Daily Political Wire

George Wenschhof

President Obama To Begin Europe Trip - on Monday, traveling to London with the First Lady on an official state visit. They will, of course, visit with the Queen. BBC News has more here.

After two days in Britain, President Obama will attend the G-8 meetings in France, followed by meetings in Poland. You can read more about the planned trip here.

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Pawlenty To Make It Official Monday - The former Governor of Minnesota will formally declare his candidacy for the Republican Party nomination for President in Iowa. CNN.com has more here.

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Biden To Resume Budget Deficit Talks Tuesday - the 14.3 Trillion debt ceiling was technically reached May 16, but Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has been using accounting measures to avoid a default. TPM.com has more here.

Biden's meeting with senior Republican and Democratic congressional leaders comes after what appeared to be the collapse of meetings with the "Gang of Six" bipartisan senators after Tom Coburn (Ok.) said he was done negotiating.

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Dempsey Likely To Be Next Chair of Joint Chiefs of Staff - Admiral Michael Mullen is retiring this fall and the new Army Chief of Staff; General Martin Dempsey, is considered the front runner. TheHill.com has more here.

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Steele To MSNBC? - rumors have it the former chair of the Republican National Committee will be hired as a commentator for the news channel. You can read more here.

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Sunday Morning "Talking Heads" Lineup - Newt Gingrich appears on CBS "Face The Nation" a week after being critical of Representative Paul Ryan's (R-Wis.) budget deficit proposal. Ryan gets his chance to reply when he appears on NBC "Meet The Press".

Politico.com has a rundown of all the guests below.



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Daily Political Wire

George Wenschhof

Sunday morning "Talking Heads" Lineup - the Obama administration goes to the airwaves to defend their military action in Libya. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will appear on CBS "Face the Nation" and NBC "Meet the Press". Below, Politico.com has a rundown on the Sunday morning shows.



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Wisconsin Republicans Press Forward with Anti-Union Bill - seemingly in violation of a Judge's restraining order on the bill passed recently to end collective bargaining of public service employees. At issue, is the publishing of the law, which is a requirement for a bill to become law, in defiance of the order issued by the Judge. TPM.com has more here.

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What is Goal in Libya? - remains the most pressing question as who is in charge of the rebels is a close second. Some rebels have recaptured a few towns, but the spectre of a stalemate looms large. The Washington Post has an update here.

President Obama tried to make a case for U.S. intervention this morning in his weekly address, his surrogates will hit the Sunday morning "talking heads" programs and the president will address the nation in a televised speech Monday night. Stay tuned...

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Lack of information from Japanese Government Adds to Crisis - an record breaking earthquake, a resulting tsunami and subsequent nuclear plant disaster has proven to be too much for the government of Japan. The lack of accurate reporting from the government has added to the many problems facing the nation as they struggle to recover. The NY Times has more here.

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U.S. Budget Impasse Continues - no agreement has been reached among the Republican and Democratic leaders attempting to hammer out a compromise for the budget for the remainder of this fiscal year which ends September 30. Members of congress will only have a few days next week to finalize an agreement before the present two week stop gap bill expires. Both political parties are already laying the blame the other if a government shut down takes place. Reuters.com has more here.

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Daily Political Wire

George Wenschhof

Union Busting in Wisconsin Could Be boon For Democrats - the success of Republican Governor Walker in ending collective bargaining for public service employees could become a rallying cry for Democrats running for office in 2012. The NY Times has more here.

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Gay Marriage fails in Maryland - after passing in the more conservative state senate, the bill died without receiving a vote in the House. While Maryland democratic Governor Martin O'Malley had publicly said he would sign the bill, he did not actively work to garner support of it. The Baltimore Sun has more here.

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Congressional Budget Stalemate Continues - agreement has been elusive on the budget for the remainder of the current fiscal year. House Republicans are preparing another continuing resolution, this one for three weeks which includes 6 billion in cuts. The current 2 week extension expires next week. House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) says this is the last time he will support a short term agreement. TheHill.com has more here.

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Japan Disaster Puts Spotlight on Dangers of Nuclear Power - as support for nuclear power plants have been increasing in the United States. Five nuclear power plants in Japan are in jeopardy as power generators have been disabled effecting their critical cooling process. Some radiation has been released and the fear is rising of more radiation being released as evacuations have been ordered. Construction of nuclear power plants in the U.S. stalled after the accident at the Three Mile Island Plant in Pennsylvania. The Washington Post has more here.

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Sunday Morning "Talking Heads" Lineup - the Japan disaster, the budget crisis and the race for the Republican 2012 presidential nomination are among the topics for tomorrow. Below, Politico.com has a preview of the guests.



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Daily Political Wire

George Wenschhof

Crisis in Cairo Continues - all eyes are on Egypt as demonstrations continue. Yesterday, President Mubarak allowed communication by ordering phone to be turned back on, after blocking it for two days. Internet communication continues to be disrupted. The action to restore phone service came after a conversation with U.S. President Barack Obama.

The Egyptian Cabinet has been disbanded with promises from Mubarak for more democracy. Demonstrators are calling for Mubarak to resign. The NY Times has more here.

Long an ally to America, how these actions unfold will be critical to the region.

