First thoughts: Holding up Sebelius

Posted: Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:10 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro
***

Holding up Sebelius: At a time when the swine flu is dominating headlines and TV news, how many Republicans today will vote against Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ nomination to be President Obama’s Health and Human Services secretary? Sebelius is expected to be confirmed, but the AP says the vote could be close. NBC’s Ken Strickland notes that Senate debate over the nomination begins at 10:00 am ET, and Dems hope to have her confirmed by 6:30 pm. She will need 60 votes to overcome the GOP’s filibuster. The left has been pulling its hair over the fact that conservatives have been holding up her confirmation -- over abortion -- during this swine flu frenzy. Indeed, it's amazing that there's been very little finger-pointing that the president doesn't have an HHS secretary, surgeon general, or his own CDC head. Obviously, if Republicans started pointing fingers, they'd get grief right back given that members of their party have slowed down Sebelius. This entire incident, as it turns out, is a pretty good lesson for those who believe the partisan nature of Washington can hold up the serious work of government. Paging David Brooks…

*** Stepping on 100 days: Here’s another thing swine flu has done -- it has stepped on the 100-day stories. Many news organizations are still doing them; they just aren't getting the same prominence. (And why should they if a pandemic is possible?) Speaking of the possibility of a pandemic, we're about at that moment when the administration's response will start getting judged by the media. We've already seen some early “How's Napolitano doing?” stories, as we noted yesterday. Is there a more thankless job than Homeland Security secretary, the ultimate if-you-are-in-the-headlines-the-news-is-bad job? Right now, the administration is walking the line between being overly cautious and not causing panic. They seem to be striking the right balance. Of course, the minute someone dies -- or the minute the outbreak gets bigger exponentially, if it does -- then questions about when or if to close the border will kick in, as will questions about whether American airports should be screening for passengers with fevers. Meanwhile, folks should realize that Mexico City is truly in a panic. According to some reports from locals, the streets are empty; the trust in the government is at (or near) an all-time low; and folks are flooding health-care clinics and hospitals. This is a city of 20 million people brought to a grinding halt. And don't think the economic devastation Mexico will experience the rest of this year won't have consequences on our economy.

Video: NBC’s chief medical editor Dr. Nancy Snyderman and psychiatrist Dr. Gail Saltz offer advice for hypochondriacs who think they may have symptoms of the swine flu.

*** Polls galore: Still, the 100-day stories go on… Right before that milestone tomorrow, there are two new national polls out that find President Obama enjoying broad support from the public. Per the New York Times/CBS survey, his approval rating is 68%, compared with Bush’s 56% at this juncture. And a CNN/Opinion Research poll has Obama’s approval at 63%, but it also shows that approval of his policies is somewhat lower (57%). Our own NBC/WSJ poll will be released tonight beginning at 6:30 pm ET on NBC Nightly News, as well as on MSNBC.com. Will it show similar support for Obama? How does the public view his legislative priorities? Who is Barack Obama -- a liberal or a moderate? How popular (or unpopular) are Republicans right now? And how does the public view the debate over those controversial interrogation practices? Be sure to tune in -- or click on -- for the answers.

*** Tower, this is Ghost Rider requesting a fly-by: Just how boneheaded was that Air Force One flyover/photo shoot? It seems to have been boneheaded enough that Obama let it be known that he was incensed, and the White House released this statement yesterday from Louis Caldera, director of the White House’s military office: "Last week, I approved a mission over New York. I take responsibility for that decision. While federal authorities took the proper steps to notify state and local authorities in New York and New Jersey, it's clear that the mission created confusion and disruption. I apologize and take responsibility for any distress that flight caused."

*** Obama today: It looks like the torture story will be on the agenda today whether Obama wants it or not… At 10:45 am ET, he travels to FBI headquarters to meet with FBI Director Robert Mueller and other officials before addressing FBI employees at 11:10 am. Later in the day, he meets with the Congressional Progressive Caucus (closed to the press) and then presents the National Teacher of the Year award. It's the meeting with the progressive caucus that could provide some interesting nuggets. Will they press him on torture? On a truth commission?

