RNC, DNC remember Russert as a "giant of American journalism" who had bipartisan respect

The heads of both the Republican and Democratic parties have chimed in on the shocking and untimely death of Tim Russert, moderator of NBC's "Meet the Press." Russert, the network's Washington bureau chief, died at work today of an apparent heart attack. He was 58.

Republican National Committee Chairman Robert M. "Mike" Duncan:

"On behalf of the members and staff of the Republican Party, I extend our thoughts and prayers to the family and colleagues of Tim Russert. His sudden death is a loss that will be felt throughout the journalism and political worlds. His reputation for fairness, accuracy and hard work earned him bipartisan respect. He will be missed."

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean:

"Today we lost one of the true giants of American journalism and a tremendous public servant. Tim Russert will be remembered for many things. A committed family man, devout Catholic, devout sports fan, author, mentor. A tough interviewer, Tim delivered the news with authority, in a plain-spoken way that made the great issues of our day accessible to everyone. His love of politics and our country came through in his relentless pursuit of the truth and in the quality of his work as a journalist. On this sad day, our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones."

Democrats predicting November win

Democratic National Committee news release:

DEMOCRATIC LEADERS: BARACK OBAMA, DEMOCRATS ACROSS THE COUNTRY WILL WIN IN NOVEMBER

Washington, DC--Today Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Democratic Governors Association Chairman Joe Manchin came together with other Democratic leaders to discuss Democratic strength heading into the November election, and how Barack Obama and Democrats down the ticket will win because they offer a clear change in policies from the Bush Administration and John McCain. During the primary process over 35 million Americans came out to support our strong field of Democratic candidates, a clear indication of Democratic enthusiasm this election.

In particular, the Democratic leaders discussed how Democrats, led by Senator Obama, offer responsible leadership on the economy, which has become the most important issue for Americans as gas prices, job losses, and the number of home foreclosures continue to skyrocket. While John McCain wants to maintain the status quo and continue the failed Bush economic policies of the past that have left America's families suffering, widened inequality, and left our children with a mountain of debt, Barack Obama and Democrats at all levels of government are fighting for fiscally responsible plans to strengthen America's economy for the future.

"Republicans like John McCain are the wrong choice for America's future. They want to maintain the status quo and continue the disastrous Bush economic policies that have undermined our economy, while Democrats want to ensure that all Americans have the tools they need to be successful, like affordable health care coverage, a good paying job, and retirement security. Americans have a clear choice in this election, and I'm confident in the strength of our Party as we work to elect Barack Obama our next president, expand our majorities in the House and Senate and win seats up and down the ticket in every part of our country to bring change to Washington that all Americans can believe in," said DNC Chairman Howard Dean.

"On every issue--from our economy to Iraq--Barack Obama will bring people together around real solutions for the American people. That is why the American people will rally around the candidacy of Barack Obama and make him our next president of the United States," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

"While Democrats are working to make the American Dream affordable again, Republicans are offering the same old ideas that got us into this mess in the first place. They just don't get it. If Bush-McCain Republicans continue to embrace the status quo and block change, I guarantee the American people will send Senator Obama to the White House and send a bigger Democratic majority to Congress," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

"Democratic leadership is making a difference in states across the country, and 2008 will be another winning year for Democrats. We're on target to increase the majority of Democratic Governors from 28 to 29 and improve the quality of life for more Americans. Governors are eager to have an ally and a true partner in the White House who will get the nation on track after 8 long years of failed leadership. From the economy to health care and energy security, we need positive change and, by working together, we will achieve it. The future of our states and our nation depends on it," said DGA Chairman Joe Manchin.

Paid for and authorized by the Democratic National Committee, www.democrats.org.
This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

GOP playing up delegates distancing themselves from Obama

A news release from Katie K. Wright, regional press secretary of the Republican National Committee:

Today, Oklahoma’s lone Democrat Congressman joined a growing number of Democrats who are distancing themselves from Barack Obama…

“Boren, the lone Democrat in Oklahoma’s congressional delegate, said that while Obama has talked about working with Republicans, ‘unfortunately, his record does not reflect working in a bipartisan fashion.’” (Associated Press, 06/10/08)

“This is not a good sign for Obama… Boren’s statement will surely prompt reporters to ask most every Blue Dog Democrat who had been holding out or supporting Clinton whether they'll now get behind Obama. And Boren certainly won't be the last to put on his dancing shoes.” (Politico, 06/10/08)

“Democratic officials do not expect Boren to be the last to refrain from making a show of not backing his party's presumptive presidential nominee… Other House Democrats from swing districts – Democrats who eked out victories in traditionally GOP districts, whom House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., calls her ‘majority makers’ – may refrain from even attending their party's convention in Denver in August.” (ABC News, 06/10/08)

Unfortunately for Obama, other members of his own Party in key states are reticent to get behind his campaign as well…

