Democratic Chatter 3-13-2009

George Wenschhof Bio

Today, President Barack Obama will meet with Paul Volcker and receive a report on the 787 billion Stimulus Plan - Mr. Volcker is a former Federal reserve chair who is presently the chair of the Economic Recovery Board established by Obama. This afternoon, the President is expected to meet with the Press. Time.com has more here.

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Vice President Joe Biden will speak at Union Station today - he will be discussing the positive impact of the stimulus Plan on Amtrak. The Vice President will also swear in Labor Secretary Hilda Solis today. The Washington post has more here.

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How long will Michael Steele survive as RNC Chair? - since narrowly winning the chair of the Republican National Committee after 6 rounds of voting, Mr. Steele has had one misstep after another. While a delight to many Democrats, he has become an embarrassment to the Republican Party. His latest flap took place during an interview with GQ Magazine when he said he favored a woman's choice to an abortion. He went on to say it should be a state decision and not a federal decision. He has since been busy clarifying his statement. CNN.com has more here.

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Another withdraws from consideration for Deputy Director at Treasury - Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is having a hard time getting out of the gate. Rodgin Cohen is the third to withdraw from consideration within the last week. Speculation is Geithner is a very good behind the scenes person, but not a good one to be leading the show and facing the spotlight. If this is true, the Obama administration should make a move here quickly as the Treasury Secretary will continue to be in the news daily during the economic crisis. Politico.com has more here.

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FBI raids D.C. office of Chief technology Officer - two individuals were arrested in a investigation of corruption. The head of this agency, Vivek Kundra was named recently by President Obama to be the federal government Chief Information Officer. Kundra is not considered a suspect in the investigation. Reuters.com has more here.

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Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao expresses concern about their investment in U.S. debt - this will certainly cause the Obama administration to listen as the Chinese government has 1 Trillion invested in U.S. debt. Stay tuned as foreign investment in U.S. debt has been a topic for discussion for some time. It is difficult to conduct sincere diplomatic discussions when a country's debt is secured by the country you are talking with on an international relations issue. The NY Times has more here.

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Democratic Chatter 2-25-2009

George Wenschhof Bio

President Barack Obama delivers powerful speech to Congress - Last night, in a "State of the Union" type speech, the President clearly outlined the economic problems facing Americans. He said as always Americans are up to the challenge and it was time for America to lead again. He explained the need for the recently passed 787 billion Stimulus bill and that the reduction of the deficit inherited from the previous administration would be reduced over the next four years.

A CNN/Opinion Research poll conducted after the speech showed 68% of Americans had a very positive reaction, 24% somewhat positive and only 8% had a negative reaction to the president's speech. CNN.com has more here.

In a wide ranging speech, he spoke of initiatives regarding health care, energy, education and foreign policy. Whether it was his statement saying education begins at home and the responsibility parents have, or his statement that the U.S. does not torture, he had members of Congress from both sides of the aisle standing and applauding. Even when Obama spoke of withdrawing from Iraq, Senator John McCain (R-AZ) was standing and clapping. ThePage.time.com has the full text of his speech here.

The Republican response was delivered by Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal. While Obama hit a home run with his speech, Jindal clearly struck out. He delivered his speech in a monotone manner and it was obvious he was reading from a teleprompter. It is hard to find anything of substance to write about pertaining to what he said. If you want to read his prepared remarks, ThePage.time.com has them here.

The three current stars of the Republican party are Governors Jindal and Sarah Palin from Alaska along with Michael Steele as the chair of the Republican National Committee. With these three leading the way, the Republicans can count on being the minority party for some time to come.

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President Obama will announce withdrawal plan from Iraq on Friday - yesterday, it was leaked prior to his speech to congress and the nation, the president will be announcing his plan. It is said to cover a period of 19 months and involve a reduction of two-thirds of the present troops in Iraq. After discussing with military advisers this plan differs somewhat from his campaign commitment of a complete withdraw from Iraq within 16 months of when he took office. The NY Times has more here.