*** Also today: Vice President Biden visits the National Domestic Violence Hotline headquarters in Austin, TX and then holds a fundraiser in the city for the Democratic National Committee. Also, First Lady Michelle Obama, Secretary of State Clinton, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Minority Leader John Boehner, and others participate this morning in the unveiling of the Sojourner Truth bust in Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor's Center.

Countdown to Obama’s 100th day: 1 day
Countdown to NJ GOP primary: 35 days
Countdown to VA Dem primary: 42 days
Countdown to Election Day 2009: 189 days
Countdown to Election Day 2010: 553 days

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Comments

Now is the time for all good men (and women) to…contact your republican senator.

I watch the GOP’ers avoid, duck, skirt-around answering questions regarding torture. Here are 4 questions Americans can answer with a simple “yes” or “no”.

1) Do you oppose torture? Yes No

2) Is waterboarding torture? Yes No

3) Is torture a breech of national and international law? Yes No

4) Do you believe those who approve of torture should be prosecuted? Yes No

Questions about the effectiveness of torture (or situational scenarios) are red herrings as they are a weak defense for supporting torture. If your senator cannot answer with a “yes” or “no”. Then they are giving a John McCain, or Newt Gingrich answer, which is gibberish. It is time for Senators to speak up. The questions were asked in the affirmative so the Party of No can have some practice saying “Yes”.

BTW, I am curious if our republican friends to post on FR would like to answer the above 4 questions.

Ron Indiana (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:16 AM)

"Negative Ghost Rider, the pattern is full."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eW23SS0zEnY

Dave in Omaha (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:17 AM)

For all political junkies out there, Campaign Diaries has just published the first part of its 2010 House ratings, devoted to a detailed district-by-district analysis of 62 GOP-held seats: http://campaigndiaries.com/house

The quick take: 6 races are rated as toss-ups, 12 as lean retention and 44 as likely retention.

Dan (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:18 AM)

Do you think the people dying of swine flu give a damn about whether a fetus counts as a person or not??

WE needed a HHS secretary weeks ago!! Between this and their stripping of flu funds from the stimulus, the GOP holds most of the blame if this flu gets out of control.

I think a list of names of every person who gets infected in this country needs to be read aloud in the Senate - then the GOP can hear the names of the people they have hurt because the religious right is holding them by the nads.

Grow up GOP (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:19 AM)

Ralph Cummings, Cary NC (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:20 AM)

Message to Republicans: No one gives is going to give a darn about abortion if three to six months from now there isn't a HHS secretary due to this nonsense and the swine flu is killing thousands. Get your darn priorities straight. stop pandering to the religious right and take care of the country.

dave (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:20 AM)

Considering that abortions have declined 8.5 percent during her tenure as governor; Governor Sebelius administration has proved the decline of the abortion's issue is to health care reforms as pro-choice is to Governor Sarah Palin's anti-abortion is more feasible for the quality of life. Sebelius' adoption incentives, extended health services for pregnant women, sex education, plus, a variety of support services for families which Palin didn't. Besides Palin's not letting the father of her grandson see his own child is anti-antithetical to family values. This so dissimilar to the swine flu's mutation. What else could it be other than an act of not changing to the 21st century?
Governor Kathleen Sebelius' positions on education, environment, and capital punishment are in sync with the times and attitudes of today except opposition to same -sex marriage; but then every is entitled to their position/opinion.

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:22 AM)

Sky King (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:24 AM)

I see the DNC coming up with a new attack ad against the Repukes, highlighting their opposition to Sebelius at a time when we Americans are suffering from a pandemic...again, putting ideology before country. To the Repukes, I ask you, "HAVE YOU NO SHAME?"

pat huntington ny (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:26 AM)

Jeanne Sinese, St. Paul MN (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:26 AM)

pat huntington ny (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:27 AM)

Maybe if Obama didn't nominate crooks and creeps to his cabinet positions, the process of confirming them would go a little smoother.

No Go Tarp (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:28 AM)

Shame on the Senate GOP. Abortion has nothing to do with the current flu crisis, and we need an HHS Secty. now. What are these morons being led by Mitch McConnell thinking?

Jim Campbell, St. Paul, MN (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:29 AM)

FR: Here’s another thing swine flu has done -- it has stepped on the 100-day stories.

So you're saying that actually having to do work puts a burden on Obama's partying? Poor baby!

