From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
The Republican National Committee has been on the defensive this week because of some questionable expenditures.

But it is pushing back today by sending around a list of what the Democratic National Committee has spent money on, including more than $2 million on luxury hotels and caterers, $75,000 for car services, and $262,000 for "other events" at the Kennedy Center, Fenway Park, and a D.C. nightclub.

An e-mail for response to the DNC was not immediately returned. We will update when we hear back.

The full list after the jump:

The DNC Spent At Least $2,204,000 For Luxury Hotels & Caterers, Including:

The DNC Has Spent At Least $423,000 At Mandarin Oriental Hotels. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)

The DNC Spent At Least $530,000 At Hilton Hotels. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)

The DNC Spent At Least $7,000 At The Fontainebleau In Miami Beach. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)

In August, The DNC Spent At Least $125,513 At The Hyatt Hotel In Chicago. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)

The DNC Has Spent At Least $162,787 At The Westin St. Francis In San Francisco. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)

The DNC Has Paid Avalon Caterers At Least $297,708 In The Past 15 Months. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)

In August, The DNC Spent At Least $31,715 At The Waldorf Astoria Hotel. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)

In December, The DNC Spent At Least $12,146 At Beachfront Resort Hotel Del Coronado In San Diego. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)

The DNC Has Spent At Least $92,190 At The Mayflower Hotel. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)

The DNC Spent At Least $48,063 For Events And Lodging At Sheraton Hotels. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)

The DNC Spent At Least $72,314 For Events And Lodging At Hyatt Regency Hotels. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)

In January 2009, The DNC At Least Spent $29,037 At The Henley Park Hotel In Washington, DC. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)
 
In January 2009, The DNC At Least Spent $20,000 At The Marriot Hotel In Washington, DC. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)

The DNC Has Paid Susan Gage Caterers At Least $93,596. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)

In April, The DNC Spent At Least $5,175 At The Hay - Adams Hotel. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)

The DNC Has Spent At Least $30,000 At Loews Hotels. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)

The DNC Has Spent At Least $2,812 At Elysian Beach Resort. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)

The DNC Has Spent At Least $21,724 At Westin Hotels. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)

In April, The DNC Spent At Least $5,752 At The Four Seasons Hotel. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)

In April, The DNC Spent At Least $1,300 At The Beverly Hills Hotel. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)

The DNC Spent At Least $75,000 For Car Services, Including:

The DNC Has Paid At Least $4,464 To Carey International, Inc., A Limousine Service. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)

The DNC Has Paid At Least $2,861 To Arrow Limousine. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)

The DNC Has Paid At Least $12,000 To Singh Car Service. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)

The DNC Has Paid At Least $33,000 To Premiere Transportation. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)

The DNC Has Paid At Least $1,998 To RMA Chauffeured Transportation. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)

The DNC Has Paid At Least $5,481 To R&R Limousine. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)

The DNC Spent At Least $262,000 For Other Events, Including:

The DNC Spent Over $24,000 For Event(s) At The Kennedy Center. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)

The DNC Spent Over $26,000 For Tickets And Catering At Fenway Park. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)

The DNC Spent Over $16,000 At DC Nightclub Josephine. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)

In October, The DNC Spent At Least $63,953.00 At The Standard Club. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)

In January 2009, The DNC Spent At Least $12,293 At Boss Bar In Chicago. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)

The DNC Has Spent At Least $39,802 On Gifts And Trinkets. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)

In December, The DNC Paid The Dallas Cowboys Organization $17,125. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)

In December, The DNC Spent At Least $31,036 At The Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)

In January 2009, The DNC Spent At Least Spent $13,316 At Lucky Strike In Washington, DC. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)

In April, The DNC Spent At Least $11,476 At The St. Louis Club. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)

In August, The DNC Spent At Least $4,557 At The Triple Door Concert Venue In Seattle. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)

In August, The DNC Paid At Least $1,500 At To The Washington Nationals. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)

In December, The DNC Spent At Least At $6,110 The Metropolitan Club In Washington, DC. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)

In January 2010, The DNC Spent At Least Spent $2,782 At Petterino's In Chicago. (Federal Elections Commission, www.fec.gov, Accessed: 3/31/10)

From NBC's Ali Weinberg
President Obama today announced that he would be expanding oil and natural gas drilling to areas off the coasts of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico -- a decision that represents his evolution on the subject since it first arose during the 2008 presidential general election.

"This is not a decision that I've made lightly," Obama said, while speaking to a group of military personnel and energy officials at Andrews Air Force Base late this morning. "But the bottom line is this: Given our energy needs, in order to sustain economic growth, produce jobs, and keep our businesses competitive, we're going to need to harness traditional sources of fuel even as we ramp up production of new sources of renewable, homegrown energy."

