April 2009

SCOTUS Justice David Souter is retiring after 19 years, several outlets are reporting.

Souter, an NH native, has been widely reported to be discontent with life in DC and ready, despite at 69 being far from the oldest justice serving, to return to the Granite State.

His retirement will allow Pres. Obama his first appointment to the high court and opens up the possibility that the Dem leader could have as many as three over the course of his term. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, 76, has been battling cancer and Justice John Paul Stevens is 89. Neither has telegraphed an immediate interest in stepping down.

Souter was appointed by George H. W. Bush in '90.

So the guessing games begin about whom Obama will appoint. A woman? The court's first Hispanic? A sitting judge or an academic or a lawmaker?

The leading contenders for the first appointment are women, according to court watchers. They include Judge Sonia Sotomayor of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit, Judge Diane Wood of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, former Stanford Law dean Kathleen Sullivan and Solicitor General Elena Kagan (a former Harvard Law School dean).

Another potentially groundbreaking pick, though undoubtedly a longshot given his age, is David Tatel, a U.S. Court of Appeals judge for the District of Columbia Circuit. Tatel, 67, would be the first blind justice.

Click through for yet another suggested candidate. Also unlikely, given her current position, but never say never. Four years is a long time. And eight even longer still. And reinvention is her M.O.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY), who had lost establishment support for his re-election, seems headed for retirement as his leading GOP rival, KY Sec/State Trey Grayson (R), forms an exploratory committee to run.

Meanwhile, in IL, the Chicago Sun-Times' Lynn Sweet writes that Rep. Mark Kirk is "poised" to enter the '10 contest for Barack Obama's former Senate seat, held now by Sen. Roland Burris. Sweet writes only that the story is developing.

WH Press Sec. Robert Gibbs announced today that an "individual who traveled to Mexico City to support the U.S. delegation that accompanied the President to Mexico City came down with flu-like symptoms associated with his work in Mexico."

Pres. Obama traveled 4/17 to Mexico City. Gibbs assured that Obama has not exhibited any symptoms. Energy Sec. Steven Chu, also joining the president's delegation for that journey, is also in the clear, Gibbs said.

Gibbs: "Secretary Chu has not and did not experience any symptoms. Because he is asymptomatic, he has not been tested and there are no plans to do so. The same is true -- the President, as I've said here many times, has not experienced any symptoms and doctors see no need to conduct any tests."

After the jump, more from Gibbs about the sick individual, whom he described as lead advance for Chu's security detail.

National Journal's Amy Harder spoke with UT Gov. Jon Huntsman (R) about the future of the GOP, exploring the notion that the party has to embrace a less stringent social policy agenda -- on civil unions, in particular -- to bring voters back into the fold.

Click through for the full interview and audio. Here are a few choice excerpts of the conversation with Huntsman:

NJ: You recently said the GOP "isn't moving anywhere right now." How do you think Republicans should move forward?

Huntsman: There is a course, and it's the same course the Democrats had to take 10 years ago. Things go in cycles, historically speaking, and we'll be back in action over time; it's just the pathway that we choose at this point and whether or not that's a short-term comeback or a long-term comeback.

It must begin with a meritocracy of ideas. You've got to have ideas competing in the marketplace under the Republican banner that are playing out in the incubators of democracy called the states.

NJ: Would you consider yourself more moderate than other Republicans when it comes to social issues?

Huntsman: I don't do well with tags. I'm a traditional Republican. People hired me to balance budgets, to make the economy work and to find fixes for health care and energy and transportation, and that's what I spend every waking hour doing. They didn't hire me to be a moralizer.

NJ: Why have you chosen to speak out in favor of civil unions?

Huntsman: Well, I didn't speak out on them, I was asked. And that's typically how journalism works. You're asked a question, you answer it and then it becomes a story. I have long been in favor of fairness and equality as long as I've been in office, and as long as I am in office that's exactly what I'll stand for.

I'm a traditionalist when it comes to gay marriage. I believe [marriage] should be between a man and a woman. I believe marriage ceremonies are sacred and they draw strongly on all sorts of traditions. But subordinate to that, we've not done a very good job in providing others who are in nontraditional relationships equal treatment. And I think there's probably room for improvement there.

NJ: There has been movement in states around the country toward gay marriage, and McCain campaign director Steve Schmidt recently called for the party to support such marriages. What's your reaction to Schmidt's comments?

Huntsman: We have a real need to broaden our base as a party. When you look at the demographics of the Republican Party, we've lost a good many voters and a good many voters have gone independent. And you have to ask yourself a question: Why is the independent "party" larger than either the Republican or Democratic Party?...

The Republican Party is going to have to make some strides to win independents back into the fold, and that's not going to be an easy thing to do. But if we do something about showing a sense of fairness and equality toward all citizens, that might be a good first step.

She bypassed the NRSC's 6/8 fundraising dinner. And now, she's bypassed the filter of the mainstream media.

Yes folks, it's official: AK Gov. Sarah Palin (R) is on Twitter. And since sending her inaugural tweet at 4:27 PM yesterday afternoon, @AKGovSarahPalin has attracted 8K+ followers. For perspective, that's one-third as many as Twitter powerhouse Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) -- in less than one day.

Unlike McCaskill, Palin is not a compulsive tweep -- at least, not yet. She tweeted three times in a span of four hours yesterday:

4/29, 4:27 PM: "This is my official Twitter feed - from here I'll provide updates on issues concerning Alaskans. Learn more about AK at www.alaska.gov."

4/29, 6:13 PM: "AP gravely misquoted my staff, saying I 'changed my mind' on the stimulus package. For accurate info, go to http://tinyurl.com/c7v84t."

4/29, 8:00 PM: "Check out this encouraging video covering the Emmonak job fair, narrated by Rural Affairs Advisor John Moller! http://tinyurl.com/d6udw9"

But we haven't heard from her since the start of Pres. Obama's 100th-day presser last night.

We'll stay tuned. Still, we have to wonder: if the AK gov.'s not using her two Blackberries to tweet, what's she doing?

On Call Aside: all tweets are reproduced exactly as they appeared.

WOTT provides a carefully selected slice of tweets written by political leaders, ex-politicians and candidates for office nationwide. Hotline subscribers can read the best overnight tweets in our AM edition.

Follow Hotline on Twitter: twitter.com/thehotline.

(FELICIA SONMEZ)

The National Council for a New America -- the GOP's effort to reach out to voters for ideas as the party works to reconstitute its message -- will host its first event 5/2 in Arlington, VA at a small Italian restaurant. The exact location will be announced later today so that the restaurant owner isn't inundated by media calls, according to a GOP source familiar with the planning.

(On Call Aside: If I were that person I'd gear up anyway for the media mayhem to follow.)

The source also said that ex-FL Gov. Jeb Bush, ex-MA Gov. Mitt Romney and House Min. Whip Eric Cantor will attend -- with one or two other congressional leaders possibly on hand. Sen. John McCain (AZ) has a scheduling conflict.

The restaurant owner has been tasked with filling the spot, which seats 50-60, for the event. He is involved with a Little League team so expect many families with children, said our source.

The restaurant was selected, he added, because it "represents thousands of similar restaurants in thousands of communities across America."

Note, too, that a new Web site will launch soon touting the GOP's town hall tour.

It's already been noted today by other outlets that high-level national Republican figures have not been included in the collection of folks gearing up for the council's effort, notably RNC chief Michael Steele, AK Gov. Sarah Palin and ex-Speaker Newt Gingrich, a potential '12 presidential hopeful. So while the members of the group are pushing a proactive, team effort at recasting the GOP as a concerned, compassionate crew not paralyzed by the Dem monopoly of Congress and the WH, they're leaving some visible officials out. Thereby underscoring the party's fragmentation.

After the jump, read a memo outlining the group's agenda, which Cantor sums as:

"The National Council for a New America will engage with and empower the American people to develop innovative solutions that meet the serious challenges confronting our country. It is the right time to begin a thoughtful conversation about the future of this country."

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

Americans United For Change, Alliance for a Better Minnesota and the MN AFL-CIO are airing a new TV ad calling on MN Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) to "do his legal duty and certify" the election results should entertainer Al Franken (D) be declared the winner by the state Supreme Court. The spot, a "five figure" cable ad buy, will run in the Twin Cities and Rochester media markets starting tomorrow through next week and is the first time the 2008 MN SEN contest has been featured in a TV ad since Election Day.

Full script of the ad:

ANNCR: "Most Minnesotans -- including Republicans -- believe that once the Minnesota Supreme Court rules, it will be time for Governor Pawlenty to do his legal duty and certify Al Franken as our senator. But the national Republican donors don't want Minnesota to have its rightful Representation in the Senate. The Republican Campaign Chairman, Texas Senator Cornyn, said Norm Coleman's court challenges could take 'years' to resolve. Now Governor Pawlenty has a choice. Will he act in the best interest Minnesota or his own national political ambitions?"

(FELICIA SONMEZ)

We're debuting a new feature this a.m. - The Hotline's Sorting Table. Watch editors Amy Walter and John Mercurio sort the morning's news. And get a sneak preview of what stories will be making it into The Hotline today. And why.

Tammy Haddad, goddess of all things Washington, has spearheaded the launch of a Web site providing all the dish DCers need to know about next weekend's WHCA festivities.

Per the NYT:

"It's the White House Correspondents Dinner on steroids," said Tammy Haddad, a longtime, Washington-based television producer who co-founded the site - WhiteHouseCorrespondentsWeekendInsider.com - with David Adler,the chief executive of the event planning firm BizBash Media. "This is going to be the president's debut, and we want to have a little fun for our big weekend."

Ms. Haddad, who throws the annual pre-dinner brunch, said the site was created for fun - not money - but she is hoping it will live on after the dinner, following the everyday doings of the White House press corps, thus providing inside details about the favorite subject of the news media: themselves, natch.

"World News," Evening News" and "Nightly News" each led with the swine flu outbreak and featured taped interviews with WH CoS Rahm Emanuel.

Pres. Obama's third prime-time press conference held on his 100th day in office was met with pretty mediocre reviews.

Karl Rove: "The news conference was boring. ... We had a news conference that was not important, except that they said it was important because it was the 100th day. ... They clearly prepared for tonight's event, but it was flat. It was dull. There were a couple of very important moments in it. I don't deny that, but it was a boring, boring news conference" ("Hannity," FNC, 4/29).

Weekly Standard's Hayes: "I thought he was tremendously disingenuous on interrogations. You know, he said he couldn't talk about these memos that Dick Cheney has been talking about because they're still classified. ... He sort of kicked that question aside. I thought that was a tremendously unfair way to treat the issue" (CNN, 4/29).

MSNBC's Matthews: "He's obviously looked at his polling and he wants to soften his image. He doesn't want to look like too big a government guy. ... He wants to be very pro-military. ... He wants to lessen the harshness of the reputation he's getting by the people complaining about the Notre Dame speech, that he's too pro-choice" ("Countdown," 4/29).

After the jump, interviews with WH sr. adviser David Axelrod and Emanuel.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

BLACKSBURG -- In their fourth debate of the race for the Dem gubernatorial nomination in VA, state Sen. Creigh Deeds, ex-Del. Brian Moran and ex-DNC chair Terry McAuliffe engaged in the most heated exchanges of the primary in an effort by each to seize the change mantle.

Moran, who since the start of the race has repeatedly characterized McAuliffe as a carpetbagger, raised his attacks a notch by associating McAuliffe, who has just as repeatedly said he's running an all-positive campaign, with some of the most negative moments of Sec/State Hillary Clinton's pres. primary bid against Pres. Barack Obama. Moran called McAuliffe's positive rhetoric "sanctimonious," before reminding the audience assembled in the downtown Lyric Theater of the infamous "3 AM" ad Clinton used to suggest Obama wasn't ready to lead in a crisis.

"There are a lot of things about negative campaigning Creigh and I could learn from you, Terry," Moran said.

McAuliffe was the exuberant chairman of Clinton's campaign, and has claimed he wasn't responsible for it's messaging. But Moran's attacks did seem to rattle the vehemently on-message McAuliffe, who for a moment lost his cool.

"Oh, sure Brian -- I was responsible for her ads, too," he shot back after Moran raised the Clinton commercial. As Moran started to respond, consulting from a notes in front of him on the podium, McAuliffe shouted, "Just say what you want to say, Brian. You don't have to look at those notes prepared by your staff before you speak."

Moran: "I'll do what I want to do."

It was the most heated moment in a debate that largely fell along the same themes as the past forums. On most issues, the three men largely agreed, leaving most of the actual debating towards the questions of who was being negative or not. Deeds also took some shots at McAuliffe, citing as he has in the past the ex-DNC chair's support of NAFTA as evidence that he's not as pro-VAian jobs as his rhetoric would suggest.

Beyond the schoolyard dustup, the debate was notable for it's format, which was heavy on new media. It was moderated by three bloggers and a college reporter, and throughout followup questions came from moderators watching the debate's twitter feed. More than 1,000 debate-related tweets were posted during the 90 minute forum, leading organizers to call the experimental format a success. For their part, all the candidates praised bloggers and other new media types and all agreed that, if elected Gov, they would give incoming tweets the same weight as more traditional public correspondence sent via snail mail.

(EVAN McMORRIS-SANTORO)

Just under an hour for Obama's third presser. 13 wide ranging questions. From the swine flu to future of the auto industry to torture to Sen. Arlen Specter's party switch.

Reader react?

Question 12 How is your position on state secrets doctrine different from the Bush administration's?

Thinks state secrets doctrine is overly broad and should be modified.

Question 13 What is govt's role as keeper of public trusts and bonds in soon to be public cos. again?

"I think our first role should be as shareholders looking to get out. I don't want to run auto companies. I don't want to run banks. ... The sooner we can get out of that business, the better off we will be."

Believes America should have a functioning auto industry, but that there shouldn't be an umbilical cord between Treasury and the car cos.

"My job is to ask the auto industry, 'Why is it you guys can't do this?'" Obama said of lack of U.S. hybrid vehicles.

His response to those who say he only wants to grow govt: "I would love a nice lean portfolio to deal with but that's not the hand that's been dealt us. And every generaiton has to rise up to the specific challenges that confront them. ... I'm confident that we will meet these challenges just like our grandparents and forebearers met them before."

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

Question 11 Communities of color harder hit by economic downturn. What will he do to help?

Extended unemployment benefits. Put in place additional dollars for community health centers. Extended the children's health insurance program. Pushed for tax cuts for working families.

"My general approach is if the economy is strong that will lift all boats."

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

Question 10 Immigration reform strategy? And done in year one?

Will convene a working group to start looking at a framework of how this legislation might be shaped. Would partner with many on the matter, including Sen. John McCain. "I think he has had the right position on immigration reform," Obama said of his 2008 rival.

"I see the process moving this first year. And I'm going to move it as quickly as I can."

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

Question 9 What has most surprised, troubled, enchanted, humbled him about the office?

Sobered, Obama said, by the fact that "change in Washington comes slow." "There is still a certain quotient of political posturing and bickering that takes place, even when we're in the middle of really big crises."

Enchanted: "I will tell you that when I meet our servicemen and women, enchanted is probably not the word I would use, but I am so profoundly impressed and grateful to them for what they do. They're really good at their job. They are willing to make extraordinary sacrifices on our behalf. They do so without complaint. They are fiercely loyal to this country."

Humbled: "By the fact that the presidency is extraordinarily powerful but we are just part of a much broader tapestry of American life. And there are a lot of different power centers. So I can't just press a button and have the bankers do exactly what I want. Or turn on a switch and suddenly Congress falls in line." Instead, he has to "coax folks in the right direction."

"I'm humbled last by the American people who have shown extraordinary patience and a recognition that we're not going to solve all these problems overnight."

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

Question 8 On controversy over Notre Dame speech -- and whether he wants Congress to send him the Freedom of Choice Act for signature.

Obama: "I think those who are pro choice make a mistake if they suggest ... that this is simply an issue about women's freedom and there's no other considerations."

More: "The Freedom of Choice Act is not my highest legislative priority. I believe women should have the right to choose. But I think the most important thing we can do to tamp down some of the anger surrounding this issue is to focus on some of those areas we can agree on."

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

Question 7 Is Sen. Arlen Specter's switch to the Dem party a game changer, as some in the GOP privately suggest?

"I think very highly of Arlen Specter," Obama said, adding that he has a record of legislative accomplishment as good as any senator.

"I'm under no illusions that suddenly I'm going to have a rubberstamp Senate," he said. Has Democrats "who don't agree with me." "And that's the way it should be." Regional differences persist. Compromise and give and take required.

"I do think that -- to my Republican friends -- I want them to realize that me reaching out to them has been genuine. I can't sort of define bipartisanship as simply being willing to accept certain theories of theirs that we tried for eight years" and didn't work and were rejected by the American people in the 2008 election.

"Probably not a good political strategy" for the GOP to oppose the administration on every front, he added.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

Question 6 Renewed violence in Iraq prompting a rethinking of his timetable for withdrawal?

"You haven't seen the kinds of huge spikes (in violence) that you were seeing for a time. The political system is holding and functioning in Iraq."

Obama said the reason he called for a gradual withdrawal is that more work needs to be done to marginalize "whatever remnants of Al Qaeda in Iraq still exist."

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

Question 2 on fate of automakers in trouble.

Obama noted that "the clock is ticking on Chrysler coming up with a plan." But he said he's more hopeful than he was 30 days ago that Chrysler will offer a viable solution. GM, he reminded, has another 30 days.

"I would love to get the U.S. government out of the auto industry."

Question 3 Do you believe that the previous administration sanctioned torture?

"Waterboarding violates our ideals and our values. I do believe that it is torture. ... And that's why I put an end to these practices."

We could have gotten this information in other ways, Obama added, more consistent with who we are as Americans.

"It is better for us to stick to who we are even when we're taking on an unscrupulous enemy."

Question 4 More on torture, envision a situation wherein the U.S. was in imminent danger and he would sanction enhanced interrogation tactics?

"I will do whatever is required to keep the American people safe," Obama said, but cautioned that he is unwilling to "take short cuts that undermine who we are."

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

Obama said Pres. Bush's administration has prepared the country well for a possible flu outbreak -- even though the latest strain is new. He said Bush did "a good job," Obama said, adding that the country has a stockpile of 50M courses of antiviral drugs.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

Pres. Obama led his third press conference this evening with an assurance that the government is taking the "utmost precautions and preparations" to combat the swine flu threat popping up across the globe. He said he asked Congress for $1.5B funding to prepare to tackle the sickness (deemed, it's worth noting, a looming "pandemic" today by the World Health Organization).

Obama asked every American to take the same precautions they would with any ailment:
to keep their hands washed, cover their mouths when coughing, stay home from work if sick and keep children home from school if they're sick.

"This is a cause for deep concern, but not panic," he said in response to AP's Jennifer Loven, who asked if it's time to close the border with Mexico. Obama said he's not been advised to do so, that it would be like closing the barn door after the horse has already escaped.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

The White House emails excerpts of Pres. Obama's introductory remarks before his third prime-time press conference this evening.

We are continuing to closely monitor the emerging cases of the H1N1 flu virus throughout the United States. As I said this morning, this is obviously a very serious situation, and every American should know that their entire government is taking the utmost precautions and preparations. ...

This budget builds on the steps we've taken over the last one hundred days to move this economy from recession to recovery and ultimately to prosperity. We began by passing a Recovery Act that has already saved or created over 150,000 jobs and provided a tax cut to 95% of all working families. We passed a law to provide and protect health insurance for eleven million American children whose parents work full-time. And we launched a housing plan that has already contributed to a spike in the number of homeowners who are refinancing their mortgages, which is the equivalent of another tax cut.

But even as we clear away the wreckage of this recession, I have also said that we cannot go back to an economy that is built on a pile of sand - on inflated home prices and maxed-out credit cards; on overleveraged banks and outdated regulations that allowed the recklessness of a few to threaten the prosperity of us all.

We must lay a New Foundation for growth - a foundation that will strengthen our economy and help us compete in the 21st century. And that's exactly what this budget begins to do. It contains new investments in education that will equip our workers with the right skills and training; new investments in renewable energy that will create millions of jobs and new industries; new investments in health care that will cut costs for families and businesses; and new savings that will bring down our deficit. ...

So we are off to a good start. But it is just a start. I am proud of what we have achieved, but I am not content. I am pleased with our progress, but I am not satisfied. Millions of Americans are still without jobs and homes, and more will be lost before this recession is over. Credit is still not flowing nearly as freely as it should. Countless families and communities touched by our auto industry still face tough times ahead. Our projected long-term deficits are still too high. Government is still not as efficient as it should be. We still confront threats ranging from terrorism to nuclear proliferation to pandemic flu. And all of this means you can expect an unrelenting, unyielding effort from this administration to strengthen our prosperity and our security - in the second hundred days, and the third hundred days, and all the days after. ...

So we have plenty of work left to do. It is work that will take time. It will take effort. But the United States of America will see a better day. We will rebuild a stronger nation. And we will endure as a beacon for all those weary travelers beyond our shores who still dream that this is a place where all is possible.

Pres. Obama's 100th day in office was, of course, a topic of discussion in the twittersphere. Everybody's a critic -- or booster.

Rep. Gregg Harper (R-MS): "HARPER: 'CAN WE AFFORD ANOTHER 100 DAYS?' Read more: http://tinyurl.com/dxueu4" 4/29, 1:11 PM

Ex-DNC Chair Terry McAuliffe (D-VA): "What a successful 100 days 4 the Pres! Recovery Plan & budget invest in renewables & high-speed rail, creating jobs in VA. This is change." 4/29, 12:46 PM

Ex-Speaker Newt Gingrich: "My newsletter today recaps the first 100 days of president obama as very effectively doing the wrong things you can sign up for it newt.org" 4/29, 6:35 AM

Simultweeting From The Presidential Limo

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO): "In Presidential limo with President,Gov Jay and my husband Joe on the way to Jeff Co. Neat." 4/29, 11:04 AM

MO Gov. Jay Nixon (D): "Jay is in Presidential limo with President Obama and Claire McCaskill en route to Jefferson County" 4/29, 11:09 AM

On Call Aside: all tweets are reproduced exactly as they appeared.

WOTT provides a carefully selected slice of tweets written by political leaders, ex-politicians and candidates for office nationwide. Hotline subscribers can read the best overnight tweets in our AM edition.

Follow Hotline on Twitter: twitter.com/thehotline.

(FELICIA SONMEZ)

The DSCC launched its first television ad of the 2010 cycle today, hitting potential FL SEN candidate Gov. Charlie Crist (R) for pondering a bid for federal office when the state's economy is in trouble.

Narrator: "Florida faces tough times and a budget mess could mean cuts in police, schools, and health care. But instead of working to fix it, Charlie Crist wants to quit to go to Washington."

Eric Schultz, communications director for the DSCC, said in a statement "Leadership does not mean driving your state into an economic ditch and then ditching you responsibilities. If Governor Crist is going to leave the problems he created behind, Floridians ought to know his record before he even gets into this race. Maybe he ought to spend less time party hopping and more time tending to the problems his state is facing."

Amber Wilkerson, NRSC spokeswoman, said the ad buy spells worry for the other side. "The DSCC obviously knows they're in trouble in Florida because this reeks of desperation," she said. "Too bad they haven't learned that voters in the Sunshine State are looking for real solutions, accountability, and checks and balances in Washington - not another round of pithy negative attacks."

The ad is running in Tallahassee now and could run elsewhere later, Schultz said. He did not dislcose the amount of the buy.

Crist could potentially dominate a field of candidates without strong statewide reputations. On the Democratic side, Rep. Kendrick Meek and FL state Sen. Dan Gelber have declared their candidacies. Former House Speaker Marco Rubio (R) is pondering a bid as is Rep. Vern Buchanan.

The RNC invites you to send Sen. Arlen Specter a 'Welcome to the Democratic Party memo.'

Let's just say it's not so welcoming. Check it out.

As Pres. Obama marks his 100th day in office, a new Diageo/Hotline survey shows that voters are largely pleased with him and his job performance.

Sixty-four percent of respondents say they have a favorable opinion of him, and 31 percent of voters hold an unfavorable view. Obama's job approval ratings have also remained high and stable since his inauguration, with 62 percent of voters saying they approve of the way Obama is handling his job as president, and 33 percent saying they disapprove.

Obama's approval ratings are buoyed by the 18-34 set, who were wildly supportive during the presidential contest but have also come around in even greater numbers to back him in the White House. His approval rating is 76% among voters who fall within this age group, while it is 55 percent among those ages 35 - 55, and 60 percent among those 55 and older.

The 18-34 cohort also demonstrates a greater appetite generally for government involvement, 67 percent say it's a good idea, 29 percent say it's a bad idea. By comparison, 41 percent of the 35-54 percent are for it, 52 percent are against, and 45 percent of the 55 and older crew are for it, while 47 percent are against.

Younger voters are also boosting increases in the right direction/wrong track numbers, as some 56 percent of 18-34 respondents say the country is moving in the right direction, compared with 41 percent of those 55 and older and 33 percent of those 35 - 54. Overall, the right direction/wrong track gap has narrowed dramatically since January, when 52 percent said the country was on the wrong track and 31 percent said it was moving in the right direction.

Obama, said pollster Brent McGoldrick of FD, which conducted the survey, is "essentially bringing the country to parity in terms of whether people think the country is headed in the right direction or the wrong track."

Now, 47 percent said the nation is on the wrong track, 42 percent said right direction.

The poll also finds that Obama's approval ratings on most issues are high, with the war in Afghanistan (64 percent), war in Iraq (61 percent) and energy (59 percent) leading the way. Obama's approval rating on the economy, which 69 percent of voters say is the most important issue facing the country, is 56 percent.

Note, too, that 70 percent of voters say it will be at least a year and possibly as many as four years before the economy rebounds.

"People don't necessarily think the economy is going to turn around in the next few months," McGoldrick said. "The president has a fairly long leash in terms of when he actually has to deliver on the economy."

While 58 percent of voters say that Obama has focused "the right amount" on the economy, 42 percent also say that "the economy" is the issue they would like to see him spend more time focusing on for the remainder of the year. The top issue that voters feel Obama is paying too little attention to is immigration, at 52 percent, followed by terror, at 44 percent.

The poll of 800 registered voters conducted by FD from 4/23 -26 and has a margin of error +/- 3.5%.

Read on for congressional Dem and GOP job approval, and more on Speaker Nancy Pelosi's unfavorables (27 percent fav/44 percent unfav), among other data.

MN SEN leader Al Franken (D) announced today that he has hired a chief of staff, Drew Littman, who heads of his own consulting practice, Littman Associates, and works as an adjunct professor at American University. Littman began his career on Capitol Hill twenty years ago as a policy aide for then-Rep. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), according to a Franken release.

"I'm honored and excited to join Senator-elect Franken in Washington," he said in a statement. "Over my long career, I have had the privilege to work with many elected officials and organizations who believed in the same vision Al Franken will work towards as a Senator. I know that Al Franken is ready to serve and that he will work hard on behalf of Minnesota's working families. And I can't wait to help him get started."

Littman is Franken's second key hire; he picked a state director earlier this month. Even as Norm Coleman (R) challenges the results of the election in the state's high court, Franken's move to staff up gives a sense of inevitability to his victory. Coleman's camp will indeed protest, but five months after the election and with a 312-vote lead to his advantage, Franken's seating seems only a matter of time.

Franken issued a statement: "With Drew leading our team, I know that my office will be able to uphold the Minnesota tradition of excellent and responsive constituent service. With his years of experience and his expertise in helping new Senators hit the ground running, Drew has become a trusted advisor and a valuable resource as I prepare to take office. I will continue to count on him as I work with Senators from both parties and the rest of our state's fantastic delegation to serve the people of Minnesota, make progress on President Obama's agenda, and move our country forward."