DK - MI (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:30 AM)

It is so typical of the neanderthal right wing idiots that they cannot see outside of a women's womb to real people who may die of a real disease. It must be distressing to be as ignorant as the Palin groupies are.

newdayDawning (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:32 AM)

BJ, CA (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:33 AM)

Today we find out the true mettle of the Republicans on the vote for Gov. Sebelius. Will they put the good of the country first to make certain all hands are on deck to combat the Swine Flu scare, or will they staunchly refuse to confirm her based on her abortion stance? I would bet on the latter because the GOP in Washington have no honor or can think beyond their own failed policies and politics.

This test of the GOP vote today will show the nation just how hopelessly partisian and pitiful they really are if they vote "No" once again just because ....

J. Ellis, Virginia (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:33 AM)

Accompishments in a 100 days that affect the American people? None to my knowledge. Unemployment is way up. Banks still aren't lending. The automaker bailouts have failed. Trillions of new debt is loaded on the American taxpayers. The wars in the middle east if anything have ramped up rather then ramp down. Obama has run out of foreign leaders to apologize/bow to.

Really not much for Obama to hang his hat on.

Tracy Neil-Smith, Lynn MA (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:34 AM)

Limited health care options in Mexico's socialized system may be a contributing factor to the swine flu death tolls.

The borders should have been closed a long time ago.

Pedro (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:35 AM)

James Landi (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:36 AM)

FOX finally figured out these phony press conferencs by Obama are nothing more then propagnda with The One reading what ever message someone loads into the teleprompter. Better to put on some rerun then let Obama tell every one how great he is again for an hour. Jeanne Sinese, St. Paul MN
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bitter... party of one!

Guess you'll be watching reruns of All in the Family instead!

Country First my a@@! Now run along and go tune into your lord limpball to get your squaking points for the day!

Get over it... WE WON!

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:36 AM)

Just what Obama needs, yet another crisis to manage. But then he'll do a great job of handling the new swine flu problem and will gain from being the one seen as savings us from this new epidemic.

Louis Caldera ought to resign for his totally dumb decision to not allow local authorities to warn the public of the photo op flyover of New York yesterday. That was just plain stupid and so like the secretive bushwhacker administration that he should do more than accept responsibility. He must have been thinking like a military man thinking you need secrecy to bomb civilian targets when he should have been thinking about public safety by making sure the public knew of the overflight and wouldn;t then panic.

Isn't it sweet that the Evil Elephant's torture problem has taken center stage in the national debate. Sure don't hear much about tax cuts for the rich and greedy now that they have to defend their immoral torture sins. Really sad how McNasty is trying to talk out both sides of his mouth by saying torture is wrong but oh please don't torture the evildoers by taking them to court. He says that no future administraion would repeat the torture mistake, oh McNasty meet Neuter Gingrich who would restart torture in a hearbeat and this tortured adulterer is thinking of running in 2012.

Torture is a Sin!
Prosecute the Torture Authorizers!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:37 AM)

No Go Tarp - "Maybe if Obama didn't nominate crooks and creeps to his cabinet positions, the process of confirming them would go a little smoother."

do you mean he should have nominated someone like Brownie, Rumsfield, Gonzo, Ashcroft. So how did that work out for ya........... waiting for your answer.

justthinkinoutloud (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:38 AM)

Using the Democrat line of blaming everything on Bush when he was President, I am blaming Obama for that photo op over New York City. This is not the fault of the Air Force but solely the fault of President Obama.

Before we give Republicans a test concerning torture, lets give one to the Democrats, especially Nancy Pelosi. As ranking minority member of the House Intelligence Committee, she was briefed on the use of torture. She kept her mouth shut. In my opinion, she gave approval just like the other Democrats. These Democrats had their chance earlier on to speak up and did not. They have no moral standing to speak out against this. This is the same line Democrats are using against Republicans when Republicans complain against spending.

So, if this little caucus tries to convince the President to have a "truth commission", then these high ranking Democrats had better testify about what they knew and when. Not saying anything at the time is not a defense. If these Democrats lie about what they knew like they are right now, then put them in jail for perjury.

Speaking out against Democrat hypocrisy (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:38 AM)

A little Cessna strayed off course the other day causing the White House to lock down and the Capital to be evacuated. What did Obama and company think would happen if they flew large planes at low altitutes over New York City?