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Hilda Solis confirmed as Labor Secretary - finally, after a lengthy delay by some Republicans who did not like her pro labor positions. When the President's Cabinet was introduced last night, she was present. The vote yesterday was 80-17 and came after Republicans dropped a demand for a procedural vote which would have required 60 votes, thus ending a filibuster. A big issue for Republicans is the Employees Free Choice Act which allows employees to join unions easier. The bill is expected to be taken up this summer. TheCaucus has more here.

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Today, Gary Locke will be announced as Commerce Secretary - as we reported yesterday, the president has to be hoping the third time is the charm. The former two term Governor of Washington has extensive experience with China and has promoted expanding trade. The NY Times has more here.

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Stevie Wonder to receive award tonight from President Obama at the White House - the award is the Gershwin prize for popular song. Tomorrow, PBS will show the concert on their show "In Performance at the White House". It will air at 8:00 PM ET. USAToday.com has more here.

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Democratic Chatter 2-24-2009

George Wenschhof Bio

Tonight, President Barack Obama will address a joint session of Congress - his speech is being billed as similar to a "State of the Union" speech and will last about one hour beginning at 9:00 PM ET. It will be carried by all the major television networks. Obviously, the president will address the economy, but also expect him to touch on foreign policy, education health care, and energy. CNN.com has more here.

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal will deliver the Republican response following the President's speech.

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Yesterday, President Obama held a White House fiscal summit - included were members of Congress, union and business leaders. In what I found to be a first, Obama answered questions from participants behind a podium at the end of the summit. It was similar to a White House press briefing except the questioners were members of Congress. The President did a good job answering the questions, including one from Senator John McCain (R-AZ) who asked about the need for a new fleet of Presidential Helicopters. MSNBC.com has more here.

Next week, the President will be holding a health care summit.

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Dow Jones drops to lowest point in a decade - yesterday, the Dow Jones dropped another 250 points to close at 7114.78. This is the lowest close since 1997. It will be important for President Obama to include some hope and optimism in his speech tonight as the overwhelming majority of Americans are in fear of the economy. Bloomberg.com has more here.

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Gary Locke to be named Commerce Secretary - is the third time the charm? The former two term Governor of Washington is expected to be named this week. He will follow the nominations by the President of New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH). Politico.com has more here.

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Hilda Solis inches toward confirmation for Labor Secretary - her confirmation has been delayed by Republican concerns with her support of organized Labor. If a filibuster does not transpire by the Republicans, it is being reported she will be confirmed by the senate this week. Time.com has more here.

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Meanwhile, the Minnesota trial surrounding the Senate election continues - it has been almost three months since the November 2008 elections and Minnesota is still short one U.S. Senator. Arguments from the Norm Coleman (R) and Al Franken (D) campaigns continue before a three judge panel over previously rejected absentee ballots. After a state required recount, Franken was declared the winner by a margin of 225 votes. The StarTribune has more here.

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Frederick's "Up and Coming" Young Democrats

Optimistic for the Future

Elizabeth Plant Bio

I'm never going to know exactly what to say in these things...

My cohorts in the Frederick Young Democrats are much more politically focused than I, many of them currently are, were, or are considering political science as a major in college. Then there's me, a Theatre major who's political leanings were brought about by a love of the television drama, "The West Wing" (Obama is my Bartlet), feelings of equality for all, having a family friend run for office, and the organic need for structure.

What I like about President Barack Obama are entirely brought about by those things, and my overly optimistic, newly politically active ways have grown as a result.

One way that I have found a sense of optimism and West Wing-ed-ness in the new administration, all three weeks old that it is, is the grand mixture that make up the President's cabinet.

People who have amazing education and life experience. I mean President Obama chose his major rival, Hillary Clinton to be Secretary of State. She is the first former First Lady to not only hold a cabinet position, but as Secretary of State, only the third woman to hold the position ever. Though it would have been more "Santos"-like (another Presidential character in the West Wing) of him to choose Senator John McCain (R-Az.).