The plan, which needs congressional approval to be implemented, would permit drilling off the coast of Virginia, as well as end a moratorium on drilling 125 miles from Florida's west coast. Certain areas of Alaska would also be open to drilling, although the coast of Bristol Bay in southwestern Alaska would remain off limits.

The proposal announced today follows two developments during President George W. Bush's administration. In July 2008, Bush lifted an executive ban on offshore drilling put in place by his father, George H.W. Bush. Months later, Congress allowed a moratorium on offshore drilling to expire. According to the White House, today's only existing moratorium was on Florida's west coast, which Obama today proposed be lifted.

Obama's announcement, his first major declaration on offshore drilling since becoming president, represents a reveral from his remarks on the campaign trail, when he drew a stark division between his views on offshore drilling and those of his opponent, Sen. John McCain, whose views were summed up by the oft-repeated "Drill, baby drill" chant that runningmate Sarah Palin frequently invoked.

At a press conference in Jacksonville, Florida during the general election race, then-candidate Obama said offshore drilling made "absolutely no sense," drawing a clear line between himself and his Republican opponent.

But later during the presidential campaign, Obama said that he would consider offshore drilling as part of a more comprehensive approach to energy production. And during his State of the Union address last January, he said: "To create more of these clean energy jobs, we need more production, more efficiency, more incentives. And that means building a new generation of safe, clean nuclear power plants in this country. It means making tough decisions about opening new offshore areas for oil and gas development."

Today, Obama emphasized that the plan was borne of economic necessity, not political expediency, while also addressing the pushback the plan was likely to receive from both supporters and opponents of offshore drilling.

"We'll be guided not by political ideology, but by scientific evidence," he said. "Ultimately, we need to move beyond the tired debates between right and left, between business leaders and environmentalists, between those who would claim drilling is a cure all and those who would claim it has no place," he added.

Obama's plan drew immediate criticism from both Republicans and environmentalists. House Minority Leader John Boehner issued a press release even before Obama officially made his remarks on the plan, saying the plan does not go far enough. "Keeping the Pacific Coast and Alaska, as well as the most promising resources of the Gulf of Mexico, under lock and key makes no sense at a time when gasoline prices are rising and Americans are asking 'Where are the jobs?'" Boehner said in the statement.

Meanwhile, Sierra Club executive director Michael Brune said his group was "very disappointed" with Obama's announcement. "There's no reason to drill our coasts. We can achieve real energy independence and economic vitality by investing in clean energy like wind and solar and efficiency."

Barbara Bush has been discharged from a hospital in Texas. A "mild relapse" of Graves disease is cited. It is, per the release below, "a thyroid condition" and she had been treated for it 20 years ago. She is "expected to make a full recovery."

Here's the full statement:

Former First Lady Barbara Bush was discharged Wednesday from The Methodist Hospital in Houston after undergoing a series of tests. Doctors believe Mrs. Bush, 84, may have had a mild relapse of her Graves disease, a thyroid condition for which she was treated in 1989. As a result, her physicians at Methodist have adjusted her medication. Upon discharge she was alert, talkative and appeared to be getting stronger as she prepared to return home.

Mrs. Bush arrived Saturday at the hospital, where she received a number of tests including blood tests and imaging studies. Just over a year ago Mrs. Bush received a replacement aortic valve at Methodist, which doctors said is working very well.

Mrs. Bush is expected to make a full recovery and should soon return to her normal activities.

From NBC's Mark Murray
As expected, Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R) today announced that she would complete her Senate term, which expires in 2012, despite earlier promises that she would resign her seat.

Hutchison gave this reason why she was staying: Barack Obama.

"For family reasons, I had planned to begin making a transition home to Texas this spring," Hutchison said, according to a statement. "But it is clear to me that the stakes in our nation's capitol have never been higher. President Obama's victory on health care legislation has emboldened those who want an even bigger and more intrusive federal government."

More: "On a personal level, this has been a most difficult decision, but after much deliberation, I have decided to complete my term. I will work alongside our great Texas congressional delegation to repeal and replace President Obama's massive health bill, to stop cap and trade legislation and to cut the deficit the President is building that is putting our economy in peril."

From NBC's Pete Williams
By a surprisingly strong 7-2 vote, the U.S. Supreme Court today ruled in favor of a non-citizen immigrant, finding that his lawyer's advice was so bad that it violated his constitutional right to a fair trial.

The man, a native of Honduras named Jose Padilla (no relation to the terrorism case subject), has lived in the U.S. for more than 40 years and fought in the American military in Vietnam. In September 2001, he agreed to haul almost 1,000 pounds of marijuana, but his cargo was discovered at a truck weigh station in Kentucky and he was arrested. His lawyer advised him to plead guilty in exchange for a sentence of five years in prison.

The lawyer told Padilla that he did not need to worry about jeopardizing his immigration status, since he had been in the U.S. for so long. That turned out to be bad advice, because the U.S. sought to have him deported. 

