Obama Heading For India To Open Asia Trip
The Associated Press reports: “President Barack Obama is leaving the fallout from the Democrats’ election drubbing behind as he heads for India and what’s likely to be a friendlier reception in the world’s largest democracy. The president was to depart Friday morning on Air Force One for Mumbai, India, where he was to arrive around noon local time Saturday after refueling in Germany. It’s the first stop on a 10-day tour through India, Indonesia, South Korea and Japan, the longest foreign outing of Obama’s presidency.”
Obama’s Day Ahead
President Obama will deliver a statement to the press on the monthly jobs numbers at 9:25 a.m. ET. The President and First Lady will depart the White House at 9:45 a.m. ET, and depart from Andrews Air Force Base at 10 a.m. ET, arriving for refueling in Ramstein, Germany, at 5:10 p.m. ET (10:10 p.m. local time).
GOP Gains Set Stage For National Security Battle
The Associated Press reports: “The big Republican gains in Congress could make it harder for President Barack Obama to keep his pledge to start bringing U.S. troops home from Afghanistan by next summer and dim prospects for several of his administration’s centerpiece military and diplomatic initiatives. The GOP’s victories seem likely to derail congressional efforts to repeal the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ ban on gays serving openly in the military, thwart efforts to curb the growth of Pentagon spending and frustrate hopes for quick ratification of a nuclear arms control agreement with Russia.”
Pelosi Seriously Considering Bid For Minority Leader After GOP Rout
The Hill reports: “Speaker Nancy Pelosi is seriously considering a bid for House minority leader, a campaign that could divide her decimated caucus. It would also upend predictions that she would step aside after her caucus suffered deep losses on Election Day. The Speaker has been calling lawmakers to gauge support, and she said Thursday she has “gotten a positive response” but hasn’t made a decision.”
Pelosi’s Indecision Worries Democrats Seeking Shake-Up
Roll Call reports: “The lingering uncertainty about whether Speaker Nancy Pelosi will stay on as Minority Leader is beginning to cause consternation among moderate Democrats who think it’s time for a leadership shake-up. Two days after House Democrats lost more than 60 seats in their worst drubbing in decades, the California lawmaker has not said whether she intends to stay on as Democratic leader, fueling speculation in some circles that liberal supporters in the Caucus are asking her not to step aside.”
Bachmann vs. Hensarling Race Heats Up
Politico reports: “The race for House Republican Conference chair – Rep. Michele Bachmann versus Rep. Jeb Hensarling — is heating up…Bachmann, according to the letter obtained by POLITICO, is making the case that she brings ‘strong principled conservative values, a proven level of experience, effectiveness with our friends in the local and national media, and an energetic national constituency that reflects the results of Tuesday night.'”
