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Obama's Approval Ratings Could Stay Low Like Bush's Did
Tweet Share on Facebook February 3, 2010 Comment (9)By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers
The conventional wisdom in Washington has President Obama recovering in the polls, much as former President Clinton did after his disastrous start. Democrats like that model because it holds out hope the prez will see his ratings recover in time to win re-election in 2012. But there's an alternative model for Obama to look at: former President George W. Bush, who never recovered when his polls tanked in 2005. The reason, says a key congressional Republican: "Bush didn't back down like Clinton, who swung to the middle. Obama looks like he's hardening his position, too. Problem is, he's doing it before his re-election."
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Scott Brown's Options: Run Against Obama or Lay Low
Tweet Share on Facebook February 2, 2010 Comment (14)By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers
Even before his honeymoon is over, Republicans are giving new Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown a wary eye. "Who does he want to be?" asks a Senate GOP-er. The choices: a senator eager to run for re-election in 2012, who will have to walk a politically moderate line to keep Democratic-leaning Bay State voters happy. Or a potential presidential or vice presidential candidate, who'll have to tack right to win primary voters. The key to the answer will be how he acts this year, says our tipster. "He'll speak up if he wants to run against Obama. He'll lay low if he wants to run for re-election."
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John Dingell’s New American Car
Tweet Share on Facebook February 2, 2010 Comment (4)By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers
Democratic Rep. John Dingell knows cars, probably more than most lawmakers. He represents Michigan's car-industry-rich 15th District, home to Ford and the plant that makes the battery for the new Chevy Volt. He doesn't play favorites. His Michigan vehicle is a Ford Escape; in Washington, it's a Chevy Malibu. But he's in the market for a new Michigan car and took time at this week's Washington Auto Show to shop around. He tells Whispers that American makers "don't have to take a back seat to anybody." Which means, he adds, "I'm going to buy a new car, and it's going to be American." Word is he's leaning toward a Mercury Milan, though he's a big fan of the Volt.
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Pro-Obama Group Hits Airwaves to Push Financial Reform
Tweet Share on Facebook February 1, 2010 Comment (1)By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers
President Obama is getting some support for his financial reform legislation from Americans United for Change, which is putting up an ad in Washington this week to attack big banks and promote his Consumer Financial Protection Agency. The ad for cable stations, provided in advance to Washington Whispers, portrays big banks as pigs wallowing in mud. One pig is shown with lipstick as the announcer says: "Now the Wall Street lobbyists say they'll clean up their act. But remember, you can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig."
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GOP to Launch 'Commitment to America' for 2010 Election
Tweet Share on Facebook February 1, 2010 Comment (14)By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers
Giddy Republicans might think they can take back the House and threaten the Democratic majority in the Senate this fall with the simple slogan of not being Democrats. But wiser party heads have another idea. Give voters a reason to vote for Republicans, not just against Democrats.
Whispers has learned that the GOP is soliciting ideas from candidates, business people, and voters from around the country for what it is calling a "Commitment to America." Those involved emphasize that it's not a warmed-over version of the 1994 "Contract With America," but the idea is the same: spell out how the GOP would do things differently if put in charge.
