Washington Watch: Week 22 - "What a Week"

"What a Week" -- Major Supreme Court Rulings, Senate Passes Immigration Reform, Obama and family in Africa.

Supreme Rulings

The Voting Rights Act (from 1965) was gutted and southern states quickly reacted to suppress the minority vote. The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and California's Prop 8 were struck down and gay marriages immediately resumed in California.

Nan Aron, President of The Alliance for Justice, got it exactly right with her HuffPo piece: "The Supreme Court Takes With One Hand, Gives With the Other."

Says Ms. Aron:

"It's been a bittersweet week in the Supreme Court. On the one hand, the Court's decisions on same-sex marriage left many of us profoundly hopeful, while its voting rights opinion was deeply disappointing. By simultaneously moving in opposite directions on fundamental principles of civil rights, this Court has torn a hole in our political fabric, and once again left the nation part equal and part unequal."    Read More

Before the ink had settled on the Voting Rights ruling, Republicans in Texas got busy. From The CS Monitor:

"Shortly after the decision on Tuesday, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott announced that the state’s new voter ID law would immediately take effect. He also said that the state’s challenged redistricting maps “may” also take effect without prior approval from Washington."  Read More

Supporters of voting rights, such as Democratic Strategist Donna Brazile, are calling on Congress to restore provisions of the act. However, even Ms. Brazile realizes this will be difficult given the current climate in Washington. From her CNN op-ed: "Congress Give us new Voting Rights Act,"

"Don't expect the conservative-controlled House of Representatives to jump at the chance though. Just last year, during the 2012 election cycle, Republican elected officials in states across the country pushed deeply hostile voter ID laws that disproportionately limit minority voters. Sometimes, the Republicans were even explicit that the purpose of these laws was to put victories in the "R" column. And all that took place with a full and complete Voting Rights Act still on the books."  Read More

In brighter news... with the decisions on DOMA and Prop 8, weddings are free to resume in those states which allow gay marriage. As a matter of fact, two of the plaintiffs in the historic ruling--Kris Perry and Sandy Stier, from Berkeley, were the first to be married with California Attorney General Kamala Harris officiating.


Btw.......Did Chris Christie just lose 2016 with this stance on gay marriage?

"New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) blasted the Supreme Court ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act, calling it "wrong."   Read More"

Maybe this is his stance going into the GOP primaries (which depend on the right-wing vote) however, should he become the Presidential candidate I predict he will "see the light" on this issue.

Will the Immigration Bill be Stalled?

The Senate passed a bi-partisan immigration bill this week, now it goes to the House. President Obama has called on Congress to pass the bill before their August recess. (We talked about this likely STALL in our post from week 20.)

Student Loan Rates set to Double

Rates on new student loans will DOUBLE on Monday.  Still, no action from Congress to prevent this.

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President Obama's First Term

A Look Back at Week 22 - 2009:

(Excerpts from my blog National Scene -- Week 22)

National Scene 6/24-6/30/2009
By Linnie Frank Bailey

As the first half of the year ends, the Administration can look back on significant efforts to get America back on track, including -- an economic stimulus, a revamped energy policy, the beginnings of health care reform, and a new approach to international relations. Moreover, the following legislation has been passed and signed by President Barack Obama in 2009:

1. Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act – (fair pay for women) Signed: January 29, 2009
2. Children’s Health Insurance Reauthorization Act –(continue state program SCHIP) Signed: February 4, 2009
3. DTV Delay Act – (delayed implementation of digital TV until June 2009) Signed: February 11, 2009
4. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act – (major economic stimulus bill) Signed: February 17, 2009
5. Small Business Act Temporary Extension – (temporarily extends SBA programs) Signed: March 20, 2009
6. Omnibus Public Lands Management Act – (public land conservation) Signed: March 30, 2009
7. Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act – (increases and manages community service programs and funding) Signed: April 21, 2009
8. Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act – (steps to end mortgage fraud and predatory lending) Signed: May 20, 2009
9. Helping Families Save Their Homes Act – (steps to prevent foreclosures and rewrite mortgage loans) Signed: May 20, 2009
10. Weapons Systems Acquisition Reform Act – (defense procurement reform) Signed: May 22, 2009
11. Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure (CARD) Act of 2009 – (consumer credit protection) Signed: May 22, 2009
12. Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act – (steps to prevent children and teens from smoking) Signed: June 22, 2009

...Read More on Week 22, 2009  -- Immigration Reform...Pell Grants Extended...FAFSA Simplified

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And Finally.....back to 2013:

The Obamas in Africa:

View the video for a behind the scenes with the President & The First Lady at Gorée Island -- including a visit to the Masion des Esclaves (House of Slaves) Museum. Below Barack Obama stands at the "door of no return" where countless Africans were forced to board ships to the Americas where they were enslaved.
Watch and Listen -- an eloquent narrative by the First Lady.

