POLITICAL HOT TOPICS: Thursday, February 12, 2009

CNN: Clinton could name N. Korea envoy before Asia trip

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton could appoint a special envoy for North Korea before leaving for Asia next week, senior administration officials told CNN.

CNNMoney: Deal struck on economic stimulus package

Democratic leadership sources say they have worked out a way around the disagreement between the Senate and House over education funding in the economic stimulus bill.

CNN: Louisiana governor to give high-profile GOP response to Obama

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is set to deliver the Republican response to President Obama's upcoming joint address to Congress, a high-profile slot the party often gives to one of its rising stars.

CNN: Homeless woman's plea to Obama draws flood of support

She's being hailed as the "face of the economic crisis," and now Henrietta Hughes has become something of a media star after reaching out to President Obama in an emotional plea for help.

CNN: Borger: Obama's presidency a balancing act

It is not unusual for a presidential candidate to try to win friends and influence voters. That's what elections are about, so we tend to excuse political posturing when we see it - because we have come to expect a certain amount of it. Besides, we like people who pay attention to us.

CNN: Bill Ayers has an idea for Palin

Sarah Palin once accused Barack Obama of “palling around with terrorists,” a catchphrase intended to highlight Obama’s connection to former Weather Underground member Bill Ayers.

CNN: Obama praises news of stimulus deal

President Barack Obama on Wednesday praised members of Congress for apparently reaching a deal on a stimulus package.

CNN: Senate Committee approves CIA chief

The Senate Intelligence Committee voted unanimously Wednesday to send the nomination of Leon Panetta as CIA Director to the full Senate for confirmation.

Washington Post: Key GOP Senator in Stimulus Deal Is Known for Centrist Approach

Six years ago, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) was working to broker a deal with a Democratic colleague that would steer $20 billion in relief to struggling state governments when she was abruptly called into the office of House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R). Waiting there was Vice President Richard B. Cheney, who had a stern message. He warned her - "very strongly," according to Collins - that Republicans, who controlled both chambers of Congress and the White House, were in no mood to compromise with moderate Democrats.

Forbes: Where Does Obama Stand On Trade?

Tucked inside the roughly $800 billion stimulus legislation moving through Congress is a short, four-paragraph provision that all the iron and steel used in the project be produced in America.

WSJ Op-Ed: Karl Rove: Obama's Legislative Victory Comes at High Cost

Congressional Republicans lack President Barack Obama's bully pulpit and do not have the majorities that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid enjoy. But they are playing their hand extraordinarily well.

Washington Post: Lawmakers' Goal to Cap Executive Pay Meets Resistance

Congressional efforts to impose stringent restrictions on executive compensation appeared to be evaporating yesterday as House and Senate negotiators worked to fine-tune the compromise stimulus bill.

WSJ Op-Ed: Peter Ferrara: Reaganomics vs. Obamanomics

In his inaugural address, President Barack Obama said, "The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works - whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified." Or as administration spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter said in January, the touchstone is, "What will have the biggest and most immediate impact on creating private sector jobs and strengthening the middle class? We're guided by what works, not by any ideology or special interests."

Roll Call Op-Ed: Bill and Melinda Gates: A Bold Vision For Stimulus, Education Reform

Like many Americans, we are impressed with the goals outlined in the Obama administration's economic stimulus package, goals that would promote short-term economic recovery but also jump-start needed reforms in key areas like public education, which in turn will accelerate long-term economic growth.