On The Hill

Dems' Dean Links McCain To Job Losses

2008-07-03T19:42:00.001-04:00

The chairman of the Democratic Party is linking Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) to today's federal announcement that the U.S. labor force lost jobs for the sixth month in a row.

The government said today companies shed 62,000 non-farm jobs last month, bringing the total to nearly 500,000 this year.

"On the same day John McCain is in Mexico promoting NAFTA, we find out America lost another 62,000 jobs last month because of the failed Bush-McCain economic policies that have been a disaster for our country," Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean says. "How much longer must this go on before George Bush and John McCain realize their economic policies are hurting America? What we need is a President who will put American workers first and give hard-working families a tax break. But with John McCain as president, we'd get lobbyists running the White House and more tax breaks for big oil and special interests. That's
not the kind of economy we want, it's not the kind of America we want, and that's why voters will reject John McCain come November."

It has been a longstanding Democratic strategy to link President Bush to the sour economy, and to link presumptive GOP presidential nominee McCain to Bush and Bush's policies.

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Health Industry Pushes Back Over Medicare Rage

2008-07-03T17:32:00.001-04:00

Opponents of last week's failed Medicare legislation are pushing back against outrage against those who helped bring down the legislation.

Specifically, an organization that represents American health plan insurers issued a series of statements that breaks down, state-by-state, the pain that Medicare bill would have caused beneficiaries who rely on the so-called Medicare Advantage plans.

The statements from America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), come after the American Medical Association (AMA) began running television ads targeting senators who helped filibuster the legislation. The AMA and state physician groups are angry because the bill would have reversed a 10.3 percent cut the Bush administration implemented this year in the payments physicians will receive for treating Medicare patients. That cut took effect this week.

The agency which administers Medicare, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, has for for several years been looking for ways to contain skyrocketing costs for the program, which is used by senior citizens and certain other benefit groups, such as those with fatal kidney disease.

The bill last week passed the House on a bipartisan basis but was halted by Republicans in the Senate.

AHIP, which says it represents those who provide health coverage to more than 200 million Americans, opposes the Medicare bill, H.R. 6331.

The organization released statements describing the pain it would cause seniors in the "hardest hit states by this legislation," which include Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas.

For instance, H.R. 6331 would have cut $841 million from the Medicare Advantage plans in Pennsylvania alone, affecting some 100,000 beneficiaries in that state alone, according to AHIP figures.

"Congress should fix the physician payment cut without forcing seniors to pay for it," says Karen Ignagni, president and CEO of AHIP. "Seniors enrolled in Medicare Advantage could face limited choices, reduced benefits, and higher out-of-pocket costs if these cuts became law."

Medicare Advantage plans were created in 2003 by the Medicare Modernization Act, and are more like HMO plans than the conventional Medicare program.

Medicare Advantage plans offer additional benefits and services that are not available in traditional Medicare, AHIP says, including reduced out-of-pocket costs; zero-premium comprehensive drug coverage; vision, hearing, and dental coverage; wellness programs; and disease management and care coordination programs.

Medicare Advantage enrollees save an average of $90 per month -- through improved benefits and lower out-of-pocket costs -- compared to what they would pay in traditional Medicare, according to AHIP.

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Video - Political Lunch 07-03-08: Thursday Snack

2008-07-03T13:23:00.000-04:00

For Snack today, Will looks at the presidential candidates' travel abroad. What are the risks and rewards of talking free trade and immigration with foreign leaders while trying to win votes at home?

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Republicans Say Obama Staff Creating 'Guessing Game' On Iraq

2008-07-03T05:53:00.003-04:00

Republicans are suggesting Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama is backing away from, or muddling his message, on his stated position to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq should he be elected.

The Republican National Committee released a statement titled, "Obama's Iraq Guessing Game," citing interviews from Obama campaign staffers commenting on the Illinois' senator's Iraq position.

The statement quotes Obama senior foreign policy adviser Susan Rice and saying Obama "will listen to commanders on the ground" and "will follow and heed their advice."