Granted, some of this optimism is tempered by the issues that have arisen in the confirmation proceedings. I think I will always have a bit of respect for a man who can be taken seriously while wearing red framed glasses. However, not adding in the car and driver that your company provided for you makes me a little squeamish about what else he could have forgotten in his taxes and in other areas in his life. I'm glad that the President's nominee Tom Daschle looked to the greater good and withdrew from consideration. Rather, than have major questions lingering during his time as Secretary of Health and Human Services.

It also drives me crazy that Hilda Solis's confirmation is being held up because her husband only now paid off the tax liens on his business she had nothing to do with and because not everyone is comfortable with a Secretary of Labor who wants to update labor laws (seriously senators?).

Another reason for my unfailing optimism is the local elections. There's a sense of hope which has trickled its way up 270 and into Frederick. There's a sense that as much as "old Frederick" is still alive and kicking, there are those who see Frederick is changing into an even more multi-cultural and vibrant community.

We are coming into a time where Frederick is moving forward to a place where it won't be considered a little back woods town north of DC, but a place where people of all backgrounds can thrive.

I'm glad that I'm part of the Frederick Young Democrats and I can be called "up and coming" like the rest of them. I'm glad to share with you my thoughts when its my turn, just know it may come off as regular while others may come off as awesome. Just don't judge me on the same scale as you do them, I'm still catching up.

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Democratic Chatter 2-6-2009

George Wenschhof Bio

Welcome to Washington, Mr. President - President Barack Obama is finding his first weeks in office to be anything but easy. He has had Cabinet nominees withdraw due to tax issues and others have their confirmations delayed due to questions that should have been addressed during the vetting process.

Now, the 900+ Billion Stimulus bill vote in the Senate is being delayed due to lack of consensus. It was expected to be voted on last night. But, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) could see the writing on the wall and postponed further discussion until today. A major question from both sides of the aisle is the low level of funding in the bill for infrastructure improvement across the country and questions surrounding funding a myriad of other items unrelated to what had originally been proposed.

Reid is saying if the bill does not come to a vote today, he will get the necessary 60 votes on Sunday to call for the vote to pass the bill. Expect many changes and compromises to have transpired overnight. Reuters.com has more here.

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598,000 Jobs lost in January adds urgency to pass Stimulus bill - unemployment now is 7.6%, the highest since September 1992. The number of jobs lost in the last four months now exceeds 2 million. The NY Times has more here.

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President Obama to name Economic Advisory Board today - we reported yesterday that Paul Volcker, a former Treasury Secretary was in a little bit of of a snit as he had not been named to head the special committee appointed by the President to offer advise on getting the country out of the economic mess it is in. Well, today, he gets his time in the spotlight when he appears with the President. Let's hope he and the committee gives good advise. CNN.com has more here.

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On Monday, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner will spell out new Economic Stability Plan - this will be a revision of (TARP) the Troubled Assets Relief Program which the remaining 350 Billion was recently authorized by for the Treasury to spend. Expect more help to go to troubled mortgages to help Homeowners with more transparency and accountability to be included in the revisions put forward by Geithner. What is unknown is whether he intends to up the current budgeted amount of 350 Billion and ask Congress for more funds. CNN.com has more here.

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Labor Secretary nominee Hilda Solis confirmation delayed - taxes pop up once again for a nominee for the President's Cabinet. This time it pertains to the husband of the nominee. Solis is already facing opposition due to her support of Labor so this recent issue is not so surprising to have popped up at this late date. Politico.com has more here.

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Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has pancreatic cancer - she had surgery yesterday in what has been said to be very early stages of cancer. She is 75 years old. During the Presidential campaign, due to the age of some of the Justices on the Supreme Court, it was often discussed that the next President could easily be responsible for appointing several Supreme Court Justices. Let's hope for a rapid recovery for Ginsburg. The Wall Street Journal has more here.

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Meanwhile, the Minnesota Senate race saga continues - the state mandated recount resulting in the canvassing board verifying Democrat Al Franken the winner by 225 votes. Then incumbent Republican Norm Coleman filed suit asking for additional previously rejected absentee ballots be counted. The court just recently said up to 4800 ballots could be argued to be counted by the Coleman campaign.

