Republican Weekly Address 12-11-2010

George Wenschhof

Representative-elect Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) says the tax-cut deal proposed by President Obama is encouraging. She goes on to say more reduction in the size of government and the amount of government spending is needed to help the economy.



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Daily Political Wire 12-10-2010

George Wenschhof

House Democrats balk at Tax Extension Compromise - Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-NY) was among the loudest of the whining progressives who oppose the compromise put forward by President Obama.

Yesterday, in a non-binding voice vote of the House Democratic Caucus, they voiced opposition to the 800-900 billion tax compromise bill proposed by the president. A total of 54 house Democrats signed a letter to the president saying they will vote no.

The problem with the progressive wing is when asked, they have no alternative, nor do they say they are willing to allow all the Bush tax cuts expire at the end of the month.

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is scheduling a vote for as early as Monday on the bill which is rapidly becoming known as the second Stimulus bill.

The House progressive Democrats should look at the overall deal proposed and be happy as it would never be passed by the incoming congress. Less than 200 billion of the bill goes toward the tax cut extension for those earning more than $250,000 and the estate tax changes. The rest goes toward programs championed by Democrats.

After all the bluster dies down, look to see the bill passed by Congress.

President Obama was interviewed by Steve Inskeep of NPR and expressed confidence the compromise tax deal will pass. You can read the transcript or listen to the interview here.

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Bill Clinton to meet with Obama Today at White House - it would be fun to be the fly on the wall. Sure to be discussed is the huge wins by Republicans in the 1994 mid terms and how Clinton handled the change and went on to win another term in office. The NY Times has more here.

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D.A.D.T. Votes Fails in Senate - due to a procedural move by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) to tack it on the a defense appropriations bill. The slick move, intended to put pressure on Republicans to pass the overall bill, failed to overcome a filibuster by a vote of 57-40.

Senator Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) will work with Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) to introduce a stand alone bill to repeal D.A.D.T. which they believe they have the votes to pass after a discussion on the floor. TheHill.com has more here.

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DREAM Act to be Voted on Next Week in Senate - they jettisoned their own bill and instead will vote on the House bill approved earlier this week. Approval is doubtful for the bill which provides a pathway to citizenship for children of illegal immigrants who serve in the military or attend college. Politico.com has more here.

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Daily Political Wire 12-9-2010

George Wenschhof

Senate to take up Tax Compromise Today - the compromise announced by President Obama is being dubbed a stimulus bill by the White House. The cost is estimated to be up to 900 billion over two years, a higher figure than the first Stimulus bill. The Washington Post has more here.

In spite of objections from liberal Democrats to the extension of tax breaks for the wealthy and the exemption of inheritance taxes on estates valued up to ten million, the bill is expected to pass.

Interestingly, the inclusion of the inheritance tax exclusion may well have been aimed at Republican Senator Jon Kyl (Az.) who has long championed this action. He has been the most vocal opposition to the ratification of the START Treaty - a deal perhaps?

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House Narrowly Passes DREAM Act - by a vote of 216-198. The bill, which provides a pathway to citizenship for children of illegal immigrants who attend college or serve in the military, is not expected to pass in the Senate. TheHill.com has more here.

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Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) Postpones D.A.D.T. Repeal Vote - negotiations continue with Republican Senators as the push for repeal gathers support. CNN.com has more here.

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Finally, a Winner in the Minnesota Governor Race - yesterday, Republican Tom Emmer conceded to the winner; Democrat Mark Dayton. Politico.com has more here.

The last outstanding House race also came to an end as Democrat Tim Bishop won the New York 1st congressional district. Republicans ended with a net gain of 63 seats in the House. the incoming House will be

And, in the Senate, a judge will rule tomorrow on the lawsuit filed by the Joe Miller campaign. This is the last undecided race from the mid term elections and Senator Lisa Murkowski is expected to retain her seat and although she won as a write-in independent, she will caucus with Republicans.

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Below, CNN John King and husband and wife political strategists James Carville and Mary Matalin on whether President Obama has kept campaign promises.



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Daily Political Wire 12-8-2010

George Wenschhof

Gallup Poll shows Obama Tax Compromise has 66% Support - yesterday, the president was critical of the far left Democrats who were vocal about their lack of support for the compromise he had reached with Republicans. Gallup.com has more here.

After the initial dust up dies down, the compromise bill is expected to pass. The reason? There is no better alternative on the table which could be passed in the current Congress and the incoming Congress will be even more difficult for Democrats.

The Wall Street Journal has a article today on how the compromise is a stealth stimulus bill, with an estimated 900 billion cost, which should boost growth in the economy. You can read it here.

Taxes will be a major issue in the 2012 presidential election as this extension will expire at the end of 2012.

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Speaking of the 2012 election, The Cook Report has early numbers on the House races
- Democrats need to pick up 25 seats to regain the majority in the House. Not impossible, considering 63 current Republican held seats are in districts won by Obama in 2008. The Cook report has more here.

A lot can happen in the political climate over two years, so Republicans need to be mindful their newly won majority in the House could be short lived.

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House to Vote on Continuing Resolution Today - lost in all the tax cut extension hub bub is there has been no federal budget passed by Congress and the latest continuing resolution expires on December 18.

The House is expected to pass a 1.1 Trillion Continuing Resolution today which would fund government agencies through September 30, 2011. This action is necessary due to the failure of congress to adopt a budget. TheHill.com has more here.

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DREAM Act Vote Possible Today - the House and Senate may take a vote today on the bill which provides a pathway to citizenship for children of illegal immigrants who attend college or serve in the military. The bill championed by Democrats does not have republican support and is not expected to pass. CNN.com has more here.

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Elizabeth Edwards loses battle with Cancer - after a courageous battle with breast cancer, she passed way yesterday. The wife of 2008 presidential Democratic candidate John Edwards was admired by many for her upbeat approach to her life after discovering a return of her cancer. The NY Times has a good read here.

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On the anniversary of John Lennon's death, Rolling Stone releases found interview - Interestingly, the nine hour interview with Rolling Stone took place just three days before his death thirty years ago.

You can read more and listen to excerpts from the interview here.

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