Recent News
2010 Senate Elections: A Few Significant developments
Jul 02, 2009
Three significant political developments in the past few days:In Lousiana, Sen. David Vitter (R) finally has a challenger: U.S. Rep. Rep. Charlie Melancon (D) is expected to provide a strong challenge to the incumbent. This contest provides a good pick-up opportunity for Democrats.
In New York, U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D) will run in the primary against Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. Maloney's decision will complicate Gillibrand's election.
In New Hampshire, former Senator John Sununu (R), who lost in 2008 to Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D), has decided not to run again, this time against U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes (D). Hodes becomes a strong favorite in this election.
Franks Missile Defense Amendment Defeated
Jul 01, 2009
Rep. Franks (R-AZ) proposed amendment H.AMDT.266 to the FY 2010 Defense Authorization bill, which increased funding for missile defense by $1.2 billion which was subsequently defeated on June 25th. There were a number of Representatives that defected from their party lines, as shown below, but the general effect was awash.
Supreme Court Rules for Franken! Coleman Concedes
Jun 30, 2009
Well it's official - after eight long months, and many millions of dollars, Al Franken will be now be seated as the next Senator from Minnesota.
Granted, yes, it could have been "official" when the vote was tallied, when the state canvassing board ruled in Franken's favor, or when the panel of three Minnesota judges agreed, but today the Minnesota Supreme Court unanimously sided with Franken and declared him the winner - and Coleman has conceded.
"Al Franken received the highest number of votes legally cast and is entitled [under Minnesota law] to receive the certificate of election as United States Senator from the State of Minnesota."
The eight month battle came to an end with this ruling, and as promised, Gov. Tim Pawlenty has vowed to sign Franken's election certificate, the last remaining legal hurdle to his victory.
Sen. Al Franken will now become the 60th U.S. Senator to caucus with Senate Democrats, a filibuster-proof majority that just a year ago seemed far too unlikely by even the most optimistic of political pundits.
Council for a Livable World - and its membership - contributed more than $120,000 to Franken's race.
Obama Administration appointees: Senate finally acts
Jun 28, 2009
UPDATED UPDATEMore nominees approved before the 4th of July recess:
Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs: Kurt Campbell - approved July 25
Legal Adviser of the Department of State: Harold Hongju Koh - approved on a 65 - 31 recorded vote on June 24
U.S. special representative of the president to the 2010 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference: Susan Burk - my mistake - she was approved June 1 and I missed it
The Crisis in U.S./Muslim Relations
Jun 24, 2009
By Jerome Grossman
In Cairo, President Barack Obama addressed the world's billion Muslims preaching the values of political freedom, democracy and human rights. Remarkably, he virtually apologized for the repeated Western interference in the affairs of Muslim nations, citing the overthrow of the democratically elected government of Iran in 1953 by the U.S. CIA and its British counterpart, then the installing of a dictator in that country. While this act of contrition was widely welcomed, it had already been performed by Secretary of State Madeleine Albright during the Bill Clinton Administration without improving the relationship. Iran was placed on “The Axis of Evil”.
If President Obama was promising a policy of non-intervention in the Middle East, it did not reflect the operating situation there. The U.S., under Democratic and Republican presidents alike has gone to war, sometimes to protect, sometimes to oust regimes in the area: e.g. in 1991 to protect Kuwait from Iraq, in 2002 to oust Saddam Hussein from Iraq. Another rarely discussed U.S. intervention but high in the consciousness of Iranians is the support the U. S. gave to Saddam Hussein when he attacked Iran in 1980. In this eight year war, Iran lost more than one million lives and suffered Saddam's repeated use of poison gas on civilians and the military.
Money for Pentagon programs that even the Pentagon doesn't want?
Jun 23, 2009
Last week, the House Armed Services Committee approved the 2010 Defense Authorization bill. As Travis mentioned in the Center blog, a number of proposed amendments to the 2010 Defense Authorization bill have been submitted to Congress - and unfortunately some of them show a dangerous lack of priorities when it comes to our national security.
In the next few days, some very important amendments affecting missile defense and non-proliferation issues will likely be coming to a vote. Missile defense proponents are launching amendments to reverse Pentagon-requested cuts in missile defense programs.