Washington Watch: Week 21 -- "Full Court Press"

Week 21 -- All eyes on the Supreme Court for landmark rulings; and progressive activists and bloggers gathered in San Jose for Netroots Nation. 

Full Court Press

Rulings were expected from the Supreme Court last week, however it looks as though the major decisions have been left to this week before their summer recess.

Much is at stake in the areas of civil rights, voting rights, worker rights, and gay rights.

We are reminded that ALL areas of our lives are touched by the judicial branch of our government. Not just at this top level. Equally important are the Circuit Courts, particularly the DC Court of Appeals that many times determines what gets passed to the Supreme. Perhaps this is why the President is having a hard time getting his nominations confirmed?

Today, the Supreme Court took action on the affirmative action case.  Well, maybe.

Washington Watch: Week 20 - "The Stall"

"The Stall"
Will GOP delaying tactics torpedo Immigration Reform? Will student loan interest rates be allowed to double? Will the 'stall' last until the 2014 mid-terms..or the 2016 presidential election? Also this week -- MSNBC 'gets it' and will broadcast live from the annual festival hosted by Essence Magazine this July in New Orleans.

Immigration Reform Delay Game

Washington Watch: Week 19 - "Let's Play Ball"

"Let's Play Ball"  The Administration played offense this week....the President, the Attorney General, and even the First Lady. 

Rice for National Security

This past week the President nominated his embattled UN Ambassador Susan Rice for the post of National Security Adviser. The highly capable Rice was the victim of much vitriol from Senate Republicans when she was mentioned as a possible Secretary of State.

By nominating Rice, the President signifies that his Administration is moving forward with or without GOP support (of which there has been NONE!).

The New York Times summarized the President's action in an article entitled: In Personnel Appointments, Obama Takes Assertive Tack, which says:

"Mr. Obama made no secret of how upset he was when he passed over Ms. Rice for secretary of state last winter amid a furor about the handling of the deadly attack on the American mission in Benghazi, Libya. But ever since, he has been choosing appointees and nominees he knew would provoke fights with Republicans, almost as if trying to redeem the moment.
The unapologetic selections reflect a conclusion in the West Wing that when it comes to choosing personnel, the president can never satisfy Republicans who will find almost anyone objectionable."

Read More

Three Judicial Nominees

Still battling to get his judicial nominees confirmed, the President nominated Patricia Millett, Cornelia Pillard, and Robert Wilkins to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. This is expected to start a confirmation battle with Senate Republicans and just might lead to Senate leader Harry Reid taking the 'nuclear option' he threatened a few weeks ago.

The Economist reports:

"If Republicans filibuster Mr Obama’s nominees, a showdown over the filibuster itself will follow. Harry Reid, the Democrats’ leader in the Senate, has threatened to use his majority to end the filibuster for presidential nominees. (A filibuster needs 60 out of 100 votes to defeat it; an ordinary vote just 51.) This would probably cause the Republicans, in retaliation, to wreak havoc in all other areas of Senate business."

Read More

The importance of these confirmations cannot be understated considering The U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington is described as the nation's second most important court, following the Supreme Court. Cases on their way to the Supreme Court often go through the DC Circuit court.

Speaking of the Supreme Court....the next few weeks will be MAJOR as they rule on SIGNIFICANT civil rights cases (voting rights, affirmative action, gay marriage), as stated in NPR's Court Prepares To Write New Chapters In Civil Rights History:

"By June's end, Americans will know if and how public colleges and universities may administer programs designed to enroll more minority students.
Whether a key 1965 Voting Rights Act provision will survive, and with it federal monitoring of places with histories of discriminatory voting practices.
And if congressional action barring federal recognition of same-sex marriage is constitutional, and similar state restrictions enforceable."

Read More

Holder Not Ready to Step Down

Another embattled Administration figure...Eric Holder, made clear he is not ready to step down as Attorney General. The GOP has made Holder the 'face' of the many 'scandals' they are spending MUCH time on.

