Pres. Obama getting unwanted help from Democrats who are demanding a say in Iran nuke deal
By: Joe Scarborough
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Pres. Obama getting unwanted help from Democrats who are demanding a say in Iran nuke deal - Video
As the hours tick down to a midnight deadline to pass a budget, Maryland Democrats Monday morning refused to consider Republican Gov. Larry Hogan's suggested compromise.
In rhetoric that has heightened since the weekend, they said they have done everything they plan to do to resolve the rift.
"We're not done negotiating," Senate President Mike Miller said. "But we're not going to negotiate against ourselves."
Top leaders from the Senate and House of Delegates told reporters they have or are on track to deliver most of Hogan's legislative agenda by the end of the day: a repeal of the so-called "rain tax," a tax break for military retirees, more flexibility for charter schools, and a way to replenish the public campaign financing fund.
But they said the would not acquiesceto Hogan's idea to choose among sending money to schools, paying for some pregnant women to be on Medicaid, paying for heroin addition treatmentand a long list of other health care-related initiatives.
"We can not pick and choose amongst our constituent groups," Miller said."We have done our job. We're asking for the second floor to do its job as well."
Hogan remained cheerful in early afternoon, posing for pictures with visitors in African garb along with Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherfordon Lawyers Mall.
"The ball's in their court. We made a substantive proposal to them on Saturday," he said. "We gave them a tremendous proposal."
Hogan said he would consider the session a success even if no agreement is reached.
"It'll be the first time in a decade we haven't had tax increases and it'll be probably the most fiscally responsible budget in 40 years," he said.
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Democrats refuse to budge in budget standoff, Hogan remains 'hopeful'
Corker spent the weekend negotiating with Sens. Ben Cardin and Robert Menendez. Those talks appear to have borne fruit. | Getty
Top Democrats and Republicans on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee are nearing a deal on legislation that would allow Congress to review any nuclear agreement with Iran, a potential breakthrough that could herald a veto-proof majority for the measure.
Key congressional negotiators are confident they can strike a bipartisan agreement just hours ahead of a Tuesday afternoon committee vote on the bill, which would allow Congress to block President Barack Obama from quickly lifting legislative sanctions on Tehran. Irans leaders want the sanctions which have battered their economy to be waived swiftly after a final nuclear deal is reached.
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I dont want to ever commit and under-deliver and I dont think I ever have. We are moving in a very positive direction and weve worked through some issues that give me a lot of hope, Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) told reporters on Monday evening. I think weve been successful in that if we bring it to the floor, well have a positive vote.
Corker spent the weekend negotiating with Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland, the panels ranking member, and Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey, the former top Democrat on the panel who co-wrote the bill with Corker. Those talks appear to have borne fruit.
After deliberating with his Democratic colleagues on Monday, Cardin was bullish on the bills prospects. Im hopeful for tomorrow well have an agreement, Cardin said. I think we can get to a place where we deal with the White Houses concerns, and maintain the purpose of the bill.
Republicans have consistently blasted Obamas efforts to negotiate with Tehran, but some Democrats are likewise alarmed by the administrations diplomatic efforts. At the least, there appears to be broad support in both parties for allowing Congress to weigh in on the final deal.
The last-minute Hill negotiations reflects the administrations concerns that it could be steamrolled by Congress if it doesnt engage with Corkers committee. For the White House, and allies like Cardin, its better to try and limit the bills reach if it cant be stopped.
Corkers going to need all the votes he can muster once the bill reaches the Senate floor. Obama is likely to threaten a veto even though Corker has offered concessions, including softening a requirement that the administration certify that Iran is not directly sponsoring terrorism against the United States. In another compromise with Democrats, Corker is willing to allow the president to waive sanctions on a faster timetable than the 60-day waiting period envisioned in earlier versions of his bill.
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Corker and Democrats nearing deal on Iran bill
Hillary Rodham Clinton entered the presidential race Sunday to a stunning cold shoulder from Mayor Bill de Blasio and few signs of genuine enthusiasm from other top New York Democrats, who want to see her espouse a far more liberal agenda.
The lack of enthusiasm for Clinton made clear to the nation Sunday by de Blasios refusal to endorse on Meet the Press ranges from far-leftist progressives allied with de Blasio, who prefer a Wall Street-bashing populist like Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, to Jewish voters worried by President Obamas Mideast policies, to union activists taking their lead from AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, who want Clinton to face a primary challenge to force her into stronger stands on issues vital to organized labor.
And the lack of passion for Clinton was also seen on the local level Saturday at the Ready For Hillary gathering in Manhattan, where a mere 200 people and virtually no A-list Democratic officials attended a final fundraiser before Clintons announcement.
Democratic activists here really want progressives like de Blasio, Melissa Mark-Viverito, people like Elizabeth Warren, not someone as close to Wall Street and the big-money people as Hillary, said a prominent Democratic consultant.
Many Democrats also describe Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who was once seen as a potential Clinton alternative for president, as surprisingly unenthusiastic about Hillarys campaign.
He seems distant and detached from Hillarys effort, perhaps because its not his, said a senior Democratic Party leader.
While Jews have always been a bedrock of Democratic support, a surprising and little-noticed Siena College poll found that while Clinton, a former US senator from this state, was viewed favorably by an overwhelming number of New York voters (59-38 percent), she had a negative rating (44-50 percent) among Jewish voters.
Thats a figure thats not been lost on such powerful New York Democrats as US Sen. Chuck Schumer, insiders agree.
A prominent union insider told The Post, Hillary isnt close to sealing the deal with labor. Many union leaders are afraid that without a primary, Hillary wont have to address labors concerns before she is nominated.
And some of the unions are also hoping for an undefined alternative, while others prefer Elizabeth Warrens economic approach, he continued.
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New York Democrats unmoved by Hillarys announcement
21st Century Democrats: Jonathan Allen on Hillary Moving Left; Thomas Schaller on Left v Right
First, Jonathan Allen, now the chief political correspondent for Vox, has written extensively about Hillary Clinton. He says one problem facing her likely presidential run is the history of...
By: 21stdems
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21st Century Democrats: Jonathan Allen on Hillary Moving Left; Thomas Schaller on Left v Right - Video