Jim Messina and John Podesta, top former aides to Barack Obama and Bill Clinton respectively, “are currently in talks to co-chair a board backing Hillary Clinton — a plan that, should it come to fruition, would be a dramatic early symbol of party unity behind the former secretary of state,” Ruby Cramer reports.
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Obama Renews Immigration Push as Doubts Emerge
The White House “is intensifying its push to get an immigration overhaul through Congress this year, but House Speaker John Boehner cast new doubt Wednesday about the prospects for quick action,” the Wall Street Journal reports.
“President Obama brainstormed at the White House Wednesday with religious leaders over how to persuade House Republicans to move on the issue… But Mr. Boehner said House lawmakers wouldn’t vote on any immigration bills while Republicans work on ‘principles’ behind legislation. Many advocates for an immigration overhaul read the Ohio Republican’s announcement as a setback.”
Democrats Threaten to Abandon Obama on Health Law
“Anxious congressional Democrats are threatening to abandon President Obama on a central element of his signature health care law, voicing increasing support for proposals that would allow Americans to retain the health insurance coverage they are losing because of the Affordable Care Act,” the New York Times reports.
“The dissent comes as a vote looms Friday in the Republican-controlled House on a bill that would allow Americans to keep their existing health coverage through 2014 without penalties.”
Ezra Klein: “The Affordable Care Act’s political position has deteriorated dramatically over the last week.”
Democrats Lose Edge in Generic Ballot
A new Quinnipiac poll finds voters evenly divided on whether they would vote for a Democrat or a Republican in their Congressional district, 39% to 39%.
Democrats held a 9 point edge in early October.
Voters still disapprove of Republicans in Congress, 73% to 20%, more than they disapprove of Democrats, 62% to 30%.
On Wonk Wire
Some great clicks over at Wonk Wire:
- Budget Negotiations Already in Trouble
- Predicting Economic Recovery in 2014
- Can Obamacare Survive More Bad News?
- Justifying the Early 2016 Speculation
- Latest Obamacare Glitch: Real Possibility It Won’t Work by End of November
- Key Environmental Policy is Damaging the Environment
- Obamacare Battle Centers on Fear it Will Take Hold
Congress is as Polarized as Ever
National Journal: “If you’re looking for a quick fact to explain congressional gridlock,
it’s this: In the 113th Congress, only 59 members have voted with the
majority of their party less than 90 percent of the time (20 Republicans
and 39 Democrats).”
Boehner Draws Hard Line on Immigration Reform
House Speaker John Boehner “says he will not allow any House-passed immigration legislation to be blended with the Senate’s sweeping reform bill, further quashing the chances of comprehensive immigration reform legislation being signed into law anytime soon,” NBC News reports.
Said Boehner: “We have no intention of ever going to conference on the Senate bill.”
More Chatter Suggests Bush May Run in 2016
Morning Money: “New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie gets all the love as the current GOP front-runner for 2016 (to the extent there can even be a front runner three years out.) But there is growing chatter in elite New York financial circles that former Florida Governor Jeb Bush is giving more serious consideration to getting in the race, especially if it appears at any point that Christie is not drawing big national appeal beyond the northeast. Several plugged in GOP sources said Bush has moved from almost certainly staying out to a 30 percent chance of getting in. The ’70/30′ odds pop up in so many conversations they almost seem like circulated talking points.”
McConnell Only Wants to Talk About Obamacare
In a candid moment, Sen. McConnell (R-KY) told reporters that Obamacare was all that he wanted to discuss at a press conference, WFPL reports.
Said McConnell: “I’m probably not going to be answering questions about anything else, but I’m happy to respond to questions about Obamacare. As some of you have complained from time to time that I don’t do a stake out after every event and I’m not going to do a stake out after every event because as you can imagine I prefer the news of that day to be what I’d like for it to be rather than what you all may be interested in pursuing.”
Wonk Wire: Can Obamacare survive more bad news?
Shutdown was Key Factor in Virginia Race
USA Today:
“Top campaign aides to Virginia Gov.-elect Terry McAuliffe and his GOP
opponent, Ken Cuccinelli, agreed Wednesday on two things about the
just-concluded bitter campaign: that the federal government shutdown was
a critical factor in Cuccinelli’s defeat, and that political
fact-checking has become so prevalent it is in danger of become
irrelevant.”
Abortion Cases Head to Supreme Court
“A steady stream of abortion cases are heading toward the Supreme Court,
making it only a matter of time before the justices are likely to
consider a new wave of state restrictions,” USA Today reports.
Congressional Approval Sinks to Record Low
A new Gallup poll finds Americans’ approval of the way Congress is handling its job has dropped
to 9%, the lowest in the 39-year history of asking the question.
The previous low point was 10%, registered twice in 2012.
First Read: “This is worse than 1992, when the public had collective disapproval for
Washington Democrats (in Congress) and Washington Republicans (in the
White House). This is truly unchartered territory.”
Romney Wants Fewer Caucuses
Mitt Romney tells the Boston Globe that the Republican presidential nominating process should reward states that hold primaries rather than caucuses.
Said Romney: “I’m concerned that there’s an effort on the part of some to move toward caucuses or conventions to select nominees, and I think that’s a mistake. I think we should reward those states that award delegates to the convention based upon primaries. Primaries are the place where you see whose message is connecting with the largest number of people.”
Ryan Will Consider 2016 Bid
Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) told the Des Moines Register he “is focused on the job at hand, but is clearly leaving a door open for a White House run — at the top of the ticket this time.”
Said Ryan: “I’ve decided I will consider this later. Once I’m through with this term, then I’m going to give a hard look at it.”
Quote of the Day
“I’m a Scott Brown Republican. I always have been.”
— Former Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA), quoted by Radio Iowa, promoting his vision for the Republican party on a trip to Iowa.
No Partisan Divide on Johnson Nomination
Jed Johnson’s dissent with President Obama over authorization to bomb Libya in 2011 may actually be paying off, the Los Angeles Times reports.
“It won him some fans among Republicans in Congress, and they haven’t forgotten. On Wednesday, Johnson, President Obama’s pick to run the Department of Homeland Security, appears headed for something few high-profile Washington nominees receive these days: a smooth confirmation hearing.”
Michaud Ahead for Maine Governor
A new Public Policy Polling survey in Maine finds Mike Michaud (D) leading Paul LePage (R) in the race for governor, 38% to 36%, with Eliot Cutler (I) at 15%.
In a two-way race, Michaud leads LePage 53% to 39%.
Republicans Again Reject Obama Judiciary Pick
President Obama’s “latest choice to fill one of the vacancies on a powerful appeals court went down in a filibuster on Tuesday as Senate Republicans blocked another White House nominee — the third in two weeks — and deepened a growing conflict with Democrats over presidential appointments,” the New York Times reports.
Washington Post: “For all their intensity, there is nothing particularly new about these nominations fights. Both sides have been at war for years over the federal appellate courts in general, and the D.C. Circuit in particular. The battle has been going on so long that it is difficult to discern who fired the first shot and when.”