Carrie Branson, NJ (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:39 AM)

"Just how boneheaded was that Air Force One flyover/photo shoot?" - First Read

It was pretty boneheaded . . . I guess that shows that you can't count your first 100 days before they hatch, eh? :)

P.S. Note to media . . . please lets not bring up President Bush's handling of Hurricane Katrina everytime we have a national emergency . . . while I certainly agree that the Hurricane rescue effort was badly bungled, there is no need to haul out that "heckuva job Brownie" vido everytime . . . kind of pointless.

Nashville_fan (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:41 AM)

People (Repukes) keep asking me, "are you sad now you voted for Obama? "

It still reinforces my conviction that the losers out there are just as dumb as I believed before as now..

Stay the course and hope for all Americans will carry us all through these economic down turns..

Obama/Biden 2012
BJ, CA (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:33 AM)

Typical liberal. All is campaign mode.

It's Obama that is pumping up this "100 days" thing more then anyone else. Please, list Obama's great and wonderful accomplishments in that 100 days. Keep it real too. None of this phony stuff like 'first black president' or he 'signed a bill'. Tell us, what is now better for the the average American?

Mike T., Iowa (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:42 AM)

So sad that the irrelevant elephants keep pushing that irrelevant abortion issue to keep Sebelius from being confirmed. Time for them to start thinkiing about what's really important and not trying to discriminate against women and trying to steal their freedom of choice. Stop sticking your stinking noses in other people's business!

It is so funny to watch Obama's popularity rise even as we face so many new problems like the swine flu epidemic. But then he is looking most presidential as he solves these problems while the repugnant ones look like spoiled brats whining about how the game is going and wanting to take their ball and go home.

Speaking of spiled brats how about that Prickly Perry who just a few weeks ago was all macho saying he didn't want the oppressive hand of the federal government interfering in texas yet now he goes to the federal government like a beggar with hat in hand and asks that oppressive hand for some free flu vaccine. I think the oppressive federal hand should just say no to the prickly perry seccesionist and show texas just how beneficial the federal hand has been to them.

In Obama We Trust!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:43 AM)

Sky King (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:24 AM)

Obama was incensed about the fly over? He probably ordered it. Either that or some idiot on his staff did so. The military flys the plane, but they don't come up with the photo-op ideas. That comes right from Obama. The military just does what its told to do.
=============================================
Sky King:
As FR reports President Obama seems to be striking the right balance; and you aren't.

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:45 AM)

Why doesn't Obama just get his own TV station where he can rant on and on 24 hours a day about how great and wonderful he is. Oh wait, he already has msnbc for that.

Paulie Nebers, Jacksonville FL (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:45 AM)

What is having a HHS secretary in place really going to do about a flu epidemic? Are you forgetting one of the reasons Sebelius' nomination was held up-perhaps the nom may have moved a little faster if she'd paid her taxes. And where's the Surgeon General nominee, haven't heard a name for that since Sanjay Gupta dropped out. Is that the Republicans' fault too?

Claire (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:45 AM)

Obama was incensed about the fly over? He probably ordered it. Either that or some idiot on his staff did so. The military flys the plane, but they don't come up with the photo-op ideas. That comes right from Obama. The military just does what its told to do.
Sky King (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:24 AM)

---------
And you know this because.....????? Don't make such a blanket statement without citing your source, and that doesn't mean citing loudmouth Rush, Faux News, or others like that.
pat huntington ny (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:27 AM)

---------------

You're right. The buck stops somewhere else. Either that, or it's Bush's fault.
James Landi (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:36 AM)
----------

Absolutely right, the buck stops somewhere, but people should not make blanket statements, like Obama ordered the fly by photo op, when they have no basis for such statements. Considering the fact that Obama's management style is antithesis to micromanagement, it is more probably he did not order it, and he did not know about it.

pat huntington ny (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:47 AM)

Another manufactured crisis by Obama. 36000 people die every year from the flew. Now 40 people have the sniffles, and Obama is all over it, even getting updates while he's golfing.

Here Obama, try something hard for once, where the heck are all those millions of jobs you promised?!?

