TPM Election Central

TPMDC Sunday Roundup

2009-07-12T17:20:02Z

Palin Plans To Stay Involved In Politics
Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK) told the Washington Times that she'll be staying involved in politics: "I will go around the country on behalf of candidates who believe in the right things, regardless of their party label or affiliation." She did not rule out a presidential campaign in the future. "I'm not ruling out anything - it is the way I have lived my life from the youngest age," she said. "Let me peek out there and see if there's an open door somewhere. And if there's even a little crack of light, I'll hope to plow through it."

McCain: Palin Will Continue To Be A Major Factor
Appearing on Meet The Press, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) was asked about Sarah Palin's resignation. "Obviously I was a bit surprised, but I wasn't shocked," said McCain. "I love and respect her and her family, I'm grateful that she agreed to run with me." He added: "I'm confident that she will be a major factor in the national scene and in Alaska as well."

Sebelius Doesn't Rule Out Taxing Health Benefits
Appearing on State of the Union, Sec. of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius said that health care reform will have to be paid for. "We all have a shared responsibility, that we all need to play a role," said Sebelius. When asked by Wolf Blitzer about whether the Obama Administration would reject taxation of health benefits, she said there are "no lines in the sand at this point."

Kyl: "No Chance" Of Health Care Bill Before August
Appearing on This Week, Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ) declared that health-care reform will not pass before the August recess. "There is no chance that it's going to be done by August," said Kyl, who said that President Obama wants a quick bill because "the longer it hangs out there, the more the American people are skeptical, anxious."

Durbin: Secret Cheney Program "Could Be Illegal"
Appearing on This Week, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) said that former Vice President Cheney's concealment from Congress of a secret counterterrorism program may have been illegal. "The executive branch of government should not create programs like these programs and keep congress in the dark," said Durbin. "To have a massive program that was concealed from the leaders in congress is not only inappropriate, it could be illegal."

Feinstein On Secret Programs: "I Think You Weaken your Case When You Go Outside Of The Law"
Senate Intelligence Committee Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) told Fox News Sunday that Congress should have been informed of former Vice President Dick Cheney's secret counterterrorism programs. "I think you weaken your case when you go outside of the law," said Feinstein. "And I think that if the Intelligence Committees had been briefed, they could have watched the program. They could have asked for regular reports on the program. They could have made judgments about the program as it went along. That was not the case because we were kept in the dark. That's something that should never, ever happen again."

Sessions: I Hope Secret Program Story Doesn't Impact On Cheney's "Outstanding Record"
Appearing on Face The Nation, Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) questioned the accuracy of the Cheney story -- but he expects it will be looked into. "I don't know what the facts are, but I believe that Vice President Cheney served his country with as much fidelity as he could possibly give to it, and he tried to serve us in an effective way," Sessions said. He added: "I hope nothing like this will impact on his outstanding record."

Cornyn: If Sotomayor Had Her Way, People Would Be Denied Promotions Because Of Race
Appearing on Fox News Sunday, Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) used some strong language against Sonia Sotomayor. "Well, what's troubling about the outcome in the Ricci case, where -- if judge Sotomayor had her way, that cities would basically deny promotions based on the color of one's skin," said Cornyn, "including Hispanics like Lieutenant Ben Vargas, who will be testifying at the hearing this week, and that's just wrong. That can't be the case."

TPMDC Saturday Roundup

2009-07-11T17:22:35Z

Obama: Stimulus Designed To Work Over Two Years -- Not Four Months
In this weekend's YouTube address, President Obama answered stimulus opponents who say that it has not restored the economy -- as well as those who say it didn't go far enough -- by saying that it has saved the economy from greater disaster, and calling for patience:

"But, as I made clear at the time it was passed, the Recovery Act was not designed to work in four months - it was designed to work over two years," said Obama. "We also knew that it would take some time for the money to get out the door, because we are committed to spending it in a way that is effective and transparent. Crucially, this is a plan that will also accelerate greatly throughout the summer and the fall. We must let it work the way it's supposed to, with the understanding that in any recession, unemployment tends to recover more slowly than other measures of economic activity."