Today, the court held that criminal defense lawyers must not only advise their non-citizen clients of the legal punishments that flow from pleading guilty, but also of the risk of deportation. In Padilla's case, the court said, the terms of the immigration law were "succinct, clear and explicit" in defining the consequences of pleading guilty. 

While seven justices ruled in Padilla's favor, two of them -- Chief Justice John Roberts and Samuel Alito -- didn't go as far as the majority on the duty of defense lawyers. They said a lawyer is required only to warn a defendant that a guilty plea could adversely affect their immigration status and that they should therefore consult an immigration lawyer.

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
While Obama opposed offshore drilling in the summer of 2008, he did start talking about a comprehensive energy plan that -- yes -- included offshore drilling, the White House points out.

President Obama "campaigned to increase oil and gas production as part of a comprehensive energy strategy," administration spokesman Ben LaBolt said in an e-mail to First Read. He added, "It's important to note that he said this during the campaign -- this wasn't new when he became president."

He points to the following:

September 2008: Obama Said Part Of America's Energy Strategy Should Include Increasing Domestic Production.  "That means that we, as one of the biggest consumers of oil -- 25 percent of the world's oil -- have to have an energy strategy not just to deal with Russia, but to deal with many of the rogue states we've talked about, Iran, Venezuela.  And that means, yes, increasing domestic production and off-shore drilling, but we only have 3 percent of the world's oil supplies and we use 25 percent of the world's oil. So we can't simply drill our way out of the problem."  [Transcript, First Presidential Debate, 9/26/08]

October 2008: Obama Said, "I Believe In The Need For Increased Oil Production.  We're Going To Have To Explore New Ways To Get More Oil, And That Includes Offshore Drilling." "And let's take the example of energy, which we already spoke about. There is going to be the need for each and every one of us to start thinking about how we use energy.  I believe in the need for increased oil production. We're going to have to explore new ways to get more oil, and that includes offshore drilling. It includes telling the oil companies, that currently have 68 million acres that they're not using, that either you use them or you lose them.  We're going to have to develop clean coal technology and safe ways to store nuclear energy.  But each and every one of us can start thinking about how can we save energy in our homes, in our buildings. And one of the things I want to do is make sure that we're providing incentives so that you can buy a fuel efficient car that's made right here in the United States of America, not in Japan or South Korea, making sure that you are able to weatherize your home or make your business more fuel efficient." [Transcript, Second Presidential Debate, 10/7/08]

Obama picks up the "drill, baby, drill" mantra (although with some important qualifications)… It's a Nixon-goes-to-China-like moment for the president… Romney-care might have lasting power through 2011 and 2012 because the likely GOP presidential candidates agree on almost ALL the issues, a la the '08 Dem field… It looks like Kay Bailey Hutchison is staying the U.S. Senate… Mark Kirk gets boxed in on repeal… Dems see their fortunes turn around in OH? And today's Super Senate Tuesday update: the 9/11 back-and-forth between Trey Grayson and Rand Paul.

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, Domenico Montanaro, and Ali Weinberg
*** Drill, baby, drill: During the 2008 presidential campaign, Republicans of all stripes voiced this battle cry -- "Drill, baby, drill" -- to argue for offshore oil drilling as gas prices spiked to record levels. Then-candidate Barack Obama opposed it, however. ("Offshore drilling would not lower gas prices today," he said. "It would not lower gas prices tomorrow. It would not lower gas prices this year. It would not lower gas prices five years from now. In fact, President Bush's own Energy Department says we won't see a drop of oil from [offshore drilling] until 2017.") But now in what appears to be a Nixon-goes-to-China moment -- as well as a significant departure from the campaign -- President Obama will announce at 11:05 am ET new plans to drill for oil and natural gas off American coasts, the L.A. Times reports. But he will rule out drilling off the West Coast and the coasts above Delaware. "Obama's plans will include opening new areas of coastal Virginia and other parts of the mid-Atlantic region, Alaska and the eastern Gulf of Mexico for drilling. But officials say the president will block drilling in Alaska's Bristol Bay."

*** What say you, Sierra Club? The announcement is stunning for those of us who paid close attention to the presidential race. And it will be yet another test for Obama's Democratic base -- in this case, environmentalists. As the New York Times writes, "But while Mr. Obama has staked out middle ground on other environmental matters -- supporting nuclear power, for example -- the sheer breadth of the offshore drilling decision will take some of his supporters aback." That said, Obama floated this idea at his State of the Union address as perhaps a way to get Republicans to back a comprehensive energy bill. "To create more of these clean energy jobs, we need more production, more efficiency, more incentives," he said in that January speech. "And that means building a new generation of safe, clean nuclear power plants in this country. It means making tough decisions about opening new offshore areas for oil and gas development." Of course, Obama isn't the first major Democrat to make this reversal on oil drilling. During the height of the last major gas price spike, Speaker Pelosi had to relent and allow legislation on oil drilling to go forward as many members of her own caucus wanted to support it. Still, this announcement will be a bitter birthday present for Al Gore, who turns 62 today.

