The View From Here

Today's best reads from around the Web, 3/31

1. Thomas Friedman worries that President Hamid Karzai puts U.S. interests in Afghanistan at risk.
2. Here's a look at some of the early reaction to President Obama's decision to expand area's of the U.S. coast open for oil drilling.
3. Historic parallels have been drawn between the recently passed health reform bill and landmark legislation like Medicare and Social Security.  The New Yorker looks at how the reaction to those bills might give us insight into how health care reform may influence politics.
4. Russia continues to reel from two terrorist attacks this week.  Here's an explanation as to why American subways haven't been attacked.

What I have my eye on, 3/30

1. Scott Brown (R-MA) vows to continue the fight against the recently passed health care legislation with a bill that would allow states to opt out of the federal program.
2. Bob Herbert says that with health care behind him, it's time for Obama to push for bold job creating legislation.
3. Eugene Robinson worries that the arrest of the Hutaree militia in Michigan may be the beginning of a difficult struggle against right wing extremism. 
4. The American relationship with Hamid Karzai faces further strain in the wake of the Afghan leader's meeting with Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadenijad.
5. Bret Stephens claims that condemning Lady Gaga might be a better way to win support from the Arab world than condemning Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

This Sunday: Healthcare, the Obama agenda and the midterm elections

The president's healthcare reform victory last week brought with it two key questions about the future of the Obama presidency and the Congress he will have to work with.  One, will the capital he spent getting health reform passed cost him other items on his agenda?  And two, how will the GOP frame the bill as we near the midterm elections?

Joining me this morning were leaders from both parties - Senators Chuck Schumer and Lindsey Graham.  The Democrat and Republican made news recently for their bipartisan work on an immigration reform bill, but the idea of reaching across the aisle seemed to take a hit in the eyes of the GOP after the passage of health reform.

"The process that led to this bill was sleazy," Graham said on MTP.  "It was the worst of Washington.  It was not transparent....So we're going to have a spirited civil contest on the size and shape of government and health care will be center stage."

Though many outside the Beltway may have looked forward to taking a break from hearing about healthcare, it seems the issue will continue to dominate the national agenda as we get closer to November.  With polls showing nearly half of Americans oppose the legislation, Republicans are hoping "repeal and reform" will be the slogan that gets them control of Congress.

But Democrats are confident that by the next election, Americans will have seen the results of the legislation and like it.

Schumer told me, "I would predict to you, and I feel very, very strongly about this and firmly about this, that as people learn about what’s actually in the bill, six months from now, by election time, this is going to be a plus."

But it's clear the GOP feels like there was not any real attempt at bipartisanship.  "President Obama ran as a centrist. He's governed from the left ditch in a right of center nation. And it's just not health care, Graham said.  "It's taking over General Motors. It's the stimulus bill that’s just completely out of control. And now taking over student loans. I look forward to a contest in November about whether this health care bill is a real fix or a phony political document."

Despite the harsh criticism, Graham still left the door open for bipartisanship in future legislation.  He said, "I will continue to work with Chuck, but immigration is a heavy lift...Tough sledding lies ahead because of that-- the-- acrimony around health care. But on financial regulations we'll get a bill. I hope it's a good bill, not some liberal bill with a few-- few Republicans. I-- I look forward to working with Chuck [Schumer]."

Visit the MTP Web site for more from today's show, including our roundtable discussion with Mike Murphy, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Bob Shrum and Jon Meacham. 

If it's Sunday, it's Meet The Press

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

 

This Friday: Health care and the economy

 

 

1. Rep. Paul Ryan lays out the case for the GOP strategy to repeal the health care bill, while Rep. Betsy Markey pens an op/ed about why she went from a no to yes vote on reform.
2. Bob Shrum says health reform will bring three new realities to the Obama presidency. 
3. Republicans introduced 147 amendments meant to destroy, or at least delay, the passage of health reform.  They were ultimately unsuccessful, but did score a minor victory by forcing the House to take another vote before sending the bill to the president.  These "poison pill" amendments are often politically motivated, and they're already being used against Democrats.
4. Derek Thompson of The Atlantic highlights key points in a report from the Cleveland Fed. Evidence suggests that jobless recoveries could be the new norm.