Heather K., Kansas (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:47 AM)

Obama certainly confuses liberals. When it's pointed out that Obama has accomplished very little if anything in his first '100 days' and in fact things have gotten worse, the liberals go ballistic and say "He can't fix all of Bush's problems in 100 days!". But yet liberals act like Obama is the second coming, the savior, the one with as Obama says of himself "The gift!".

So which is it? So, just when is the miracle to occur? - Ralph Cummings, Cary NC
=====================================================

Sounds like you are the one who is confused Ralph.

Let me help - President Obama is human just like you and me, and Sean Hannity.

If it is your opinion that the President accomplished very little in his first 100 days, I'm not going to argue with you. Why bother?

I will help you with the "When do the miracles occur?" question though . . . they are going to occur the moment you stop regurgitating talking points and start thinking for yourself.

So many people have already escaped the matrix of right wing lies . . . won't you join them?

Nashville_fan (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:48 AM)

I think a list of names of every person who gets infected in this country needs to be read aloud in the Senate - then the GOP can hear the names of the people they have hurt because the religious right is holding them by the nads.
-----------------------------------------------------
36,000 people died from the flu last year in this country. Now less than 100 people have been infected with it, and you think that it's an opportunity for grandstanding. Do you really think that having a HHS Secretary would have stopped this?

Give me a break (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:48 AM)

It is so gratifying to see Obama's popularity rise as the fortunes of the repugnant ones falls like a stone on a high gravity planet. About time that the Evil Elephant party is shown for what they are, a bunch of lawbreaking torturers and evildoers, not to mention the dopes of nope.

What a fool eric can'tor is if he is touting publicy that the repugnant ones will sweep back into power and control Congress in 2010. I wonder what he's smoking, definitely some wacky weed? As long as the Evil Elphants keep up their wicked ways of lying, cheating and stealing they will not come back into power.

Nice to see Joe Biden making some news today. Hey First Read what is Joe's popularity? Are there any polls to report how Joe Biden is faring? I bet he's doing pretty well, a lot better than that lawbreaking jerk who preceeded him.

In Biden We Trust!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:49 AM)

Does Louis Caldera, director of the White House’s military office have website for future information linking to NYC authorities?
(maybe Email notification)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RnjWLVyMps

BJ, CA (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:49 AM)

In a parallel universe, where McCain won in November, here's how he would be handling the swine flue: after running around the White House like a chicken with its head cut off, yelling, the sky is falling, he stops, and asks his aid, what am I doing outside? After being reminded, again, that there's a swine flue pandemic, he orders all the pigs in the US slaughtered...bad news for Palin. He then delcares marshall law, and has every city with at least 1 person coughing, incinerated. He then declares war on Mexico for attacking us with a biological weapon, and then asks Cindy to have his depends changed for the 5th time that day. He then resumes running around the White House screaming the sky is falling.

pat huntington ny (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:51 AM)

Maybe if Obama didn't nominate crooks and creeps to his cabinet positions, the process of confirming them would go a little smoother.
No Go Tarp (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:28 AM)

Explain how Tammy Duckworth, a decorated war veteran who served in Iraq, is a crook or a creep.

I won't hold my breath waiting for an honest reply...

BL, Cincinnati OH (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:52 AM)

Sky King (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:24 AM)

*************************************************
Get the facts before you go off on a tangent.
The fly-over was NOT the idea of Obama and was NOT sanctioned by him. It originated with the military and the member of the WH staff representing the military has taken responsibility for this idiotic action.

The naysayers are so quick to blame everything that is wrong on President Obama but will not acknowledge that President Bush left the biggest mess ever for a new president to tackle.

Isn't it ironic that the Republicans have decided to get over their childish ways and confirm Gov. Sebelius now that there is a public health crisis confronting the world! Does that mean they don't care about fetuses anymore? Can you say hypocrit?

President Obama is not the second coming, but he does speak the truth and that is why he confounds both the left and the right. That "truth" is why he enjoys high approval numbers and came from being a Jr. Senator to POTUS in a matter of two years.

Sheila, Pikesville, MD (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:52 AM)

Just another example of the right wing nuts and their political party putting their arachic and religious ideology ahead of the potentially worldwide swine flu PANDEMIC. The GOP wants to hold up Sebelius so they can pander to them but luckily they will fail. They make me want to puke everytime we have to listen to their sanctimonious pro life stance when in actuality it's not well being/heath of our citizens it their dictating their draconian way of life on others. NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!

