Apologize for 'You Lie,' or Else: Dems to Wilson

Joe Wilson not wrong about Obama wanting to insure illegals

(NEWSER) - Give Joe Wilson a break. It’s hard to fit the complexities of policy into an outburst during a presidential address, but the South Carolina congressman has a point: If you connect two of President Obama’s top policy priorities, he does want to give insurance to illegal immigrants. It’s just that he’ll make them legal immigrants first, writes Terence P. Jeffrey, editor-in-chief of the right-wing CNS. More»

Environmental rules, car dealerships among sticking points

(NEWSER) - Democrats from rural areas aren’t pleased with President Obama, and they’re threatening to show it by revolting against key parts of his domestic agenda, Politico reports. The tension boiled to the surface last week when rural and moderate Democrats decried plans to close 3,400 General Motors and Chrysler dealerships, but many are also angry about new regulations from Obama’s Environmental Protection Agency. More»

Could prove a political headache for Obama

(NEWSER) - The controversy that derailed Bill Clinton’s first 100 days is heading for Barack Obama, Politico reports, with a California congresswoman to introduce legislation today to overturn the ban on gays serving openly in the military. Obama has made no secret of his desire to overturn the unpopular “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy Clinton devised, but prefers to focus on the economy. More»

President let Congress write stimulus, and probably regrets it

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama is working mightily to sell the stimulus bill, but looks have made one major mistake, Massimo Calabresi writes in Time: He let Congress write it. Obama aides let committee staffers draft the bill, relying on their legislative expertise. “They did a good job of really deferring to Congress,” confirms one. Many, however, aren’t sure deference was the way to go. More»

Obama opposes tying a free trade deal to stimulus package

(NEWSER) - White House Chief of Staff-designate Rahm Emanuel told This Week that Barack Obama will move ahead with his plan to cut middle-class taxes despite rumors to the contrary, Politico reports. Other highlights from the Sunday talk shows:

• Emanuel also told This Week that Obama opposes tacking a Colombia free trade deal to a new economic stimulus package to secure the Bush administration’s approval, the Hill reports. To “have a strong recovery and a sustained recovery over a period of time means that the middle class must be the focus of the economic strategy,” he said.
• Likely incoming minority whip Rep. Eric Cantor told Fox News Sunday that “Republicans in Congress will stand ready to work with this new president” to address the country’s problems, the Hill reports.