Obama Declares Bond With Japan ‘Unshakeable’
CNN reports: “President Obama sent his condolences to the people of Japan over the devastating 8.9 magnitude earthquake, and declared that the United States stands ready to offer aid because of the ‘unshakeable’ bond between the two nations. Obama, who was informed of the earthquake at 4 a.m. ET by Chief of Staff Bill Daley, also said he has instructed the Federal Emergency Management Agency ‘to be ready to assist Hawaii and the rest of the U.S. states and territories that could be affected’ by tsunamis.”
Obama’s Day Ahead
President Obama will receive the presidential daily briefing at 9:45 a.m. ET, and meet at 10:15 a.m. ET with senior advisers. He will hold a news conference at 11:15 a.m. ET, officially billed as being about rising energy prices among other issues. At 2:50 p.m. ET, the President and First Lady will honor the 2009-10 Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks in a ceremony.
Biden Heads To Moldova After Russia Trip
AFP reports: “US Vice President Joe Biden was expected Friday in Moldova to signal Washington’s support for democratic and economic reforms in Europe’s poorest country as he wraps up his three-nation European tour. Biden will spend several hours in the capital Chisinau where he will meet the country’s pro-Western leaders in a show of support for the Chisinau government’s aspirations for European integration and efforts to pull itself out of a protracted political and economic crisis.”
Biden Meets Putin, Opposition Leaders In Moscow
Reuters reports: “Vice President Joe Biden told Vladimir Putin on Thursday the United States was determined to strengthen economic ties with Russia, but gently rebuffed the prime minister’s call for visa-free travel between the nations. Biden, on a visit to Moscow to keep up the momentum in President Barack Obama’s “reset” with Russia after two years of improving ties, also met separately with Kremlin opponents and rights activists.”
GOP Senators Threaten To Stall Floor Activity
Roll Call reports: “Nine Republican Senators are threatening to block all legislation in the chamber not related to the federal debt. The lawmakers sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Thursday saying they will object to bringing up any other legislation while the need to increase the national debt limit looms. The group, led by Sen. David Vitter (La.), said it would relent if Reid guaranteed ample time for debate before the debt limit vote.”
New Temporary Spending Bill In Works
The New York Times reports: “With little hope of a budget deal being reached before the end of next week, House Republicans are preparing another short-term spending measure to give the House and Senate a chance to come to agreement over a broader plan to keep the government operating through Sept. 30.”
GOP’s 2012 Playbook: Budget Cuts Blaze Trail
Politico reports: “The Republican Party is undergoing a messy but unmistakable 20-month transformation from fanatically anti-Obama to fanatically anti-spending, providing top party officials a new and intriguing playbook for recapturing the White House in 2012. The new formula can be seen in the big policy fights gripping the nation – and in the political figures leading the charge.”
