Daily Democratic Wire 8-15-2009

George Wenschhof

Today, President Barack Obama will attend another town hall meeting on health care - this time in Grand Junction, Colorado. The President and his family will also tour Yellowstone National Park. You can read more here.

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John Podesta suggests strategy to President on health care reform bill passage - the former Chief of Staff to President Bill Clinton feels an end line needs to be set. In addition, certain measures within the bill such as a public option needs to receive clear support from the White House or a decision made to scrap this provision. Bloomberg.com has more here.

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Has the absence of Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) had an impact on health care reform? - the Senator is battling brain cancer which was diagnosed last year. Health care reform has been a career focus of Kennedy. The other question is what has been the effect of former senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle not being the person shepherding the health care bill through Congress. Daschle withdrew from consideration for HHS Secretary when some tax issues surfaced during his confirmation hearing. The absence of both Kennedy and Daschle working on the approval of this bill has to be felt. TheHill.com has more here.

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Hillary Clinton heads home after 11 day trip to Africa - seven nations were visited by the Secretary of State, including yesterday's visit of Liberia with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first democratically elected woman leader in Africa. MSNBC.com has more here.

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Afghanistan election on the horizon - little publicity has been given to this election on August 20. President Hamid Karzai who has received the support of the U.S. is on shaky ground as the election nears. Fears of added and targeted violence on election day by the Taliban is high among citizens. You can read more here.

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Frederick's "Up and Coming" Young Democrats

Optimistic for the Future

Elizabeth Plant Bio

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Democratic Chatter 2-4-2009

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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Obama Suffers Dual Blow as Daschle and Killefer Withdraw

George Wenschhof Bio

We reported earlier today Nancy Killefer had withdrawn from consideration for the position of Chief Performance Officer due to tax problems. Although former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle continued to have the support of the President, he also announced his withdrawal for consideration for Secretary of Health and Human Services.

This announcement came on the same day the NY Times ran an editorial saying Daschle should withdraw. You can read the editorial here. Daschle stated his tax issues had become a burden that could impact the support he needed from Congress to carry out the implementation of the Health Plan proposed by President Barack Obama. CNN.com has more here.

The Killefer position was a new White House position created by the Obama administration. While the Secretary for Health and Human Services is a critical position under the Obama administration, as Daschle had been hand picked to be the one to write and gain Congressional approval of the President's health plan.

Both of these withdrawals came after Timothy Geithner, who also had unpaid back tax problems, was confirmed as Treasury Secretary.

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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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Democratic Chatter 1-31-2009

George Wenschhof Bio

Today, in President Barack Obama's weekly address he discuses the importance of the passage of his bill "The American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan". Click on the photo below to watch the video.

privacy policy download .mp4 download audio also available on vimeo

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Another Obama Cabinet nominee with back tax problems - previously it was Timothy Geithner for Treasury Secretary who did not pay taxes for several years before paying up along with penalties prior to his nomination. This time, it is Tom Daschle, the nominee for secretary of Health and Human Services. Seems he did not report lino services provided to him by the private equities firm he worked for as a consultant. Reportedly $100,000 in back taxes were paid and in spite of this embarrassment, expect him to be confirmed by the senate. Poliico.com has more here.

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After six rounds of voting Michael Steele elected RNC chair - the meeting in Washington D.C. of the Republican National Committee, had lots of drama with the rules dictating the winner must receive 85 votes. The final vote was 91-77 with Michael Steele prevailing over Katon Dawson, the GOP South Carolina chair. Michael Steele, the former Maryland Lt. Governor, is the first African-American to chair the RNC. He immediately talked about competing in all 50 states. Sound familiar? - let's see - a Democratic African-American elected President and the former DNC chair, Howard Dean promoted the successful 50 state strategy which aided Obama in his victory. Time.com has more here.

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Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) introduces bill to limit executives pay - the bill pertains to executives who are or will be working for companies receiving government funds from the 700 Billion bailout known as TARP, the Trouble Assets Relief Program. It would limit them to not making more money than the President of the United States. Reuters.com has more here.

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Obama to send 20 million in humanitarian relief to Gaza - while government funds in the U.S. are being spent in record numbers, this is a wise move. Hamas, in the past after flare ups with Israel resulted in much destruction were quickly there in neighborhoods passing out money and offering assistance. The U.S. humanitarian aid will be administered to the Palestinians through the UN. CNN.com has more here.

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Democratic Chatter 1-8-2009

George Wenschhof Bio

Today, President-elect Barack Obama will give speech on his economic recovery plan - he will give the speech at 11:00 AM at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. ThrPage.time.com has some of the excerpts from his speech here.

Obama will also meet later today with Virginia Governor Tim Kaine who he chose to be the new Democratic National committee Chair.

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Jobless claims reach 4.6 million - this is the highest level in 26 years. Bloomberg.com has more here.

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The appointment of Roland Burris to the vacant Illinois Senate seat gathers support - seems Mr. Burris will testify today in front of the Illinois state Governor Blagojevich impeachment committee. He could then receive the certification by the state leading to his seating in the Senate. The handling of this situation by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has also drawn questions. The Washington Post has more here.

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Tom Daschle Confirmation Hearing for Secretary of Health and Human services begins today - next Tuesday it will be Senator Hillary Clinton who begins the confirmation process for her appointment to Secretary of State. MSNBC.com has more here.

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Former Maryland Lt. Governor Michael Steele receives Florida Republican Party Chair endorsement - Jim Greer was expected to run himself for the chair of the Republican National Committee, but instead announced his support for Michael Steele for the position. CNN.com has more here.

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