Official White House photo by Pete Souza
–Marco Rubio is the subject of an IRS probe into whether alleged use of Republican party credit cards for personal expenses warrants criminal charges. A wider federal inquiry involving the U.S. attorney, FBI and IRS has been launched into the Florida GOP’s expenses. The latest wrinkle in an already dramatic Senate race could affect Crist’s calculus. While the primary isn’t until August 24, he only has until April 30 to decide whether to run as a Republican or an independent.
–Drip, drip, drip: A state rep. claims Crist scrubbed all mentions of the Republican party from his website and there are reports he’s drafting a switcheroo speech.
–The three major Democratic campaign committees finished March with more cash on hand than their Republican counterparts. A DNC official says the strong showing was due in large part to health reform.
–The Washington Post finds more than two thirds of the money raised by both parties goes to operating costs and donor feting, not candidates. The RNC spent $340k on its Hawaii meeting.
–With bipartisan talks renewed, a deal on financial reform is reportedly close. By my count, there have only been two (non-Corker) Republican requests reported: 1) Nix the resolution fund, which, as we’ve said, is not a game changer. 2) Have a “bipartisan approach,” whatever that entails. It will be pretty easy for GOPers to declare victory and support the thing when the time comes if that’s what they want to do.
–Mike Konczal makes the case for pre-funding the resolution process.
–John Dickerson wonders how feisty Obama will get when he speaks Thursday at Cooper Union.
–He’s already calling Scott Brown about immigration reform and the Kerry-Lieberman-Graham climate bill is set to be unveiled Monday. The politics of a midterm year presents no small obstacle, but Obama seems determined to go big.
–Mike Allen highlights an Emanuel line that reflects how the White House sees ambitiously pursuing its agenda as central to its political identity:
What the country really wants is action. … Voters will ultimately support candidates who are delivering results, reforming the system, bringing change to Washington and getting things done.
–Mark Leibovich profiles the indefatigable Allen in the upcoming New York Times Sunday magazine.
–Obama is conducting interviews with potential Stevens replacements, but his decision may still be a few weeks off.
–He meets with top Senators to talk confirmation today.
–Wall Street employees give a lot to politicians. Tyler Cowen argues it doesn’t mean they pull all the strings.
–And tax policy folks mourn the VAT and the defunct deficit discourse in D.C.
What did I miss?
