Iraq War Being Renamed
The Iraq War is being officially renamed, ABC News reports, from its current label of “Operation Iraqi Freedom,” to “Operation New Dawn.” The change will take effect on September 1, coinciding with the withdrawal of U.S. combat forces from the country, and the official change of mission for the troops who will still be there.
Obama’s Day Ahead
President Obama will hold a town hall at 1 p.m. ET, in Henderson, Nevada. At 2:55 p.m. ET he will deliver remarks to the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. He will depart from Las Vegas at 4:05 p.m. ET, arriving back at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington at 8:05 p.m. ET.
Biden’s Day Ahead
Vice President Biden will receive the presidential daily briefing at 9:45 a.m. ET. He will chair a regular meeting of senior officials to assess progress in Iraq, at 11 a.m. ET. Later, he will meet with senior advisers.
Sebelius: White House May Fight For Public Option In Health Bill
Appearing on the Rachel Maddow show, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius said that the Obama administration could support the new move to enact the public option through reconciliation. “Certainly,” Sebelius said, when asked by Maddow. “If it’s part of the decision of the Senate leadership to move forward, absolutely.”
Obama Attacks Washington Gridlock At Bennet Fundraiser
Appearing at a pair of fundraisers yesterday for Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO), President Obama blasted a culture of what he called “falsehoods and exaggerations and slash and burn politics” in Washington. “Michael and I, we don’t have time for that nonsense,” said Obama. “We’re going to keep doing everything in our power to turn this economy around.”
China Objects To Obama’s Meeting With Dalai Lama
The Chinese Foreign Ministry summoned U.S. Ambassador Jon Huntsman, to protest President Obama’s meeting with the Dalai Lama. “The behavior of the U.S. side seriously interferes in China’s internal politics and seriously hurts the national feelings of the Chinese people,” said a statement from spokesman Ma Zhaoxu.
Gay Republicans Face Cool Reception At CPAC
Roll Call reports that GOProud, a new organization for gay Republicans, has been getting a rough reception at CPAC: “Not far from the GOProud booth, several men on Thursday handed out green leaflets that read ‘TO KEEP OUR HONOR CLEAN!’ The leaflet, created by the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property, is a four-page argument against gays serving in the military. The pamphlet, in fact, calls for ‘a moral revolution.'”
