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.
--------------------
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.
--------------------
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.
--------------------
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.
--------------------
To receive "Daily Email Updates" from Air-it-Out with George Wenschhof, click on "Subscribe to this feed" below.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Daily Democratic Wire 7-27-2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Daily Democratic Wire 7-12-2009
George Wenschhof
President Barack Obama and family are home from their overseas trip - Russia, Italy and then Ghana. Today, the President has an op-ed in the Washington Post on the economy. You can read it here.
--------------------
CIA Director Leon Panetta says former Vice President Dick Cheney ordered CIA to not disclose to Congress secret counter-terrorism program - the NY Times has the report of this story here. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calf.) has to be saying "and you said what again?".
--------------------
Attorney General Eric Holder close to naming Special Prosecutor in Torture probe - many Democrats in Congress have been clamoring for this for some time. Now, with fresh disclosures from CIA Director Leon Panetta pertaining to concealment of counter terrorism programs, expect this to become a reality. You can read more here.
--------------------
Sonia Sotomayor confirmation hearing begins tomorrow - Senator John Cornyn (R-Tex.) warns his fellow Republicans on how they conduct themselves during the hearings. On "Fox New Sunday" today, Cornyn expresses concern about republicans alienating Hispanics. TheHill.com has more here.
--------------------
To receive "Daily Updates" from Air-it-Out with George Wenschhof, click on "Subscribe to this feed" below.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Democratic Daily Wire 7-8-2009
George Wenschhof
Today, President Barack Obama is in Italy - he began the day with a meeting with Italian President Giorgia Napolitano. Then, it is meetings with seven other industrialized nations who make up the G-8. The meetings will be held in L'Aquila which is near Rome and will focus on the global economic crisis and climate change. Time.com has more here.
--------------------
Chinese President Hu Jintao leaves G-8 Summit in Italy to return to China due to the riots in Xinjiang - so far the riots have reportedly resulted in the deaths of over 150 with 1000 injured. Reuters.com has more here.
--------------------
Cost Rica President to mediate Honduran crisis - President Oscar Arias, who won a nobel prize in 1987 for his efforts in brokering an end to civil wars in Central America will mediate the efforts to resolve the leadership question in Honduras. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made the announcement yesterday after meeting with ousted Honduran President Zelaya. Honduran interim President Roberto Micheletti has also agreed to the mediation. You can read more here.
--------------------
Republicans strategize on how to stop Sotomayor appointment to Supreme Court - the Senate confirmation hearing begins next week and Republican leaders plan to focus on her positions on gun rights and affirmative action. While Sonia Sotomayor will receive flak from some angry Republicans, expect her nomination to be confirmed. Newly sworn in Senator Al Franken (D-Minn.) was appointed to the Senate Judiciary Committee so he will be in the spotlight immediately. Politico.com has more here.
--------------------
Karl Rove testifies in front of House Judiciary Committee - the former White House aid during the George W. Bush administration was grilled on his role in the firing of U.S. attorneys. President Bush had claimed executive privilege in refusing to allow testimony from Rove or White House counsel Harriet Miers. You can read more here.
--------------------
To receive "Daily Updates" from Air-it-Out with George Wenschhof, click on "Subscribe to this feed" below.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Daily Democratic Wire 6-30-2009
George Wenschhof
Today, President Barack Obama will discuss community service programs - which are happening across the United States. He will give his speech from the White House.
Also today, some new ways to track spending and hold government accountable will debut on the USASpending.gov website. Politico.com has more here.
--------------------
Obama approval rating stays high - The latest CNN/Opinion Research poll shows the president with a 61% approval rating. To read more details on the poll, CNN.com has more here.
--------------------
Supreme Court rules in favor of white firefighters - in a split 5-4 decision, the court reversed an appeals court decision pertaining to tests used to determine hiring. Supreme Court Justice nominee Sonia Sotomayor was involved in the appeals court decision and expect some Republicans to try to make a big deal out of this. The NY Times has a good read here which points out the supreme court ruling offers little guidance on fair hiring.
--------------------
Obama speaks out against Honduras Coup - he, along with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are calling the action that removed President Manuel Zelaya illegal. Zelaya was put on a plane and flown to Costa Rica. A interim President Roberto Micheletti has been appointed by the Honduran Congress. The action taken to remove Zelaya was a result of his wanting to serve another term which required a constitutional referendum approving his bid for reelection. The highest court ruled the referendum was illegal. Stay Tuned. TheHill.com has more here.
--------------------
U.S. troops complete withdraw from Iraq Cities - as the first step of the overall agreement of U.S. withdrawal from Iraq. Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki declared a National Sovereignty Day and fireworks went off in Baghdad. Concern remains among some as to the readiness of the Iraq security forces. Reuters.com has more here.
--------------------
Oil companies line up to bid for Iraq oil and gas - thirty-two international companies will bid today for 20 year service contracts. This is the first time these companies have been allowed in Iraq for close to thirty years. Pay close attention to who is rewarded with these contracts as many have argued the U.S. intervention in Iraq was all about their oil and gas reserves. The Wall Street journal has more here.
--------------------
To receive "Daily Updates" from Air-it-Out with George Wenschhof, click on "Subscribe to this feed" below.
