George Wenschhof Bio
Hard to believe with all that has been going on, this Sunday will only be the fourth Sunday since Barack Obama was sworn in as President of the United States. As always, expect lively discussion on the issues with the "Talking Heads" on television Sunday morning.
You can count on the Stimulus bill receiving the bulk of the attention. The 787 billion compromise bill that came out of conference committee was passed by the House on Friday with a vote of 246-183, once again receiving not one Republican vote. The senate passed the bill Friday night with a vote of 60 to 38. It is expected to be signed into law by President Obama on Monday.
Expect discussion to focus on the strategy employed by the President, the content of the bill, and whether it can be expected to help pull the country out of a severe depression. Is there enough money for needed infrastructure improvements? Were there too many "pork' projects included in the bill? Is the aid to the states enough? Will the programs funded in the bill create enough jobs in a quick enough manner to have a positive impact on unemployment? How about the tax cuts - were they big enough to have any impact?
When the pundits finish dissecting the America Recovery and Reinvestment Act, expect the shift of focus to zero in on the Cabinet appointments by the President. Just when everyone thought the withdrawal by Tom Daschle from consideration for Secretary of Health and Human Services was a severe blow to the President, Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH) made it 0-2 in Obama nominations for Commerce Secretary. Expect the vetting process by the Obama administration to receive attention this morning. White House counsel Larry Craig has now assumed control of the vetting process so let's see if there will be improvement.
On the foreign policy front, the President has sent special envoys and the Secretary of State all across the globe. So discussion could range from Pakistan/Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran, to the Middle East and Asia.
So grab your coffee or tea and settle in for some good political discussion this morning. Remember to check your local listings for time and channel. Following is a list of the morning shows with their scheduled guests.
NBC "Meet The Press" - Dick Gregory will interview Senior White House Adviser, David Axelrod. The roundtable will include Ron Brownstein, Eugene Robinson, Roger Simon, and Kimberly Strassel.
ABC "This Week" - George Stephanopoulos will interview Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC). Also appearing will be Representatives Maxine Waters (D-Calf.) and Peter King (R-NY).
The roundtable discussion will include Donna Brazile, George Will, Cokie Roberts, and Sam Donaldson.
CBS "Face The Nation" - Bob Schieffer will interview White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. Also appearing will be Senator Richard Shelby (R-Al) and Representative Barney Frank (D-Ma.).
Fox News Sunday - Chris Wallace will also have Senior White House Adviser David Axelrod. He will also interview Google CEO Eric Schmidt and Economist Mark Zandi.
CNN "State of The Union" - John King will also interview White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. He will also have on his show Senator John McCain (R-Az.) and Gwen Ifill.
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Saturday, February 14, 2009
Sunday Morning "Talking Heads" Guests 2-15-2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
Democratic Chatter 2-13-2009
George Wenschhof Bio
The House to vote on the 789 billion Stimulus bill today - this is the House-Senate compromise that came out of conference committee. It is expected to pass easily in the House and the Senate is expected to vote on it tomorrow. Time.com has more here.
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President Obama continues to stumble with Cabinet picks - the first three weeks of his Presidency has not been kind as a third Cabinet nominee announces his withdrawal. This time it was Republican Senator Judd Gregg (NH) who said yesterday his philosophical differences with the Obama administration would not allow him to serve as Commerce Secretary. Questions continue regarding the vetting process. When Gregg was announced as the nominee, liberal bloggers pointed out Gregg has supported discontinuation of the Commerce Department. TheHill.com has more here
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New chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee targets nine seats in 2010 - never too early to start the rhetoric. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) recently took over the chair from Senator Charles Schumer from New York who was able to claim large gains and a new Democratic majority while he served as chair. Menendez pointed out five open seats in Florida, Ohio, Missouri, New Hampshire, and Kansas and four other states where he feels Democrats will be competitive. The other states were Louisiana, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania. Out of the last four states, the Senate seat held by Republican Arlen Specter is the most likely pick up with Republicans going after Specter in the Primary due to his support of the Stimulus bill. CNN.com has more here.
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Leon Panetta confirmed by Senate for CIA Director - there was some initial hesitation by some Senators who questioned his total lack of experience in the intelligence field. however, in the end, he was approved by a voice vote in the Senate yesterday. Hilda Solis, the nominee for Labor Secretary, won approval in the senate committee and will be scheduled for a senate vote as early as today. The NY Times Caucus blog has more here.
