Bachmann Eyes Senate –

Michelle Bachmann has a strong fundraising base and is a favorite of the Tea Party movement.  She is also coming off a Congressional race with a 13 point margin of victory in a swing district with a heavy voter turn out.  The next step for Bachmann appears to be a showdown with Amy Klobuchar for the U.S. Senate seat in 2012.  Minnesota is a state that will be heavily targeted by the Republican Presidential candidate in 2012 and a well funded Bachmann candidacy would be a major asset.

To read a related article on The Hill, please click here:

http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/134427-bachmann-kicks-up-fundraising-storm-and-senate-speculation

James Sutliff

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

Canadian Pipeline –

The Obama administration is expected to approve the expansion of an existing Canadian pipeline.  The pipeline expansion will increase the amount of oil imported from Canada’s oil sands by over 300,000 barrels a day.  Keystone, the pipeline expansion project, will create hundreds of American jobs and provide the oil sands with worldwide distribution capabilities.

To read a related CNN article, please click here:

http://money.cnn.com/2010/12/23/news/economy/oil_sands_pipeline/index.htm

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Administrative, Business, Democrat, Energy, Infrastructure, International, Trade | Leave a comment

Census Shifts House Seats –

There has been a major shift in political influence towards the south and west.  Census data indicates that Texas will gain 4 seats, Florida 2 seats, Georgia and South Carolina will also gain.  North Carolina is a state that will keep the same number of seats but will still experience a major swing towards the GOP.  Republicans control the North Carolina legislature for the first time since 1898 and that may create 3 Republican seats due to redistricting.  The shift will help Republicans solidify control of the House and will also benefit the Republican Presidential candidate. 

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-21/new-york-new-jersey-pennsylvania-to-lose-house-seats-after-u-s-census.html

James Sutliff

Posted in Congress, Democrat, Election, General, Politics, Presidential, Redistricting, Republican | Leave a comment

Proposed Estate Tax –

The estate tax legislation proposed by the Senate is expected to face a tough fight on Monday from members of both parties.  The Wall Street Journal has a solid article on the proposed bill and provides a breakdown of some key issues.  One step forward is that the bill would unify the estate, gift, and generation skipping taxes. 

To read the Wall Street Journal article, please click here:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704720804576009962752688894.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_sections_personalfinance

Jim Sutliff

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

Thune 2012 –

It is reported that Senator John Thune is considering a 2012 Presidential bid.  The South Dakota Republican ran for Senate unopposed in 2010 and defeated Tom Daschle for the seat in 2004.  In the coming months, Senator Thune is expected to travel to Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina.

To read a related Roll Call article, please click here:

http://www.rollcall.com/issues/56_56/-201273-1.html?pos=adp

James Sutliff

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

Third RNC Candidate –

A third candidate has jumped into the race for Chairman of the Republican National Committee.  Reince Priebus, the chairman of the Wisconsin Republican party and a former supporter of Michael Steele has taken steps to run.  The election will be held between January 12th and 15th at the RNC’s winter meeting.  There are 168 voting members that will decide the next chairman of the RNC.  It is expected that more candidates will surface in the next few weeks.

To read a related Roll Call article, please click here:

http://www.rollcall.com/news/-201184-1.html

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Administrative, Election, Fundraising, General, Politics, RNC | Leave a comment

Texas Gains Seats –

Texas is set to gain at least three and possibly four Congressional seats due to population growth.  Texas Republicans dominate the redistricting process for the state and are expected to pick up several seats in the process.  In general, Republicans are expected to gain 20-25 seats from the redistricting process nationwide.  Republican victories in key Gubernatorial races in 2010 will also play an important role in redistricting. 