National Journal recorded 250 campaign promises registered by candidate Barack Obama over the course of the 2008 presidential election. As Obama marks his 100th day in the White House, NJ notes that he has completed 13 of them.

NJ's Kevin Friedl and Deron Lee examine:

Some of his completed pledges, such as giving fireside chats online or requiring new hires to swear off gifts from lobbyists, were as easy to complete as flipping on a camera or flourishing a pen. Others, such as a pledge to include Republicans in his Cabinet, ended up causing no small amount of grief.

On several promises, the administration has taken significant steps but has yet to seal the deal; those were not included on this list. Obama's pledge to lift Bush-era restrictions on stem cell research, for example, came with a pledge to ensure research is "conducted ethically and with rigorous oversight." He completed his part, but the National Institutes of Health is not expected to release its guidelines for ethical research until July.

The 13 promises Obama has completed so far might seem trivial compared to what some presidents have achieved in their opening months, but with congressional Democrats generally amenable to the president's budget outline and efforts advancing on climate and health care, the administration seems well placed to scratch off a few more promises in the next 100 days.

And don't forget those promises broken. Read on.

Pres. Obama, VP Joe Biden and Sen. Arlen Specter (PA) gathered this morning in the Diplomatic Room for their first meeting since Specter announced his defection from the GOP.

Specter offered kind words for the Dem administration. "I feel very comfortable with" the White House, he said, adding, "I think I can be of assistance to you, Mr. President."

Obama returned the favor. "I'm thrilled to have Arlen in the Democratic caucus," he said, per a Wall Street Journal pool report. "I have told that he will have my full support in the Democratic primary."

The pool report, featuring additional comments from Obama and Biden, is available after the jump.

Remember this ad for Al Franken? The spot, which featured Hillary Clinton and ran during the MN SEN election, suggested Franken could very well be the 60th vote for Senate Dems. It was a statewide buy. With Sen. Arlen Specter's decision yesterday to switch parties, the ad seems, as one Dem operative suggested, "eerily prescient."

"World News," Evening News" and "Nightly News" each led with the swine flu outbreak.

Sen. Arlen Specter's (R-PA) decision to switch parties rocked the political world. In addition to general reaction, pols and pundits weighed in on what this means for the PA SEN race, the Dems' voting power in the Senate and the future of the GOP.

FNC's Hume: "This is not really about Arlen Specter being a liberal or conservative. He was never really much of either. What Arlen Specter has always been is a survivor. ... He survived cancer. He survived a farcical run for the presidency on his own part back in 1996, and he survived many a close race. Now he looked at one he didn't think he could win, switched parties to a situation where he thinks he can win. That is really what this is all about" ("Special Report," 4/28).

Ex-WH adviser David Gergen: "This is on the eve of the 100th day for President Obama. He planted these seeds, too. And, back in the primaries and the general election, he persuaded, with his campaign, some 200,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania to leave their party and go over to the Democratic side. If those 200,000 were still on the Republican side, it's a very good chance Arlen Specter might have won that primary and stayed in the party" ("AC 360," CNN, 4/28).

Newsweek's Fineman: "This is an Ed Rendell/Joe Biden production because one of the things that had to happen here is that they essentially had to clear the Democratic primary field, basically, and being able to promise Arlen Specter that they could deliver the Democratic nomination to him were he to switch parties. I don't think that's going to be a problem" ("Hardball," MSNBC, 4/28).

Much more after the jump.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

As other news outlets tracked Michelle Obama's gowns and "guns," the Hotline has been meticulously tracking the commander-in-chief's neckwear selections. Many headlines today will highlight Pres. Obama's first 100 days in office, but we bring you The First 70 Work Days Analytical Tie Spectacular.

Since taking office, Obama has worn a blue tie the majority (51%) of work days. Many would expect such a partisan choice, but unfortunately, there is little tracking data available from George W. Bush's first 70 work days for comparison. And despite his mission of bipartisanship and pledge to change the tone in DC, Obama has sported a red tie only 29% of work days.

Coming in next is the gloomy collection -- black and gray -- which Obama has worn 13% and 6% of the time, respectively. In last place is green, which Obama, like his predecessor, wore on St. Patrick's Day.

For those of you keeping track at home, Apr. has been the bluest month of Obama's young presidency. Through 4/28, he has worn a blue necktie 65% of the time. Similarly, Wednesday is Obama's favorite day to wear blue, and he's most likely to sport red on Tuesdays. Finally, for those Cal Ripken Jr. fans among you, Obama's longest streak so far is four straight days of blue from 2/10-13.

Here's a chart detailing The First 70 Work Days Analytical Tie Spectacular. Notice the day split between blue and red in Feb.; Obama changed ties midday before his 2/24 address to Congress.

        Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr   Total %age
Blue     4    10.5  10    11    35.5  51%
Red      4     5.5   6     5    20.5  29%
Gray     1     2     3     3     9    13%
Black    0     1     2     1     4     6%
Green    0     0     1     0     1     1%

(MAURA O'BRIEN and MATTHEW GOTTLIEB)

KS Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D) was confirmed today as Pres. Obama's HHS secretary. The final vote was 65-31. Sebelius stepped down as governor only minutes after the Senate signed off, the AP reports.

Appearing on CNN earlier today, RNC chief Michael Steele said Sen. Arlen Specter "simply flipped the bird" to Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), who heads the NRSC.

"It's not only disrespectful, it's just downright rude," Steele said of Specter's decision to abandon the GOP. "I'm sure his mama didn't raise him that way. It's a shame that he's behaving this way today."

Steele complained, too, that Specter didn't provide him with a heads up in advance of his announcement.

VP Biden on Sen. Arlen Specter's conversion:

"I welcome my old friend to the Democratic Party. Senator Arlen Specter is a man of remarkable courage and integrity. I know he will remain a powerful and independent voice for Pennsylvania and the country."

Of the three Democrats running, Sen. Creigh Deeds (D) suggests he's the total geographic and ideological package. Deeds is from Virginia's rural Bath County, so he believes he best represents the values of people outside the Northern Virginia corridor. But at the same time, he says he has a legislative history that proves he can tackle those issues that are of importance to NoVAians (read transportation). What's more, he says, he is the only one to have taken on ex-AG Bob McDonnell (R) in a statewide race.

In today's TwitterView, Deeds worked hard to paint himself as All Things To All People. But did he succeed?

On guns, Deeds -- who owns eight -- punted when asked what new regulations VA might need, preferring to vaguely align himself with the past policy positions of Sen. Jim Webb and Gov. Mark Warner. In a state still reeling from the deadliest school shooting in the nation's history, it remains to be seen if Dem voters will favor what amounts to a "wait and see" answer on guns.

Same goes for VA's gay marriage amendment, as some states move on proposals allowing gays to wed. VA Dems may not be satisfied with Deeds' (and ex-DNC Chair Terry McAuliffe's) belief that a repeal of the VA amendment is a political battle not worth fighting in the Commonwealth.

Here is Deeds' TwitterView:

@TheHotline: "First Q: From where are you tweeting? And with what? And we gotta ask you this: what's playing in the background?" 4/28, 12:03 PM

@CreighDeeds: "Danville. My blackberry. Silence, ihome is still in the car" 12:06 PM

@TheHotline: "no music? Oh well. To some issues, then: What kind of guns should VAians not be allowed to own?" 12:08 PM

@CreighDeeds: "I support 2d Amendment right to own and bear. Voted to ban street sweeper" 12:10 PM

@TheHotline: "Beyond closing the gun show loophole, are there any new gun regulations you hope to put in place as Governor?" 12:12 PM

@CreighDeeds: "I will keep open mind but like Sens Webb and Warner do not favor changes to law. I will focus on the economy and job creation" 12:15 PM

@CreighDeeds: "Ipod retreived. Highwaymen continued" 12:19 PM

@TheHotline: "U have said you're still making up your mind on repealing VA's gay marriage ban. Do you expect to have a position by Jun 9?" 12:19 PM

@CreighDeeds: "I voted against the amendment at the ballot box. As Governor my focus will be to create economic opportunity for all Virginians ... I spoke against it, voted against it. The amdmnt does not belong in the Constitution. Politics is the art of the possible" 12:24 PM (2nd tweet)

@TheHotline: "Do you support repealing it now?" 12:30 PM

@CreighDeeds: "I will focus on acheivable goals as Governor. I will work for a stong economy by investing in education and job creation" 12:33

@TheHotline: "Some politics Qs: What will you do differently this time around to defeat Bob McDonnell? (Nice choice on Hwymen, btw)" 12:34 PM

@CreighDeeds: "Rocky wins the rematch. I am the only D in this race who's run a competitive campaign" 12:36 PM

@TheHotline: "How many days between now and p'mary day do you think you'll spend in NoVA?" 12:37 PM

@CreighDeeds: "20-25" 12:39 PM

@TheHotline: "We all know of your connection to rural VA, what's your main strength when reaching out to NoVA voters?" 12:42 PM

@CreighDeeds: "Why don't you ask MM whipple, Chap Petersen, Dick Saslaw, Janet Howell? I can bring everyone together on transportation" 12:44 PM

@TheHotline: "Numbers: How many cars do you own? How many houses? How many guns? How many of your kids attended public school?" 12:46 PM

@CreighDeeds: "Ford Xplr and F250. 1 house. 7 rifles, 1 shotgun. All 4 products of Bath County public school system, youngest in 10th grade" 12:49 PM

@TheHotline: "What faith are you? How often do you attend services?" 12:49 PM

@CreighDeeds: "Presbyterian. Nearly every Sunday. Campaign trail has me in churches all across Va" 12:51 PM

@TheHotline: "In VA gov't, who is the member of the opposite party you respect the most?" 12:52 PM

@CreighDeeds: "I respect many people. Andy Guest has been gone for 8 years. He is the R I hold in highest esteem" 12:54 PM

@TheHotline: "Ok, last one: Get any hunting in this year? What was your best kill so far?" 12:56 PM

@CreighDeeds: "Too busy campaigning." 12:57 PM

Follow Hotline on Twitter: twitter.com/thehotline.

(EVAN McMORRIS-SANTORO)

After Democrats won control of the White House and bolstered their numbers on the Hill in November, I've asked many Republican lobbyists how their business might be affected.

Most have replied to me that Democrats did not have a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, which meant that clients still needed help from Republicans on K Street if they expected to defeat or pass legislation.

Well, that marketing pitch to clients likely got a whole lot weaker after today's bombshell news that Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., was switching parties to join the Democratic caucus. If the still-unsettled Senate race in Minnesota results in Democrat Al Franken as the winner, as expected, the Democrats will have a filibuster-proof majority. That's likely to mean K Street Republicans are going to have to tailor their pitches.

John Feehery, a Republican lobbyist and founder of the Feehery Group, thinks business and advocacy groups who want to stop legislation in Congress are going to have to turn to grassroots and public relations strategies to have an impact.

"It will require popular outrage to stop things as opposed to inside Washington deals," he said. "To slow things down will require a lot more [popular] heat being put on Democrat moderates and Blue Dogs."

Cesar Conda, a Republican and co-founder of the bipartisan firm Navigators Global, makes the argument that Specter isn't necessarily going to be a reliable vote for Democrats and that means Republicans on K Street still have clout.

"He's not going to be a rubber stamp for cloture," Conda said.

Indeed Specter told reporters Tuesday afternoon: "I will not be changing my own personal independence nor my own approach to individual issues. I will not be an automatic 60th vote."

And while labor leaders expressed enthusiasm that Specter's switch means renewed life for the union-organizing "card-check" bill, the Pennsylvania senator said he is still opposed. "I think it is a bad bill, and I'm opposed to it," he said. "I would not vote to invoke cloture."

Of course this is all good news from Democratic lobbyists on K Street, who will be in more demand than ever.

Readers meanwhile, do you have any thoughts? What do our Republican readers On K Street think? Email me.

(National Journal's BARA VAIDA, writing for the Under the Influence blog)

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee should ban donations from lobbyists and political action committees permanently, not just for a June 18 dinner hosted by President Obama, a coalition of 50 campaign finance advocates and progressive bloggers said in a letter to the Democratic organizations.

The coalition also launched a website to garner public support for their cause, called "StopFakeReform."

"We read that you have chosen to accept President Obama's ban on fundraising from PACs and lobbyists, but only for June 18 - the day he headlines a fundraiser for you," the letter says. "This isn't just hypocritical - it defies common sense that you'd think the public would believe this was a principled stand against special-interest influence."

Organizing the effort is Change Congress, a group urging donors to boycott giving money to federal candidates until lawmakers enact comprehensive campaign finance reform. The outfit says that it has been able to get pledges from donors to withhold $1.28 million in funds to candidates.

Jennifer Crider, spokeswoman for the DCCC said it isn't correct to say that her group and the DSCC are foregoing lobbyist and PAC money for "one day," rather they agreed not to raise money from lobbyists and PACs for one event, at the request of Obama.

"Democrats enacted the strongest ethics and lobbying reform in history. Our fundraising is fully transparent," said Crider, noting that Rep. Christopher Van Hollen, D-Md., who is chair of the DCCC, was author of legislation in 2008 in the House that resulted in the enactment of strict reporting rules on money bundlers.

Other signers of the letter to the parties include Public Campaign, Public Citizen and progressive bloggers from key states like California, New Jersey, Nevada and North Carolina. See the letter and list here.

(National Journal's BARA VAIDA, writing for the Under the Influence blog)

Asserting that he had made a principled move not a political one, Sen. Arlen Specter (PA) told reporters today that his decision to become a Democrat stemmed from the realization that his "prospects for winning a Republican primary are bleak."

"I'm not prepared to have my 29 year record in the United States Senate decided by the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate," Specter said.

Specter said he will not trade in his personal independence as he aligns with Democrats. And he said he will not be a rubber stamp for the leadership's agenda.

"I will not be an automatic sixtieth vote," he said, mentioning his opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act as one example. He said he will not be swayed on the proposal, which makes it easier for unions to organize.

"I think it is a bad bill, and I'm opposed to it and would not vote to invoke cloture," Specter added.

He said, too, that he is opposed to using the budget reconciliation process for health care or any other substantive legislation, saying it would "undermine an important institutional prerogative of the Senate to require 60 votes on these complicated matters."

"I thought that," he said, "whether I would be a Republican or a Democrat."

Specter's announcement put the Democrats in shooting distance of a 60-vote filibuster proof majority if entertainer Al Franken emerges the victor in the ongoing MN SEN contest. Not unexpectedly, Specter drew a torrent of criticism from GOP colleagues, who suggested that Specter, facing a primary challenge from Pat Toomey, who until recently led the Club for Growth, was trading in his longtime political loyalty to win re-election next year.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) called the decision "the height of political self-preservation" and Chris Chocola, Club for Growth president, said the change only confirms that Specter, who backed Pres. Obama's economic bailout proposal, is "a liberal devoted to more spending, more bailouts, and less economic freedom."

"The situation in Pennsylvania highlights the dilemma facing the Republican Party," said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC). "Ideologically, we are a center-right party and I am committed to maintaining that position. However, for us to have national relevance we have to run and win in blue states. As a party we have to expand our base and diversify our membership while maintaining our fiscally conservative, limited government approach.

Graham added that Specter "puts a great deal of pressure on red-state Democratic Senators" whose "constituents will look to them to reject a far left-wing agenda."

Specter acknowledged the frustrations vented by GOP leaders. "This is a painful decision," he said. "I know that I am disappointing many of my friends and colleagues. Frankly, I am disappointed by some of the responses. So the disappointment runs in both directions."

Specter said he reached the determination at the urging of many Democrats, including VP Biden and PA Gov. Ed Rendell. Specter noted that he received polling information last week confirming his political troubles. He consulted with his wife, Joan, and their son and made the decision over the weekend.

He said that Republicans have let several of the party's more moderate members fall in recent years to primary challenges from the right or allowed them to fight weakened after bruising primary battles. He mentioned Wayne Gilchrest in MD, Joe Schwartz in MI and Heather Wilson in NM.

Even with the change, Specter said he hopes to maintain his committee seniority. And he said that he expects the Dem leadership to formally endorse his candidacy as early as tomorrow morning.

Republicans, meanwhile, face further setback as they weigh the prospect of a Dem Senate with the power to push preferred legislation without any bipartisan support. Conversely, the new dynamic will advance an already evolving storyline in Washington -- that Obama, despite his campaign rhetoric promising post partisanship and bridge building between the parties, is governing in a highly polarized time alongside a sharply divided Congress.

"Specter is a bummer for Republicans and a bummer for America," said GOP strategist Phil Musser. "His announcement is an acknowledgment of political reality, with the echoes of Tea Parties ringing loudly in his ears."

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

Terry McAuliffe, one of three VA candidates for governor, is airing a new ad in Roanoke touting his "next big idea" for creating jobs in the Commonwealth. He suggests investing in wind energy, pre-kindergarten and emergency health insurance plans. The television ad is McAuliffe's fourth. Voters go to the polls 6/9. Neither of his party rivals -- Brian Moran and Creigh Deeds -- have advertised yet on television.

Our tweeps went wild after Sen. Arlen Specter (PA) announced his decision today to leave the Republican party to run as a Democrat in 2010.

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO): "Specter to switch parties? Wow." 4/28, 12:00 PM

Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL): "Whoa, Arlen Specter is switching to Democratic Party after three decades in GOP" 4/28, 12:17 PM

Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC): "It would be more newsworthy if Specter finally became a Republican ... http://bit.ly/TUf38 #tcot #hhrs" 4/28, 12:29 PM

Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO): "Specter's switch is important because it gives Dems enough votes in the Senate to end a filabuster and bring bills to a vote" 4/28, 12:48 PM

Sen. Mel Martinez (R-FL): "RE Specter's Party Switch:The pressure is now on moderate democrats to stop the radical agenda. I am disappointed and surprised ... On lighter note, Sen Dodd came to Republican meeting where Specter was speaking and asked if Ds could trade for someone else." 4/28, 1:49 PM (2nd tweet)

Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME): "Everyone distracted by Specter switch today...but in this committee room all discussion very focused on Hate Crimes bill -- quite heated!" 4/28, 1:59 PM

On Call Aside: all tweets are reproduced exactly as they appeared.

WOTT provides a carefully selected slice of tweets written by political leaders, ex-politicians and candidates for office nationwide. Hotline subscribers can read the best overnight tweets in our AM edition.

Do you have a favorite political tweep you think should be added to our list? Email us at hotlinetwitter@nationaljournal.com.

Follow Hotline on Twitter: twitter.com/thehotline.

(EVAN McMORRIS-SANTORO)

During a subcommittee hearing on health policy a few moments ago, Sen. Arlen Specter (R to D-PA) offers first words about his decision:

"This is a complicated day for me," he said. "That's not a laugh line. But you can laugh. Who am I to say?"

Specter left the hearing. He is expected to hold a press conference shortly.

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), head of the NRSC, said Arlen Specter's (R-PA) decision to switch political parties comes "in the face of a seemingly insurmountable bid for re-election next year."

"Senator Specter's decision today represents the height of political self-preservation," Cornyn said in a statement. "While this presents a short-term disappointment, voters next year will have a clear choice to cast their ballots for a potentially unbridled Democrat super-majority versus the system of checks-and-balances that Americans deserve."

Cornyn stuck his neck out for Specter in recent weeks as Pat Toomey launched a GOP primary challenge. At the time, Cornyn said that Specter couldn't win in TX but that he couldn't win a PA battle. He said Specter was the better fit for the left-leaning state and that he would have the NRSC's support in the primary.

"As I survey the political landscape of the upcoming 2010 elections, it's clear we need more candidates that fit their states," Cornyn wrote just two weeks ago. "While I doubt Arlen could win an election in my home state of Texas, I am certain that I could not get elected in Pennsylvania. I believe that Senator Specter is our best bet to keep this Senate seat in the GOP column. A vote for Arlen Specter is a vote for denying Harry Reid and the Democrats a filibuster-proof Senate."

The GOP polling firm Public Opinion Strategies has resigned from Sen. Arlen Specter's (D-PA) campaign team. Natch.

Here's the statement from POS's Glen Bolger: "Senator Specter has been a record-setting U.S. Senator, and we have been part of his campaign team in 1992, 1998, and 2004, but because of his surprising decision to switch parties today, we
will no longer be involved. As Republicans, we are disappointed by Senator Specter's decision."

RNC Chair Michael Steele says Sen. Arlen Specter's decision is a purely political move.

"Some in the Republican Party are happy about this. I am not. Let's be honest-Senator Specter didn't leave the GOP based on principles of any kind. He left to further his personal political interests because he knew that he was going to lose a Republican primary due to his left-wing voting record. Republicans look forward to beating Sen. Specter in 2010, assuming the Democrats don't do it first."

For those wondering how Sen. Arlen Specter's decision to switch might expedite Democratic moves to seat Al Franken, who leads in the contested MN SEN contest, Cullen Sheehan, campaign manager for Sen. Norm Coleman (R), weighed in:

"Senator Coleman's focus remains on the thousands of Minnesota citizens who have not had their voices heard or their votes counted. We will keep on fighting to enfranchise these voters and to ensure that every legally cast ballot is opened and counted."

With Specter's move, Franken would provide the 60th filibuster-proof vote for Democrats. Congressional Democrats have so far been relatively patient as Coleman pursues legal action. He has appealed to the state Supreme Court. It's unclear if Coleman will appeal beyond MN's high court. Could Specter's move up the ante for the GOP or represent the last nail in the coffin for Coleman?

Pres. Obama was notified this a.m. while in a meeting in the Oval Office that Sen. Arlen Specter (R no more-PA) would switch parties to become a Dem, sources confirm for On Call.

"You have my full support," Obama told Specter, adding that the Democrats are "thrilled to have you."

A few moments ago Senate Maj. Leader Harry Reid issued a statement welcoming Specter to the party:

"I have known Senator Specter for more than a quarter-century. He has always been a man of honor and integrity, and a fine public servant.

"Senator Specter and I have had a long dialogue about his place in an evolving Republican Party. We have not always agreed on every issue, but Senator Specter has shown a willingness to work in a bipartisan manner, put people over party, and do what is right for Pennsylvanians and all Americans.

"I welcome Senator Specter and his moderate voice to our diverse caucus, and to continuing our open and honest debate about the best way to make life better for the American people."

Statement by Sen. Arlen Specter on changing parties:

I have been a Republican since 1966. I have been working extremely hard for the Party, for its candidates and for the ideals of a Republican Party whose tent is big enough to welcome diverse points of view. While I have been comfortable being a Republican, my Party has not defined who I am. I have taken each issue one at a time and have exercised independent judgment to do what I thought was best for Pennsylvania and the nation.

Since my election in 1980, as part of the Reagan Big Tent, the Republican Party has moved far to the right. Last year, more than 200,000 Republicans in Pennsylvania changed their registration to become Democrats. I now find my political philosophy more in line with Democrats than Republicans.

When I supported the stimulus package, I knew that it would not be popular with the Republican Party. But, I saw the stimulus as necessary to lessen the risk of a far more serious recession than we are now experiencing.

Since then, I have traveled the State, talked to Republican leaders and office-holders and my supporters and I have carefully examined public opinion. It has become clear to me that the stimulus vote caused a schism which makes our differences irreconcilable. On this state of the record, I am unwilling to have my twenty-nine year Senate record judged by the Pennsylvania Republican primary electorate. I have not represented the Republican Party. I have represented the people of Pennsylvania.

I have decided to run for re-election in 2010 in the Democratic primary.

I am ready, willing and anxious to take on all comers and have my candidacy for re-election determined in a general election.

I deeply regret that I will be disappointing many friends and supporters. I can understand their disappointment. I am also disappointed that so many in the Party I have worked for for more than four decades do not want me to be their candidate. It is very painful on both sides. I thank specially Senators McConnell and Cornyn for their forbearance.

I am not making this decision because there are no important and interesting opportunities outside the Senate. I take on this complicated run for re-election because I am deeply concerned about the future of our country and I believe I have a significant contribution to make on many of the key issues of the day, especially medical research. NIH funding has saved or lengthened thousands of lives, including mine, and much more needs to be done. And my seniority is very important to continue to bring important projects vital to Pennsylvania's economy.

I am taking this action now because there are fewer than thirteen months to the 2010 Pennsylvania Primary and there is much to be done in preparation for that election. Upon request, I will return campaign contributions contributed during this cycle.

While each member of the Senate caucuses with his Party, what each of us hopes to accomplish is distinct from his party affiliation. The American people do not care which Party solves the problems confronting our nation. And no Senator, no matter how loyal he is to his Party, should or would put party loyalty above his duty to the state and nation.

My change in party affiliation does not mean that I will be a party-line voter any more for the Democrats that I have been for the Republicans. Unlike Senator Jeffords' switch which changed party control, I will not be an automatic 60th vote for cloture. For example, my position on Employees Free Choice (Card Check) will not change.

Whatever my party affiliation, I will continue to be guided by President Kennedy's statement that sometimes Party asks too much. When it does, I will continue my independent voting and follow my conscience on what I think is best for Pennsylvania and America.

Sources tell Hotline that Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA), who faces a primary challenge from the right and has seen his poll numbers erode of late, will announce today that he is switching parties.

Specter was one of three Republicans to back Pres. Obama's economic stimulus plan. And while the NRSC's chairman, Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), has said Specter will have the committee's full support, challenger Pat Toomey, former president of the Club for Growth, could weaken him en route to the general election.

Elected in 1980, Specter is reacting to the changing reality of his state's political climate. PA has a Democratic governor and Sen. Bob Casey (D) holds the other seat. PA also backed Barack Obama over Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) last year.

If Specter abandons the GOP, he'll give the Dems a 60-vote filibuster proof majority in the Senate, once Democrat Al Franken, who appears to have won the MN Senate contest, is seated.

Another source tells us that Specter notified Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) yesterday of his decision.

New DNC spot on cable today touts Pres. Obama's accomplishments during the first 100 days of his administration: equal pay legislation, signing an expansion of children's health insurance and the passage of the economic recovery act. It also highlights his agenda moving forward: health care, energy and education.

"A foundation for change," it reads. "A bold plan for the future."

Organizing for America emailed voters an interactive map today allowing them to learn more about how Pres. Obama's initiatives in his first 100 days helped their states.

In DC, for example, the map indicates that 12K jobs were created or saved by the Recovery Act. It notes, too, that 5,510 children have health insurance, presumably with the reinstatement of the Children's Health Insurance Plan, which was scaled back under Pres. Bush. Additionally, the map shows that 10K students were aided by the American Opportunity Tax Credit, and 335K workers are getting a tax credit.

The swanky graphic accompanies a letter from David Plouffe:

Tomorrow will mark the President's hundredth day in office. A lot of attention will be given to this largely symbolic day, and the truth is that what we do every day after it will be just as important -- if not more. But our accomplishments in this time have been remarkable, and they're having real effects on people and communities throughout the country.

You built the movement that made this possible, and it's up to you to show Americans that real change can happen when ordinary citizens work together.

With the country in crisis, the President took office and acted quickly to restore confidence and stability to our economy. But just as important were the steps we've taken toward building a new foundation for our prosperity, so that we never go back to the system that led us to crisis in the first place.

In just one hundred days, we've made crucial investments to create jobs and improve education, energy, and health care. All of this is a down payment for a new economic vision -- one where skilled workers fuel our economy rather than debt and speculation; one where American leadership on clean energy fuels 21st century innovation; and one where families and businesses are no longer weighed down by crushing health care costs.

Delivering on the promise of change is the reason we built this movement. Now, President Obama is counting on all of us to build support for this foundation and create a lasting recovery for America.

