Daily Political Wire 12-7-2010

George Wenschhof

President Obama Announces Compromise to Tax Cut extension - no surprises as it contained an extension of all the Bush tax cuts for two years and a 13 month extension of benefits for the long term unemployed. Also included was a 2% payroll tax cut, estate tax goodies and some other middle class tax cuts put in place under the Stimulus bill. FirstRead.com has more here.

Interestingly, early estimates have the cost of this unfunded proposal at between 600 - 800 billion which is equal to the cost of the Stimulus bill.

Liberal Democrats feel President Obama sold them out and should have fought harder. However, the reality is an extension of the cuts for those making $250,000 or less only would not pass in the Senate.

There is talk as many as 40 of the more liberal Democrats in the House will not support the compromise bill. Vice President Joe Biden has been dispatched to the Senate to garner support from Democrats.

Overall, when the liberal Democrats stop their whining, they will find Obama extracted more from the Republicans than he gave, with the main impact being a continued infusion of money into a weak economy, an important move at this point.

Look to see Obama pivot to balancing the budget when he gives his State of The Union address in late January, with a revision of the current tax code being a pivotal component of his remarks.

Obama hinted at this when he announced the compromise yesterday, it was included in the recommendations by the bipartisan deficit reduction committee and federal reserve chair Ben Bernanke said the same Sunday when he appeared on CBS "Sixty Minutes".

Stay Tuned...

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Overall Cost of Bail Out bill only 25 Billion - the much maligned 700 billion bail out bill has been almost entirely paid back in two years. Yesterday, the government sold it's remaining shares of CitiGroup for a 12 billion profit. The Washington Post has more here.

The bail out bill was necessary at the end of 2008 due to mass mismanagement of financial portfolios on Wall Street and the financial sector.

25 billion to avoid another Great depression seems like a small price to pay.

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Palin says No to RNC Chair - Sarah Palin says thanks, but no thanks to the suggestion by the activist group Tea Party Nation. ABC News has more here. Several Republicans have already announced they will challenge RNC chair Michael Steele.

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Waters Wants House Ethics Committee Reviewed - Representative Maxine Waters (D-Calf.) will introduce a resolution in the House. This comes after her ethics trial scheduled for November 29 was called off with no explanation. Afterward, two attorneys on the ethics committee were suspended, again with no explanation. Waters was accused of improper action in regard to a bank receiving bail out funds where her husband owned stock. Politico.com has more here.

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Wikileaks founder Julian Assange Arrested in London - the arrest stems from charges from Sweden relating to a consensual sexual encounter back in August. This incident was reported widely back then and charges were not filed. The NY Times has more here.

Interestingly, the charges in August followed the first release of U.S. military documents by wikileaks.org.

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Daily Political Wire 11-18-2010

George Wenschhof

Congressional Leadership Stays the Same - in spite of the "wave" election in which republicans gained control of the House and also gained seats in the Senate, the leadership remained the same as before the elections.

Both, the Republican and Democratic Parties will know in two years if staying the course was the right decision.

Meanwhile, a NBC/Wall Street Journal poll finds 73% believe there will be little change after the election and 76% believe the country is headed for more divisiveness. You can read more on the poll results here.

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Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to Hold Votes for D.A.D.T. and DREAM Act - both controversial bills will be brought up in the lame duck session in early December. The NY Times has more here.

The pentagon survey report on D.A.D.T. will be released on December 1 and in spite of opposition by Senator John McCain, the bill repealing the current military policy toward gays/lesbians should be passed.

The DREAM Act will be a heavier lift for Democrats as will be introduced as a stand alone bill and not an attempt toward comprehensive immigration reform. Heated rhetoric is expected as the bill provides for a pathway to citizenship for children of illegal immigrants who attend college or serve in the military. A good bill which could easily be torpedoed due to the lack of consensus of overall immigration reform.

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Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pushed for ratification of START - testifying in front of her former Senate colleagues, she argued the treaty with Russia can not wait for approval. The White House is fighting for approval of this nuclear arms reduction treaty which requires a two-thirds vote in the Senate. TheHill.com has more here.

Failure to have this treaty ratified would be a major blow to the Obama administration.

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Rangel Sanctions Expected Today - the House Ethics committee is meeting this morning to determine the punishment for representative charles Ragel (D-NY) who was found guilty on 11 of 12 ethics charges.

