer (D-NY) s in response to the 5-4 Supreme Court "Citizens United" decision which open the floodgates to corporate spending in political elections.



---

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

Sunday morning "Talking Heads" Lineup for 8-15-2010

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.

---

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 8-2-2010

George Wenschhof

Today, President Obama will travel to Atlanta - he will attend the national convention of The Disabled American Veterans. The president will be addressing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as the efforts of his administration to improve assistance to Veterans. Time.com has more here.

Later, the president will speak at a fundraiser for the DNC.

---

Elena Kagan to be confirmed by Senate this week - the Senate debate on her nomination as Justice to the Supreme Court. She is assured approval as five Republicans have publicly stated their support for her. TheHill.com has more here.

---

Will 26.1 billion state aid bill Pass the Senate? - a vote is expected today to see if 60 votes are there to get through a Republican filibuster and then be followed by debate and vote. The bill would provide 16.1 billion toward the cost of medicaid to states and another 10 billion toward education. State governors have been pleading for this assistance. Politico.com has more here.

---

As Mid terms Near - Eyes are on Maryland Representative Chris Van Hollen - the four term congressman is serving his second term as chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. he was credited with helping steer the Democrats to the current majority in the House with wins in the 2006 election. This year, his challenge is making sure the Democrats do not lose that majority. Republicans need a net gain of 39 seats to take a simple majority in the House. The Washington Post 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.

Sunday Morning "Talking Heads" Lineup for 7-18-2010

George Wenschhof

Expect a lot discussion on the upcoming mid term elections this Sunday morning. Republican and Democratic chairs of committees to elect their Representatives and Senators will be guests on NBC "Meet the Press". Also Fox News Sunday has Representatives Mike Pence (R-Ind.) and James Clyburn (D-S.C.).

The Immigration debate will heat up with New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and Republican Senate candidate J.D. Hayworth appearing on CBS "Face The Nation".

Vice President Joe Biden, who always seems to provide a good sound bite for the main stream media, has the spotlight on him as he is the only guest on ABC "This Week"

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell gets to explain what he meant by his recent statement that Congress should place a moratorium on passing legislation on CNN "State of The Union". There is already a lot of voters who have not seen anything positive being offered from their Republican Representatives in Congress. Instead, the Republican strategy in Congress has simply been to say "No".

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu (D) gets to add his two cents on the BP oil spill in the Gulf and how it affecting his city which is still rebounding from the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina. He will also be appearing on CNN "State of The Union".

NBC "Meet the Press" - NRSC chair John Cornyn (R-Tex.), DSCC chair Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), NRCC chair Pete Sessions (R-Tex.) and DCCC chair Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.)

ABC "This Week" - Vice President Joe Biden

CBS "Face The Nation" - Governor Bill Richardson (D-N.M.), Senate candidate J.D. Hayworth (R-Ariz.)

CNN "State of The Union" - Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu (D)

Fox News Sunday - Representatives James Clyburn (D-S.C.) and Mike Pence (R-Ind.)

---

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