"He has said that the best military advice he's received leads us to believe that we can safely withdraw our forces at the pace of one to two combat brigades per month, and depending on the number of combat brigades he inherits, our best estimate is that that could be accomplished in roughly 16 months," Rice says, according to the statement. "That's not a deadline. That's a timetable, and obviously if Senator Obama has said on numerous occasions, he will listen to his commanders on the ground, he will follow and heed their advice as he decides how at the
strategic level we must proceed. So he will do this very carefully and responsibly as he always said but he will do it."

However, the same statement quotes Obama campaign strategist David Axelrod as elaborating on that point.

According to the statement, Alexrod told a CNN reporter, "The fact is that, Senator Obama introduced a plan in the United States Senate in January of 2007 that called for a phased withdrawal, with benchmarks for the Iraqi government to meet, that called for strategic pauses, based on the progress on these benchmarks, and advice on the commanders on the ground and he's always said that he would listen to the advice of commanders on the ground, that that would factor into his thinking. He's also said we have to be as careful getting out of Iraq as we were careless getting in. So he's been very consistent on this point."

Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, says U.S. forces should continue their efforts in Iraq.

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Ohio Lawmakers Urge Community Stabilization Funds

2008-07-02T17:54:00.003-04:00

Bipartisan members of Ohio's congressional delegation are urging House and Senate leaders to include at least $4 billion in community stabilization funding as part of the housing package currently pending in Congress.

Neighborhood stabilization funds would allow states and local governments to facilitate the purchase, rehabilitation, or demolition of vacant and foreclosed properties, the Ohio lawmakers say in their letter.

"The dire need for these funds was emphasized in recent testimony given by government officials during a June 16th congressional field hearing in Cleveland. During that field hearing, state and local government officials noted their severe lack of resources as well as the need for federal funds to halt the cycle of disinvestment," the letter says.

The Ohio lawmakers sent letters to the chairs and ranking Republicans of the House Financial Services Committee and the Senate Banking Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. A duplicate was sent today to House and Senate leadership.

The Ohio members say preference would be to increase stabilization funds figure to the $15 billion in grant and loan funds the House approved in H.R. 5818. However, they say that a minimum of at least $4 billion is necessary to address this nationwide recovery effort.

"As of March 2008, Ohio had approximately 72,134 properties in foreclosure," the Ohio lawmakers' letter says. "These foreclosures have led to vacant homes and a reduction in property values in surrounding areas. According to a recent report by Policy Matters Ohio, there was one foreclosure filing for every 60 housing units in Ohio in 2007. This dramatic increase in foreclosure rates in Ohio and across the country warrants an immediate and substantial federal
response."

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Video: Political Lunch 07-02-08

2008-07-02T12:43:00.002-04:00

Today on The Lunch, the battle of the military surrogates continues. Also, where do the candidates stand on a proposed gay marriage ban, and who does the Wall Street Journal think is most like George Bush?

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Porn Industry Claims Boost From Economic Stimulus

2008-07-02T07:38:00.004-04:00

Americans have been spending their economic stimulus rebates as Washington policymakers had hoped -- spending them on porn purchases, according to a new report from the adult entertainment industry.

An independent market-research firm, AIMRCo (Adult Internet Market Research Company), says it has discovered that many websites focused on adult or erotic material have experienced an upswing in sales in the recent weeks since checks have appeared in millions of Americans' mailboxes across the country.

"Many of the sites we surveyed have reported 20-30% growth in membership rates since mid-May when the checks were first sent out, and typically the summer is a slow period for this market," says Kirk Mishkin, head research consultant for AIMRCo.

Jillian Fox, spokeswoman for LSGmodels.com, one of the sites reporting figures to AIMRCo, says, "In a June 15, 2008 survey to our members, thirty two percent of respondents referenced the recent stimulus package as part of their decision to either become a new member, or renew an existing membership."

The economic stimulus plan, which includes a check for up to $600 for individuals and $1,200 for married couples (among other benefits), is the product of an agreement between congressional Democrats leaders and the Bush administration, focused on reviving a struggling economy in the wake of a flagging economy.

