Obama In Ireland To Hold Talks On Trade
Reuters reports: “President Barack Obama, starting a four-nation tour of Europe in Ireland on Monday, said he wanted to encourage bilateral trade and would do all he could to help the country’s economic recovery. Obama will also explore his Irish roots, making a brief visit to a village that was home to his great-great-great grandfather.”
Obama’s Day In Ireland
The President and first Lady arrived in Dublin, Ireland, at 9:35 a.m. Irish Standard Time (4:35 a.m. ET). At 10:15 a.m. IST, they arrived at the President’s Residence and signed the guest book, and met at 10:25 a.m. IST with President Mary McAleese and her husband Dr. Martin McAleese. They participated in a tree planting ceremony at 10:50 a.m. IST. Obama held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Enda Kenny at 11:15 a.m. IST. The President and First Lady attended a U.S. Embassy meet and greet at 1:20 p.m. IST. The President and First Lady will visit Moneygall, Ireland, at 3:15 p.m. IST. Obama will deliver remarks at an Irish Celebration at College Green, Dublin, at 5:30 p.m. IST.
Biden’s Day Ahead
Vice President Biden will meet at 10 a.m. ET with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He will meet in the afternoon with senior advisers. At 5 p.m. ET, he will attend a retirement ceremony for Ambassador to Iraq Chris Hill.
With Daniels Out, GOP Presidential Field Takes Clearer Shape
The Washington Post reports: “Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels’s decision not to run for president in 2012, while deflating the hopes of many in the Republican establishment, has helped solidify what has been a fluid GOP field and brings more clarity to the challenges ahead for each of the leading contenders…GOP strategists say that the removal of Daniels as a factor has made it even more obvious that the contest is becoming one between presumed front-runner Mitt Romney and a pack of underdogs hoping to emerge as the alternative to the former Massachusetts governor.”
2012-ers: It’s Later Than You Think
The Hill reports: “It’s crunch time for the Republican Party — and for anyone who still harbors hopes of becoming its 2012 standard-bearer…If there is anyone else who can fill the void — and that’s by no means certain — he or she needs to step into plain view soon. The hurdles to mounting a viable national campaign could soon become too high to clear.”
Hoyer To Lay Out Fiscal Policy Proposals In Speech
Roll Call reports: “House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer will lay down his marker in the upcoming debt limit debate in a speech before the Bipartisan Policy Center on Monday. According to prepared remarks, the Maryland Democrat plans to call for upholding entitlement programs, cutting spending on domestic and defense programs, and enacting a trigger for automatic spending cuts and revenue raisers aimed at reducing the deficit. On the revenue side, he will propose broadening the tax base, closing tax loopholes and simplifying the income tax code.”
