Obama Discusses International Cooperation
In this weekend’s YouTube address, President Obama discusses the importance of international cooperation for problems such as the economic crisis, nuclear proliferation, disease and other issues:
“These are challenges that no single nation, no matter how powerful, can confront alone. The United States must lead the way,” said Obama. “But our best chance to solve these unprecedented problems comes from acting in concert with other nations.”
Pawlenty Talks Taxes In RNC YouTube
In this week’s RNC YouTube address, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty uses the weekend before tax day as an occasion to discuss the tax burdens faced by families and businesses:
“I urge President Obama and the Democrat-led Congress to let hardworking American families keep more of what they earn by cutting taxes and reining in spending. It’s just common sense,” said Pawlenty. “I’m sure you will agree, especially on April 15th when your taxes are due.”
No Obama Or Biden Events Today
Neither President Obama nor Vice President Biden have any public events scheduled for today. Obama will be attending Easter services tomorrow at church that has not yet been publicly disclosed, while Biden will be celebrating Easter at the Naval Observatory.
AP: Obama Filling Positions Quickly, But Still Has Hundreds Of Openings
The Associated Press looks at the Obama administration’s pace of filling important federal government positions: “After a spurt of recent activity that followed a problem-plagued start, Obama is outpacing George W. Bush and Bill Clinton on appointments. But Obama, like his two immediate predecessors, is bogged down in a system that has grown increasingly cumbersome over the years. And he’s added tougher-than-ever background checks and ethics rules.”
Anti-Stimulus Governors Slowly Backing Down In Face Of Reality
Ben Smith examines the paths taken by Mark Sanford, Sarah Palin and Bobby Jindal — three GOP governors whoa re potential 2012 presidential candidates, and who have resisted taking stimulus money: “All three found that praise from the conservative movement in Washington meant nothing to furious state legislators of both parties. And in the end, along with other conservative Republican governors, the three submitted letters in recent days asking to be eligible for federal funds, a spokesman for the White House Office of Management and Budget confirmed.”
Carolyn McCarthy Trails Gillibrand In Money Race For Potential Primary
CQ reports that Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), who has not ruled out challenging Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in the Democratic primary, will have to pick up her fundraising pace considerably if she’s serious about it. McCarthy raised only $145,000 in the last quarter, with $262,000 cash on hand — compared to the more than $2.3 million that Gillibrand took in.
Bush Leaves Behind Politics, Working On Historical Legacy
The Washington Post examines the current goings-on of former President George W. Bush, finding a man who is at once withdrawing from current political debates while simultaneously working on his own historical legacy and reputation. “Bush feels content with his presidency, friends said,” the Post reports. “Now he will try to explain his two terms by writing a book and building a presidential center at Dallas’s Southern Methodist University so that history will have the means to judge him fairly.”
Rove Emerges As Principle Bush-Defender, Obama-Basher
On the other hand, the Washington Post also looks at Karl Rove’s current role as a political pundit, actively taking on the Obama White House. “He’s the best. He knows more than anyone else. He’s more proficient, and he has all the facts,” said Mary Matalin. “Karl’s just a gutsy guy. He’s the E.F. Hutton on this.”