Holder told NBC's Pete Williams he has "no intention of stepping down." As reported:

"When it comes to his future tenure Holder said, "There's some things that I want to do, some things I want to get done” before relinquishing the post he has held since February of 2009. “I've discussed that with the president. And once I have finished that, I'll sit down with him and we'll determine when it's time to make a transition to a new attorney general."
Asked, directly, if he would step down, he responded, "No, I have no intention of doing so now."

Don't Worry, Be Happy

Americans of all political stripes are 'concerned' over allegations of domestic spying with the NSA collecting phone and internet communications.  The Administration says all of this is part of the fight to keep America safe (and yes most of it was started during the Bush years.) The President said, during a speech in San Jose this week, that the data sweep is not targeting Americans and "nobody is listening to your phone calls."

I think we can assume that every phone call, email, text message, web search, online purchase,etc. can be part of the public record.  Privacy restrictions and access rules haven't kept up with the technology...AND it seems the government can override restrictions ANYWAY!!!

This CNN op-ed by Bruce Schneier, from a few months ago, sums it all up:

"The Internet is a surveillance state"

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President Obama's First Term

A Look Back at Week 19 - 2009:

(Excerpts from my blog National Scene -- Week 19)

6/2-6/9/2009:  During his 2008 campaign, candidate Obama described a speech he would one day present to the Muslim world if he became President. This week, in Cairo, Egypt, President Barack Obama delivered that speech. From Cairo University, the President used his outstanding communication skills—and his ability to bridge cultural divides—to speak of a ‘new beginning’ between Americans and Muslims. He addressed the world’s 1.5 billion followers of Islam and received positive responses from Muslims around the globe. Obama also got tough on the economy this week… instructing his Cabinet to move faster with Recovery Act funds, and signaling the urgency of health care reform legislation to Senate leaders.

• Obama Rolls-Up-His-Sleeves for Health Care Reform. On the other hand, maybe we should say—the President is putting on his boxing gloves for what is sure to be a battle to get health care reform passed this year. In a meeting with lawmakers, Obama expressed the importance of health care reform stating, “We can't afford to put this off, and the dedicated public servants who are gathered here today understand that and they are ready to get going, and this window between now and the August recess I think is going to be the make-or-break period. This is the time where we've got to get this running.” In a letter addressed to Senators Ted Kennedy and Max Baucus, the Chairmen of the key committees in the Senate handling health care reform, the President made clear that, “in 2009, health care reform is not a luxury.”


• Obama Visits Buchenwald Concentration Camp.The President visited German Chancellor Angela Merkel at Dresden Castle in Germany and toured the Church of Our Lady. This was followed by a trip to Buchenwald Concentration Camp, where Bertrand Herz, a survivor of the camp, and Nobel Laureate and fellow holocaust survivor, Elie Wiesel, joined them. During the emotional visit at the former camp, the President recounted his great uncle, who was part of the 89th Infantry Division, the first Americans to reach a concentration camp. They liberated Ohrdruf, one of Buchenwald's sub-camps.

....Read More on Week 19, 2009

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And Finally.....back to 2013:

"Michelle Don't Play That"

Speaking at a fundraising event Mrs. Obama was heckled by a protester. The first lady left the podium, addressing the heckler directly and reportedly telling her audience,“One of the things I don’t do well is this.” She walked toward the heckler telling the woman she could, “listen to me or you can take the mic, but I’m leaving. You all decide. You have one choice.” The heckler was escorted out of the room.

Here she is with high school students who know how to RESPECT the First Lady of the United States:

First Lady Michelle Obama talks with students from William R. Harper High School in Chicago, Ill., in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House, June 5, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

Washington Watch: Week 18 - 'The Bromance'

"How far will this Obama-Christie thing go? The term 'bromance' was used this past week almost as often as the word 'scandal' was used the weeks before. Should Hillary be jealous?" 

President Barack Obama and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie talk with local residents at the Brigantine Beach Community Center, which is serving as a shelter for those displaced by Hurricane Sandy, in Brigantine, N.J., Oct. 31, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

That's What Friends Are For

The President visited the Jersey Shore to see Hurricane Sandy recovery progress and was joined by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. The two interacted like old friends and as a result the term 'bromance' was used this week almost as often as the word 'scandal' was used the weeks before. 

