GOP Retreat

Obama went to a republican retreat Friday after being invited to address their caucus. The Republican leaders said they are grateful for Obama's willingness to come and have a conversation with them. There were many things they disagreed on, but some they did actually agree on too. Obama said: republicans were mischaracterizing his policy proposals. Republicans said: congress democrats had ignored their ideas. Obama did make the claim that both sides are to blame for the "sour climate" on Capitol Hill. The day "went very well," Boehner replied later. "There are issues we do agree on" and Republicans will work to find "common ground." Friday's meeting, Rep. Eric Cantor said, was "the kind of discussion, frankly, that we need to have more of."

DADT

Im Obama's state of the union speech he said he would try to get rid of "don't ask, don't tell" policy. Many say that they need to go about this gradually, not all at once. The issues of doing this are cost of implementation, benefits for gay spouses, potential hate crimes. I don't see how costly this will be in terms of money; maybe for seperate bunkers and showers? Gay people have every right to serve in the military without fear of being discharged based on their sexuality. Even at the very least they should not expel personnel whose homosexuality is revealed by third parties. One of the reason not to get rid of this policy is because people believe that a gay person will try to swoop down and get you. Gays are in locker rooms with Straight guys at this very moment, even serving in the military. Gays aren't predators, when DADT gets lifted, gay people aren't going to come out and prance around in the military, they will still be the same as before, but without the fear of getting DISCHARGED once people find out.

What's going to happen?

President Obama is going to give his State of the Union address tomorrow night, but what is going to happen?

Frum says "The Obama team always assumes the best remedy for any Obama difficulty is more Obama."

Zeizler says,"A speech can't make people believe that he's going to do the jobs thing. Only the creation of jobs is going to reassure people," and
"If the president backs too far away from the issues that animated his supporters in 2008, he could find himself facing even stronger challenges from liberals and depressing the base of support that he will very much need going into 2012." Meaning, if he falls to far right he will loose the support of liberals and then what support will he have?

Democratic analyst says, "Obama must not retreat from health care overhaul." If he retreats from the policy he has been pushing for so hard, it will look bad and he will loose support of the health care bill supporters.

More power to big bussinesses.

The Supreme Court gives big business, unions, and nonprofits more power to spend money freely in elections. Ruling gives special interests "more power in Washington," president says. This could have an immediate effect on this year's congressional midterm elections. The issue depends on whether the corporations' spending could be strictly regulated or whether they have free-speech rights to spend their money to influence elections like individual donors do.

Obama does not like this and said, "It is a major victory for big oil, Wall Street banks, health insurance companies and the other powerful interests that marshal their power every day in Washington to drown out the voices of everyday Americans." I would have to agree with Obama. We need to limit corporate campaign spending.

The Supreme Court's decision today is a victory for the First Amendment and the right of all Americans to participate in the political process," said Theodore Olson, who helped argue for the bill.

New Focuses

Obama is going to make a strong pivot toward jobs and the economy after the Republican win in Massachusetts for the State of the Union address. There are three themes coming out that includes a scaled back health plan:

1. A more scaled-back health plan, which might be fleshed out in next Wednesday's address.

The new plan would have the basic ideas from the old one: a ban on excluding people for pre-existing conditions and stopping insurance companies from dropping you if you get sick. This plan would appeal more to the Republicans because it cuts out some of the 1 trillion tag of Obama's original plan. It would need to add more so the liberals aren't too disappointed.

2. Look for a series of presidential events on jobs and the economy.
3. Obama will be a Wall Street-basher as he steps up his push for major financial regulatory reform.

Republican in a Democratic State

Massachusetts elections told all, Rep. Brown beat out Dem. Coakley for the old Kennedy seat. Massachusetts has been a double democratic state since forever and now a Republican has won. Because Brown won, there are now 41 republican members, the magic number against the 59 democrats. They can now filibuster and stall the health care bill. Many Democrats now realize public isn't particularly happy with their stewardship. For President Obama, loss will likely force him to reconsider his legislative priorities.

Mom-Mom is Gone-Gone

Joe Biden's mother, called mom-mom, passed away at the age of 92. On the list of people attending the funeral included President Barack Obama, former President Bill Clinton, several Cabinet officials and members of Congress. Biden thanked Obama for treating his mother "with warmth and personal affection." Biden's mother was courageous and "taught her children that the thickest of all substances was blood." She helped Biden through rough times: when his wife and daughter were killed in a car crash in December 1972, the month after he was elected to the Senate.

Another Tax and Spend Democrat?

When Obama gives his State of the Union speech he will have to propose more new taxes than he wants, but hasn't decided which ones to choose. The health care bill he said would not take money from the Treasury, but money is needed to get the bill started, but it will definately save in the long run. Obama is thinking of taxing the 'rich': families over 500,000 and 1 million average income. His other options are:

1.A new tax on bank transactions, which would raise $120 billion over ten years, focused on big banks that received TARP money. The early accounts of this focus on how it would allow the Obama White House to win points for attacking the banks, but the real reason to do it is to help the budget bottom line.

2.Leave the capital-gains tax rate at 15 percent, but cap the income-level of those taking it.

3.Further increase Medicare payroll taxes (even beyond what is in the health care bill) for high-income individuals and families.

4.A “transaction” tax on stock trades.
msnbc

Racist Reid?

Because of senate majority leader Harry Reid's comment about Obama, 'light skinned with no Negro dialect, even if he wants one' Republicans are wanting him to resign. In 2002 Senator Lott resigned because of some considered racist comments that created controversy. The Republicans have their panties in a wad because they say there is a double standard. Obama has accepted Reid's apology and they both want to move on. Let the people decide by not reelecting him, not pressure from the republicans.
CNN
CNN

Election Race Drop-Out

Ritter decides to drop out of the next election for Colorado Governor. Says decision frees him to make 'tough and unpopular decisions'. The reason for dropping out is because of his family-he doesn't have enough time to spend with them. He couldn't find a 'balance' between his job and family.

Because of his drop out it has left his opponent McInnis with the top spot for winning. The other democratic contenders include Salazar, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper and former House Speaker Andrew Romanoff.
msnbc

Dem-1, Rep-0

Obama is 'blessing' Democratic leaders to bypass formal conference to merge health care bills; the $871 billion Senate bill and $1 trillion House bill that differ on several critical details. The move was made to avoid possible Republican delays, and Obama wants to pass this pill as soon as possible; hopefully in time for the president's State of the Union address.

From Vacation to Work

After getting criticized for being on vacation when the failed terrorist attack from Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab (on the right), Obama is to get updated on what happened. They will talk about possible changes to the terror watch list because of this incident.
CNN