In choosing Levin, Democrats went with a consensus builder rather than a firebrand going into the November congressional elections. Levin is a congenial leader who Democrats hope will help move them past Rangel’s ethics problems while providing a steady hand as Congress contends with billions in tax cuts set to expire at the end of the year.
Levin, 78, represents an auto industry district outside Detroit and is the Democrats’ foremost expert on trade, an issue that has been on the back burner since President Obama took office. Levin will serve until Rangel’s ethics case is resolved or a new Congress convenes next year. Associated Press
GOP pitch casts Democrats as characters in cartoons
WASHINGTON - President Obama is “The Joker.’’ Nancy Pelosi is portrayed as Cruella De Vil, and Harry Reid as Scooby Doo - all part of a Republican Party pitch to top fund-raisers.
Tucked into the 72-page PowerPoint presentation to GOP fund-raisers in Boca Raton, Fla., last month, was a direct call to use fear and reactionary sentiments toward Democrats as a strategy.
“What can you sell when you do not have the White House, the House, or the Senate?’’ one slide asks.
“Save the country from tending toward Socialism!’’ it replies.
Political groups and parties often use highly charged language to motivate their base of voters and contributors. But the RNC document is unusual in revealing a strategy in such detail. Republicans tried yesterday to distance themselves from the presentation, which was first reported by the Politico news website.
Still, the Democratic National Committee pounced on the document as “fear mongering.’’
Retiring N.Y. representative faces ethics investigation
WASHINGTON -The House ethics panel is reviewing a complaint against retiring New York Representative Eric Massa by a male staff member who reportedly felt uncomfortable in a situation with Massa and said it had sexual overtones.
The panel issued a statement saying it is “investigating and gathering additional information concerning matters related to allegations involving’’ Massa.