On tap is representative Maxine Waters (D-Calf.) who has her ethics hearing scheduled for November 29. She is accused of intervening in helping a Bank, where her husband owned stock, receive federal funds.

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Unemployment extension set for a vote - so far 319 Billion has been spent in unemployment compensation and a fifth extension of benefits is set to receive a vote prior to the end of the year. If the benefits are not extended, 2 million will stop receiving benefits. You can read more here.

319 billion spent funding a national public service employment program for the unemployed would have been a better use of tax payers money.

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More on Palin running for President in 2012.



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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.

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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.

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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.

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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..

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Sunday morning "Talking Heads" Lineup for 8-1-2010

George Wenschhof

Expect debate and discussion on the information provided by www.Wikileaks.org on the United States foreign policy in regard to Afghanistan/Pakistan. The stunning disclosure that Pakistan intelligence agencies have been aiding the Taliban in their efforts against the United States in Afghanistan will feed the discussion.

Congress will be taking their August recess shortly with the Senate the last to leave on Thursday evening. Republicans have stuck with their obstructionist action in using an unprecedented number of filibusters and just saying "No" to whatever legislation the Democrats propose, including a Democratic sponsored bill to aid small business. Aid for states for help with Medicaid and teacher layoffs is another bill languishing in the senate.

Other topics will be the confirmation vote on Supreme Court Justice nominee Elena Kagan that will take place on Thursday, the gutting of the Arizona immigration law by a federal law, the dismal economy, the upcoming Representative Charles Rangel (D-NY) Ethics Trial, whether a watered down energy bill has any success in passing before the recess and speculation on the outcome of the upcoming mid term elections.

Sure to get some mention is the legislative theatrics which took place in the House and resulting Republican opposition to a bill providing health care to the first responders of 9/11 who have suffered debilitating illnesses as a result of their efforts on that day.

NBC "Meet the Press" - Former Federal Reserve chair Alan Greenspan - see if he repeats what he said earlier about supporting allowing the former George W. Bush administration tax cuts for the wealthy to expire.

Admiral Mike Mullen, chair of the Joints Chief of Staff who will surely add his comments to the AfPak leaks. New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg, and Governor Ed Rendell (D-Pa.).

ABC "This Week" - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calf.) and Defense Secretary Robert Gates. Will the Rangel Ethics trial hurt the Democrats? Expect Pelosi to praise the system Democrats were responsible for implementing in dealing with ethics issues in the House.

Gates will talk about the suspected individual who leaked the classified information to WikiLeaks and try to spin the fact the Obama administration has been refocusing the effort in Afghanistan. A tough sell in light of the information being disclosed.

CBS "Face The Nation" - Senator Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) - expect him to bemoan the federal judge ruling in regard to the state's immigration law. Also sure to express opinion will be, Thomas Saenz; President Mexican American Legal and Education Fund.

Admiral Mike Mullen will be joined with Richard Haass, president of Council on Foreign Relations. More discussion on U.S. policy in Afghanistan and Pakistan. CFR is known to be more conservative in their thought.

CNN "State of The Union" - Senators Carl Levin (D-Mich.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). Levin has to be happy with the trip by President Obama to Detroit, highlighting the comeback of the auto industry. Graham has to be sick over the fact a strong energy/climate bill he stuck his neck out to support with Senators Kerry and Lieberman, has now died a natural death and been replaced with an offering of a bill that basically bashes BP and does little else.

Fox News Sunday - Sarah Palin is their darling and headliner today. Rounding out their Republican leanings will be guests; Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Oh.).

Think they will be bashing Democrats, with Palin talking about is the most recent "mama grizzly" to receive her endorsement? You bet ya - Now, listen closely to see if they offer any concrete proposals in regard to any single issue - don't bet on it.

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Daily Democratic Wire 7-27-2009

George Wenschhof

President Barack Obama to travel to Mexico - On August 9-10, he will attend the North American Leaders conference in Guadalajara, Mexico. Obama will meet with Mexican President Felipe Calderon and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. They will discuss the economy, energy, environment and the H1N1 Flu. The Page.time .com has more here.

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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi works to pass health care bill this week - not accepting defeat and determined to garner votes for passage this week. She has scheduled a full Democratic caucus this afternoon to go over line by line the health care reform bill. i would not count out the passage by the House this week. If passed, this would regain the momentum President Obama had hoped for prior to the August recess. The Washington Post has more here.

