–The emerging consensus on the Wikileaks documents seems to be that while they include few shocking revelations, they paint a picture of a faltering mission in Afghanistan that will likely feed growing unease about the sustainability of the American effort there. John Kerry released the following statement as chairman of the Senate …
Senate
Morning Must Reads: On the Scene
–In a show of solidarity, the Obamas will vacation on the Gulf Coast.
–Karen Tumulty writes the White House has skirted racial dialogue at times.
–Virginia Senator Jim Webb dives in head first with an op-ed on “the Myth of White Privilege” in the Wall Street Journal.
–Federal climate legislation is deader than dead for …
Running on Pro Wrestling
Linda McMahon is managing to do just that in Connecticut:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMZ1qQErnpo]
“She tamed the traveling show world of professional wrestling, turned it into a global company and created 500 jobs here in Connecticut,” says the nice momlady in the ad.
And the closing line, “Oooooh yeah.” It’s just …
Morning Must Reads: Tough to Swallow
TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images
–Making the morning TV rounds, Shirley Sherrod stands by her account of her firing and says she received a phone call from her superiors insisting, “The White House wants you to resign.” She’s also openly asking for a conversation with the president, and I’d be shocked if she didn’t get one …
Update on the Energy Bill
The best thing about retiring members: their honesty. Reporters yesterday asked Senator George Voinovich of Ohio, one of the few key GOP votes Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is trying to lure on to his energy bill, what he thought of Reid’s proposal. Voinovich didn’t pull any punches and his answer pretty much sums up the odds of …
Morning Must Reads: Dialogue
REUTERS/Jeff Haynes
–Obama will sign financial regulatory reform into law today. Not pictured: Jamie Dimon or Lloyd Blankfein. Now begins the post-passage PR campaign to sell the bill to voters.
–Tom Vilsack will review the Shirley Sherrod firing.
–The irony of her unseemly ouster is that what she actually said is …
Dems to Extend Bush’s Middle Class Tax Cuts
Just when you thought Congress was spent — literally — and done for the year they’ll turn around and surprise you. No money left to do anything? United Republican opposition? Democrats are planning to take on the great white whale of spending: extending President Bush’s middle class tax cuts. The cost is estimated from $1.6 trillion to …
Confirming Kagan
The Senate Judiciary Committee in the next few minutes will report out the nomination of Solicitor General Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court. Her passage through the committee is all but assured given that Democrats control it by a margin of 12-7. The only bit of news this vote will yield is whether or not South Carolina Senator Lindsey …
Morning Must Reads: Special
–Soon-to-be interim Senator Carte Goodwin is getting seated today, just before the vote to extend unemployment benefits. With his support it’s expected to pass.
–West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin is getting his special election to permanently fill the seat this year. He’s expected to announce his intentions later in the …
Morning Must Reads: Counting Seats
–The GOP has a narrow but very real path to control of the Senate. Nate Silver updates his forecast.
–West Virginia’s legislature leaves the special election to fill Robert Byrd’s seat in doubt.
–Things are looking up for Harry Reid in Nevada. But the state’s economy continues to suffer.
–Obama enters full-blown campaign …
Democratic Food Fights
The week began with a nasty food fight between White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. While on Meet the Press with David Gregory on Sunday, Gibbs made the mistake of conceding that Dems could lose the House in November.
GREGORY: Back on the political debate. Is the house in jeopardy? The majority for
…
A Mandate for Immigration Reform?
As Alex wrote yesterday, TIME has a new poll out. Having focused earlier this week on the immigration debate, I found the questions on the Arizona law particularly interesting. Some 60% of respondents said they liked the Arizona law versus 35% who didn’t like it. That said, 54% said they believe the law would lead to harassment of …
Morning Must Reads: Advice
Reuters/Kevin Lamarque
–BP’s cap appears to be working. But no one is high-fiving just yet.
–Ben Nelson comes out in opposition to a utilities-only carbon cap. That’s one less vote for the Dems’ scaled back energy bill.
–Alan Greenspan says Congress should let the Bush tax cuts expire in January. Pete Davis is floored, …