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NYT: Dems Seem Set To Go It Alone On Health Bill
The New York Times reports that Democrats are getting closer to working without Republicans on health care reform, in the wake of continued intransigence by the GOP. “Administration officials, who maintain that Republicans are badly mischaracterizing the legislation that has emerged from three House committees and the Senate health committee, said they had hoped to achieve some level of bipartisan support,” the Times reports. “But they are becoming increasingly convinced that they will instead have to navigate the complicated politics among varying Democratic factions.”

Obama’s Day Ahead
President Obama will deliver remarks at 4:30 p.m. ET from the South Portico, honoring 2008 Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson. At 5:30 p.m. ET, he will hold a conference call with faith leaders to discuss health insurance reform.

Biden’s Day Ahead
Vice President Biden is spending the day in Orlando, Florida. He will travel to Jackson Middle School, where he will be joined by Sec. of Education Arne Duncan, to promote the stimulus program at 10 a.m. ET. In the afternoon, he will attend events for freshman Reps. Suzanne Kosmas (D-FL) and Alan Grayson (D-FL).

WaPo: White House Was Unprepared For Fight Over Public Option
The Washington Post reports that the White House has been surprised by the fight over the public option, especially the vociferousness of liberals. “I don’t understand why the left of the left has decided that this is their Waterloo,” said an anonymous senior White House adviser. “We’ve gotten to this point where health care on the left is determined by the breadth of the public option. I don’t understand how that has become the measure of whether what we achieve is health-care reform.”

PhRMA Defends Itself From Boehner Attack
The Hill reports that the drug industry lobbying group PhRMA is defending itself from an attack by House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH), who castigated the group for “appeasement” in working with President Obama on health care reform. “At the end of the day, comprehensive healthcare reform is good for patients, the economy and the future of our country,” said PhRMA senior vice president Ken Johnson.

RNC Takes McCain-Feingold To Court
The Republican National Committee is challenging a section of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance law, which does not allow national parties to give money directly to state candidates. The GOP wishes to spend money on the New Jersey and Virginia gubernatorial races. their case will be heard by a three-judge panel on August 27.

Fiorina Files Senate Campaign Committee With IRS
Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina has taken a formal step toward running for Senate from California in 2010, as a Republican against Democratic incumbent Barbara Boxer, filing a “Carly for California” committee with the IRS. “The people of California have serious concerns about job creation, economic growth and the role of government in solving problems that touch each of our lives,” said Fiorina in a statement.

Barney Frank Shouts Down Protestor With Obama-as-Hitler Sign
Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) confronted a protestor at a local event who had a sign of President Obama with a Hitler mustache, and who called Obama’s health care plan a Nazi policy. “Ma’am, trying to have a conversation with you would be like trying to argue with a dining room table. I have no interest in doing it,” said Frank, also adding that her sign “is a tribute to the First Amendment that this kind of vile, contemptible nonsense is so freely propagated.”

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