Today, peaceful demonstrations are taking place with no riot police on site. The Egyptian army is on the scene, but no forceful action has taken place.



Stay Tuned...

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Sunday Morning "Talking Heads" Lineup - below, Politico.com has a preview. New White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley is on CBS "Face The Nation" and House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) is on GOP friendly Fox News.



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Obama to Release Budget on February 14 - hardly a Valentine's gift for Americans. The 2012 fiscal year budget will face intense scrutiny as the current CBO estimate for Fy 2011 is 1.5 Trillion. The 14.3 Triliion debt ceiling for the U.s. is also expected to be reached in March so expect lots of political rhetoric following the release of the budget. You can read more here.

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Romney To Host Fund Raising Call - the former Massachusetts Governor is edging closer to announcing his bid for the Republican nomination for president in 2012. Next week he will have a conference call with top donors of his campaign in 2008. CNN.com has more here.

In the sixties, a term to describe Romney would have been "plastic" - looks good, but no substance. Whatever, the term is today for having "it", Romney doesn't have it. He highlights the problems Republicans have in fielding a competitive presidential candidate to go up against Obama.

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Daily Political Wire 11-20-2010

George Wenschhof

Sunday morning "Talking Heads" lineup - below, Politico.com has a preview of the morning shows. The discussion will be heavily focused on foreign policy as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen fan out to appear and push for the ratification of the START treaty with Russia during the lame duck session of congress.

Also, sure to be discussed is the recent NATO agreement to end involvement in Afghanistan by the end of 2014 and the U.S. offer of 3 billion in stealth fighter planes to Israel in exchange for a ninety day building moratorium in the disputed West Bank.



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Federal Elections Commission Dismisses Complaint against Republican Senator John Ensign (Nev.) - a complaint had been filed against him in regard to the $96,000 his parents gave a campaign worker who was the former mistress of the Senator.

It was determined that the money was a gift and not a campaign contribution. TPM.com has more here.

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House Ethics Committee Cancels Trial for Representative Maxine Waters (D-Calf.) - only citing new evidence became available which caused them to refer the case back to the subcommittee who originally recommended the trial. The trial had been scheduled to begin November 29.

Waters claims this proves the evidence was weak in regard to her case. She was questioned in regard to her acting on behalf of a Bank receiving bail out funds which her husband owned stock. TheHill.com has more here.

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Representative Steve Israel (D-NY) to be new DCCC Chair - he was named by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calf.) to replace Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) who served as chair for the last two election cycles.

Israel will be tasked at regaining the majority in the House. The NY Times Caucus Blog has more here.

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Senate Settles Black Farmers and American Indian Lawsuits for 4.55 Billion - the long standing lawsuits were finally settled yesterday. Black Farmers had argued they had been denied or underpaid aid and American Indian trust funds had been mismanaged.

It now goes to the House for a vote prior to being signed by President Obama. The NY Times has more here.

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Daily Political Wire 11-13-2010

George Wenschhof

Obama heads home with few results from Asian trip - the trade agreement with India announced during the first leg of the ten day overseas trip turned out to be the best news to come forth.

A trade agreement with S. Korea was delayed and only a statement of principle was announced from the G-20 summit on trade guidelines. The Washington Post has more here.

President Obama began the ten day trip immediately after the mid term elections and had to be hoping for more positive news following the drubbing Democrats took in Congress.

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Democrats reach agreement on House Leadership - Nancy Pelosi (Calf.) created the leadership problem when she decided she wanted to be the new House Minority Leader, a position most assumed would go to Steny Hoyer (Md.), who is the current House Majority Leader.

The odd man out became James Clyburn (N.C.), who as current House Majority Whip, would have become the House Minority Whip. Now, a new, third ranking position has been created for Clyburn, to avert a bitter struggle between Clyburn and Hoyer for the Minority Whip position. The NY Times has more here.

The next two years and the results of the upcoming 2012 presidential election will determine whether Pelosi's decision to stand and fight was good for the Democratic Party.

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Sunday Morning "Talking Heads" - the usual suspects appear tomorrow, including White House Senior Adviser David Axelrod, Senator John McCain (R-Az.) and Representative James Clyburn (D-N.C.). Politico.com has more here.

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52% Negative Rating for Palin - the president want to be can not shake the high negative rating Americans have of her. The latest Gallup poll had her favorable rating at only 40%. Not a good sign for former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as she weighs entering into the 2012 presidential contest. Gallup.com has more here.

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Sunday morning "Talking Heads" Lineup for 8-22-2010

George Wenschhof

Some foreign policy discussion will join domestic issues on the Sunday morning "Talking Heads" this weekend. The withdrawal of all combat troops from Iraq took place this past week while the struggle in Afghanistan continues.

The announcement Friday by Secretary of state Hillary Clinton of Israel/Palestine direct peace talks to take place in Washington D.C. beginning September 2 does not appear to be receiving a lot of discussion this coming Sunday.

U.S. General Ray Odierno will appear on both CNN "State of The Union" and CBS "Face The Nation" and share his thoughts on the future of Iraq and the mission of the remaining 56,000 U.S. troops within Iraq.

Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai will be a guest on ABC "This Week" - look to see if some hard questions are ask of him; such as what is he doing to rid the wide spread corruption in his government. Expect Karzai to be critical of the u.S. use of Drones to launch missile attacks which have resulted in civilian deaths.

NBC "Meet the Press" gets back to speculation of the mid term elections with guests Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Tea Party founder Dick Armey, and Governor Jennifer Granholm (D-Mich.)

The construction of a Mosque near ground zero in New York City receives some continued scrutiny on ABC "This Week" with the executive director of American Society of Muslim Advancement Daisy Khan and Jewish Community Center Rabbi Joy Levitt.

President Obama's statement pertaining to the importance of freedom of religious belief within the U.S. has become a lightening rod for those who oppose the building of the Mosque at this location.

Former DNC chair Howard Dean who has publicly disagreed with the president on the building of the Mosque, will also be on CNN "State of The Union". Dean has also angered members of Democracy for America (DFA) with his position on this issue. DFA was started by Dean after his loss in the Democratic primary for president in the 2004 election.

The failure of the government prosecutors to obtain a conviction on 22 of the 23 counts of corruption against former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich will be the topic of discussion on Fox New Sunday who will have Blagojevich as their guest. Look to see Blago continue his colorful comments with claims of persecution against him and his family.

NBC "Meet The Press" - House Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), former House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-Tex.) and Governor Jennifer Granholm (D-Mich.)

ABC "This Week" - Hamid Karzai, Joy Levitt, and Daisy Khan.

Roundtable discussion with Al Hunt, Robert Reich, Judy Woodruff, and George Will.

CBS "Face The Nation" - General Ray Ordierno and Senator Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.)

CNN "State of The Union" - General Ray Ordierno and Howard Dean

Fox News Sunday - former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich

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Daily Political Wire 7-3-2010

George Wenschhof

President Obama is spending the 4th of July weekend at Camp David - on Tuesday he will meet with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.

This meeting has twice been postponed due to circumstances which erupted in Israel. The first visit was canceled after Israel announced, during a visit by Vice President Joe Biden, the approval of hundreds of building permits in the controversial West Bank. A policy contrary to what the U.S. and the Palestinians had been negotiating fo some time.

The second visit was canceled after Israeli commandos seized a humanitarian aid ship headed to the Gaza Strip.

In spite of these incidents, U.S. Middle East Envoy George Mitchell has continued to hold "proximity talks" between Israel and Palestine. Let's see if Netanyahu has any progress to announce in regard to these peace talks next week. Stay Tuned...

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Sunday morning "Talking Heads" Lineup - expect a lot of talk on Afghanistan with Senators John McCain (R-Ariz.), John Lindsey (R-S.C.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) appearing on different shows live from that country.

Sure to be brought up is the latest gaffe from RNC chair Michael Steele who was caught rambling about how the U.S. should not be involved in a ground war in Afghanistan; a position contrary to the majority of the Republican Party.

NBC "Meet The Press" - no program today - coverage of Wimbleton Tennis

ABC "This Week" - Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.)

CBS "Face The Nation" - Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.)

CNN "State of The Union" - Representatives John Boccieri (D-Ohio), Duncan Hunter (R-Calf.), and Mike Coffman (R-Col.). Also appearing will be Afghanistan Ambassador to the U.S. Said Tayeb Jawab.

Fox News Sunday - Senators Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Jim DeMint (R-S.C.). Kenneth Feinberg - the independent administrator/arbiter of the BP 20 billion Escrow Fund.

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U.S. and Poland sign Missile Shield agreement - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was on hand in Krakow, Poland yesterday to witness the signing. The Obama administration scrapped the former Bush administration proposal for longer range defensive missiles in favor of shorter range missiles to defend against any possible attack from Iran. Russia has long opposed any deployment of U.S. missiles in Poland. MSNBC.com has more here.

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More calls for Steele's Resignation - the embattled chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC). Michael Steele, who barely won nomination as chair after six rounds of balloting less than a year ago has new efforts to oust him. Politico.com has more here.

Conservatives Bill Kristol; Weekly Standard Editor, David Foster of The National Review and Liz Cheney; chair of Keep America Safe all are calling for his resignation. This is coming after he was caught on a "hot mic" saying the U.S. should not be involved in a ground war in Afghanistan.

Republicans are in a tough spot as the mid term elections near. Their chair continues to help Democrats with his gaffes, however, how effective will a change be at this point.

In the meantime, look to see Democrats point out the inability of Republican leadership to make decisions; especially in regard to their own voice of their Party. Is this the kind of leadership you want to elect to Congress?

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Daily Political Wire 6-26-2010

George Wenschhof

Today, President Obama is attending G-20 Meetings in Toronto - discussions continue with the leaders of the largest economies in the world. Disagreement exists as to when and how much to cut back public spending. The NY Times has more here.

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Sunday morning "Talking Heads" lineup - expect the conversations to be centered on the firing of General Stanley McChrystal and the hiring of General Petraeus, the Wall Street Reform bill reported out of conference committee, the G-20 meetings and of course, the BP oil spill in the Gulf.

NBC "Meet The Press" - Senator John McCain (R-Az.)

CBS "Face The Nation" - Senators Pat Leahy (D-Vt.), Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) and Carl Levin (D-Mich.).

