Obama Jokes About ASU Honorary Degree Flap
When delivering the commencement address last night at Arizona State University, President Obama joked about the university’s decision to not grant him an honorary degree. “I learned to never again pick another team over the Sun Devils in my NCAA bracket,” said Obama. “And your university President and Board of Regents will soon learn all about being audited by the IRS.”
Obama’s Day Ahead
President Obama will hold a town hall at 12 p.m. ET, at Rancho Rio High School in New Mexico, where he will discuss proposed credit card reforms and consumer protections. He will depart from Kirkland Air Force Base at 2:15 p.m. ET, and is scheduled to arrive back at the White House at 5:50 p.m. ET.
Biden’s Day Ahead
Vice President Biden and his wife Jill are traveling to San Diego today, where they will visit with U.S. Sailors and their families at the Naval Base Coronado. At 3:15 p.m. ET, Biden will deliver remarks to the Sailors and their families on the USS Ronald Reagan. He and Jill will then eat lunch with the Sailors. Vice President Biden will tour the base and meet with Navy SEALs, while Jill will meet with military spouses and community volunteer groups.
WaPo: Republicans Wince At Cheney — But Won’t Say So
The Washington Post reports that many Republicans are unhappy with Dick Cheney’s role as the party’s major spokesman — though they won’t say so openly. “The fact that most people want to talk [without attribution] shows what a problem it continues to be,” said a Republican strategist who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “Cheney continues to be a force among many members of our base, and while he is entirely unhelpful, no one has the standing to show him the door.”
Congressional Dems Pack July Agenda
The Hill reports that Congressional Democrats are planning a very busy July session, with issues including annual spending bills, climate change, health care and a Supreme Court nomination. “It’s a lot, but we’re determined to get it done,” said a senior Senate Democratic aide.
Senate GOP Finds Unity In Decreased Ranks
CQ reports that Senate Republicans have found in their decreased numbers a new sense of unity, and the knowledge that if they are to have any effect it must be through a single front to pass amendments or block Democratic action. “We’ve recognized that we have to band together when we can” said Sen John Thune (R-SD). “It’s not going to happen every time, it’s not going to happen on every issue, but I think there’s a realization that we’re a lot stronger when we operate as a team.”
Poll: Americans Confident In Obama’s Eventual SCOTUS Picks
A new CBS poll finds that Americans are confident President Obama will pick good Justices for the Supreme Court, by a margin of 55%-35%. As can be expected, Democrats are confident 83%-10%, Republicans are not confident at 26%-66%, and independents correspond pretty closely with the top-line numbers at 49%-38%.