Cantor: "This is now President Obama's Economy"
In this weekend's Republican address, House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) blasted President Obama and Congressional Democrats for producing a stimulus program that he said has failed to create jobs:

"In fact, they said that unemployment would stay under eight percent. Yet just months later, they are telling us to brace for unemployment to climb over ten percent," said Cantor. "They promised jobs created. Now they scramble to find a way to play games with government numbers by claiming jobs saved. Simply put, this is now President Obama's economy and the American people are beginning to question whether his policies are working."

Obama's Day In Ghana
President Obama spent the day in Ghana. At 5:30 a.m. ET (9:30 a.m. local time), he met with Ghanaian President John Atta Mills, with an expanded meeting at 6:15 a.m. ET. AT 7 a.m. ET, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama attended an event on maternal health. At 8:40 a.m. ET, Obama delivered remarks to the Ghanian Parliament. At 10:50 a.m. ET, the Obamas met with Head Chief Osabarima Kwesi Atta II. At 11:15 a.m. ET, the First Family toured the Cape Coast Castle, a former depot of the slave trade, and Obama spoke at 11:45 a.m. ET. At 1:50 p.m. ET, the Obamas will attend a departure ceremony, and 2:45 p.m. ET they will fly back to the United States.

No Biden Events Today
Vice President Biden is spending the weekend in Wilmington, Delaware. He does not have any public events scheduled for today.

Obama To African Countries: Western Aid Must Be Matched By Good Governance
In his speech today to Ghana's parliament, President Obama called on African leaders to provide better governance, along with aid from the Western governments. "Development depends upon good governance," said Obama. "That is the ingredient which has been missing in far too many places, for far too long. That is the change that can unlock Africa's potential. And that is a responsibility that can only be met by Africans."

Obama Visits Former Slave Trade Depot
Also during his trip to Ghana, President Obama visited a former depot of the transatlantic slave trade, the Cape Coast Castle. Obama said that a lesson can be drawn from it: "As painful as it is, I think that it helps to teach all of us that we have to do what we can to fight against the kinds of evils that sadly still exist in our world, not just on this continent but in every corner of the globe."

NYT: Path To SCOTUS Is To Speak Capably And Say Little
The New York Times reports that the Sotomayor hearings will likely follow a familiar and time-honored path: The Senators will try to grill the nominee on issues after issue, and the nominee will aim to speak well but say little of actual substance on those controversial matters. "It will be a slightly different cast of characters performing a set piece drama we have seen many times before," said David J. Garrow, a University of Cambridge historian.

Report: Dem Congress Loses Millions In Ponzi Scheme
Freshman Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL) has reportedly lost $3 million in a Ponzi scheme, which operated from 2000 to 2005. Grayson will probably still be okay, as his financial disclosure forms during the 2008 campaign reported assets worth more than $25 million.

Brown: I Won't Filibuster Climate Change Legislation

2009-07-10T22:06:16Z

Despite opposing cloture on a previous cap and trade bill, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) says that--whether he supports the underlying bill or not--he won't support a filibuster of climate change legislation this Congress.

"I'm not going to be part of a filibuster on climate change," Brown told me today. Brown voted against ending debate on the Lieberman-Warner bill in 2007, but he says he did that because the bill had no real chance of making it to the floor, and opposing cloture was his way of expressing his objection to aspects of that legislation.

"I was not blocking the bill from having a hearing on the floor, because it wasn't gonna get to that," Brown said. "I wanted to show that I don't support this bill unless you take care of American manufacturing."

Brown's declaration is significant if not entirely unexpected. A number of Democrats from coal, oil, and manufacturing states have been either resistant or outright opposed to significant action on climate change in recent years. But Democrats are more aware of that fact than ever. And as critical as some liberals and environmentalists were of a number of pre-vote concessions, the Waxman-Markey bill, which recently passed in the House, was designed in collaboration with just those sorts of Democrats--and crucially, Democrats from states whose senators have been on the fence on the issue in the past.