ABC "This Week" - C.I.A. Director Leon Panetta

CNN "State of The Union" - Senators John Cornyn (D-Tex.), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), and Jack Reed (D-R.I.).

Fox News Sunday - Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calf.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), former Arizona Governor Mike Huckabee, and Liz Cheney.

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President Obama to press for Energy/Climate bill - with two large legislative initiatives almost passed ( health care and financial reform), the president wants a comprehensive energy bill this session as well.

The horrific BP oil spill in the Gulf highlights the need for a new U.S. energy policy. The president will invite a bipartisan group of Senators to the white House next Tuesday to discuss. TheHill.com has more here.

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Organizing for America (OFA) Begins Voter Registration Effort - they have developed a great online source of information for voters, regardless of the state in which they live. information is there for early voting, voting registration and primary election dates as well as the reminder of November 2 General Election Day. Click here: http://www.RaiseYourVote.com to get started.

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Daily Political Wire 6-19-2010

George Wenschhof

As one would expect, Democrats seize on Barton's apology to BP and air ad - the ad calls on Republicans to stop apologizing to big oil and warns that if Republicans retake the House, Representative Joe Barton (R-Tex.) would be in charge of the probe into the BP oil spill. The Washington Post has more here.



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Sunday morning "Talking Heads" lineup - expect a lot of discussion on the continuing BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill and some talk on the upcoming mid term elections.

NBC "Meet The Press" - Ken Feinberg - he was named the independent arbitrator for determining awards from the 20 billion BP escrow fund. He previously handled claims for families of the victims of 9/11. Also appearing will be senator Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Governor Haley Barbour (R-Miss.), Representative Ed Markey (D-Mass.), and John Hofmeister, former president of Shell oil Co. Hofmesiter has been critical of the BP response to the Gulf coast oil spill.

CBS "Face The Nation" - Senators Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and Representative Anh "Joseph" Cao (R-La.)

ABC "This Week" - White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel - a whole range of topics can be expected to be discussed ranging from the ongoing investigation of the BP oil spill, to challenging the state of Arizona's new immigration law. Somewhere along the way, the U.S. and the Obama administration relationship with Israel will be brought up for discussion.

As Emanuel is the only guest, other lingering questions are where and when will 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed be tried and will it be a civilian or military trial. ..and by the way, how about an update on the U.S. closing of Guantanamo Bay prison.

CNN - "State of The Union" - Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calf.), Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Al.). Murkowski recently offered up an amendment which was defeated which would have prohibited the Environmental Protection Agency from regulation emissions.

Fox News Sunday - their favorite weekly guest Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Defense secretary Robert Gates.

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Representative Chris Van Hollen's (D-Md.) bill delayed - this was offered to close the floodgates opened by the recent Supreme Court "Citizen's United" ruling on campaign financing - he offered amendments which would exclude long standing organizations such as the NRA and now his fellow Congressmen are taking another look at the bill. TheHill.com has more here.

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More papers released from Supreme Court nominee Elana Kagan - another 11,000 pages of memos from her time working in the Clinton administration. Senator Pat Leahy (D-Vt.) says the Obama administration has been the most open administration in providing information on a nominee. Kagan also counseled President Clinton during some of the scandals that erupted during his time in office. Some of these memos have been not been released to the press, but were given to the Judiciary committee. President Obama wants Kagan confirmed by the end of august so she can participate in the fall session of the Supreme Court. MSNBC.com has more here.

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Daily Political Wire 6-12-2010

George Wenschhof

President Obama to visit Gulf states Monday and Tuesday - once again the president is visiting the states hit hard by the BP oil spill. He will make stops in Mississippi, Florida and Alabama. Time.com has his schedule here.

President Obama and his administration have been taking heat as to the government reaction to date to the massive oil spill that has yet to be stopped. What is needed now is not photo-ops showing empathy toward residents or anger at BP, but rather a take charge approach of here is what we are going to do to protect wildlife, wetlands and our coastal areas, regardless of the success BP has at shutting down the leak.

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Sunday morning "Talking Heads" lineup - a wide range of topics likely to be discussed including the BP oil spill, results of Tuesday's primaries, and the UN sanctions against Iran.

NBC "Meet The Press" - White House Senior Adviser David Axelrod, California Senate candidate Carly Fiorina (R), and Representative Debbie Wasserman (R-Fla.).

ABC "This Week" - House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Oh.). Expect partisan rhetoric to dominate the discussion.

CBS "Face The Nation" - the discussion will be all about the BP oil spill with Admiral Thad Allen and Governors Charlie Crist (I-Fla.), Bob Riley (R-Al.), and Haley Barbour (R-Miss.).

CNN "State of The Union" - Governor Bob Riley (R-Al.), Representatives Mike Pence (R-In.) and James Clyburn (D-SC). Clyburn will talk about the weirdness surrounding the candidacy and win by the mysterious Alvin Greene. Also appearing will be economists Greg Ip and Douglas Holtz-Eaton.

Fox News Sunday - California Republican candidate for senate; Carly Fiorina and Susan Rice; U.S. Ambassador to the UN.