Truthfully, after so much partisan gridlock, it is good to see people from the opposite sides of the aisle who seem to like each other and enjoy each other's company.

A Wall Street Journal article on the 'friendship' said:

With handshakes, a little ribbing and a few tosses of a football along the Jersey shore on Tuesday, President Barack Obama and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie showed they still put a lot of faith in bipartisan chumminess.                   Read More

One big photo op? Sure. Obama helping Christie out for his 'support' during the Presidential campaign? Maybe. 

Doesn't look like Christie needs any help in his reelection campaign for Governor. Some reports have him leading by as much as 30 points over his Democratic challenger, State Senator Barbara Buono. In addition, it appears he has the support of some of the state's Democratic leaders.

Both Christie and Obama understand the importance of 'likability' in any campaign. Because when it's all said and done, after nearly a billion is spent...it comes down to who's the most likable, personable, and friendly (at least on the outside). As evidence:

Clinton vs Bush 1
Clinton vs Dole
Bush 2 vs Gore
Bush 2 vs Kerry
Obama vs McCain
Obama vs Romney

So how far will this Obama-Christie thing go? 

As with any potentially treacherous relationship, at some point the lines will have to be drawn. The President is holding the cards right now....Christie will continue to bask in Obama's limelight to help with independent, minority, and women voters. Again, the question is...what is Obama getting out of this? Obamacare implementation support from a Republican Governor?

There is doubt the relationship will last. The Christian Science Monitor reports in the article, 
"Obama-Christie bromance, Part 2: A win-win for both,"

"....But the Obama-Christie lovefest may not last forever. Christie is widely expected to win a second term in November, and after that, he may well turn his attention to the 2016 presidential race. Obama isn’t allowed to run again, but will naturally want to be replaced by a Democrat.

If Christie runs, and can make it through the primaries – a big “if,” considering the muscle-flexing of the GOP’s right wing, and his controversial, gushing praise of Obama during Sandy on the eve of the 2012 election – he could be a formidable challenger. Already, Christie has shown major crossover appeal. Polls of the gubernatorial race show him winning a sizable portion of Obama’s 2012 voters in New Jersey and crushing Senator Buono."                             Read More

Even Mitt Romney, still trying to be relevant (see below)...yet STILL out of touch, chimed in by saying: 

"I don't believe Chris is trying to project an image of being close to President Obama," adding,  "But if the president is willing to pay attention to what's happening to the reconstruction of his state, that's a good thing for the governor."

To be clear, both Christie...AND Obama...are politically astute enough to recognize the votes that come with an Obama pat on the back. Not the conservative, right-wing votes....but the votes Christie would need to win the Presidency (if he can get past the primaries.)

Could it be these guys, Obama and Christie, just like each other and don't care what people think? Nah -- this never happens in politics. 

Wonder how the 'family' is taking this relationship? Should Hillary (or Joe) be jealous?

And the real question...because it is inevitable.....is who will dump the other one first?

Bye, Bye Bachmann

Folks seems to be standing in line to say goodbye to Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann (R-Minn), and wish her godspeed to wherever. Few believe she is leaving the public limelight and it's only a matter of time before we see her again...probably doing something more lucrative...cable news? radio? reality show? heading an 'official' tea party organization? leading the charge against the implementation of Obamacare? or, investigating the President's birth certificate?  

She's not done....bet on it.

Also Not Done with the Limelight

Surprise, surprise...seems losing Presidential candidate Mitt Romney is not happy with President Obama's first 100 days of his second term.  Maybe because they weren't HIS 100 days?  You think?

Reporting on Romney's interview with the Wall Street Journal, a recent HuffPo article entitled: "Mitt Romney 'Disappointed' With Obama's Second Term" says:

Romney lamented that he wasn't able to implement his own planned agenda for the first 100 days, which included proposals to get "legislation filed, regulations rewritten, executive orders rewritten."

Sounds like Romney's agenda for his first 100 days was to undo everything Obama did in his first term. Then what? Still waiting to hear. Maybe he's getting his binders ready.

Could Romney really be thinking about another shot at the BIG prize? He would probably have to use a lot of his own money...but he's got it, and what else does he have to do?

