Obama, Republicans Face New Washington Battles
AFP reports: “Barack Obama returns to a transformed Washington next week, with empowered Republicans bristling for a defining budget fight and the calendar relentlessly pointing to the 2012 election. President Obama will swap the peace of his Hawaii vacation for a stormy new political season, looking more resilient and self-confident than many thought possible with his political stock replenished by year-end victories.”
Obama Extends Hawaiian Vacation Another Day
The Associated Press reports: “President Barack Obama is extending his Hawaiian vacation by another day. The White House says Obama will now depart Hawaii late in the evening on Jan. 3, arriving in Washington the following day. The Obamas have already pushed back their departure once, changing their return from Jan. 1 to Jan. 2 after the president delayed his arrival in Hawaii to stay in Washington while Congress wrapped up the legislative year.”
Politicians Still Have $400 Million In Campaign Funds
The Washington Post reports: “Although this year marked the most expensive midterm campaign in U.S. history, that doesn’t mean that all the political money has been spent. Federal lawmakers and former candidates still have almost $400 million left in the bank.”
For GOP, End of the Preordained Candidate
The New York Times reports: “A year ago, Republicans here were shut out of governing but could console themselves with having retained their hold on the party apparatus. This week, they will celebrate the new year having come roaring back to regain the House, and yet they have no semblance of control over the direction of their party and the conservative activists who seem to be steering it.”
Could Reapportionment Help Losing Democrats?
Roll Call reports that redistricting could potentially create new opportunities for recently defeated House Democrats to mount comeback campaigns: “Now, the list of states gaining seats has been finalized, creating new opportunities in such places as Arizona, Texas and Florida where former Members might have a better chance in a newly created district than in a rematch for their old one.”
Dozens Of Incoming GOP Freshmen Represent Districts Carried By Obama
The Hill reports: “The 2010 election netted Republicans 63 House seats, which means there are plenty of targets for Democrats in 2012 — especially in districts that went for President Obama in the last presidential cycle. There are 31 newly elected Republican representatives who represent districts won by Obama. Add those to the current members and that makes 62 Republican-held House seats that Obama carried in 2008.”