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Daily Political Wire 6-5-2010

George Wenschhof

Today, President Obama is expected to make a statement to the press at 10:30 AM ET - while he may address the drop in unemployment, the gulf coast oil crisis, or the latest seizure by Israel of a humanitarian aid ship bound for Gaza, the most likely announcement will be his nomination of Dennis Clapper for Director of National Intelligence. He currently serves as the Pentagon's Intelligence Chief. CBS News has more here.

He would replace Dennis Blair who resigned when questions concerning coordination and sharing of information among intelligence agencies surfaced after the Christmas Day underwear airline bomber attempt.

The position was created after 9/11 when a myriad of questions arose concerning the integration efforts of U.S. intelligence agencies.

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Tomorrow's Sunday morning "Talking Heads" lineup - The president's point man on the BP oil spill; Admiral Thad Allen, will appear on four of the morning shows. He has done a credible job of communicating the efforts to date of BP and the government to both stop the leak and protect wildlife and the environment. Otherwise, Sunday morning promises to be a grab bag of topics; ranging from the heated Arkansas Democratic senate run-off election, to discussion on the Climate bill, to RNC Chair Michael Steele trying to elevate the attention on the WH job offers to Democratic candidates.

NBC "Meet The Press" - no show today - French Open coverage

CBS "Face The Nation" - Admiral Thad Allen, Senator Bill Nelson (D-Fla.)

ABC "This Week" - Admiral Thad Allen. Senators John Kerry (D-Mass.) and John Cornyn (R-Tex.)

CNN "State of The Union" - Admiral Thad Allen. Arkansas Lt. Governor Bill Halter and incumbent Senator Blanche Lincoln. Halter has enjoyed the support of the liberal Netroots and riding the support of those voters wanting change. While, Lincoln has benefited by the support of former President Bill Clinton.

Fox News Sunday" - Admiral Thad Allen, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour (R), Israel Ambassador Michael Oren, and RNC chair Michael Steele.

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Representative Charles Rangel (D-NY) expected to announce reelection bid tomorrow - even though he continues to be under investigation over ethics charges. Earlier, he had stepped down as chair of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Politico.com has more here.

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Israel seizes another aid ship bound for Gaza - this time there was no violence or deaths as the ship was boarded by Israelis by sea. The ship; MV Rachel Corrie was named after an American who was accidentally crushed to death by an Israeli operated bulldozer while protesting the demolition of houses on the Gaza Strip in 2003. MSNBC.com has more here.

Let's hope this nonsense ends soon with UN inspections and oversight put in place so humanitarian aid can safely be transported to Gaza. It is hard to believe Israel does not see how their actions prohibiting aid are helping the militant political group Hamas in Gaza.

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Daily Political Wire 5-29-2010

George Wenschhof

President Obama visited Louisiana yesterday and said the "buck stops with me" as he claimed responsibility- for the clean up of what will be the largest U.S. oil spill. You can read his remarks on the oil spill here.


The President and his family then headed to Chicago, Illinois to spend the holiday weekend. Time.com has details of his plans for the weekend here.

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The Sunday morning "Talking Heads" lineup is heavily concentrated on the Gulf coast oil disaster - Managing Director of BP Robert Dudley is on three of the morning shows and White House Energy Adviser Carol Browner is on two.

NBC "Meet The Press" - Robert Dudley and Carol Browner. Also Representative Luis Guitierrez (D-Ill.) and former Representative J.D. Hayworth who is running against John McCain in the Arizona Republican Senate primary.

CBS "Face The Nation" - Carol Browner and Representative Ed Markey (D-Mass.). Markey has been critical of the efforts to date by BP.

ABC "This Week" - Former Secretary of State Colin Powell and Governor Bobby Jindal (R-La.). Jindal has been critical of the efforts by president Obama to date in regard to the oil spill. Powell will surely be asked his reaction to the recent House vote repealing the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy toward gay/lesbians in the military.

CNN "State of The Union" - Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Robert Dudley, and Senators Jim Webb (D-Va.) and David Vitter (R-La.).

Fox News Sunday - Robert Dudley, Governor Ed Rendell (D-Pa.) and Representative Darrell Issa (R-Calf.). Issa has been questioning the alleged White House offer of a job to Representative Joe Sestak to induce him to drop out of the Democratic primary against Arlen Specter.

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White House statement on Sestak job offer raises more questions - seems White House Chief of staff Rahm Emanuel enlisted the aid of former President Bill Clinton in attempting to ease Representative Joe Sestak out of the Pennsylvania primary against Senator Arlen Specter. The apparent subsequent conversation between Sestak and Clinton was short with Clinton speaking about a possible post on a presidential board and Sestak saying he had no interest. Sestak defeated Specter in the recent primary election. Republican leaders are crying foul and talking about back room deals, etc. Stay tuned... MSNBC.com has more here.

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Daily Political Wire 5-22-2010

George Wenschhof

Today, President Obama will deliver the Commence Address at West Point - the last time he was at West Point, the president discussed the increase of 30,000 troops to Afghanistan. Obama will surely discuss both the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq as the graduates are likely to be deployed there. You can read more here.

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Sunday morning "Talking Heads" lineup - the results from last Tuesday's primaries in four states will be a major topic as DNC chair Tim Kaine and RNC chair Michael Steele appear on two of the morning shows. Both chairs will spin the results for their benefit in the November mid term elections.

