Israel Sees Talks Failing As George Mitchell Meets Netanyahu
U.S. Middle East Envoy George Mitchell is set to meet today with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. At the same time, the Israeli government is openly predicting that indirect talks with the Palestinians would fail. “This won’t work … indirect talks, proximity talks will not yield results,” said Intelligence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Dan Meridor, in remarks published in the Jerusalem Post.
Obama’s Day Ahead
President Obama will receive the presidential daily briefing at 10 a.m. ET, and meet at 10:30 a.m. ET with senior advisers. He will meet at 11:15 a.m. ET with Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ), and at 11:45 a.m. ET with Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT). At 1:30 p.m. ET, he will deliver remarks and sign the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act. At 6 p.m. ET, he will deliver remarks at a Cinco de Mayo reception.
Obama Interviews Diane Wood For Supreme Court
President Obama interviewed federal Judge Diane Wood, a potential nominee for the Supreme Court, on Tuesday. She is the fourth known individual to meet with Obama for the possible appointment, along with Solicitor General Elena Kagan, Judge Merrick Garland, and Judge Sidney Thomas.
Wall Street Bill Offers Chance For Some Chits
Roll Call reports: “In high-profile legislative debates, party leaders often dole out amendments for their embattled colleagues to champion on the floor. But in the case of financial reform, the tail appears to be wagging the dog. Democratic Senators, including those who aren’t in a race this cycle, have filed scores of amendments and obliterated the need to assign tasks.”
Black Hopefuls Pick This Year In GOP Races
The New York Times reports that the number of black Republican candidates for Congress has surged this year. In total, 32 candidates are running, and roughly five are said to have a chance of winning. “There is no denying that one of the things that came out of the election of Obama was that you have a lot of African-Americans running in both parties now,” said Vernon Parker, the mayor of Paradise Valley, Arizona, who is running in a contested primary for an open GOP-held House seat.
Tea Party Groups Battling Perceptions Of Racism
The Washington Post reports that Tea Party groups are working to dispel accusations of racism. “We don’t want the worst elements to take this over,” said Brendan Steinhauser, campaign director for FreedomWorks. “If they do, the tea party loses independents, it loses moderates, it loses people who don’t tolerate this. Being a racist is one of the worst things you can be in this society. No one wants to be labeled this.”
House Considers Plan To Shield Galleries
The Hill reports that House officials are considering a plan offered by Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN) to place a clear shield in the public viewing area of the House chamber, in order to protect lawmakers from potential terrorist attacks. “If I was a terrorist and I wanted to get this place, I wouldn’t need a nuclear weapon,” said Burton, who said he has discussed the idea with Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). “All I would have to do is put on plastic explosives and come out here when we had a major vote and jump down on the floor and blow myself up.”