To read an Associated Press article on Yahoo! News, please click here:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101203/ap_on_go_ot/us_texas_redistricting

James Sutliff

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

Delay On Tax Vote –

The vote on extending the Bush era tax cuts is likely to be delayed until negotiators meet this week.  Extension of the tax cuts for individuals earning $200,000 or less and married couples earning $250,000 or less is supported by both parties.  However, Republicans also support extending the tax cuts for higher income taxpayers as well as keeping the 15% rate for dividends and capital gains.  Estate tax provisions are also set to expire and are a point of negotiation between the parties.

To read a related Bloomberg article, please clcik here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-01/u-s-lawmakers-urge-delay-on-tax-cut-vote-pending-bipartisan-negotiations.html

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Administrative, Estate Tax, General, Tax | Leave a comment

Senate Votes On Earmarks –

The Senate voted in favor of conducting business as usual in relation to earmarks.  Most Democrats voted against the ban as well as a small number of Republicans.  The final vote was 39-56 but that number should move higher next year when Republicans hold more Senate seats. 

To read a related Associated Press article, please click here:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101130/ap_on_bi_ge/us_senate_earmark_ban

James Sutliff

Posted in Administrative, Democrat, Politics, Republican | Leave a comment

Earmark Ban –

The Hill reports that a proposal for a three year ban on earmarks is not likely to pass.  Senate Majority leader Harry Reid negotiated with Republican leaders to bring the proposal to a vote that would require 67 votes for passage.  Most Republicans are expected to support the proposal as well as Democrats running for re-election in 2012.

To read The Hill article, please click here:

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/130599-passage-of-earmark-ban-in-doubt

Jim Sutliff

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

2012 Senate Races –

Republicans are expected to have a big election night on November 6th, 2012.  A recent article in Roll Call outlines all of the Senate races and possible challengers in each of the contests.  Races that Roll Call lists as Leans Democrat which are most likely to be Republican are Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

To read the Roll Call Politics article, please click here:

http://www.rollcall.com/issues/56_49/-200722-1.html

James Sutliff

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

Tax Code Overhaul –

A comprehensive overhaul of the tax code could take place in the near future.  Recently, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geitner indicated that the tax code was in need of a major overhaul.  Congressional Republicans have also supported an overhaul of the tax code which includes many provisions that are going to sunset.  The new code is likely to have lower rates and may be more user friendly.

To read a related Wall Street Journal article, please click here:

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2010/11/16/tax-overhaul-gains-steam/

Jim Sutliff

Posted in Administrative, Business, Congress, Democrat, Economy, Estate Tax, General, Politics, Regulatory, Republican, Tax | Leave a comment

RNC Chairman –

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele is expected to face an uphill battle in his attempt to hold onto his post.  Saul Anuzis, former Michigan GOP Chairman, has announced that he will challenge Michael Steele in January.  It is expected that there will be several candidates seeking the position in the mid-January election.  The Chairman of the Republican National Committee serves a two year term.

To read a related Roll Call article, please click here:

http://www.rollcall.com/news/-200483-1.html

James Sutliff

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

Republicans Gain Senate Edge –

The Democrats may have the majority in the U.S. Senate but that might not hold up on all issues.  The 2012 Senate elections put Senators Nelson, Tester, Manchin, Webb, and McCaskill in the spotlight.  The Senators all represent states that witnessed a swing to the right in the recent election.  Republicans should have a functional majority on many issues that could impact the next election.  There are 23 Democrats and only nine Republicans  up for re-election in 2012.

To read a related Wall Street Journal article, please click here:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704737504575602312190896510.html?mod=ITP_pageone_1

Jim Sutliff

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

Tax Cut Compromise –

Barack Obama is moving in the direction of a tax cut compromise during the lame duck session.  Tax rates will rise in 2011 if action is not taken to keep the Bush tax cuts.  The White House has also indicated that Obama will support a temporary extension of lower rates for upper income taxpayers.

To read a related Bloomberg article, please click here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-11-06/obama-says-there-s-room-for-compromise-with-congress-on-tax-cut-extension.html

James Sutliff

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