Rand Paul, the winner in the Republican Kentucky senate primary, canceled his scheduled appearance on NBC "Meet the Press". The not-so-ready for prime time tea party supported candidate stepped in deep doo-doo as he was quoted saying he did not support government intervention in the area of civil rights. In other words, it would be ok for a restaurant owner to refuse to serve Blacks. After this initial roll out by Paul, look to see Democratic senate candidate Jack Conway pick up ground in a state dominated by Republicans.

CBS "Face The Nation" - Representative Joe Sestak who just won handily the Pennsylvania Democratic primary beating incumbent Arlen Specter. Also White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. Interesting pairing as the Obama White House was supporting Specter and a big unanswered question to date is "did the White House offer Sestak a job in the administration to induce him to drop out of the primary"? Let's see if moderator Bob Schieffer asks this question. also appearing will be Senator Lamar Alexander (R).

Fox News Sunday - the network darling Sarah Palin. Michael Steele, Tim Kaine.

CNN "State of the Union" - Governors Ed Rendell (D-Pa.) and Tim Pawlenty (R-Minn.). Also BP Managing Director Bob Dudley. The conversation with Dudley could prove enlightening if Candy Crowley presses on the permitting and approval process on the offshore oil well and rig which continues to spew oil into the Gulf coast.

ABC "This Week" - Tim Kaine and Michael Steele

NBC "Meet the Press" - will Rand Paul post? or will he be just the third guest to cancel an appearance in the 62 year history of this show. Paul would then be in the company of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan (1996) and Saudi Prince Bandar (2003).

Pennsylvania Democratic Senate candidate Joe Sestak and Senators John Cornyn (R-Tex.) and Bob Mendendez (D-NJ).

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Andrew Cuomo announces bid for Govenor of New York - hardly a secret, the question has been when would he announce.

The Plan from Andrew Cuomo on Vimeo.

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Obama to meet with Republicans on Tuesday - the President requested the meeting and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) set up the meeting with Senate Republicans during their regularly scheduled policy meeting on Tuesday. The meeting will not be televised. TheHill.com has more here.

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Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to China next week - to continue the strategic and economic dialogue which began when Chinese President Hu Jintao and a large Chinese delegation met with President Obama and U.S. representatives in D.C. in April. Over 200 U.S. representatives of government agencies will acompany Clinton on her trip. CNN.com has more here.

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Daily Political Wire 5-8-2010

George Wenschhof

Last night was date night for the First Couple - the press pool followed and took notes as President Obama and the First Lady had dinner at Komi Restaurant, located in DuPont Circle. Time.com has a pool report here.

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Sunday morning "Talking Heads" lineup - national security appears to be the theme for the morning talk shows. The recent failed attempt by Faisal Shahzad to detonate an SUV with explosives in busy NY Times Square will be the focus. Attorney General Eric Holder and White House counterterrorism adviser John Brennan will appear on several of the shows.

NBC - "Meet the Press" - Eric Holder

ABC "This Week" - Eric Holder and former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani

CBS "Face The Nation" - John Brennan, Senators Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) and Richard Shelby (R-Ala.). Dodd is chair and Shelby the ranking minority member of the senate banking committee. Their discussion will be on the status of the Wall Street Reform bill.

CNN "State of the Union" - John Brennan, Senators Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and Richard Shelby (R-Ala.)

Fox News Sunday - John Brennan, Senators Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Representative Peter King (R-NY). Expect discussion of the most recent ridiculous and hardly constitutional, legislation proposed by Lieberman pertaining to renouncing U.S. citizenship of someone accused of a terrorist act.

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Energy/Climate bill finally to be introduced in the Senate - the long awaited and very controversial legislation will be presented next week on May 12 by Senators John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.). Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has withdrawn his support as he waits to see if the issue of immigration is taken up by the senate, which he feels should be delayed until next year. TheHill.com has more here.

The bill being introduced will still have concessions included for Republicans that encourage off-shore oil drilling. Expect this provision to receive intense scrutiny in light of the horrific gulf coast BP oil spill.

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Sestak tied with Specter will 10 Days to Go - Representative Joe Sestak did not want to heed the advise of Democratic leaders - instead he wanted to give the voters an opportunity to elect a real Democrat. Politico.com has more here.

Ads run by the Sestak campaign showing Senator Arlen Specter (D-Pa.) as one who changed political parties just to keep his job seem to be working as he is now tied with Specter.

Expect President Obama and Governor Ed Rendell to come to the aid of Specter in the closing days and for this support to give an edge to Specter. I, for one am pulling for Sestak to win the Pennsylvania Democratic primary on May 18.

Stay tuned...

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RNC chair Michael Steele Stays - fires Finance Directors - expenditures at a bondage themed nightclub, a fund raising letter sent that looked like the U.S. Census were some of the reasons used in the firing of finance director Rob Bickhart and deputy finance director Debby LeHardy. CNN.com has more here.

The huge expenditures racked up by Michael Steele with his use of private jets, limos and stays at posh resorts must be acceptable by the Republican Party, as he remains in his job.

