TPMDC Sunday Roundup

Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

Mitchell: ‘The President Didn’t Say That Israel Has To Go Back To The ’67 Lines’
Appearing on This Week, former Middle East envoy George Mitchell said that President Obama’s proposals for the Israel-Palestine conflict did not entail a major shift in U.S. policy. “The president didn’t say that Israel has to go back to the ’67 lines. He said with agreed swaps,” said Mitchell. “Swaps means an exchange of land intended to accommodate major Israeli population centers to be incorporated into Israel and Israel’s security needs. Agreed means through negotiations. Both parties must agree.”

Jordanian King: ‘My Instincts Tell Me Not To Expect Much’
Also appearing on This Week, King Abdullah II or Jordan was pessimistic about the Israel-Palestine peace process. “My instincts tell me not to expect much over the next couple of months, unfortunately,” said King Abdullah.” “I just have a feeling that we’re going to be living with the status quo for 2011.”

McConnell: This Is The ‘Very Worst Time To Be Pushing Israel Into Making A Deal’
Appearing on Fox News Sunday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell criticized President Obama’s moves on the Israel-Palestine peace process. “Everybody knows that the ’67 lines are just not tenable… Everybody knows the Palestinians are not in the end going to have a right to return… And everybody knows that Jerusalem, in the end, is not going to be divided,” said McConnell. He also added that now is the “very worst time to be pushing Israel into making a deal.”

Gingrich: ‘We Republicans Have To Go To The Country’ And Talk About Medicare
Appearing on Face The Nation, former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) gave a further clarification to his remarks last week against Rep. Paul Ryan’s (R-WI) proposal to privatize Medicare. “We Republicans have to go to the country, we have to explain what we’re trying to accomplish to save Medicare, how we would save Medicare,” he said. “I believe the Republicans should start with the Ryan plan, should go to the country and explain it, but should listen to the American people and, where necessary, modify it. This is what Paul Ryan believes. It won’t be a ‘yes or no.'”

Ryan On Gingrich: ‘It Was A Gross Mischaracterization Of The House Republican Budget Plan’
Appearing on Meet The Press, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) responded to the Gingrich controversy. “Well, first of all, his quote was deeply inaccurate. It was a gross mischaracterization of the House Republican budget plan,” said Ryan. “Newt’s acknowledged that, he’s retracted it. And let’s be clear what we’re proposing here. This is as sensible and gradual as it gets. We’re saying no changes for Medicare for people above the age of 55. And in order to keep the promise to current seniors who’ve already retired and organized their lives around this program, you have to reform it for the next generation.”

Durbin: Debt Default ‘Could Plunge Us Into Another Recession’
Appearing on State of the Union, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) said that inaction resulting in debt default would “totally unacceptable.” “A default on the American debt could plunge us into another recession with even more jobs lost and businesses failing,” said Durbin. “Those few and I think totally irresponsible members of Congress who say it really doesn’t make any difference if we default are being irresponsible with one of the most significant issues that we’re going to face.”

Durbin: Coburn ‘Walked Away’ From Gang Of Six
Also during his appearance on State of the Union, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) faulted Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) for walking away from the “Gang of Six” deficit negotiations. “We were ready to announce as far as I was concerned and then Sen. Coburn said no I’m not part of this and walked away,” said Durbin. “The question now is whether senators on both sides of the aisle, Democrat and Republican will step up and say don’t stop. We need to do this together, we need to sacrifice and make concessions on both sides if we’re ever going to solve this national problem.”

Latest DC
Comments
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Associate Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: