Obama Slams GOP Reversals On Fiscal Commission
In this weekend’s YouTube address, President Obama called for taking action to reduce the budget deficit. He also blasted Republican Senators who stopped the formation of a Fiscal Commission, after having previously co-sponsored it:
“This past week, 53 Democrats and Republicans voted for this commission in the Senate. But it failed when seven Republicans who had co-sponsored this idea in the first place suddenly decided to vote against it,” said Obama. “Now, it’s one thing to have an honest difference of opinion about something. I will always respect those who take a principled stand for what they believe, even if I disagree with them. But what I won’t accept is changing positions because it’s good politics. What I won’t accept is opposition for opposition’s sake. We cannot have a serious discussion and take meaningful action to create jobs and control our deficits if politicians just do what’s necessary to win the next election instead of what’s best for the next generation.”
Collins: Obama Administration Can’t See A Terrorist ‘Even When He Stands Right In Front Of Them’
In this weekend’s Republican address, a very alarmed Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) lambasted the Obama administration’s handling of the Abdulmutallab case:
“The Obama administration appears to have a blind spot when it comes to the War on Terrorism,” said Collins. “And, because of that blindness, this administration cannot see a foreign terrorist even when he stands right in front of them, fresh from an attempt to blow a plane out of the sky on Christmas Day. There’s no other way to explain the irresponsible, indeed dangerous, decision on Abdulmutallab’s interrogation. There’s no other way to explain the inconceivable treatment of him as if he were a common criminal.”
Obama Meets With George H.W. Bush
President Obama met in the Oval Office this morning with a previous occupant of it, former President George H.W. Bush. The elder Bush left the meeting 35 minutes later, telling reporters that it was a “good meeting, good meeting.” He was also accompanied by one of his sons, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. The White House said it was purely a social call, as Bush was in Washington for a dinner.
Obama Attends Basketball Game
President Obama attended a sold out college basketball game today, watching Georgetown take on Duke. The two schools are using their game to help raise money for children in refugee camps in Darfur.
Skyrocketing Costs May Have Doomed NYC Trial Plan
The Associated Press reports that a recent speech to a police organization by Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, in which he laid out the extensive costs that would be involved in securing the city for the 9/11 terrorism trials, may have caused the Justice Department to reconsider the plans. “The investment that the department would have to make … and the details of the plan itself, how it would’ve impacted the traffic in lower Manhattan,” Kelly told reporters. “That was the first time they heard it in one fell swoop, so to speak, and it raised their concerns.”
Dorgan: Obama Should Have Focused On Jobs Over Health Care
In an interview on C-Span, Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) said that the Obama administration should have focused more on the issue of jobs, instead of health care. “My feeling is that, a year ago, the issue should have been all economy all the time and all about jobs all the time,” said Dorgan, who is retiring this year. “While I think health care is very important — it’s a significant part of our economy — I think what takes precedence over that is the American people seeing their government deciding job one is to try to repair this economy and put people back to work.”
Edwards’s Attorneys: ‘There Are Many Allegations Which Are Simply False’ In Andrew Young’s Book
Former Sen. John Edwards’s (D-NC) attorneys have issued a statement on the new tell-all book by former Edwards political aide Andrew Young: “While we have not had an opportunity to view the interview or read the book, we urge extreme caution by everyone involved. From media reports, it is obvious that there are many allegations which are simply false. It appears that Andrew Young is primarily motivated by financial gain and media attention.”
Boozman To Challenge Blanche Lincoln In Arkansas
Rep. John Boozman (R-AR) is set to declare soon that he will run for Senate against Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln. The incumbent’s poll numbers have shown serious vulnerability against the current field of GOP challengers, which is made up of two state senators and two businessmen. An interesting fact is that Lincoln was first elected in an open-seat race in 1998, defeating Boozman’s bother, former state Sen. Fay Boozman.