The 2016 Republican primaries could really be fun if Romney's ego won't let him sit on the sidelines and he dukes it out with Jeb Bush and Obama buddy Chris Christie. Then there's the second tier of Ryan and Paul (who would never consider themselves second-tier). Not to be outdone, the far right will return with their offering, which might include some retreads ... Bachmann, Perry, Palin, and Herman Cain again? (Don't laugh Anthony Weiner is running strong for NYC mayor.)

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President Obama's First Term

A Look Back at Week 18 - 2009:

(Excerpts from my blog National Scene -- Week 18)

May 27-June 1, 2009: The Administration began the week addressing right-wing concern over his candidate for the U.S. Supreme Court – Judge Sonia Sotomayor. It is expected that Sotomayor will win confirmation in the Senate, despite the protests. In other news, the President commented on the bankruptcy of General Motors by assuring Americans a new, stronger GM will emerge. 

Celebrating Solar Power in Nevada. President Obama visited Nellis Air Force Base, in Las Vegas, Nevada to highlight what he called “the largest solar electric plant of its kind in the entire Western Hemisphere!”

The President Addresses the End of an American Icon.  Automobile manufacturer General Motors, thought to be one of the bedrock companies of American culture, filed for bankruptcy today, however the President assured us that the company would begin again.

....Read More

For more on Week 18, 2009 CLICK Here

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And Finally.....back to 2013:

First Lady Michelle Obama harvests vegetables with students in the White House Kitchen Garden on the South Lawn, May 28, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

Washington Watch: Week 17 - "The Drones"

The Drones are Coming...the Drones are Here

This past week, President Obama delivered a major foreign policy speech at the National Defense University in Washington, DC. He addressed the nation's counter-terrorism strategy, including the use of drones for national defense, saying:

"From our use of drones to the detention of terrorist suspects, the decisions that we are making now will define the type of nation -- and world -- that we leave to our children." 

It was also released last week that drones have killed at least four Americans.  

Many, on both sides of the aisle, are more concerned with domestic -- particularly civilian use of drones for illegal surveillance.  No doubt there will be some good uses for drones in many areas, such as agriculture, but there are also some more threatening scenarios when citizens can use drones for their own purposes. 

A little known fact...drones have been used in the real estate industry for awhile.  The Los Angeles Times reported in January of last year that the LAPD issued a warning to real estate agents on the use of drones.

"Federal regulations prohibit the operation of unmanned aircraft in U.S airspace without specific permission, though the rules do allow hobbyists to fly model planes in designated areas.

Real estate agents have been posting aerial photos and video of homes for sale in the Los Angeles area, according to the LAPD. The pictures have been taken from several hundred feet off the ground in the city's crowded airspace -- an altitude at which police helicopters often fly.

Seeking to maintain the safety of their pilots as well as people on the ground, LAPD officials are first notifying those who are in the market for photos taken by drones "so they make informed decisions and don’t hurt anybody," Gonzalez said."

In a story this year, "Drones Go Mainstream," CNNMONEY reported:

While the American Civil Liberties Union is still finalizing its position on drones, the group has some reservations about how the technology could infringe on citizens' rights.

"The technology of surveillance is becoming retail, and that will pose real challenges to our traditional notion of privacy," said Catherine Crump, an ACLU attorney.

With ever-shrinking size and ever better camera technology, the group is concerned that people acting under the assumption that they're in the privacy of their own homes or yards could be wrong.

While stalking laws or other measures would likely prevent someone from hovering a drone outside your bedroom window, "the airspace is something that anyone can fly through," Crump said. "It's not clear that there's anything restricting someone from flying a drone over the property of others."

The popularity of drones is growing and our leaders in government need to catch up.

Fallout from the Sequester continues. 

Some enlightening polls this week:

A growing number of Americans are being affected by sequester budget cuts and they are not happy about it, as reported by ABC News in a poll released this week.

"The federal budget sequester may be dampening a rise in economic optimism: Nearly four in 10 Americans now say sequestration has hurt them personally, up substantially since it began in March – and they’re far less sanguine than others about the economy’s prospects overall.

Thirty-seven percent in the latest ABC News/Washington Post poll say they’ve been negatively impacted by the budget cuts, up from 25 percent in March. As previously, about half of those affected say the harm has been “major.”

Still, according to the same poll, more and more Americans see the economy growing!

Read More

Also this week, a joint Washington Post /  ABC Poll shows the President's approval rating holding steady amidst the so-called 'scandals' that have come forth. The Republicans in Congress don't fare as well, with the President given a higher percentage when the question was:  "Who do you trust to do a better job handling the economy - (Obama) or (the Republicans in Congress)?" Obama received 46%, versus 37% for Congressional Republican's.

