George Wenschhof Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Today, President Obama will address the AFL-CIO Executive Council - they are holding a two day meeting in Washington. Tomorrow, Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, Representative Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) - chair of the DCCC, and Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) - chair of the DSCC will address the council. AFLCIO.org has more here. Think they may be talking jobs?...
Also later today, President Obama will head home to Chicago to celebrate his 49th birthday. Organizing for America (OFA), has organized birthday bashes throughout the country. In the City of Frederick, Maryland the party will be:
Want to come?
Here's what we're doing in Frederick:
What: President's birthday event
Where: 467 West Patrick Street
Frederick, MD 21701
When: Wednesday, August 4th
7:00 pm
If you can not make it and you can sign a birthday card or if you want to attend an event closer to you click below:
No, but I'd like to sign a birthday card for the President.
No, but I want to see if there are other events near me.
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Former Virginia Governor Doug Wilder Suggests Hillary Clinton as VP on ticket with Obama in 2012 - an interesting scenario and one that would position Hillary Clinton as the Democratic presidential candidate in 2016. Speculation is Hillary Clinton will only serve one term as Secretary of State and she would add more energy to the 2012 than would current Vice President Joe Biden. Maybe so, but how do you gracefully dump Biden after he has done everything he has been asked to do and more?
Below, Wilder is guest on MSNBC "Hardball with Chris Matthews".
Primary Results for Michigan, Missouri and Kansas - no huge surprises with Republican Rick Snyder to face Democrat Virg Bernero for Governor. representative Carolyn Kirpatrick became the fourth House incumbent to lose in the primaries - not a big number.
CNN.com has all the results here. Chris Cillizza has some more analysis here. FirstRead.com has more here.
Of note is "Proposition C" which passed 3-1 in Missouri which said individuals should be able to opt-out of mandatory health insurance. This was a pivotal aspect of the recently passed national health care reform bill. This is also the area of the law that is currently being challenged by the state of Virginia. An interesting argument and one that will ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court. Stay Tuned...
Out in California - a debate has been scheduled between Republican Meg Whitman and Democrat Jerry Brown who are running for Governor. The date is October 12 and it will be moderated by long time NBC reporter Tom Brokaw. The race to replace Arnold Schwarzenegger has so far been dominated by the huge sums being spent by Whitman and the comeback of former Governor Brown.
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Senate Republicans blocking all legislation prior to August recess - The Party of "No" has stopped a 26.1 billion aid bill to states for help in Education and Medicaid, a energy bill designed to further regulate off-shore drilling and increase oil companies liability, and a small business aid bill.
Meanwhile, President Obama's approval ratings fell to a new low of 41% per USA Today and Gallup.
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Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Daily Political Wire 8-4-2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Daily Political Wire 8-3-2010
George Wenschhof
Today, President Obama signs into law the Fair Sentencing Act - this corrects the huge difference in sentencing in regard to possession of crack cocaine versus powder cocaine.
Later in the day, the president hosts a Young African American town hall at the White House.
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Michigan, Missouri and Kansas hold primaries today - watch the governor races in Michigan where current Democratic Governor Jennifer Granholm is term limited and unable to run for reelection. Also, Representative Bart Stupak (D) announced his retirement after battling for an abortion amendment to the Health Care Reform bill. As usual, Chris Cillizza has some good insights here.
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Federal Judge rules state of Virginia challenge to new Health care reform bill can continue - the Obama administration had moved to dismiss the case. At issue, is state's rights versus federal rights and the over arching constitution. Virginia does not require all of it's residents to have insurance. Stay tuned.... FirstRead.com has more here.
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Senate Democrats hit snag on 26.1 billion bill to aid states in Medicaid and Education - seems the non partisan congressional budget office said the proposed closing of foreign tax credit loopholes did not save enough money to pay for the bill. TheHill.com has more here.
Senate Republicans who continue to use the 60 vote threshold to stop legislation are not likely to support this bill. This would hand the Obama administration another loss in addition to the small business aid bill, both defeated prior to the August recess.
The bill will be amended and re offered tomorrow.
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