VOL. 4 NO. 41 POLITImonday, april 12, 2010 CO www.politico.com Dems Eager To Take On Wall Street By Li s a Le r e r

Liberal Democrats see an opportunity to reassert their power in the Senate this spring on the Wall Street reform bill, after being forced to swallow a se- ries of compromises on everything from health care reform to jobs legislation. A group of Democrats, joined by Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin of Illinois, are planning an aggres- sive spring offensive to strengthen key provisions of the financial re- form bill — and daring Senate Re- publicans to vote against them. “Given that [large financial john shinkle — firms] steered this country into the politico ditch, it’s going to be very hard to Sen. Dick Durbin stand up on the floor and say don’t

See wall street on Page 12

AP voters’ ability to cast their vote for “” could help Sen. in his tough bid for reelection. Congress Sees Reid Eyes a Bank Shot to Victory No Budget Rush By Jo n a t h a n All e n Embattled leader still faces tough odds in Nevada “It will be a hard- Congress is poised to miss its April 15 deadline By Jo h n Br e s n a h a n dates or even “none of the above” to let fought campaign, for finishing next year’s budget without even consid- a n d Ma n u Ra j u Reid win reelection with less than 50 per- but this race is, ering a draft in either chamber. cent of the vote. Unlike citizens’ tax-filing deadline, Congress’s Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has Reid trails former Nevada Republican in fact, very dif- mid-April benchmark is nonbinding. And members been hammered for months from the left Party Chairwoman by 8 per- ferent than what seem to be in no rush to get the process going. and right, with prognosticators in both centage points in a head-to-head match- Indeed, some Democratic insiders suspect that parties predicting that Nevada voters will up, according to a poll released Sunday the public polls leaders will skip the budget process altogether this send him packing come November. by the Review-Journal. That reflect.” year — a way to avoid the political unpleasantness of But Reid, his reelection team and some poll shows Reid tied with businessman — Brandon Hall voting on spending, deficits and taxes in an election Senate Democratic insiders are eyeing a Danny Tarkanian. The newspaper didn’t Harry Reid campaign manager year — or simply go through a few of the motions, bank shot to victory — one that involves without any real effort to complete the work. enough voters picking third-party candi- See reid on Page 15 See budget on Page 16 Overworked Hill Where Will All That Aides Not Amused Democratic Money Go?

By Er i k a Lo v l e y By Jo n a t h a n Ma r t i n

First, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R- Democratic Sens. Evan Bayh of Indiana, Byron Ga.) said Capitol Hill staffers have no “contact with Dorgan of North Dakota and Chris Dodd of Con- reality” and spend “their entire life being arrogant to necticut are all retiring and don’t need the combined visitors from back home.” $20 million in their war chests this fall. Then, House Minority Leader John Boehner (R- The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Ohio) dismissed Democratic staffers writing the fi- on the other hand, has just over $14 million in the nancial regulatory reform bill as “little punk staffers.” bank at the moment and is playing defense in races john shinkle — Then, Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) accused House across the country. So it could sure use the cash. politico Democrats of employing “staff thugs” to watch over Now, as worries grow among top Democratic Sen. Byron AP Dorgan See staffers on Page 16 Rep. John Boehner called aides “little punk staffers.” See senate on Page 13 inside

Politico 44 politics Opinion Andy CLICK The GOP lays down markers for a For Republicans looking ahead, Economist Joseph E. Stiglitz calls Kohut Pew Center’s Andy Kohut cooks up a new Supreme Court nominee. it’s all 2010, not much 2012. for tough financial regulation. Jay Premack — big storm from scratch. POLITICO PAGE 3 PAGE 9 PAGE 20 PAGE 21