The Obamas' Vineyard Vacation Digs: $$$$Are expensive! Should the recession-era president be vacationing at a tony Martha's Vineyard spot that'll cost $35K-$50K per week? The Vineyard Gazette, always a fun read, has the details of Pres Obama's visit to Blue Heron Farm. GWB On The ADA, Courtesy Of The Obama WHThe Obama WH released a statement a few moments ago from Pres. George H.W. Bush marking the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act: "I congratulate President Obama for taking some time today to remember the 19th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. There is no place in our society for prejudice of any kind, yet it was not that long ago when Americans with disabilities were often not given equal rights and opportunities. Whether the cause was ignorance or indifference, it was not acceptable. We can all take pride in how much the ADA has accomplished, which is evident every time you attend a sporting event, ride the subway, or go to work. Yet, there is always more to be done, which is why it's good not only to celebrate our successes, but to look forward at what still must be done. As long as we never forget that every life is a miracle and each person has something to contribute, we will finish the job." Weekend LineupHere are the scheduled guests for the Sunday public affairs shows and other weekend programs: SUNDAY: Meet the Press hosts Sec/State Hillary Clinton. Face the Nation Obama sr. adviser David Axelrod, Rep. Jim Cooper (D-TN), LA Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) and author Douglas Brinkley. This Week hosts Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND) and Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC), and a roundtable with New York Times's David Brooks, Huffington Post's Arianna Huffington, New York Times' Paul Krugman and Washington Post's George Will. Fox News Sunday hosts WH press sec. Robert Gibbs and Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ). State of the Union hosts Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Min. Leader Mitch McConnell, Axelrod, Dem strategist Paul Begala and GOP strategist Alex Castellanos (see below for guests on SOTU's Reliable Sources segment). See other weekend shows after the jump. Cornyn, Hatch Will Vote Against Sotomayor
Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) announced today that they will vote against Judge Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation to the SCOTUS. During his three decades in the Senate, Hatch has backed every nominee before him, no matter the party affiliation of the president who appointed him or her. Meanwhile, Cornyn, who hails from a state with a large Hispanic population (36%), issued a lengthy statement explaining that while he views Sotomayor's temperment as appropriate and her rulings have been "generally in the mainstream, several of her decisions demonstrated the kind of liberal judicial activism that has steered the court in the wrong direction over the last few years." Cornyn also cited the past filibuster of Miguel Estrada, Pres. Bush's federal court pick who, if he'd been confirmed, was widely viewed to have been a contender for appointment to the nation's highest court. "I remain deeply frustrated by the treatment of Miguel Estrada for the DC Court of Appeals," Cornyn said. "He was filibustered seven times and refused an up-or-down vote - because many Senators shared my view that - had he been confirmed - he could have been the first Hispanic nominated to serve on our nation's highest Court. Instead, that honor goes to the nominee we have before us - Judge Sonia Sotomayor." Hatch said he will oppose Sotomayor with a "heavy heart." He said he tried to leave politics aside in making his assessment, noting that he instead focused on Sotomayor's record. "In truth, I wish President Obama had chosen a Hispanic nominee that all Senators could support," Hatch said. "I believe it would have done a great deal for our great country. Although Judge Sotomayor has a compelling life story and dedication to public service, her statements and record were too much at odds with the principles about the judiciary in which I deeply believe." Full statements are available after the jump. Continue reading "Cornyn, Hatch Will Vote Against Sotomayor" » Allstate/NJ Heartland Poll: Obama's Ratings Slip; Wrong Track Numbers On The RiseThe latest installation of the Allstate/National Journal Heartland Monitor national poll, conducted earlier this month, indicates that Pres. Obama's approval rating has slipped since the spring and that half the nation believes the country is on the wrong track. Obama earned a strong or somewhat favorable rating from 56% of those surveyed between 7/5 and 7/12, compared with his 61% review in mid April. Meanwhile, 50% of Americans believe the country is on the wrong track, up 8 points from the April Heartland Monitor poll. Still, as the economy continues to struggle, and the president hits his first bumps in pushing favored but also polarizing policies, such as sweeping health care reform, a vast majority of those polled, 87%, registered an overwhelming faith in America as the "land of opportunity." "Most Americans continue to believe that their fate is in their own hands," said Atlantic Media political director Ron Brownstein during an event this morning at the Watergate. Of the 1,200 adults surveyed, 54% said they have more opportunity to get ahead than did their parents, 18% said they have less opportunity and 26% said they have about the same opportunity. Interestingly, though, when respondents were asked about the opportunities their children will have when they reach their age, just 31% said more and 36% said less, while 29% said about the same. "Americans do view this recession as a game changer," said Edward J. Reilly CEO of FD