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Afghanistan Plan Roils the Hill

Afghanistan Plan Roils the Hill

VOL. 3 NO. 166 POLITIthursday, december 3, 2009 CO www..cOm Waters: Obama’s Afghanistan Plan Roils the Hill Staff Needs McCain snaps at Gates, but Democrats seem destined to go along By DaviD RogeRs Obama hurt his own cause with an teamed up in forceful uncertain performance Tuesday night appearances before skeptical Senate An Education Anxious Democrats show little ap- as he announced his 30,000-troop and House committees. petite for seriously blocking President buildup from West Point. But the pres- The House remains the greater chal- By glenn ThRush ’s new war strategy for ident is helped by a strong Cabinet, lenge than the Senate, but even there, Afghanistan and appear to be looking and the months of internal adminis- the party leadership seems intent on The long-simmering family feud between the Con- for ways instead to bridge their dif- tration deliberations paid dividends trying to minimize its divisions with gressional Black Caucus and the first African-Amer- ferences with the before Wednesday as Defense Secretary ican president burst into the open funding is debated next year. Robert Gates and Secretary of State See AFgHANiSTAN on Page 16 on Wednesday, with members boy- cotting a financial overhaul vote as a warning shot at 1600 Pennsylva- nia Ave. The 43-member caucus — which included Sen. Barack Obama from 2004 to 2008 — has chafed against President Obama john shinkle — Politico and his top aides since the Inaugu- Rep. Maxine ration, complaining that the White Waters (D-calif.) House takes it for granted and plays favorites with conservative Blue Dog Democrats. Ten CBC members decided to boycott the House Financial Services Committee vote en masse after a tumultuous morning meeting at the Capitol between

See CbC on Page 15 Tanner Departure Raises 2010 Fears

By PaTRick o’connoR anD Josh kRaushaaR john shinkle — Politico Tennessee Rep. John Tanner’s decision to step Adm. Mike Mullen (right), Defense secretary Robert gates and secretary of state Hillary Clinton on on Wednesday down at the end of his term has Democrats worried that a trickle of retirements will turn into a flood. Democrats won their majority in 2006 — and built A choice for Democratic candidates: Back Obama or the base? on it in 2008 — in large part by running conserva- tive Democrats in Republican-leaning districts. But By alex isensTaDT The troop escalation is already with Rep. Dennis Moore (D-Kan.) and Tanner now roiling contentious Democratic Sen- heading for the exits, there’s growing concern that With his announcement of a troop ate primaries in a handful of states. the party’s strategy may be unraveling just in time increase in Afghanistan, President In Pennsylvania, Rep. , a for 2010. Barack Obama has suddenly compli- former Navy admiral who has come “It’s the beginning of an avalanche on our side,” cated an already hazardous political out in support of the troop increase, one Democratic strategist said. “Morale is bad, and landscape and introduced a combus- is accusing Sen. Arlen Specter, who we’re seeing guys in their 50s and 60s, who have tible element into scores of House opposes it, of flip-flopping, since some time left, who can make some money and have and Senate races, where Democratic Specter, a former Republican, voted a phase two in their careers.” candidates are being forced to stake in favor of the war in Iraq. Tanner is a godfather of sorts for conservative out positions that will put them at “Sestak has routinely argued that odds with either the administration See TANNER on Page 21 or the party’s progressive base. U.s. troops in Afghanistan See DEmS on Page 16 Dem Whispers: Can Dodd Climb Out of the Hole? By glenn ThRush And a few have even been talk- wouldn’t lose the damned thing,” a handful of local pols and pundits anD ing up the possibility that the griped one longtime Democratic are raising the possibility — a topic Connecticut Democrat might vol- operative who would like to see that would have seemed inconceiv- Lots of incumbents rebound untarily step aside for a stronger the switch. able a few years back when Dodd’s from lousy poll numbers, but candidate, perhaps Connecticut “I think Chris is a great poli- popularity impelled him to a presi- Sen. ’s numbers are so Attorney General Richard Blu- tician, but these numbers are dential run. mind-bendingly lousy that Demo- menthal — a scenario both Dodd scary.” “We can’t afford to lose this crats are quietly questioning his and Blumenthal deny. No major Democrats back home seat to the Republicans,” Myrna john shinkle — Politico ability to pull off a comeback dur- “Blumenthal would give us an in Connecticut have publicly come sen. Chris Dodd (D-conn.) ing his 2010 reelection bid. immediate 20-point edge, so we out in favor of easing Dodd out, but See DODD on Page 22 iNside CONGRESS DEFENSE POLITICS CLICK Sanders puts hold on Bernanke, Contractors complain that new Coleman cuts higher profile, Oprah For Oprah Winfrey and the Obamas, says U.S. wants “new direction.” rules could stifle their creativity. stirring talk of gubernatorial bid. Winfrey friendship is a delicate balancing act. Page 6 Page 11 Page 23 AP Page 31

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