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Daily Political Wire 5-1-2010

George Wenschhof

President Obama to visit the Gulf coast area where the collapsed oil rig has resulted in millions of barrels of oil being discharged into the ocean - the discharge of oil has yet to be stopped and this is quickly becoming the largest disaster of it's kind. The oil has now reached the Louisiana coast. Reuters.com has more here.

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Sunday morning "Talking Heads" lineup - the main focus of discussion this Sunday morning will be the passage of the new Immigration law in Arizona and the horrific oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar will appear on four of the morning shows.

NBC "Meet the Press" will have Napolitano and Salazar. Also appearing will be Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Look to see her announce the start of "proximity talks" between Israel and Palestine. Other guests include Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Governor Janet Granholm (D-Mich.), Governor Bill Richardson (D-NM) and representative Mike Spence (R-Ind.).

CNN "State of the Union" - Napolitano and Salazar. Also appearing will be Florida senate candidates; newly declared Independent Charlie Crist and republican Marco Rubio.

CBS "Face The Nation" - Representatives Charlie Melacon (R-La.), Luis Guiterrez (D-Ill.), Senator Ben Nelson (D-Fla.), and Arizona Republican Senate candidate J.D. Hayworth who is challenging John McCain.

ABC "This Week" - Napolitano and Salazar.

Fox News Sunday - Napolitano and Salazar. Also appearing will be Marco Rubio; Republican candidate for U.S. Senate from Florida.

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Representative Ginny Brown-Waite (R-Fla.) announces retirement at voter filing deadline - in a tricky move to favor a Republican replacement, she waited until the last day for candidates to file to announce her retirement due to health concerns. She then endorsed Republican Hernando County Sheriff Richard Nugent who filed to run for her seat just hours before the deadline. Brown-Waite becomes the 20th Republican Representative to resign or announce retirement this year. MSNBC.com has more here.

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Daily Political Wire 4-24-2010

George Wenschhof

Today, the President and his family begin a much needed family vacation in Asheville, North Carolina - Time.com has some press pool reports here.

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Expect the next big legislation to be pushed by the Obama administration to be Immigration reform - a long needed reform made even more necessary after Arizona Governor Jan Brewer yesterday signed into law a state wide measure dealing with undocumented workers. Look to see the bipartisan Energy bill to be introduced Monday to be pushed behind Immigration reform.

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The Sunday morning "Talking Heads" Lineup - this Sunday the discussion will be all about financial reform. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has scheduled a vote to proceed on Monday, so we will soon see if one Republican or more will vote to move forward to discussion and a up or down final vote. How the Republican guests respond during discussion Sunday morning will give an indication of how the vote will go on Monday.

NBC "Meet the Press" will have Senators Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) and Richard Shelby (R-Ala.)

ABC "This Week" has White House chief economist Austin Goolsbee along with Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Bob Corker (R-Tenn.).

CBS "Face the Nation" has chair of the National Economic Council Larry Summers.

CNN "State of The Union" will feature Governor Jennifer Granholm (D-Mich.) along with Senators Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ).

"Fox News Sunday" will have Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and the co-chairs of the budget and debt reduction commission appointed by President Obama; former Senator Alan Simpson (R-Wyo.) and former White House chief of staff Erskine Bowles.

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Democratic Senate candidates debate as Arkansas primary nears - last night no clear winner emerged from the three candidates: incumbent Blanche Lincoln and challengers; Lt. Governor Bill Halter and businessman D.C. Morrison. Arkansasonline.com has more here.

A recent poll by "Talk Business" showed Lincoln leading with 38% followed by Halter with 31% and Morrison with 10%. Expect former President Bill Clinton to show up to campaign on behalf of Senator Blanche Lincoln in the days preceding the primary and look to see her survive the Democratic challengers.

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FDIC takeover of bank bad new for Illinois Democratic Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias - already engaged in a tight race with Republican candidate Mark Kirk. The news of the takeover of the Giannoulias family owned Broadway Bank will not help the Democratic candidate. The estimated cost to the FDIC is 394.3 million. Politico.com has more here.

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Daily Political Wire 4-17-2010

George Wenschhof

Today, President Obama travels to Poland to attend funeral of the late Polish President Lech Kaczynski and his wife - Kaczynski, his wife and 94 other military and government leaders perished in a horrific plane crash in Russia. CNN.com has more here.

The volcanic ash cloud resulting from the eruption in Iceland is causing some world leaders to cancel their trip to Poland to attend the funeral due to unsafe flying conditions.

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Sunday morning "Talking Heads" lineup - NBC "Meet the Press" will have Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, Governor Ed Rendell (D-Pa.) and Representative Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.).

ABC "This Week" will have former President Bill Clinton. Clinton just spoke at the 15th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing and warned of the parallels coming from the current right wing extremists. Politico.com has more here.

CBS "Face The Nation" will have Senator Scott Brown (R-Mass.) who has already broken with the Republican Party and voted to end filibusters on unemployment benefit extensions.

CNN "State of The Union" will have Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell who once again is using the filibuster rule to stop legislation from moving forward - only this time it is Financial Reform.

Will Republican misinformation used once again as it was in the case of health care reform succeed in watering down the bill is the question. Or, will this strategy backfire on the Republican Party?

