Obama: Cheney “Happens To Be Wrong” On National Security
In an interview with National Public Radio, President Obama responded to Dick Cheney, saying that while Cheney has every right to speak up on national security, “He also happens to be wrong, right?” Obama added: “Last time, immediately after his last speech, I think there was a fact check on his speech that didn’t get a very good grade.”
Obama’s Day Ahead
President Obama will be meeting with Senate Democrats at 2:30 p.m. ET in the State Dining Room, to discuss health care reform. At 3:45 p.m. ET, he will sign the Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission Act. At 4:15 p.m. ET, he will meet in the Oval Office with Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. At 6:45 p.m. ET, he will depart from the White House, heading for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Biden’s Day Ahead
Vice President Biden is in New York City today. At 11 a.m. ET, he will hold a roundtable with business leaders, plus New York Gov. David Paterson and other officials, to promote the Recovery Act. In the evening, he will head to New Jersey to attend the campaign kick-off for Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine.
Today: The New Jersey GOP Gubernatorial Primary
Republican voters in New Jersey are going to the polls today to pick a nominee for governor, who will go up against Democratic incumbent Jon Corzine this November. Former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie is heavily favored to win the nomination against right-wing insurgent Steve Lonegan, a former mayor of Bogota, though a low-turnout primary can of course be unpredictable sometimes. The polls close at 8 p.m. ET.
Obama: We Have To Be “Honest” With Israel
Also during his NPR interview, President Obama said he would continue to support Israel, but also to call for a settlement freeze and a two-state solution. “Part of being a good friend is being honest,” said Obama. “And I think there have been times where we are not as honest as we should be about the fact that the current direction, the current trajectory, in the region is profoundly negative, not only for Israeli interests but also U.S. interests.”
Sotomayor To Meet With 10 Different Senators Today
Sonia Sotomayor is headed to Capitol Hill today, where she will meet with the following Senators: Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV); Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY); Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT); Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jeff Sessions (R-AL); Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL); Assistant Minority Leader Jon Kyl (R-AZ); Chuck Schumer (D-NY; Orrin Hatch (R-UT); Dianne Feinstein (D-CA); and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY).
White House Authorizes Invitations For Iranian Diplomats To July 4 Parties
In the latest attempt at outreach to Iran, the Obama Administration has authorized U.S. embassies around the world to invite Iranian officials to their annual July 4 celebrations. It is not yet known how many embassies will actually extend such invitations, or how many Iranian diplomats will accept.
NYT: Obamas’ Attendance At Play Boosts Ticket Sales
The New York Times reports that the Obamas’ trip to New York City over the weekend may have had at least one positive effect on the local economy: The Broadway show “Joe Turner’s Come And Gone” sold twice as many tickets on Sunday as it did the previous Sunday, right after the First Couple attended the play on Saturday.