"Getting more people to buy porn was probably the last thing Bush had on his mind when he came up with his 'stimulus package,' but we'll take it," Fox says.

Indeed, there is evidence the adult entertainment industry actively pursued Americans' stimulus rebate dollars.

As rebate checks were mailed to Americans, the proprietor of perhaps the most famous legal brothel in America issued a statement offering incentives for customers who spent their debates with a prostitute.

The World Famous BunnyRanch touted an offer for the first 100 customers to do so, to double the rebates in services at the brothel, which was featured on an HBO TV series and is located outside Carson City, Nev.

"You get a check from the Bush you hate and give it to the BunnyRanch girl you love!" says Dennis Hof, owner of The World Famous BunnyRanch. "The BunnyRanch encourages our clients to spend their check at the Ranch, because we always give our customers the most bang for the buck," says Hof. "We are putting a big Thank You Card in the parlor for all our clients to sign that cash their Federal Stimulus Check here."

The brotel said it would send a thank you card when signed by the first 100 clients (and the hookers at the establishment) to President Bush at the White House.

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Video - Political Lunch 07-01-08: Tuesday Snack

2008-07-01T13:17:00.004-04:00

For Snack today, Will looks at the candidates' reactions to a new Pentagon report on the situation in Iraq and the surprisingly dire state of affairs in Afghanistan. One candidate wants to focus on Afhganistan, but does the U.S. have the necessary resources?

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New AMA Ads Blast Senate Inaction on Medicare Cuts That Begin Today

2008-07-01T06:48:00.003-04:00

Reflecting physicians' frustration with a group of senators that blocked action last week on legislation that would stop harsh Medicare physician payment cuts, the American Medical Association began airing new TV and radio ads urging opponents of H.R. 6331 to put patients' access to care before insurance profits.

The ads will run through this week's congressional recess, initially in Mississippi, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming, the AMA says in a statement. The ads can be viewed online.

Senators last week failed to reach the 60 votes necessary to end debate on the Medicare reform bill. The bill earlier had been passed by the House of Representatives.

The federal agency that administers Medicare, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) enacted the cut. Only Congress can prevent it from taking effect. CMS for years has been warning of the impact climbing health costs have been having on the Medicare program.

"Congress had six months to effectively address harsh Medicare cuts that will harm seniors' access to care," says Dr. Nancy Nielsen, M.D., AMA president. "Despite broad bipartisan support in the House of Representatives for legislation to stop the Medicare cuts, action was stymied by 39 senators."

Because the Senate failed to act, this year's Medicare cut of 10.6 percent will begin today - and a full 60 percent of physicians say this cut will force them to limit the number of new Medicare patients they can treat, the AMA says. Over 18 months the cuts will total more than 15 percent, while medical practice costs continue to increase, the association says. The AMA is asking the Senate to act on the bipartisan support for legislative action that would replace Medicare physician payment cuts with payment updates that better reflect increasing medical practice costs, the association says.

Last week the House passed the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (H.R. 6331) by an overwhelming vote of 355 to 59, the AMA notes.

The new radio and television ads open with a reference to Independence Day then say: "there's no celebrating for the millions of Medicare patients - seniors, the disabled and military families - who will lose their access to health care. A group of U.S. senators voted to protect the powerful
insurance companies' huge profits at the expense of Medicare patients' access to doctors."

"The AMA is activating a full-court press -- both advertising and grassroots -- in the states during the Independence Day recess," says Dr. Nielsen. "Over the month of June, more than 41,000 calls by patients and physicians have been made to Congress urging action through the AMA's grassroots hotline alone. Physicians and patients will be holding their senators' feet to the fire."

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In Clark's Wake, GOP Seizes On Obama Adviser's Comments

2008-06-30T21:20:00.005-04:00

Even as Democrat Barack Obama reportedly disowns criticisms leveled against rival John McCain's military service by a retired general, Republicans have begun picking up on similar comments made by an informal adviser to the Illinois senator's campaign.

