Obama: ‘The Special Interests Want To Take Congress Back’ And GOP Is Helping Them
In this weekend’s YouTube address, President Obama blasted Republicans for blocking a vote on the DISCLOSE Act, which would mitigate the Citizens United decision by forcing transparency of corporate funding of political advertisements.
“Now, the special interests want to take Congress back, and return to the days when lobbyists wrote the laws,” said Obama. “And a partisan minority in Congress is hoping their defense of these special interests and the status quo will be rewarded with a flood of negative ads against their opponents. It’s a power grab, pure and simple. They’re hoping they can ride this wave of unchecked influence all the way to victory.”
Walden: ‘Take Action Immediately’ On Taxes And Spending
In this weekend’s Republican address, Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR) called for immediate action to stop impending tax-rate increases, and cutting non-defense spending down to 2008 levels. However, Walden did not specifically explain that the impending rate increases are a product of the Bush tax cuts of 2001, nor did he say that the Republican plan would involve preserving the tax cuts for incomes over $250,000.
“If President Obama and Washington Democrats are truly focused on creating jobs, we should take action immediately to cut government spending and stop all of these impending tax hikes,” said Walden. “And if Speaker Pelosi will allow up-or-down votes on these priorities this month, we can show the American people we’re listening and ready to put their best interests – those of our constituents – the people we work for – first.”
Palin Pumps Up Iowa Party Faithful
The Des Moines Register reports: “Sarah Palin offered a full-throated call to arms for angry and out-of-power Republicans on Friday in front of an audience of some of the nation’s most influential party activists as the headliner for a sold-out Iowa GOP fundraiser in Des Moines. But the former Alaska governor only winked at the significance of her appearance in the state where the campaigns for the leadoff presidential caucuses are expected to crank up in a matter of months. Palin joked after taking the stage at Hy-Vee Hall that her husband, Todd, urged her to work out inside after they arrived in Des Moines on Friday. ‘Todd says, ‘I guarantee, if anyone spots you in tennis shoes, the headline is going to be in Vanity Fair. They’re going to say, “Palin in Iowa, decides to run,”” Palin said.”
Senate Will Try To Push Defense Bill Next Week
Roll Call reports: “Senate Democrats will try to make headway on a defense authorization measure next week, but it is not clear whether they can generate the 60 votes need to overcome GOP resistance to the bill. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) acknowledged on the floor this week that the Senate is unlikely to pass the measure before the midterm elections because of a time crunch on the floor and staunch GOP opposition to a handful of controversial provisions, including a repeal of the military’s ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy.”
Unions Find Members Slow to Rally Behind Democrats
The New York Times reports: “Labor leaders, alarmed at a possible Republican takeover of one or both houses of Congress, promise to devote a record amount of money and manpower to helping Democrats stave off disaster. But political analysts, and union leaders themselves, say that their efforts may not be enough because union members, like other important parts of the Democratic base, are not feeling particularly enthusiastic about the party — a reality that, in turn, further dampens the Democrats’ chances of holding onto their Congressional majorities.”
Senate Democratic Candidates Backing Away From Obama Tax Plan
The Hill reports: “Senate Democratic candidates are wavering over whether to support President Obama’s plan to raise taxes on families earning more than $250,000 a year. At least seven Democrats in battleground states say they support or could support extending tax breaks for families who make more than $250,000.”