*** We can disagree to agree: As the early jockeying for the 2012 presidential race begins, we and others have asked this question: Just how big of a problem will health care's passage be for Mitt Romney given the fact that Obama-care looks a whole lot like Romney-care? On the one hand, you have folks who believe it's a campaign killer; on the other hand, there are those who wisely point out that health care could be an afterthought a year or two from now. But here's one thing to keep in mind: In a potential 2012 field that could include Romney, Palin, Pawlenty, Thune, Gingrich, or even Daniels, these guys agree pretty much on everything. On abortion. On taxes. On Afghanistan/Iraq. And on Obama's health-care law. So 2011 and early 2012 will largely be fought over the 1% where they disagree vs. the 99% where they agree. And that's why the Obama-care/Romney-care story could be important. Yesterday, Pawlenty walked back some personal criticism of Romney, saying that had Romney still been governor of Massachusetts when his plan was implemented, it wouldn't be in such bad financial shape.

*** 2008 vs. 2012: Indeed, what turned out to be fascinating about the GOP's 2008 presidential field were all the issue contrasts. Rudy Giuliani supported abortion rights; John McCain favored comprehensive immigration reform; Ron Paul opposed the Iraq war; and Romney had once favored abortion rights, expanded gay rights, and stem-cell research. But the 2012 field will probably end up resembling the 2008 Dem one, where the candidates agreed on pretty much everything -- but instead fought over broad themes (change vs. experience), qualifications (who could answer that 3:00 am phone call), and who presented the clearest contrast to Bush. That's why Hillary Clinton's Iraq war vote proved to be so consequential. And so too could the health plan that Romney helped erect in Massachusetts.

*** Shrewd politics: Of course, Obama is being quite shrewd politically in comparing his plan to Romney's, as he did in his interview with NBC's Matt Lauer; after all, if history is a guide, Romney is the most likely GOP nominee (and perhaps the candidate the White House fears most?). "I think that the Republican Party made a calculated decision, a political decision, that they would not support whatever we did," he said in the interview that aired yesterday morning. "And I think that's unfortunate because when you actually look at the bill itself, it incorporates all sorts of Republican ideas. I mean, a lot of commentators have said, you know, this is sort of similar to the bill that Mitt Romney … passed in Massachusetts."

*** KBH going to stick around? At 11:00 am ET today, Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R) is holding a news conference in San Antonio with GOP leaders Mitch McConnell and John Cornyn, the Dallas Morning News reports. A Republican source with knowledge of the decision tells First Read that Hutchison is expected to announce that she is NOT resigning her Senate seat. Remember, Hutchison had said that she would leave the Senate after her March 2 gubernatorial primary against Gov. Rick Perry, which she lost (and lost decisively). A resignation would have triggered a special election for the seat. The GOP source believes that Hutchison will say that she is remaining in the Senate until her term expires in 2012, although she could also announce that she is staying until this year ends. Republican leaders Mitch McConnell and John Cornyn (a fellow Texas senator) will be joining Hutchison at this news conference, which offers the biggest hint as to what she'll be announcing. Expect her to say that she has listened to Texans and her GOP colleagues, and that these times are too important for her to leave the Senate.

*** The appeal of Repeal? It appears that Illinois GOP Senate nominee Mark Kirk has become the first Republican candidate to get boxed in by the debate to repeal the health-care law. Let us recap: First, Kirk signed the Club for Growth's repeal petition and told a closed-press fundraiser that he would lead the effort to repeal the law. Then yesterday, he refused to answer reporters' questions whether he was still intent on repeal. And now the Club for Growth has reminded Kirk of his previous pledge, per Greg Sargent. "He said that he's going to do this," Club for Growth spokesman Mike Connolly said. "We expect him to live up to his pledge." 

*** An Ohio turnaround? A new Quinnipiac poll suggests that Democrats may have regained their mojo in the Buckeye State. In the Senate contest, Dem front-runner Lee Fisher now leads Republican Rob Portman by four points (41%-37%) after trailing Portman by three points (40%-37%) last month. In addition, Obama's approval rating in the state has bounced up from 44%-52% last month to 47%-48% now. And Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland (D) maintains his five-point lead over John Kasich (R). This is a big change in perhaps the country's most important swing state.

*** Super Senate Tuesday: In Kentucky, as we wrote yesterday, Rand Paul and Trey Grayson are battling over 9/11. In a past ad, Grayson claimed that Paul has "strange ideas" on defense, noting his support of closing the Guantanamo Bay prison facility and past statements suggesting Paul downplays the threat of Afghan extremists. "Even though the 9/11 attacks began there, Paul thinks that Afghanistan is not a threat to our national security," Grayson said in the ad released on March 10. But Paul's new 30-second ad first affirms his outrage at the 9/11 attacks and support of the war in Afghanistan. Then it strongly criticizes Grayson for his claims. "America was attacked and fighting back was the right thing to do," Paul says. "Now, desperate Trey Grayson is using 9/11 to attack my integrity and my patriotism." He continues, "Trey Grayson, your shameful TV ad is a lie, and it dishonors you."

