Research

WH National Economic Council Director Gene Sperling Jokes About WH Officials Making Unemployment Projections

Q: “There have been signs lately of what seems like a slow and steady recovery. i think that's been the consensus  view on this stage today overall. yet we remain in a very deep jobs hole, consumer debt remains very high. Where do you think – what’s a realistic range for the unemployment rate in, say, six, seven months from now?” (The Atlantic’s Economy Summit, 3/14/12)

WH National Economic Council Director Gene Sperling: “It's an absolutely great idea for people in government jobs like mine to make projections of where the unemployment rate will be. It always works out well, and there are never unexpected headwinds or unintended consequences that get in the way. So it's just a great idea, but I’ll probably take a pass.” (The Atlantic’s Economy Summit, 3/14/12)

And Says People Are Still Hurting In The Obama Economy

WH National Economic Council Director Gene Sperling: “why ... more

Obama: “We Believe In The Universal Rights Of All People; So We Stand United In Our Support For Those Who Seek To Choose Their Leaders And Forge Their Futures, Including The Brave Citizens Of The Middle East And North Africa Who Deserve The Same God-Given Rights And Freedoms As People Everywhere.” (President Barack Obama, Remarks At The White House, 3/14/12)

But Obama's Foreign Policy Silences Speak Louder Than His Words

“The Doctrine Of Silence Is Failing With Links To His Overarching Failure On The Economy: It Betrays A Presidential Reticence, Coolness And Aloofness That Leave Americans Uncomfortable.” “The Obama administration has a doctrine. It’s called the doctrine of silence. A radical shift from President Bush’s war on terror, it has never been set out to the American people. There has seldom been so big a change in approach to U.S. strategic policy with so little explanation. … But the doctrine of silence is a failing with links to his overarching failure on the economy: ... more

New Polls Show That Obama Is Losing Support Among Women

Democrats’ Advantage Among Women Is Narrowing. “While Democrats have charged that the Republican position amounts to a ‘war on women,’ the poll indicates that they aren’t benefiting from it in respondents’ perceptions of the two parties. The survey also suggests that the advantage Democrats have historically enjoyed among women may have narrowed.” (Julie Hirschfeld Davis, “Republicans Losing On Birth Control As 77% In Poll Spurn Debate,” Bloomberg, 3/14/12)

• This Is “Despite A Significant Outreach Effort To Female Voters.” “Despite a significant outreach effort to female voters and Democratic accusations of a GOP 'war on women,' a new Bloomberg poll shows Obama losing ground among women from his 2008 vote share.” (Byron Tau, “Poll: Obama Down Among Female Voters From 2008 Results,” Politico’s “44,” 3/14/12)

49 Percent Of Women Would Support Obama In The Election, Down From 56 Percent In 2008. “Forty-nine percent of women say ... more

The National Debt Held By The Public Will Reach 93.2 Percent Of GDP By 2022. (“Updated Budget Projections: Fiscal Years 2012 To 2022,” Congressional Budget Office, 3/13/12)

The Congressional Budget Office Finds That Social Security Will Be Bankrupt By 2016

By 2016, Social Security’s Disability Trust Fund Will Be Bankrupt. (“Combined OASDI Trust Funds: March 2012 Baseline,” Congressional Budget Office, 3/13/12)

• The Cumulative Shortfall In The Disability Trust Fund Will Total $260 Billion By 2022. (“Combined OASDI Trust Funds: March 2012 Baseline,” Congressional Budget Office, 3/13/12)
• Social Security Will Run A Primary Deficit Indefinitely, Reaching $113 Billion A Year By 2022. (“Combined OASDI Trust Funds: March 2012 Baseline,” Congressional Budget Office, 3/13/12)

Medicare’s Hospital Trust Fund Will Continue To Run A Deficit

Medicare’s Hospital Insurance Trust Fund Will Run An Annual Deficit Of $16.7 Billion By 2022 As Its Balance Dwindles To Just $67.6 Billion. (“Medicare: ... more

Today, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a hearing on independent investigator Herb Allison’s report on the DOE loan program that funded such companies as Solyndra. When asked about bonuses paid out to executives of loan recipients going bankrupt, Allison answered that there were no provisions to prohibit the practice. When asked about the political connections of these failing companies, Allison said he lacked the investigatory powers to look in to the matter.

Secretary Chu cracked jokes about having to buy more expensive light bulbs for your home. He also tried to disavow his earlier claims that America should have gas prices as high as in Europe, and denied Obama’s involvement in the Solyndra decision.

Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) questions bonuses given to executives at taxpayer-funded, bankrupt energy companies.

Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) presses DOE loan investigator on DOE loan failures and political connections.

