Kennedy staffer’s clock winds down
December 9, 2009
He came to be Ted Kennedy’s chief of staff, ended up being the liberal lion’s last skipper.
Colorado Dem stays under the radar
December 9, 2009
Senate hopeful Romanoff keeps a low profile in bid to unseat fellow Democrat Michael Bennet.
Senate drops public option (maybe) from health plan
December 9, 2009
Democrats in the Senate agreed Tuesday night to drop the controversial public option plan from health care reform legislation and replaced it with a privatized program with government oversight.
The deal, however, still allows creation of a government-run program if private companies cannot deliver what Uncle Sam wants.
Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid, under fire for what many consider lackluster leadership in the health care debate and other issues, hails the deal as a “breakthrough” and says deal will “overcome a real problem” Democrats had with the on-again, off-again public option.
But the deal, hailed by Democrats, still faces opposition from Republicans and possibly some Democrats so the debate may be far from over.
GOP strategically silent on Dodd
December 9, 2009
The battered senator’s name becomes a dirty word to national Republicans.
Afghan braintrust sings in harmony
December 9, 2009
Gen. Stanley McChrystal testifies that Obama made the ‘right decision” on troop levels.
Is Barney too frank?
December 9, 2009
His anger and impatience have gained new prominence as he himself has grown in importance.
Drug-import backers worry Obama may scuttle plan
December 9, 2009
WASHINGTON (AP) — A long-running effort to allow the import of lower-cost prescription drugs faces a new twist – President Barack Obama’s administration is raising safety concerns that could effectively scuttle it, even though Obama backed the plan as a senator….
House panel passes college football playoff bill
December 9, 2009
WASHINGTON (AP) — Dismissing complaints from some members that Congress had more pressing matters, a House subcommittee approved legislation Wednesday aimed at forcing college football to switch to a playoff system to determine its national champion….
House votes to extend $31B in expiring tax breaks
December 9, 2009
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House voted Wednesday to extend $31 billion in popular tax breaks, including an income tax deduction for sales and property taxes, to be financed with a tax increase on investment fund managers and a crackdown on international tax cheats….
FACT CHECK: Obama likes both sides of an argument
December 9, 2009
WASHINGTON (AP) — In President Barack Obama’s hands, the $700 billion financial rescue fund offers a bit of bookkeeping magic: an opportunity to pay down the deficit while also spending more – thereby adding to it….