VOL. 5 NO. 32 POLITIfriday, march 11, 2011 CO www.politico.com

Republi- cans say Sen. Chuck Schumer has King Hearing Offers run an er- ratic operation that’s veered badly off Drama, Few Answers message.

john shinkle — politico Schumer Hits Bumps In New Leader Job

By Ma n u Ra j u alone the next two years. They’re dealing with a White House they New York Sen. Chuck Schumer believe has been disconnected scored a major coup when Sen- — and venting about a lack of ate Majority Leader Harry Reid leadership from President Barack tapped him to resurrect his par- Obama. And when House Re- ty’s struggling messaging opera- publicans were maneuvering on tion and build a unified Democrat- a short-term spending bill, even ic policy strategy. some fellow Democratic critics But two months into his high- said their leadership’s response profile job, he’s running into an age- was off-key. old problem: Democratic disunity. The frustration with the presi- Democrats are split over the dent is coming to a boil in the size and scope of budget cuts for the next seven months — let See schumer on Page 13 Santorum Could Be Unlikely Iowa Force john shinkle — Politico By Jo n a t h a n Ma r t i n Rep. Peter King’s hearing on the radicalization of American Muslims was more restrained than critics predicted. SIOUX CITY, Iowa — He barely registers in most early polling. He was crushed at the polls five years Panel hears conflicting opinions on whether the inquiry is valid ago when he sought reelection. He even acknowledg- es the widespread belief that he can’t possibly win By Jo s h Ge r s t e i n a n d Ja k e Sh e r m a n Given the hyperbolic descriptions of King as a the Republican presidential nomination. modern-day Joe McCarthy, however, it was perhaps reuters And yet Rick Santorum could alter the course of As Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) opened the first in a inevitable that the actual hearing Thursday would Rick Santorum the Iowa caucuses. series of hearings analyzing radicalization among be something of a dud. Like most hearings, King’s is putting in the National Republicans may scoff at the notion that American Muslims on Thursday morning, his crit- panel was a mostly respectful event, and it didn’t legwork, visiting Santorum — whose Senate career ended in 2006 ics — and a packed Capitol Hill hearing room — produce very much heat — or shed much new light Iowa 11 times with an 18-point loss — could be a player, but he’s braced for the public excoriation of Islam and its since 2009. followers that they loudly warned about for weeks. See king on Page 12 See santorum on Page 10 Tired of Budget Debate? Committees Seek Lobbyist It Has Only Just Begun Cash Shunned by Obama By Ri c h a r d E. Co h e n The divisive spending cut de- By Ch r i s Fr a t e s The Democratic Senatorial bate this week is blending into a Campaign Committee and Demo- While much of Washington is high-stakes debt-limit vote in the President Barack Obama and cratic Congressional Campaign consumed with merely keeping next month or two, which will the Democratic National Commit- Committee are actively raising the government open and figuring transition into a spring-long Fis- tee might not want their money, money from lobbyists put on the out the latest two-week spending cal 2012 budget resolution debate, but Democratic lobbyists say the sidelines by Obama’s policy of deal, Republican budget writers which will give way to a summer House and Senate campaign com- banning their contributions to are digging trenches for the long of talk over how to slash and cut a mittees are happily scooping up the DNC and his reelection cam- haul, meticulously planning a dozen appropriations bills. reuters their cash and fundraising help paign. spending debate that could easily President Barack Obama has as the 2012 election season gets last the entire year. See marathon on Page 16 rejected lobbyists’ donations. under way. See lobbyists on Page 15 inside Politico 44 Energy/Environment Politics W.H. social CLICK secretary Teach for America, once a star House panel rejects climate regs, Romney gets in a Sunshine State Jeremy Gents and sensibility: Bernard’s social pupil, faces expulsion in the latest as Dems fume over GOP claim of of mind, hiring Florida fundraiser Bernard nature, focus on detail should serve round of budget wrangling. “EPA-imposed” gas price hikes. and holding in-state meetings. Michael him well in trailblazing new role. Schwartz — Page 3 Page 6 Page 8 Politico Page 21