They've noticed the difference. "I thought that Waxman was unbelievably adept," Brown said.

But that doesn't mean the process will be easy. Some key questions remain to be answered, such as: What language will the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee use as a legislative starting point? How closely will that chamber's process mimic the Waxman-Markey process? And will Democrats--even those who oppose the final bill--agree to oppose a GOP filibuster?

On that last question, Brown is saying yes.

Organizing For America Pleased With Blanche Lincoln For Public Option Stance, Encouranges Continued Pressure

2009-07-10T21:14:41Z

After sitting on the fence for several months, and facing pressure both within the Senate and from outside interest groups, Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) hopped off this week, and agreed that a health care bill should include a public option.

That hasn't gone unnoticed. "This is great news for the Arkansas families and small businesses who need our broken health care system fixed," reads a letter from President Obama's political arm, Organizing for America.

But the special interests and lobbyists for the status quo will only intensify their pressure -- and we need to show Senator Lincoln that her constituents appreciate her courage and are counting on her to stand firm.

Please take a moment and call Senator Lincoln....

When the senator hears that folks from across the state are calling her offices and encouraging her to stand strong, she'll know she has the public backing in Arkansas to take whatever the Washington lobbyists and entrenched opponents of reform can throw at her.

This is the second time this week we've seen Obama's outside political apparatus using its influence to support a public option. And in this case it seems to indicate that, in addition to being pleased with Lincoln's position, there remains some doubt about her steadfastness. Which is understandable. In her letter to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette she articulated support for either a public option, "or non-profit plan that can accomplish the same goals as those of a public plan."

You can read the full letter below the fold.

Friend --
This week, Senator Blanche Lincoln wrote a letter to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette to affirm her support for real health care reform, including a quality, affordable public insurance option available to those who want it.

This is great news for the Arkansas families and small businesses who need our broken health care system fixed. But the special interests and lobbyists for the status quo will only intensify their pressure -- and we need to show Senator Lincoln that her constituents appreciate her courage and are counting on her to stand firm.

Please take a moment and call Senator Lincoln. She has offices across the state, and your call will be most effective if you call the one nearest to you:

Little Rock: 205-375-2993

Dumas: 840-382-1023

Texarkana: 870-774-3106

Jonesboro: 870-910-6896

Fayetteville: 479-251-1224

Washington, DC: 202-224-4843

After you make your call, click here to tell us how it went. ( http://ar.barackobama.com/lincolncall )

When the senator hears that folks from across the state are calling her offices and encouraging her to stand strong, she'll know she has the public backing in Arkansas to take whatever the Washington lobbyists and entrenched opponents of reform can throw at her.

Spiraling health care costs are overwhelming families, shackling businesses, and leaving millions without coverage. That's why President Obama is pushing for action this year -- and why we need Senator Lincoln to stay strong and stand up for the people of Arkansas.

http://ar.barackobama.com/lincolncall

Thank you for all your hard work,

Jeremy

Jeremy Bird
Deputy Director
Organizing for America

House To Propose Taxing Wealthy To Pay For Health Care--Bill To Be Unveiled Monday

2009-07-10T21:00:01Z

Despite recent disagreements with conservative members of their caucus, House Democrats will unveil their health care reform bill on Monday, and Ways and Means Committee chairman Charlie Rangel (D-NY) says they will propose a more than $500 billion tax on Americans making more than $350,000 a year to help finance it.

Between the tax revenue, cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, and other savings--including, perhaps, from a public plan--Democrats should have enough money to cover the cost of the bill, which will likely cost about a trillion dollars. Early indications suggested that the Senate might propose a different tax--on employer-provided health benefits--to cover the remaining costs of reform. But more and more that idea looks dead in the water.

