The Note: The President Is Still Relevant Here
— -- WASHINGTON, Nov. 8
Nothing we could possibly write would survive beyond the now-planned doubleheader of Pelosi (noon) and Bush (1 pm ET) press conferences.
Tomorrow, the two are expected to have lunch together (perhaps with others) at Casa Blanca. When the President learns that the Speaker-Presumptive eats ice cream for breakfast, we think both will view this as the start of a beautiful relationship -- or, at least, a mutually beneficial one.
This morning, the POTUS and Rep. Pelosi had a nice phone chat, at Mr. Bush's initiative, one of many calls he placed to incoming and outgoing leaders of both parties.
So finish getting through your must-read Baker and Vandy (in the Washington Post and including what amounts to John Weaver's announcing John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign on the Senator's behalf LINK and Brownstein in the Los Angeles Times (enjoy him now, before the world loses him again to book leave LINK) and get ready for the contrast in styles, substance, suits, reporters' questions, cadence, staff prep, and purpose that is about to become our collective lives.
At this writing, the Senate races in Montana and Virginia, both of which Democrats need to take control of the upper chamber, hang in suspended animation. Check back to abcnews.com throughout the day for the latest on these two battles. LINK. Both races are sure to have developments throughout the day, maybe even by the time you read this.
In other events today at which credit will be taken, bestowed, and worn lightly:
DNC Chairman Gov. Howard Dean (D-VT) holds a post-election press conference at 10:00 am ET. at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Dean then holds another press conference with Democratic Governors Association Chair Gov. Bill Richardson (D-NM) at 1:30 pm ET in Washington, D.C.
DCCC Chairman Rep. Rahm Emanuel, who all but announced his candidacy for the whip post this morning, holds a briefing with reporters at 11:00 am ET at the DNC in Washington, D.C.
Emanuel's ironically re-elected counterpart, NRCC Chairman Rep Tom Reynolds (R-NY), holds a post-election press conference a bit earlier at 9:30 am ET in Washington DC.
Rep. Harold Ford Jr. (D-TN) holds a press conference at 4:30 pm ET in Memphis, TN.
Former Sen. John Edwards (D-NC) is scheduled this evening to attend the International Rescue Committee's Freedom Award Dinner in New York, NY.
Sherrod Brown holds a press conference from 8:45 am to 9:30 am ET. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cleveland, OH.
Emily's List holds a post-election briefing to celebrate the victory of Democratic women candidates at 2:00 pm ET. in Washington, D.C.
The AARP hosts a discussion "Moving Forward: Midterm Election Results and the New Congress" with Charlie Cook, The Hotline's Chuck Todd, Mike McCurry, former press secretary for President Clinton; Mark McKinnon, media adviser to President Bush; and David Sloane of AARP at 2:30 pm ET. at the National Press Club.
The AFL-CIO hosts a post-election news conference with CEO John Sweeney at 12:30 pm ET. at the AFL-CIO headquarters in Washington, D.C.
The American Conservation Union hosts a news conference at the National Press Club on the "Meaning of the Midterms" for conservationists at 10:00 am ET.
Douglas Schoen, chairman of Penn, Schoen and Berland Associates, and Ed Goeas, president and CEO of the Tarrance Group participate in a conference call to analyze voter turnout and behavior at 10:00 am ET.
Moveon.org hosts a conference call with Anna Greenberg, Vice President of Greenberg Quinlan Rosner; the Executive Director of MoveOn Political Action Eli Pariser; and Tom Matzzie, Washington Director of MoveOn Political Action to analyze the elections in battleground states and discuss the future of Iraq policy at 10:00 am ET.
The League of Conservation Voters, the Sierra Club, Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund, and the Federation of State Conservation Voters hold a news conference on the role of energy policy on the 2006 election at 1:00 p.m. at the National Press Club.
The Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) is scheduled to host a 12:30 pm ET discussion, "Election 2006:Results and Aftermath: The Impact of the Progressive Movement" at the IPS office in Washington, DC.
Let Justice Roll has a 12 noon ET conference call briefing on the impact of values votes and the minimum wage referenda on the 2006 midterm elections with former Rep. Bob Edgar (D-PA) and members of the Let Justice Roll Campaign.
The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and the Business Industry Political Action Committee (BIPAC) have an 11 am ET scheduled briefing to review the results of the 2006 midterm elections at the Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, D.C.
The Israel Project holds a panel discussion at 1:00 pm ET. with Newsweek's Eleanor Clift, the Chicago Tribune's Clarence Page and Jonathan Salant of Bloomberg News. Then, at 2:00 pm ET. they hold a post-election discussion with Stan Greenberg of Greenberg Quinlan Rosner; Neil Newhouse of Public Opinion Strategies; Patrick McCarthy, and Marshall Wittmann from the Democratic Leadership Council in Washington, D.C.
The American Conservative Union holds a press conference to discuss the election results with Chairman David Keene and former House Speaker Dick Armey (R-TX) at 10:00 am ET. at the National Press Club.