Now, the Franken campaign is asking the court for more previously rejected absentee ballots to be counted. The issue of contention is where the ballots are from with some areas favoring conservative and other areas, more liberal candidates. How about just reviewing all the remaining 20,000 rejected absentee ballots? Just a thought. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune has more here.

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Democratic Chatter 2-5-2009

George Wenschhof Bio

Today, President Barack Obama attended the annual National Prayer Breakfast - ThePage.time.com has the text of his speech here. This evening he will speak at the House Democrats annual Retreat in Williamsburg, Virginia.

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Two more Obama Cabinet nominees to face Senate Hearings today - Leon Panetta, the pick to head the CIA will go in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee. He is a former White House Chief of Staff under the Clinton administration and initial questions related to his lack of experience n the intelligence field. Recently. his financial disclosures show he worked for some of the major financial firms that have experienced difficulty of late. The Wall Street Journal has more here.

Hilda L. Solis who was nominated for Labor Secretary should receive a vote in the Senate committee reviewing her appointment today. Republicans had delayed the vote due to their concerns regarding her views on organized labor. The Washington Post has more here.

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A Paul Volcker - Lawrence Summers spat? - Volcker was picked by the president to head a economic advisory group to come up with new ideas for economic recovery for the country. He is upset that Summers, who is the White House Economic Council Director has not been communicating with him. Another distraction at a time when Obama is trying to pass his Stimulus bill. Bloomberg.com has more here.

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Unemployment jumps higher again - the labor department issued reports showing claims are the highest since 1982. The other distressing news is the length of time for the unemployed has increased which also shows how bad the job market has become. Reuters.com has more here.

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Stimulus bill continues to receive scrutiny - with the Senate version of the Stimulus bill now approaching 900 Billion, more and more Americans are questioning the bill. Even with the President's popularity, the bill has become a tough sell as voters are calling their elected officials on the Hill in record numbers. Politico.com has more here.

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Taxpayers at risk of fraud with TARP - that is what a 188 page report says that was prepared by Neil Barofky, a special inspector general, who delivered the report to Congress today. As everyone now knows, a lack of accountability surrounded the issuance of the first 350 Billion from the Troubled Assets Relief Program. TheHill.com has more here.

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Democratic Chatter 1-17-2009

George Wenschhof Bio

Today, President-elect Barack Obama begins his Whistle Stop Tour - He and his family will depart from Philadelphia this morning and head to Wilmington, Delaware to be joined by Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his family. After a late afternoon stop in Baltimore, the final destination will be Washington, D.C. - We posted the schedule yesterday and it can be seen here.

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Solis nomination for Labor Secretary receives Republican opposition - Representative Hilda Solis continues to receive opposition that threatens to derail her nomination. The republican opposition surrounds her ties with Labor and her vague answers to questions pertaining to right-to-work laws and the card check bill. Politico.com has more here.

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Minnesota Senate race may be determined soon - the Coleman campaign challenge has been scheduled for January 26. Democrat Al Franken won the state mandated recount by 225 votes and was certified the winner by the state canvassing board but due to the legal challenge has not been able to be seated in the Senate. The Minneapolis Star-tribune has more here.

As to the only other open senate seat, NY Governor David Paterson has said he will make his decision on the person to fill the vacant Hillary Clinton Senate immediately following the Inauguration. Caroline Kennedy and Andrew Cuomo are the favorites to receive this appointment.

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Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich update - His lawyer, Ed Gensen has informed the Governor he will not defend him in the upcoming impeachment proceedings in the Illinois Senate. The reason was the rules were not fair. Gensen will continue to represent the Governor in the criminal charges against him. NBC affiliate has more here.

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No job for outgoing DNC chair Howard Dean in Obama administration - Howard Dean will step down as chair of the Democratic National Committee the day after the Inauguration of the President-elect and Virginia Governor Tim Kaine will be his replacement. To date, there have been no offers forthcoming from the incoming Obama administration. This, in spite of his successful 50 state strategy which was embraced by the Obama campaign. MSNBC.com has more here.

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