All Monitor Breakfast
House races won't hang on Obama gay marriage move, says a top DemocratObama鈥檚 new stance in favor of gay marriage is unlikely to have a big impact on Democrats鈥� fight to take control of the House, says Rep. Steve Israel, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
Richard Lugar 'took brunt' of voter anger, says GOP campaign chiefVoter anger led to the defeat of Sen. Richard Lugar (R) of Indiana in a GOP primary, says Rep. Pete Sessions, chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee. He sees tea party activism as 'good for our party.'
Austerity votes in Europe show that GOP is wrong, top Democrat saysAusterity agendas in France and Greece resulted in voter rebellions this week. It's a sign that the GOP's austerity program for the US is mistaken, says Democratic Rep. Chris Van Hollen.聽
Is India weaning itself off Iranian oil fast enough for the US?India is Iran's No. 1 customer for crude oil, which puts it in danger of running afoul of a new US law that will twist nations' arms to curb oil imports from Iran. India's ambassador to the US cites 'degree of understanding' from US officials to India's predicament.
Companies yearn for US debt-reduction plan, says Business Roundtable leaderWith no plan to get US debt under control, Congress and President Obama are lagging in the business community's view, says聽Business Roundtable President John Engler.聽
CEOs willing to give up tax breaks - if the rate is rightA group of CEOs is launching a two-week lobbying and media blitz on corporate taxes, keyed to the fact that on April 1, Japan will officially lower its corporate tax rate.- Election poll: 'Cavernous' gender gap gives boost to ObamaIn a Pew national poll, President Obama leads Mitt Romney by 20 points among women voters and leads Rick Santorum by 26 points. Pew president Andrew Kohut spoke about the poll at a Monitor breakfast.
- Southern stumbles aside, Mitt Romney bests Santorum in new national pollA Pew Research poll released Wednesday has some good news and some bad news for Mitt Romney, the day after his third-place finishes in the Alabama and Mississippi primaries.聽
- GOP strategist: Obama's bigger 2012 war chest won't matter muchThe Republican candidate may not have as much campaign money as Obama, says GOP pollster and strategist Whit Ayres. But 'money is not going to be a problem' for the eventual nominee, he says.
GOP strategist: Appeal to Latino voters is party's 'great challenge'A new Fox poll of Latino voters shows a heavy preference for Democrats. To remain competitive, says GOP strategist Whit Ayres, Republicans must improve their appeal to Latinos and Asians.
SEC's Schapiro: Budget undersized to fulfill new market-watchdog dutiesThe Securities and Exchange Commission has new duties under the 2010 financial reform law, but SEC chairwoman Mary Schapiro says the agency's budget is not 'appropriately sized' to do the job.聽
Paul Ryan's warning: US must cut debt or face 'bitter austerity'Rep. Paul Ryan (R) of Wisconsin believes a European-style debt crisis faces the United States if it doesn't clean up its financial situation.
How social media complicate SEC crackdown on insider tradingSocial media services such as Facebook and Twitter pose special challenges for regulators working to halt insider trading, says Mary Schapiro of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
What keeps SEC chairwoman up at night? Money market fundsThe health of money market funds leads the list of worries of SEC chairwoman Mary Schapiro, America's top financial market regulator. Past wild swings in the stock market rank up there, too.
Paul Ryan: GOP primary should not be 'personality contest'Rep. Paul Ryan (R) of Wisconsin聽said Thursday that the GOP needs an election that carries a mandate. In Ryan's view, Mitt Romney has offered a positive agenda for fixing the nation.
Rep. Paul Ryan: Payroll tax fight 'caused damage' to GOPLong battle in Congress over extending a payroll tax break 'caused damage' to Republicans because it 'muddled' differences between the parties, Paul Ryan, House Budget Committee chairman, said Thursday.
Paul Ryan as GOP vice presidential candidate? He doesn't say noGOP budget-meister and Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin gave a nondenial when asked Thursday if he's interested in being the vice presidential candidate on the 2012 Republican ticket.
Carl Levin calls Romney's defense budget criticism "just a political statement"The chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee and senior Senator from Michigan said even with reduced funding, US military has "shown our capabilities, shown our adeptness."_opt.jpg?alias=standard_600x400)
Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa sees "draconian" cuts ahead in Obama's budgetAlthough the nation needs investment in infrastructure and education, among other areas, US Conference of Mayors President Antonio Villaraigosa says Congress' past bad behavior mean President Obama's budget will likely have serious spending cuts.
Carl Levin: Mitt Romney criticism of Obama defense budget not factualIn recent Republican presidential primary debates, Mitt Romney has blasted President Obama's plan to trim defense spending. Senator Carl Levin says his criticism is just politics.