DeMint Stands By “Waterloo” Comment Against Obama: “We’ve Got To Stop His Politics”
Appearing this morning on the Today show, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) refused to take back his statement that Republicans can make health care policy into President Obama’s “Waterloo,” and that it will “break” him. When asked whether he stood by it, DeMint responded: “It’s not personal. We’ve got to stop his politics.”
Obama’s Day Ahead
President Obama will meet with Treasury Sec. Tim Geithner at 11 a.m. ET. At 2 p.m. ET, he will have an expanded meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, and a one-on-one meeting with Maliki at 2:45 p.m. ET. AT 3 p.m. ET, the two will hold a joint press availability. At 8 p.m. ET, Obama will hold a news conference.
Biden’s Day In The Ukraine And Georgia
Vice President Biden is spending the day in the Ukraine and the Republic of Georgia. He held a press conference earlier at 3 a.m. ET (10 a.m. local time) with Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko, and he delivered remarks at 4:30 a.m. ET. He departed from the Ukraine at 8 a.m. ET, and will arrive in Georgia at 10:15 a.m. ET (6:15 p.m. local time). He will meet with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili at 12 p.m. ET, and will attend an outdoor concert at 1:35 p.m. ET.
Biden States U.S. Support For Independent Ukraine, Rejects Russian Sphere Of Influence
During his speech today in the Ukraine, Vice President Biden reaffirmed American support for the country’s independence: “As we reset the relationship with Russia, we reaffirm our commitment to an independent Ukraine and we recognize no sphere of influence or no ability of any other nation to veto the choices an independent nation makes.”
Hillary: “We Want Verifiable, Irreversible Steps Taken” By North Korea
While speaking in Thailand, Sec. of State Hillary Clinton demanded changes in behavior from North Korea, in exchange for normalizing of relations. “We do not want to be in another negotiation that doesn’t move us toward the goal of denuclearization,” said Clinton. “So we want verifiable, irreversible steps taken.”
Centrist Dems: “Imperative” That We Reach Consensus On Abortion In Health Care Bill
The Washington Post reports that a group of centrist Democrats has proposed a compromise on abortion in the health care bill, seeking to neither require nor ban private insurers from covering it — as long as federal funds are not used, essentially an affirmation of the status quo in current laws. “Now it is imperative that we reach some consensus on the issue of abortion in health care reform, so that we can move this critical legislation forward,” the group of lawmakers said in a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Specter Gives Money Back To Republican Donors
Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) refunded $224,000 to donors in the previous quarter, mostly from giving money back to Republicans who were angered by his switch to the Democrats. Specter was not legally required to return money, but voluntarily said he would do so. Overall, he raised $1.74 million for the quarter, eight times more than he had to return.
Jackson Browne Settles Lawsuit With McCain Camp, Republican Party
Singer-songwriter Jackson Browne has reached a settlement with the McCain campaign and the Republican Party, over the unauthorized use of the liberal musician’s song “Running on Empty” in a Web video last year. In addition to an undisclosed financial settlement, the McCain campaign, the RNC and Ohio GOP have issued a public apology and promised to seek permission for the use of copyrighted works in the future.