Americas, which conducted the poll. The poll asked if the actions of the Obama administration will increase opportunity for "people like you to get ahead," and 40% said yes. But 30% said decreased opportunities will result, and 23% said the work of the WH will have no impact. Meanwhile, those who think that the economy is on the wrong track have decreased slightly, from 55% to 52% since April. And two thirds of Americans, 67%, believe that they will get ahead financially in the next five years. The poll has a margin of error of +/-2.8 percent. National Journal's Will Englund spoke with respondents across the country to learn more about what they're facing and how they view the work of the Obama team thus far. He also delved deeper into another poll finding -- that African Americans and Hispanics are more optimistic about their opportunities than whites. Click the link above for more. And note that Allstate and NJ will conduct two more polls this year as part of the four-part series exploring how Americans view their opportunities and challenges during the nation's economic downturn. (JENNIFER SKALKA) Hotline After Dark -- Silly Press, TV Coverage Is For Grown-Ups"World News" led with Pres. Obama's reaction to Henry Louis Gates' arrest and hosted Obama. "Evening News" and "Nightly News" also led with Obama's reaction to Gates. ABC's Terry Moran spent the day with Obama in OH 7/22, and parts of his interview aired on "World News" 7/23 p.m. Obama, on whether he's "betting the presidency" on reform: "No. ... No, I think that's how [the press] would like to dramatize these issues so that the stories get on TV." Obama, on whether Americans use "too much" health care: "I think that we don't get the right health care in the right circumstances. The real issue is, are we getting the best value for the money we're already spending, and the answer is no" (ABC, 7/23). The rest of the interview aired on "Nightline." Obama, on Reid announcing that a bill won't pass before the Aug. recess:: "Given the progress that I'm seeing made, as long as everybody is working steadily, as fast as they can and particularly the Senate Finance Committee, which I think is the committee that a lot of folks are waiting for. If that gets done before the August recess, I feel pretty good, because what happens then is we always knew the House and the Senate bills wouldn't match up." After the jump, more from Obama, as well as other health care news. (RACHELLE DOUILLARD-PROULX) Continue reading "Hotline After Dark -- Silly Press, TV Coverage Is For Grown-Ups" » EFCA Comprised?Dueling guest posts about EFCA -- in jeopardy or not, already dead? -- and if the recent move to drop the "card check" provision of the legislation will be enough to resuscitate the measure. Or will it simply yield to other more priority legislative matters, health care chief among them? Thoughts from advocates of opposing organizations (in full after the jump): By Katie Packer of the Workforce Fairness Institute By Kimberly Freeman of American Rights at Work NY 23 Special: Aubertine OutJust after a deadline set by NY-23 Dems had passed for candidates to announce their interest in the seat, state Sen. Darrel Aubertine (D) announced he would not run. In many ways, he was considered the favorite for the nod. Many county chairs hinted earlier this week that they'd support him if he ran. Because of his conservative stands on abortion and gay marriage, he was considered one of the top candidates for Dems to put up in a seat that has a GOP advantage in registration. But don't be fooled by registration numbers; Pres. Obama took it by a narrow margin in '08, making this a key swing seat. Because of his attractive profile, the NRCC began airing TV ads in the CD today -- before he decided to not make the race -- blasting Aubertine for voting for higher spending in the legislature. But Aubertine spokesperson Drew Mangione said the attacks didn't influence Aubertine's decision not to run. Mangione, in an interview with Politico: "The Republican ads are nothing more than proof they're more interested in vilifying him than serving the people." So now NY-23 Dems will look to another candidate to attempt to pick up this very winnable seat. Several candidates have already submitted their resumes to Dems, but ex-US Atty/ex-Sen. Moynihan aide Daniel French (D) and atty Brian McGrath (D) -- who has already polled the race -- are two names that stick out. GOPers selected Assemb. DeDe Scozzafava (R) as their nominee 7/22. (TIM SAHD) Christie Deflects Question On Whether Corzine Should Bow OutDuring a campaign stop in West New York, NJ today, ex-U.S. Atty Chris Christie (R) was asked by reporters if Gov. Jon Corzine (D) should "take a bullet for the party" and bow out of the GOV race because of the Dems arrested on federal corruption charges today. "I can't see this day in a political context," Christie said according to PolitickerNJ.com. "This matter [started] while I was at the U.S. Attorney's office, and as I found out this morning while it was culminating, I can only think of it in terms of what it means in a law enforcement perspective. There will be others who can judge this politically." One thing Christie was willing to judge was whether his fellow GOPer, Assemb. Daniel Van Pelt, who was arrested today, should stay in office. No, Christie said in a statement, "Van Pelt has failed the people he was elected to serve and has violated their trust. He has no other choice but to resign immediately and allow the people of Ocean County to elect an official who will put the people before personal self-interest." Corzine also tried for a zero-tolerance message. Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Joseph Doria, a Corzine cabinet member whose home was searched by the feds, resigned at the gov.'s request today. Through his office, Corzine said: "Any corruption is unacceptable -- anywhere, anytime, by anybody. The scale of corruption we're seeing as this unfolds is simply outrageous and cannot be tolerated." Corzine campaign spokesperson Elisabeth Smith added in a statement: "While this tragedy of public corruption unfolds, the Governor remains focused on addressing the issues of urgent and immediate concern to New Jersey families: creating new jobs, expanding access to health care, improving education and making investments in New Jersey's future." Still, in a week when Christie picked corruption-busting, Monmouth Co. Sheriff Kim Guadagno (R) as his LG, he couldn't have asked for better timing. [SEAN J. MILLER] Pew: Obama Has Improved U.S. Image Abroad "Markedly"Six months into his presidency, Pres. Obama is hitting his first bumps. With polls showing an uphill climb on healthcare reform and his overall approval ratings lower than those of George W. Bush at the same point in his presidency, Obama is facing his first struggles political challenges in pushing his policies on the Hill. To the rest of the world, however, Obama -- and the U.S. -- could hardly be faring better. That's the verdict of the Pew Research Center's latest Global Attitudes Survey, which measures public opinion on a raft of issues in 24 countries and the Palestinian territories. The study's main finding is that confidence in Pres. Obama has improved the U.S. image "markedly in most parts of the world." Among the survey's findings: * The most notable increase in views of the U.S. occurred in Indonesia, where roughly eight of 10 respondents said they were aware that Obama lived there as a child. Indonesia's favorable ratings of the U.S. "nearly doubled" in the past year, to 63% in '09 from 37% in '08. * In most of the countries surveyed, majorities or pluralities said that Obama's election "led them to have a more favorable view" of the U.S. Four years ago, there was no country in which a majority or plurality said as much of Bush's re-election. * Among most of the majority-Muslim countries surveyed, views of the U.S. have improved. But America's favorability ratings among Muslims remain below 50% in all but two countries polled (Indonesia and Nigeria). * Israel stands out as the only country where public confidence is lower for Obama than it was for Bush (56% for Obama in '09 vs. 57% for Bush in '07). In general, the poll finds, positive views of the U.S. "are being driven much more by personal confidence in Obama than by opinions about his specific policies." (FELICIA SONMEZ) Calling Chris DoddThe CT GOP beats up on Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) via this new Web site, Calling Chris Dodd. Hits include: AIG, his lackluster in-state fundraising, and his sweetheart home loan. Ethics Complaint Filed Against CantorCitizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) announced today that it has filed a complaint with the House Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) against Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA), requesting an investigation into the National Council for a New America. NCNA was created earlier this year by a team of GOP lawmakers as an effort to seek public input about recasting and rebuilding the struggling Republican Party. CREW is asserting that the group should not be run out of Cantor's office because it has exclusively political purposes. Melanie Sloan, CREW's executive director, stated, "Applying the old adage: if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, it probably is a duck, NCNA looks political and Rep. Cantor and the group's other members talk about it in political terms so it must be a political organization." Sloan continued, "The real reason Rep. Cantor is disingenuously claiming the group is a policy organization is to leave American taxpayers footing NCNA's bills. The Office of Congressional Ethics should make it perfectly clear: lawmakers are free to create political organizations, but they can't use our money to pay for them." When Cantor's office first announced the group in April, he described it as not Republican-only. It was, he wrote, "a caucus of Congressional leaders gathering the expertise of national leaders and doers. We hope that will form the foundation of a concerted, policy-based forum to listen to, partner with, and empower the American people with ideas and solutions that speak directly to the needs of our great nation. This forum will engage in a conversation with America that seeks to remove ideological filters, addresses the realities we are confronting, and speaks to the challenges our citizens are facing." Read the CREW complaint here. A Cantor spokeswoman has not yet responded to a request for comment. (JENNIFER SKALKA) Obama: Health Care Reform Won't Add "One Dime" To DeficitToday in Shaker Heights, OH, advocating for health care reform ... Will this be Pres. Obama's "Read my lips ... " moment: That is why I have pledged that I will not sign health insurance reform that adds even one dime to our deficit over the next decade. And I mean it. We have estimated that two-thirds of the cost of reform to bring health care security to every American can be paid for by reallocating money that is simply being wasted in federal health care programs. Obama said he wants reform passed by the end of this year -- and suggests it's fine if Congress pushes his original August deadline. He also knocks the GOP, including the RNC chairman, Michael Steele, for working to "stall" efforts: We have never been closer to achieving quality, affordable health care for all Americans. But at the same time, there are those who seek to delay and defeat reform. I've heard that one Republican strategist told his party that even though they may want to compromise, it's better politics to "go for the kill." Another