Late update: More detail from Jeff Young of The Hill: "There would be different surtax rates, ranging from 1 percent to 3 percent, for workers with annual earnings of $350,000, $500,000 and $1 million, Rangel said."

GOP Rep. Kirk Running Not Running Maybe Running For Senate In 2010

2009-07-10T20:39:49Z

So is Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL) running for the Senate in 2010, or not?

Kirk began telling people in the last few days that he was running. Then it was reported this afternoon by Chris Cillizza that Kirk was suddenly telling people that he wasn't running.

Not so, Kirk told Roll Call. He is still talking the race over with his potential primary rival, state Republican chairman Andy McKenna.

The issue here appears to be that Kirk might have had trouble winning support from other Republicans in the state's Congressional delegation -- because he broke ranks to support the Democrats' energy bill.

Presented By:

2009-07-10T20:39:49Z

Report: Early CBO Estimate Says Public Option Will Save Billions Over 10 Years

2009-07-10T20:28:09Z

Jon Cohn over at The New Republic is reporting that, in early estimates, the Congressional Budget Office is finding that a robust public option, along the lines of the one recommended in the House health care bill, could save about $150 billion over 10 years--a notable chunk of the approximately $1 trillion Congress will need to finance an overhaul package.

Keep in mind, though, that the public option creates savings by driving down prices, and it can't do that nearly as effectively if it's prevented from setting below-market pay rates. But that's exactly what conservative Democrats are trying to do. At the same time, those Democrats are demanding that health care legislation do a better job of lowering health care costs. And that's just one of the contradictions inherent to the position of those attempting to scale back reform efforts.

Sherrod Brown: I--And A Number Of My Colleagues--Would Have A Difficult Time Voting For A Bill Without A Public Option

2009-07-10T19:48:25Z

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) says he'd likely oppose health care reform legislation if it didn't include a public option--and that he'd have company. "I think a number of Democrats, and I among them, would have great difficulty voting for a bill without a public option," Brown told me today. "I don't want to say absolutely wouldn't. But I would have great difficulty voting for a bill without a public option."

Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) has similarly suggested that he'd oppose legislation without a public option.

Brown co-wrote the public plan provision in the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee bill with Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)--a temporary member of that panel, who has nonetheless become a vocal proponent of the idea. In his capacity as a surrogate, Whitehouse has insisted that health care legislation include a government insurance option, though he hasn't come as close as his colleagues have to drawing a line in the sand.

As I noted yesterday, the public option's fate--at least in the Senate--rests for now with members of the Finance Committee, which has been riven by disagreement over the idea for months. If they agree to include a public plan in their draft, then the final Senate bill will almost certainly include one as well, and it will either succeed or fail with the overall package. But if they don't, then a fight will be on between public option proponents and those willing to let the provision quietly die.

In the event that the final Senate bill contains a public option, its overall success may depend on the Democratic caucus' ability to unite against Republican filibusters. And on that score, Brown is hopeful. "Senate Democrats have made great progress, in large part because of Harry Reid, in believing that--we're not 100 percent there--that on procedural votes you stick with the party," he says.

This push for party unity on procedural motions has been music to the ears of liberals, who worry that, despite a 60-vote majority, some conservative Democrats might decide to support Republican obstruction efforts. But there's a slim chance that the effort could backfire. If the latter scenario plays out--if Democrats are faced with a reform package that does not contain, or indefinitely delays, a public plan--members like Brown and Sanders may find that they've already foreclosed on their last, best hope for squashing a weak reform package: voting no on cloture.

Assuming that the public option survives the Finance Committee's deliberation's, though, Brown's confident that the Democratic party won't vote against itself. "The public is going to demand it," Brown said. "It's not just Harry Reid talking about it and all of us saying yes to that. I think the public is going to push harder--that every Democratic senator needs to support the party in procedure so that majority can really rule and we really can move forward on health care."