*** Other midterm news: In California, Meg Whitman has another TV ad… In Florida's gubernatorial race, Bill McCollum (R) is leading Alex Sink (D) by 15 points (just asking, but who believed that by April 1, 2010, Democrat Bill White would be in better shape in TX GOV than Democrat Alex Sink in FL GOV?)… And also in Florida, Charlie Crist is being hounded by a controversial comment one of his supporters made.

Countdown to IN, NC, and OH primaries: 34 days
Countdown to NE and WV primaries: 41 days
Countdown to AR, KY, OR and PA primaries: 48 days
Countdown to Election Day 2010: 216 days

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The Los Angeles Times: "President Obama will announce new plans to drill for oil and natural gas off America's coasts Wednesday but will rule out drilling off California, Oregon and Washington state through 2017, administration officials say. Obama's plans will include opening new areas of coastal Virginia and other parts of the mid-Atlantic region, Alaska and the eastern Gulf of Mexico for drilling. But officials say the president will block drilling in Alaska's Bristol Bay, where the George W. Bush administration's drilling plans in 2007 angered environmentalists."

The New York Times adds, "But while Mr. Obama has staked out middle ground on other environmental matters -- supporting nuclear power, for example -- the sheer breadth of the offshore drilling decision will take some of his supporters aback."

"President Obama interrupted a diplomatic love fest with visiting French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Tuesday to declare Iran will face tougher international sanctions within weeks," the New York Daily News reports. Obama said, "I'm not interested in waiting months for a sanctions regime to be in place; I'm interested in seeing that regime in place within weeks." 

The Boston Globe: "Governments around the world have long sought Donald Berwick's expertise to help solve stubborn health care problems -- from hospital-acquired infections to medication errors. The 63-year-old pediatrician and Harvard Medical School professor, once considered a rebel for his unconventional ideas about boosting quality care at less cost, is now facing a more daunting challenge: Berwick is President Obama's choice to run the nation's largest health system, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The agency and the nation's health care system are about to undergo dramatic changes, and the Obama administration is under intense pressure to control costs. A White House spokesman confirmed the nomination, expected to be official soon." 

Here's a 2004 Boston Globe profile of Berwick, then dubbed "The Revolutionary."

"Former U.S. President Bill Clinton will co-chair a committee overseeing at least $3.8 billion in post-quake aid to Haiti, the ravaged country's prime minister said," per the New York Daily News.

"Mayor Bloomberg is taking on President Obama for not getting aboard the crusade against illegal guns," The New York Post reports. "In a harsh March 3 letter, the mayor urged the president to move the gun issue to the top of his agenda or risk responsibility for lives lost to ongoing gun violence. 'Further delay will almost certainly result in the needless loss of innocent lives, including many children,' the mayor wrote in a letter co-signed by Boston Mayor Thomas Menino. 'Mr. President, the time has come for action.'"

"Massachusetts Senator John Kerry -- who is juggling climate change, aid to Pakistan and Congressional oversight of the war in Afghanistan -- plunges this week into yet another major international conundrum: Middle East peace," the Globe writes. "Kerry departs today to the region 'to investigate the political situation in Syria and Lebanon and the prospects for progress in the Arab-Israeli Peace Process,' according to a schedule provided by his office."

"Rep. Mike Pence has apologized to Sen. Chris Dodd over a policy brief that included a personal attack," The Hill writes. 

"Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) was hospitalized Monday for an irregular heartbeat, less than one week after the 65-year-old was treated for a bacterial infection," Roll Call writes.

The Hill looks at the relationship Michael Steele has with congressional Republican leaders: "Republican leaders in Congress have moved to distance themselves from GOP national chairman Michael Steele, but that job will become more difficult as the spotlight on the midterm election intensifies.

"A GOP lawmaker who requested anonymity said the Republican National Committee chairman's relationship with House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is 'not good at all.' The legislator added, 'Steele lacks a base of support. The donors, the activists will all drop him if they sense he might squander the electoral opportunity of the decade.'"

CALIFORNIA: Gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman released another TV ad, laying out her 48 page plan for California.

FLORIDA: "A new poll confirms that Attorney General Bill McCollum has widened his lead over state Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink in the race for governor of Florida. McCollum, the leading Republican in the race, beat Sink, the likely Democratic nominee, by 15 points in the poll -- 49 percent for McCollum to 34 percent for Sink, with 17 percent undecided."

