George Wenschhof
Air Strikes Continue on Libya - the western lead intervention continues as questions raise as to why the U.S. is involved in this action. One U.S. fighter plane has crashed, the reason bringing different explanations. Both U.S. crewmen have been rescued. The cost to date for the U.S. intervention is estimated in the billions. BBC News has more here.
Meanwhile, no one knows where Gadaffi is, who will lead the western effort when the U.S. bows out, and by the way, who is leading the rebellion?
---
Questions Surround Presidential Authority to Enter War - the U.S. military action in Libya ordered by President Obama, without congressional consent, has led to new questions pertaining to executive power and constitutional authority. The NY Times has a good read here.
---
Efforts Continue on Damaged Japanese Nuclear Reactors - some power has been restored as attempts continue to cool down the reactors and storage ponds. Reuters also reported the plant had been exceeding the storage limits of spent nuclear rods, which has also exacerbated the problem. Reuters.com has more here.
---
Obama Latin America Trip Overshadowed By Other Events - the long delayed trip by President Obama has turned out to be one which no one is paying attention to as the tragedy in Japan continues, the military action in Libya began and negotiations continue on a compromise for a budget resolution for the remainder of this year.
Does anyone know where President Obama is today? The answer is in El Salvador, where he will be discussing immigration, gun trafficking and drug wars. You can read more here.
---
Pawlenty Becomes Latest Republican to Announce Exploratory Committee for President - as questions continue on the lack of leadership displayed by President Obama, the former governor of Minnesota; Tim Pawlenty joins Newt Gingrich as the first two vying for the Republican 2012 nomination. TheHill.com has more here.
---
Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill (Mo.) Ethics Problems Imperil Reelection Bid - First, it was the revelations she had reimbursed herself for personal flights and then it was the matter of close to $300,000 of unpaid taxes on the plane co-owned with her husband. This will likely damage her reelection effort next year, a situation democrats are not happy about as they realize they will be battling to maintain their current slim majority in the Senate. TheFix.com has more here.
---
To receive "Daily Email Updates" from Air-it-Out with George Wenschhof, click on "Subscribe to this feed" below.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Daily Political Wire
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Sunday Morning "Talking Heads" Guests 3-8-2009
George Wenschhof Bio
You can now count on the economy being a major focus of the "Talking Heads" on Sunday morning. The recession is now teetering on the edge of a depression as unemployed has now reached a 25 year high at 8.1%. The Dow has lost over 50% in the last 18 months and there are no indications it will stabilize anytime soon.
The 787 billion Stimulus bill, the remaining portion of the 700 billion TARP bill, the newly announced 75 billion mortgage relief plan, and the stalled 410 billion Omnibus bill in Congress will all receive attention this morning. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geitner is especially on the hot seat as he fumbled the roll out of the revised bail out plan and now the top two aides he was about to nominate have announced they are withdrawing from consideration.
On the foreign policy front, expect discussion on Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's recent trip to the Middle East and Europe. While in the Middle East, Clinton pledged financial aid to Palestinians in war torn Gaza, reaffirmed the U.S. support of Israel, and renewed commitment to a two state solution. While in Geneva, Clinton laid the groundwork for a future NATO conference on Afghanistan and "Re-Set" U.S. relations with Russia. A very busy week.
Sure to be mentioned will be the leaked news the President will be reversing former President George W. Bush limits on stem cell research. On Monday morning President Obama will sign an executive order reversing a ban on federal funds for stem cell research.
Some discussion may also occur surrounding the announcement by Sanjay Gupta to withdraw from consideration for the position of U.S. Surgeon General. Early buzz is former DNC chair Howard Dean is now under serious consideration for the position. We recently reported Dean had returned to Democracy for America, the organization he founded after his failed presidential bid in 2004.
As always, it promises to be an informative morning so plan to have your coffee and tea prepared and settle in for some good political discussion. Remember to check your local listings for time and channel. Below is a list of the "Talking Heads" shows and their scheduled guests.
NBC "Meet The Press" - Host David Gregory will have Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC). The roundtable will include Newt Gingrich, Mort Zuckerman, Liaquat Ahamed and Erin Burnett.
ABC "This Week" - George Stephanopoulos will have Senators Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Richard Shelby (R-AL), and Evan Bayh (D-IN). Also appearing will be US Chamber of Commerce Director Thomas Donohue.
CBS "Face The Nation" - Bob Schieffer will interview Peter Orszag, the White House Director of Office and Budget Management and Representative John Boehner (R-Oh). Also appearing will be Kathleen Parker and Michael Fletcher.
Fox News Sunday - Chris Wallace will have Senator John McCain (R-Az.) and Governor Tim Kaine (D-Va.). Kaine is also the newly elected chair of the Democratic National Committee.
CNN "State of The Union" - John King will also have White House Budget Director Peter Orszag. Also appearing will be Minority Whip representative Eric Cantor (R-Va.).
--------------------
To receive "Daily Email Updates" from Air-it-Out with George Wenschhof, click on "Subscribe to this feed" below.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Democratic Chatter 1-31-2009
George Wenschhof Bio
Today, in President Barack Obama's weekly address he discuses the importance of the passage of his bill "The American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan". Click on the photo below to watch the video.
privacy policy download .mp4 download audio also available on vimeo
--------------------
Another Obama Cabinet nominee with back tax problems - previously it was Timothy Geithner for Treasury Secretary who did not pay taxes for several years before paying up along with penalties prior to his nomination. This time, it is Tom Daschle, the nominee for secretary of Health and Human Services. Seems he did not report lino services provided to him by the private equities firm he worked for as a consultant. Reportedly $100,000 in back taxes were paid and in spite of this embarrassment, expect him to be confirmed by the senate. Poliico.com has more here.
--------------------
After six rounds of voting Michael Steele elected RNC chair - the meeting in Washington D.C. of the Republican National Committee, had lots of drama with the rules dictating the winner must receive 85 votes. The final vote was 91-77 with Michael Steele prevailing over Katon Dawson, the GOP South Carolina chair. Michael Steele, the former Maryland Lt. Governor, is the first African-American to chair the RNC. He immediately talked about competing in all 50 states. Sound familiar? - let's see - a Democratic African-American elected President and the former DNC chair, Howard Dean promoted the successful 50 state strategy which aided Obama in his victory. Time.com has more here.
--------------------
Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) introduces bill to limit executives pay - the bill pertains to executives who are or will be working for companies receiving government funds from the 700 Billion bailout known as TARP, the Trouble Assets Relief Program. It would limit them to not making more money than the President of the United States. Reuters.com has more here.
--------------------
Obama to send 20 million in humanitarian relief to Gaza - while government funds in the U.S. are being spent in record numbers, this is a wise move. Hamas, in the past after flare ups with Israel resulted in much destruction were quickly there in neighborhoods passing out money and offering assistance. The U.S. humanitarian aid will be administered to the Palestinians through the UN. CNN.com has more here.
--------------------
To receive "Daily Email Updates" from Air-it-Out with George Wenschhof, click on "Subscribe to this feed" below or sign up in the box in the right margin of our Home Page.