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Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) proposes special commission to investigate possible wrongdoings by the George W. Bush administration - this is a hot topic among the more liberal Democrats who want investigation into possible illegal wiretapping, use of the Justice Department for political purposes, and the use of torture on detainees. A USAToday/Gallup poll conducted January 30 - February 1 showed 60% of Americans favored some type of investigation into these actions. While only 41% favored criminal probes. So far, the Obama administration has not indicated any desire to begin these proceedings. Gallup.com has more here.
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On the foreign policy front, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton leaves today for her first official trip - she is off to Asia to visit China, Japan, Indonesia and South Korea. Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke is in Afghanistan and Senator John Kerry (D-Ma.) is scheduled to visit countries in the Middle East next week. Politico.com has more here.
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Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Democratic Chatter 2-4-2009
George Wenschhof Bio
President Barack Obama will announce $500,000 pay limit for executives of companies receiving bailout funds - He will hold a press conference this morning at 11:00 AM ET. Joining him will be Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner who will spell out additional rules for the remaining $350 Billion of the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP). Reuters.com has more here. This comes after revelations surfaced of no accountability on how the first 350 Billion was spent, executives receiving million dollar bonuses, and expensive Jets and office renovations taking place by companies who had received bailout funds.
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Speaking of the Bailout bill, how about helping homeowners in distress? - this is what everyone was led to believe the 700 Billion TARP bill was intended to do. Instead, the first 350 Billion went with no strings attached to financial institutions. Now, both Republicans and Democrats are looking at ways to provide funds to help distressed homeowners and the housing market. The NY Times has more here.
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"I screwed up" - was one of many statements made by the President last night as he made the rounds appearing on the major television networks. The scheduled interviews had been set up for President Obama to explain the importance of passing the Stimulus Bill. Instead, he was apologizing for the withdrawals of two of his nominees; Nancy Killefer and Tom Daschle due to tax issues. ThePage.time.com has some videos of the interviews here.
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How about Howard Dean for HHS Secretary? - the former Vermont Governor and Democratic National Committee chair also happens to be a doctor. Now that Daschle has removed himself, how about considering Dean for the position? The question was posed by Chris Matthews on MSNBC "Hardball" last night. Dean, who as chair of the DNC, successfully implemented a 50 state strategy that helped Obama win the Presidency. Since the election, he has been replaced by Virginia Governor Tim Kaine and mostly snubbed by the Obama administration. He deserves consideration for the position.
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Remember the Minnesota senate race? - a Minnesota court ruled yesterday to consider an additional 4800 of the 12,000 previously rejected absentee ballots. Republican Norm Coleman's campaign was pleased with the ruling and democrat Al Franken said it was good to have clarity. The Franken campaign also intends to ask the court to instruct Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty and Secretary of State Mark Ritchie to issue a temporary election certificate. They have refused to do so until all legal challenges have been decided. Franken won by 225 votes in the state mandated recount. CNN.com has more here.
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Bonnie Newman named to replace Judd Gregg as Senator in New Hampshire - as we reported previously, Democratic Governor John Lynch announced the appointment today. This keeps the seat as a Republican after Gregg was nominated to be Commerce Secretary by the President. In what appears to be a little bit of wheeling and dealing, Newman will not run in 2010 and she will not endorse a candidate in that race. Politico.com has more here.
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Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Democratic Chatter 2-3-2009
George Wenschhof Bio
President Barack Obama remains confident of passage of his Stimulus Bill - the President began this process with a promise of "no pork" in the bill and that promise is receiving serious questions as review of the many provisions in the 819 Billion bill passed by the House continues. Already, 75 million for anti-smoking programs and another 400 million for STD and HIV programs have been removed.
Meanwhile, some Republican Senators have drafted their own 713 Billion version of a Stimulus bill saying the Democratic version is a spending bill not a stimulus bill. CNN.com has more here.
Obama will interview with all the major television networks today as he takes his case for the Stimulus bill to the voters. Look for the interviews to air tonight during prime time.
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How about that Bailout bill? Details are emerging of the hundreds of thousands of dollars spent by financial institutions to lobby Congress prior to the first 350 Billion being passed out. TheHill.com has more here.
New Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is expected to spell out new rules for the remaining 350 Billion of the Bailout bill. The Wall Street Journal has more here.
An interesting note: the bill is entitled the "Troubled Assets Relief Plan" (TARP) and not one Homeowner who is facing foreclosure has received assistance to date. Bloomberg.com is reporting this will be part of the revamped procedures introduced by Geithner. You can read more here.
