Kennedy Urges Massachusetts To Provide For Speedy Senate Appointment
Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) has written a letter to Gov. Deval Patrick (D-MA) and state legislative leaders, urging them to change the state’s special-election law to allow a temporary gubernatorial appointment. Kennedy wrote that “it is vital for this commonwealth to have two voices speaking for the needs of its citizens and two votes in the Senate during the approximately five months between a vacancy and an election.”
Obama’s Day Ahead
President Obama will appear by phone on Michael Smerconish’s radio show at 1:10 p.m. ET. At 2:45 p.m. ET, he will participate in the Organizing for America National Health Care Forum, at DNC headquarters.
Biden’s Day Ahead
Vice President Biden will hold a roundtable discussion on health insurance reform, at 10:45 a.m. ET in Chicago. He will be joined by Sec. of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, as well as Dr. David Blumenthal, the coordinator for health information technology the Department of Health and Human Services. In the afternoon, he will attend an event for Rep. Debbie Halvorson (D-IL), in Chicago.
Obama: Some Health Care Opponents “Bearing False Witness”
During his conference call with faith leaders yesterday, President Obama bluntly said some of his opponents on health care are lying — and for this context, he phrased it in a Biblical manner. “I know there’s been a lot of misinformation in this debate,” said Obama, “and there are some folks out there who are frankly bearing false witness.”
Poll: Afghanistan Not Worth Fighting
A new ABC/Washington Post poll finds that 51% of Americans say the Afghanistan war is not worth fighting, edging out the 47% who say it is worth it. Only 24% say U.S. forces should be increased, with 45% saying they should be decreased, and 27% staying it should be kept the same.
Government To Wind Down Cash For Clunkers
Sec. of Transportation Ray LaHood has announced that the government will end the popular Cash For Clunkers program, and could announce by Friday the conditions under which the program will be phased out. “We want to make sure that dealers know when we’re getting close,” said LaHood, though he also stressed that dealers will get their money on sales that have already occurred.
Club For Growth Targets GOP Health Care Negotiators
The Club For Growth has launched a new ad campaign against the Republican Senators negotiating with Democrats on health care, running in Iowa, Maine and Wyoming. Here’s the version against Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA):
“Tell Sen. Grassley NOT to cave in to the liberals on health care,” the announcer says.
