Poll: Palin’s National Favorability Drops As She Leaves Office
A new ABC/Washington Post poll finds that Gov. Sarah Palin’s (R-AK) national favorability numbers are in bad territory as she prepares to resign her office. Only 40% of Americans view her favorably, with 53% viewing her unfavorably, down from a 46%-51% number from two weeks before Election Day 2008. In addition, only 37% say she understands complex issues, to 57% who say she does not.
Obama’s Day Ahead
President Obama will have his regular morning briefings, and then he will meet with Vice President Biden at 11 a.m. ET. He will then meet at 11:30 a.m. ET with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and with Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT), and with Sec. of State Hillary Clinton at 12:30 p.m. ET. He will speak at the Department of Education at 1:15 p.m. ET. At 5:30 p.m. ET, he will sign a proclamation celebrating the 19th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. At 8:45 p.m. ET, the President and First Lady will attend the Marine Corps Evening Parade.
Biden’s Day Ahead
Vice President Biden has returned to the United States from his trip to the Ukraine and Georgia. He will attend the White House meetings this morning, including his meeting at 11 a.m. ET with President Obama. At 11:30 a.m. ET, he will hold a delegation meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, and then a one-on-one meeting with Maliki.
Baucus: Removing Health Care Deadline Should Help Process
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) said yesterday that the delay of a vote on health care reform should help the process. “I think it’s helping a little because this is so complicated and Senators want to feel comfortable with what they’re doing,” Baucus told reporters.
Obama To Use Stimulus Money To Push For Changes In Education
During his remarks today at the Department of Education, President Obama will officially announce the “Race to the Top” initiative, under which states can compete for grants from a pool of $4.35 billion in stimulus money. Schools will be encouraged to ease limits on charter schools, and to tie teacher pay to student achievement.
National Dems’ Pick Won’t Run In Special Election
New York state Sen. Darrel Aubertine, who had been courted by the national Democrats to run for the upcoming NY-23 special election, has announced that he will not run. Republicans have already picked state Rep. Dede Scozzafava, a social liberal who favors gay marriage and abortion rights, to be their candidate to replace Rep. John McHugh (R), who has been nominated by President Obama to be Secretary of the Army.
Boehner: Republicans “Putting Final Touches” On Their Health Care Plan
House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) said yesterday that the House Republicans will have an alternative health care plan, but did not say when it would be ready. Boehner explained that Republicans will “make decisions at the appropriate time for how we’ll proceed,” and that they are “putting the final touches” on their bill.
Inhofe: Stalling Health Care Will Be “Huge Gain” For GOP In 2010
Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) declared on the Hugh Hewitt radio show that Republicans can block President Obama on health care — and that it will be a political plus to do so. “We can stall it,” said Inhofe. “And that’s going to be a huge gain for those of us who want to turn this thing over in the 2010 election.”
