George Wenschhof
President Obama backs India for seat on U.N. Security Council - a move that will be mostly symbolic as the permanent members of the Security Council are able to veto any new membership. India is not expected to win approval. However, India has long sought to be included and the support of the U.S. will go far in future U.S./India relations. You can read more here.
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Mid Term Election Update - Senate: Democrats - 53, Republicans - 47, House: Democrats - 187, Republicans - 240, 8-Undecided, Governors: Democrats - 19, Republicans - 29.
Chris Cillizza of the Washington Post "The Fix" has a good update here.
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Before you start thinking the Tea Party won big influence in Congress - take note that 54 of the 89 tea party backed candidates lost. Their weakness was especially highlighted in Senate races Republicans needed to win to gain a majority. Where, tea party backed candidates Linda McMahon, Sharron Angle and Christine "I am not a Witch" O'Donnell lost against very vulnerable Democrats; Richard Blumenthal, Harry Reid and Christopher Coons.
Joan Walsh of Salon.com has a good read here.
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Changes in U.S. Military Leadership on Tap - this year, President Obama will have the opportunity to reshape military leadership as Defense Secretary Robert Gates will be retiring as will four members of the Joint Chief of Staff. The NY Times has a good read here.
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Below, are some of the highlights from the Sunday "Talking Heads"
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Monday, November 8, 2010
Daily Political Wire 11-8-2010
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Daily Political Wire 11-6-2010
George Wenschhof
Reid/Pelosi to stay in Democratic Leadership positions - no changes expected after Democrats were trounced in the mid term elections. Rumors have it Nancy Pelosi (Calf.) considered backing Chris Van Hollen (Md.) for the House minority Leader position, but found there was not support for him over Steny Hoyer (Md.).
This would have opened the door for Hoyer to be House Minority Leader; an outcome Pelosi would not be happy with. She and Hoyer fought a bitter battle for House Speaker; won by Pelosi. You can read more here.
This leaves James Clyburn (N.C.) left to battle with Hoyer over the Minority Whip position in the House. You can read more here.
In the Senate, the expected battle for the Majority Leader position does not appear to be materializing. After talk of Richard Durbin (Ill.) and Charles Schumer challenging for the position, look to see Reid retain his position.
An interesting aside to the current make up of Congress. Voters are looking for compromise and moderation, yet the make up in the House is now more liberal and conservative extremes. The 60 plus seats lost by democrats were held by mostly moderate "blue dog" Democrats who were replaced by mostly far right conservatives. Liberal Democrats still comprise the majority of the House, another reason Pelosi will prevail in her bid for House Minority Leader.
What to expect? The next two years will likely be filled with more partisan gridlock as the 2012 presidential election will get underway seriously within the next 3-4 months.
In addition to the presidential election, the entire 435 member House will be up for reelection and 33 Senate seats will hold elections - 23 of them are currently held by Democrats and two will be the Independents who presently caucus with Democrats. CNN.com has more here.
Stay Tuned...
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Who are the new members in Congress? - TheHill.com has a quick run down of all the newly elected members here.
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Below is a short preview of the upcoming Guests on Sunday's "Talking Heads" by Politico.com
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Obama Weekly Address 11-6-2010
George Wenschhof
President Obama congratulated the winners in the mid term elections and acknowledged voters want an end to partisan politics and the creation of more job opportunities.
He reiterated his call for the extension of the extension of the Bush administration tax curs for the middle class and the end of the tax cuts for the wealthy, saying the country can not afford another 700 billion in debt.
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Republican Weekly Response 11-6-2010
George Wenschhof
Newly elected Florida Senator Marco Rubio urged Republicans to stick to their principles. He called for less spending and less government and a continuation of long held Republican positions on issues.
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