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Jindal: Obama admin 'divorced from facts and reality' after BP spill
Louisiana Republican Governor Bobby Jindal recently released his new book "Leadership and Crisis" where he opens up about the Obama administration's response and handling of the BP oil spill among other issues. The Louisiana governor spoke to me earlier this month and described President Barack Obama's reaction to Mr. Jindal when the president first landed in Louisiana after the oil spill disaster.
DeLay found guilty in money laundering case
Tom DeLay, former Republican House Majority Leader, was found guilty of money laundering charges in Austin today.
GOP gains 2 more House seats
House Republicans picked up two additional seats this week, winning in New York and Texas to give the party a net gain of 63 seats with two races still undecided. The GOP won in New York when Democratic-incumbent Rep. Dan Maffei conceded to Republican challenger Ann Marie Buerkle in their race for the District 25 seat. They were scheduled to appear in court Wednesday regarding 200 contested ballots, but Mr. Maffei, a first-time incumbent, conceded Tuesday when Ms. Buerkle's lead exceeded 550 ballots.
Freshman lawmaker calls House ban on hats 'sexist'
Freshman Democratic lawmaker Frederica Wilson, newly elected from Florida, first priority on Capitol Hill will not be to her constituents but to her own vanity. Ms. Wilson believes the House floor dress code that bans all members from wearing hats is "sexist." This is interesting considering men are not allowed to wear hats either, and the rule goes back to the 1800's when it was common for both men and women to wear hats on a daily basis.
Huckabee not ceding the spotlight to Palin
With Sarah Palin flogging a new book and a new TV show, it's tough for other would-be 2012 Republican presidential candidates to squeeze their way into the picture -- but Mike Huckabee is trying. The former-governor-of-Arkansas-turned-FOX-News-talk-show-host was in Iowa over the weekend, talking to a gathering of evangelicals, doing interviews with the local press and connecting with GOP leaders. Then, on Monday, he made an appearance on "The View," where Joy Behar called him her "favorite Republican."
Gore: I supported ethanol subsidies because of presidential ambitions
Former Vice President Al Gore made a candid admission about his past support for corn-based ethanol subsidies. According to a new Reuters article, Mr. Gore said that he only supported the subsidies in the past, a position he calls a mistake now, because he had presidential ambitions in 1999.
Mississippi Gulf Coast businesses need certainty not tax hikes from DC lawmakers
Visiting the Gulf Coast, Mississippi region this weekend, I was curious to see how the revival of the area has developed since not only the BP oil spill this year but also Hurricane Katrina from over five years past. While individuals in the community are still pulling together to draw tourism back to the Gulf Coast area since the the oil spill, Gulf Coast businesses like many across the nation wait anxiously for lawmakers in Washington D.C. to make decisions about tax rates, health care, and energy legislation.
Conrad to stay as Senate Budget chairman
North Dakota Democrat Sen. Kent Conrad said Friday he will stay on as Senate Budget Committee chairman, ending speculation he would take over as head of the chamber's agriculture committee.
Bonner to Rangel: You only have yourself to blame (video)
Rep. Jo Bonner, Alabama Republican, tore into Rep. Charlie Rangel, New York Democrat, on Thursday with remarks made by the Alabama GOP'er regarding Mr. Rangel's ethics committee violations.
Virginia's Webb has lead in 2012 polling
Virginia Sen. Jim Web, Democrat, has an early lead in an potential rematch against former GOP Sen. George Allen and two other possible Republican candidates should Mr. Webb run for reelection, according to a new poll. The poll by Democratic-leaning Public Policy Polling also found that former Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, now chairman of the Democratic National Committee, also would be a frontrunner in the 2012 race should he run. Mr. Webb, who defeated Mr. Allen in 2006 by less than 1 percent of the voe, would begin a campaign with a 49-to-45 lead.
