Report: Obama Wants Revised Afghanistan Options
President Obama reportedly wants revisions to all the options for Afghanistan that have been presented to him. This comes after Ambassador Karl Eikenberry, a former commander of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, has strongly disagreed with sending more troops, arguing that more troops would only make the Afghan government more dependent on the United States.
Obama’s Day Ahead
President Obama will make a statement at 9:15 a.m. ET, on the economy. He will depart the White House at 9:30 a.m. ET, en route to Alaska. He will arrive in Anchorage at 4:50 p.m. ET, will meet with service members at 5:10 p.m. ET, and will deliver remarks at 5:30 p.m. ET. He will depart form Anchorage at 6:55 p.m. ET, en route to Tokyo, Japan.
Biden’s Day Ahead
Vice President Biden will host a 10:45 a.m. ET Recovery Act Implementation Cabinet Meeting. At 2 p.m. ET, he will meet with the National Sheriffs’ Association, and will be joined by Attorney General Eric Holder. Later, he will host conference calls with governors and mayors from across the country, to discuss stimulus implementation
Report: Reid Considering Higher Payroll Tax On Wealthy, To Finance Health Care
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) is reportedly considering a proposal to raise payroll taxes, but only on those earning over $250,000 per year, in order to finance health care reform. It is not yet known just how large an increase Reid is considering, or whether it would apply to an employer’s portion of the tax as well as the employee’s.
China Compares Dalai Lama To Slave-Masters
The Chinese government is cautioning President Obama against a potential meeting with the Dalai Lama during Obama’s upcoming trip to Asia — with a government spokesman comparing their occupation of Tibet to Lincoln freeing the slaves: “In 1959, China abolished the feudal serf system just as President Lincoln freed the black slaves. So we hope President Obama more than any other foreign state leader can have a better understanding on China’s position on opposing the Dalai’s splitting activities.”
Petraeus: I’m Not Running For President, ‘What About No Don’t You Understand?’
Appearing on CNN, Gen. David Petraeus yet again insisted that he will not run for president, despite the wishes of some Republicans. “I’ll close it right here, right now,” Petraeus said. “I will remind you of the great country song that used to ask ‘What about no don’t you understand.'”
D.C. Private School Learns To Deal With Limelight
The Washington Post said that the Sidwell Friends School, which is attended by the Obama children, has found itself adjusting to being a new center of attention, in the wake of a recent protest by anti-gay activists. Former school head Bruce Stewart looked on the bright side, saying that the students’ educations can be enriched by the experience: “You want to hear those voices, listen to them and make a judgment about it. That’s an important thing for kids to learn … not acquiescing to it, not being duped by it, but hearing it.”