Burris Announces Retirement: "Political Races Have Become Far Too Expensive In This Country"

2009-07-10T19:42:49Z

Sen. Roland Burris (D-IL) has made it official, announcing that he will not be running for a full term in 2010. In explaining the reasons why, Burris said that the strain of raising money would be too great, and the people of his state should come first.

"Political races have become far too expensive in this country," said Burris. "And in making this decision, I was called to choose between spending my time raising funds or spending my time raising issues for my state. I believe that the business of the people of the state of Illinois should always come first."

Burris reportedly raised only $20,000 last quarter. It should also be noted that polls have consistently shown that he would lose the Democratic primary, and that if nominated he would lose the general election, thanks to the controversies surrounding his appointment to the Senate by the later-impeached Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

The Sunday Show Line-Ups

2009-07-10T18:50:17Z

Here are the line-ups for the Sunday talk shows this weekend:

• ABC, This Week: Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ).

• CBS, Face The Nation: Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Ranking Member Jeff Sessions (R-AL).

• CNN, State Of The Union: Sec. of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius; Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI); Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH); Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN); and Sen Kent Conrad (D-ND).

• Fox News Sunday: Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX); House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA).

• NBC, Meet The Press: Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY).

Neighbor Of Raided Busby Fundraiser: The Call To The Sheriffs Didn't Come From Me!

2009-07-10T18:14:49Z

So who exactly did call in that noise complaint against a fundraiser two weeks ago for Democratic House candidate Francine Busby (CA-50) -- the one that, through a bizarre series of events, culminated in a full-scale raid by the San Diego Sheriff's Department? One of the host's neighbors, it turns out, is very eager to clear her own name and say it wasn't her.

I just spoke with with Jeannie Goodsell, a retiree who lives immediately adjacent to the residence (though the lots are very large -- the houses are over 100 yards apart). The caller is believed by attendees to have been the same person who yelled obscenities and anti-gay slurs at the event -- and Goodsell doesn't want any confusion that this didn't happen from her house.

She said there was no noise at all. "We were home. We didn't even know that the party or whatever it was, the fundraiser, happened behind us," Goodsell told me. "We heard the helicopters that night, but every once in a while helicopters do fly over these orchards, so we didn't think anything about it." She only found out what happened from reporters who came by her home to ask her about it.

"What started bothering us is, it showed up in print that people directly west behind them started harassing them and yelling things about gays," said Goodsell. "We're liberal Democrats -- we have a Buddha on our table."

"We thought our reputation was being ruined," said Goodsell. So she called Francine Busby up, in order to make sure reporters knew the truth. Goodsell was not previously involved with the Busby campaign, beyond being a regular Democratic voter in Busby's previous runs for Congress.

The thing is, Goodsell doesn't really have any idea who made the call, either. Her neighbors on one side aren't the type, she says, and her neighbors on the other side were on vacation at the time -- and they aren't the type, either. If someone had yelled obscenities from her backyard, she inspected the grounds and found no sign of anybody jumping over her fences or otherwise entering.

Goodsell called the Sheriff's Department, as well, and asked them to exonerate her name to reporters. Sure enough, Sheriff's Department Commander of Law Enforcement Services Michael McNally told us that while he cannot disclose who actually made the call -- though it will come out eventually, after the department's internal review of the incident -- he can confirm that the call did not come from the Goodsell residence.

New Haven Firefighter Originally Hired By Claiming Discrimination

2009-07-10T17:26:22Z

Deserved or not, the biggest political thorn in Sonia Sotomayor's side has been one Frank Ricci of New Haven, CT. Ricci is a firefighter who sued the city claiming reverse discrimination in 2003 after officials there discarded the results of a firefighter's promotion test after the test was revealed to have a disparate impact on blacks and Hispanics.

But flash back, if you will, to January 25, 1995, when, according to the Hartford Courant Ricci was singing the opposite tune: "A decorated firefighter has filed a lawsuit against the city, saying he was not hired because he is dyslexic."