Steny Hoyer makes light of new status
House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, still smarting from the thumping Democrats took in the Nov. 2 congressional elections, showed off some well-received gallows humor during his weekly briefing with reporters. Mr. Hoyer, who come January will be forced out of his post when Republicans seize control of the House, pleaded with reporters not to ignore him during House Democrats exile to the minority party. "The test is going to be how many of you will be at the pen and pad (reporters briefing) that I have on January 5," joked the Maryland Democrat at the beginning of Thursday's media briefing. "I want to see all the loyalists here.
Obama appointee under fire from liberals and conservatives
The Obama administration seems intent on appointing people to posts within the federal government who have backgrounds that are antithetical to the job appointments. Big Government covered a story a while back regarding former trial lawyer Dudley Butler who now serves as the federal government's Administrator of the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyard Administration (GIPSA).
Americans for Tax Reform to host RNC Chairmanship debate
WASHINGTON, D.C.—On Monday, January 3, Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) will host a debate among candidates for the Chairmanship of the Republican National Committee (RNC). The event will take place in the Ballroom of the National Press Club.
Sarah Palin says she can beat Obama
On a day of big political drama in Washington -- with Nancy Pelosi reasserting her leadership of the House Democrats and Republicans Mitch McConnell and House Speaker-designate John Boehner rebuffing the president -- Sarah Palin still manages to steal the spotlight. The former governor of Alaska, in a sit-down interview with Barbara Walters of ABC News, said she's still mulling over whether she will run for the presidency in 2012, but when asked if she could beat President Obama, she said "I believe so." ABC News posted an excerpt from the interview, which will run in full as part of Walters' Dec. 9 "10 Most Fascinating People" show. Speculation about Palin's presidential aspirations had been goosed earlier Wednesday when the New York Times posted online its big weekend magazine interview/profile of Palin, which offered a glimpse of the former governor's inner circle.
Sarah Palin sure sounds like she's running
The New York Times has posted online a huge Sarah Palin interview/profile coming out this weekend in the Sunday Magazine, and the former governor of Alaska talks openly about running for the presidency in 2012. The piece, by Bush biographer Robert Draper, offers a glimpse into Palin's life, her effort to rebound and reposition herself for 2012 and the tightly controlled circle of advisers helping her navigate the process.
Illinois Democrat concedes to tea partier
Illinois Democratic incumbent Rep. Melissa Bean has conceded to Republican challenger and "tea party" candidate Joe Walsh in the state's 8th district. Ms. Bean made the announcement Tuesday night and has scheduled a press conference for Wednesday. Mr. Walsh unofficially becomes the 84th freshman Republican in the House in January.
'Slurpee' summit postponed
The White House meeting scheduled for Thursday between President Obama and top congressional Democratic and Republican leaders has been postponed until November 30, according to the Obama administration. The administration said Tuesday night the meeting was rescheduled at the request of GOP Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and GOP House Minority Leader John Boehner due to scheduling conflicts in organizing their caucuses. The president wants to hold the bipartisan meeting to discuss national issues following the midterm elections, including such economic issues as the possible extension of 2001 and 2003 tax cuts set to expire January 1.
Kyl: ‘No’ to lame-duck consideration of New START Treaty
Not only did Senator Jon Kyl, Arizona Republican, tell Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, that appropriate consideration of the New START Treaty could not happen in the lame duck session of Congress but also a bipartisan group of former Senators released a joint letter calling on the Senate’s Democratic and Republican leaders not to break with past precedent and ensure that the New START Treaty is considered only at such time as it can be carefully deliberated and fully debated. The move by Mr. Kyl could throw a wrench into the Obama administration's relationship with Moscow over the nuclear arms agreement.
Reid taps Schumer to head new Dem post
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has tasked Sen. Charles E. Schumer to head a streamlined effort by Senate Democrats to develop policies and tout their accomplishments in the upcoming 112th Congress.
Final session for 111th Congress looking lamer for key Democratic legislation
What was once touted as an escape hatch period for Democrats to push through legislation like Cap and Trade, repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, and the DREAM Act, the lame duck session of Congress, which includes only members of the 111th Congress with newly sworn-in Senators from special elections this year, looks more like a limp across the finish line for Democrats than anything else right now. However, Vice President Joe Biden told me on Monday at the Capitol he was not worried about how the lame duck session was looking right now.
