DNC Web Ad Blasts Republican “Angry Mobs”
The Democratic National Committee is expanding its public relations push against the Tea Party crowds that are interrupting town hall meetings, with this new Web ad tying the right-wing base to the GOP establishment:
“Now, desperate Republicans and their well funded allies are organizing angry mobs — just like they did during the election,” the announcer says. “Their goal? Destroy President Obama, and stop the change Americans voted for overwhelmingly in November.”
Obama’s Day Ahead
President Obama will be traveling today to Warakusa, Indiana. He will arrive at South Bend Regional Airport at 11:10 a.m. ET, and will deliver remarks on the economy at Monaco RV in Warakusa at 11:55 a.m. ET. He will depart from South Bend at 1:35 p.m. ET, and will arrive back at the White House at 3:20 p.m. ET.
Biden’s Day Ahead
Vice President Biden will travel today to Detroit, Michigan. At 12 p.m. ET, he will deliver remarks on the economy at NextEnergy. He will return in the evening to Wilmington, Delaware.
Poll: Public Closely Divided On Obama’s Health Care Plan, Opponents More Intense
A new CNN poll finds 50% of Americans in favor of President Obama’s health care plan, to 45% opposed. People under 50 are more likely to support it, and those over 50 are more likely to oppose it. And as CNN’s Bill Schneider points out, there is also an intensity gap: “On issues like this, intensity of opinion matters as much as numbers. Opponents of the president’s health care reform seem to feel more intensely about it than Obama’s supporters.”
Both Clinton Had Key Roles In Release Of Journalists
The New York Times reports that both Hillary and Bill Clinton were involved in Bill’s negotiation with the North Koreans for the release of the two journalists: “Mrs. Clinton was deeply involved in the case, too. She proposed sending various people to Pyongyang — including Mr. Clinton’s vice president, Al Gore — to lobby for the release of the women, before Mr. Clinton emerged as the preferred choice of the North Koreans, people briefed on the talks said.”
WaPo: GOP Senators Seem Unconcerned About Hispanic Backlash To Sotomayor Opposition
The Washington Post reports that Republican Senators seem to have cast off concerns about Latino outreach in their wide-reaching opposition to Sonia Sotomayor. “Latinos see her as a symbol of Hispanic leadership in America,” said GOP strategist Lionel Sosa, who has advised several presidential candidates on Hispanic outreach. “If they vote against Sotomayor, it’s a vote against Hispanic leadership in America. That’s the way Latino voters will see it.”
Cash For Clunkers Extension Likely To Pass
Congress is on track to extend funding for the Cash For Clunkers program for an estimated additional month, transferring $2 billion from a separate stimulus program for renewable energy. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell predicted that Republicans in the Senate will not block the vote: “The matter will be completed.”
Bush Staffers’ Campaigns Could Test W’s Legacy
The Hill reports that several former Bush White House staffers are running for office this year or next year — which could amount to an early test of his political legacy. “President Bush’s popularity rating is obviously very low, and I think the people in my district would probably not look favorably on that,” said Tim Nank, a former Bush staffer who is running for the Virginia legislature. “I haven’t had a lot of people ask me where I worked. They usually ask where I work.”