MISSOURI: "A Missouri man is counting on write-in votes -- and racist radio ads -- to catapult him into the United States Senate," The New York Daily News reports. "69-year-old bigot Glenn Miller, a leader of the White Patriot's Party during the 1980s, has paid for a series of offensive advertisements to be played on a local station. And there apparently is nothing the radio station can do about it. … One of the statements Miller makes in his ads includes, 'Jews control the federal government and the media. Surely you don't still believe white men are in control, do ya? It's the Jews, stupid.' In another, he states: 'The future of white children will be a nightmare.'" He also ran in 2006 and got 40 votes. 

NEVADA: Dawn Gibbons, the soon-to-be-divorced wife of Gov. Jim Gibbons, took to the airwaves yesterday for a new radio show, the Reno Gazette-Journal reports. Today, she interviews Republican Brian Sandoval, her husband's primary challenger. "Only in Nevada does a soon-to-be ex-wife interview a man vying for her husband's job," the Gazette-Journal writes.

PENNSYLVANIA: "Businessman Tim Burns (R) is the first candidate to hit the TV airwaves in the special election to fill the late Rep. John Murtha's (D-Pa.) seat. The 30-second spot, 'Storyville,' is a biographical ad showcasing Burns' roots in the southwestern 12th district," Roll Call writes. 

"The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO [yesterday] endorsed Sen. Arlen Specter in the upcoming Democratic primary, a powerful affirmation of how smoothly the five-term incumbent has completed his transition since leaving the Republican Party less than a year ago," the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

SOUTH CAROLINA: "One day after filing for re-election to a 15th term, House Budget Chairman John Spratt (D-S.C.) revealed Tuesday night that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease," Roll Call reports. 

TENNESSEE: "With one day to go before Tennessee's filing deadline, its safe to say that Democrats are waving the white flag in the race to hold the seat of retiring Rep. Bart Gordon (D) in Middle Tennessee's 6th district," CQ reports, pointing out that "no top-tier Democrat" has entered the race yet. 

WEST VIRGINIA: "It's unusual for Rep. Alan Mollohan (D-W.Va.) to face opposition from a fellow Democrat," Roll Call writes. "And the rare primary Mollohan is facing this year in the northern 1st district is atypical in that state Sen. Mike Oliverio is challenging him from the right and not the left."

From NBC's Ali Weinberg
At his second bill-signing ceremony in two weeks, President Obama today signed into law legislation that not only "fixes" the already-passed health-care overhaul but also reforms the student loan system.
 
Obama said that this student loan reform, when paired with the health-care law, represented the ability of Washington to overcome political gridlock and accomplish major legislation.
 
"Today we mark an important milestone on the road to health insurance reform and higher education reform. But more broadly, this day affirms our ability to overcome the challenges of our politics and meet the challenges of our time," the president said, speaking to a boisterous crowd at Northern Virginia Community College, an institution where Dr. Jill Biden, the vice president's wife, teaches English. Dr. Biden also introduced Obama at the event.
 
Obama said that the legislation he signed into law today -- the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act -- will end government subsidies to banks to provide loans to college students, transferring that responsibility to private companies under contracts with the Department of Education. Ending those subsidies will free up $68 million for deficit reduction and college affordability, he said.
 
"For almost two decades we've been trying to fix a sweetheart deal in federal law that allows banks to act as unnecessary middle men," Obama said, taking a lexical cue from Republicans criticizing state-specific deals in the health-care legislation designed to get holdout conservative Democrats on board.
 
The legislation will also invest more than $40 million in Pell Grants, and increase the amount of individual grants to almost $6,000, which Obama said would prevent inflation from eroding the value of the grants.
 
Students who have graduated will face relaxed loan repayment rules beginning in July 2014. Borrowers will be able to cap their repayments at 10 percent of their discretionary income and have the balance forgiven after 20 years if they keep to their repayment schedule.
 
President Obama added that the legislation would make it easier for students to fill out the Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
 
"It shouldn't take a Ph.D. to apply for financial aid," Obama quipped.

From NBC's Mark Murray
In his interview with NBC's Matt Lauer on "TODAY," President Obama used the conservative Heritage Foundation as an example of how the health-care law has incorporated GOP and conservative ideas.

[W]hen you actually look at the bill itself, it incorporates all sorts of Republican ideas. I mean, a lot of commentators have said, you know, this is sort of similar to the bill that Mitt Romney, the Republican governor and now presidential candidate, passed in Massachusetts. A lot of the ideas in terms of the exchange, just being able to pool and improve the purchasing power of individuals in the insurance market. That originated from the Heritage Foundation.

Not surprisingly, Heritage Foundation President Ed Feulner has fired back at the president in a blog post. While he doesn't exactly refute that the health exchanges are based on the conservative think tank's market-based ideas, Feulner contends that they go too far in regulations and federal standards.