Obama has disavowed criticisms by retired Gen. Wesley Clark concerning McCain's experience in Vietnam, but the Republican National Committee has seized on quotes attributed to Obama security adviser Rand Beers, citing an ABC News blog.

The RNC has issued a statement titled, "Democrat Attacks On McCain's Military Service Demonstrate That Obama's 'New Politics' Are Just Words," quoting comments by Beers. Beers was also an adviser to Sen. John Kerry's unsuccessful 2004 bid for the White House.

The statement cites the ABC News "Political Radar" blog, quoting Beers as saying, ""Sadly, Sen. McCain was not available during those times, and I say that with all due respect to him. ... I think that the notion that the members of the Senate who were in the ground forces or who were ashore in Vietnam have a very different view of Vietnam and the cost that you described than John McCain does because he was in isolation essentially for many of those years and did not experience the turmoil here or the challenges that were involved for those of us who served in Vietnam during the Vietnam war."

The RNC release further quotes from the blog, quoting Beers as adding, ""So I think ... to some extent his national security experience in that regard is sadly limited and I think it is reflected in some of the ways that he thinks about how U.S. forces might be committed to conflicts around the world."

Unlike the Clark criticism, however, the RNC statement says that asked if the comments by Beers diminished McCain's service, Obama campaign press secretary Bill Burton had no immediate response.

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An Inclusive Web Marketing Solution

2008-06-30T13:46:00.004-04:00

Online marketing has become a complex, Byzantine occupation. There are all the publications to read, blogs to check, receptions with the Google elite to try to get into to rub elbows -- all with the hope to learn the "secret sauce" of the website rankings, hot keywords, etc.

You could do all that -- but when would you have time to actually do the job you are supposed to do.

That's what's appealing about the Network Solutions package that comes with ppc management.

They develop a marketing plan tailored to your business by first analyzing your specific website's traffic patterns, identifying keywords and search phrases used to search the Internet for your products and services and then writing the pay-per-click (PPC) ad copy to attract new prospects and customers.

Don't know what PPC is, or how it relates to your business? That's okay, too, because just click the link above and you'll find a FAQ to explain it in more depth.

Network Solutions runs regular reports to track results and adjust your campaigns accordingly. They also have live online chat to answer your deeper questions, as well.

Starter plans begin at $125 per month. Full packages start at $400 per month.

They say you should leave some things to the experts, and I say Web marketing is certainly one of those things.

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Video: Political Lunch 06-30-08

2008-06-30T13:07:00.003-04:00

Your Monday Lunch includes General Wes Clark's controversial statements about McCain, Bill and Barack's plans for a sit down, the second quarter money race, and McCain's puzzling foreign travel.

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Pelosi Pitches Dem Agenda, Obama To Latinos

2008-06-28T13:28:00.001-04:00

In remarks to a group of Latino leaders, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi touted Democratic priorities -- and the 2008 candidacy of Barack Obama.

Speaking to a meeting of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO), Pelosi emphasized economic progress and a "humane" immigration policy.

"Your convention theme is fitting for this time in our nation's politics. For many years, Latino influence has been growing in politics and across varied fields, culminating in this year when Latinos will have a major voice in who becomes our next president," Pelosi says. "Your convention's theme -- ¡Ya es hora! (Now is the time!) -- is truly fitting for a year in which Latino voters will make the difference in who becomes our next president of the United States."

The priorities of the Democratic-controlled Congress benefit Latinos, Pelosi says.

"With every victory -- whether raising the minimum wage, protecting home ownership, making college more affordable, insisting on a humane immigration policy, or making health care more affordable -- we are focused on creating jobs so that Latinos and all people can build an American Dream of their own. Job creation is job number one in the New Direction Congress," she says.

Pelosi also specifically singled out the issue of immigration, taking President Bush to task.

"We are also fighting for a fair and humane immigration policy because that is critical for America's economy and essential if our nation is to be true to its highest ideals," she says. "A humane policy includes putting an end to immigration raids that are unfair, ineffective and undertaken only to score political points at the expense of Latino children and families. We urge the President: stop dividing families--put an end to this destructive practice."