Republican senator said that defeating health reform is about "breaking" me - when it's really the American people who are being broken by rising health care costs and declining coverage. And the Republican Party chair, seeking to stall our efforts, recently went so far as to say that health insurance reform was happening "too soon." Full text of his prepared remarks is available after the jump. Continue reading "Obama: Health Care Reform Won't Add "One Dime" To Deficit" » DNC Ad: 'The Cost Of Doing Nothing'The DNC is airing a new ad on national and DC cable over the next two-and-a-half weeks cautioning that if Congress fails to pass health care reform, premiums will rise and insurance companies will deny citizens appropriate coverage. It spells out a universe of higher co-payments and out of pocket expenses and families faced with paying the mortgage or health care. In keeping with Pres. Obama's pitch during last night's press conference and again today in his event in Cleveland, the ad is called, 'The Cost of Doing Nothing.' A female narrator intones over photos of Rush Limbaugh, RNC chief Michael Steele, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC): "Tell Republicans the cost of doing nothing is just too high." (JENNIFER SKALKA) Chamber For Sotomayor; NRA To Score The VoteThe Chamber of Commerce threw it's considerable heft behind Judge Sonia Sotomayor today, endorsing her appointment to the SCOTUS after evaluating her judicial scholarship, temperment and understanding of business and economic issues, according to a statement. "Consistent with her recent testimony, we expect Judge Sotomayor to engage in fair and evenhanded application of the laws affecting American businesses," said Thomas J. Donohue, U.S. Chamber president and CEO. "Through several years of experience as a law firm partner representing business interests, Judge Sotomayor has spent time considering the litigation environment from our point of view. With her unique experience as both a trial and appellate judge, Judge Sotomayor has seen firsthand the tremendous burdens that our legal system places on businesses." Since 1987, the Chamber -- which as the world's largest business federation represents 3M companies and organizations -- has endorsed the nominations of Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justices Samuel Alito, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Steven Breyer, David Souter and Clarence Thomas. Meanwhile, in a not surprising but still interesting turn, the NRA announced today that it will score senators' votes for and against Sotomayor, a move that will contribute to the group's annual grades of lawmakers. While the Chamber's support, which conveys the business community's seal of approval, might free some moderate GOPers to back Sotomayor, the NRA's decision is a caution to Republicans and conservative Dems in states where gun owners are a powerful voting bloc. The NRA announced last week that it would oppose Sotomayor's appointment. WOTT: Palin Says, 'Ain't Gonna Shut My Mouth'
AK Gov. Sarah Palin (R), in her final week on the job, tweets about the latest ethics charges against her, that she may have created a state fund to pay her legal expenses: Legal Fees Fund trustee's press conf yest set record straight w/facts/truth re:recent complaint;read transcript in case press chooses not toabout 9:30 AM EDT from TwitterBerry judge investigation,destroy integrity of process&strip rights;Abuse WILL cont til leaks/friv filers r held accntble&press reports accuratelyabout 9:30 AM EDT from TwitterBerry This wk saw add'l violation of law:filer of friv ethics complaint leaks confidential documents out of context 2 create false headlines, pre-about 9:30 AM EDT from TwitterBerry Detroit Down" & "Rollin": "Aint gonna shut my mouth/I know there's got to be a few hundred million more like me/just trying to keep it free" about 1:30 AM EDT from TwitterBerry Awesome AK night sensing summer already winding down w/fireweed near full bloom;finally sitting down to pen;listening to Big & Rich "Shuttin about 12:30 AM EDT from TwitterBerry (EVAN McMORRIS-SANTORO) Ensign Loses Top StafferThe Las Vegas Sun is reporting that embattled Sen. John Ensign (R-NV) is losing his chief of staff, John Lopez. Lopez has worked for him since the 1990s. Once a rising Republican star with an eye on the '12 presidential contest, Ensign is working to keep his job after admitting to an affair with a campaign staffer -- and after news reports indicated that his parents paid the woman and her husband, an Ensign Senate staffer, $96K. Is Lopez's departure a sign of even tougher times ahead for the senator? Hotline After Dark -- It's Not You, It's Me"World News" led with Pres. Obama's health care push. "Evening News" led with the H1N1 virus vaccine. "Nightly News" led with Obama's health care push. Obama's 7/22 p.m. press conference was the focus of TV coverage last night, with pundits and pols weighing in on whether it was successful. The Hill's Stoddard: "What I thought he was going to do tonight was get up and embrace a pay for, an actual specific payment plan to offset the costs of a reform plan and tell Democrats directly in the Congress this is what I think is the best fix. You're with me or you're against me. Show some leadership and really kind of come to the table as he's been promising to do for months. He made a reference to the fact that he still thinks his payment is the best ... so he did not actually back a specific plan" ("O'Reilly Factor," FNC, 7/22). CNN's Borger, on what was learned from Obama about health care that wasn't known pre-press conference: "Not much, really. I don't think he moved the needle very much at all. ... He did reiterate his support for a cap on deductions for wealthy Americans as a way to pay for health care reform, but that is