Unhappy Democrats Say Tax Bill Likely To Pass
The Associated Press reports: “Slowly, painfully and reluctantly, congressional Democrats are slogging their way toward acceptance of President Barack Obama’s tax cut compromise, which would let rich and poor Americans keep Bush-era tax cuts that were scheduled to expire this month. After Obama publicly defended the plan for a third day Wednesday, and Vice President Joe Biden met with Democratic lawmakers in the Capitol for a second day, several Democrats predicted the measure will pass, mainly because of extensive Republican support.”
Obama’s Day Ahead
President Obama and Vice President Biden will receive the presidential daily briefing at 9:30 a.m. ET. Obama will hold a meeting of the President’s Export Council at 10:15 a.m. ET. He will meet with senior advisers at 11:05 a.m. ET. Obama and Biden will meet for lunch at 12:30 p.m. ET, and receive the economic daily briefing at 2:30 p.m. ET. Obama will meet with Admiral Mike Mullen at 3:35 p.m. ET. The First Family will attend the National Christmas Tree Lighting at 4:55 p.m. ET, at which Obama will deliver remarks.
Biden’s Day Ahead
Vice President Biden will attend President Obama’s daily briefing at 9:30 a.m. ET. He will meet with U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom Louis Susman at 11 a.m. ET. He will meet with President Obama for lunch at 12:30 p.m. ET. Afterwards, he will attend Obama’s economic daily briefing at 2:30 p.m. ET.
New Republican Lawmakers Are Hiring Lobbyists, Despite Campaign Rhetoric
The Washington Post reports: “Several of the candidates won with strong support from the anti-establishment tea party movement. These cases illustrate the endurance of Washington’s traditional power structure, even in the wake of an election dominated by insurgent rhetoric. In addition to hiring lobbyists, many newly elected House Republicans have begun holding big-dollar fundraisers in Washington to pay off debts and begin preparing for 2012.”
Biden Expands Job Profile As Lead Liaison To Hill
Roll Call reports: “The White House may have finally figured out the secret to charming Republicans on Capitol Hill: Vice President Joseph Biden. Biden played a critical role in crafting an agreement with Senate Republicans on tax cut extensions and has twice in two days been dispatched to the Hill to persuade Congressional Democrats to support it. And so far, he’s getting mostly positive reviews — even from some liberal Democrats angry with the details of the deal.”
Likely GOP Hopefuls Line Up Against Nuclear Treaty
The Associated Press reports: “Republicans weighing a White House bid fiercely oppose a new nuclear arms treaty with Russia and stand in stark contrast to two presidents, Democrat Barack Obama and Republican George H.W. Bush, on a critical foreign policy issue…Gingrich joins Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty, John Thune and Sarah Palin — all outspoken critics of the pact.”
Nader: I Am Looking For Someone To Challenge Obama In 2012
The Hill reports: “Perennial third-party candidate Ralph Nader predicted on Wednesday that President Obama’s tax deal with Republicans will earn him a primary challenge in 2012. Though he wouldn’t rule out another presidential campaign himself, Nader, 76, said he hoped that a new face would take up the progressive cause. ‘I’m not foreclosing the possibility … There are just other things to do,’ he said. ‘And it’s time for someone else to continue.'”
