Obama Will Release Afghanistan Plan Soon, Promises Exit Strategy
In an interview with CNN, President Obama said he will soon release his plans for Afghanistan, and that there will be an exit plan. “The American people will have a lot of clarity about what we’re doing, how we’re going to succeed, how much this thing is going to cost, what kind of burden does this place on our young men and women in uniform and, most importantly, what’s the end game on this thing,” said Obama. “My preference would be not to hand off anything to the next president. One of the things I’d like is the next president to be able to come in and say I’ve got a clean slate.”
Obama’s Day In China And South Korea
President Obama held a bilateral meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, at 11:30 a.m. local time (10:30 p.m. ET last night), with a working lunch at 12:15 p.m. local time. Obama toured the Great Wall of China at 2:30 p.m. He departed Beijing at 5:10 p.m., arriving in Seoul, South Korea, at 7:45 p.m. local time (5:45 a.m. ET).
Biden’s Day Ahead
Vice President Biden will meet this morning with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), to discuss health care legislation. At 3:30 p.m. ET, he will meet at the White House with Terry O’Sullivan, president of the Laborers’ International Union of North America. At 4:15 p.m. ET, he will swear in Aaron Williams as Director of the Peace Corps, and Danny Werfel as Controller of the Office of Federal Financial Management in the Office of Management and Budget. In the evening, he will host a reception at the Naval Observatory, for The New School.
Holder To Testify Today On KSM Trials
Attorney General Eric Holder will testify today before the Senate Judiciary Committee, at 9:30 a.m. ET, addressing his controversial decision to try Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and other alleged 9/11 conspirators in civilian courts in New York. “I have every confidence the nation and the world will see him for the coward he is,” Holder will tell the committee
Obama Won’t Read Palin’s Book
Also in his CNN interview, President Obama said he will not be reading Sarah Palin’s book, as he is too busy: “I probably won’t, but I don’t get a chance to read things other than briefing books very often these days anyway.”
Byrd Becomes Longest-Serving Member of Congress
Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) has reached a new milestone, becoming the longest-serving member of Congress ever. “I look forward to serving you for the next 56 years and 320 days,” Byrd said in a statement. He regretted that his late wife Erma was not there with him for the occasion: “I know that she is looking down from the heavens smiling at me and saying congratulations, my dear Robert – but don’t let it go to your head.”
ADL Warns Against Anti-Government Extremism, Glenn Beck
The Anti-Defamation League has raised concern in a new report on anti-government extremism — particularly targeting Glenn Beck. About Beck, the group says that his broadcasts “play an important role in drawing people further out of the mainstream, making them more receptive to the more extreme notions and conspiracy theories.”