On another question which asked: "How about the Republicans in Congress - do you think they are mainly concentrating on things that are important to you personally, or on things that are not important to you personally?"  Sixty percent said the Republicans in Congress were concentrating on things NOT important personally.

Read More

Of course...polls are just a snapshot in time and not always accurate, as evidenced in a report in HuffPo from Mark Blumenthal on 2012 election polling: "Gallup Review To Show New Details On What Went Wrong."

Immigration Bill Passes Senate Judiciary Committee.

Christian author Jim Wallis summed it up best in a HuffPo piece, "Nothing Happens in Washington -- Except For This," saying:

"What I have heard after visiting 18 cities in six weeks is that people around the country believe that nothing can happen in Washington, D.C. They are basically right. So I am very grateful today to report the one exception.

On Tuesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved a new comprehensive immigration reform bill with a bipartisan vote. Did you hear that: "bipartisan." Amid heartbreaking news of the destruction, grief, and heroism we have seen in Moore, Okla., from one of the worst tornados in American history, millions of Americans found a reason to be hopeful.

This historic immigration bill now goes to the full Senate, where it has a real chance of passing and changing the lives of 11 million aspiring Americans." 

Read More

2016.

The race to be the next President is starting soon....actually, it has already started:

2016 Campaign Has Begun For Republicans Like Rand Paul, Scott Walker

Hillary Clinton Leads In Iowa 2016 Poll

Pay Attention Democrats.

Chris Christie Reelection Backed Increasingly By Democrats

New LA Mayor-to-be Eric Garcetti, got it..... he and his African-American surrogates touted his early and strong support of Barack Obama during Garcetti's recent campaign for Los Angeles mayor. They blasted it all over the air-waves. Garcetti endorsed Obama in Spring of 2007 and became his Southern California Campaign Chairman....not a popular move at the time.

Some Dems may have underestimated the strength of Obama's coattails in 2012.

Obama is not running anymore. At least not 'Barack.'

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President Obama's First Term

A Look Back at Week 17 - 2009:

(Excerpts from my blog National Scene -- Week 17)

May 19-May 26, 2009:  A busy week for the President as he signed into law major bills designed to, make home refinancing easier; end mortgage fraud; reform credit card policies; and monitor defense procurement. He also met with his economic advisory board to gauge progress, and took on former Vice-President Dick Cheney on national security. Obama created a couple of “firsts” this week by naming an African-American as his choice to lead NASA, and in a move applauded by Latino activists across the country—nominated a Hispanic woman for the Supreme Court.

African-American Business Leaders Attend White House Briefing. Senior Obama Advisor Valerie Jarrett hosted a meeting at the White House for over 150 African-American business leaders. The purpose of the meeting was to lay out the administration’s agenda for the year, and to encourage the leaders to implement the policies in their home areas.....
Obama versus Cheney.After being rebuffed by the Senate, which voted against funding to close the controversial base—Guantanamo, the President gave a major foreign policy speech while standing alongside the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.....Obama Greets McCain’s Son at Graduation. Following his signing of the McCain supported defense procurement law; the President joined the McCain family in Annapolis, Maryland where the President spoke at the US Naval Academy Commencement.....
President Signs Credit-Card Legislation. Describing the need for “common-sense” reforms in the credit-card industry, the President signed a sweeping bill—the “Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure (CARD) Act of 2009”  .....
African-American Nominated to Lead NASA. Former Astronaut, and retired Marine Corps Major General, Charles Bolden Jr., was chosen by President Obama to head the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)....Obama Nominates Hispanic Woman to Supreme Court. President Obama nominated Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court of the United States. Solamayor, of Puerto Rican ancestry, rose from a housing project in the South Bronx, to Princeton and Yale.....

....Read More

For more on Week 17, 2009 CLICK Here

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And Finally.....back to 2013:

This Memorial Day -- honoring all of our fallen heroes and those who continue to serve our great country!

President Barack Obama participates in the U.S. Naval Academy commencement at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland, May 24, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

Washington Watch: Week 16 - "The 'Scandals'"

Week sixteen of the Obama second-term Presidency found the administration playing 'whack-a-mole' and the term 'Scandal' being thrown around even when it came to the President asking Marines to hold umbrellas for himself and a visiting head-of-state during a rainy-day press conference. 