An interesting bit of intense spin from the political wing of Obamaland. Especially given the WH's assertion that the 100 day event is simply a Hallmark holiday.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

"World News," Evening News" and "Nightly News" each led with the swine flu outbreak.

There was very little on TV aside from swine flu and the torture debate. S.F. Mayor Gavin Newsom (D) appeared on the "Rachel Maddow Show" to talk about his candidacy for CA GOV.

Newsom: "Republican registration is way down. We have a governor that candidly, is acting more like a Democrat each and every day. He's not the governor that came in. ... He's still not, from my perspective, progressive enough, but he's moved in the right direction."

Newsom, asked how Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) is not progressive enough: "There's a lot of various bills that he vetoed not once but twice, the same-sex marriage bill. He says one thing on that and then acts in a different way. It's not atypical, I'm sort of used to hearing politicians say one thing and doing ultimately another. ... He actually advanced a lot of initiatives that helped put the state in this fiscal deficit. ... He's borrowing more prolifically than any governor of any state in American history."

More after the jump, including GM CEO Fritz Henderson on the auto industry.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

RICHMOND -- Stumping for VA GOV candidate Terry McAuliffe, Bill Clinton today assured voters that if they wanted a repeat of his job creation record and a governor who could match his record of peace and prosperity, McAuliffe is their candidate.

"The only thing that matters is are people better off when you quit than when you started," Clinton told 400 people gathered at the 17th Street Farmer's Market.

Clinton, who for the epic and tireless campaigner he's known to be drew smaller than expected crowds here and later at a Roanoke fire station, stressed that under his leadership the US saw the creation of 23M new jobs. He was introduced as the last great jobs supporting pres., while McAuliffe, former First Friend and ex-DNC chief, was dubbed by a speaker as the next great jobs creating gov. Clinton also acknowledged that McAuliffe has raised big money for him through the years.

Together, they looked like a picture straight out of '98.

"Everybody knows that he's one of my closest friends," Clinton said. "I love his wife. I love his children. ... So look, I'd be for him regardless. I'd show up for him regardless."

He added: "I'm here for reasons that go way beyond that."

Clinton, wearing a tan summer suit on an unseasonably hot April day, said that after 12 years in the gov's office in AR, he knows how critical the states' top officials are during tough economic times.

He stressed McAuliffe's business background, riffing on the now oft told story of McAuliffe's first endeavor at 14 sealing driveways in his hometown of Syracuse. He carried his tools and materials from job to job in a red wagon. Clinton noted, too, that McAuliffe didn't come from wealth and privilege. "His daddy never made more than 30K in his life," Clinton said.

But Obama loomed large in Richmond, where the crowd was comprised of individuals of mixed races and ages. Clinton mentioned Obama just two sentences into his speech.

"President Obama has put together a great team to restore our economy and restore our nation's standing in the world," he said. "I especially like his choice for secretary of state."

One Obama staffer even tried to pump up the crowd before the event using a tried and true Obama campaign favorite."Are you guys fired up? Are you ready to go?" McAuliffe's area field director said.

Maria Dandridge, a Richmond resident and non-profit worker, said "absolutely" when asked if Obama would have drawn a larger audience for McAuliffe, who is competing in a three-way primary. "But I wouldn't be here because it would've been too many people," said Dandridge, an African American who voted for Obama last year over Hillary Clinton.

Clinton is thought to be McAuliffe's ace and closer as he battles ex-Del. Brian Moran and state Sen. Creigh Deeds for the nomination and a chance to tackle GOPer Bob McDonnell in the fall. Despite McAuliffe's money advantage and nat'l profile, today's events showed that with six weeks left in the contest, it'll take more than a former pres. to seal the deal for McAuliffe.

In a campaign that's become more and more a battle over promises to produce new green jobs, ex-VA Del. Brian Moran touted himself during our TwitterView today as the only candidate in the race to unequivocally oppose a proposed coal-burning power plant in Surry Co., preferring instead to focus new energy development on green projects like windmills. Meanwhile, his opponents, state Sen. Creigh Deeds and ex-DNC chair Terry McAuliffe, are more supportive of some types of offshore drilling.

But when asked to expand on his view of the future of the coal in the state, Moran declined to take a position. Being pro-environment in VA is welcomed this cycle, but with critical coal industry jobs at stake during trying economic times, candidates must be cautious about what they say.

Below, the entire transcript of today's TwitterView:

@TheHotline: "First question: From where are you tweeting? And with what?" 4/27, 2:03 PM

@Moran4Governor: "on the road to Blacksburg in the no fuss bus ... using twitterberry" 2:06 PM (follup tweet attached)

@TheHotline: "is VA fully prepared to handle a flu pandemic?" 2:07 PM

@Moran4Governor: "yes, but we could always prepare more and people should take precautions" 2:11 PM

@TheHotline: "To an issue in the current race: Do you hope for a day when VA no longer produces or uses coal at all?" 2:13 PM

@Moran4Governor: "the issue in this race and facing the next governor is whether we approve the next coal plant in surry. I'm the only one opposed" 2:16 PM

@TheHotline: "So you support the continued growth of a state coal industry? Will you use the Gov's office to help facilitate that growth?" 2:18 PM

@Moran4Governor: "I was the first to call for a 25perc of our energy to come from renewable sources and creating those thousands of green jobs ... will be my top priority" 2:23 PM (followup tweet)

@TheHotline: "Ur the Dem w/the 2nd highest amount of contributions, yet the lowest cash on hand. What have you been spending the money on?" 2:24 PM

@Moran4Governor: "you don't win a primary by late tv ads, you win by building an org. We've got more support around the state than anyone." 2:28 PM

@TheHotline: "Is Bill Clinton still a draw for VA p'mary voters? Could his support be a deciding factor for state Dems?" 2:30 PM

@Moran4Governor: "We're running a bottom up campaign, not a top down. That means we have the support of local mayors and officials all over VA ... Virginians are going to vote for someone who they know will fight for them" 2:36 PM (2nd tweet attached)

@TheHotline: "OK, let's move on and talk about you. Who did you vote for in the '08 Presidential primary, Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama?" 2:36 PM

@Moran4Governor: "President Barack Obama" 2:39 PM

@TheHotline: "What faith are you? How often do you attend services?" 2:40 PM

@Moran4Governor: "Raised Catholic. Attend Episcopal with my wife. Attend regularly. Though as a candidate for Gov I've gone multiple in one day" 2:44 PM

@Moran4Governor: "you enjoy Shad?" 2:45 PM

@TheHotline: "Hey now, no gotcha questions. We'll say this: It was better than we expected. Now, which state GOPer do you respect the most? Why?" 2:48 PM (followup tweet)

@Moran4Governor: "John Warner cause of his independence and opposition to North and John Chichester cause he stood w/Warner and I to put $ in edu" 2:52 PM

@TheHotline: "Last 2. Numbers: How many cars do you own? How many houses? How many guns? How many of your kids attended public school?" 2:53 PM

@Moran4Governor: "2 kids in public school - first and third. No guns. 1 minivan. 1 house and a fishing lodge." 2:57 PM

@TheHotline: "last one: Who is your favorite NASCAR driver?" 2:57 PM

@Moran4Governor: "Ward Burton. I've also worked with him on some preservation issues."

Follow Hotline on Twitter: twitter.com/thehotline.

(EVAN McMORRIS-SANTORO)

Pres. Obama, who opted not to spend precious political capital stumping for Scott Murphy (D) in his hotly-contested fight to fill NY-20, congratulated the congressman-elect today in a statement.

I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Congressman-elect Scott Murphy for his victory in New York's 20th Congressional District. With this hard fought win, Scott has shown he is willing to fight the tough battles on behalf of the people in his district.

As a candidate, Scott courageously championed the economic plans we need to lift our nation and put it on a better path, and he will continue to do so in Congress. With his proven record of creating high paying jobs and standing up for Upstate New York, Scott will bring to the nation's capitol the change New Yorkers need.

Hotline's TwitterView debuts today with a conversation with Terry McAuliffe (D), one of three party candidates for VA governor. McAuliffe, the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, faces former delegate Brian Moran and state Sen. Creigh Deeds in a 6/9 primary. Moran's TwitterView will run in this space Monday afternoon; Deeds is our TwitterView guest Tuesday.

Note that the usually boisterous McAuliffe offered several non answers that were as tellingly cautious as his answers. He declined, for example, to say if his children attended public or private schools. And he didn't specifically cite how often he attends church services, despite our question.

Meanwhile, his one of two picks for Republicans he most admires? Linwood Holton, who just happens to be the father-in-law of popular VA Gov. Tim Kaine (D).

@TheHotline: "First things first: should we call you Terry or Macker?" 4/24, 4:01 PM

@Terry_McAuliffe: "Terry" 4:04 PM

@TheHotline: "From where are you tweeting? And with what?" 4:06 PM

@Terry_McAuliffe: "On my Blackberry heading back from Richmond. Just leaving a mtg on higher ed." 4:07 PM

@TheHotline: "Let's talk a little VA. A big issue for NoVA commuters is widening I-66. Are you in favor? If so, what's ur timeline?" 4:10 PM

@Terry_McAuliffe: "Yes I'd be open to it, but we need to talk about revenue before we put a date on it." 4:16 PM

@TheHotline "In VA gov, who is the member of the opposite party you respect the most? Why?" 4:18 PM

@Terry_McAuliffe: "I'd say Linwood Holton becauase he helped develop the port and integrate schools and John Warner b/c of his pragmatism." 4:23 PM

@TheHotline: "In the 06 SEN primary, who did you vote for, Harris Miller or Jim Webb?" 4:25 PM

@Terry_McAuliffe: "Webb" 4:28 PM

@TheHotline: "What's Bob McDonnell's greatest strength? OK--throw in a weakness, too." 4:31 PM

@Terry_McAuliffe: "Strength- he's tenacious. Weakness- he'll continue the failed Gilmore legacy." 4:37 PM

@TheHotline: "Let's talk about you. What faith are you? How often do you attend services?" 4:41 PM

@Terry_McAuliffe: "I'm Catholic, and I'm a regular churchgoer." 4:44 PM

@TheHotline: "Numbers: How many cars do you own? How many houses? How many guns? How many of your kids attended public school?" 4:48 PM

@Terry McAuliffe: "I own 2 hybrid cars, 1 shotgun for hunting and 1 house." 4:56 PM

@TheHotline: "OK, last question -- what's the VA state fish (hint: it's not the tasty, tasty Shad)? No googling alllowed!" 4:57 PM

@Terry McAuliffe: "Brook Trout." 5:00 PM

@TheHotline: "Nicely done, you're right. OK, that's it! Thanks again for your time today. (We'll both be speedier (when) next we tweet!)" 5:01 PM

(EVAN McMORRIS-SANTORO)

House Race Hotline editor Tim Sahd takes a look each Friday at the top five House stories of the week. Here are this week's big newsmakers, brought to you by Friday House Cleaning:

5. CA-10: Crowded House

Last week, state Sen. Mark DeSaulnier (D) was looking pretty strong in the race to replace outgoing-Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D-CA 10). This week, though, saw the expected entrance of two formidable opponents: Assemb. Joan Buchanan (D) and LG John Garamendi (D), who dropped out of the GOV race to run in this soon-to-be special election.

They each can claim some stake here: DeSaulnier has Tauscher's endorsement; Buchanan lead the Dem field (albeit, one that didn't include Garamendi) in a late-Mar. poll her campaign conducted, and will also enjoy a fundraising bump if she garners an endorsement from EMILY's List; and Garamendi has the name ID. This race -- whenever Tauscher actually gets confirmed to the State Dept. -- should be a battle of the titans.

4. PA-11 And TN-09: We're Having A Party

Already this cycle, there's been lots of announced primary challenges to incumbents, and this week saw a few more potential races develop. Indeed, Reps. Paul Kanjorski (D-PA 11) and Steve Cohen (D-TN 09) found out they may be facing very difficult intra-party challenges.

Assemblyman Jim Tedisco (R) issued a statement this afternoon congratulating businessman Scott Murphy (D) for winning the NY-20 special election to fill the seat vacated by now Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand:

"Mary and I would like to thank the citizens of the 20th Congressional district for their kindness, courtesy and patience shown during this extended campaign. This was a closely contested election that perhaps lasted a little longer than anyone may have expected or wanted. But it was important for our electoral process and for the hard-working people of Upstate New York that it be resolved fairly and decisively.

"Earlier today, I called and congratulated Scott Murphy on a hard-fought contest and wished him well as the next Congressman of the 20th Congressional district. I also expressed my willingness to work with him to ensure that the families of Upstate New York are not left behind as our nation strives for economic recovery.

"This was a close campaign every step of the way. Ultimately, it became clear that the numbers were not going our way and that the time had come to step aside and ensure that the next Congressman be seated as quickly as possible. In the interest of the citizens of the 20th Congressional district and our nation, I wish Scott the very best as he works with our new President and Congress to address the tremendous challenges facing our country.

"Finally, I would like to express my appreciation to all the volunteers, staff, supporters and - most importantly - my family, for their unending support and prayers. They all poured their blood, sweat and tears into this campaign and for that I will always be eternally grateful."

Twenty-four days after a special election that drew national attention, voters in NY-20 finally have a Rep.-elect. Assemb. Jim Tedisco (R) conceded the race this afternoon to businessman Scott Murphy (D).

Over the last week, Tedisco saw Murphy's lead increase from around 180 to a 401-vote edge. And since only about 550 ballots remain to be counted, that lead, however small, would have been impossible for Tedisco, who led at one point in the counting process, to overcome.

The cocophany of voices calling for Tedisco to end his challenge to the race grew in recent days. Tedisco has heard several prominent GOPers, including ex-NRCC Chairs Tom Reynolds (R-NY) and Tom Davis (R-VA), suggest the race was over. And state Sen. Betty Little (R), a cousin of Murphy's who was also considered for the GOP nomination, said 4/22 that Tedisco's legal battle shouldn't "drag out."

The two may face off again in '10, but Tedisco may have to survive a primary if he wants to a rematch.

Meanwhile, DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen congratulated Murphy for overcoming a Democratic registration deficit in the district.

"Congratulations to Congressman-elect Scott Murphy on his remarkable, come-from-behind victory," Van Hollen said. "In this election, voters responded to Scott Murphy's record as a successful businessman who helped to create more than 1,000 jobs and his strong support for President Obama's economic recovery package."

He added: "In trying to win the NY-20 special election, the RNC, NRCC, and their Republican allies went all in on the losing gamble that voters would prefer their 'just say no' approach to President Obama's bold plans to get the economy back on track."

(TIM SAHD)

Here are the scheduled guests for the Sunday public affairs shows and other weekend programs:

SUNDAY:

Meet the Press hosts WH press sec. Robert Gibbs, King Abdullah II of Jordan, and features a roundtable with WH historian Doris Kearns Goodwin and Newsweek's Jon Meacham.

Face the Nation hosts Sens. John McCain (R-AZ) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT), and features a roundtable with Washington Post's Bob Woodward and "Daily Beast"'s Tina Brown.

This Week hosts Iranian Pres. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and features a roundtable with Dem strategist Donna Brazile, ex-Bush strategist Matthew Dowd, Financial Times' Chrystia Freeland, New York Times' David Sanger and George Will.

Fox News Sunday hosts NEC Chair Lawrence Summers, Sen. Kit Bond (R-MO) and Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI). The "Power Player" is Commanding General of Walter Reed: Maj. Gen. Carla Hawley-Bowland.

State of the Union hosts sr. WH adviser Valerie Jarrett, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT), GOP strategist Mary Matalin, Dem strategist James Carville, ex-Clinton CoS John Podesta, ex-Reagan CoS Ken Duberstein and ex-WH adviser David Gergen. The "Last Word" guest is WH photographer Pete Souza (see below for guests on SOTU's Reliable Sources segment).

See other weekend shows after the jump.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

The MN Supreme Court today set a 6/1 hearing date for ex-Sen. Norm Coleman's (R) appeal. So Minnesotans will go at least five months without a second sen.

Entertainer Al Franken (D) had hoped for a speedier finale, but the timeline follows more closely GOPer Norm Coleman's proposed schedule.

Coleman's brief must be filed by 4/30. Franken must submit his brief by 5/11. And Coleman can then respond by a 5/15 deadline.

Coleman's team has not said definitively if they'll take the battle beyond the state's highest court. Meanwhile, Franken's crew is pitching all new developments in the wake of the three-judge panel's ruling that the Dem edged Coleman by 312 votes as mere pebbles on the road to DC.

"We are grateful that the court has issued an expedited scheduling order, and we look forward to the process continuing to move forward so that Sen.-elect Franken can be seated as quickly as possible," Franken atty Marc Elias said in a statement.

Here's the order.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

The Allstate/National Journal survey released today, the first of four in a series, explores the financial stress and concerns of Americans as the nation experiences the worst economic decline since the Great Depression. Atlantic Media political director Ron Brownstein explained during a breakfast this a.m. at the Watergate that the goal of the polls is to "to explore the way people actually live the economy today" -- not simply to gauge reaction to market events.

Edward Reilly, CEO Americas of FD Int'l Limited, which conducted the poll, said the numbers reveal that unlike during other recessions, this latest crisis has implications for citizens across the socioeconomic spectrum.

"This is affecting everybody and people at the higher end are as anxious about their security as those on the lower end," Reilly said.

Brownstein also noted that given the broad worry, Pres. Obama has built support for his presidency among income groups and categories of the workforce formerly thought to be less apt to back a Dem policy agenda.

"Obama is making real inroads among a variety of high status groups that before 2008 we were more likely to include as part of the Republican coalition," Brownstein said.

For example, those ID'd as self employed gave Obama a 58% approval rating, middle managers registered a 59% approval rating and senior business managers (those men and women occupying America's corner offices) offered a 53% approval rating.

But Brownstein cautioned that an important question remains. Can Obama hold the support of his expanding coalition of supporters by pursuing an agenda that expands govt's involvement in solving economic problems?

A few items of note in the poll:

-- When asked if in the last five years the respondent had experienced an extended period of 30 days or more in which he or she lost a job or suffered significant decline in income, 37% said yes, 62% said no and 2% didn't know or refused to answer.

-- Sixty percent said they were very or somewhat confident that they would maintain their current standard of living, while 37% said they were not too or not at all confident.

-- Participants were asked if they trust Obama or cong. GOPers to develop solutions to the nation's economic challenges; 55% answered Obama, 26% said Congress, 3% said both, 12% said neither and 5% didn't know or refused to respond.

-- Health care (17%) and jobs (17%) topped the list of issues that respondents said will concern them most over the next six months. Saving for or paying for retirement (13%), the cost of gas and home utilities (13%), paying for education (13%) and paying the monthly mortgage followed (10%). Home value (7%) and credit card debt (5%) rounded out the list.

-- Likewise, a strong plurality, 42%, said they would be better off if Congress passed health care reform, 19% said worse off and 30% said it wouldn't make much of a difference.

Don't forget to give Ron's story a read. The poll provides a fascinating look at the somewhat dovetailing concerns of Americans with the Obama administration's top priorities.

The poll surveyed 1,200 adults from April 8 through 14. It has a margin of error of +/- 2.8 percentage points.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

"World News," "Evening News" and "Nightly News" each led with Pres. Obama's meeting with the heads of top credit card companies.

In addition to the ongoing debate on torture, much of last night's TV focused on Obama approaching his 100th day in office. There was also talk of the credit card meeting, with many nets showing pictures of NEC Chair Lawrence Summers nodding off during Obama's remarks to the execs.

CNN's Dobbs: "President Obama today had some tough words for the credit card industry, amid rising concern about high interest rates and excessive fees. In a meeting, at the White House, President Obama demanded a law to provide what he called strong and reliable protections for credit cardholders. Missing from that meeting, Vice President Joe Biden, who is a close ally of the credit card industry and as a senator helped write the bankruptcy law of 2005, making it more difficult for consumers to erase their debts."

Dobbs, on Summers: "It is not the first time Summers has been caught napping at a public event at the White House. He dozed off during a fiscal responsibility summit meeting some two months ago" ("Lou Dobbs Tonight," 4/23).

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT), on whether he agrees with what Obama said to the companies: "Certainly his language. He didn't get involved in endorsing particular provisions, but I enjoyed hearing him say no more of this any time, any reason clause, which is used far too often to have rate increases go into effect. And certainly these late fees, or fees that are unfair, that are being imposed on consumers" ("Ed Show," MSNBC, 4/23).

More after the jump, including interviews with House Min. Whip Eric Cantor and the Bushes.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

The DSCC is launching a new Web site today urging ex-Sen. Norm Coleman (R) to pull the plug on his MN SEN campaign. The site's headline: "It's Over, Norm."

"It's time for Coleman and the GOP to stop holding a U.S. Senate seat hostage as a way to obstruct change," it reads.

The site also includes a timeline, complete with clips, of Coleman's shifting position about the merits of a recount and legal action as well as some of the action that's gone on in DC even as MN lacks its second senator. The DSCC is 5K votes away from its goal of 100K emails from citizens who say they'd like Coleman to concede.

On Call has a site preview. Click above.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

A new Allstate/National Journal Heartland Monitor poll shows that 64 percent of adults believe that today's economy presents them with more financial risks that could endanger their standard of living than their parents confronted, National Journal's Ron Brownstein writes in this week's magazine. That's nearly six times as many as the 11 percent who say that today's economy presents fewer risks; the remainder believe they are confronting about as much risk as their parents.

Still, 57 percent say their financial well being depends more on their own actions than events.

Pres. Obama, meanwhile, has engendered substantial trust, the survey found. His overall job-approval rating stood at 61 percent, with just 28 percent disapproving. Those polled preferred him over congressional Republicans, 55 percent to 26 percent, when asked whom they trust to develop solutions to the country's economic challenges. Obama led on that question among voters at every income level.

In a particularly striking finding, Brownstein notes, a 47 percent plurality said that the country--as opposed to just the economy--is headed in the right direction. Forty-two percent said that it is on the wrong track.

Check out the results here. We'll have more on the poll, which surveyed 1,200 adults from April 8 through 14, later today. The margin of error is 2.8 percent.

National Journal's Jim Barnes examines the contentious battle to win the upcoming special election in California's 32nd District:

California state Sen. Gil Cedillo raised the volume this week in his campaign with state Board of Equalization vice chair Judy Chu to represent the polyglot 32nd Congressional district that's divided by the San Bernardino Freeway. After Chu won the formal backing of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Wednesday--one of many endorsements she has rounded up--Cedillo responded with a press release that said Villariagosa's nod shows that Chu "will cozy up to the entrenched political interests, the C-E-Os and wealthy campaign contributors and take care of their interests in Congress instead of putting the hard working families of the San Gabriel Valley first."

Chu and Cedillo are the top Democratic contenders in the open primary that will be held on May 19 to fill the congressional vacancy left when former Democratic Rep. Hilda Solis gave up her seat to become Secretary of Labor. Should no candidate receive a majority of the votes cast in the primary, a runoff election will be held on July 14, with the top Democratic vote getter and the top Republican vote getter facing off with Libertarian Party candidate Christopher M. Agrella. But the latest registration figures for the district show that the Democrats have more than a two-to-one edge in registration over the Republicans, 52 percent to 23 percent with 21 percent declining to state a partisan affiliation, so the Cedillo-Chu contest is probably going to be for the whole enchilada.

In his release, Cedillo noted that he and other Latino elected officials opposed Villaraigosa when he wanted to spend sales tax revenue dedicated for transportation projects on extending the L.A. subway through the tonier Westside neighborhood at the expense reducing clogged freeways like the San Bernardino -- and that he eventually won more funds for traffic relief in the San Gabriel Valley where the 32nd lies. Cedillo "took care of the people of the San Gabriel Valley when Antonio Villaraigosa and the L.A. powerbrokers wanted to take their tax dollars and literally send it down a hole under Wilshire Boulevard," trumpeted the press release.

Whether Cedillo's shot is a signal that the race with Chu is about to get rougher is unclear, but in this district the term-limited Latino state legislator may be tempted to play to locals and portray Chu as an outsider. According to The Almanac of American Politics, 62 percent of the district's population is of Hispanic origin and 18 percent is Asian. But voter registration figures supplied by Political Data Inc. make the district a little less daunting for Chu: 53 percent of the registered voters are Latino and 17 percent are Asian. (Alan Hoffenblum, publisher of the California Target Book, estimated that about a third of registered voters in the district were white.)

"The race is not playing out on those [racial] lines so far," said veteran Democratic strategist Bill Carrick who is based in Los Angeles. Indeed, the fact that Chu is competitive in the view of local observers shows she has some cross-over appeal in the district. (Ironically, Chu actually resides inside the district while Cedillo does not.)

But Chu's also a contender in this contest because she's corralled plenty of other high-voltage endorsements like Villaraigosa's, including the California Democratic Party, the L.A. County Federation of Labor and the state's most influential union, the California Teachers Association. Plus, she's scooped up more campaign bucks than Cedillo having raised, according to Federal Election Commission figures, some $770,000 (plus a personal loan of $50,000), with almost $578,000 on hand to Cedillo's $568,000 raised with just over $441,000 cash on hand. Democrat Emanuel Pleitez, a 26-year-old financial analyst making his first run for public office, has collected almost $153,000, and has some $106,500 cash on hand.

If Chu wins the election, local observers say she will be the first Asian-American to represent the Southland in Congress. "It will be a breakthrough for Asians in a district in which they are true minority," said California political analyst Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, a senior fellow at the School of Policy Planning and Development at the University of Southern California. "It will also mean there's been significant cross ethnic voting."

The big unknown in the primary is the turnout, traditionally low in special elections, but in this instance the May 19 primary will also be accompanied by voting on six statewide propositions to stem the red ink in the California state budget which include one that raises $16 billion in taxes [for more on the proposition battle click this link].

Some local analysts believe that more conservative white voters are sure to turn out on May 19 to cast their ballots against these propositions and that that may help Chu ever so slightly. In a closely contested race like this, every little bit counts.

Speaking today with MSNBC's Norah O'Donnell, Liz Cheney defended her father's view that harsh interrogation tactics yielded valuable intelligence information. She qualified, though, that: "The tactics are not torture. We did not torture. The memos laid out the extent of exactly how far we could go before it would become torture, because it was important we not cross that line into torture."

And this exchange:

O'Donnell: "I want to get back again - we can debate this, but I want to get back to specifically, what role the vice president had in directing lawyers to authorize these memos. Was it from the vice president's office, Dick Cheney, who said to those men -- John Yoo, Jay Bybee - we need to come up with a way to interrogate these al Qaeda suspects after 9/11? Why doesn't he own up to the fact that he was the prime mover behind that?"

L. Cheney: "Norah, there was no direction of lawyers from the vice president. That's not how this process worked. And I think that you can look at exactly how the process worked, which is, the CIA said we have Abu Zubaydah, and we think he's got important information that further attacks are imminent and therefore, we need to know what we can do. And the National Security Council met and discussed this. This is actually all laid out in Senator Rockefeller's timeline, which doesn't say what you're alleging that it says, which makes clear that the questions laid out to OlC were, what's possible and when. And if you've read the memos, in fact, that were released, you'll see that they were very, very careful in laying out exactly what could be done and for exactly how long."

Watch the interview above. Full transcript, per MSNBC, available after the jump.

Pres. Obama will hold nationally-televised news conference from the White House next Wednesday at 8 p.m. It will be his third press conference since taking office. And note that 4/29 marks his 100th day in office.

A White House pool report from Christi Parsons of the Los Angeles Times. First Lady Michelle Obama talks to children gathered at the WH today to commemorate Bring Your Child To Work Day. Note that she says she's keeping quite busy these days taking care of First Pooch Bo.

Michelle Obama did a "Bring Your Child to Work" event with the children of White House staffers, more than 100 children gathered in the East Room for a q-and-a with the first lady.

Vice President Joe Biden's granddaughters were in the room, as were NSC deputy Denis McDonough's children. FLOTUS talked about the importance of being a public servant and thanked the children for being patient with their parents when they have to work long hours.

"None of us could do it without your parents," she told them. "We appreciate your sacrifice."

She also urged them to work hard in school so that they can work in the White House one day if they want to. A few highlights:

Q. What would you do if there were a disaster, like an earthquake?

A. "Well, first I'd wake my husband up, say, 'Hey buddy, get down to the Oval office.'"

Q. What do you do in your free time?

A. "Right now I'm taking care of this puppy."

(She also revealed that she and her staffers "sneak out" from time to time without announcement, like when they recently went to Five Guys. "Nobody knew it, and it was good," she said.)

There will be details in the coming transcript for those interested in White House sleepovers (they sometimes involve sleeping in front of the TV), the garden (she likes the row she planted best, plus the plants from seedlings of the Thomas Jefferson garden at Monticello) and the dog (apparently FIDOTUS was kicking up a ruckus in the White House the other night).

A ten-year-old girl and a nine-year-old boy, accompanying journalist-parents to work for the day, offered these observations:

Girl: She wore cool clothes.

Boy: She had a black belt that looked like a pit bull's collar.

Girl: She said a few times to try your best.

Boy: She encouraged us to skip school.

When President Obama headlines a fundraiser in Nevada for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., next month, lobbyist and political action committee donations will be barred.

"There will be no lobbyist or PAC money" permitted at the fundraiser, said a Reid spokesman.

The president has agreed to attend a May 26 fundraiser in Las Vegas on behalf of Reid, who may have a tough re-election fight in 2010. The trip reflects the close ties the president and the Senate leader have developed, the New York Times reported.

The Reid campaign decision not to accept lobbyist or PAC donations at the Obama fundraiser follows the decision of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee this week to forgo lobbyist and PAC money at their annual dinner in June, which Obama will also host.

The Democratic National Committee last year stopped taking lobbyist and PAC donations after Obama became the party's nominee.

In the 2008 election cycle, lobbyists gave $34.4 million in campaign contributions to federal candidates and parties, with 57 percent going to Democrats and 43 percent to Republicans, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

(National Journal's BARA VAIDA, writing for Under the Influence)

"World News" led with the Freddie Mac CFO committing suicide. "Evening News" led with reaction to Pres. Obama's torture remarks. "Nightly News" led with the Census Bureau reporting fewer Americans are moving.

TV coverage continues to focus heavily on Obama keeping the door open to the prosecution of Bush admin. attys and policymakers.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), on whether these investigations would end up "dwarfing" Obama's ability to get the rest of his agenda through: "It's hard to tell. It depends on where the evidence leads. If there is a case of some kind against contractors ... who were involved, I doubt that would provoke the sympathy and outrage of Americans in a way that would interfere with President Obama's ability to accomplish his agenda."

More Whitehouse: "If the conduct was so bad, and so nefarious, and so clearly outside the boundaries and the predicates of these authorities that these people were amenable to a criminal prosecution, that a cold look at this by a hard-headed prosecutor, saying, 'This is a case that can and should be made,' if it gets to that point, I think that the public will understand that, 'Gosh, that was worse than I thought. That's a case that can and should be made. All right. Let's go ahead with it'" ("NewsHour," PBS, 4/22).

FNC's O'Reilly: "It is time for President Obama to stand up and show some leadership. No witch hunts, Mr. President. You have enough to do keeping us safe from another attack and fixing the economy. If you don't stand up to the far left lunacy, this country will be gravley damaged."

More O'Reilly: "Eric Holder was second in command to Janet Reno. Eric Holder and Janet Reno put the wall up between the FBI and the CIA, which led to the 9/11 attacks. ... If anybody should be prosecuted, it's him" ("O'Reilly Factor," 4/22).

More after the jump, including a look at life with the Bushes.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and Americans United are launching a television ad tomorrow emphasizing that the GOP is the 'Party of No' for opposing several of President Obama's initiatives since taking office: extending the Children's Health Insurance Program, signing a bill mandating equal pay for women and the economic stimulus package.

It's a mid five-figure buy. The 30-second ad, which corresponds with Obama's 100th day in office, will appear on MSNBC and DC cable through April 29.

Advance preview above. The spot will be formally announced later today on a conference call.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

Speaker Nancy Pelosi chatted with reporters today during a Christian Science Monitor event in Washington about Earth Day and climate change as well as harsh interrogation tactics and more.

On investigating use of extreme interrogation tactics used by CIA during the Bush administration:

"My thinking has always been that we should have some kind of truth commission as suggested by Sen. Leahy. Where we had some difference of opinion was that the thrust in the Senate side had been with immunity, and I thought we should be more selective in terms of granting immunity. I believe that the direction that we're going in the investigation by certain committees of the House will be useful. It might be further useful to have such a commission so that it removes all doubt that how we protect the American people is in a values-based way."

On reaction in Democratic caucus to the White House suggestion that some interrogators and former Bush administration officials and lawyers should not be prosecuted:

"As far as I know that has not been definitively stated as to what the policy is. What the attorney general put forth was to say those who received orders and acted upon these legal opinions should not be prosecuted, if that's the word, held accountable, whatever, further action taken against them. Our question among our members is -- does that just go down or does that go up? And what about the idea of the lawyers who gave these opinions. What's interesting to us is were there counter opinions in the administration. So you will see the Judiciary Committee looking into this. The Intelligence Committee looking into this. But I think it gives further impetus among members to have some kind of truth commission as to what happened and why legal opinions were so one-sided ... "

On Jay Bybee, now judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, who formerly served as assistant attorney general for the Office of Legal Counsel, where he authored the now much-discussed torture memos:

"I would not call for his impeachment without knowing what the facts are. But I do think that legal opinions as we are learning now that were issued by the Office of Legal Counsel did not serve our country well and were not based on our country's values. Again, in terms of his particular situation, I think the important place to look is what he said about that at the confirmation hearings."

On promoting a climate change bill:

"Now is the time that we have to do this. When people ask the question -- 'With the economy the way it is, isn't the president taking too much on with health care and energy, to name two, and education?' -- it's the reverse answer. Now is the time when we must take these on. ... "

"As we go forward with this, as a consensus building -- as we always do in our caucus, we build consensus, hopefully in a bipartisan way -- in terms of how we go forward with energy. There are two areas where some people bring up concerns. One is -- What is the cost to the consumer? Well, there should be no cost to the consumer. ... That consumer, whatever the cost is, the consumer must be held harmless. So any money that would be derived from the cap and trade -- if that's the decision to go on cap and trade -- would have to be used to offset any cost to the consumer."

On health care reform:

"This is a very exciting initiative for us. It's going to be historic in its nature when it is passed by the Congress, and I believe that it will be. ... We are all working in partnership on this. It's teamwork. ... As our members came back from their recess, a great deal of what they heard out there was public options, public options, public options, public options. In our caucus, over and over again, we hear single payer, single payer, single payer. Well, it's not going to be a single payer. ... We had an opportunity for that awhile back, and it was not realized. And that's not what it's going to be. So we had to take people from a place that they see universal, affordable, quality health care available best in single payer and say this can be achieved in other ways."

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

It's Earth Day and, like Planeteers, many political tweeps have stepped up to do their part to save the universe, 140-characters at a time.

Earth!

Rep. Leonard Boswell (D-IA): "Beautiful day. On my way to Newton to join POTUS for Earth Day visit to IA. Planning to return to DC on AF 1. That works for me!" 4/22, 9:45 AM

Fire!

VA state Sen./GOV cand Creigh Deeds (D): "In office now listening to Earth Wind and Fire channel the Beatles" 4/22, 7:33 AM

Wind!

Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY): "Speaking at an Earth Day press conference with Speaker Pelosi at 1PM." 4/22, 9:25 AM

Water!

Ex-Speaker Newt Gingrich (R): "Just learned that blake real estate has dcs first green roof which captures 50% of rain water and purifies the other 50%. 3800 square feet" 4/22, 9:28 AM

Gingrich: "Should have said our offices at 1425k street are in the green roof building" 4/22, 9:29 AM

Heart!

Rep. Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM): "Going to be on the floor tonight discussing clean energy with the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition. Check it out on CSPAN." 4/21, 5:56 PM

On Call Aside: all tweets are reproduced exactly as they appeared.

WOTT provides a carefully selected slice of tweets written by political leaders, ex-politicians and candidates for office nationwide. Hotline subscribers can read the best overnight tweets in our AM edition.

Follow Hotline on Twitter: twitter.com/thehotline.

(EVAN McMORRIS-SANTORO)

Just as a growing number of NY GOPers appeared to be throwing in the towel on Assemb. Jim Tedisco's (R) chances in NY-20, a judge has given him a bit of hope.

This afternoon, PolitickerNY reports Judge James Brands determined that objections to absentee ballots based on residency will be decided on a case-by-case basis. This buys more time for Tedisco's camp, as such a review could be slow going. He's also likely to benefit from the ruling, as he has objected to the lion's share of the 1.5K challenged ballots. His camp had argued to exclude any ballot that didn't list a primary residence in the CD.

Businessman Scott Murphy (D) enjoys a 273-vote lead, according to the NY Board of Elections. Meanwhile, of those 1.5K challenged voter ballots, 726 are Dem ballots, 545 are GOP, and 251 are indie, according to an analysis provided by the Murphy camp. In order to reverse Murphy's lead, Tedisco needs most of those Dem ballots to be rejected by the judge, so it's still an uphill battle for Tedisco.

Before the judge's decision, though, the C.W. among NY GOPers appeared to be that Tedisco was finished. Ex-NRCC Chair Tom Reynolds (R-NY) told Politico that for Dems, "bragging rights are what they are and they get momentum for winning a very tough seat for them." He's the second ex-chair of the cmte to speak out on the race. Last week, ex-NRCC Chair Tom Davis (R-NY) told the Washington Times, "We lost the special election in New York. It's gone."

And state Sen. Betty Little (R), who was under consideration by GOPers for the special election nod before it was given to Tedisco, told PolitickerNY she doesn't think he should drag it on much longer.

Little: "I think he ought to do a good analysis of where he stands and what the possibilities of the outcome are. ...You can't drag this one out as long as you can drag out a November election, you have to look to constituents not being represented at this point."

Both camps will meet 4/22 to count 251 ballots that were rejected because of how the ballot was marked. Brands will decide when to count the rest of the ballots at a 4/27 court appearance.

(TIM SAHD)

Pres. Obama issues an Earth Day proclamation, with a declaration of his environmental priority:

To achieve these ends, no issue deserves more immediate attention than global warming. Scientists have already observed alarming shifts in the natural world, including thawing permafrost, melting glaciers, and rising sea levels.

Climate change presents a serious test for humankind, but it also provides an opportunity for great innovation and adaptation. The United States has risen to such challenges before, and Earth Day inspires us to transcend differences among nations so we may lead the world in protecting our planet from this global threat.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi said today that she was notified by the National Security Administration when Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA) was overheard on a wiretap.

"A few years ago, maybe three years ago, they did brief me," Pelosi said today during a meeting with reporters as part of a regular Christian Science Monitor series.

Pelosi said it was a "confidential, classified briefing," that fell in line with an informal tradition of notifying leadership when a member is included in a wiretap.

Pelosi said she did not contact Harman about the meeting, emphasizing that the information passed to her by the NSA was not for public consumption.

"If I wanted to share it with her, I would not have had the liberty to share it with her," Pelosi said.

Pelosi also voiced her firm backing of Harman, who CQ reported earlier this week was heard promising a "suspected Israeli agent" over the telephone "that she would lobby the Justice Department to reduce espionage-related charges against two former officials of the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee. In return, the Israeli agent pledged to help lobby for Harman to become chairwoman of the House Intelligence Committee."

"I have great confidence in Jane Harman, she's a patriotic American," the speaker said. "She would never do anything to hurt her country."

Harman, meanwhile, has asked the Justice Department to release the transcripts of the conversations, which she said she intends to make public.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

Former Pres. Clinton will stump Monday in Virginia for gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe, the former head of the Democratic National Committee. McAuliffe, the profilic party fundraiser and self-described "best friend" of Clinton and wife, Hillary, is one of three Democrats vying for the party's nomination.

The appearance was first announced this a.m. via text message:

"Last great jobs President 2 campaign w/ the nxt great jobs Gov -- Bill Clinton + Terry coming 2 Richmond + Roanoke Monday."

This is Clinton's first Virginia stop for McAuliffe, and there are at least two ways to assess the former president's impact. Clinton presided over a safe and prosperous time in this country, and despite his personal and legal troubles as his administration came to a close, he is still a popular party figure and a draw on the trail. But Virginia backed Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton by 29 points in the state's primary last year, so McAuliffe takes a gamble in reminding voters that he's a Clinton guy first and foremost.

The Clinton events will also reinforce McAuliffe's status as a national figure, a party celebrity, and give his opponents -- former delegate Brian Moran and state Sen. Creigh Deeds -- another opportunity to lay into him for not having political roots in the state.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

"World News," "Evening News" and "Nightly News" each led with Pres. Obama saying officials who justified torture could be investigated. "Evening News" also featured a taped interview with Defense Sec. Robert Gates.

Much of last night's TV coverage focused on Obama opening the door to DoJ prosecutions of Bush admin. attys and policymakers who approved interrogation techniques.

CNN's Henry: "A dramatic reversal. Really the first time in these first 100 days where we've seen a very disciplined White House not really singing from the same song sheet. ... On Sunday, Rahm Emanuel, the chief of staff, very clearly on ABC said that there should not be prosecution of top Bush officials who may have devised this policy. Monday, when I asked Robert Gibbs, the press secretary, about it, he said the same as Rahm Emanuel, essentially" ("Situation Room," 4/21).

FNC's Hume: "He must have thought that when he went against the advice of his intelligence advisers and released those legal memos ... that would be enough. His base on the left would be placated and a new inquisition into intelligence methods would be avoided. But the left and its many adherents in his party were not placated. ... Overnight, presto change-O, as unambiguous flip-flop as you'll ever see raising anew the question of whether this president will ever buck his political base" ("Special Report," 4/21).

Newsweek's Wolffe: "No president is an island and no White House is fully detached from political pressures. But the complex legal issues at the heart of this case are very messy indeed. ... The internal division inside the administration ... the infighting has been so intense about this, that if it's possible for a decision coming out of the White House to be detached from politics, I think this might just be one of them" ("Countdown," MSNBC, 4/21).

More after the jump, including interviews with ex-VP Cheney and Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA).

(KATHERINE LEHR)

The May cover of Washingtonian magazine features a shirtless Pres. Obama -- and notes that the No. 2 reason to love living here is that "our new neighbor is hot."

Sure, it's flattering, and yes, Obama as we all know is fabulously fit, but is it appropriate? Respectful? The magazine, surely looking to spark discussion and, more importantly, to stoke readership, asks on its Web site for readers to weigh in.

We'll ask the same.

Thoughts?

On the eve of Earth Day, Gallup's annual environment poll shows Americans are newly optimistic about the state of the environment while still expressing concern; more people think it's getting worse (51 percent) than getting better (41 percent). Democrats and independents, in particular, have shown a greater faith over the last year that the environment is improving, sentiment Gallup attributes to the election of Barack Obama and exit of George W. Bush.

Among Democrats, 54 percent said the enviroment is getting worse, 39 percent said it's getting better. Among independents, 51 percent said it's getting worse, 42 percent said it's getting better. And among GOPers, 44 percent said it's getting worse, 47 percent said better. A year ago, 84 percent of Democrats, 68 percent of independents and 47 percent of Republicans said the environment was getting worse.

The survey was conducted March 5-8.

Steve Poizner, one of two Republican candidates for CA govenor, welcomed San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom's (D) into the race for governor with a bit of a dig. He emphasized that style alone -- the handsome San Francisco mayor has many high profile friends and an actress wife -- won't help the state rebound from recession.

"California is at a crossroads," Poizner said in a statement. "The 2010 gubernatorial election is destined to be historic. It will determine which direction our state takes for many years, perhaps decades, to come. Mayor Newsom and I have very different visions for what that future looks like for California. I look forward to debating those different visions with the Mayor and the other gubernatorial candidates of both parties whenever and wherever possible. The voters deserve as much information as possible from all the candidates about where they would lead California in the next decade.

"Style and rhetoric will only take California so far. When we are facing the worst state unemployment rate in almost 70 years and so many working families are worried about their finances, I believe the voters are looking for substance and results from our next Governor. I look forward to seeing, and debating, the Mayor on the campaign trail."

Poizner will battle former ebay CEO Meg Whitman for the GOP nom. And Newsom will likely face several formidable Democratic challengers, including state Attorney General Jerry Brown, who has already served two terms as governor, and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, recently re-elected to a second term. Neither has officially entered the contest.

Newsom's announcement vid is above. Click through for his campaign Web site.

The AP reports that KS Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D) won Senate committee approval today as health and human services secretary.

The Finance Committee voted 15 to 8 to send the Kansas Democrat's nomination to the full Senate for a final vote. Two of 10 Republicans supported Sebelius: Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME).

Sebelius, the lone Obama Cabinet appointee left to be confirmed, was not present yesterday for the president's first formal meeting of his team.

"Gov. Sebelius strongly shares the president's commitment to high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans and if confirmed, will work to bring down the crippling cost of health care and expand coverage," White House spokeswoman Kate Bedingfield told the AP after the vote. "We are pleased that she was confirmed by the Finance Committee this morning and look forward to a vote before the full Senate."

Per the White House, those attending the signing of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, include:

· Mrs. Obama

· Senator Edward M. Kennedy & Victoria Kennedy

· Vice President Biden & Dr. Biden

· Former President Bill Clinton

· Former First Lady Rosalyn Carter

· Caroline Kennedy

· Senator Dick Durbin

· Mayor Michael Bloomberg

· General Colin Powell - US Army (ret.)

· Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)

· Leader Harry Reid (D-NV)

· Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT)

· Senator Michael Enzi (R-WY)

· Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT)

· Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD)

· Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY)

· Rep. George Miller (D-CA)

· Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI)

Former Rep. Harold Ford, Jr. is penning a memoir.

Please someone institute a rule that the under-40 set can write a book but not a memoir. Memoirs are for folks who have many decades of life wisdom to share. Not just a decade in the U.S. House.

Crown, a division of Random House, will publish the 320-page memoir, titled "More Davids Than Goliaths," and slated for publication in December. He'll be 39 when the book is released.

Pres. Obama today signs a $5.7B national service bill that will triple the size of AmeriCorps over the next eight years.

Dubbed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, it will:

· Set AmeriCorps on path to grow from 75,000 to 250,000 members per year and expand service opportunities for students, boomers, and older Americans (so it's more than tripling in size), and

· Reauthorize the Corporation for National and Community Service - the federal agency that supports volunteerism and service

Obama called for passage of the bill in his joint address to Congress in February, and it went from introduction to final passage in 22 days, passing the Senate on a 79-19 vote. AmeriCorps was founded in 1994 when Bill Clinton held office.

Officials said today that AmericaCorps applications are on the rise. In February, they were triple what they were a year ago (9,731 in Feb '09 vs. 3,159 in Feb. '08 - a 208% increase). And in March, there were 17,038 applications (vs. 6,770 in March '08) -- a 152% increase.

Ailing Sen. Edward M. Kennedy is expected at the SEED School of Washington, a private boarding school in Southeast, for the signing ceremony. Pres. Clinton is also expected to attend.

San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom (D) is the latest person to announce his campaign over Twitter; Newsom is one of several Democrats running for CA governor. For the story of another CA candidate who used Twitter to announce his 2010 campaign, click here.

Gavin Newsom: "It's official- running for Gov of CA. Wanted you to be the first to know. Need your help. Check out video: http://tr.im/iOCN and ReTweet" 4/21, 12:00 PM

On Call Aside: all tweets are reproduced exactly as they appeared.

Follow Hotline on Twitter: twitter.com/thehotline.

(EVAN McMORRIS-SANTORO)

"World News" led with Pres. Obama's CIA visit. "Evening News" led with Wall Street's worst drop in two months. "Nightly News" led with Obama's CIA visit.

In an interview on "Hannity," ex-VP Cheney said that he would like a few more CIA memos disclosed.

Cheney: "One of the things that I find a little bit disturbing about this recent disclosure is they ... didn't put out the memos that showed the success of the effort. And there are reports that show specifically what we gained as a result of this activity. They have not
been declassified. I formally asked that they be declassified now."

More Cheney: "I haven't announced this up until now, I haven't talked about it, but I know specifically of reports that I read, that I saw that lay out what we learned through the interrogation process and what the consequences were for the country. And I've now formally asked the CIA to take steps to declassify those memos so we can lay them out there and the American people have a chance to see what we obtained and what we learned and how good the intelligence was, as well as to see this debate over the legal opinions" (FNC, 4/20).

More after the jump, including a new twist on an old scandal involving Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA).

(KATHERINE LEHR)

Republican Norm Coleman's team filed a notice of appeal with the state Supreme Court today, trudging forward with a legal battle even as Democrat Al Franken, whom a three-judge panel recently declared the winner by a 312-vote margin, begins to hire staff.

"We do believe that the district court got it wrong on the law," said Ben Ginsberg, a Coleman attorney. "Their decision disenfranchises many Minnesotans whose votes have been wrongly rejected."

Ginsberg would not say if Coleman's team will push the case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. "We're just thinking about the Minnesota Supreme Court for now," he said.

The state court is expected to address the matter, Ginsberg said, on "an expedited basis."

During the conference call, a regular tool utilized by both sides in framing the post election debate, Ginsberg would not say where he was in the world, though it appeared in the early pre call chatter that he was in Europe.

"My mind is in the state of Minnesota even if my body is not," Ginsberg said. When pressed by a reporter to specify, he added, "I'm talking to you on the phone, fella" from "a secret and undisclosed location."

Franken announced his selection today of his state director, a move that Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman Ron Carey called a "publicity stunt" and cited as evidence that Franken is willing to toss aside the absentee ballots Coleman's team is disputing.

"The truth could never be clearer that Al Franken has decided that 4,400 Minnesota voters are disposable," Carey said in a statement. "While the due process and equal protection rights of our fellow citizens are being denied, Al Franken is determined to thumb his nose at the Minnesota Supreme Court. This is another shameful episode of disenfranchising voters from Al Franken, and his disrespect for the constitutional rights of all citizens. Given his proven callous disregard for Minnesota voters, his new 'employees' should be very concerned about Mr. Franken's past treatment of his employees, particularly his unwillingness to pay their worker's compensation premiums."

Franken attorney Marc Elias discounted the filing as legal stall tactic, and he said the Democrat's team will filing a motion tomorrow morning asking the state Supreme Court to expedite the process. He said the Coleman legal team is in "the death throes."

"When it comes to disenfranchisement, no one holds a candle to the legal team put together by former Senator Coleman," Elias said.

"At some point you have to accept the reality for what it is," he added.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

Per the New York Times:

"The New York Times won five Pulitzer Prizes in journalism on Monday, the second-most in its history, for work on subjects as varied as America's wars in Asia, the sudden downfall of a political titan, art from ancient to modern, and a history-making presidential campaign."

Read on.

Forget the talk of policy platforms, of job creation and clean energy, perhaps a particularly telling piece of Republican Bob McDonnell's strategy for winning the Virginia governor's race comes in his hiring of a firm called Distributive Networks. What is Distributive Networks? It's the company that helped a one-term Illinois senator build the text message apparatus to attract millions of new voters, many of them young, to his bid for the White House.

McDonnell said he's "not going to write off any votes, any demographics."

"Every election really is determined by the independent voter," McDonnell said during a recent interview with Hotline editors. Of Virginia, he added: "It's a competitive state. It's certainly not a blue state."

McDonnell, who resigned as state attorney general in February to run fulltime, is a darling of the national GOP, whose headliners have descended to raise money for his campaign. Sen. John McCain, Gov. Bobby Jindal, former governor Mike Huckabee and Sen. Mitch McConnell have already turned out for McDonnell, and FOX News' Sean Hannity and former senator Fred Thompson are expected in coming weeks, according to the candidate.

Terry McAuliffe, the former Democratic National Committee chairman and one of three men seeking his party's nomination, has said Republicans need a win in Virginia like they need oxygen. GOP officials are hopeful that McDonnell, the only candidate in the race to have won a statewide election, will start the party on the path to political rebirth this fall; there are two gubernatorial races in play in this off year, Virginia and New Jersey.

In more ways than one, McDonnell, who is ardently pro life, is looking to the Democratic president for guidance about how to win in this formerly reliable red state. Obama defeated Hillary Clinton in Virginia by 29 points before beating Sen. John McCain in the general election; Obama was the first Democrat to win Virginia since Lyndon B. Johnson claimed the Commonwealth in 1964. Beyond his use of text messaging - something McAuliffe has employed more noticeably that his Democratic rivals, state Sen. Creigh Deeds and former delegate Brian Moran - McDonnell said he will emphasize a message of economic growth and prosperity that largely deemphasizes his position on potentially polarizing social issues, such as abortion or stem cell research. Deeds, who ran against McDonnell in the 2005 attorney general race, highlighted McDonnell's opposition to both issues during that general election contest, an effort to paint him as too extreme for the state's moderate voters, especially those in vote-rich Northern Virginia.

So McDonnell is embracing a key element of Obama's technology strategy as well as the centrist, economy-focused message that the former White House candidate advocated during the 2008 contest. The key tenets of the McDonnell platform - jobs, education, transportation and infrastructure, technology to bridge the digital divide between rural and urban America - sound familiar, too.

"To win an election you've got to address the problems people care about, and right now they want to see the economy turned around," said McDonnell, who brought wife, Maureen, to the Watergate for the interview.

McDonnell is a graduate of Notre Dame, which he attended on an ROTC scholarship, and of Regent University School of Law, the Christian outlet founded by evangelist Pat Robertson. Whoever wins the Democratic nomination will pitch the Republican as too extreme for Virginia. But McDonnell, in turn, plans to disavow the public of the notion that the party's eventual nominee is heir apparent to the legacies of the two most recent Democratic governors, Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, now a U.S. senator.

"This group of candidates is not the Mark Warner party anymore," he said, noting they each support for the Employee Free Choice Act, which would make it easier for unions to organize. He said McAuliffe, Deeds and Moran would move the party - and the state - to the left.

McDonnell said he'll pitch himself as the candidate who can move legislation in oft-gridlocked Richmond, where the GOP leads the General Assembly and the governor is constitutionally restricted to one term, limiting his ability to push preferred projects.

"I'm also a problem solver, and I think that's what people want," he said.

And McDonnell suggested that Virginia voters will see a Democrat in the White House and Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D) running the House and Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) in control of the Senate and vote for political balance in Richmond.

Assessing the broader national landscape, McDonnell said he sees echoes this year of 1993, when Republicans George Allen and Christie Todd Whitman won in Virginia and New Jersey respectively right after Bill Clinton seized the White House from Republicans.

McDonnell, who has the luxury of raising money and quietly strategizing while the Democrats campaign until the June 9 primary, said Republicans need to do better overall in Northern Virginia to win statewide. He said the region offers 34 percent of the state's vote and makes up 42 percent of its tax base. Obama last year won Prince William, Fairfax and Loudon counties, key high turnout jurisdictions in the northern portion of the state. Wins in those counties are critical for the gubernatorial candidates.

But saving all that, McDonnell, a father of five, has another card up his sleeve. One that even Obama can't boast.

