Axelrod: Obama Won’t Rule Out Middle-Class Tax Hike
Appearing on This Week, Senior White House David Axelrod did not rule out the idea of President Obama raising taxes on people making under $250,000 — which Obama pledged not to do during the 2008 campaign — in order to fund health care. “One of the problems we’ve had in this town is that people draw lines in the sand and they stop talking to each other. And you don’t get anything done,” said Axelrod. “That’s not the way the president approaches us. He is very cognizant of protecting people — middle class people, hard-working people who are trying to get along in a very difficult economy. And he will continue to represent them in these talks.”
McConnell: We Have Best Health Care System In The World
Appearing on Fox News Sunday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) attacked the Democrats’ health care proposals. “Well, listening to them, you wouldn’t recognize that America has the finest health care system in the world. We have some problems with access and with cost, which can — addressed without wrecking the best health care system in the world,” said McConnell. “What they really have in mind, Bret [Baier], is to create a government-run plan after which there won’t be any private insurance companies.”
Poll: Large Majority Favors Sotomayor Confirmation
A new ABC/Washington Post poll finds that 62% of Americans believe Sonia Sotomayor should be confirmed to the Supreme Court, compared to only 25% who are opposed to her. These numbers are stronger than they were for John Roberts and Samuel Alito at the comparable points in their own confirmation processes.
Axelrod: Obama Has Written Letter To Jackson Family
Appearing on Meet The Press, Senior White House Adviser David Axelrod said that President Obama has written a letter of condolence to the family of Michael Jackson. There are no plans to release the letter to the public.
Graham: Dems Practicing Rove, DeLay Politics
Appearing on Meet The Press, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) accused the Democrats of practicing the dirty politics of Karl Rove and Tom DeLay. “The climate change bill was Tom DeLay, banging heads,” Graham said. “The process was beating people up and making them vote for something.”
Graham: Sanford Can Continue As Governor If He Saves His Marriage
Also during his Meet The Press appearance, Graham said that Gov. Mark Sanford (R-SC) can continue in office if he reconciles with his family. “I think if Mark can reconcile with Jenny, and that’s not going to be easy, that he can finish his last 18 months (as governor),” said Graham, who had previously managed the impeachment of Bill Clinton. “He’s had a good reform agenda and I do believe that if he can reconcile with his family, if he’s willing to try, that the people of South Carolina would be willing to give him a second chance.”
Odierno: Iran Still Interfering In Iraq
Appearing on State of the Union , Gen. Ray Odierno said that Iran is continuing to interfere in Iraq, by training insurgents and paying surrogates. But he said that his own mission is limited to providing security within Iraq, regardless of provocation from elsewhere. “I’m not authorized to do anything outside the borders of Iraq,” said Odierno.
Pawlenty On Health Reform: “We Can’t Afford It”
Appearing on State of the Union, potential presidential candidate Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-MN) came out against President Obama’s plans to reform health care, objecting on fiscal grounds. “And, so no, we can’t afford it. This is a nation that has got a debt load and a deficit load that is unsustainable,” said Pawlenty. “We’re going to have, in my view, the federal government debt crisis equivalent of the mortgage crisis within 20 years.”
