April 30, 2009

Obama's ratings slide: press conference down 29%

BMI airline wipes Israel off the map

April 30, 1789

The first presidential inauguration

In New York City, George Washington, the great military leader of the American Revolution, is inaugurated as the first president of the United States.

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=Article&id=4961

April 30, 1803

Louisiana Purchase concluded

On April 30, 1803, representatives of the United States and Napoleonic France conclude negotiations for the Louisiana Purchase, a massive land sale that doubles the size of the young American republic. What was known as Louisiana Territory comprised most of modern-day United States between the Mississippi and the Rocky Mountains, with the exceptions of Texas, parts of New Mexico, and other pockets of land already controlled by the United States. A formal treaty for the Louisiana Purchase, antedated to April 30, was signed two days later.

1812 - Louisiana admitted as the 18th U.S. state.

1889 - George Washington's inauguration became the first U.S. national holiday.

1900 - Hawaii was organized as an official U.S. territory.

1970 - U.S. troops invaded Cambodia to disrupt North Vietnamese Army base areas. The announcement by U.S. President Nixon led to widespread protests.

1973 - U.S. President Nixon announced resignation of Haldeman, Ehrlichman, and other top aides.

Bachmann sneaks one past Barney

Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), who spent much of Wednesday battling the GOP over the bias crimes bill, is offering a big mea culpa for failing to kill an amendment by Rep. Michele Bachmann preventing ACORN from getting federal funds because they have members who were indicted for voter registration fraud.  passed by the House.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/glennthrush/0409/Bachmann_sneaks_one_past_Barney.html?showall

Tapper to Gibbs: "I Sympathize With You Trying to Explain the Vice President"

Vice President Joe Biden's Today show appearance this morning has been the talk of the cablers today, after the VP said, "I would tell members of my family, and I have, that I wouldn't go anywhere in confined places now." (And more — video after the jump.)

CNN, FNC and MSNBC were all live with Robert Gibbs' press briefing just after 2pmET today when ABC News' Jake Tapper asked for clarification. After one attempt, Tapper followed up: "I sympathize with you trying to explain the Vice President's comments, but that's not even remotely close to what he said." Then, to laughter from the room, Gibbs said, "I understand what he said, and I'm telling you what he meant to say."

Credit Regulatory Plan OK'd

"Lie to Me" Tops Obama News Conference

Just In: FOX, the only one of the Big Four networks that did not carry Pres. Obama's news conference last night, finished first in the 8pmET hour with a new episode of "Lie to Me." The drama averaged 7.9 million Total Viewers, according to Nielsen overnights.

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/politics/lie_to_me_tops_obama_news_conference_115408.asp

Petraeus: Next Two Weeks Critical to Pakistan's Survival

Gen. David Petraeus said he is looking for concrete action by the Pakistani government to destroy the Taliban in the next two weeks before determining the United States' next course of action.

Gen. David Petraeus, commander of U.S. Central Command, has told U.S. officials the next two weeks are critical to determining whether the Pakistani government will survive, FOX News has learned.

"The Pakistanis have run out of excuses" and are "finally getting serious" about combating the threat from Taliban and Al Qaeda extremists operating out of Northwest Pakistan, the general added.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/04/30/petraeus-weeks-critical-pakistans-survival/

Obama 101: Check the Facts

By Carol D. Leonnig
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, April 30, 2009

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. -- At the behest of Rep. John P. Murtha (D), chairman of the House defense appropriations subcommittee, the Pentagon has spent about $30 million equipping the little-used airport named for him so it can handle behemoth military aircraft and store combat equipment for rapid deployment to foreign battlefields.

Most of the improvements, funded through appropriations approved by Murtha's panel, have not been used for their intended purpose. The projects delighted National Guard and reserve units based in Murtha's Pennsylvania district that have seen budget cuts, but critics charge that the expenditures have been a waste of taxpayer dollars.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/29/AR2009042902510_pf.html

BROKEN PROMISE: TAXES

Obama Promises Not To Raise Any Taxes On Anyone Making Under $250,000 Per Year:

Obama: "If you are a family making less than $250,000, my plan will not raise your taxes - not your income taxes, not your payroll taxes, not your capital gains taxes, not any of your taxes." (Sen. Barack Obama, Remarks On Taxes, Kaukauna, WI, 6/12/08)

But Obama Raised The Tobacco Tax, A Tax That Disproportionately Affects The Poor:

Obama's Pledge On Taxes "Went Up In Puffs Of Smoke" When He Increased Tobacco Taxes. "One of President Barack Obama's campaign pledges on taxes went up in puffs of smoke Wednesday. The largest increase in tobacco taxes took effect despite Obama's promise not to raise taxes of any kind on families earning under $250,000 or individuals under $200,000." (Calvin Woodward, "Promises, Promises: Obama Tax Pledge Up In Smoke," The Associated Press, 4/1/09)

http://www.gop.com/news/NewsRead.aspx?Guid=e619d8ab-cbcc-454f-ad99-6f410307b4fb

PAKISTAN'S NUKES NO THREAT: BAM