Critics of the Administration, many of them in Congress, are chomping at the bit to cast aspersion on the man they couldn't beat at the polls. (And then there are those southern ultra-conservative school board members who are probably looking for ANY reason to keep President Obama's name out of future textbooks.)

Where's Olivia Pope When You Need Her?

Olivia Pope (played by actress Kerry Washington) is the lead character in ABC's juicily-delicious drama Scandal. She runs a crisis management firm that specializes in restoring reputations...or hiding the facts that could destroy them. She calls herself a fixer.

Week sixteen of the Obama Administration's second term needed a fixer.

I hate to add to the media outcry by calling all of the revelations that were brought into the public eye recently 'scandals.' When that kind of feeding frenzy starts everything is questioned. Hence an article in the Washington Post:  Even Obama’s umbrellas are a scandal now.

These 'scandals' will be on-going political battles that won't go away because....What else does the Republican-led Congress have to do? Certainly not GOVERN!

Instead of scandals, let's call these, "Items that need fixing."

Item #1 -- The revelation that the IRS targeted conservative groups for added scrutiny when they applied for tax-exempt status. Apparently, these included 'tea party' activist groups. 

During the Bush Administration, it was liberal groups like the NAACP that received scrutiny from the IRS.  Alex Seitz-Wald reminds us of this in a couple of articles in SALON this past week. The first takes MSNBC host Joe Scarborough to task for his hypocrisy with this matter, and the second piece examines "When the IRS Targeted Liberals." 

The IRS itself, should be non-partisan and non-political.  So...heads are rolling, including the acting Director of the IRS, and investigations are starting.
  
The President's response? (I think Olivia Pope would approve.) .....expressing righteous indignation right along with those who will try to mire him in the muck with this.

Not only that...the President suggested that the law for determining if these 'activist' organizations should be tax-exempt is vague and should be looked at.

The Los Angeles Times summed up the problem the Federal Election Commission is having in monitoring the activities of such groups in an article entitled, IRS problem started with vague tax exemption rules, which says:

"At the heart of the issue is the murky role occupied by nonprofit "social welfare" organizations, set up under Section 501(c)4 of the tax code, which are allowed under IRS regulations to engage in a certain amount of campaign activity, as long as politics is not their "primary" purpose. The groups pay no tax on the money they bring in. They can accept unlimited donations and, unlike political committees, can keep their contributors secret.

That status became especially valuable three years ago with the Supreme Court's decision in the Citizens United case, which lifted the ban on direct campaign spending by corporations, including many nonprofit groups. The ruling triggered the boost of applicants to the IRS."

The potential fallout from this?

1. Republicans will try to link it to the President's 2012 election campaign and see how high they can take the 'Who knew what, when' link. 
2. Smearing the IRS will help them to try and repeal Obamacare...which they voted to derail for the 37th TIME last week!!  The IRS is tasked with overseeing portions of health care reform, including implementing the mandate that everyone purchase coverage or pay an income-based fee.
3. 2014. Republicans will most likely hold on to the House and will make a major grab for the Senate by suggesting the Administration is corrupt and the country would be in better hands with the GOP.
4. Overreach...some think the GOP will go too far...even conservative Newt Gingrich is warning Republicans not to make the same mistakes they made during the Clinton impeachment process. However, chances are they will because they are tone deaf to what Americans...everyday Americans, are concerned with....their families, their jobs, and thriving, safe communities.

Still...the IRS is not popular with Americans and the President is right to jump on the side of those expressing 'outrage.'

Item #2  -- The seizing of phone records from Associated Press (AP) journalists. The Attorney General, Eric Holder, in a testy exchange at a House Committee meeting, implied the action was a matter of National Security...determining the source of a leaked CIA operation.

More 'righteous indignation'  from all sides, but Holder's tact was to stand his ground at a Congressional hearing which covered The AP action, the IRS, and even the nomination of 

the Justice Department's Thomas Perez as Secretary of Labor.

"In one of the sharpest exchanges, Holder defended Thomas Perez's tenure as head of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division and said he would make a great secretary of the Labor Department.

Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., was critical of Perez and repeatedly pressed Holder, who at one point refused to stop talking and accused Issa of repeatedly mischaracterizing the work of the Justice Department.