"My wife was a Redskinette," he said.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

Why should James Carville have all the fun? In an email sent today to supporters, Paul Begala also helps Hillary Clinton retire her campaign debt by peddling three donation door prizes. But interestingly, after Carville made a pitch for Clinton over the last couple weeks, the former presidential candidate effectively cleared her debt. With $2.3M outstanding to consulting firm Penn, Schoen and Berland, she reported $2.6M cash on hand at the end of March. It remains to be seen if she'll use that money to pay political advisor Mark Penn's team.

So, readers, why is Begala helping Clinton raise more coin? What money is still outstanding? CNN reports that extra money could be donated to political causes or returned to donors.

Dear Friend,

Imagine yourself walking into an exclusive event in New York accompanied by none other than President Clinton.

Picture yourself in California as part of the live audience of the most hotly anticipated TV finale.

Think about sitting across from James Carville and myself discussing politics in the shadow of our Nation's Capital.

Well you don't have to imagine anymore...you just have to pick. And if it were up to me, I'd pick door number three.

By clicking here and making a contribution of even as low as $5 you could be on your way to one of these three once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. So don't imagine, just click.

Make a $5 contribution today, and you could be on your way to one of these once in a lifetime opportunities!

Your contribution today will mean so much more than just a chance to take part in these fantastic prizes. It will also mean a great deal to our friend, Hillary Clinton.

We've paid off most of Hillary's presidential campaign debt and your gift today will help us get rid of the final bit that remains.

Hillary Clinton has meant so much to me over the years as I know she has to you as well. So when they asked me to take part in this once in a lifetime contest, I was compelled to act. I hope you will be too.

Sincerely,

Paul Begala

P.S. Remember these prizes are only available online and only for a limited time, so please don't delay in acting. Click here to enter today!

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee raised $10.4M to the National Republican Senatorial Committee's $9.6M in the first quarter of 2009.

The DSCC has $7.2M cash on hand to the NRSC's almost $2.3M. The DSCC is, however, $10.8M in debt. The NRSC, by contrast, has just $1M in outstanding debt.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), chairman of the NRSC, said in a statement that the committee's first quarter fundraising represents a 40 percent increase over the group's total in the first quarter of last cycle.

"With Senate Democrats on the precipice of a 60-seat, filibuster-proof supermajority, it is crucial that Republican candidates have the necessary resources to compete across the country in next year's midterm elections," Cornyn said. "As Chairman, I am committed to ensuring that Republicans field strong and well-funded candidates in every contested Senate race, including regions of the country that have not been traditionally friendly to our Party."

DSCC executive director J.B. Poersch said his party is indeed eyeing that 60-member threshold.

"Despite the economic conditions, we are seeing a persistence from our supporters that we must get to 60 Democratic Senators," Poersch said. "Every time Republicans choose obstruction over progress, it energizes Democrats. Americans want President Obama to have partners in the Senate - not obstructionists, and that's why we're seeing nationwide enthusiasm to protect and grow our Democratic majority."

After the jump, browse the numbers.

Norm Coleman might be taking the MN Senate election to court, but Democrat Al Franken is gearing up to govern. He announced today that he's hired Alana Peterson, who has worked for five years for Rep. Jim Oberstar, as his state director.

"I want Minnesotans to be able to rely on me for assistance with the federal government," Franken said in a statement. "Whether it's a Social Security check, a small business loan, or help for a returning veteran, my office will be there for the people of our state, following the examples set by Sen. Klobuchar, our fine Congressional delegation, and those who came before us. That's the Minnesota way, and nobody is better at it than Alana. Drawing on her wealth of experience and her ability to reach out to every constituency in Minnesota, when I have the privilege of being certified, she'll work with me to ensure that we hit the ground running on Day One."

Peterson added: "I've gotten to know Al, and I know he'll be the kind of Senator who works hard on behalf of every Minnesotan. I share his understanding that Minnesotans are facing some tough challenges right now, and I share his vision to support Minnesotans and strengthen our state. I'm thrilled to join his team."

A brief bio of Peterson, provided by Franken's office, is available after the jump.

The Democratic National Committee raised more than $5.5M in March and transferred another $2M from Organizing for America, bringing the DNC's quarterly take to more than $13.8M.

The DNC has $9.7M cash on hand, according to information provided by a spokesman. The Republican National Committee, by contrast, has $23.9M in the bank, which includes a $7.3M transfer from the John McCain-Sarah Palin 2008 Victory Committee.

So the RNC outraised the DNC by almost $5M so far this year -- even though the Democrats have the White House and control of Congress and even with Pres. Obama's $13M strong campaign email list in-house. The DNC released the numbers this weekend without a statement or a comment. A spokesman today also declined to comment.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

The release of CIA torture memos and Pres. Obama's decision not to prosecute agents for harsh interrogation techniques dominated the Sunday shows. Ex-CIA Dir. Michael Hayden spoke about the issue during an appearance on "Fox News Sunday."

Fox's Wallace: "The White House says that four former CIA directors, including you, all advised against the release of these so-called torture memos. Specifically, what were you asked and what did you say?"

Hayden: "I wasn't asked. We weren't asked. We were informed as a courtesy by the agency that this was a pending decision, and all of us self-initiated, voluntarily, to call the White House and express our views. I should add, too, that the current director, Director [Leon] Panetta, shared our views."

More Hayden: "If you look at the documents that have been made public, it says top secret at the top. The definition of top secret is information which, if revealed, would cause grave harm to U.S. security."

After the jump, the Summit of Americas, Obama's first 90 days and the economy.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

CNN is reporting that Bob McDonnell, Virginia's Republican candidate for governor, is "adding his voice to the chorus of conservative Catholics urging the University of Notre Dame to reconsider honoring President Obama at the school's commencement in May because of his views on abortion."

McDonnell, a graduate of Notre Dame, said Obama should be allowed to speak but should not be given an honorary degree because his views "appear to be in great conflict with the Catholic social teaching."

"Therefore I think conferring a degree confers certainly an imprimatur, or approval of these views," he said on WTOP radio. "So I don't think if it's a uniquely Catholic University like a Georgetown or Boston College or Notre Dame."

But McDonnell disagreed with some members of the Catholic clergy who believe Obama should not speak at the school, CNN reported.

"He's the President of the United States," McDonnell said. "We respect the office. I disagree with him on a number of issues, but I respect the fact that he is the leader of the Free World."

McDonnell, also a graduate of Regent University Law School, which was founded by evangelist Pat Robertson, is the former state attorney general of Virginia. He is running a centrist campaign for governor in a state that backed Obama against Hillary Clinton in the Democratic presidential primary and then over Sen. John McCain in the general election. McDonnell, the only candidate running who has won a statewide race, has so far stressed his record of service in the Army, as a prosecutor and in the attorney general job, but has shied away from social issues.

The three Democrats running provided statements to On Call responding to McDonnell's suggestion that Obama should not be awarded an honorary degree.

Lis Smith, a spokeswoman for McAuliffe said McDonnell is "showing his true colors."

"Rather than applaud the President for bringing the country together to deal with our common challenges, he'd rather focus on divisive issues that tear us apart," she said. "This is the kind of partisan politics that Virginians rejected in recent years, and will reject again in November."

Jesse Ferguson, spokesman for former Del. Brian Moran, said that Virginia candidates should be focused on Virginia issues.

"We have so many challenges in Virginia today with nearly 300,000 people unemployed, it's unfortunate Bob McDonnell's chosen to get involved in this," he said. "But it again shows Bob McDonnell's true right-wing priorites."

And Peter Jackson, a spokesman for state Sen. Creigh Deeds, said McDonnell would undo the work accomplished by the last two Democratic governors, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, now the chairman of the DNC.

"It should be troubling to every Virginian that Bob McDonnell would use his extreme opposition to a woman's right to choose to attack President Obama," Jackson said. "And it's divisive comments like these that make it crystal clear Bob McDonnell would take Virginia back and reverse the progress and policies of the Warner-Kaine years."

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

Vice President Joe Biden will serve as commencement speaker at Syracuse University, Wake Forest University and the United States Air Force Academy this year, according to a White House release. Biden will address graduates, family members, and faculty at Syracuse University on Sunday, May 10, 2009, Wake Forest University on Monday, May 18, 2009, and the United States Air Force Academy on Wednesday, May 27, 2009.

While her husband John might be one of the most followed Tweeters, it seems Cindy McCain is also enjoying expressing her thoughts via the trendy tech medium. Direct from her brain to yours, here's Cindy McCain:

4/13, 11:39 AM: "I promise a picture of my new hair is coming soon!!"

4/13, 11:47 AM: "http://twitpic.com/39kqm A side view."

4/13, 11:47 AM: "http://twitpic.com/39ks0 A back view."

4/15, 1:07 PM: "I am thrilled to be attending the Log Cabin Republican events with my daughter this weekend. She is speaking and I am sure will do a fabulous job!!"

4/15, 1:37 PM: "http://twitpic.com/3cv48 - An idea for keeping birds out of airplane engines. I am sure you have already seen this."

4/15, 11:47 PM: "I am hooked on the tv show Deadliest Catch on Discovery Channel. I really would like to me these guys sometime."

4/15, 11:51 PM: "The Tudors have started too. Showtime on demand is fabulous!"

4/15, 11:04 PM: "Oh poor "little" Harry Winston. Desi and Lucy are both sacked out on my lap right now!"

4/17, 2:30 PM: "Beautiful day. John and I are driving to our place in northern Arizona for a break. I keep you posted as to what we do!"

4/17, 2:30 PM: "I can't wait to see your bangs Meghan!!"

On Call Aside: all tweets are reproduced exactly as they appeared.

WOTT provides a carefully selected slice of tweets written by political leaders, ex-politicians and candidates for office nationwide. Hotline subscribers can read the best overnight tweets in our AM edition.

Do you have a favorite political tweep you think should be added to our list? Email us at hotlinetwitter@nationaljournal.com.

Follow Hotline on Twitter: twitter.com/thehotline.

(EVAN McMORRIS-SANTORO)

Here are the scheduled guests for the Sunday public affairs shows and other weekend programs:

SUNDAY:

Meet the Press hosts NEC Chair Larry Summers and features a roundtable with ex-House Maj. Leader Dick Armey (R-TX), Fortune's Nina Easton, DLC Chair/ex-Rep. Rep. Harold Ford, Jr. (D-TN), Washington Post's Steven Pearlstein and Time's Rick Stengel.

Face the Nation hosts WH sr. adviser David Axelrod, PA Gov. Ed Rendell (D) and NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre.

This Week hosts WH CoS Rahm Emanuel and House Min. Leader John Boehner, and features a roundtable with George Will, Sam Donaldson, Cokie Roberts and Wall Street Journal's Peggy Noonan.

Fox News Sunday hosts ex-CIA Dir. Michael Hayden, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO). The "Power Player" is opera singer Denyce Graves.

State of the Union hosts DHS Sec. Janet Napolitano and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). The "Last Word" guest is NY Gov. David Paterson (D) (see below for guests on SOTU's Reliable Sources segment).

See other weekend shows after the jump.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

The Republican National Committee raised $6.7M in March, up from $5.1M in February. The RNC received $5.8M in January. The party now has $23.9M cash-on-hand at the close of the first quarter of 2009.

The average contribution to the RNC during the first quarter of 2009 was $55.27, according to a party release.

"The Republican National Committee ended the first quarter of 2009 strong with a solid increase in our fundraising from just one month ago," said RNC Chairman Michael Steele. "Thanks to our many contributors, the RNC is on solid financial footing as we build an organization to support our candidates and state parties."

Steele has a lot riding on the financial strength of the RNC. With the party out of power, his ability to bring in money in an off year is critical to their prospects for rebirth in the 2009/2010 cycle. Of greater personal importance, Steele, who took the helm in January, has committed a series of gaffes -- picking a fight with Rush Limbaugh, pitching an "off the hook" party rebuilding strategy and "hip hop" makeover, and saying that abortion is a woman's choice, among other flubs -- that left many questioning his leadership skills and political savvy. A solid fundraising take could go a long way toward restoring confidence in his organizing skills.

The Democratic National Committee has yet to release March numbers. The committee, under new chairman Va Gov. Tim Kaine, raised $3.2M in February, trailing the RNC.

Democrat Terry McAuliffe, former national party chairman, has a new television ad up in Richmond and Hampton Roads today highlighting his ideas for harnessing new energy technology to create jobs and promote a cleaner environment.

The ad -- titled "Here" -- features McAuliffe on a boat "miles off the coast of Virginia Beach" where he is talking about wind energy. The spot is McAuliffe's third on television. Neither of his Democratic rivals -- former Del. Brian Moran or state Sen. Creigh Deeds -- have aired a television ad.

A campaign spokeswoman said the boat in the ad was chartered.

Republican Norm Coleman, who has vowed to take the MN Senate contest to court, talked to the Minneapolis Star Tribune editorial board this week about the reported FBI investigation into allegations that a Coleman supporter, Nasser Kazeminy, tried to funnel money to the then-senator and his wife. Coleman was asked if he was contacted by the FBI about the Kazeminy investigation.

Coleman: "We did nothing wrong. This is a dispute between two business people. There's never been a single allegation that either my wife or I did anything wrong. Not one."

Watch the ensuing back and forth between Coleman and a Strib editor here.

An internal Workforce Fairness Institute memo, obtained this morning by National Journal's Hotline On Call, outlines the successes those opposed to the Employee Free Choice Act achieved during the congressional recess.

Among the highlighted happenings:

• The labor bosses lost another vote when Senator Lincoln (D-AR) announced she would oppose the Employee 'Forced' Choice Act. And while Lincoln's announcement received significant amounts of coverage, comments by some of her colleagues expressing reservations about the legislation - and skepticism about its viability - received less attention. • Senator Bennet (D-CO) stated that, "there isn't something that can be passed" when speaking of the bill.

• Lincoln's colleague from Arkansas, Senator Pryor (D-AR) stated the legislation was "dead" as written.

• Even Senator Hagen (D-NC) - a public supporter of EFCA - said, "I do not think the votes are there to pass the bill."

• There was an interesting report from North Dakota where a state chamber president reported back from travel to the nation's capital saying, "based on the conversations we had, our delegation will not be voting for this piece of legislation in its current condition."

• Lastly, according to a recent press story, Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) is now stating reports of his support for cloture are "premature."

Click the link above to read the full doc.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

House Race Hotline editor Tim Sahd takes a look each Friday at the top five House stories of the week. Here are this week's big newsmakers, brought to you by Friday House Cleaning:

5. PVIs Are Watchin' You

Last week, the Cook Political Report released its PVIs for the new Congress, and what a treasure trove of information it is. The PVI measures how competitive a CD is by calculating the %age earned by the '04 and '08 WH contender in each CD, and then measuring it against the nation as a whole. For instance, a PVI of R+2 means the CD voted 2% more GOP in the last two WH elections than the nation as a whole.

According to this measure, Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-AL 06) represents the most GOP CD (with an R+29 score), while Rep. Jose Serrano (D-NY 16) represents the most Dem CD (with a D+41 score). Right in the middle at #218: Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI 01).

The biggest take away from this list, though, is that the GOP has many more target possibilities than do Dems. In the PVI, any score of R+5 to D+5 denotes a potential swing CD, and 70% of the 104 seats in this range are held by Dems. Of course, if the enviro. still stinks for GOPers in '10, none of that matters. But if things improve, the GOP has a good chance of picking up some seats in '10. Take a look at the PVI information here.

4. FECal Matter

1stQ FEC reports were due on 4/15, and as usual, there were disappointments and surprises on each side. Among freshmen, Rep. Steve Dreihaus (D-OH 01) was outraised and out-banked by ex-Rep. Steve Chabot (R), signaling that not all the repeat candidates this cycle will be poor challengers. But Driehaus was the exception, not the rule, among freshmen Dems. Nine of these Dems raised over $300K, while no freshmen GOPer reached that mark. Rep. Aaron Schock came close, though, at $297K.

National Journal has a terrific interactive map up today highlighting the nation's divided districts -- meaning those that elected a Republican member last year in a community that backed Barack Obama for president or those that voted for a Democratic member but also for Sen. John McCain.

"We are looking at all the seats McCain won that Democrats are sitting in," Guy Harrison, executive director of the National Republican Congressional Committee, told NJ. In parallel, Jennifer Crider, communications director for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said, "You will see us targeting the Republicans ... sitting in seats that President Obama won."

Browse the feature. It's quite informative.

"World News" led with the housing market continuing to stumble. "Evening News" led with Pres. Obama's trip to Mexico. "Nightly News" led with the housing market.

Obama was the sixth U.S. POTUS to visit Mexico City in the last 100 years. Among the reaction to his trip:

American Univ.'s Robert Pastor, on Obama and Mexican Pres. Felipe Calderon pledging close cooperation in the drug war: "They have ushered in a new era away from the finger-pointing between Mexico and the United States blaming each side for the other side of the problem to recognizing you can't manage the problem, let alone solve it, unless you feel a certain shared responsibility."

More Pastor: "But I think very soon they're going to have to realize they have to fit this into a broader context, because our economic and social relationship in many ways is much more important or at least as important as this" ("NewsHour," PBS, 4/16).

FNC's Garrett: "The White House has made a tactical political decision here that if they bring a gun control issue to Congress now, when they're trying to get health care and energy legislation and other things on the Obama agenda that are a higher priority than this, the gun control issue could overtake those and cost the president things he cares more about. ... So he's just simply not going to make that fight now. He'll try to work with the existing laws. But it is clearly a political calculation, and it's playing out here as the drug war is debated" ("On the Record," 4/16).

More after the jump, including newly-released CIA memos.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

The AFL-CIO will release a memo today summarizing activities held during the congressional recess to support the Employee Free Choice Act.

Here are their top line numbers:

§ More than 400 grassroots events held in support of the Employee Free Choice Act including forums, community town halls, roundtables, letter delivery events, and marches.

§ More than 27,000 letters to Congress in support of the Employee Free Choice Act.

§ Almost 100,000 phone calls to Congress in support of the Employee Free Choice Act.

§ More than $1 million spent airing two new ads in support of the Employee Free Choice Act.

§ More than 5,000 miles logged by mobile billboards showing the faces of the Employee Free Choice Act.

§ More than 550 television, print, radio, and online earned media hits covering the Employee Free Choice Act events.

§ More than 125 op-eds and letters to the editor placed in support of the Employee Free Choice Act.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

National Journal's regular survey of Political Insiders this week yielded some pretty interesting responses to the question of gay marriage. For starters, a solid majority of the 102 Democratic Political Insiders who were polled--59 percent--said that from a political perspective, they thought their party should support gay marriage. Only about a third said their party should "avoid the issue" and a mere 2 percent said the Democratic Party should oppose it. The remaining Democratic Insiders volunteered responses like the states should handle the issue or that the question deserved more options, that the party should support and avoid, or they replied that they'd just rather not give an answer.

On the Republican side, the results were even more intriguing. While it's probably too soon to say that the GOP with its base of conservative voters is ready to set the controversial social issue aside, Republican operatives and strategists seem to be growing wary of the issue. Exactly half of the 104 Republican Insiders who were surveyed said that their party should oppose gay marriage. Another 37 percent said they thought the party should avoid the issue, and 8 percent said the GOP should actually support gay marriage. The remainder also gave scattered volunteered responses like leave it up to the states, accept it, or that the party shouldn't care it. That's a pretty close divide between the Republican Insiders who say their party should oppose gay marriage compared to those who say avoid or support it.

But here's probably the most provocative aspect of this question. National Journal can break down the responses of its Political Insiders by whether they live or work inside the DC Beltway or whether they reside outside the Beltway. Among the Democratic Insiders, their attitudes towards gay marriage did not vary much between those inside the Beltway and those beyond: 62 percent of the Democratic Insiders outside the Beltway said the party should support gay marriage and 57 percent of the Democratic Insiders inside the Beltway concurred. About a third of both groups said the Democratic Party should avoid the issue. The Republican Insiders offered a very different picture: a narrow plurality of the GOP Insiders inside the Beltway--43 percent--said the party should avoid the issue, while 38 percent said the party should oppose gay marriage. But among the Republican Insiders outside the Beltway gay marriage drew a determined opposition: 66 percent said the party should oppose it and just 27 percent said the party should avoid the issue.

See all the data after the jump, and click this link to see the verbatim responses of the Insiders to this week's question on gay marriage as well as their response to whether or not President Obama is smart to tackle the immigration issue this year.

(National Journal's JIM BARNES)

When was the last time a foreign head of state uttered the campaign slogan of another head of state?

Today.

Mexico President Felipe Calderon welcomed Pres. Obama to Los Pinos -- the country's official presidential residence -- by saying that they were ushering in a new relationship between the border nations built on trust and cooperation.

"Let's build a new era," Calderon said. "Yes we can."

While we don't find robocalls particularly reliable, and we caution against putting too much faith in these numbers, but we're highlighting the latest Rasmussen Reports survey of the VA gubernatorial race because we have seen so few polls out of the Commonwealth with less than two months until the June 9 primary.

The Rasumussen poll shows Republican Bob McDonnell with double digit leads over each of his Democratic rivals.

McDonnell is ahead of former Del. Brian Moran by 10 points, 44 percent to 34 percent.

Terry McAuliffe, the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, trails McDonnell by 12 points, 45 percent to 33 percent.

State Sen. R. Creigh Deeds of Bath County trails McDonnell by 15 points, 45 percent to 30 percent.

The poll echoes a survey released last week by Daily Kos showing McDonnell's favorable ratings also higher than those of the Democrats running. Daily Kos had McDonnell's favorable/unfavorable numbers at 48 percent/31 percent.

The latest survey -- remember not to take too much stock in the results -- shows 58 percent of those polled have a favorable view of McDonnell, while 16 percent rate him unfavorably and 26% are undecided.

The new head of the Club for Growth has endorsed the most recent past president of the organization in his bid for Senate in Pennsylvania.

"The principles of economic freedom and limited government are what drive Pat Toomey, not the political circumstances of the day, and that's why I'm proud to endorse him on behalf of the Club for Growth PAC," said Club for Growth president Chris Chocola. "I had the great pleasure of working with Pat in the U.S. House, and I'm hard pressed to find someone who cares more deeply than him when it comes to the challenges our country faces today."

Toomey officially entered the race this week; he is challenging Sen. Arlen Specter (R) for the GOP nomination.

"He had the tenacious ability to stand up to anybody in Washington, even if it was his own party's leadership, if they sought to infringe peoples' economic liberty," Chocola said in an email statement. "That's a rare commodity these days and it's sorely needed in the U.S. Senate."

The nod marks the organization's fourth endorsement of the cycle. It's also backing Kevin Calvey in OK-05, and Sens. Jim DeMint (R-SC) and Tom Coburn (R-OK).

"World News" led with a taped interview with Maersk Alabama crew members and featured an interview with Mexican Pres. Felipe Calderón. "Evening News" led with the Tax Day Tea Parties. "Nightly News" led with Tax Day Tea Parties and featured an interview with Calderón.

"Hannity" was live from the tea party in Atlanta. Guests included ex-Speaker Newt Gingrich (R), "Joe the Plumber" Samuel Wurzelbacher, ex-AR Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) and Rep. Tom Price (R-GA).

FNC's Hannity: "I am joined by well over 15,000 Americans. By the end of this night, it may be close to 20,000. They have gathered here on this tax day to make their voices heard."

Gingrich, from a tea party in NY: "This is a key day. I hope every American across the country will call their senator and their congressman and say, beat the budget, make them write a new budget, take out the spending increases, take out the tax increases, get government under control. ... This is a battle between responsibility and absolute power grabs by irresponsible politicians."

More after the jump, including Calderón on Pres. Obama's upcoming trip to Mexico.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

For the second day in a row, Dems have snagged a top-tier recruit against a once-safe GOPer. This a.m., the St. Petersburg Times reports state Sen. Charlie Justice (D) will challenge Rep. Bill Young (R-FL 10) in a CD that gave Pres. Obama 52% in '08.

Yesterday, ex-LG John Carney (D) jumped into a race against Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE), and his candidacy is bouyed by the fact Obama took 62% there.

Also complicating factors for both GOPers is that they turned in rather lackluster fundraising numbers for the 1stQ. Castle raised $74K, while Young raised just $7K. That undoubtedly was a further enticement for both Dems.

GOPers will argue that both Dems entered the races hoping that Castle and Young retire; indeed, there are rumors surrounding both that they may leave. Young was even forced to deny them earlier this month, but his lackluster fundraising may bring them back up. Of course, similar rumors popped up after he raised just $16K in the 1stQ in '07, but he went on to run for re-election and rout his opponent in the process.

This year, though, Dems have recruited Justice, a top-tier recruit, and Young may not enjoy the same result. Like Castle, Young is an established figure in the CD and will provide a tough target for Justice. But both races will be very competitive.

(TIM SAHD)

Pres. Obama and Michelle Obama earned more than $2.65M last year, according to their joint tax returns, which were released this afternoon by the White House. The bulk of their income was generated by sales of Barack Obama's books.

The Obamas paid $855,323 in federal income tax. They gave $172,050 - or about 6.5% of their adjusted gross income, the White House noted in a release - to 37 charities. Their largest reported gifts to charity were $25,000 contributions to Catholic Relief Services and the United Negro College Fund.

The couple also reported paying $77,883 in state income taxes.

Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden earned a combined $269,256. The Bidens paid $46,952 in federal income taxes and $11,164 in Delaware state income taxes. The Biden announcement is careful to note that the couple's after tax income was $183,315.

The couple gave $1,885, well less than 1 percent of their earnings, to charity.

"The charitable donations claimed by the Bidens on their tax returns are not the sum of their annual contributions to charity," notes the White House statement. "They donate to their church, and they contribute to their favorite causes with their time, as well as their checkbooks."

Biden took some heat during the fall campaign for donating less than $1,000 annually to charity between 1998 and 2007.

The absentee ballot counting is finished in Saratoga Co., and it wasn't enough to pull Jim Tedisco (R) into the lead in NY-20. In the NY Board of Election's p.m. update, Scott Murphy (D) leads Tedisco by 86 votes. Saratoga Co.'s tally (672-509 in favor of Tedisco) was only enough to halve Murphy's 168-vote lead from this morning.

That's bad news for Tedisco, as Columbia, Dutchess and Warren Cos. are the only ones left to report absentee ballot tallies, and they all went for Murphy on election night.

An even bigger boon to Murphy may be the nearly 1.2K contested ballots -- including Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's (D) -- that have yet to be counted. But they won't be uncounted for long. A judge ruled late today that most of those ballots can be now be included.
Dems believe approximately 60% of those were contested by GOPers, and if they're included, that will undoubtedly increase Murphy's total.

Saratoga Co. may have been Tedisco's last chance to pull ahead, and it wasn't enough to put him over the top. Is there anything left out there that would give him a shot at winning?

(TIM SAHD)

As the Democratic National Committee puts pressure on Sen. Norm Coleman to bow out of the Senate race that has captivated the state and the nation for five months, three Minnesota publications have called this week for Coleman to concede. And two of those outlets endorsed Coleman over Democrat Al Franken during the general election.

Their suggestions follow the decision of a three-judge panel to declare Franken the winner by 312 votes.

"It's becoming increasingly clearer that Coleman and fellow Republicans -- desperate to keep the Democrats from strengthening their power -- are pressing onward primarily for political reasons," wrote the Worthington Daily Globe editorial board. "Meanwhile, Minnesota continues to only have one U.S. senator, despite a prolonged process that has shown Franken to be the winner on two occasions.

"We, like the Albert Lea Tribune, endorsed Norm Coleman over Franken. We also share the same opinion that Coleman, for the benefit of the state and its citizens, should concede. Norm Coleman and his attorneys claim they want to ensure no Minnesota voter gets left behind. Instead, they're trying their best to leave Minnesota behind."