Democrats are touting the lawsuit the SEC has brought against Goldman Sachs Group Inc.on derivatives based fraud as another clear reason for the need for financial reform. Bloomberg.com has more here. Also appearing will be Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.).

Fox News Sunday will have Senator John McCain (R-Az.) and General Ray Ordierno.

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Questions remain as to whether Immigration Reform will be addressed by Congress this year - Senate Majority Leader has indicated he will move a bill forward this summer in the Senate. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Charles Schumer (D-NY) have proposed a bipartisan bill and have had discussions with President Obama.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) has indicated the house would take up discussion after the Senate passed a bill. TheHill.com has more here.

This issue continues to be a hot potato and the passage of a Immigration Reform bill would surely equal, if not surpass, the political drama resulting from the passage of health care reform and the current discussion surrounding financial reform.

A pathway to citizenship for the 11+ million undocumented workers, strengthening the U.S. borders, and needed revisions to current immigration procedures is way past due.

For the major political parties to avoid addressing this issue based upon concern for the upcoming mid term elections would be simply irresponsible.

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Daily Political Wire 4-10-2010

George Wenschhof

President Obama continues to address multiple issues well - he has had a full plate since inheriting the most severe recession to hit the United States since the 1930's. The 800 billion Stimulus bill has stabilized the economic condition and now unemployment should begin to decline slowly. Health care reform has been passed and an new nuclear arms reduction treaty agreed to with Russia. Along the way, a new supreme court justice (Sonia Sotomayor) was confirmed by the Senate. The stock market which was in the 7900s when Obama was sworn in on January 20, 2009 closed at just under 11,000 Friday.

While many issues have been addressed, many remain such as financial reform, immigration and now the naming of another supreme court justice. The president has promised to move swiftly in appointing the successor to John Paul Stevens - you can read the early short list here. All of these issues will be debated during the lead up to the mid term elections amidst one of the more rancorous times in American politics.

So far, President Obama has proven he is up to the task.

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The Sunday Morning "Talking Heads" Lineup is flooded with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Robert Gates - the details of the nuclear arms reduction treaty with Russia signed last week will be discussed. The treaty needs to be ratified with 67 votes in the Senate and some Republicans are grumbling.

NBC "Meet The Press" - Hillary Clinton and Robert Gates. Also Senators Pat Leahy (D-Vt.) and Jeff Sessions (R-Al.)

ABC "This Week" - Hillary Clinton and Robert Gates. Senators Jon Kyl (R-Az.) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY).

CBS "Face the Nation" - Hillary Clinton and Robert Gates.

CNN "State of The Union" - Republican Governor of Mississippi Haley Barbour - I mentioned him yesterday as one to watch as a potential 2012 presidential candidate.

Fox News Sunday - Senators Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Liz Cheney and tea party activists favorite; Representative Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.). Sure to be included in the discussion will be the Republican rhetoric spewed during the Southern Republican Leadership Conference.

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Daily Political Wire 4-3-2010

George Wenschhof

Yesterday, President Obama had a one hour telephone conversation with China President Hu Jintao - Jintao agree to attend a nuclear summit meeting with international leaders to be held in D.C. later this month. Also discussed were economic issues and the Chinese relationship with Tibet and Taiwan. President Obama has been calling for tougher UN sanctions against Iran to persuade them to be more transparent about their nuclear program. MSNBC.com has more here.

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Sunday morning "Talking Heads" lineup - some of the discussion will center on the economy and how the remainder of the year looks like for job creation. NBC "Meet the Press" will have White House Council of Economic Affairs chair Christina Romer. Also appearing will be Representative Jane Harman (D-Calf.), Senator Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and former homeland Security Adviser Michael Chertoff.

It will be interesting to see what former Federal Reserve chair Alan Greenspan says about the economy. He will appear on ABC "This Week". Greenspan retired and got out while the getting was good, prior to the financial collapse in the fall of 2008. Yet, he was in office while most of the government relaxation of financial regulation took place which led to the collapse of the financial markets.

National Economic Council chair Larry Summers will do double duty as he appears on CNN "State of The Union" and ABC "This Week". Let's see what he thinks the 162,000 added jobs in March means for the remainder of the year and if he will predict a lowering in unemployment which has remained at 9.7%. If strong growth occurs over the next five months and overall unemployment is reduced only one percentage point to 8.7%, it would bring validation to the Obama administration and the Democratic Party backed Stimulus bill. This type of news coming at the beginning of October would buoy Democrats in the November mid term elections.

Also on CNN "State of The Union" will be Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren. Let's see what he says of the recent breakdown of the U.S. brokered "proximity talks" between Palestine and Israel.

"Fox News Sunday" will feature Senators Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) and Arlen Specter (D-Pa.). Also appearing will be Representative Kevin McCarthy (R-Calf.).

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Early speculation on possible candidates should Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens retire - Stevens indicated he would make an announcement soon as he nears his 90th birthday on April 20. Bloomberg.com has more here. Three names have already surfaced; two of whom made it to the short list when Sonia Sotomayer was nominated by President Obama.

The three names are U.S. Soliciter General Elena Kagan, along with federal appellate judges Diane Wood and Merrick Garland. Stevens surely understands he does not want to retire during a Republican administration; giving them an opportunity to add to their current narrow 5-4 majority on the Supreme Court.

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