But the President knows full well—or he ought to learn before he speaks—that the exchanges we and most others support are very different from those in his package. True exchanges are simply a market mechanism to enable families to choose their health insurance. President Obama's exchanges, by contrast, are a vehicle to introduce sweeping regulation and federal standardization on health insurance.

From NBC's Ali Weinberg
The national security sparring match between Kentucky GOP Senate candidates Trey Grayson and Rand Paul continues, with the release of Paul's newest TV ad. In it, Paul counters Grayson's accusations that he would be weak on national security issues. 
 
In a past ad, Grayson claimed that Paul has "strange ideas" on defense, noting his support of closing the Guantanamo Bay prison facility and past statements suggesting Paul downplays the threat of Afghan extremists.
 
"Even though the 9/11 attacks began there, Paul thinks that Afghanistan is not a threat to our national security," Grayson said in the ad released on March 10. 
 
Paul's new 30-second ad first affirms his outrage at the 9/11 attacks and support of the war in Afghanistan. Then it strongly criticizes Grayson for his claims.
 
"America was attacked and fighting back was the right thing to do," Paul says. "Now, desperate Trey Grayson is using 9/11 to attack my integrity and my patriotism." He continues, "Trey Grayson, your shameful TV ad is a lie, and it dishonors you."

[Youtube:2J8iCWJ5UME]

In an interview with NBC's Lauer, Obama calls health care law "a critical first step" and "middle of the road"… Says the GOP made a calculated decision to defeat the legislation… Remarks that Afghan President Karzai is listening, but that his progress "is too slow"… Admits that he hasn't changed the polarized political culture in DC yet… USA Today/Gallup poll finds no bounce for Obama, while a CNN poll shows a five-point bump… RNC's problems have turned Steele and the committee into a punching bag… And introducing "Super Senate Tuesday."

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, Domenico Montanaro, and Ali Weinberg
*** Obama on 'TODAY': In his first interview since health care's passage, President Obama told NBC's Matt Lauer that the law he signed into law last week -- as well as the reconciliation fixes he signs into law later this morning-- is "a critical first step in making a health-care system that works for all Americans." Obama added, "It's not gonna be the only thing. We're still gonna have adjustments that have to be made to further reduce costs." Asked to respond to the fact that not a single Republican voted for the legislation, he answered, "I think that the Republican Party made a calculated decision, a political decision, that they would not support whatever we did… And I think that's unfortunate because when you actually look at the bill itself, it incorporates all sorts of Republican ideas. I mean, a lot of commentators have said, you know, this is sort of similar to the bill that Mitt Romney … passed in Massachusetts."

*** Middle of the road: "So it's all politics?" Lauer followed up. Obama's reply: "I will say that any objective observer looking at this bill would say that this is a middle-of-the-road centrist approach to providing coverage to people and making sure that we are also reducing costs." More Obama: "What I've tried to say throughout is I will continually reach out to Republicans. I will continue to incorporate their ideas even when they don't vote for the ideas that I've presented. But what I'm not gonna be dissuaded from is us going ahead taking on these big challenges that are critical in terms of America's long-term economic health."

*** Karzai is listening, but progress is too slow: Asked whether Afghanistan President Karzai is getting it on the importance to end the corruption in that country, Obama answered: "I think he is listening, but I think that progress is too slow. And what we've been trying to emphasize is the fierce urgency of now… Look, obviously this is a country that has been stressed in war one way or another for decades now. It's not gonna transform itself overnight. But my hope is that President Karzai can recognize the incredible opportunity he has to be the father of a modern Afghanistan."

*** I haven't solved the political culture in DC yet: And Lauer asked Obama this provocative question: After the divisive health-care debate, do you have a different opinion of the job George W. Bush did in office? "You know, I think that having sat in the Oval Office as president, I am much more sympathetic to all presidents generally," he responded. "Because what is true is that there are big tough decisions that you make. And you know that unless you try to avoid those problems, whatever you decide is gonna make some people happy and some people unhappy. And I think there's things that George Bush has done that were smart and the right thing to do, I've said that before." But then Obama mentioned the polarization in DC -- a topic he even brought up in his speech in Afghanistan on Sunday. "There's something about the political culture here in Washington that is a chronic problem. I haven't solved it yet." It's truly remarkable that the president felt the need to bring up, ON HIS OWN, the polarization in his speech to troops in Afghanistan. Remember, there isn't a heated debate about the war in Afghanistan right now; the president was referring to DOMESTIC politics in his troop speech; more remarkable when framed that way.

*** Where's the bounce? This question was commonly asked during the 2008 presidential campaign, especially after Obama finally defeated Hillary Clinton in the primary season. And it's a question that folks are going to ask after this new USA Today/Gallup poll, which shows Obama with a 47%-50% approval rating after health care's passage. What's more, the survey finds that nearly two-thirds believe that the health overhaul costs too much and that it expands the government's role too much. And: "Half call passage of the bill 'a bad thing' and 47% 'a good thing.' That differs from a one-day USA TODAY poll taken March 22 -- a day after the House approved the legislation -- in which a 49%-40% plurality called the bill 'a good thing.'" On the other hand, however, a new CNN poll shows Obama's approval rising from 46% to 51% since health care's passage. Bottom line: Post-health care, there's, at best, only an improvement in the intensity of the president's support. But the same level of intensity against him is still there.