"That is inappropriate and is too consistent with the way in which you conduct yourself as a member of Congress. It's unacceptable and it's shameful," Holder told Issa."

He wasn't done....

"Toward the end of the hearing, in another fierce exchange with a Republican lawmaker, Holder said that despite any personal animosity toward him, the office of attorney general deserved some respect.

He bemoaned the "toxic partisan atmosphere" and said "a level of civility doesn't exist."

The fallout from this?  The AP story appears to be losing interest already -- remember the media seems to only push one major story at a time these days and the IRS controversy is getting the majority of the press.

Item #3 -- The Benghazi tragedy, and again-- 'Who knew what, when?' The major point seems to be, when was it called a 'terrorist' activity? This 'controversy' may be more directed at Hillary Clinton's presidential ambitions. I doubt anyone believes the Administration knowingly put diplomats in harm's way or didn't try to protect them. 

So these are the items that had Washington abuzz this past week. 

The DC pundits led the chorus on using the word 'Scandal' (I wonder if the TV show is causing the frequent use of the word these days.)  

Some say this was the worst week of the Obama Presidency, however Chris Cilizza of The Fix says no...there were others in a piece, called "The Worst Week of Obama's Presidency? Close, But No.  

The question is -- where will all of this go?  'Derailed agenda' is a phrase some are using to describe the President's second term....as if there is anything getting done is Washington anyway!

Keep in mind, while some perch upon their pedestal of manure and start throwing stones, there are real issues that need fixing, including:

1. The sequester -- budget cuts are still happening. Workers are still being furloughed and Congress is nowhere near a solution on this debacle.

2. Health care for all is coming soon...which is a good thing...BUT people need to know what's coming and what to sign up for.

3. The economy IS improving but many are still out of work.

And what about immigration reform!

Thinking about it -- this might be a good time to play some offense for the Administration and Democrats.  Harry Reid's got the right idea by saying he just might go the 'nuclear option' to change filibuster rules. He will use a simple majority to bring about reform and therefore make it easier to get some of the President's judicial nominees approved.

HuffPo reports Reid is looking at July to implement his plan:

"Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has told top advisers that he is prepared to take action if Senate Republicans block three upcoming nominations, the Washington Post reported on Friday.

Reid is reportedly focusing on the month of July to approach filibuster reform and possibly execute the "nuclear option," which would change the Senate rules and no longer require 60 votes to overcome a filibuster.

“This would take away the right to filibuster on nominations,” a senior Senate Democratic aide told the Washington Post. “All executive branch and judicial nominations would be subject to majority votes. He would not do it on legislative items.”

Go Harry!!

Should be a 'fun' hot summer in DC, while the TV show Scandal is on hiatus.

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President Obama's First Term

A Look Back at Week 16 - 2009:

(Excerpts from my blog National Scene -- Week 16)

• Poetry Jam at the White House -- In the East Room of the White House, the President and the First Lady hosted an evening celebrating poetry, music and the spoken word. With a coffeehouse, jazz-club-like, atmosphere – the East Room was transformed for the event with small, candle-laden tables and dim lights. Speakers and musicians included, Joshua Bennett, Eric Lewis, Jamaica Heolimeleikalani Osorio, Mayda Del Valle, Esperanza Spalding, and James Earl Jones—who gave a mesmerizing speaking performance from “Othello.”
• "Healthcare Reform This Year" --The President met with members of Congress, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, House Education and Labor Committee Chair Rep. George Miller, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Rep. Henry Waxman, and House Ways and Means Committee Chair Rep. Charlie Rangel—to discuss his desire to pass healthcare legislation in the House by July 31, before their August recess. Calling the meeting encouraging, the President stressed that “urgency and determination” are needed to achieve “what I believe will be historic legislation!”
• "Protecting the Country Comes First" -- Stating, "This is the best way to protect our country, while upholding our deeply held values,” President Obama restarted a Bush-era military trial system for a small number of Guantanamo detainees.
• Joined by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, as well as auto industry executives, President Obama announced new auto emissions and mileage rules designed to combat pollution from greenhouse gasses. The National emissions standard is patterned after policies in California sought by the Governor.

For more on Week 16, 2009 CLICK Here

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And Finally.....back to 2013:

Surrounded by portraits of Washington and Lincoln, and busts of Lincoln and King.......

The President

President Barack Obama gestures during a meeting in the Oval Office, May 14, 2013.
(Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)