Secretary Chu said that Obama bundler ... more

In TV Interview, Obama Challenged About Local Defense Cut In Pennsylvania

Last Night, President Obama Was Questioned About Air Force Plans To Close Pennsylvania’s 911^th Airlift Wing:

KDKA Anchor: “Tonight, President Obama is responding to plans to close the 911^th Air lift in Moon. The Air Force is phasing out the C-130 program, effectively closing that base in Moon. Local lawmakers have been fighting to keep it open, arguing the 911th outperformed bases not slated for closure. In a one-on-one interview with KDKA Political Editor John Delano today, the President says when it comes to military budgets, tough decisions have to be made.”

President Obama: “We are not going to be making any of the decisions either in isolation or casually.”

Delano: “So it’s not a done deal?” 

President Obama: “Well, you know, nothing is ever a done deal when it comes to our military budgets. But what I do think is important for people to recognize though is that if we are going to reduce the deficit in ... more

In a #Barackward moment at a fundraiser at Sen. John Kerry’s Georgetown home, Biden accused Republicans of being out of touch as fundraiser attendees dined on “char-grilled grass-fed New York strip steaks and white truffle mashed potatoes beneath a tent basked in soft pink lighting” after paying thousands of dollars to attend the event.

SHOT:

Biden Accused Republicans Of Not Knowing “What It Means To Be Middle Class.” “‘These guys don’t have a sense of the average folks out there,’ Biden said according to the pool report, ‘they don’t know what it means to be middle class.’” (Charlie Spiering, “Biden Hails Middle Class At Wealthy Fundraiser,” The Washington Examiner’s “Beltway Confidential,” 3/13/12)

CHASER:

Attendees Paid Minimum $10,000 Per Couple And “Dined On New York Strip Steaks, And White Truffle Mashed Potatoes.” “Biden made the remarks at the Georgetown home of Senator John Kerry, where some 87 guests paid a minimum of $10,000 per couple to dine on char-grilled grass-fed ... more

Today, the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report titled, “DOE Loan Guarantees – Further Actions Are To Improve Tracking And Review Of Applications.” The review concluded that the President Obama’s Department of Energy’s loan guarantee program – which gave millions of dollars to green energy poster children like Solyndra – does not efficiently manage its loan guarantees or conduct proper oversight because it does not consolidate applicant data.

The GAO raised concerns that the inadequate (or lack of) documentation meant a lack of accountability when it came to reviewing how loans were granted to what companies and whether loan applicants were treated fairly and consistently. Furthermore, the GAO expressed concern that such poor documentation affected the Department of Energy’s ability to identify and reduce taxpayer exposure to risky companies.  

• Non-Partisan GAO Found That The Department Of Energy’s Loan Guarantee Program “Does Not Have The ... more
  
  

As Obama Tries To Bolster His Record On Energy, Americans Widely Disapprove

As Gas Prices Continue To Rise, Obama Will Try To Make The Case That He Has Made “Huge Strides.” “With gas prices sky high, President Obama will be spending part of his Monday making the case that his administration has made huge strides at reducing the United States' reliance on foreign oil, while advancing clean energy technology.” (Aamer Madhani, “Obama to Tout Energy Policy Wins,” USA Today, 3/12/12)

But Americans Aren’t Buying It

Washington Post Poll: Nearly Two-Thirds Of Americans Disapprove Of The Way Obama Is Handling Rising Gas Prices. “Gas prices are a main culprit: Nearly two-thirds of Americans say they disapprove of the way the president is handling the situation at the pump, where rising prices have already hit hard.” (Dan Balz And Jon Cohen, “Gas Prices Sink Obama’s Ratings On Economy, Bring Parity To Race For White House,” The Washington Post, 3/11/12)

• “Just 26 Percent Approve Of His Work ... more
  
  

Today, Secretary Of Energy Steven Chu Testified That An Investigation Is Underway Into The Announcement Of Solyndra Layoffs In 2010 That Were Timed To Occur After The Midterm Elections.  REP. MICHAEL BURGESS (R-TX): “Let me ask you, because Mr. Barton has asked you some questions about the loan guarantees at Solyndra. When you came to us in November of last year, it seemed to be news to you that there were postponements of layoffs that occurred at that company, those postponements to take the layoffs past election day before they were announced. You seemed to be surprised that that had in fact occurred. I think if I recall correctly, you said that you were going to look into that. So can you share with us the results of your investigation? What information you’ve uncovered as to why those layoffs were postponed passed the election day?” SECRETARY OF ENERGY STEVEN CHU: “We turned that matter over to the IG, Department of Energy ID, and they’re looking into the matter and when they ... more