George Wenschhof
Today, President Barack Obama will travel to Savannah, Georgia to announce his "Cash for Caulkers" program - modeled after the popular "cash for clunkers" program, this will allow homeowners up to $3,000 in rebates for any energy related repairs done to their homes. He will make the announcement at Savannah Technical College. Afterwards, the president will tour a local manufacturing plant and a local business. The Washington Post has more here.
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Obama to announce tomorrow health care reform approval strategy - in what is sure to be the last attempt to pass reform during his first term in office. Expect him to propose approval of a modified plan structured to appeal to Republicans and moderate Democrats. Also look for him to explain more accurately the use of "Budget Reconciliation" as a means to get a simple majority up or down vote.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calf.) barely got House passage on the previous bill with a 220-215 vote. With the changes expected to be proposed by the president and the fact their are now four vacancies in the House, Pelosi will secure the necessary 216 votes to pass by "budget reconciliation" the proposed reform bill by the president. Then, it will be up to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to get the needed 51 votes in the Senate. AP has more here.
By the way, the Democrats have an ace up their sleeve. if the vote in the senate is tied at 50, Vice President Joe Biden will vote to break the tie.
Look to see the revised health care reform bill pass and be signed by President Obama by Easter. Democrats need to put this behind them and campaign over the next 8 months on the benefits to Americans.
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Texas primary today - Republican Governor Rick Perry is seeking to be elected to his fourth term and is facing what at one time was expected to be a stiff challenge from Republican Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. However, the latest polls have perry ten points ahead of Hutchison. The NY Times has more here.
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Harold Ford decides not to run for U.S. Senate in NY - he ends what had been one of the worst roll outs of a campaign. Kirsten Gillibrand, who replaced Hillary Clinton escapes what would have been a tough primary. NY politics is as tough as D.C. is as witnessed by Caroline Kennedy when she floated her name a year ago for this seat. Gillibrand has the backing of the Clintons. TPM.com has more here.
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Things get even worse for NY Governor David Paterson - speaking of how tough politics is in New York, the NY Times has now reported the Governor, in addition to making a call himself, also had two aides place calls to the woman pursuing domestic abuse charges against David Johnson, the top aide to Paterson. Politico.com has more here.
Don't be surprised that in addition to dropping out of the race, Paterson also resigns from office.
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Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Daily Democratic Wire 3-2-2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
Daily Democratic Wire 3-1-2010
George Wenschhof
Yesterday, President Obama had his annual physical and is doing great - he still has not totally kicked the smoking habit and is reportedly chewing nicotine gum to help.
His cholesterol was up slightly and he was recommended to change his diet. The NY Times has more here.
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Arkansas Democratic Senator Blanche Lincoln will face primary challenge - she has long been considered one of the more vulnerable Democratic senators up fpr reelection this year. Bill Halter who is the Lt. Governor announced he would be running for the seat. It has long been rumored that Democratic leaders had not wanted Lincoln to run for reelection. Now, we will see what she decides to do. TheCaucus.com has more here.
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Jobs bill denied passage in Senate by Republican Jim Bunning (Ky.) - his filibuster after many senators had left town Friday, has caused the delay of unemployment compensation extension to many out of work Americans. The bill is expected to pass this week. Politico.com has more here.
In addition, his action has caused 2000 Federal Transportation workers to be furloughed today. TPM.com has more here.
His action was due to his dissatisfaction with the passage of the 15 Billion instead of the 85 Billion bloated bipartisan Jobs bill. Bunning was a great major league pitcher in his time but he has been a loony bird in the senate for some time now. Thankfully, he will not be running for reelection.
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Another Republican Congressman announces he is resigning - this time it is Nathan Deal (Ga.) who wants to run for Governor and would be one of seven Republicans vying for that position. His resignation will be effective March 8. You can read more here.
The vote in the house for health care reform will happen after march 8 and before the seat is filled meaning that is one less no vote.
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