Obama: Fort Hood Shooting Will Be Fully Reviewed
In this weekend’s YouTube address, President Obama said there will be a full investigation of the shooting at Fort Hood, and whether better steps could have been taken to prevent it:
“The purpose of this review is clear: We must compile every piece of information that was known about the gunman, and we must learn what was done with that information,” said Obama. “Once we have those facts, we must act upon them. If there was a failure to take appropriate action before the shootings, there must be accountability. Beyond that – and most importantly – we must quickly and thoroughly evaluate and address any flaws in the system, so that we can prevent a similar breach from happening again. Our government must be able to act swiftly and surely when it has threatening information. And our troops must have the security that they deserve.”
Kirk: Dem Health Care Bill Would Make Top Taxes Worse Than France
This weekend’s Republican address is by Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL), a candidate for President Obama’s former Senate seat in 2010. Kirk attacks the Democrats on health care — and even says it would make some Americans worse off than if they were in France:
“The Pelosi health care bill has no significant lawsuit reforms and does not guarantee your medical rights from government waiting lines or restrictions,” said Kirk. “In the teeth of the Great Recession, the Pelosi bill would impose ten new taxes on the American economy. The top combined tax rate for my state of Illinois would be four percentage points higher than France.”
Obama To Asia: I’m ‘America’s First Pacific President’
Speaking in Japan, President Obama pitched himself to Asian leaders as “America’s first Pacific President,” and promised greater trade and diplomatic relations with the region, including both China and Japan. “So I want every American to know that we have a stake in the future of this region. This is where we engage in much of our commerce and buy many of our goods,” said Obama. “And this is where we can export more of our own products and create jobs back home in the process.”
AP Fact Check: Palin ‘Goes Rogue’ On Facts
An Associated Press review of Sarah Palin’s new book finds her making many false statements, from her statements on policy to the facts about her own political career. “Ignoring substantial parts of her record if not the facts, she depicts herself as a frugal traveler on the taxpayer’s dime, a reformer without ties to powerful interests and a politician roguishly indifferent to high ambition,” the AP says. “Palin goes adrift, at times, on more contemporary issues, too. She criticizes President Barack Obama for pushing through a bailout package that actually was achieved by his Republican predecessor George W. Bush — a package she seemed to support at the time.”
McCain Gets Autographed Copy Of Palin’s Book
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) has received a signed copy of Sarah Palin’s new book, a gift from his former running mate. “I’ve just received a signed copy from her yesterday, so I will read it with interest,” McCain told supporters — which certainly should be interesting, considering that much of the book is composed of Palin criticizing the McCain campaign and its treatment of her.
Gregg: We ‘Know From Experience’ GOP Proposals Would Save Money — But Can’t Be Scored By CBO
Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) said that Republican health care proposals would save money — but that we don’t know how to calculate it under CBO rules. “They would actually save money,” said Gregg. “Some of them don’t score because we don’t know how to score them under CBO rules, but we actually know from experience that they would produce more effectively delivered cost service.”
GOP Gets Conservatives’ Approval For 2010 Candidates
CQ reports that the NRCC has met with top conservative activists, in the wake of the NY-23 special election loss, and reviewed their challenger candidates for 2010. “They went through the 45 candidates that they had and there were no problems,” said top anti-tax campaigner Grover Norquist. “This is exactly the kind of meeting that, if you had 20/20 hindsight, [would have helped] months ago when New York 23 poked up.”
New Reid Ad: He’s ‘America’s Powerful Senator’
A new campaign ad by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) reminds voters in Nevada of his clout in Washington as leader — with the announcer alternately calling him “the most powerful Senator Nevada has ever had” and “America’s most powerful Senator”:
“As the leader of the Senate, my responsibility is to make sure that no one takes advantage of Nevada,” Reid says.