Yes, that's right. The Pentagon has asked for less funding for several missile defense programs that it finds wasteful and unworkable, but some Members of Congress are trying to waste taxpayer money on them anyway. Agreeing with the Pentagon's request to end funding for these wasteful programs that prohibit funds from going to national security and other programs that we do need, are the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Director of the Missile Defense Agency.
One of these missile defense amendments would add $80 million to missile defense spending by taking funds from international materials protection and cooperation, the global threat reduction initiative, and North Korean anti-nuclear program initiatives. The Global Threat Reduction Initiative is a significant non-proliferation program in the Department of Energy, which tracks down and secures loose nuclear material around the globe. Given that everyone from Barack Obama to George W. Bush in recent years has acknowledged that terrorists obtaining loose nuclear materials would be the greatest threat to our national security, it seems like these might be programs that should receive an increase, not a decrease in funding.
This is why we just sent out an e-alert about these amendments.
Special thanks to Intern Extraordinaire, Andrew St. Denis!
Council Expert Discusses Iran and North Korea
Jun 23, 2009
The last time the Council hosted a community call for several of its members, a number of people asked for a transcript or summary of the call. We didn't have summaries then, but now we do.
On June 4, approximately 20 Council for a Livable World members participated in a conference call on the nuclear crises in North Korea and Iran with Council Board Member, Dr. Jim Walsh. Walsh is a renowned expert on international security who has been involved in private nuclear arms control talks with Iranian and North Korean officials.
This call of course took place before the election in Iran, so post-election commentary isn't available, but Walsh did address what the election's outcome might mean for U.S.-Iran relations.
Other topics covered? What impact the President's recent speech in Cairo might have on U.S.-Iran relations, what the recent naming of a successor to Kim Jong-il means for North Korea, and whether the same formula can be used for dealing with the regimes in both countries.
Chris Cillizza on the top 10 Senate races
Jun 19, 2009
Friday Senate Line: Stability Reignshttp://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/the-line/friday-senate-line-stability-r.html
The Senate playing field has remained remarkably stable of late. That's not to say, however, that both parties don't have opportunities left to turn currently non-competitive races into top 10 affairs over the next few weeks and months.
For Republicans, their best chances of creating new competitive races are in Illinois and Arkansas.
In Illinois, appointed Sen. Roland Burris's (D) continued problems and the possibility of a candidacy by moderate Rep. Mark Kirk (R) could give Republicans a real chance at an upset although if state Attorney General Lisa Madigan (D) decides to run for Senate, which is unlikely, this seat comes off the table.
CLW Sends Letter on Missile Defense to House Armed Services Committee
Jun 19, 2009
On June 2, 2009, Representative Ike Skelton introduced H.R.2647, or the FY 2010 National Defense Authorization Act. This bill was approved by the House Armed Services Committee on June 17, 2009.
Thankfully the Democratic members on the Committee were able to thwart Republican efforts to attach amendments to the bill for funding national missile defense programs. The Council for a Livable World played an active part in rebuffing Republicans by sending a letter on June 15th to members of the Armed Services Committee on behalf of national security non-profit community.
The Obama administration under the leadership of Secretary Gates has undertaken a fundamental realignment of the US military. A critical component of the shift in defense policy is to eliminate costly, unproven defense systems of which missile defense is top of the list. Through its rejection of missile defense funding amendments, the House has shown its support of the President's initiative for creating a military that can better meet the challenges of the 21st Century.
Early Progress and Challenges on Nuclear Weapons Issues
Jun 10, 2009
On June 10, John Isaacs gave a talk to a group of advocacy and think tank representatives under the banner of Connect U.S., a network in support of responsible U.S. global engagement through grantmaking, policy advocacy and community-building.
In assessing progress and obstacles in less than four months of the Obama administration, Isaacs said: "To use a playground vernacular, those working on nuclear weapons issues are lucky duckies."
Isaacs pointed out that in January, the Connect US community presented a three point agenda on nuclear weapons issues. The President said thanks, sure I will back these, and raise you several items that you did not call for.
Isaacs added: "Not only that, but we wanted to see high level engagement on our issues. We got that coming out of our ears."
However, Isaacs warned: "But the most important question mark on nuclear issues: our agenda has been endorsed at the highest levels but it is a long way from being negotiated, approved and enacted."
Complete text below.