Pelosi also touted Obama's candidacy among the Latino audience -- a bloc Obama must make inroads with. Many Latinos supported Obama's former rival, Sen. Hillary Clinton, for the Democratic presidential nomination.

"When American goes to the polls in November, voters look over their ballot this November, we should use a simple test. We should ask every voter: which candidate stands up for good paying jobs, for affordable health care, and for a quality education?" Pelosi says.

"There is only one candidate in the race for president who has always and will always stand up for and fight for those issues. That candidate's name is Barack Obama. Si se puede!" she adds. "With the votes of Latinos, and the support of millions of Americans, Barack Obama will help us create a new beginning, free of a disappointing and tragic past, and looking forward to a more prosperous and peaceful
future. Together we can create that future, with a growing Democratic majority in Congress, and a youthful, forward-looking, and talented leader for America, the next president of the United States, Barack Obama."

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Homeland Security Panel Dems Introduce 3 Bills

2008-06-27T17:45:00.006-04:00

The chairman and other Democrats who sit on the House Homeland Security Committee have introduced three pieces of legislation aimed at improving US preparedness and response, according to a statement on the bills.

Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) is offering H.R. 6425, The Homeland Security Relief Corps Act of 2008. The bill would establish a Relief Corps within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to respond to disasters whether natural or manmade, according to a statement from the committee.

"With the floods in the Midwest and the other disasters this nation has seen since Katrina, it is time for citizens to get more involved in disaster response and recovery. This bill provides a path to the rebuilding of the Gulf Coast and provides hope for quicker recovery for residents of other ravaged areas," Thompson says.

Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), chairman of the Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness, and Response, introduced H.R. 6392, The Alerting Lives Through Effective and Reliable Technological Systems Act of 2008 or the ALERTS Act of 2008.

This bill would expand the emergency alert and warning system within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and provides Americans information before and during critical emergencies, according to the committee statement.

"This bill will allow Congress to ensure that the Department of Homeland Security reduces the number of lives lost by utilizing next generation technology and all available modes of communication," says Cuellar. "It will provide critical homeland security information to as many people as possible, and in all locations--whether in school, on the job, or on the highway."

Finally, Rep. Al Green (D-Texas), member of the full committee, introduced H.R. 6395, The Department of Homeland Security Preparedness, Research, and Education Program Act of 2008 or the DHS PREP Act of 2008.

This bill would establish a fellowship program within DHS to conduct research and subsequently develop best practices for disaster response and recovery, the committee statement says.

"The DHS PREP Act will provide opportunities for a diverse group of students to gain valuable experience at the Department of Homeland Security while enhancing our understanding of post-disaster recovery," Green says. "It is often said that when we ignore the lessons of history, it is
doomed to repeat itself. We must extract as much knowledge as possible from the devastating aftermath of disasters such as Hurricane Katrina to ensure that our nation is better equipped to respond to future disasters and the mistakes of the past are not repeated."

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Video: Political Lunch 06-27-08

2008-06-27T14:29:00.002-04:00

It's Friday, and the 10-in-3's a hot one! Check out the latest waffle accusation, Hill and Barry's roadtrip to unity, John McCain's weekends off, and a Republican trying to ride Barack's coattails.

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McCain Backs Calif. Marriage Initiative

2008-06-27T07:00:00.001-04:00

Sen. John McCain, looking toward the conservative base of the Republican Party, has come out in favor of a California voter initiative aimed at overturning a recent state Supreme Court decision that allows same-sex marriage.

The California Protection of Marriage initiative on the state's November ballot would create an amendment to the state constitution that would define marriage only between a man and a woman.

California's top court ruled that the state constitution currently does not bar homosexuals to marry and those marriages have begun.

In an email the ProtectMarriage.com campaign says it has received, McCain issued the following statement: "I support the efforts of the people of California to recognize
marriage as a unique institution between a man and a woman, just as we did in my home state of Arizona. I do not believe judges should be making these decisions."

McCain is the presumptive Republican 2008 nominee for president.