something that has received absolutely no traction on Capitol Hill. So his method of paying for health reform is not something that members of Congress like. So not moving the needle" ("Situation Room," 7/22). Independent Women's Forum's Michelle Bernard: "I think everybody missed the point. If we were going to say whether or not there was a net positive or a net negative, it was barely a net positive. He's charismatic, he is articulate, everybody likes him, you want After the jump, more on the press conference, as well as a Sonia Sotomayor update and a reaction to the recent gun ruling. (RACHELLE DOUILLARD-PROULX) Continue reading "Hotline After Dark -- It's Not You, It's Me" » Fierce Urgency Of Now?During the fifth press conference of his young presidency, Pres Obama made a pitch for health care reform this evening as a critical element of his broader efforts to restore the nation's economic well-being, and he pushed back against the suggestions of GOP lawmakers that a plan would bankrupt the nation and compromise coverage. In some ways, however, Obama's arguments lacked the "fierce urgency of now" fire for which he's known. He avoided personal anecdotes or mentions of a named citizen, living in the nation's heartland, who is struggling with prescription drug costs or lacks coverage altogether. And he seemed to bend a bit in citing a deadline for passage of the bill. August now reflects a tentative deadline, replaced by a call for action by the end of the year. If the debate bleeds into '10, however, politics will trump policy-making as the midterms approach, and the president will likely not find critical consensus among the more conservative members of the Dem caucus. Still, Obama's approach fell into three key categories: doing nothing is not an option, the cost of a package will not add to the deficit and changes to the system will leave critical decisions to doctors and patients, not insurers. Obama said he was frustrated by some of the "misinformation" coming from Republicans. He said doing nothing will result in doubled health care costs over the next decade. "The debt and the deficit are deep concerns of mine," he said. "I am very concerned about federal spending ... but in order for us to do more we're not only going to have to eliminate waste in the system ... we're also going to have to change health care." He added: "We inherited a (sic) enormous deficit. ... We have not reduced it as much as we need to ... but health care reform is not going to add to that deficit. It's designed to lower it." Obama said he cannot guarantee that there will be no changes in the health care delivery system under his plan. But he suggested that patients will no longer be held hostage by the fee payment schedule mandated by insurance companies and that doctors will make the decisions about care. (JENNIFER SKALKA) NY-23 Special: MyDeDeAfter earlier this week promising to slow down its process, the NY-23 GOP did today exactly what it promised to do weeks ago: pick a nominee to replace Army Sec.-nominee John McHugh (R). And the choice of the CD's 11 county chairs: moderate Assemb. DeDe Scozzafava (R). She beat out the up-and-coming candidacy of financier Matt Doheny (R), who dumped $500K of his own cash into the campaign and raised $300K from outside contributors for the race. Doheny congratulated Scozzafava in a statement shortly after the GOP made its choice. That's important, because some elements of the GOP haven't been so welcoming of the socially liberal Scozzafava. She's pro-choice and voted for NY's same-sex marriage bill in the legislature. In the past, she has earned the liberal Working Families Party line, and Conservative Party chair Mike Long told Hotline a few weeks ago that Scozzafava's support of the gay marriage bill would eliminate her from consideration for his party's support in the special. But she appears to be more conservative on the fiscal side, as she would've opposed the cap-and-trade bill -- legislation that McHugh voted for. 'The Consequences Of Inaction'Pres. Obama's key task tonight, as he's framing it in his opening remarks, is to stress "the consequences of inaction" on his health care package, to tie the nation's struggling economy to the fate of the nation's 47M uninsured. So let me be clear: if we do not control these costs, we will not be able to control our deficit. If we do not reform health care, your premiums and out-of-pocket costs will continue to skyrocket. If we do not act, 14,000 Americans will continue to lose their health insurance every single day. These are the consequences of inaction. These are the stakes of the debate we're having right now.Full remarks after the jump. America's Most Trusted NewscasterAccording to an online poll conducted by TIME, Jon Stewart is the nation's most trusted newscaster. The magazine asks the question in the wake of Walter Cronkite's death. With 44% of the vote, Stewart blows away the field, which includes Katie Couric, Brian Williams and Charlie Gibson. Check it out. Watch Obama's Presser ...Live here in five minutes. It's Pres. Obama's fifth conference, and his fourth in primetime. HRC To MTPThis weekend will mark Hillary Clinton's first visit to NBC's "Meet the Press" since signing on as secretary of state. She'll be on for the full hour. Per the show's site: "She'll go one-on-one with David Gregory about her role in the Obama administration and the many hot spots around the globe: Nuclear threats in Iran and North Korea; Fighting terrorism in Afghanistan and Pakistan; the continuing war in Iraq; her trip this week to India and Thailand; and upcoming talks with China." DNC's 'No Plan At All'The DNC has released a new TV ad in SC knocking Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) for trying to "kill" health care reform. The ad, titled "No Plan at All," will air on