GOP To Try To Block Spending On Health Care And Financial Reform
The Hill reports: “Republicans will try to block money requested by the Obama administration to implement Democrats’ signature Wall Street and healthcare reforms in a stopgap spending measure expected to clear Congress next week. The GOP is seizing on the administration’s funding request as an opportunity to send a message to voters that it wants to reduce government spending and provide a check on President Obama.”
Obama’s Day Ahead
President Obama will receive the presidential daily briefing at 9:30 a.m. ET, and meet at 10 a.m. ET with senior advisers. At 10:35 a.m. ET, he will visit a meeting of insurance commissioners. At 11:45 a.m. ET, he will hold a backyard discussion on health care reform at a private residence in Falls Church, Virginia. He will depart form the White House at 2:45 p.m. ET, and depart from Andrews Air Force Base at 3 p.m. ET, arriving at 3:55 p.m. ET in New York City. He will deliver remarks at 4:45 p.m. ET, at the Millennium Development Goals Conference. He will deliver remarks at a 6:35 p.m. ET DSCC/DCCC fundraiser, and also deliver remarks at a 7:30 p.m. ET DSCC/DCCC dinner.
Biden’s Day Ahead
Vice President Biden will travel in the morning to Boston, Massachusetts. At 12 p.m. ET, he will attend a fundraiser for Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR). Afterwards, he will return to Washington, and meet with senior advisers. At 4:30 p.m. ET, he will host a Medal of Valor ceremony with Attorney General Eric Holder. At 6:15 p.m. ET, the Vice President and his wife Dr. Jill Biden will host a reception at the Naval Observatory, in honor of the 16th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act.
First Lady To Campaign For Democrats
CNN reports: “First lady Michelle Obama is hitting the campaign trail to headline events for at least nine Democratic candidates and two Democratic committees in the closing weeks of the midterm election. The first lady will visit five different states starting on Oct. 13 with events in Milwaukee and Chicago for Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold, Illinois Senate nominee Alex Giannoulias, Illinois Rep. Debbie Halvorson, Illinois Rep. Bill Foster, Illinois congressional candidate Dan Seals and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.”
Democrats Lag Badly In Outside Spending
Politico reports: “As of Monday, pro-Republican third-party organizations had paid for a total of $23.6 million worth of ads, while Democratic-aligned groups had spent just $4.8 million on TV. For the next month — the crucial period during which many voters begin to consider their choices and make up their minds — the disparity is even more daunting for Democrats: Between now and Oct. 20, groups backing Republicans have $9.4 million worth of TV ads reserved across 40 districts, while outfits supporting Democrats have put down only $1.3 million in five districts.”
Tight Campaign Budgets May Hinder GOP Gains
The New York Times reports: “Republicans enter the final six weeks of the election with a political wind at their back and opportunities for victory across the country, yet several state parties are at a severe financial disadvantage with Democrats, raising questions about whether Republicans can fully capitalize on a favorable climate. In Iowa, Republicans finished August with just $34,819 in the bank, less than one-tenth what the Democrats there have. In Florida, Republicans have one-third less to spend. And in Missouri, Illinois and Indiana, where Republicans could be poised to win multiple races for Congress and the race for governor, the party is well behind its Democratic rivals.”
House And Senate Democrats Toy With Endgame
Roll Call reports: “House and Senate Democrats scrambled Tuesday to finalize their pre-election exit strategy. But as has been the case for much of the 111th Congress, they remain at odds on a path forward. The only thing the chambers seem to be able to agree on is that they need to let Members go home by the end of next week, after passing a continuing resolution to keep the government funded through the elections. ‘People want to get home,’ Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said Tuesday. ‘It’s an election year and there are a lot of very close elections. … If we can’t do anything positive, if we can’t…pass laws of importance, then why stay here and debate?'”