FL… “Mahoney says he’ll remain an uncommitted superdelegate through the party convention this summer. And Mahoney plans to keep a low profile in the presidential race this fall as he seeks reelection to one of the nation’s most competitive congressional seats… Asked how he felt about running for reelection in his district with Obama atop the ticket, Mahoney said, ‘I’m a Democrat, but am I going to have a pep rally or something like that? No, I’m not going to do that.’” (Palm Beach Post, 06/09/08)

OH… “Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland says, if asked, he would "absolutely not" join the presidential ticket of Sen. Barack Obama… ‘If drafted, I will not run. Nominated, I will not accept. And if elected, I will not serve. So, I don't know how more crystal clear I can be.’” (Chicago Tribune, 06/10/08)

TN… “In Sunday’s Philadelphia Inquirer, Gov. Phil Bredesen mentioned an unnamed Tennessee superdelegate from a swing district who said both Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama were ‘poison’ politically to him. A scan of Tennessee superdelegates likely leads to only one elected one who is in a swing district - Congressman Lincoln Davis (D-Pall Mall). Earlier this year, Davis was a John Edwards supporter. After Edwards dropped out, Davis told reporters the other candidates, on both sides of the aisle, were ‘leftovers.’” (Nashville City Paper, 04/15/08)

GA… “Rep. Jim Marshall won't say whether he thinks Barack Obama would make a better president than John McCain.” (Washington Examiner, 06/06/08)

Democrats linking McCain to Bush on the economy

This is part of a lenghty news release from the Democratic National Committee:

Washington, DC - Today on ABC's "This Week" Senator Lindsey Graham, saying that Senator Obama and Senator McCain have "two different views of how to grow the economy in a global world," made clear that John McCain would continue the same failed Bush Administration policies that have hurt our economy.

In stark contrast, Senator Barack Obama has outlined plans to change the policies of the Bush Administration to get our economy back on track --specific plans that he'll talk about next week as he launches his two week economic swing - the "Change that Works for You Tour" Monday.

"The difference between John McCain and Barack Obama on the economy couldn't be more stark," said Democratic National Committee Press Secretary Stacie Paxton. "New economic indicators show what the American people already know: our economy needs a change and we need to change course to get it back on track. Yet even with unemployment at a 22 year high, Americans struggling to keep their homes, and everything from gas to groceries costing more, John McCain insists on continuing the failed Bush policies that got our economy into this trouble in the first place. How can the American people trust John McCain to fix the economy when he admits he doesn't understand it and won't make changes to fix it? Senator Obama understands Americans are hurting and has specific plans to get our economy back on track."

JOHN MCCAIN PROMISES A THIRD BUSH TERM ON THE ECONOMY

Cost of "Four More Years" Budget Placed At $6.3 TRILLION. A CBO report called "January Budget and Economic Outlook" showed continued deterioration in the budget outlook with the projected 2008 deficit growing to $219 billion. But as bad as the budget situation has become under the current Republican administration, continuation of the Republican policies by any of the Republicans on stage tonight will only make things worse.

The majority staff of the Senate Budget Committee estimates that funding Republican priorities like making the Bush tax cuts permanent and funding ongoing - and perhaps permanent - operations in Iraq will add $6.3 trillion to the CBO's already dismal ten-year predictions.

Like Bush, McCain Ignores Housing Crisis, Lacks Specific Proposals. "McCain, in the midst of a weeklong western fundraising swing, focused on the home-financing crisis at an event in the Republican bastion of Orange County as he tried to rebut Democratic criticism of his economic credentials. His pitch, though, offered little in the way of specific proposals to immediately address the crisis." [AP, 3/25/08]McCain Voted Against A National Affordable Housing Program. McCain voted against an amendment that would increase the general estate tax exemption for a couple to $4 million, as well as the family-owned business exemption to $8 million per couple by 2010 and establish a National Affordable Housing Trust Fund for the production of affordable housing. The amendment would dedicate $5 billion to the trust fund.

[2000 Senate Vote #189, 7/14/2000]Health Care Costs Skyrocket but McCain's Plan Just Like Bush's. "Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) has proposed reining in health-care costs, in part by treating the value of employer-sponsored health-care plans as income and providing a $5,000 per family tax credit for those who buy health insurance.

He also supports free-market proposals aimed at stoking competition and giving patients more information, which he believes will increase pressure on health providers to control costs." In fact, "President Bush proposed a similar idea" to the tax credits in McCain's plan, which was dead-on-arrival in Congress in early 2007, because the plan only awarded those who purchased insurance in the private market.

[Washington Post, 3/24/08; Wall Street Journal, 10/11/07; Washington Post, 1/25/07]McCain and Bush Agree that Americans are Better OffApril 2008: McCain Says "The Fundamentals of America's Economy are Strong," Americans Better Off Than They Were Eight Years Ago."

MR. COOK: I'm going to ask you a version of the Ronald Reagan question. You think if Americans were asked, are you better off today than you were before George Bush took office more than seven years ago, what answer would they give?

SEN. MCCAIN: I think if you look at the overall record and millions of jobs have been created, et cetera, et cetera, you could make an argument that there's been great progress economically over that period of time. But that's no comfort. That's no comfort to families now that are facing these tremendous economic challenges. But let me just add, Peter, the fundamentals of America 's economy are strong. We're the greatest exporter, the greatest importer, the greatest innovator, the greatest producer, still the greatest economic engine in the world. And, by the way, exports and free trade are a key element in economic recovery."