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Eric Holder confirmed as Attorney General - after several weeks of Republican grousing about his role in the pardon of Marc Rich and concern over possible prosecution of those involved in harsh interrogation techniques. The vote last night was 75-21 with the 21 against all being Republicans. MSNBC.com has more here.
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Tom Daschle still has the President's support - in spite of being another Cabinet nominee with tax problems. Daschle received another major voice of support when the Senate Finance Committee chair Max Baucus expressed his support of his nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services. Daschle also apologized to everyone possible last night. The NY Times has more here.
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President Obama will name Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH) Commerce Secretary this morning - Reuters.com has more here. This should help in the bipartisan spirit. Despite the rumors this would help the Democrats reach the magic number of 60 in the Senate, the replacement for Gregg will be a Republican.
Governor John Lynch (D-NH) has publicly said he will not select a person who might tip the scales in the Senate to the Democrats. Early indications is the person to replace Gregg will be Bonnie Newman, a moderate Republican. Politico.com has more here.
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Vetting process for Obama administration comes under scrutiny - It was suppose to be a new administration with harsher ethics guidelines with a vetting process that originally was criticized for being too intrusive. But, then Governor Bill Richardson (D-NM) withdrew from consideration for Commerce Secretary due to an ongoing "pay-to-play" investigation involving the state. The, more recently, it was learned both Tom Dashle for HHS Secretary and Timothy Geithner for Treasury Secretary had unpaid back taxes problems. In addition, deputy counsel for Economic Affairs Neal Wolin was discovered to have ethics problems due to his previous employment with the Hartford Group. McClatchydc.com has more here. 10:47 AM ET Update - add Obama appointee Nancy Killefer to those with tax problems. She withdrew from consideration for chief performance officer. CNN.com has more here.
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Friday, January 30, 2009
Democratic Chatter 1-30-2009
George Wenschhof Bio
Irresponsible and Shameful are the words used by President Obama yesterday - he was referring to the Wall Street bankers who gave themselves 18 Billion in bonuses. This. at a time when they are accepting help from the government and taxpayers during this severe economic downturn. The WhiteHouse.gov blog has more here.
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Commerce Department releases more gloomy news on the economy - seems the decline of 3.8% in the last quarter of 2008 was the worst in a quarter since 1982. There are indications the first quarter decline in 2009 could be even higher. MSNBC.com has more here.
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Meanwhile, Exxon reports record 45.2 Billion profit for 2008 - their fourth quarter earnings were down by 33% from 2007, but the fourth quarter profit was still a staggering 7.8 Billion. A 7.8 Billion profit in a quarter when gas prices plunged and the country had it's worst decline in the economy in a quarter of a century. This could easily have some calling for some government intervention. You can read more here.
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A Republican for Commerce Secretary? - rumors are flying that Republican Senator Judd Gregg (NH) is seriously being considered for the position by the President. This Cabinet position has been open since New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson withdrew from his nomination.
The scuttlebutt that has everyone talking is the Governor of New Hampshire is a Democrat and would be able to pick the replacement should Gregg be picked for Commerce Secretary. A Democrat would most likely be picked to fill Gregg's position and if Al Franken survives the court challenge in Minnesota, this would give the Democrats 58 plus 2 Independent Senators (Lieberman-Conn. and Sanders - Vt.), giving them the magic 60 filibuster proof number of Senators.
In spite of the allure, do not expect this to happen. Politico.com has more here.
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Vice President Joe Biden to head Middle Class task force - President Obama was often critical of the George W. Bush administration and the Republican "trickle down" theory of economics. Biden has an editorial in USAToday.com you can read here. As part of their commitment to a change recognizing middle class challenges, a new White House website will be announced today astrongermiddleclass.org
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SCHIP approved by Senate 66-32 - after some reconciliation with the House bill, it will head to the President for signature. This twice vetoed bill by former President George W. Bush will provide health insurance to 11 million disadvantaged youth. This is a 4.1 million increase from the current 6.7 million children currently being served by the program. TheHill.com has more here.
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On the foreign policy front, new envoy Richard Holbrooke to visit Pakistan/Afghanistan - as George Mitchell stays busy in the Middle East, Holbrooke has plenty to be discussed here as well. India and Pakistan continues to be a potential flash point and the new Pakistan government could easily be classified as fragile. Afghanistan poses it's own unique issues and challenges as President Obama prepares to send an additional 20,000 troops to help stabilize the country. CNN.com has more here.
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