The lawsuit, filed recently in federal court, could shed light on the selection process used by the city, which has been beset with criticism over politics and nepotism.

Frank Ricci charges in the lawsuit that the city violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities.

Ricci, a Wallingford native who now lives in Maryland, was one of 795 candidates who were interviewed for 40 openings. Ricci told interviewers that he has a learning disability, the lawsuit says.

Fire commissioners have said that although Ricci was qualified, many others also were qualified because they passed the Civil Service examination.

Two years later, that case was resolved. "In a confidential settlement, struck two years later, Mr. Ricci withdrew his lawsuit in exchange for a job with the fire department and $11,143 in attorney's fees."

If you were Frank Ricci, you might say something like, "Frank Ricci got a job and somebody who wasn't dyslexic didn't." Remember, this is the same Frank Ricci who took his reverse discrimination suit all the way to the Supreme Court, where lower court rulings against him--including one by Sotomayor's Second Circuit--were overturned.

Ricci will testify against Sotomayor before the Senate Judiciary Committee next week--this despite the fact that his views on jurisprudence seem to begin and end with the proposition that legal protections against discrimination are great when they work in his favor, and unconscionable when they don't.

Is The Club For Growth Shying Away From Florida Senate Race?

2009-07-10T16:44:02Z

The Club For Growth appears to be becoming a little reluctant about getting involved in the Florida Senate Republican primary, the Tampa Bay Tribune reports, in the wake of moderate Gov. Charlie Crist's $4.3 million haul for the last quarter, compared to his more conservative opponent Marco Rubio's mere $340,000.

"We have to look at his race versus all the others we're interested in, and there are going to be a lot of competitive races," said Club executive director David Keating. He further explained: "We look for the most bang for the contribution buck - a race we think can be competitive."

Keating said that more important than Crist's fundraising figures is the amount that Rubio himself can bring in, and whether he can raise enough to get his message out -- which Keating estimated to be in the $4-5 million range.

So all Rubio needs to do is raise a few million on top of his $340,000, and he should be set.

GOP Senate Candidate Blunt Attacks Government Health Care -- Like Medicare And Medicaid

2009-07-10T15:26:45Z

Rep. Roy Blunt (R-MO), the likely Republican nominee in this swing state's top-tier 2010 Senate race, made a very interesting statement about health care reform: Suggesting that government should never have gotten involved in health care through Medicare and Medicaid back in the 1960s -- and possibly blaming those programs for the problems we have today.

"Well, you could certainly argue that government should have never have gotten in the health care business, and that might have been the best argument of all, to figure out how people could have had more access to a competitive marketplace," Blunt said during a radio interview. "Government did get into the health care business in a big way in 1965 with Medicare, and later with Medicaid, and government already distorts the marketplace."

"A government competitor would drive all the other competitors away," he explained. "What we should be doing is creating more competition. One of the reasons the marketplace doesn't work the way it should work right now is we really don't have the competitive marketplace that I'd like to see put in place."

Poll: Pawlenty Trails Obama By Double Digits In Home State Of Minnesota

2009-07-10T15:11:56Z

A new survey of Minnesota from Public Policy Polling (D) has some tough news for Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who is widely believed to be a potential presidential candidate for 2012. In his home state, where he is currently the two-term governor, he trails President Obama by a significant margin.

The numbers: Obama 51%, Pawlenty 40%, with a ±2.5% margin of error. This isn't all that different from the 54%-44% margin by which Obama defeated John McCain in Minnesota for the 2008 election.

Still, Pawlenty does better here than Sarah Palin: Obama leads her in this state by 56%-35%.

Obama's approval rating here is 54%, to a 39% disapproval, down from a 60%-30% score in April. From the pollster's analysis: "Barack Obama's popularity is declining as the economy continues to stagnate, but voters don't trust the Republican leaders either. It doesn't bode well for Tim Pawlenty's prospects nationally when he has such an uphill battle in his own state."