The Albert Lea Tribune saw "stalling" in Coleman's vow to take the matter to court. The paper compares the situation in Minnesota with the 2004 Washington gubernatorial contest between Republican Dino Rossi, a state senator, and Democrat Christine Gregoire, then the state attorney general. Rossi lost his slim advantage after multiple recounts, and Gregoire took the lead.

"Rossi knew when fighting became a waste of his time, the time of his supporters and the time of the citizens in his state," the paper's editorial board wrote. "There are too many important issues in Minnesota to let the state be without Senate representation. Whatever the means, Franken holds the lead in the race by 225 votes, and the courts have agreed with that result. Coleman is now only delaying the seating of Franken and in doing so is not servicing his staff, his financial contributors or the people of Minnesota."

A good politician, the paper added, "knows knows when he is looking bad and making his state look bad." Coleman is "looking like a career politician who is losing his career."

That's the same Albert Lea Tribune that endorsed Coleman last fall saying that he "is the better man" and "deserves your vote."

The Faribault Daily News suggested that the MN situation is a "saga that almost puts Florida in 2000 to shame and Minnesota on the radar of stand-up comedians."

"Now, Coleman claims that, on behalf of all those voters who were denied their constitutional right to have their vote counted, he's going to continue his battle," writes the paper's team. "But experts who've examined the appeals panel's ruling note that it shot down most of the arguments he could use on appeal. And, meanwhile, important work on the economy, the war in Iraq and health care is being done with only half of the state's full representation participating.

"It's appropriate for Coleman to have challenged the recount once. But to do it again belies his stance that he's acting on behalf of the disenfranchised voter -- those whose votes were not counted. It's time for Franken to be certified."

Sure, these are smaller papers, serving smaller communities. But it's just these outlets that are tapped into the sentiment of local residents. And they would typically provide a better indicator of any groundswell of support for Coleman to exit the contest and Franken to be certified than would a radio ad from the Democratic National Committee.

It's worth noting, too, that the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, today backed Coleman's call for a judicial evaluation, albeit a speedy one:

"That review should be conducted with as much expedition as appellate jurists can muster. Coleman has a right to appeal, and the absentee voters whose ballots he seeks to add to the count have a right to serious consideration under the law. But those rights stand in increasingly evident tension with Minnesota's constitutional right to dual representation in the U.S. Senate."

And not surprisingly, the National Republican Senatorial Committee, prefers the Star-Tribune's general thinking.

"The guarantee of due process and equal protection provided in the U.S. Constitution should be no less important than the similar guarantee of free speech that newspapers themselves have so vigorously defended for over 200 years," said NRSC spokesman Brian Walsh. "So while editorial boards have every right to offer their opinion, it's important to respect and defend the entire U.S. Constitution, and not just parts of it. That's why it's so important for the over 4,000 Minnesotans who had their votes thrown out to have a voice before the Minnesota Supreme Court."

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

MO Sec/State Robin Carnahan (D) nearly doubled Rep. Roy Blunt (R) in terms of overall receipts for the 1stQ, raising nearly $1.05M to Blunt's $560K. Even with Blunt's modest cash head-start (from his pre-existing House account), Carnahan still ended the quarter with more CoH: $928K to Blunt's $674K. Nearly all of the top tier SEN candidates this cycle have been able to raise at least $1M this Q, meaning Blunt will have to significantly kick his fundraising pace up a notch to remain competitive with Carnahan.

Minnesota Public Radio reports that the Democratic National Committee spent a paltry $850 on its radio ad buy urging Norm Coleman to exit the Senate race and allow Democrat Al Franken to be certified.

"Minnesotans better listen carefully if they want to hear the DNC ad calling for Republican Norm Coleman to concede," MPR writes.

Per MPR, here are the details on when they'll run:

4/16 5 AM - 10 AM - 1 spot
4/16 3 PM - 7PM - 1 spot
4/17 5AM - 10 AM - 1 spot
4/17 3 PM - 7PM - 1 spot

The source with knowledge of the buy told MPR that the DNC may run additional ads next week if Coleman doesn't concede. And MPR updated the post later to say that a source maintains that the portion of the buy on Air America's station -- AM950 -- is much bigger but wouldn't say how much.

A Republican strategist weighed in for On Call: "I guess this is what President Obama's and his party means by changing the tone in Washington. Silly games won't divert Senator Coleman's team from ensuring every legal vote counts in Minnesota."

"I decided not to bring Bo today -- because he stepped on my economic speech yesterday."

-- Pres. Obama, opening his Tax Day speech this afternoon

Obama's remarks, in which he touted his tax relief for working and middle class families and efforts to simplify the tax code, are available after the jump. Note also the Bill Clinton shout out.

The Democratic Governors Association today announced what the group is calling a "record-breaking" first quarter fundraising take of $5.3M, the most the raised in an off-year first quarter. The organization brought in $23M last year and $18.1M in 2006.

"Governors are on the frontline of our economic recovery, and it's important to elect people who believe that we need to invest in our schools, help hardworking families over the hump of tough times and focus on creating jobs," said MT Gov. Brian Schweitzer, DGA chairman, in a release. "It's gratifying that our supporters continue to see the value of investing in these races for the once-in-a-generation elections in 2009 and 2010."

There are two critical gubernatorial races in play this year: Virginia and New Jersey. Both parties are coveting wins in the states as signs of their national strength. Republicans, in particular, are hoping to win back the corner offices in the Commonwealth and the Garden State as evidence that the ailing GOP is on the upswing.

There are 36 gubernatorial races in 2010, just before congressional redistricting commences. Most governors will have a say in how those lines are drawn.

"The DGA has been preparing for this election since 2006," Nathan Daschle, executive director of the DGA, said in a statement. "We're better positioned than ever before to defend our incumbents and pick up new territory in this election cycle, and this fundraising accomplishment in a difficult economic climate demonstrates the commitment to giving President Obama partners to work with in the states."

We're still awaiting fundraising numbers from the Republican Governors Association.

Considering how small the divide between Scott Murphy (D) and Jim Tedisco (R) has been the last two weeks in NY-20, this a.m.'s update from the NY Board of Elections provides an eye-opening number. Murphy now leads by 168 votes; that's up from his 47-vote lead on 4/14. This turn of events is due mainly to a big swath of absentee returns coming in from Murphy's base of Columbia Co.

There's still plenty of absentee vote-counting to go -- six counties haven't finished counting overseas ballots, and Tedisco-friendly Saratoga Co. has yet to report any absentee results. So that should help Tedisco's cause. But then again, there's been no reporting of absentees from Washington Co. either, and that's Murphy country.

We're still a long way off from a conclusion, but FiveThirtyEight's Silver predicts a comfortable Murphy win here. Are we beginning to see that happening, or will Saratoga Co. spoil Murphy's party?

(TIM SAHD)

In a move that wasn't unexpected, ex-LG/'08 GOV candidate John Carney (D) entered the race against Rep. Mike Castle (R) today.

"In the tradition of Vice-President and former Senator Biden and Senator Carper, I'll be a strong, independent voice in Congress for all Delawareans and I will work with President Obama and his administration to get our economy moving again," Carney said in an email statement.

Castle sits in a precarious seat; he's one of just six GOPers who sit in CDs that went for John Kerry in '04 and Obama in '08. In fact, Obama won DE with 62% of the vote. But Castle's strength as a moderate GOPer, along with the relative weakness of his Dem opponents, has led to his solid re-elections in the past.

Carney's entry changes those dynamics. This race will likely be a competitive contest -- that is, if Castle does indeed run for re-election. He's reportedly considering a SEN bid, or he may choose to retire. In the 1stQ, he raised more than $74K, and while he has more than $800K CoH, that 1stQ number is still a relatively weak one for a candidate preparing for a tough re-election or a SEN battle.

If Castle does not run, Carney will be the favorite to capture the seat for Dems. GOPers have almost no bench in the state.

(TIM SAHD)

Pat Toomey, former president of the conservative Club for Growth, will battle Sen. Arlen Specter (R) to be the GOP's nominee for Senate in Pennsylvania. Toomey said in a statement released this morning that "the economic stakes for our country have never been higher," and he suggested that state residents aren't getting the best representation from their leaders in Washington.

"America is at a crossroads," Toomey said. "We can continue down a path of massively expanding the federal government - which began under President Bush and is now growing at historic levels under President Obama - or we can change directions. We can stop the bailouts and the spending stampede; we can reduce the burdens on taxpayers; and we can unlock the ingenuity and job creation potential of our great nation once again."

Specter was one of three Senate Republicans to back Pres. Obama's economic stimulus package, and his poll numbers in the state show he's vulnerable to a primary challenge and in a general election fight against an unnamed Democratic challenger.

"For thirty years Senator Specter has consistently voted for increased government spending and a liberal agenda on social, labor, immigration and national security policies," Toomey said today. "In recent months, Senator Specter voted in favor of the unprecedented Wall Street and auto company bailouts and the massive "stimulus" spending bill. Senator Specter is on the wrong side of these critical issues and Pennsylvanians will pay the price."

Toomey suggested that "If Pennsylvania's senior senator stood up for taxpayers and job creation instead of routinely voting against taxpayer interests" he would feel less compelled to run. Toomey said he will stand for limited government, individual freedom and fiscal responsibility.

Pennsylvania backed Obama in the 2008 presidential election and has opted for the Democratic candidates in recent races for Senate and governor. So whoever wins the GOP nomination will have to consider the still split but increasingly left leaning nature of the state.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), said in an email yesterday that Specter is the best fit for Pennsylvania and that he would have the NRSC's full backing. Cornyn's statement had to provide some welcome relief to Specter, who faces an uphill climb.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

"World News," "Evening News" and "Nightly News" each led with Pres. Obama's speech on the economy.

The talk of the TV was Obama's 4/14 speech at Georgetown Univ.

NBC's Williams: "The president decided on a tone that was more fireside chat than it was fire and brimstone. In fact, while FDR gave us the New Deal, President Obama today used the phrase 'new foundation'" ("Nightly News," 4/14).

ABC's Stark: "The reason you are getting a mixed message from the president and the Fed chairman is because the economy is sending mixed messages. ... Economists say when you get these kind of mixed messages, these conflicting signals, it's usually a sign of a turning point" ("World News," 4/14).

CNN's Lothian: "The administration really billed this as a major economic speech, but there were no new initiatives, no policy shift" ("Situation Room," 4/14).

More after the jump, including today's Tax Day Tea Parties.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

The Democratic National Committee is airing a new radio ad in Minneapolis/St. Paul suggesting that Republican Norm Coleman concede the Senate race. Coleman's team has pledged to take the matter to court. But today, the DNC in a statement said that Coleman "continues to put his political ambition ahead of what's right for Minnesotans who deserve full representation in the U.S. Senate" and that Democrat Al Franken, who leads by 312 votes, deserves to be certified.

Here's the ad script:

The November 4, 2008 election was conducted fairly, impartially, and accurately.

Franken received the highest number of lawfully cast ballots in the November 4, 2008 general election for United States Senator for the State of Minnesota and is entitled to receive the certificate of election.

That's what a three judge panel said when it declared Al Franken the winner of the U.S. Senate race.

Franken won the election in November, he won the recount and now he has won a legal challenge filed by Norm Coleman.

Yet Coleman, and national Republicans who want to thwart the will of the voters, have vowed to file more appeals and hopeless legal challenges that will only result in more delay.

Enough is enough. America is in an economic crisis - and Minnesota faces unique challenges of its own.

Minnesota deserves two Senators and voters deserve to have their verdict stand without delay.

Call Norm Coleman at 651-645-0766. Tell him that it is time to concede.

Tell Norm Coleman to stop putting his political ambition ahead of what is right for Minnesota.

The Democratic National Committee is Responsible for the Content of this advertising.

The Albany Times-Union is reporting that Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's ballot was challenged by GOPer Jim Tedisco's team in the NY-20 recount. Gillibrand, who represented the district before being tapped to replace Hillary Clinton in the Senate, voted absentee.

Here's the item, filed this afternoon:

This just in from Columbia County: when Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's absentee ballot came up in the queue, the poll watchers for Jim Tedisco objected to it, saying the senator was in the county on election day and should have voted in person.

The NY-20 recount continues with the margin between Tedisco and Democrat Scott Murphy at 47 votes, according to the AP.

First video of the Obama family and Bo the dog.

WOTT will be tweeting live tomorrow afternoon from the 61st Annual Wakefield, VA, Ruritan Club Shad Planking. The event is a rite of passage in VA politics and could be a highlight of the unpredictable race for governor. Three of the four candidates will address the crowd in Wakefield -- only state Sen. Creigh Deeds (D), who will be campaigning elsewhere, will not attend. We'll have on-the-ground reports from the event via Twitter, including tweets from the candiates and other observers, starting at around 3:30 PM.

In The Meantime, How About Some Tea?

There haven't been may tweets today from Congress about the Tax Day Tea Parties going on across the country. But some of the larger protest rallies don't kick off until tomorrow, so our tweeps have plenty of time to offer their 140-character take on the whole thing.

Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA): "I have been receiving thousands of tea labels at my office. Washington is thirty miles of fantasy land surrounded by reality." 4/14, 10:23 AM

Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-MT): "Listening sessions in Plentwood and Scobey today. Crowds in Sidney and Glendive were fired up about tea parties." 4/14, 11:32 AM

Rep. George Radanovich (R-CA): "Looking forward to attending the Fresno #teaparty tomorrow #tcot" 4/14, 2:51 PM

Live From Claire's Brain

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO): "Oh my goodness no,@cjenkins77, I get hundreds of replies weekly from people who disagree with me. I even get a few who are rude about it!" 4/14, 2:52 PM

On Call Aside: all tweets are reproduced exactly as they appeared.

WOTT provides a carefully selected slice of tweets written by political leaders, ex-politicians and candidates for office nationwide. Hotline subscribers can read the best overnight tweets in our AM edition.

Do you have a favorite political tweep you think should be added to our list? Email us at hotlinetwitter@nationaljournal.com.

Follow Hotline on Twitter: twitter.com/thehotline.

(EVAN McMORRIS-SANTORO)

Following a three-judge panel's determination that Democrat Al Franken won the 2008 MN Senate contest, ex-Sen. Norm Coleman's atty Ben Ginsberg said today that the GOPer will appeal to the MN Supreme Court by next week, noting, in what sounds like the framing of a last-ditch strategy, that the judges were not the "least bit bothered by the fact that they have included illegal votes in the final tallies." Coleman has 10 days to file an appeal.

In a call today with reporters, Ginsberg said that the judges "misunderstood a number of the issues, as well as what's at stake in this case." Specifically, he added, the court "misapplied," "misunderstood" and "fundamentally decided not to deal with the equal protection argument."

The panel is "essentially setting up a set of rules by which to count votes that was not used by any of Minnesota's cities and counties on Election Day," Ginsberg noted, an act that "rises to the level of a due process violation."

"If there's one thing you know about Minnesota," Ginsberg continued, "its traditions and laws are about enfranchising voters." He said that the court's opinion "runs counter to that." He warned that there is a tendency to "keep the genie inside the bottle" when it comes to electoral problems, but "in this election, where it was this close," it "absolutely does matter."

"This problem is never going to get fixed in this country if places like Minnesota ... can sweep it under the rug," he said.

Franken atty Marc Elias responded that his team is "thrilled" by the court's opinion, noting that the three-judge panel "rejected" Coleman's arguments "in their entirety." Once Coleman files a notice of legal appeal, Elias said he expects the court to take up the case "on an expedited basis" and render a decision in "weeks" rather than "months."

Elias said he was confident the state Supreme Court would "uphold this opinion" and that their decision would likely be "the end of the road" for Coleman. He said it is "extremely unlikely" the SCOTUS "would have reason to take this case," noting that "the actual evidence simply doesn't support" Coleman's "claim that there was an equal protection violation."

On the 4.4K absentee ballots Coleman wants contested, Elias said, "I never quite know what the other side is talking about in terms of numbers. ... I don't know what exactly composes this universe, but I would strongly suspect that if that 4,400 is part of the original 11,000, that these are ballots that were rejected properly."

Elias did step up the rhetoric when the topic turned to "illegal" ballots. "I hope that former Sen. Coleman is not suggesting that people get to vote more than once," he said. "I hope [Ginsberg] is not suggesting that people who are not lawfully registered get to vote."

"Ballots get rejected for a lot of really good reasons," he added.

(FELICIA SONMEZ)

He took almost a day to weigh in after a three-judge panel declared Democrat Al Franken the winner of Minnesota's Senate contest, but Republican National Committee Chairman Michael S. Steele issued a one paragraph statement today saying that he'll stand by former Republican Sen. Norm Coleman until he is confident that "no voter is left behind."

Steele: "I am glad that Senator Coleman is appealing the recent court order in Minnesota. More than 4,400 voters remain disenfranchised because judges ignored equal protection concerns and the facts from Election Day. The Republican Party will continue to strongly support Senator Coleman's appeals until we are confident that no voter is left behind."

Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich pleaded not guilty today to "16 charges of criminal corruption including racketeering, conspiracy and wire fraud," according to Chicago news outlets.

Blagojevich, who stands accused of trying to sell Pres. Obama's Senate seat, told reporters gathered outside the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse: "That is the beginning of me trying to prove my innocence and clear my name and be vindicated of what are inaccurate allegations."

Read on.

Sen. John Cornyn, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, writes in an email sent a few minutes ago that he'll back Sen. Norm Coleman's decision to challenge the results of the Minnesota Senate contest in court. Republicans, Cornyn says, and the NRSC, in particular, "remain committed to a full and fair resolution of this election contest and stand firmly behind Senator Norm Coleman."

Dear Friend:

The strength of our democracy is built on a fair and accurate system of elections. Our Constitution provides for Due Process and for Equal Protection in order to better guarantee the enfranchisement of every voter.

Unfortunately, those fundamental principles are under attack in Minnesota. Since Senator Norm Coleman was first ahead by hundreds of votes at the end of election night, the Democrats have aggressively worked to change the rules of the game after it's been played.

Last night, they succeeded in convincing a three-judge panel to issue a fundamentally misguided ruling that disenfranchises over 4,000 Minnesota voters. They did so by imposing a different, and stricter, standard for votes to be counted rather than following the rules that were in place in Minnesota on Election Day.

In doing so, Constitutionally-valid Due Process and Equal Protection concerns have been raised...and as of yet, have not been resolved. Which is exactly why Senator Coleman is appealing this decision to the Minnesota Supreme Court: the votes of over 4,000 Minnesotans disenfranchised by this court's opinion deserve to be counted.

It's frankly shocking that many of the same Democrats who so loudly decried voter disenfranchisement during the Florida recount in 2000 have so quickly run away from that principle when it no longer fits their political agenda.

Nonetheless, Republicans, and the NRSC in particular, remain committed to a full and fair resolution of this election contest and stand firmly behind Senator Norm Coleman.

Your strong and continued support is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Senator John Cornyn
Chairman
National Republican Senatorial Committee

Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee will be the keynote speaker at the Iowa Association of Business and Industry's annual convention in June, IowaPolitics.com reports today.

Huckabee won the state's critical early caucuses in 2008 and was the runner-up to Sen. John McCain in the GOP primary. He has visited Iowa once since the election, with stops in Cedar Rapids and the Des Moines area in November to promote his book "Do The Right Thing: Inside the Movement That's Bringing Common Sense Back to America."

Huckabee is maintaining a high profile with a show on FOX, and he addressed the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington earlier this year.

Sen. John Cornyn, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, issued his firm support of Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) today in a letter affirming the senator's conservative credentials on issues ranging from keeping "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance to support for a ban on so-called partial birth abortions. Specter is likely to face a primary challenge from Pat Toomey, former president of the Club for Growth.

"As I survey the political landscape of the upcoming 2010 elections, it's clear we need more candidates that fit their states," Cornyn wrote. "While I doubt Arlen could win an election in my home state of Texas, I am certain that I could not get elected in Pennsylvania. I believe that Senator Specter is our best bet to keep this Senate seat in the GOP column. A vote for Arlen Specter is a vote for denying Harry Reid and the Democrats a filibuster-proof Senate."

Cornyn notes that Specter shepherded through the Senate Judiciary Committee the nominations of John Roberts as chief justice of the Supreme Court and Samuel A. Alito as associate justice. He says that they don't agree on every issue but that Specter, who was one of three Republicans to vote for Pres. Obama's stimulus package, is a reliable supporter of GOP initiatives.

"My job as head of the NRSC is to guide the GOP back to a majority in the Senate," he added. "I can't do that without Arlen Specter. With him as our nominee, I can target our campaign resources toward beating Democrats and growing the Senate Republican Conference."

Recent polls have shown Specter, elected to the Senate in 1980, could be vulnerable in a primary battle as well as in a general election race against a still undecided Democratic challenger.

The full Cornyn letter is available after the jump.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine issued a statement late last night suggesting that Norm Coleman should call for an end to the counting, recounting and legal action in the MN Senate contest. A three-judge panel declared Democrat Al Franken the winner yesterday, though Coleman has vowed to fight on.

"Enough is enough," Kaine said. "It is time for Norm Coleman to concede and for Al Franken to be sworn in as the next U.S. Senator from Minnesota. The voters of Minnesota months ago elected Al Franken to the Senate - and during every step in the legal process that judgment has been confirmed. Norm Coleman's own legal challenge resulted in more votes for Al Franken and now a three judge panel has ruled Al Franken the winner. Former Senator Coleman's insistence on continuing his quixotic quest for this seat at best shows that he is putting his own political ambition ahead of the people and worst that he is complicit in an effort by national Republicans to deny Al Franken this seat for as long as possible so there is one less Democratic vote for President Obama's agenda for change.

"The people of Minnesota deserve two Senators and the people of America deserve 100 in the U.S. Senate. More importantly, the voters who cast ballots on Election Day deserve to have their verdict stand. Senator Coleman may have a right to continue his legal challenges no matter how hopeless they are, but the right thing to do here is to concede defeat and allow this saga to end once and for all."

"World News," "Evening News" and "Nightly News" each led with the U.S. Navy freeing the American captain.

Many weighed in on Pres. Obama's role in the freeing of the American captain:

CNN's Borger: "What we saw about President Obama is the way that he operates. He did hold 17 briefings. He did make sure that the agencies were talking to each other. You know, we've had that trouble in the United States, where one agency doesn't talk to another agency. The coordination on this was good and he made a decision and stuck with it. That's important for people to know" ("Situation Room," 4/13).

NBC's Todd: "There actually seems to be some true hesitance with this White House. They feel like they're getting a lot of credit, and I think they're almost nervous that they're getting too much credit because ... had it gone badly, it would have been a big political problem for him" ("Hardball," MSNBC, 4/13).

FNC's Hannity: "This would be standard operating procedure, and it seems like the media wants to hold him up and say that this is Obama's decision. ... I don't see that this is extraordinary in any way. If there's Americans being held hostage and we've got a shot, you take the shot. ... The White House steered clear of the pirate crisis until, that is, the president swooped in to take all the credit" ("Hannity," 4/13).

After the jump, grab your tea cup.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

A CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released today shows confidence in Congress has risen over the last two months, though over the same time period a smaller percentage of voters say that Pres. Obama is doing enough to cooperate with Republican members.

The poll, conducted by Opinion Research Corporation via telephone between April 3 and April 5, shows that 35 percent of those surveyed approve of the job Congress is doing, while 63 percent disapprove. In an early February poll, 29 percent approved and 71 percent dispproved.

Meanwhile, when asked if the country would be better off with Republicans or Democrats controlling Congress, 49 percent said the Democrats, while 34 percent said the GOP. In January, faith in the Democrats was stronger, with 56 percent backing the president's party, compared with 31 percent who opted for Republicans.

Obama gets strong marks for cooperating with congressional Republicans; 62 percent said he is, while 36 percent said he isn't. His numbers were stronger, however, in February, when 74 percent said he was doing enough and 25 percent said he wasn't. Conversely, 37 percent of respondents said Republicans are doing enough to cooperate with Obama, and 61 percent said they're not doing enough. In February, 39 percent said GOP lawmakers were working well with the White House, and 60 percent said they weren't.

In the time since Obama took office at the end of January, Republicans have made clear that they wouldn't give the White House the bipartisan legislative victories the president is seeking. In the House, GOP members voted in lockstep against Obama's stimulus package; in the Senate, three Republicans signed on. The Democrats have taken to saying their counterparts have to do more than be the party of 'no.' Republicans argue that they have not had input into the legislative process.

Still, Obama, the poll notes, gets significantly stronger marks from voters than congressional Republicans when asked who has a plan for solving the nations' economic problems; 58 percent of voters said Obama does, 42 percent said he does not, and 24 percent said GOP members do, while 74 percent said they do not.

Opinion Research Corporation interviewed 1,023 adult Americans. The margin of sampling error for results based on the total sample is plus or minus 3 percentage points.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

Democrat Al Franken has been uncharacteristically mum as the Minnesota Senate recount and related legal review has churned on for five months. But tonight, given news that a state court has declared him the winner over GOPer Norm Coleman, the entertainer finally released a statement:

Thank you all for being here.

Franni and I couldn't be happier, because today, after a lengthy and careful trial scrutinizing our lengthy and careful recount, the three-judge panel has declared a winner in the 2008 Senate election here in Minnesota.

I am honored and humbled by this close victory, and I'm looking forward to getting to work as soon as possible.

I am, of course, incredibly gratified by today's ruling, and grateful to the judges, to our legal team, and most of all, to Minnesota's civil servants, elected officials, and citizen volunteers who have taken so much time and gone to so much effort over the past weeks and months to make sure that the votes were accurately counted.

More from Franken after the jump.

A MN court unanimously declared this p.m. that entertainer Al Franken (D) won the most votes in his '08 MN SEN race against ex-Sen. Norm Coleman (R).

"The overwhelming weight of the evidence indicates that the November 4, 2008 election was conducted fairly, impartially, and accurately," the judges wrote. "There is no evidence of a systematic problem of disenfranchisement in the state's election system, including in its absentee-balloting procedures."

DSCC Chair Bob Menendez said MNans "have many reasons to be proud tonight, not the least of which is knowing they have one of the best election systems in the entire country. A thorough election contest upheld the result of a meticulous recount. Al Franken won the election, Al Franken won the recount, Al Franken won the contest, and now Al Franken should be allowed to get to work for the people of Minnesota."

But ... don't expect the election to be decided just yet. Coleman immediately announced plans to appeal to the state Supreme Court. He has 10 days to do so. Coleman atty Ben Ginsberg: "The court's ruling tonight is consistent with how they've ruled throughout this case but inconsistent with the Minnesota tradition of enfranchising voters. For these reasons, we must appeal to the Minnesota Supreme Court so that no voter is left behind."

Franken is expected to make a public statement later this evening.

Virginia gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell (R) raised $2.2M in the first quarter of this year and has the most cash on hand -- $3.5M -- of any of the candidates running, according to a spokesman.

McDonnell, the former state attorney general who was unable to raise money between Jan. 15 and Feb. 20 because of rules governing state officials' fundraising during the General Assembly session, has a cash advantage over former Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe, who raised $4.2M so far this year. But McAuliffe, who has spent money on television and radio ads and a large staff, has $2.5M on hand.

Three Democrats are vying for their party's nomination; voters go to the polls June 9. So it's not surprising that McDonnell has more money at the ready. He hasn't had to spend money to secure the nomination, and his team has been quiet while they wait to see with whom he'll spar in the general election.

State Sen. Creigh Deeds (D) has $1.2M in the bank, and former Del. Brian Moran (D) has $850K on hand.

