Author Archives: Jim Sutliff

Bachmann Announces Candidacy –

Posted on 14. June 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Michele Bachmann announced that she is an official candidate for President.  The announcement came at the beginning of the CNN GOP Presidential debate.  The Republican field is still wide open but it is clear that Michele will be a top contender for … Continue reading →

Posted in 2012, Debate, Election, Politics, Presidential, Republican | Leave a comment

Wall Street Regulations –

Posted on 9. June 2011 by Jim Sutliff

At a public forum on June 7th, Jamie Dimon questioned Bernanke about Wall Street regulators.  The amount of regulation came into question as well as the end result possibly being a slowdown of the U.S. economy. To read a related Bloomberg article, … Continue reading →

Posted in Administrative, Business, Democrat, Dodd-Frank, Economy, General, Regulatory, Republican, SEC, Treasury | Leave a comment

Estate Tax Law –

Posted on 5. June 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Kiplinger’s has an article on the estate tax law and the portability feature.  The article also discusses the expiration of the current provision at the end of 2012.  In addition, the article provides examples of unintended consequences of the estate tax law.  To … Continue reading →

Posted in 2012, Administrative, Democrat, Estate Tax, General, Politics, Regulatory, Republican, Tax | Leave a comment

Debt Ceiling Increase Voted Down –

Posted on 1. June 2011 by Jim Sutliff

A measure that would have increased the U.S. debt ceiling by $2.4 trillion was voted down in the House of Representatives.  The House voted 318-97 with 236 Republicans and 86 Democrats voting against the legislation.  For passage, the measure required 277 votes or two thirds … Continue reading →

Posted in Administrative, Budget, Democrat, Economy, General, Regulatory, Republican, Tax | Leave a comment

Pawlenty Announces Presidential Run –

Posted on 23. May 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Republican Tim Pawlenty has announced that he will run for President in 2012.  Pawlenty is the former Governor of Minnesota and may also face Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann for the Republican nomination.  Bachmann is scheduled  to appear at an event in Iowa … Continue reading →

Posted in 2012, DC, Election, Fundraising, General, Politics, Presidential, Republican | Leave a comment

Wisconsin Borrowing Costs Drop –

Posted on 11. May 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Wisconsin borrowing costs are dropping and that may be a result of Republican Governor Scott Walker.  Governor Walker took on the unions and signed a bill limiting their collective bargaining power on March 11th.  The move is being well received by markets with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Administrative, Business, Democrat, Economy, General, Governor, Politics, Republican | Leave a comment

Indiana Republican Mike Pence Enters Governor’s Race –

Posted on 5. May 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Republican congressman Mike Pence has announced that he will run for governor of Indiana in 2012.  The popular six term congressman is the favorite to win the seat and will help carry the state for the Republican Presidential candidate.  Indiana voted … Continue reading →

Posted in 2012, Administrative, Congress, Democrat, Election, General, Governor, Politics, Republican | Leave a comment

Democrats Target Medicare Plan –

Posted on 1. May 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Senate Democrats are expected to vote on a house measure that would change Medicare benefits.  The move is an aggressive step by Senator Reid and Congressional Democrats.  Republicans have kept the Democrats on the defensive over the last few months regarding federal … Continue reading →

Posted in Administrative, Budget, Business, Democrat, General, Healthcare, Infrastructure, Politics, Regulatory, Republican | Leave a comment

The Senate Landscape: 2012 & 2014 –

Posted on 29. April 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Roll Call has an article by Stuart Rothenberg that discusses the uneven Senate landscape of 2012 and 2014.  Although Democrats still control the Senate, Republicans have a very strong chance of hitting the 60 Senator mark in 2012 or 2014.  Republican … Continue reading →

Posted in 2012, Administrative, Congress, DC, Democrat, Election, Fundraising, General, Politics, Republican | Leave a comment

Federal Reserve To Finish Bond Purchases –

Posted on 27. April 2011 by Jim Sutliff

The Federal Reserve has announced that they will finish bond purchases in June.  The $600 billion of bond buying activity by the Fed was intended to spur the economy and was scheduled to end in June.  Also, a Federal Open Market Committee … Continue reading →

Posted in Administrative, Business, Economy, Federal Reserve, General, Regulatory, Treasury | Leave a comment

NRSC And DSCC Fundraising –

Posted on 20. April 2011 by Jim Sutliff

The National Republican Senatorial Committee and Democratic Senate Campaign Committee (DSCC) have posted their first quarter numbers.  Although the Republicans and Democrats are close in totals, the Republican Senate Committee has the advantage.  The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) raised … Continue reading →

Posted in 2012, Administrative, Congress, Democrat, Election, Fundraising, General, Politics, Republican | Leave a comment

U.S. Debt Outlook Cut To Negative –

Posted on 18. April 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Standard & Poor’s cut the outlook for U.S. debt from stable to negative.  This is the first time in history that the S & P has cut the outlook for U.S. debt.  The stock market reacted by pulling back almost … Continue reading →

Posted in Administrative, Budget, Business, Democrat, Economy, General, Regulatory, Republican | Leave a comment

Deficit Cuts May Effect Rates –

Posted on 14. April 2011 by Jim Sutliff

Political pressure to cut the deficit has led Republicans and Democrats to propose spending cuts.  The cuts could have an effect on the steps taken by the Federal Reserve.  The Fed is more likely to keep rates at or near the current low rate due to lower … Continue reading →

Posted in 2012, Administrative, Budget, Democrat, Economy, General, Politics, Republican, Tax | Leave a comment

Investor Reaction To Government Shutdown –

Posted on 8. April 2011 by Jim Sutliff

CNN Money has an article on investor reactions to a possible government shutdown.  The possibility of a government shutdown hasn’t had a major effect on trading activity.  Wall Street is being influenced by rising crude oil prices, geopolitical tensions, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Administrative, Budget, Business, Democrat, Economy, Election, General, Politics, Regulatory, Republican | Leave a comment

Government Shutdown –

Posted on 5. April 2011 by Jim Sutliff

The Democrats have rejected a Republican budget proposal that would remove $33 billion in spending.  Democrats have also refused to accept another Republican proposal that would include $12 billion in spending cuts but would extend the talks for another week.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Administrative, Budget, Congress, DC, Democrat, General, Infrastructure, Politics, Republican | Leave a comment