Cheney: “I Worry” When Washington Cares More About Terrorists’ Rights Than Protecting America
In an interview with the Politico, Dick Cheney gave a dire warning that terrorists will try to attack America again, and their success or failure depends on keeping his policies in place. Said Cheney: “When we get people who are more concerned about reading the rights to an Al Qaeda terrorist than they are with protecting the United States against people who are absolutely committed to do anything they can to kill Americans, then I worry.”
Obama’s Day Ahead
President Obama and Tim Geithner are speaking at 11 a.m. ET, where they will deliver remarks on their expected plans to curb executive pay at $500,000 for financial institutions receiving bailout funds. Obama will then meet with Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton and George Mitchell at 11:50 p.m., will have lunch with Biden at 12:15 p.m., and will sign legislation to expand the SCHIP program at 4:30 p.m. He will meet with Ken Salazar at 5:05 p.m., and then he and Michelle Obama will attend a caucus leadership cocktail reception at 7:30 p.m.
Biden Meeting With Indonesian VP, Teamsters Head
Joe Biden will be meeting this afternoon with Jusuf Kalla, the Vice President of Indonesia. He will then meet with Teamsters president James P. Hoffa. Both meetings are closed press.
Obama, On Daschle: “I Screwed Up”
President Obama very bluntly told CNN, “I screwed up,” regarding the Tom Daschle mess. “Ultimately, I campaigned on changing Washington and bottom-up politics,” Obama added. “And I don’t want to send a message to the American people that there are two sets of standards — one for powerful people and one for ordinary folks who are working every day and paying their taxes.”
Minnesota Trial Keeps On Going; State Dems Propose Legislative Way Out
The Minnesota election trial goes into Day 8, while state Democratic legislators are proposing a bill to change the law immediately and award Al Franken a certificate of election while the litigation is still pending, but it does not appear likely to succeed — GOP Governor Tim Pawlenty indicated he won’t support the bill, calling it an attempt to change the rules retroactively.
WaPo: Dems Don’t Have The Votes For Current Stimulus Plan
The Washington Post reports that Democratic leaders don’t have 60 votes to pass the stimulus bill as it now stands, with both Democratic and Republican Senators putting forward amendments to strip various spending items. On the other hand, new spending items and tax breaks are being put in — so the cost is now at over $900 billion.
Joe The Plumber Gives Political Advice To GOP Staffers
Joe “The Plumber” Wurzelbacher visited Capitol Hill yesterday, giving his political advice to a key group of Republican staffers. Wurzelbacher spoke of the importance of stopping the stimulus bill, and for the GOP to take a hard line. “I don’t believe there’s two sides to every story. It’s black and white,” he said. “There’s right and wrong.”
Blago Goes On Letterman
Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich appeared on the David Letterman show last night. “I’ve been wanting to be on your show in the worst way for the longest time,” said Blago. To which Dave replied: “Well, you’re on in the worst way, believe me.”
