Clinton To Attend London Conference On Libya
AFP reports: “US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will attend a London conference Tuesday to discuss coalition military action against Libya, the State Department said. The visit was announced Thursday after a four-way telephone conversation between Clinton and foreign ministers William Hague of Britain, Alain Juppe of France and Ahmet Davutoglu of Turkey. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said the conference would discuss the Libyan crisis, implementation of UN Security Council resolutions, and the humanitarian needs of those affected by the conflict.”
Obama’s Day Ahead
President Obama will receive the presidential daily briefing at 9:30 a.m. ET, and meet at 10:30 a.m. ET with senior advisers. At 4:35 p.m. ET, he will host a reception for Greek Independence Day.
Biden’s Day Ahead
Vice President Biden is traveling to Snowmass, Colorado where he will participate in activities surrounding the 25th annual National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic. He will return to Washington, D.C., on Monday.
Gates First U.S. Defense Chief To Visit Palestinians
Reuters reports: “Robert Gates on Friday became the first U.S. Defense Secretary to visit the West Bank, meeting Palestinian leaders keenly aware of every little nod to their hopes of achieving statehood…With U.S. diplomacy fully stretched over revolts in the Arab world and the air war with Libya, Gates was looking to revive stalled peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, before another war fills the vacuum they have left for six months.”
In Spending Bill Fight, GOP Might Ratchet Up Pressure On Cuts
The Hill reports: “Fiscal conservatives are considering ratcheting up the pressure on Democrats if they are forced to come up with another short-term bill to fund the government…With a shutdown seemingly off the table, Republicans are considering an alternative tactic: ‘ratchet’ up demands in future short-term spending bills by including amendments that defund Democratic priorities like healthcare reform.”
Mitt Romney’s Path: Victory By ‘Slog’
Politico reports: “Mitt Romney is sketching a path to the GOP nomination that looks nothing like the one blazed by Republicans before him. Romney’s plan, by necessity, more closely resembles the outline of the epic 2008 Democratic presidential primary than the GOP’s recent victory-by-early-knockout design. With glaring weaknesses in two of the traditional early states, an increased number of contests allocating delegates on a proportional basis and a capacity, thanks to his own deep pockets and a growing stable of donors, to raise significant cash, Romney’s second White House bid relies on outlasting the competition.”