cable news stations in Greenville (DeMint's hometown) and Columbia, as well as in DC. The ad highlights GOP efforts to thwart passage of a package. DeMint suggested, and affirmed again today, that he believes health care will be Pres. Obama's "Waterloo." "The politicization of health care reform by Senator Jim DeMint and Republicans is a desperate and shameful ploy by the 'Party of NO' to score a political win on the backs of struggling American families and small businesses," said the DNC's Brad Woodhouse. "What's worse is that this strategy originates from the same Republican Party who ignored health care reform for the past eight years, letting costs spiral out of control while protecting their special interest friends." Vacation-Bound Sanford, AgainSC Gov. Mark Sanford is taking off for a vacation that'll be less controversial than his last overseas sojourn. This time, Sanford is traveling with his wife and four sons, not visiting his Argentine mistress. He has also notified state officials -- and the public -- in advance of his general whereabouts -- an undisclosed European destination. The trip is a long-planned family vacation, according to the AP. But Sanford won't depart without taking some heat. Carol Fowler, chairwoman of the SC Democratic Party, issued a statement knocking Sanford for taking "unlimited paid time off." "Mark Sanford gets still another vacation--two weeks in Europe with his family, leaving behind a state that is desperate for leadership to solve a host of problems," she said. "He's lucky. Most South Carolinians don't have unlimited paid time off. They can't just leave their jobs for days at a time whenever they want to, no matter what urgent family issues they're struggling to manage. Of course, most South Carolinians are also expected to actually accomplish something when they are on the job." Cochran Will Vote Against SotomayorJudge Sonia Sotomayor is well on her way to Senate confirmation, but Dems' push to run up the score suffered a setback today when Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS), who supported Sotomayor's '98 appointment to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, told the Senate that he would vote against her nomination to the SCOTUS. "A nomination to one of the federal circuit courts of appeals is not the same as a nomination to the court of last resort," Cochran said on the Senate floor. "If confirmed, there would be no higher court to deter Judge Sotomayor from making decisions that would become the binding law of the land." Cochran joins Sen. Bob Bennett (R-UT) as the second GOPer who voted for Sotomayor 11 years ago who won't support her this time around. Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME), Dick Lugar (R-IN) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) voted for Sotomayor 11 years ago and said they would again. Sen. Arlen Specter (PA) also voted for her in '98, and he has said that he will this year, though he has since bolted the GOP. Sens. Judd Gregg (R-NH) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) supported Sotomayor 11 years ago, but they have yet to publicly announce how they will vote this time. Among current members, Sens. Sam Brownback (R-KS), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Jon Kyl (R-AZ), John McCain (R-AZ), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Jeff Sessions (R-AL) and Richard Shelby (R-AL) all voted against Sotomayor in '98. Brownback, Inhofe, Kyl, McConnell and Roberts have each said they will again vote no. (STEVEN SHEPARD) Graham For Sotomayor: "She Has Not Been An Activist Judge"Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who predicted during Judge Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation hearings that she would win confirmation if she didn't have a "meltdown," announced today that he will vote for her. "I understand the path of least resistance" would be to vote 'no,' he said during a floor speech a few moments ago, "but I feel compelled to vote 'yes.'" Graham becomes the fifth Republican to support Sotomayor, Pres. Obama's first appointee to the nation's highest court. Sotomayor, who would be the first Hispanic justice, sailed through last week's hearings relatively unscathed. And Republican lawmakers weighing the political consequences of voting for Obama's pick must also consider how women and Hispanics will view their vote. Sotomayor, if confirmed, will be just the third woman on the court. "I do believe that elections have consequences," Graham said today, adding "... I choose to vote for Sotomayor because I believe she is well qualified ... one of the most qualified nominees to be selected for the Supreme Court of the United States in decades." One of seven Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Cmte., Graham said Sotomayor "has an outstanding background as a lawyer." "I believe that she follows precedent, that she has not been an activist judge," he said. He added: "Her record of academic achievement is extraordinary." (STEVEN SHEPARD) WOTT: Even Imus Doesn't Like It
One GOPer's rationale for why health care reform must be stopped: Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT): "Was on Imus radio show this morning talking about how terrible the Democrat health care bill will be for Americans." 7/22, 11:25 AM Hatch: "Even Imus couldn't defend it - that means it really is bad." 11:25 AM (EVAN McMORRIS-SANTORO) WOTT: Pocket Dodd