Commenting on McCain's endorsement, ProtectMarriage.com Chairman Ron Prentice says, "We are honored to have the support of Senator McCain. As a leader in the United States Senate and the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Senator McCain's position will be an
important factor to millions of Californians. Senator McCain has articulated a key feature of the initiative campaign, which is that voters and not judges should be determining this issue.

"Over 61 percent of the electorate has already voted to reaffirm marriage as between a man and a woman," Prentice adds. "Four activist judges on the California Supreme Court in San Francisco wrongly substituted their own narrow views for the opinion of over 4 million California voters. Fortunately, voters will be able to correct that mistake in November and restore the definition of marriage to our constitution. We look forward to working with Senator McCain and many other elected leaders to accomplish this. We hope that U.S. Senator Barack Obama will join Senator McCain in endorsing the initiative, and would welcome his support as well."

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House Republicans Unveil Their Security Agenda

2008-06-26T19:08:00.005-04:00

Looking toward a traditional GOP issue in the run-up to the 2008 elections, House Republicans have announced a new security agenda.

The agenda combines a variety of different types of security -- from national and homeland security, border security and neighborhood security.

"Our nation is faced with a wide array of threats today. Not only must we stand guard against terrorists and rogue nations wishing to do us harm, we must also stand ready to defend our country and its people here at home," House Republican Whip Roy Blunt of Missouri says. "The Republican agenda we announced today puts its focus on security for our nation, our children, our families, our military and veterans. We believe that protecting our children, purging our streets of violence and providing a more secure and stable world are some of the primary concerns facing our nation today."

The world today dictates a broader-than-traditional definition of security, Blunt says.

"We must also secure our nation by breaking our dangerous dependence on foreign oil. Energy is the lifeblood of our economy and we must cut this costly reliance by exploring for more homegrown American energy resources," Blunt says. "This agenda showcases our belief that we must do more than put forward temporary fixes for serious problems. Republicans, if given the chance, want to reverse that pattern of inaction and provide the overdue solutions to safeguard our country for future generations."

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Bush Wrong On N. Korea, House Republican Charges

2008-06-26T17:24:00.002-04:00

President Bush is wrong to begin dropping sanctions against North Korea over that nation's nuclear programs, the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee says.

Bush began lifting some trade actions against the rogue nation after it turned over a document on its nuclear activities. Seven years ago, Bush had included North Korea in his "Axis of Evil."

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida, ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today expressed "profound disappointment" over the Bush administration's decision to remove North Korea from the list of state sponsors of terrorism.

The administration would have shown more caution and less haste, Ros-Lehtinen says.

"Even while negotiating the agreement announced today, Pyongyang continued to brazenly assist another state sponsor of terrorism, Syria, in the development of an illicit nuclear program until an Israeli air strike destroyed the facility in the Syrian desert last September," Ros-Lehtinen says. "While the regime in Pyongyang has declared its intention to disable its nuclear reactor, questions remain as to whether the North Koreans will be fulfilling their full denuclearization obligations. By the Administration's own admission, as articulated by Secretary [Condolezza] Rice in an editorial published today: 'It may be the case that North Korea does not want to give up its nuclear weapons and programs. That is a real possibility.'

The Administration is rushing to reward North Korea by lifting the terrorism designation and removing a number of sanctions related to this designation, Ros-Lehtinen charges.

"We have yet to determine if the declaration is complete and verifiable but are relinquishing one of the most valuable instruments of leverage available to the U.S. The forthcoming demolition of a nuclear cooling tower this weekend is little more than the destruction of an empty shell," she says. "The ramifications of the Administration's request are far-reaching. In rewarding North Korea this way, we risk abandoning true and steadfast allies like Japan and we send a message to the regimes in Damascus and Tehran that the United States will endorse a reckless disregard of our own interests."

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Video - Political Lunch 06-26-08: Thursday Snack

2008-06-26T14:27:00.003-04:00

Ralph Nader didn't put his foot in his mouth, but Obama supporters would probably like to put a boot in his... nevermind. Rob looks at what it means to "talk white" on the campaign trail.

