Obama: America Is ‘Speaking Out’ –Â And GOP Isn’t Listening
In this weekend’s YouTube address, President Obama took on the Republican leadership on economic issues.
“The Republicans in Washington claimed to draw their ideas from a website called ‘America Speaking Out.’ It turns out that one of the ideas that’s drawn the most interest on their website is ending tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas,” said Obama. “Funny thing is, when we recently closed one of the most egregious loopholes for companies creating jobs overseas, Republicans in Congress were almost unanimously opposed. The Republican leader John Boehner attacked us for it, and stood up for outsourcing, instead of American workers. So, America may be speaking out, but Republicans in Congress sure aren’t listening. They want to put special interests back in the driver’s seat in Washington.”
McCarthy: GOP’s Pledge ‘Isn’t About Republicans Or Democrats,’ It’s About You
In this weekend’s Republican address, Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) promoted the GOP’s new “Pledge to America” platform.
“I am speaking to you on behalf of Republicans to tell you that we’ve been listening, and we’ve heard you. We heard you loud and clear, and we assure you that there is nothing more inspiring than the common voice of the common man,” said McCarthy, also adding: “We know that you want a government dedicated to working for the people, and that’s why we’ve written this Pledge to America. This pledge isn’t about Republicans or Democrats, liberals or conservatives – it’s about you.”
Peace Talks In Jeopardy, Hillary Clinton And Abbas Meet
The Associated Press reports: “Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton spent nearly a half-hour Friday meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as the Obama administration tried to prevent Israeli-Palestinian peace talks from collapsing. The Palestinians have threatened to walk out of the talks if Israel does not extend a slowdown in West Bank settlement activity that expires on Sunday. After Clinton’s 25-minute meeting with Abbas, State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley told reporters that the U.S. efforts to keep the talks alive were continuing.”
Bill Clinton Raises Billions To Tackle Poverty
The Associated Press reports: “Former President Bill Clinton’s three-day conference for VIPs with deep pockets generated nearly 300 new commitments valued at $6 billion to tackle major global issues from poverty and disease to climate change. The sixth Clinton Global Initiative, which wrapped up late Thursday, brought together 67 current and former heads of state, more than 600 business leaders, and more than 500 leaders from non-governmental and philanthropic organizations. The VIP attendees included President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, the former president’s wife, Queen Rania of Jordan and Bill Gates.”
Democrats Ready Campaign Fodder for Floor Votes
Roll Call reports: “House and Senate Democrats are planning to bring up a handful of bills next week that they believe will play well on the campaign trail — and then to dash out of town at the end of the week to campaign for the midterm elections. The Senate will convene at 2 p.m. Monday and hold an unusual live quorum Monday evening on the Democrats’ latest jobs bill intended to keep jobs in the United States. The bill would punish companies that move factories overseas while offering financial incentives if they move factories to the United States from abroad. Senate Democrats, who last week punted voting on tax cuts before the elections, are using the anti-offshoring package as a last attempt to draw contrasts with Republicans heading into the election.”
House Lawmakers Seeking Higher Office Put Campaigning Before Voting
The Hill reports: “House legislative business is a low priority for several lawmakers who have their eyes trained on higher office. Four members of Congress running for the Senate or governor have missed more than half of the votes held by the House since returning from the August recess. A fifth lawmaker has missed half of the scheduled votes.”