Republicans hit Democrats on "disunity"

I found this item from the Republican National Committee in my inbox this morning.

RNC STATEMENT ON DEMOCRAT PARTY DISUNITY

RNC Chairman Robert M. "Mike" Duncan released this statement Saturday, the day that Hillary Clinton conceded and endorsed her opponent Barack Obama to be the Democrat's presidential nominee this fall:

"Even as Sen. Clinton concedes her candidacy and endorses Barack Obama today, it's clear the Democrat Party is struggling desperately to unify. Sen. Clinton was correct to question Obama’s naïveté and inexperience, and those concerns remain for all voters nationwide. As Sen. Clinton and other Democrats have clearly stated, their party will struggle to coalesce behind Barack Obama.”

“I am confident voters across America will reject Barack Obama on election day, just as half of his party already has ­ and with good reason. Barack Obama’s inexperience, poor judgment, and fundamental lack of understanding of issues that matter most to Americans are becoming more visible every day. As voters become more familiar with Barack Obama’s record in the coming months, they too will see why he is not qualified to be commander in chief.”

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The statement comes with a note that says the remarks are "not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee."

Casino incentives pass the House

The House of Representatives has agreed this morning to a bill that would give incentives to casinos that invest in non-gambling attractions.

House Bill 1196, sponsored by Rep. Diane Peranich, D-Pass Christian, passed in a 79-40 vote, but it still must clear the Senate, which has killed attempts to extend the benefits to casinos in previous legislative sessions.

The bill covers theme parks, water parks, cultural or historical centers, motor speedways or other large tourist attractions. It would allow a casino to recoup up to 30 percent of the project's value over a 10-year period, by giving it access to a percentage of the sales tax the project creates.

Coast legislators said the incentives would likely bring much investment on attractions in the state from casino groups. Other businesses are allowed the incentives now.

“This infusion of capital is needed to jumpstart the economy in this state,” Peranich said.

House Bill 1196, is the only remaining major piece of legislation for South Mississippi. The casino incentives bill is part of a deal that would prevent casinos from expanding to counties where they aren't presently operating, with a few exceptions, through Senate Bill 2199, which was voted down in the Senate Wednesday, but kept alive through complicated procedural maneuvers. Senate Bill 2199 has not been addressed yet today.

There's been a lot of haggling going on over the two bills these last few days.

Late night Monday

Following negotiations that lasted until nearly midnight, lawmakers couldn’t agree on a controversial Medicaid bill and it died.

Today legislators will figure out where to go from here. The bill, which was to fund Medicaid’s budget, and some more controversial provisions, died under a midnight deadline. Lawmakers could suspend the rules to allow another bill to be entered.

“There’s always tomorrow,” House Speaker Billy McCoy, D-Rienzi, said just after the announcement the bill would die, which came about eight minutes before midnight.

McCoy expressed some optimism Tuesday morning that an agreement could be reached on the controversial provision to continue requiring beneficiaries to recertify for the program in person, which was the point of contention Monday.

Gov. Haley Barbour and other Republicans say the face-to-face requirement cuts down fraud cases. But Democrats, who oppose the rule, said often children are removed from the Medicaid rolls when their parents fail to take them to the office to be recertified.

“Why penalize the children?” asked Rep. George Flaggs, D-Vicksburg.

Democrats also said many counties also don’t have Medicaid offices with predictable hours and some have to drive to other counties to reenroll.

Barbour, in a statement released earlier this year, said the face-to-face eligibility determinations help ensure those who are receiving benefits are eligible, the paperwork is accurate and that all questions are answered.

The governor also said the requirements let workers see children are being taken care of.

“The face-to-face meetings that involve coverage of children allow Medicaid staff to assess whether a child appears to be well and healthy, and to explain to the parent any number of available benefits,” Barbour wrote.

The bill quickly lost steam Monday evening.

Sen. Billy Hewes, R-Gulfport, made a successful motion to recommit the bill to conference early Monday evening, which sent legislators back into discussions, and after press time Monday night, Holland announced there was still no agreement.

“It’s pretty grave,” Rep. Steve Holland, D-Plantersville, chairman of public health, told the House of Representatives not long after 10 p.m.

Legislators were hoping to reach an accord before midnight Tuesday, which would give them the five days before the end of the session that is required to pass money bills. But legislature could vote to extend the session-- if only on paper-- to comply with the rule.

Some 600,000 Mississippians, mostly of low income, depend on Medicaid to pay for medical services.

The appropriations bill legislators were haggling over into the night doesn’t address the nearly $100 million Medicaid deficit for this fiscal year, nor does it come up with a solution for the much larger deficits expected in years to come. A long-term solution to the reoccurring deficits could come in a special legislative session this year.

On Monday, legislators did pass the bulk of the 2009 budget, but a few items remain to be tackled before the end of the session, which is scheduled to conclude on Saturday.