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Machinists Sit Out Obama's Labor Bear Hug

2008-06-26T06:20:00.005-04:00

When, as expected, Democrat Barack Obama wins big endorsements today from the AFL-CIO labor union federation, a union representing machinists will be sitting on the sidelines.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) and its affiliate, the Transportation Communications Union (TCU) say they voted "present" in the balloting among AFL-CIO union leaders to endorse a candidate for president of the United States.

"Blue-collar Democrats are born skeptics," says IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger. "Their skepticism grew during this campaign. And to turn skeptics into supporters takes more than a perfunctory knock on the door of the House of Labor."

TCU President Bob Scardelletti and Buffenbarger agree that now is not the right time for an endorsement.

"We look forward to a productive conversation with Senator Obama about policies that can resonate with blue-collar Democrats," says Buffenbarger. "As they demonstrated in state after state, blue-collar Democrats respond overwhelmingly to a candidate who will fight to improve their lives. And they are just not there yet. Nor are we."

The AFL-CIO And its 56 unions today are expected to officially endorse Obama in his fight for the White House against Republican John McCain. The AFL-CIO represents some 10 million American workers.

Labor is a key Democratic constituency.

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CBO: Biogenerics Would Save Government $6.6 Billion Over Decade

2008-06-26T06:04:00.002-04:00

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has released a cost analysis finding that the creation of an abbreviated pathway for follow-on biologics -- or biogenerics -- would save the federal government $6.6 billion over 10 years and lower total expenditures for biologics by $25 billion over the same time period, according to an announcement of the analysis released by an association representing America's pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), who administer prescription drug plans for morethan 210 million Americans.

"For a quarter century, generic versions of chemical drugs have saved consumers and payors billions of dollars. Now, CBO has confirmed that giving FDA additional authority to approve generic versions of biologics will save billions more," says Mark Merritt, president and CEO of the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA). "Even greater savings would be available if Congress simply applied to biologics the Hatch-Waxman standards that are currently used to approve generics for chemical compounds. It would be helpful if some provisions in the bill -- such as 'evergreening' -- which unnecessarily delay the entry of biogenerics were reconsidered. CBO acknowledges that the 'evergreening' issue will present significant problems beyond the ten-year scoring window."

According to the PCMA announcement, CBO estimates that:

-- Enacting S. 1695 would reduce total expenditures on biologics in the United States Hidden List by $25 billion over the 2009-2018 period.

-- Enacting the bill would reduce budget deficits (or increase surpluses) by a total of $6.6 billion over the 2009-2018 period.

Unlike conventional drugs, there is no clear regulatory process where biogenerics can be approved by the FDA. PCMA was joined by a number of influential consumer, employer, and insurer groups who endorsed the "Access to Life Saving Medicine Act of 2007," bipartisan legislation that seeks to create a clear regulatory pathway for biogenerics.

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Video: Political Lunch 06-25-08

2008-06-25T14:24:00.003-04:00

Today's Lunch includes a look at the new FEC, Barack's help with Hillary's money problems (and vice-versa), and John McCain's streak of unscripted moments.

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Commissioners Named To Probe War Fraud

2008-06-25T08:07:00.005-04:00

Congressional Democrats, Republicans and President Bush all named members to a new panel designed to probe waste, fraud and abuse in wartime contracting.

The commission, based on the so-called Truman Committee that conducted hundreds of hearings and investigations into government waste during and after World War II, was established as the result of legislation introduced by Sens., Jim Webb (D-Va.) and Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) last spring and signed into law Jan. 28.

Webb previously served as secretary of the Navy during the Reagan administration.

This new Commission on Wartime Contracting is charged with addressing the systemic problems associated with the federal government's wartime-support, reconstruction, and private security contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The legislation called for congressional Democrats, Republicans and Bush to each name some of the eight commissioners. Democrats named as co-chair Michael Thibault. Thibault is a director at Navigant Consulting, Inc. (NCI) and has 34 years experience in government contract accounting, pricing, subcontract audit, federal contract compliance, regulatory compliance, cost accounting standards, and internal control systems audits and implementation, according to a statement on his appointment.

