Obama: Al-Qaida Would ‘Have No Compunction’ About Using A Nuke
President Obama said Sunday that the “single biggest threat to U.S. security” would be the possibility of a terrorist organization obtaining a nuclear weapon: “We know that organizations like al-Qaida are in the process of trying to secure nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction, and would have no compunction at using them.”
Obama’s Day Ahead
President Obama will arrive at the Washington Convention Center, to attend the Nuclear Security Summit, at 10:15 a.m. ET. He will hold a bilateral meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan at 10:45 a.m. ET; a meeting with Prime Minister Mohammed Najib Abdul Razak of Malaysia at 11:45 a.m. ET; a meeting with President Viktor Yanukovich of Ukraine at 12:55 p.m. ET; a meeting with with President Serzh Sargsian of Armenia at 1:30 p.m. ET; and a meeting President Hu Jintao of China at 2:30 p.m. ET. He will welcome Heads of Delegation to the National Security Summit at 5 p.m. ET, and hold a working dinner at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Biden’s Day Ahead
Vice President Biden will holt an 8:45 a.m. ET meeting with Prime Minister John Phillip Key of New Zealand. At 10 a.m. ET, he will meet with Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He will host a lunch meeting with foreign leaders at 12 p.m. ET at the Naval Observatory. At 3:30 p.m. ET, he will hold a bilateral meeting with President Lee Myung-bak of the Republic of Korea.
Estimated Cost Of Wall Street Bailout Goes Down
The estimated cost to taxpayers of the TARP bailout of Wall Street has reportedly fallen to $89 billion, down from an estimate of $356 billion a year ago. This figure, however, does not include losses at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which are projected to be $370 billion through 2020.
Crunch Time For Climate Bill
The Hill reports: “As Congress returns from recess, the Senate trio crafting a compromise global warming bill are under pressure to gain the traction needed for floor action this year. Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) plan to unveil their long-awaited energy and climate bill the week of April 19. Earth Day is April 22.”
1994 Casting Shadow Over 2010
The New York Times reports that the memory of 1994 is affecting this year’s elections, in ways that both help the GOP and the Democrats prepare: “Many experts have predicted big gains for Republicans — even some Democrats say Republicans might win 40 seats and thus control of the House — making it easier for the Republican Party to recruit candidates who might otherwise have stood aside. It could also make it easier for the party to raise money and enliven supporters … Democrats, remembering 1994, will not be surprised this time. They have aggressively warned incumbents against being overly confident, pressing them to raise money now and begin attacking prospective opponents.”
Reid Has Killed Most Filibusters, Set To Break Record
Roll Call reports that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) is on track to break the record for the greatest percentage of successful cloture votes, having won 90% of votes to off Republican filibusters. Said Reid spokeswoman Regan Lachapelle: “We have done all of this with little or no help from Republicans who have chosen time and time again to do nothing.”
