WaPo: Obama To Help Select Location Of KSM Terrorism Trial
The Washington Post reports that President Obama will become involved in the selection of a site for trying Khalid Sheikh Mohammed: “Obama initially had asked Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. to choose the site of the trial in an effort to maintain an independent Justice Department. But the White House has been taken aback by the intense criticism from political opponents and local officials of Holder’s decision to try Khalid Sheik Mohammed in a civilian courtroom in New York.”
Obama’s Day Ahead
President Obama will receive the presidential daily briefing at 9:30 a.m. ET, and the economic daily briefing at 10 a.m. ET. He will meet with senior advisers at 10:30 a.m. ET. He does not have any public events scheduled for today.
Biden’s Day Ahead
Vice President Biden will spend the morning in Seattle, Washington, and will attend an event for Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) at 11 a.m. ET. Biden and his wife Dr. Jill Biden will then travel to Vancouver, British Columbia, to lead the U.S. delegation to the opening weekend of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. They will deliver remarks a 5:45 p.m. ET, to a kick-off rally for U.S. athletes. Afterwards, they will attend a reception honoring heads of the Olympic delegations. At 9 p.m. ET, they will attend the 2010 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony.
Bill Clinton Arrives Home After Heart Procedure
Former President Bill Clinton arrived home early this morning, after having a heart procedure yesterday. Clinton walked to his vehicle as he left the hospital, and arrived home in Chappaqua. “President Clinton was released from New York Presbyterian/Columbia this morning in excellent health,” said Clinton counselor Douglas Band.
Dodd Now Working With GOP’s Corker On Wall Street Bill
Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) has found a new negotiating partner in Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN), to work on a Wall Street reform bill after Dodd’s talks with Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) broke down. “There is enough agreement on the major issues that we can create a bipartisan bill,” said Corker.
Leahy Encouraging Recess Appointments
Roll Call reports that Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) is encouraging the use of recess appointments for Obama administration nominees that are being blocked by threatened Republican filibusters. “If the person’s going to have a vote, then we ought to have a vote,” Leahy said. “But if they’re being blocked for a vote, than there ought to be some movement.” He also added that “I’ve never seen a time where you consistently have to have 60 votes.”
House GOP Document: We Won Question Time With Obama
The Hill reports that an internal House Republican document claims that the question-and-answer event with PResident Obama two weeks ago was a victory for the GOP. “Since the Baltimore retreat there have been several public surveys released,” the document says. “Four surveys had President Obama’s job approval getting worse, while one showed it getting better.”