Prior to joining NCI, Thibault spent 31 years with the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) and was the DCAA deputy director from 1994-2005.

“One of the principal lessons of the marketing and management of the Iraq war has been the importance of accountability and oversight,” says Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). “This Commission and these new commissioners take that lesson to heart in protecting Americans tax dollars from the waste, fraud and abuse we know are rampant in both U.S. contracts in Iraq and within the Iraqi government. Overseeing – not overlooking – careless wartime contracting is a vital part of our effort to lessen the many devastating costs of this war.”
Says Webb, “These appointments are a major step forward in creating a commission that will improve our government’s contracting practices, increase transparency, and hold accountable those responsible for waste, fraud and abuse. We will likewise be watching the selections of our colleagues in Congress and the White House to make sure that they perform in consonance with the intentions of this legislation. The work that this Commission will perform during its two-year charter is something American taxpayers both demand and deserve.”

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Democratic Convention To Be Webcast In Spanish

2008-06-25T07:09:00.007-04:00

The Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) says that cable and telecom provider Comcast Corp. will produce simultaneous, online streaming coverage of the convention in Spanish at DemConvention.com and make available a broad range of convention content through its On Demand cable TV service.

The DNCC also announced that Comcast has been named the convention's official cable television and Video-On-Demand (VOD) provider.

"We set out to 'bring down the walls' of the Pepsi Center and make this year's historic Convention as inclusive and accessible to as many people as possible," says Leah Daughtry, CEO of the DNCC. "Comcast is helping us bring the convention to a growing number of computer screens and televisions throughout the country and around the world."

From the Comcast Media Center, based in the Denver metro area, Comcast will provide live, gavel-to-gavel Spanish-language interpretation of all convention activities from the Pepsi Center to be streamed online at DemConvention.com from August 25-28. This marks the first time a national political Convention has been completely simulcast in Spanish and made available to a worldwide audience, Democrats say. In addition, Comcast will place highlights, including key speeches and Spanish-language content from each night of the Democrats' convention, on its national VOD platform, available to more than 16 million Comcast Digital Cable subscribers in 39 states and the District of Columbia. Comcast will also make this VOD convention content available for distribution on other cable systems throughout the nation, the DNCC says.

Comcast will also edit, manage and archive convention coverage for distribution online, on cable television and via global satellite uplink.

"With Spanish as the primary language of approximately 35 million Americans -- not to mention the more than 300 million Spanish-speakers outside the United States -- offering bilingual coverage of the convention makes more people feel welcome under the Democratic Party's 'big tent,'" said Texas state Senator and convention Co-Chair Leticia Van de Putte. "As a Texan and a Latina, I'm proud to belong to a party that embraces the Hispanic community."

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House Bill Would Hurt Seniors, Health Industry Says

2008-06-24T15:46:00.004-04:00

A House Medicare reform bill passed today would cut benefits available to beneficiaries, a health industry trade association charges.

Specifically, HR 6331 would hurt seniors who depend on the HMO-like Medicare Advantage plans, the association says.

"Congress today rushed through legislation that would require Medicare Advantage beneficiaries to pay for the increase in physician payments without considering the impact these cuts would have on vulnerable seniors," says Karen Ignagni, president and CEO of America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP). "As seniors learn the details of this hastily passed legislation, they will
be shocked to learn they could face fewer choices, reduced benefits, and higher out-of-pocket costs if these cuts become law."

Ignagni says that more than 10 million Medicare beneficiaries currently rely on Medicare Advantage to meet their health care needs. HR 6331 includes three separate provisions that would achieve an estimated $13.8 billion in budget savings over the next five years at the expense of Medicare Advantage enrollees, she says. These cuts represent 94 percent of the bill's overall direct budget cuts not including interactions, and 73 percent of the budget cuts if interactions are counted, she adds.

Ignagni cites a recent survey found that most seniors -- regardless of whether they are enrolled in traditional Medicare or Medicare Advantage -- oppose cutting the Medicare Advantage program and believe these cuts will have a negative effect on seniors.

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