McDonnell resigned as attorney general Feb. 20 to run fulltime for governor.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

Former Rep. Harold Ford (D) announced in a statement today that he will not to run for TN governor, leaving former state Rep. Kim McMillan, D-Clarksville, and Nashville businessman Ward Cammack to pursue the Democratic nomination. State Sen. Andy Berke, D-Chattanooga, has also said he is considering a run.

Here's Ford, now a frequent cable television commentator, on his decision:

"After long thought, consultation and prayer with my wife, Emily, I've decided now is not the right time to re-enter elected politics. Therefore, I won't be a candidate for Governor this year.

"I want to personally thank the many across our state and country who urged me to run for Governor. There will be another race and time to ask for your support.

"There is no way to adequately express my deep gratitude to those who share my passion for public service and, more importantly my strong desire to help our citizens through this trying economic time.

"I also want to encourage my supporters to align with one of the other Democrats running. I urge our Democratic candidates running for Governor to organize your campaign around how to make Tennessee the most attractive 21st century economy of any state in the nation. Tennessee can lead the nation in job creation over the next decade if we find ways to get investors, innovators and entrepreneurs to deploy capital, create new businesses and industries and make our state a model for ensuring middle class prosperity. We should set our sights high. For example, there is no reason that Tennessee can't become the capitol of producing electric batteries that will fuel the hybrid cars that will dominate our streets and highways over the coming years.

Our state deserves nothing less than a Governor who can build on the prudent leadership of Governor Bredesen. Our Republican friends running for Governor will run predictably narrow campaigns that are out of sync with the time we live in and the challenges we face. They will ignore the economic hardship and uncertainty confronting an overwhelming number of Tennessee businesses and families in favor of focusing on issues like attacking President Obama and other national Democrats. These narrow and stale campaigns will do nothing to alleviate the economic distress felt by too many Tennesseans. We need -- and deserve -- so much more.

"My passion for using public policy to overcome the challenges our state faces, and my love for Tennessee and our country remain high. I will continue to stay involved to advocate for ideas that will help Tennesseans secure a bright economic future. I will continue teaching at Vanderbilt University, speaking and writing on major issues and serving as Chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council."

It must be Rep. Zack Space's (D-OH 18) lucky day. The NRCC is hitting 43 Dems for voting for the stimulus and the $3.5T budget. The cmte will send robocalls into most of the CDs, but nine targets -- Reps. Alan Grayson (FL-08), Debbie Halvorson (IL-11), Charlie Melancon (LA-03), Dina Titus (NV-03), Carol Shea-Porter (NH-01), Michael Arcuri (NY-24), Mary Jo Kilroy (OH-15), Kathy Dahlkemper (PA-03) and Chet Edwards (TX-17) -- will have radio ads aired against them.

And of the 43, the NRCC singled out Space, as it's begun airing a TV ad against him on the subject.

"Nancy Pelosi pushed a budget with a trillion dollar deficit. And Space voted to let Nancy Pelosi get her way," the ad states. "Tell Zack Space it's time to put the brakes on spending."

The DCCC has conducted similar campaigns, airing radio ads against six vulnerable GOPers for voting against middle class tax cuts in the stimulus bill.

But this is the second time the NRCC has singled out a vulnerable Dem in a TV ad early this cycle. In late-Feb., it aired an ad that hit freshman Rep. Tom Perriello (D-VA 05) for "stretching the truth" about the stimulus plan.

For the NRCC, hitting Perriello is a no-brainer; he defeated then-Rep. Virgil Goode (D) by just 700+ votes, and sits in a CD that went for John McCain. Space should be in a similar predicament (McCain won his CD by 8%), but he showed signs of vulnerability in '08, when he blasted a nominal opponent. The NRCC hopes that changes this year.

(TIM SAHD)

One Maryland Republican operative described this invite to the annual dinner honoring the state's GOP congressional members as "outright depressing." Why? Well because the state's delegation has just one remaining Republican: Roscoe Bartlett.

Former Speaker Newt Gingrich will be the guest speaker for the fundraiser held at the BWI Airport Marriott.

The text of the invitation:

The Maryland Republican Party cordially invites you to the 19th Annual Red, White and Blue Dinner and Tribute to Maryland Republican U. S. Congressmen and women

Past and Present

Honorary Chairman

The Honorable Roscoe Bartlett

U.S. Congressman, Maryland District 6

Special Guest Speaker

The Honorable Newt Gingrich

Former Speaker of the U.S. House

Friday, June 5, 2009

6:30 p.m. VIP Reception

7:30 p.m. Dinner and Program

BWI Airport Marriott

1743 W. Nursery Road, Baltimore , MD 21090

Donation: $250 VIP Reception

$125 per person

Dress: Business Attire

Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) has been throwing some dirt at his expected primary opponent in '10, ex-Club For Growth chair Pat Toomey. For a race that's not even official yet, the twitter traffic is pretty rough.

4/13, 8:57 AM: "Toomey's 2 Resumes. What's he hiding? Learn more at http://tinyurl.com/cuxqje"

4/13, 12:40 PM: "Toomey's original, derivative-laden bio was yanked from his website. Read it: http://tinyurl.com/cvpaf8"

Live From Claire's Brain

Easter weekend is a time for big family meals. And, of course, the family squabbles that go with them...

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO): "Happy in the kitchen. Maybe I'll blog a recipe or 2 later. Martha's Easter dinner: 2 deserts, 2 meats, homemade rolls?? What a show-off. :)" 4/12, 11:40 AM

On Call Aside: all tweets are reproduced exactly as they appeared.

WOTT provides a carefully selected slice of tweets written by political leaders, ex-politicians and candidates for office nationwide. Hotline subscribers can read the best overnight tweets in our AM edition.

Do you have a favorite political tweep you think should be added to our list? Email us at hotlinetwitter@nationaljournal.com.

Follow Hotline on Twitter: twitter.com/thehotline.

(EVAN McMORRIS-SANTORO)

Omar Samaha, brother of Virginia Tech victim Reema Samaha, and more than 10 survivors and family members of victims of the Virginia Tech shootings, today unveiled a new statewide ad that calls for closing the "gun show loophole." The ad, which features Samaha, targets VA GOV hopeful/Ex-AG Bob McDonnell (R) -- the only gubernatorial candidate who opposes closing the loophole. The 30-second spot closes with Samaha saying: "Ask Bob McDonnell why he's protecting criminals instead of protecting us."

The ad release coincides with the second anniversary of the Virginia Tech massacre. The spot will begin a 4-day cable and broadcast run tomorrow across Virginia, including in: Richmond, Charlottesville, Harrisonburg, Norfolk-Portsmouth, Roanoke-Lynchburg, the Tri-Cities and Washington, DC, which serves Northern Virginia viewers, according to a release.

The Virginia Tech family members were joined today by NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg to preview the ad--which is sponsored by Americans United for Safe Streets.

(NORA MCALVANAH)

NJ Gov. Jon Corzine (D) is the target of a new Republican Governors Association site -- JerseyPays.com -- that says the incumbent governor, up for re-election this year, is promoting a budget that will raise taxes by $1B. Corzine, according to the site, which launched today, has a "high tax, job killing record."

"And Corzine won't just tax the wealthy; his plan will raise taxes on middle-class New Jersey homeowners, extend a 4% surcharge on New Jersey businesses, and raise the state income tax," the site says. "Why would he do that? New Jersey already has the highest tax burden of any state in the nation. New Jersey is consistently named one of the worst five states for business in a national survey. Corzine promised to tackle these problems, to give property tax relief. Instead, Corzine is calling for tax hikes, just when our citizens and our economy can least afford it."

The site is part of an ad blitz that will include RGA mailers expected to arrive on voters' doorsteps over the next few days.

Rob Angelo, executive director of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, said the charge the ad is wrong.

"Just like the New Jersey Republicans, the national Republicans are also offering no solutions, only attacks," Angelo told On Call. "It's a difficult time. Gov. Corzine's proud of what he's done in office. He's trying to make the hard decisions that he needs to now."

Emily DeRose, communications director of the Democratic Governors Association, added that "Corzine is focused on getting New Jersey through a national recession, not politics."

"He's making sure that people can put food on the table, get jobs and keep their homes," she said. "Governor Corzine took a state that was plagued by fiscal mismanagement and put it back on the road to financial health. Voters will recognize that real leadership means making hard decisions, not just throwing political bombs."

Republicans Chris Christie, Steven Lonegan and Brian Levine are vying for the party's nomination. Christie, a former U.S. attorney, is the frontrunner.

The primary is June 2.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

(AP photo)

Americans from 45 states packed the White House lawn today to participate in the nation's Easter Egg Roll tradition. Pres. Obama and first lady Michelle Obama welcomed 30K people to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue on a cool, overcast day to enjoy the festivities, first started in 1878 by President Rutherford B. Hayes and his wife, Lucy.

"Our goal today is just to have fun," Michelle Obama said. "We want to focus on activity, healthy eating. We've got yoga, we've got dancing, we've got storytelling, we've got Easter egg decorating. Oh, we've got basketball -- a little soccer, as well. And we want everybody to think about moving their bodies, get out -- we don't have tennis; it's on the tennis court -- the peanut gallery back here. So the goal today is to have fun, to get out and play. And let's get things started with the Easter Egg Roll. Thank you all for coming today. Have fun."

The Obamas full welcome remarks -- first daughters Malia and Sasha joined in on the first round of egg rolling -- are available after the jump.

The New Orleans Times-Picayune reported over the holiday weekend that LA Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) has clinched a book deal, rekindling talk of his interest in a 2012 White House bid. Jindal, 37, will have the help of a ghost writer and will pen the book about his life and policy ideas for "a conservative publishing house."

Jindal's much-panned national television debut earlier this year giving the GOP response to Pres. Obama's address to Congress tempered growing expectations of the young political phenom. But news of the book deal -- he hasn't yet said how much he'll profit -- has underscored Jindal's national ambitions. For politicians with White House dreams, biographical books that also set out a vision of America have become a prerequisite for any national campaign.

Interestingly, New York Magazine's John Heilmann speculated on The Chris Matthews Show yesterday that Jindal could be interested in another gig entirely. The U.S. Senate.

Heilmann: "I was down in New Orleans last week, and I heard a great rumor that Bobby Jindal, who we were just talking about as a potential presidential candidate for the Republican Party, is thinking about giving up the governorship and running for Senate... Against (incumbent GOP Sen. David) Vitter, or for Vitter's seat if Vitter doesn't run. He's got a terrible budget situation down there, he's thrown himself into a Republican primary up in Baton Rouge that he's going to apparently get creamed in. And I think what's interesting about it is that it tells you that he's got the message that 2012 isn't his year."

Jindal is, of course, up for re-election in 2011, a campaign that would complicate his potential interest in a 2012 presidential run. That's not enough time to pivot from one campaign to the other. But Vitter, whose name appeared on the DC madam's client list, is up for re-election in 2010.

Obama has proven that the Senate can provide a path to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. And running for Senate -- note that Vitter has not given any indication that he won't seek re-election -- could allow Jindal some time for seasoning and give him a national platform.

Stay tuned.

We began the week with an honest-to-goodness tie in NY-20, and we end it with businessman Scott Murphy (D) holding a 35-vote lead over Assemb. Jim Tedisco (R). Only a few counties have finished counting non-overseas absentee ballots, though, and Tedisco-friendly Saratoga Co. has not yet reported any totals to the state board of elections. And in areas that are expected to be big for Murphy, Washington and Columbia counties have also not reported significant returns.

In other words, we have a long way to go until we get a clearer picture of what's going on here.

In addition to those 3K+ absentee ballots, there are roughly 400 military and overseas ballots yet to be counted. They're due back in elections offices on 4/13.

(TIM SAHD)

A new survey from Daily Kos and Research 2000 shows Democrat Brian Moran leads rivals Terry McAuliffe and state Sen. Creigh Deeds in the race for the party's nomination for governor, but Republican nominee Bob McDonnell bests each of the Democrats in a general election match-up.

McDonnell, who recently resigned as state attorney general to campaign fulltime, also boasts solidly higher favorable ratings than the Democratic candidates.

If the Democratic primary were held today, 24 percent would support Moran, compared with 19 percent for McAuliffe and 16 percent for Deeds.

If the general election were held today, McDonnell would edge Moran by one point, 37 percent to 36 percent. The GOPer would lead McAuliffe and Deeds each by seven points.

McDonnell has a favorable/unfavorable rating of 48/31; Moran is 36/33, Deeds is 34/30, and McAuliffe is 35/36.

Pres. Obama's favorable ratings are higher than the homestate candidates, 58/37.

Moran's camp pounced on the poll as evidence that the former state delegate is best positioned to challenge McDonnell.

"Not only are we leading in the primary, but, more importantly, this poll confirms that Brian is the strongest Democrat to take on Bob McDonnell in November," campaign manager Andrew Roos said in a statement. "Virginia Democrats know that we need a fighter and we need a winner come November, and this poll is further evidence that we are running a campaign that will accomplish exactly that."

But McDonnell's team is equally pleased with the survey results.

"I think the poll explains pretty clearly why national Democrats launched a vicious attack on Bob McDonnell today," said McDonnell spokesman Tucker Martin. "Democrats are getting increasingly worried about Bob McDonnell's positive campaign and positive vision. We expect that as a result they will just go more and more negative against us."

As Martin suggested, Democrats today debuted a group called Common Sense Virginia and with it a Web site, therealbobmcdonnell.com. The organization, which pitches McDonnell as a socially conservative Republican in the model of Pat Robertson, Rush Limbaugh and George W. Bush, was started with $100K from the Democratic Governors Association.

The poll, meanwhile, was conducted April 6-8. A total of 600 likely voters, who vote regularly in state elections, were interviewed via phone.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

Ever the loyal soldier, James Carville is still working to help now Sec. of State Hillary Clinton wipe out what remains of her 2008 campaign debt. In an email to supporters today, Carville says that if you give just $5 to HRC, you could win one of the following:

-- Spend a day with President Clinton. Head to New York City to attend several interesting events with President Clinton followed by your own special New York City weekend.

-- Attend the American Idol season finale. You and a guest will watch live as the American Idol judges make their final comments and decisions on this year's most anticipated season finale!

-- Want to talk politics with me? How about a spending a weekend in DC. You will have lunch with me and my great friend Paul Begala. We will talk about politics, you will get to tour all the amazing sites DC has to offer and who knows what else could happen!

Carville writes that this is a "once in a lifetime opportunity to win one of three amazing prizes AND to help Hillary pay off her debt. I hope you'll seize it."

His full entreaty is available after the jump.

It's a quiet day on the feeds today, so WOTT's taking a look back at some of the most followed members' very first tweets. It's just like leafing through baby photos on college Graduation Day.

Setting The Tone

For one man, Twitter offered a bullypulpit the voters had denied him -- a platform to broadcast his message and rally the American people to greatness:

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ): "I am working in my office on Capitol Hill today." 1/23/09, 8:56 AM

2,077 Updates Later, He's Still The Same Man

More than a few lower-profile members have gained modest fame, 140-characters at a time. One made a promise more than a year ago and has kept it:

Rep. John Culberson (R-TX): "2am in Virginia. I am going to have a lot of fun with Qik and Twitter and Utterz and Ustream. Real time 21st Century Democracy." 7/4/08, 12:00 AM

Early Adopter

Some have used Twitter to push pet issues and have gained a following in the process:

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC): "making sure the next Capitol Architect pledges to keep the word "God" on the certificates given with the flags from the Capitol Dome." 10/17/07, 6:37 PM

Balancing Act

As tweeting has become a part of daily life, members have had to learn to find the happy medium between over-sharing and issuing a 140-character press release. Right from the start, one twitterer had it figured out:

Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO): "It's about time I'm doing my first update. I'm so happy I have 86 followers! I am in route to a house party in Erie" 10/26/08, 5:42 PM

The Natural

She may be new to the tweet scene, but even her first message showed us she had found her calling:

Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME): "Looking forward to heading back to Maine tonight, joked with my colleagues this morning that it is too tropical down here" 2/26/09, 10:34 AM

Live From Claire's Brain

No list of Congressional tweeps is complete without the Hill's resident Twitter Dean. This humble tweet birthed the phenomenon:

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO): "I'm thinking about twittering during all of the hoopla over the next few days. What do you think?" 1/17/09, 3:28 PM

On Call Aside: all tweets are reproduced exactly as they appeared.

WOTT provides a carefully selected slice of tweets written by political leaders, ex-politicians and candidates for office nationwide. Hotline subscribers can read the best overnight tweets in our AM edition.

Follow Hotline on Twitter: twitter.com/thehotline.

(EVAN McMORRIS-SANTORO)

KY AG Jack Conway (D) announced a SEN bid today, becoming the second major Dem to declare for the seat of Sen. Jim Bunning (R). '04 nominee/LG Dan Mongiardo (D) announced a challenge some months ago, but it has long been assumed that another major Dem would enter the race.

Conway, Aud. Crit Luallen (D), and Rep. Ben Chandler (D) have acknowledged for some time that they've been discussing the race, with the understanding that only one of them would actually declare for the seat, so it seems unlikely that another major Dem will enter the contest. A significant portion of the KY Dem establishment is likely to back Conway's bid, either openly or behind the scenes, although Gov. Steve Beshear (D) has endorsed the candidacy of his LG.

Conway, a Louisville atty who will turn 40 this year, challenged then-Rep. Anne Northup (R) in 2002, losing 52%-48%. But he claimed the open AG race handily in 2007, winning 72% in the primary and 61% in the general. Although some have speculated that Bunning will retire or receive his own primary challenge, the senator insists he's in the race to stay, and no other GOPer of any significance has announced a bid yet.

(QUINN MCCORD)

State Sen. Creigh Deeds, one of three Democratic candidate for Virginia governor, announced today that he raised more than $600,000 in the first quarter of 2009 -- despite restrictions forbidding fundraising during the General Assembly session.

Deeds was only permitted to solicit donations for 44 of the cycle's 90 days. His campaign emphasized that he raised more in that time period than he had in the prior six months and that he has $1.2M cash on hand, 41 percent more than Democratic rival Brian Moran.

"Many people said Creigh was foolish to give up 46 days to raise money for his campaign so he could stay and fight for middle class families in the Virginia Senate," said Deeds campaign manager Joe Abbey. "But he wasn't going to walk away from tough decisions during the most serious economic crisis since the Great Depression. Creigh proved the pundits wrong once again. We've said all along that we will have the resources we need to let people know that Creigh is the only candidate who's prepared to continue the legacy of Mark Warner and Tim Kaine."

Moran, On Call reported first yesterday, has $850K in the bank, after raising $800K in the first quarter of the year. As expected, former Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe, the third Democratic contender in the race, blew his competition out of the water, raising $4.2M over the first three months of 2009. But he has spent a lot, too, and now has $2.5M on hand.

But Deeds, who represents rural Bath County, won the battle for Virginia dollars -- at least in terms of percentage of money raised. His campaign said that 97 percent of Deeds' contributors are Virginians. Still, McAuliffe raised more actual bucks -- $760K -- from Commonwealth residents. Moran's team reported that more than 90 percent of his quarterly fundraising came from in-state residents.

Deeds' overall take -- and penny pinching -- certainly shakes up a primary conventional wisdom that he was the also-ran and that the contest would ultimately be fought out between the two Northern Virginians, Moran and McAuliffe.

The GOP nominee -- former state attorney general Bob McDonnell -- is the only candidate who hasn't released first quarter numbers.

An aide to former Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) said the ousted lawmaker has filed paperwork to run in 2014 but that he has not decided to run for re-election, the AP reports. Rather, Stevens, defeated by Democrat Mark Begich last fall after being convicted of lying on Senate disclosure forms, wants to be able to accept donations submitted to his committee after November.

The case against Stevens has been dropped with reports of prosecutorial misconduct.

Stevens would be 90 during the 2014 election.

Here are the scheduled guests for the Sunday public affairs shows and other weekend programs:

SUNDAY:

Meet the Press hosts NPR's Michele Norris, Washington Examiner's Byron York, Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg, public policy scholar Robin Wright, NPR's Adam Davidson and NPR's Alex Blumberg.

Face the Nation hosts Mexican Amb. to U.S. Arturo Sarukhan and features a roundtable with New York Times' David Sanger, Washington Post Writers Group's Kathleen Parker and Washington Post's Rajiv Chandrasekaran.

This Week hosts TBD and features a roundtable with George Will, New York Times' Paul Krugman, ex-Speaker Newt Gingrich (R) and Washington Post's Ruth Marcus.

Fox News Sunday hosts FBN's Liz Claman and Jenna Lee. The "Power Player" is Archbishop of Washington Donald Wuerl.

State of the Union hosts Gen. Ray Odierno and Iraqi NSA Mowaffak al-Rubaie (see below for guests on SOTU's Reliable Sources segment).

See other weekend shows after the jump.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

This year's White House commemorative Easter egg is dubbed by 1600 as the "greenest" egg in White House Easter Egg Roll history. The annual holiday event, held Monday, will be built this year around the theme, "Let's Go Play."

According to a WH release, meanwhile, the 2009 egg:

· Uses 31% less paperboard than the 2008 designs;

· Eliminates the need for the paper shred/filler;

· Features an egg-shaped dye cut instead of a cellophane window; and

· Uses renewable, vegetable oil-based inks.

The Union Leader's John DiStaso writes today that Bob Smith, the former New Hampshire senator, will seek the Florida Senate seat vacated by Sen. Mel Martinez. Smith, a Republican, was elected to Congress in 1984 and to the Senate in 1990 and again in 1996. He lost the 2002 primary to John E. Sununu, who went on to win the seat.

Smith relocated to sunnier climes in Sarasota, FL, after losing to Sununu.

Here's DiStaso:

BOB'S IN. Former New Hampshire U.S. Sen. Bob Smith is back at it. After mulling his future for a few months, he's announced he is a candidate for the Florida Senate seat being vacated by Mel Martinez.

"I have agonized as to whether to re-enter national politics," Sarasota resident Smith wrote in a recent letter to friends and supporters.

"I have concluded that I can no longer 'sit on the sidelines' in this fight for the soul of America."

He says he has filed the necessary papers with the Federal Election Commission and will have a Web site up soon.

And, "I am now accepting contributions," he says.

"It's time for Republicans to start acting like Republicans again!" wrote the man who a decade ago left the GOP, and then rejoined.

"I am a proven conservative leader with a record of accomplishment," Smith wrote.

And here's Smith in February talking to Doug Miles about why he was considering another Senate bid. Smith said it's not a bad thing for Republicans to start acting like Republicans again.

A new national television ad from American Rights at Work that hits the airwaves today highlights corporations that have received bailout money but won't back the Employee Free Choice Act.

"The public and lawmakers alike need to know that the special interests opposing the Employee Free Choice Act are the same ones who caused this economic meltdown," said American Rights at Work executive director Mary Beth Maxwell. "This new ad sends a resolute message that now is the time to help workers to bargain for a better life. The Employee Free Choice Act is urgently needed to create fairness in this economy."

"Greed" is the second ad aired by the group over the congressional recess, an effort to pressure members back home in their districts.

"World News," "Evening News" and "Nightly News" each led with pirates hijacking a U.S. ship off the coast of Somalia. "Evening News" also featured the second part of a taped interview with AG Eric Holder.

The hijacking by pirates dominated the news cycle. However, there was some reaction to Pres. Obama's admin. saying it will participate directly in group talks with Iran.

Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA), asked if anything can change in dealing with Iran: "I think we've got a good probability that things may work out for our betterment. Here's why: I have seen no reason why we could not sit down with this nation, Iran, and discuss things. That doesn't mean having a cup of tea. It means sitting down, laying out what our goals, and having sanctions, carrots and sticks, as necessary. We've done it with the Soviet Union. How can we not do it with Iran. Second, there are common interests that we have."

More Sestak: "But then you come to the big issue. How can we work to make it a common interest that Iran does not have a nuclear weapon? And that's where the conundrum begins. But not sitting down and discussing it means not trying to resolve it peacefully" ("Ed Show," MSNBC, 4/8).

Dick Morris: "When Obama is talking to Iran, it gives Iran a way to surrender diplomatically. On the other hand, Iran is going into these talks because they hope that by giving the illusion of progress, they'll get Obama to rein Israel in and stop Netanyahu from hitting them" ("O'Reilly Factor," FNC, 4/8).

CNN's Crowley: "They have looked at this in practical terms. They watched eight years of the Bush administration saying, hey, we will talk as soon as you do something about your nuclear capabilities. And the Obama administration looks at this and says, well, this hasn't worked. ... It should come as no surprise that they are making incremental steps to move toward Iran. And I think you will see those [poll] numbers move, depending on success or failure" ("Situation Room," 4/8).

After the jump, the gay marriage debate heats up.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

Terry McAuliffe's gubernatorial campaign raised $760,000 from Virginians during the first quarter of 2009, according to a spokeswoman. That's 18 percent of his $4.2M total take. But his VA fundraising rivals -- exceeds potentially -- that of at least one competitor, former Del. Brian Moran, whose campaign announced that more than 90 percent of its first quarter donations -- totaling $800K -- came from Commonwealth residents.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

Acknowledging the successful recent push in several states for legalizing same-sex marriage, Gov. Brian Schweitzer (D-MT), chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, observed today that those seeking to make an issue of gay marriage during the next cycle of gubernatorial contests are ill-advised.

"I think that the gay marriage issue is losing some punch," Schweitzer said during a phone interview with Hotline editors. " ... The demographic trends are working against those who are a little bit homophobic in this country."

Vermont this week became the fourth state to allow same-sex marriage with the Legislature's override of Gov. Jim Douglas's veto of a bill allowing gay couples to marry. Vermont follows Iowa, Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Other Northeastern states, including New Hampshire, New York, Maine and New Jersey, have also shown support such measures, which have or are being debated.

Schweitzer, who will oversee the DGA during a 2009-2010 cycle that includes 38 contests, said public concern about the economy, job creation in particular, is trumping debate over formerly divisive social issues, such as gay marriage.

He said younger voters -- notably the under 30 set -- are particularly supportive of gay marriage. They group turned out in strong numbers, of course, for Barack Obama during the 2008 presidential election, backing the first-term Illinois senator over Sen. John McCain, 66 percent to 32 percent. And as they sign on to the voter rolls, they could have an impact as well on statewide races. Studies show the Millennials, as the generation is dubbed, will increase annually by 4.5 million voters.

When it comes to gay marriage, Schweitzer said of younger voters, "they look at each other and say, 'whatever.'"

The National Organization for Marriage today launched a "2 Million for Marriage" (2M4M) initiative. The center of the project is a $1.5 million nationwide ad campaign "highlighting the threat that same-sex marriage poses to the core civil rights of all Americans who believe in marriage as the union of a husband and wife." Watch the ad, called " A Gathering Storm," here.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

President Obama phoned University of North Carolina baskeball coach Roy Williams to wish congratulations to the 2009 NCAA champs.

Per a White House release:

Last night, aboard Air Force One, President Obama called University of North Carolina men's basketball coach Roy Williams to congratulate him on his team's victory over Michigan State in the NCAA National Championship basketball game in Detroit. Listed below is a read-out on the phone call from White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs:

"The President offered Coach Williams his congratulations and thanked him and his team for vindicating him in front of the entire country. The President told him he'd done a great job and asked the Coach to tell the players how proud he was of them and that he looked forward to seeing them at the White House soon."

Speaker Nancy Pelosi will deliver the graduation speech for undergraduates next month at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. A native of Baltimore and the daughter of a former Charm City mayor, Pelosi will address graduates, family members and faculty on 5/21 on Homewood Field.