Juan, Ft Lauderdale, FT (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:53 AM)

Maybe if Obama didn't nominate crooks and creeps to his cabinet positions, the process of confirming them would go a little smoother. No Go Tarp (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:28 AM)
-----------------------------------------------------

I would almost wager that hold republican nominations to the same standard and you would have the same issues...this tax problem isn't a red or blue issue, it's a washington thing. Be glad that our president believes in making sure these issues are brought up and fixed rather than just letting them skate.

GP NW Indiana (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:53 AM)

It is ridiculous how the Republicans are holding up the Sebelius’ vote, but does anyone think not having an executive in charge is really going to negatively impact the organizations ability to handle the swine flu problem? I think not.

mik (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:53 AM)

"And don't think the economic devastation Mexico will experience the rest of this year won't have consequences on our economy."

so maybe the pandemic preparation monies that were in the stimulus bill was about the economy, stupid, as well. good example of short-sightedness, manipulation of ignorance about "pork" (and no not the kind you eat.) let's hope karl rove has a good immune system!

sbvpav, creswell, oregon (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:54 AM)

Dear Speaking out against Democrat hypocrisy:

Ultimately, President Obama is responsible.

The difference between President Obama and President Bush is, President Obama ACCEPTS responsibility when he makes a mistake.

President Obama will CHANGE COURSE if a new direction is needed.

President Obama will LISTEN and THINK and not just govern from his GUT.

President Obama will READ and FOLLOW the CONSTITUTION he swore to uphold, not try to supercede it with made up memos and small time thug tactics.

Don't try to hide Republican WAR CRIMES behind of veil of "Democrats knew too".

That doesn't make anyone LESS guilty . . . only more cowardly.

Nashville_fan (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:54 AM)

The One reading what ever message someone loads into the teleprompter. Better to put on some rerun then let Obama tell every one how great he is again for an hour.
Jeanne Sinese, St. Paul MN (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:26 AM)
=================================================
We get it, you're bitter about last years election. Try to argue about something with some substance...not just the teleprompter or anything else just as shallow and absurd. Don't tell me...you love Michelle Bachmann, right?

Brian, Girard, OH (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:54 AM)

I think the Republican actions re: confirmation of Sebelius have shown that they still put politics first and nation second--no surprise there. But the Obama administration hasn't pushed it, either--unfortunate spillover from their flawed vetting process.

Re: torture. I share the outrage over what happened but can't help think that even if every person involved were prosecuted, if the situation ever arose again and the Republicans were in power, they would do the exact same thing. No lessons would be learned, no behaviors changed and we would have gone through a painful rehashing of the last 8 years when we really need to move forward.

Steeler Fan Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:55 AM)

@Tracy Neil-Smith

What about the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, or ordering the close of GITMO, or the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act, or...?

I could go on and on and it's just been 100 days. It just depends on what side of the aisle you are on.

Everything you mention was already happening before Obama took office.

Your home state suites you...mASSachusetts

Lynn (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:55 AM)

Obama's teleprompter and Air Force One will hold a press conference this afternoon. It's believed they will both distance themselves from the Obama administration. A partial release of the statement to be given by the telepromter is "Hey, I just work here, I don't share the same views as Barry". Also, Air Force One's family of Lear jets and Cessnas have been getting harassing phone calls from angry New Yorkers.

Ken Whitehead (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:55 AM)

I sure hope that Obama wows the progressive caucus by saying that he will torture the torture club with lots of prosecutions of those repsonsible for staining our country's honor with illegal torture. We can't look forward before we look back and kick those who brought torture about in their behinds and put them in prison. Time to make the repugnant one's party an object to reject and denounce for decades to come.

Hopefully Obama will get the FBI involved in finding the evidence of the torture club so that we can see the party of tortures tortured for their sinful ways and the shame they placed upon our country's honor.

Time to torture the irrelevant elephants for holding up Sebelius's confirmation just for that ignorant excuse of abortion. Abortion is the law of the land and it must stay that way. Time for the socially conservative evangelical lunatic fringers to stop sticking their perverted noses in other people's business.

Prosecute the Evil Elephant Party for Torture!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Tuesday, April 28, 2009 9:57 AM)

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