Obama Looks To Reenergize Youth Vote
The Washington Post reports: ” President Obama will swoop into the heartland this week in a high-stakes bid to boost enthusiasm for Democrats by reigniting the coalition of young and minority voters who were critical to his success two years ago. With polls showing independent voters swinging toward Republicans in Wisconsin and the nation’s other battlegrounds, Democrats are turning elsewhere to make up ground. So on Tuesday in Madison, Obama will stage the first in a series of rallies on college campuses designed to persuade what some call his ‘surge’ voters – the roughly 15 million Americans who voted for the first time in 2008 – to return to the polls this fall.”
Obama’s Day Ahead
President Obama was interviewed live on the Today Show at 8 a.m. ET. He will receive the presidential daily briefing at 10:15 a.m. ET, and meet at 10:45 a.m. ET with senior advisers. At 12:10 p.m. ET, he will hold an on-the-record conference call with college and university student-journalists. He will sign the Small Business Jobs Act at 1:45 p.m. ET. He will depart from the White House at 5 pm. ET, and depart from Andrews Air Force Base at 5:15 p.m. ET, arriving at 8:55 p.m. ET in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Biden’s Day Ahead
Vice President Biden will travel in the morning to Manchester, New Hampshire. At 10:45 a.m. ET, he will host a backyard discussion on the economy at a private residence, joined by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Congressman and Senate candidate Paul Hodes (D-NH), and Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH). At 12:30 p.m. ET, he will attend an event for Hodes and Shea-Porter. Hew ill then return to Washington, and meet with senior advisers.
Israeli Settlement Freeze Ends Putting Peace Talks In Doubt
Reuters reports: “Israel let a moratorium on new building in settlements expire on Monday but Palestinians held back from carrying out a threat to quit peace talks, giving the United States more time to try to save the negotiations. There appeared to be at least a one-week window for U.S. diplomatic efforts to avert what would be a major embarrassment for President Barack Obama — the collapse of a peace process launched at the White House just four weeks ago.”
Moderates Unsure About Pelosi
CQ reports: “Nancy Pelosi ‘s support among moderate Democrats appears to be eroding, with more than a handful refusing to commit to supporting her for Speaker next year. The list includes Reps. Bobby Bright (Ala.), Jim Marshall (Ga.), Gene Taylor (Miss.) and Walt Minnick (Idaho), who recently declined to publicly support Pelosi for another two-year term. Roughly a half-dozen other moderate Democrats also demurred when asked whether they would vote to let Pelosi keep the gavel.”
Senate Democrats Not Backing Down On Push For Filibuster Reform
The Hill reports: “Despite expected losses this fall, Senate Democrats are not backing down on their commitment to filibuster reform. In the wake of two failed procedural votes last week, some Democrats in the upper chamber say reform is necessary. However, obstacles remain in the form of Democratic centrists and election-year politics.”
Liberal Groups Planning To Rally On National Mall
The New York Times reports: “Hoping to overshadow last month’s large rally led by Glenn Beck that drew many Tea Party advocates and other conservatives, a coalition of liberal groups plan to descend on Washington on Saturday to make the case that they, and not the ascendant right, speak for America’s embattled middle class. Predicting a crowd of more than 100,000, some 300 liberal groups — including the N.A.A.C.P., the A.F.L.-C.I.O., the National Council of La Raza and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force — are sponsoring a march on Saturday in the hope of transforming the national conversation so it focuses less on the Tea Party.”