Former Del. Brian Moran, one of three Democratic candidates for Virginia governor, announced that he raised $800K in the first quarter of the year. He has approximately $850K cash on hand, according to spokesman Jesse Ferguson. More than 90 percent of his donations were from Virginians.

"People are investing in Brian's grassroots campaign because his life story speaks to the challenges Virginians feel today, and he has proven he is ready to fight for the hard-working men and women of the Commonwealth," said campaign chairwoman Mame Reiley.

Moran's team released the numbers in the wake of former Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe's report this morning that he raised $4.2M in the first quarter. Ferguson emphasized that despite McAuliffe's sizeable take, he's also spent heavily -- on media buys in Hampton Roads and Richmond -- and staff, leaving him with $2.5M cash on hand, triple Moran's kitty.

Another note of interest in the numbers that the Moran folks find promising -- Moran raised more in the first quarter of this year than he did in the last six months of 2008.

Sen. Creigh Deeds, the third Democratic candidate, and former GOP state Attorney General Bob McDonnell have not yet released their quarterly numbers. McDonnell has the luxury of raising and not spending but to sustain his staff. He could boast the most cash on hand of the four contenders.

The Moran campaign has emphasized its local endorsements, a play at pitching him as the homegrown grassroots candidate, throughout the contest.

"We're proud of the momentum building behind Brian all across the Commonwealth," Reiley said. "Our goal is to have enough to fully communicate Brian's background and message of fighting for Virginia - we are ahead of that pace. We expect to be outspent, but we also expect to win. Virginia Democrats have long confirmed that money in and of itself does not sway them to a candidate. Instead, they want someone who is a proven fighter for their families and a leader who can win in November."

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

Terry McAuliffe's campaign for Virginia governor raised $4.2M in the first quarter of 2009, his team announced via text message a few minutes ago.

McAuliffe, one of three Democratic gubernatorial candidates, added 2,200 new donors and has $2.5M cash on hand.

"Keep it up," his text reads.

The former chairman of the Democratic National Committee announced his bid late last year and raised nearly $1M in the final weeks of the last quarter of 2008. He was expected to be the big money candidate, able to mine his national rolodex of Democratic donors for cash. Though he is likely to have well outraised his party rivals, many anticipated a grander show of financial muscle from the longtime party rainmaker.

Four minutes after his campaign texted supporters, campaign manager Mike Henry wrote in a release that the total indicates McAuliffe, a first-time candidate, is connecting with voters.

"We are thrilled with the grassroots and fundraising support we have received over the last few months," Henry said. "Virginians are looking for a governor who will continue the Warner-Kaine tradition of leadership and bring both business and executive experience to Richmond. Terry's decades of experience creating jobs and turning around struggling businesses, as well as his detailed plans to get Virginia's economy back on track, have resonated with Virginia voters."

Neither of the other two Democratic contenders -- state Sen. Creigh Deeds and former Del. Brian Moran -- have yet released their numbers. Moran's team emphasized that money won't be the only factor -- or even the most important variable -- in the contest.

"Virginians are proving that money isn't everything," Moran spokesman Jesse Ferguson told On Call. "We lead in grassroots support and recent public polls so it's clear that this primary will be decided by who's been fighting for people not who's been fighting for dollars."

The GOP's nominee, former Attorney General Bob McDonnell, has also remained quiet -- though McDonnell's take could come closest to, or even surpass, McAuliffe's. National Republicans are focused on winning Virginia in the fall as a sign of the party's political resurrection, and McDonnell's fundraisers have been headlined by 2008 presidential contender Mike Huckabee and Sen. Mitch McConnell, among others. Expect additional national Republican figures, including Sen. John McCain, to descend on the Commonwealth to help McDonnell raise money.

Tucker Martin, a spokesman for McDonnell's campaign, noted that McAuliffe's cash-on-hand number indicates that he spent a hefty $2.5M this quarter on staff and other expenses.

"Chairman McAuliffe," Martin said in an email, "sure spends a lot of money."

Meanwhile, the big test for McAuliffe, a resident of McLean, will be whether he raised more in-state cash than Deeds and Moran. If not, he provides a tangible talking point for competitors eager to paint him as a carpetbagger.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

"World News," "Evening News" and "Nightly News" each led with Pres. Obama's surprise visit to Iraq. "Evening News" also featured a taped interview with AG Eric Holder.

The big news of the evening was Obama wrapping up his overseas trip with an unannounced four-hour stop in Iraq.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi, asked if it was a good idea for Obama to go to Iraq: "Yes. The president was close by. He would always take the opportunity to pay his respects to our troops. ... It was important for him to get some ground truth about speaking with the leadership of Iraq and, of course, speaking with our military leadership there, as well" ("LKL," CNN, 4/7).

FNC's O'Reilly: "The Iraq stop was necessary to bolster his credibility among the military and those who support him back home. It was a logical step" ("O'Reilly Factor," 4/7).

Washington Post's Robinson: "It's a picture, an image, that I think is important both for the president's relationship with the military, both in terms of reminding everyone that we still have tens of thousands of our forces in Iraq ... and sending a message, I think, to the country, again, Barack Obama as commander-in-chief, not as candidate" ("Hardball," MSNBC, 4/7).

CNN's Yellin: "The last time a U.S. president was in Iraq, he got a shoe thrown at him. Very different reception today" ("No Bias, No Bull," 4/7).

More after the jump, including interviews with Defense Sec. Robert Gates, Holder and VP Biden.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

It turns out Cook Co. Mike Quigley (D) didn't need Rahm Emanuel's vote after all. The AP just called the IL-05 special election race for Quigley, who is trouncing Minutewoman Rosanna Pulido (R) 74-19 in the low-turnout race to replace the Rep-turned-WH CoS. Over half of the precincts are reporting.

Tonight's vote was merely a formality in this heavily-Dem CD. Pres. Obama took 73% here, and Emanuel never took less than 67% in his four elections. Pulido raised just over $16K for the race, and called for a "conservative voice" to represent the CD. That's not a mixture that would produce good results for any candidate in this Chicago-based CD.

For all practical purposes, Quigley won this race on 3/3 when he defeated 11 others in the Dem primary. He was able to claim the reform mantle in that race at a time when IL voters had become scandal weary, and rode the endorsements of both Chicago newspapers to victory. He entered that contest with high name ID, but faced an uphill campaign against several machine candidates and a female state Rep., who was backed by EMILY's List. In the end, he won by over 2K votes out of 50K cast.

Unlike last week's special election in NY-20, this race did not turn on one vote. That's good news for Emanuel. USAF Communications Officer Nate Van Loon asked Emanuel in Baghdad today if he sent in an absentee ballot for Quigley. Van Loon Twittered that Emanuel "paused and said, "I f***** up!"

The Chicago Tribune reports Quigley will be sworn to office on 4/21.

(TIM SAHD)

On the day before officials begin tallying absentee ballots in NY-20, the state Board of Election reports that Assemb. Jim Tedisco (R) leads businessman Scott Murphy (D) by 17 votes -- that's down from his 97-vote lead on 4/6.

Tomorrow, officials will begin counting the 6,759 absentee ballots in the race. Of that number, 3,111 are GOP ballots, and 2,394 are Dem absentees. Next week, military and overseas ballots will be counted. Those are due in elections offices by 4/13. So far, 201 military ballots have been received, along with 196 overseas ballots.

(TIM SAHD)

More than five months after Election Day, and after seven weeks of legal wrangling over mismatched signatures and double-counted votes, the final ballots have been counted in the MN SEN race, pushing entertainer Al Franken's (D) lead over ex-Sen. Norm Coleman (R) from 225 votes to 312.

But in dueling conference calls today, Coleman's camp vowed it will file a MN Supreme Court appeal and Franken's attys questioned whether such an appeal would be "the right thing to do for the state of Minnesota." Both sides did agree on one thing: it will be weeks, if not months, before the state's second senator is seated.

Today we catch up with Virginia state Sen. Creigh Deeds (D), whom conventional wisdom holds is the lone "rural guy" in the race to replace VA Gov. Tim Kaine (D) in November.

But tweets don't lie -- and no matter how much dirt there is under his fingernails, it's clear that in his heart, Deeds is a true rock and roller. Here's a sample (or is that mixtape?) of some Deeds tweets from the week.

On Call Aside: all tweets are reproduced exactly as they appeared.

4/3, 10:55 AM: "between events. Cruising with more ancient favorites from Steely Dan and Stephen Stills"

4/4, 1:55 PM: "Heading down 81 with Pam in the F250 listening to Lucinda Williams. Sorry for the silence"

4/4, 9:35 PM: "5 events down. Listenint to disco on a Roanoke station. My 20something staff has wierd tastes. A good day. Nice crowds Hours to go"

4/5, 4:26 PM: "Gus listens to Blue Grass and has made me consider that genre; Susannah, rap and modern pop; DBT and Robert Randolph from Rebecca"

4/6, 4:41 PM: "On the road. Stevie Wonder and Warren Zevon have kept me going today"

4/6, 4:52 PM: "Back to Derek and the Dominoes and the greatest guitar album ever made. Wonderful at full blast with the windows open"

4/7, 9:46 AM: "Haven't been able to see replies for couple days. Sorry if I am appear unresponsive. On reflection Terrapin Station is a great Dead album"

Follow Hotline on Twitter: twitter.com/thehotline.

(EVAN McMORRIS-SANTORO)

"World News," "Evening News" and "Nightly News" each led with the earthquake in Italy.

Last night's TV coverage was laden with North Korea policy talk. There was also a fair amount of reaction to AK Gov. Sarah Palin's (R) statement about Levi Johnston's appearance on the "Tyra Banks Show."

A Palin family rep wrote on official AK gov. stationery to People: "Bristol did not even know that Levi was going on the show. ... It is unfortunate that Levi finds it more appealing to exploit his previous relationship with Bristol than to contribute to the well being of the child."

CQ's Crawford: "Sarah Palin is convinced that these cultural type stories just keep her in the news. And they certainly do that. I don't see where, in the long run, it helps her. ... I have a feeling if she had just left it alone that a lot of folks probably wouldn't have covered this, if at all, very much. So she did manage to making it a bigger story by reacting and reacting so stridently" ("Countdown," MSNBC, 4/6).

Dem strategist Bob Beckel: "I can tell you one thing about that boy. He is missing a few dogs from under his front porch. I mean, there ain't no sharp knife in that drawer. Give the guy a break" ("Hannity," FNC, 4/6).

More after the jump.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

Recanvassing by several counties has broken the tie in NY-20. Today's update from the NY Board of Elections shows Assemb. Jim Tedisco (R) with a 97-vote lead -- his biggest lead of the post-election tallies -- over businessman Scott Murphy (D).

Meanwhile, the NY Supreme Court just sided with Murphy's camp and agreed that the 6.7K absentee ballots (that were due in elections offices today) should start to be counted 4/8.

Tedisco's camp had argued that the counting should not start until overseas ballots are due on 4/13. Murphy atty Henry Berger, in a statement: "The people of the 20th Congressional District need their votes counted in a timely manner, so they can be represented in Congress as quickly as possible in these tough economic times. We are confident that once all the absentee ballots are counted, Scott Murphy will win this election."

(TIM SAHD)

Since the recent dawn of the politics-media-twitter convergence (save your letters, bloggers/tech heads/enlightened social media folk of all ages -- you were way out in front on this thing, we know...) a central question has emerged: is Twitter serious or is it silly? Can it do what its cult-like followers say it can (namely break down walls and put politicians and constituents face to face)?

On Wednesday, April 29, we may finally have an answer. At 7:30 PM in Blacksburg, VA, ex-DNC Chair Terry McAuliffe, state Sen. Creigh Deeds and ex-Del. Brian Moran, the three Democrats vying for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, will face off in a debate in which Twitter will play a unique and interesting role. Hosted by The Huffington Post, Collegiate Times and wonkfest blogs NotLarrySabato.com and FiredogLake.com, the debate format is similar to the much-hyped "YouTube debates" we've seen in the past -- voters will submit short videos featuring questions to organizers (tweeted questions also be accepted on the debate's twitter feed) in the days before the showdown, and the panel of moderators will choose among them which will be asked live.

But the 4/29 debate adds a Twitter twist -- as the questions are being answered on stage, NotLarrySabato.com's Ben Tribbett will monitor the tweeted responses on the debate feed (and on the debate's hashtag) and, if he so chooses, ask a followup question of a candidate based on the responses he sees. "It's sort of a [B.S.] meter," Tribbett explains. "If people don't like what they're hearing, I'll call them out on it based on what I see."

The followup slot is not necessarily required for each question, and Tribbett says he'll only ask them if he sees something coming in on the feed. That loose format is necessary because, as Tribbett agreed, Twitter is often full of the stuff organizers are hoping it will detect during the debate. "If it's just full of crap, I won't bother with a followup," he said. "These are going to be good questions."

We'll see. For tweeters looking to prove that Twitter Matters in the political world, 4/29 is going to be a big night.

Follow Hotline on Twitter: twitter.com/thehotline.

(EVAN McMORRIS-SANTORO)

Pres. Obama sr. advisor David Axelrod, currently traveling with the POTUS, appeared via satellite from Prague to discuss the North Korea missile launch, as well as how Obama's European trip has been going.

Axelrod, on Obama eventually wanting all nukes eliminated, and whether having the "major powers" disarm runs the risk of a "rogue state" that gets a nuke "suddenly" having the power: "We need to involve the entire world in this regimen, but it's hard to do that if you don't lead by example. We're not going to disarm and leave America vulnerable, but we want to set ourselves on a path so when the president met with President Medvedev last week in London, they agreed to begin talks to reinitiating the START treaty to reduce nuclear warheads."

More Axelrod: "He wants in the next four years to lock up the loose nuclear weapons that are scattered around Eastern Europe that could fall into the hands of terrorists. And of course, that is the big threat. That's why we have to step up the pace. This represents an existential threat, and we need to meet it" ("Fox News Sunday," Fox, 4/5).

CNN's J. King: "Is President Obama's goal a legacy of a world free of nuclear weapons?"

Axelrod: "There's no question about it. And he said that during the campaign. He believes that now. He is acting on that. Obviously, we live in a dangerous world and we can't unilaterally disarm but we can lead the movement to corral these nuclear weapons and begin that process of reduction. And that would be the goal to remove this scourge from the face of the earth and take away that threat that hangs over us now" ("State of the Union," CNN, 4/5).

After the jump, more with Axelrod, as well as an update on the state of the economy from Treasury Sec. Timothy Geithner.

(RACHELLE DOUILLARD-PROULX)

Even Europe is consumed by the arrival of the Obama family's four-legged addition. Pres. Obama, during a town hall meeting in Strasbourg, France, was asked if le chien is en route.

"We are getting a dog," Obama said. "This is a very important question in the United States -- (laughter) -- what kind of dog we're getting and when we're getting it. It should be there soon."

The full WH transcript of the event, at a sports arena that resembled any primary rally in New Hampshire or Iowa, is available after the jump.

The Iowa Supreme Court today upheld a Polk County judge's 2007 ruling that marriage should not be limited to one man and one woman. Iowa's 5,800 gay couples can legally marry in Iowa beginning April 24, according to the Des Moines Register.

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele calls the Iowa ruling an "example of judicial activism currently threatening family values." (Full statement after the jump.)

J.Crew should send Michelle Obama a gift certificate.

Ew! Levi Johnston tells Tyra Banks that Gov. Sarah Palin knew he and her daughter were active.

Pres. Obama issues a statement about the tragic shooting in Binghamton, NY: "Michelle and I were shocked and deeply saddened to learn about the act of senseless violence in Binghamton, NY today. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims, their families and the people of Binghamton. We don't yet know all the facts, but my administration is actively monitoring the situation and the Vice President is in touch with Governor Paterson and local officials to track developments."

Gov. Mark Sanford (R-SC) became the last governor in the nation today to accept stimulus money.

Take a look at the new numbers out of NY-20 -- it's a 77,225-77,225 tie. How fitting is that for a race that's been see-sawing back-and-forth since the Tuesday vote?

More counties will undoubtedly re-canvass their machines over the next few days, so this number will likely change. But still, a tie here is very appropriate.

(TIM SAHD)

House Race Hotline editor Tim Sahd takes a look each Friday at the top five House stories of the week. Here are this week's big newsmakers, brought to you by Friday House Cleaning:

5. Generic ballot

A few weeks ago, we saw evidence that House GOPers were beginning to creep closer towards Dems on the Congressional generic ballot. That was confirmed this week when the latest Diageo/Hotline poll showed Dems leading by just five on that question. Even better for GOPers, indies now split their support between the two parties -- the party hasn't been so fortunate with that group of voters in several cycles.

It's way too early for GOPers to celebrate any resurgence, but if the party can re-invigorate its base, and keep the indies it has gained, it stands a chance of making noise in '10.

4. NRCC/DCCC Target Practice

At the kickoff event to Hotline's "Road to 2010" series, the executive directors of the NRCC and DCCC each rattled off their cmte's top targets. DCCC exec. dir. Jon Vogel said his cmte was zeroing in on Reps. Jim Gerlach (PA-06), Mike Castle (DE) and Thad McCotter (MI-11). Gerlach and Castle are prime candidates to run for higher office, and an open seat in either one would be easy pickings for Dems. McCotter, meanwhile, received just 51% against a weak '08 opponent.

NRCC Chair Guy Harrison, meanwhile, named freshmen Reps. Frank Kratovil (MD-01) and Alan Grayson (FL-08), as well as Carol Shea-Porter (NH-01) as seats his cmte was actively targeting. Kratovil is a no-brainer, since he sits in a heavily GOP CD; Grayson, whom Harrison termed a "walking quote machine," has made headlines for his outspokenness early this cycle, and sits in a marginal CD. Shea-Porter sits in a Dem-leaning seat and would normally be favored, but may draw a top-tier challenger in Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta (R), who was back in DC last week for meetings with the NRCC.

Doesn't seem like the worst of the recession is behind us.

Four straight months with job cuts in excess of 600K. The highest unemployment rate since 1983. Since December 2007, 5.1M American jobs lost. And a promise that the numbers will continue to increase in coming months.

The manufacturing, construction and professional and business services were especially hard hit.

How do the Democrats' communicate that the stimulus package is working -- is it working? will it work? -- when the nation's economic reports grow increasingly dire?

Here are the scheduled guests for the Sunday public affairs shows and other weekend programs:

SUNDAY:

Meet the Press hosts GM CEO Fritz Henderson and features a roundtable with CNBC's John Harwood, BBC's Katty Kay, Rutgers Univ. prof./ex-Labor Dept. chief economist Dr. Bill Rodgers, author Joshua Cooper Ramo and Council on Foreign Relations senior fellow Michael Gerson.

Face the Nation hosts Treas. Sec. Tim Geithner and features a roundtable with Washington Post's Perry Bacon and CBS' Lara Logan.

This Week features a roundtable with George Will, Huffington Post's Arianna Huffington, Council on Foreign Relations pres. Richard Haass and CNN's Christiane Amanpour. Fifth panelist TBD.

Fox News Sunday hosts Obama sr. advisor David Axelrod, SC Gov. Mark Sanford (R), ex-Speaker Newt Gingrich (R), and features a roundtable with Weekly Standard's Bill Kristol, NPR's Mara Liasson, National Review's Rich Lowry and Politico's Jim VandeHei. The "Power Player" is Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL).

State of the Union hosts Henderson, Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN), Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and ex-GE chair/CEO Jack Welch. The "Last Word" guest is Axelrod (see below for guests on SOTU's Reliable Sources segment).

See other weekend shows after the jump.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

Is Republican lobbyist Ed Rogers becoming the Democratic Party's newest fundraiser?

This week, Rogers co-hosted an event for Charles Schumer of New York, the Senate Democratic Conference vice chairman. The affair raised more than $25,000 for the Empire State's senior senator. It was the second time recently that Rogers has put his name on a fundraising invitation for a Democrat: On March 24, he co-hosted a fundraiser for former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe, who is running for governor in Virginia.

Until last year, Rogers's lobbying firm, BGR Group, hired Republicans only, and the Alabama native and GOP strategist never hosted a campaign event for a Democrat, although he occasionally donated to them. "Jonathan Mantz made me do it," joked Rogers, when asked about his decision to become a host for Democrats. Mantz is BGR's senior Democratic lobbyist and the former national finance director for then-presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton.

"It's hard to hide from Mantz," Rogers said. "He's got a smooth, effective, sort of cheerful demeanor that is hard to say no to."

(National Journal's BARA VAIDA)

National Journal's Richard E. Cohen and Peter Bell surveyed congressional insiders this week to learn if they support the Obama administration's handling of General Motors and Chrysler.

Democrats

Yes 89%
No 11%

Republicans

Yes 6%
No 91%
Don't know 3%

Read on.

American Rights at Work is airing a new ad nationwide advocating for the Employee Free Choice Act. The spot coincides with the congressional recess. Members will be back in their districts, and group officials hope to drum up additional public pressure for action on the bill, which will make it easier for unions to organize.

American Rights at Work announced this morning that it, in conjunction with AFL-CIO and Change to Win unions, has planned 300 events over the recess, including rallies, leafleting, lobbying, town hall meetings, moving billboards, community forums, vigils and call-in days.

"This recess, we will not allow our leaders to forget that workers across the country are counting on them to make the economy work for everyone again," said American Rights at Work Executive Director Mary Beth Maxwell. "There is an unwavering commitment by a majority of lawmakers to restore our middle class and give workers back the freedom to bargain for a better life. Our ramped up efforts send a strong message to the rest of Congress that we can, we must, and we will pass the Employee Free Choice Act this year."

Earlier this week, the group hosted three actors from "The West Wing," who met with members to register their support for the bill. The actos also debuted a new ad campaign -- "Faces of the Employee Free Choice Act" -- featuring workers from various industries.

The "Fabric of America" spot -- script available after the jump -- is the sixth ad run in the states or on national TV by American Rights at Work.

"World News," "Evening News" and "Nightly News" each led with the conclusion of the G-20 summit.

The reviews of Pres. Obama's performance in London are in:

PBS' Warner, asked if Obama can leave the G-20 summit with a set of accomplishments to talk about: "He certainly thinks so. He was modest and said, 'I'll leave it to others to judge.' But they are certainly pleased with the fact that they got a global response to this crisis. And President Obama did clearly play a role here in bringing people who were already at the table to an agreement" ("NewsHour," 4/2).

DailyBeast.com's Brown, on Obama appearing "humble" while overseas: "He has to be humble right now, actually. When you think of what he arrives in England on the waves of, it's unbelievable what he's carrying in terms of sort of toxic vibes towards America with this financial meltdown happening. ... [George W.] Bush used to call himself 'the decider.' But I have to say that in the case of Obama, you'd have to call him the diffuser. He is really brilliant at lowering the temperature" ("Hardball," MSNBC, 4/3).

European Parliament member Daniel Hannan: "All of the coverage has been how wonderful, we've saved everything because we've ... pumped a trillion dollars into the world economy. Yes. From where? ... All we've done is taken money that would have been spent by individuals and given it to great international global institutions to spend for us" ("Hannity," FNC, 4/2).

More after the jump, including the indictment of ex-IL Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) and interviews with Treas. Sec. Tim Geithner and Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

It's been 48 hours since polls closed in the NY-20 special election, but Assemb. Jim Tedisco (R) finally took the lead in the race tonight, according to PolitickerNY. On election night, businessman Scott Murphy (D) held a 65-vote lead. Yesterday, as counties began re-canvassing, that lead shrunk to 25. And today, as more counties continued to examine voting machines, Tedisco took the lead.

In the coming days, as different localities continue with this process, the margin will change. Of course, everyone's waiting for the counting of the roughly 6K absentee ballots to commence. A judge will decide 4/6 when that will happen.

(TIM SAHD)

Former IL Gov. Rod Blagojevich, his brother and two aides and two business associates were indicted today, the latest development in the political saga that led Blagojevich's impeachment earlier this year.

Blagojevich was charged with 16 felony counts, including racketeering conspiracy, wire fraud, extortion conspiracy and lying to federal agents, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The paper reports that the government "is seeking forfeiture of $188,370 from Blagojevich and will try to take his Ravenswood Manor home if needed."

"I'm saddened and hurt but I am not surprised by the indictment," Blagojevich said in a statement. "I am innocent. I now will fight in the courts to clear my name. I would ask the good people of Illinois to wait for the trial and afford me the presumption of innocence that they would give to all their friends and neighbors."

The federal grand jury indictment can be read here.

Blagojevich appointed Roland Burris, of course, to fill the Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama; Burris, already tainted by revelations that he was approached by Blagojevich's brother for money in advance of being offered the job, could face newly intensified pressure from Democrats not to run again. The impending Blagojevich trial and continuing drama is a burden for Democrats who will, depending on whether Burris decides to run in 2010, have to defend seat that should belong solidly to the party. Republicans see opportunity in Illinois and count it as one of their top potential gets next cycle.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee offered one answer last night to the looming question of who is leading the GOP. The video above aired before the NRSC's annual funder. Held at the Newseum, the event raised $2.1M for the committee.

VA Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe criticized the GOP's nominee, Bob McDonnell, for allowing Mike Huckabee, in state stumping for him this week, to suggest that the party faithful should block voters from going to the polls if they're not supporting the Republican contender.

"There are no jokes around denying peole the right to vote in this country," McAuliffe said on a call with reporters. "It's no laughing matter. It's no joking matter."

Campaigning in Tazewell County Monday for McDonnell, Huckabee told suggested that the Republican's backers have two jobs.

"One, get all those people who are going to vote for Bob out to the polls and vote," Huckabee said (video above). "If they're not going to vote for Bob, you have another job. Let the air out of their tires, and do not let them out of their driveway on Election Day. Keep 'em home. Do the Lord's work, my friend. I'm giving you an opportunity...yes, do the right thing."

The remark seemed to prompt laughter in the audience, but McAuliffe, one of three Democrats vying for the party's nomination, seized the opportunity to paint McDonnell as a serial opponent of laws to make voting easier. McAuliffe noted that, as a member of the Virginia House, McDonnell voted against a Motor Voter law. And McAuliffe, the former Democratic National Committee chairman, said McDonnell "stood by silently" when the House opposed proposals by Gov. Tim Kaine (D) to expand early voting and offer no excuse absentee voting.

"People fought and died for the right to vote in this country," McAuliffe said. "It's a fundamental right."

He said Huckabee's remarks could not be misunderstood. "There's no way to interpret this kind of language other than trying to suppress the vote," McAuliffe said. "I think it's time that Bob McDonnell stopped being silent on this issue."

McDonnell spokesman Tucker Martin said Huckabee, the 2008 GOP presidential candidate and former Arkansas governor, was teasing.

"Virginians are losing their jobs, unemployment is at its highest point in 17 years, and Chairman McAuliffe spends his afternoon feigning outrage over a lighthearted political joke by somebody not even from Virginia?" Martin said. "Demonstrates a complete lack of perspective and seriousness. Chairman McAuliffe clearly has no clue what Virginians are going through, and how tough times are. Bob McDonnell does. That's why Bob is talking about jobs and opportunity, and not wasting voters time with political stunts."

McDonnell recently resigned as state attorney general to focus on his bid for governor.

(JENNIFER SKALKA)

It's a busy law-making day on Capitol Hill. In the House, members are debating Pres. Obama's budget. In the Senate, they're just getting started with "Vote-A-Rama" -- a full day of voting that extends late into the night. Here's the view from the Tweetside:

Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA): "Beginning the "vote-a-rama" - where we vote on a bunch of budget amendments one after another, all day and late into the night." 4/2, 12:39 PM

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC): "We'll vote today on ending auto bailouts, time to end this embarrassing socialist experiment. http://tinyurl.com/dkp98m #dembudget #tcot" 4/2, 1:59 PM