Ex-Rep. Rob Simmons (R-CT), a candidate for SEN, is promoting a new campaign fundraising gimmick. For $5, voters can take the incumbent -- Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) -- with them wherever they go. A reminder, Simmons' campaign Web site indicates, "of the special interest cronyism we'll finally be rid of in November 2010." Simmons: Introducing @PocketDodd -- now you too can have Connecticut's Senior Senator in your back pocket: http://tr.im/pocketdoddabout 2 hours ago from TweetDeck (EVAN McMORRIS-SANTORO) Q Poll: Specter, Toomey DeadlockedDespite switching parties to gain advantage in '10, Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) has lost his lead over likely GOP challenger Pat Toomey, according to a survey released today by Quinnipiac Univ. The Q poll shows the candidates deadlocked in a general election contest, with 45% for Specter and 44% for Toomey, the ex-pres. of the conservative Club for Growth. Perhaps even more surprisingly, voters said, 49% to 40%, that Specter, elected in '80 as a GOPer, does not deserve another term. Tausch Is Out In NHNH businessman Fred Tausch will not run for NH SEN, or any political office in '10, the Union Leader reported this a.m. Hotline After Dark -- Waterloo, Couldn't Escape If I Wanted To"World News" led with the stock market rally. "Evening News" led with the health care fight and hosted Pres. Obama. "Nightly News" led with CA's budget crisis. Obama sat down with CBS' Katie Couric at the WH for an interview that aired on "Evening News" 7/21 p.m. Obama, on whether he and the Blue Dog Dems made any progress "working out their differences": "I think, rightly, a number of these so-called Blue Dog Democrats, more conservative Democrats, were concerned that not enough had been done on reducing costs. It's the same concern that I share, and I think that we're moving in the direction where, at the end of the day, by the time we have a bill on the floor, we will be able to say unequivocally that this is going to bend the cost kevin so that health care inflation is reduced." Obama, on whether it'll add to the deficit: "It will not add to the receive it is. I will not sign a bill that adds to the deficit. Period." Obama, on whether there's "flexibility" on this Aug. deadline: "I want to keep the pressure on because we're making steady progress, people are working hard. I just met with these House Democrats and they were in there for three hours. ... I understand that the Senate Finance Committee is meeting three times today. That kind of work is going to produce good results. ... So I want to put the pressure on, but ultimately the test is, is this a bill that I think is going to be better for the American people or not? And if it's not, we'll keep at it." More Obama: "If I'm not happy with the end product, I will not sign a bill." After the jump, more from the interview, as well as other healthcare discussion. (RACHELLE DOUILLARD-PROULX) Continue reading "Hotline After Dark -- Waterloo, Couldn't Escape If I Wanted To" » Franken's First Bill: Service Dogs For Wounded VetsOne more argument can now be put to rest in the wake of the MN SEN contest: Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) doesn't hate puppies. In a Minneapolis Star Tribune op-ed over the weekend, Franken announced plans for his first piece of legislation in the U.S. Senate: a pilot program providing service dogs for wounded veterans. According to the op-ed, the program would "help train a statistically significant number of dogs to measure the benefits to veterans with physical and emotional wounds." The idea for the plan, Franken noted, came from a meeting with Iraq vet Luis Carlos Montalvan and his golden retriever, "Tuesday," at an inaugural event in DC. Montalvan, an ex-intel. officer who survived an assassination attempt in '05 and now suffers from severe PTSD, told Franken that he couldn't have made it to the inauguration without Tuesday. According to Franken spokesperson Jess McIntosh, the service dogs would be trained by nonprofits and would be provided to both mentally and physically injured vets. Franken visited one such nonprofit, Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota, after his meeting with Montalvan. Before his Senate days, Franken took several trips to entertain U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan on USO tours, an experience he makes a point of noting in his op-ed. McIntosh said that over the course of the protracted election contest and recount, among other matters, Franken researched military issues and the needs of wounded vets. She noted that Franken, a "major dog lover," was dealt a blow during the SEN campaign by the death of his eight-year-old black lab, Kirby, from bone cancer. Franken "still calls it the worst day of the campaign," McIntosh said. But McIntosh added that the service dog program "wasn't something he'd talked about" or started researching until he met with Montalvan in Jan. Franken has not provided a dollar-figure for the program (the program aims to place at least 200 dogs). But as concerns over the cost of health care reform dominate debate in Washington and the problem of the nation's struggling economy looms large, how does he intend to justify the price tag? "We're talking about veterans," McIntosh said. "We're talking about the people to whom we owe the most." She added that furry friends offer therapeutic benefits and ultimately curb some medical costs, allowing the program to pay for itself. (FELICIA SONMEZ) Wooing The Base, Crist Opposes SotomayorOftentimes, candidates for office don't weigh in on issues or appointments, noting that they're not yet in office. But Fl Gov. Charlie Crist (R), a candidate for SEN engaged in a primary for the nom, weighed in today against Judge Sonia Sotomayor's appointment to the SCOTUS. An effort, no doubt, to woo the base in his GOP fight against Marco Rubio, the former state House speaker. He mentions her position on gun cases, in particular. Here's Crist: "As Governor, I have had the honor of appointing dozens of judges, in both the appellate and trial courts. Selecting a judge, particularly to a supreme court, is one of the weightiest and most important decisions any elected executive can make." Obama On Health Care: "We're Going To Get The Job Done"