 

What I'm looking at today, 3/25

1. John Boehner and Karl Rove outline why the GOP will fight for the repeal of health care legislation.
2. But both Anne Applebaum and Ezra Klein of The Washington Post warn that the rhetoric of the last few months could cost the GOP elections and even become dangerous.  
3. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington this week highlighted that the two countries are still at odds, according to Time's Tony Karon.
4. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced he will relax enforcement of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."  The news comes well before the Pentagon study of DADT has been completed.

What I'm reading today, 3/24

1. Democrats have been holding their heads high these past few days - and it's all thanks to the president toughening up, according to Maureen Dowd.
2. EJ Dionne writes that every nation needs a constructive form of conservatism, but the opposition that emerged during the health care debate doesn't qualify.  A piece in the American Spectator argues that the conservative movement will be what puts Republicans in office this fall.
3. Is public opinion already turning in favor of health care?  It's not that clear, Paul Krugman writes in his blog.
4. Here is a look at how technology like Twitter is helping Chinese citizens bypass the censors.

Some health care reads I've got my eye on today

1. As the election of Scott Brown became a certainty on the night of Jan. 19, Pelosi, Reid and Obama gathered in the Oval Office to determine if health reform was dead.  Here's a look at the political soap opera that took place from that night through today's bill signing.
2. The Chicago Sun Times celebrates that health care "is now an American right."   But the Wall Street Journal calls on Republicans to campaign on the idea that they fought for their principles.
3. Could health care legislation be the beginning of a blissful period for Democrats?   
4. The passage of health care may have implications outside the U.S.  But will the bill make Obama's foreign policy an easier or more difficult task? 
5. Plus, be sure to download the newly released Meet The Press application for your iPhone or iPod touch.  The app features podcasts from the show, Web-only video and updates from my twitter feed. 

This Sunday: The closing arguments

On what may be a historic day, party leaders made their closing arguments about health care legislation on Meet The Press just hours before the final vote.

House Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer told me his party has the votes, but said there are a "single digit" number of members who still need convincing.

Today could change the trajectory of the Obama presidency.  Polls show many Americans are not in favor of the bill, but Democrats are banking on the public's support after the legislation passes. 

Rep. John Boehner, however, said Republicans will make an effort to repeal health care.  Republican National Committee Chair Michael Steele said the GOP will frame the health care debate around repeal this fall if the bill gets to the president. 

But even now, the passage of health reform is not a foregone conclusion.  "I think if the American people stay engaged in this fight for the next few hours, this fight is not yet lost," Rep. Boehner said.

The Americans who have been most vocal in their objection to this bill have been the members of the tea party.  The group has been criticized for racist and anti-gay languagee at a protest yesterday on Capitol Hill.  But Chairman Steele told me Republican affiliation with the movement is not a political liability.

"It's not a danger to be associated with the tea party movement," Steele told me.  "It is certainly not a reflection of the movement or the Republican Party when you have some idiots out there saying very stupid things. "

Regardless, affiliation with the tea party will most likely not play the role that health care reform will in the midterm elections.  That's why all eyes will be on Capitol Hill on what may be a very memorable day.

MTP prepares for an important Sunday

This Sunday:  In the hours before Congress may make the final vote on health care legislation, I'll interview party leaders John Boehner (R-OH) and Steny Hoyer (D-MD).  Will Sunday be the moment the president has championed for, or will the Democrats fall short of the 216 votes they need to pass the bill?  One way or another, Sunday is going to be a big day for the country and Meet The Press.

Here's what I'm reading this Friday.

1. Editorials in The New York Times and Washington Post argue that health reform needs to happen now.
2. But the Wall Street Journal calls the bill an expensive mess.
3. Politico breaks down those undecided Democrats who can make or break the legislation. 
4. Here's a look at some of the many more opinions on health reform.

Some reads for today, 3/18

1. Democrats are excited about the Congressional Budget Office's preliminary cost estimate of the health care bill.  It could ease some of the pressure faced by undecided Democrats.
2. Nicholas Kristof gives some historical perspective to the health care debate.
3. Sen. Coburn writes that Congress needs to listen to the American people and start over on health care. 
4. CIA Director Leon Panetta says we have Al Qaeda on the run.  Is he right? and how would we know if he's not?