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Who is John Parnell? - the new Governor of Alaska as a result of the resignation of Sarah Palin that went into effect yesterday. The NY Times has more here.

At first, I was disappointed at hearing Palin would step down as I feared she would no longer provide material for the hilarious and sad but true skits performed by Tina Fey. Then I realized Palin will continue to reach out for the spotlight ensuring many more buffoon like statements.

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Senate Judiciary Committee to vote on Sotomayor tomorrow - expect Sonia Sotomayor to win support of the committee and to receive a majority of the Senate votes needed later in the week for confirmation as the next Supreme Court Justice.

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Daily Democratic Wire 7-25-2009

George Wenschhof

Yesterday, President Barack Obama addressed the White House press corps on the incident in Cambridge - during the question and answer period following Obama's nationally televised speech on health care reform Wednesday night, the president said some words he regrets. When asked about a recent arrest of a African-American professor in his home by a white Cambridge, Mass. police sgt., the president had said the "police acted stupidly". The police were responding to a breaking and entering call.

He has called both sgt. Crowley and professor Gates and now says they may have both overreacted to this situation and hoped with the national spotlight this was receiving that racial profiling would continued to be reviewed and examined.

The president invited both Crowley and Gates to the White House. Maybe they will share a beer together. Time.com has more here.

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First Family plans vacation - I noticed during Wednesday night's press conference, the president looked a little tired and did not deliver his normal inspirational type of speech. For those of you who read this site regularly, you know the president has an extremely hectic daily non-stop schedule.

So the planned family trip to Martha's Vineyard for the last week in August is probably coming at the right time. The Vineyard Gazette has more about the 28.5 acre compound they have rented and their vacation plans here.

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House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) says House may stay in session past August 1 recess to pass health care bill - at this point, passage does not seem likely as the bill is stalled in the House Energy and Commerce Committee. You can read more here.

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Say Bye-Bye as tomorrow Sarak Palin will exit Governor's Mansion in Alaska - she is having a farewell picnic in Fairbanks. Seems the residents of Alaska are as divided in their opinions of her as the rest of the country. Politico.com has more here.

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Daily Democratic Wire 7-24-2009

George Wenschhof

Today, President Barack Obama will meet with Senate Leaders Reid and Baucus to discuss health care reform - the president invited Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Max Baucus (D-Mont.) to the White House. Reid announced last night that the president's timeline of an August approval will not be met. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) who is chair of the Senate Finance Committee has been working on a bi-partisan agreement and the committee now is expected to have a bill moved forward by August. You can read more here.

Later in the day, President Obama will discuss his 5 Billion education program that is part of the Stimulus bill. He will make remarks at the Department of Education explaining how states can access these funds. the Wall Street Journal has more here.

Tonight Barack and Michelle Obama will attend the Marine corps parade at the Marine Corps Barracks.

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Minimum Wage increases to 7.25 per hour today - this is the last of a series of increases that were previously approved from when the minimum wage was at 5.15 oer hour. Even with the increase, it is incredible to imagine any family being able to live at 7.25 per hour today. Time.com has a read here which includes a little history of how minimum wage came about in the U.S. Seems, it started in Massachusetts back in 1912 and covered women and children.

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53% view Alaska Governor Sarah Palin negatively - a pretty steep drop in approval for the woman who was the Republican VP running mate for John McCain's presidential bid last year. The Governor is set to leave office early this coming Sunday. the Washington Post/ ABC News poll showed only 40% viewed Palin in a positive manner. MSNBC.com has more here.

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Middle East Envoy George Mitchell hopes to engage Syria in peace talks - he will be in Damascus prior to Meeting in Israel on Sunday with Israel and Palestine officials. Talks with Syria by the U.S. had not taken place during the George W. Bush administration. You can read more here.

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Secretary of State Hillary Clinton asks Zelaya to delay his attempt to return to Honduras - the deposed president is trying for the second time to return to the country since a coup resulted in him being flown out of the country and an interim government put in place. Negotiations between the interim government and Zelaya mediated by Costa Rican President Oscar Arias have broken down. Clinton feared an outbreak of violence could occur and caution against a return at this time. Zelaya is attempting to cross into Honduras by Jeep across the northern boundary from Nicaragua tomorrow. You can read more here.

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