Continuing his campaign-style push for health care reform, Pres. Obama today urged against efforts by some members of Congress to stall passage of a bill extending coverage to some of the uninsured. Make no mistake, Obama said during a Rose Garden ceremony, "we are closer than ever before to the reform that the American people need, and we're going to get the job done." So I understand that some will try to delay action until the special interests can kill it, while others will simply focus on scoring political points. We've done that before. And we can choose to follow that playbook again, and then we'll never get over the goal line, and we'll face an even greater crisis in the years to come. That's one path we can travel. Full remarks available after the jump. Continue reading "Obama On Health Care: "We're Going To Get The Job Done"" » Debating Debates In VADebating the substance, location and frequency of debates is a common point of friction between rival campaigns. And the VA GOV contest is no different. Only there are fewer than four months left in the contest, and the candidates, who ran against one another in the '05 battle for state AG, have yet to meet. TwitterView: Deeds Expects Obama Will Stump In VA
State Sen. Creigh Deeds, the Dem candidate for governor of VA, spoke with On Call today about his support in the African American community, debating Republican rival Bob McDonnell, EFCA, cap and trade and the state's transportation woes. We also asked Deeds if he expects Pres. Obama to campaign for him in the Commonwealth. Read on. @thehotline: "first let's set the stage. Where are you tweeting from? And with what?" @creighdeeds: "i'm tweeting from richmond. sitting at my computer." @thehotline: "any music playing in the background?" @creighdeeds: "ipod is in the suitcase in my room. sadly, no music today" @thehotline: "Earlier 2day, your camp agreed to debate @BobMcDonnell 10x as he has asked. B4, your camp said you wanted 3 or 4. What changed?" @creighdeeds: "nothing changed. we had some time to review requests. want to make sure all parts of the commonwealth get to hear from us." @thehotline: "Have formal negotiations over a debate schedule begun btwn the 2 camps?" @creighdeeds: "we're looking forward to debating. we've talked to community orgs and news outlets across virginia to set them up." @thehotline: "Ystrday, Sheila Johnson endorsed McDonnell. Today, some are saying your having trble connecting with African Americans. True?" @creighdeeds: "Got strong support all over VA, in all communities during primary. Proud to get early support of Sens Marsh, Lucas, Miller othrs" @thehotline: "But you didn't win a lot of African American support in the p'mary. Are you working to build more support there? If so, how?" @creighdeeds: "we had strong support in primary. reaching out to all Virginians. Dems are united. the difference in Nov is stark." @thehotline: "OK, let's talk about some of your recent proposals. GOP says your and McDonnell's econ plans are "carbon copies." Your take?" @creighdeeds: "i cut more taxes for sm biz, beef up gov's opp fund, don't pass the buck to LG. Bob was against govs opp fund bf he was for it ... under my plan: you create a job, you get a tax cut. bob can't say that." @thehotline: "How important is that Gov's Opp Fund, really? Isn't Kaine sitting on more than $10M right now?" @creighdeeds: "Govs opp fund is important tool to bring jobs to VA. i wrote law that put it in the code." @thehotline: "Should Kaine be spending that $$?" @creighdeeds: "fund exists for gov to use when he has opportunity to bring jobs to VA. needs to be spent on the right projects." @thehotline: "on to Transpo. McDonnell says he wants to pvtize ABC stores and build toll rds to pay 4 transpo. Do you support those ideas?" @creighdeeds: "i support more pub-priv partnerships. VA is leader in that. Prblm w/ bob's plan is that he takes $ from schools to pay for rds...privatization of ABC shd be explrd. it'd produce 1-time cash surplus. but uncertn future revenues. Need comprehensive rd plan" @thehotline: "Can you rationally tell VAins they're going to get expensive new trans prjcts w/o a tax increase?" @creighdeeds: "We have to work tgthr to produce bipartisan transpo soln. Our econ future depends on it. My plan saves $ from performance rvws." @thehotline: "some politics Qs. GOP has continued to push you on nat'l issues. Ur postions on: Cap&Trade, EFCA, health care pub option, pls." @creighdeeds: "EFCA:Bob is grandstanding. Issue belongs in Congrs. I'll work w/ Va. deleg. to make sure businesses and secret ballot protected." @creighdeeds: "Captrade: another serious issue. Need to address climate change, but during recession don't need higher energy costs...Boucher did good work improving House bill. Hope Senate does more to protect VA jobs." @creighdeeds: "Gov can do a lot to improve hc. that's why my econ plan improves health ins. in VA, provides emergency HC loans to unemployed." @thehotline: "In '05, you ran ads attacking McDonnell's positions on abortion and stem cell research. Should we expect similar ads this year?" @creighdeeds: "We're gonna run a positive campaign, focused on the issues important to VAins. There's a big diff b/w me & Bob on those issues." @thehotline: "last 2. First, How many visits from Obama are you asking for? 1, 2, 10, more?" @creighdeeds: "Obama called me after primary victory. We look forward to seeing him in VA in next 105 days." @thehotline: "Well, that's not really what we asked, but OK we're out of time. Last one -- What's your favorite restaurant in VA?" @creighdeeds: "Pam's Kitchen. In my house in Bath County. Thanks for having me." (EVAN McMORRIS-SANTORO) |
About Jennifer Skalka 
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