*** Obama's day: As mentioned above, President Obama signs the health-care reconciliation fixes and also student-loan reform into law at Northern Virginia Community College at 11:05 am. Then, at 3:00 pm, he meets in the Oval Office with French President Sarkozy (which is closed to the press). And at 6:30 pm, Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama have dinner with Sarkozy and his wife, Carla Bruni.

*** Risqué Business: Yesterday's news about the RNC -- that it approved (among other things) a $2,000 charge at a sex-themed West Hollywood nightclub -- is just the latest embarrassment to trickle out of the committee in Michael Steele's year-plus tenure as chairman. In fact, Steele's embarrassments/gaffes are now too many to count: Calling abortion a "personal choice"… Saying Rush Limbaugh was an "entertainer" who was "ugly" and "incendiary" (although later apologizing)… Giving paid speeches… Doubting that the GOP could win back control of Congress this year… Going on a book tour (without other GOP officials knowing about it)… And holding the RNC's winter meeting in Hawaii, after criticizing the Obama administration's spending during a recession. To top it off, the usually deep-pocketed RNC has just $9.4 million in the bank after starting with $22 million cash on hand at the beginning of Steele's tenure. 

*** Nightmare on 310 First Street: None of these embarrassments/gaffes, individually, is a problem. But collectively, they've turned Steele and the RNC into an easy target for ridicule. The RNC is supposed to be about two things: money and message. And it hasn't managed either well. The RNC did act as fast as it could in dismissing the staffer who approved of the $2,000 charge. But the episode raises the question of whether Steele is running a tight ship. And while this sex club issue is a "talker" for the chattering class, it also brings attention to what has been lackluster fundraising for the RNC. Already, we've heard plenty of anecdotes of how the three other national GOP committees (RGA, NRSC, and NRCC) raise money against Steele -- at least with big donors. This will only make it easier for them to continue this quiet campaign. It also means Steele's got a big fat target on his head post-midterms, especially if fundraising continues to be mediocre by RNC standards and the GOP comes up short at the ballot box. Of course, this story also has exploded because of the relatively quiet news week. What if the Daily Caller had uncovered this story two weeks ago in the midst of the health care finale?

*** The Steele routine: Politico's Martin makes a very good point: "It has almost become routine now: There is some controversy surrounding Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, Republican professionals are embarrassed, some of them gripe about the latest episode and then they move on -- until it happens again. This is not to discount the latest revelations of a consultant's apparent night out at party expense at a not-so-family-friendly West Hollywood nightclub... But like the many other reports involving Steele that make GOP operatives cringe, this one isn't likely to change these political facts of life: He is the party chairman through January of next year and will be so until either a) he resigns or b) he's forced out by a two-thirds vote of the national committee... What will be interesting, though, is what moves are made by party elders after the midterms. Should Steele consider another term, there will almost certainly be an effort to either ease him out pre-emptively or at least find somebody to take him on." 

*** Super Senate Tuesday: Today through May 18, we're going to have daily updates on the fantastic Dem and GOP primaries that will take place that third Tuesday in May -- Lincoln vs. Halter in Arkansas, Grayson vs. Paul in Kentucky, Conway vs. Mongiardo in Kentucky, and Specter vs. Sestak in Pennsylvania. Today's updates: In Arkansas, Bill Halter has a new TV ad portraying himself as the outsider in his race against Blanche Lincoln. ("Washington and Wall Street reject these values and line their pockets with insider deals and stick Arkansas families with the bill. I'm Bill Halter and I approve this message because it's past time we had a Senator who will stand up to special interests and put Arkansas families first."). 

*** More midterm news: In the next two or three weeks, the Arizona Republican Party will decide whether to close its August primary only to Republican voters, a party spokesman tells First Read. (Currently, statewide GOP primaries in Arizona are open to independents and other third-party voters.) This decision could have a BIG impact on the McCain-vs.-Hayworth Senate contest, because limiting the August primary only to Republicans could end up benefiting Hayworth -- despite all that McCain has done to put himself in a position to win in August. By the way, this decision also has an impact on the governor's race. Acting Gov. Jan Brewer (R) is facing a tough primary as well. This decision will tell us just how much influence McCain has inside the STATE party, something that's been a question mark over the years.

Countdown to IN, NC, and OH primaries: 35 days
Countdown to NE and WV primaries: 42 days
Countdown to AR, KY, OR and PA primaries: 49 days
Countdown to Election Day 2010: 217 days

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"During a February RNC trip to Los Angeles, a $1,946.25 tab was racked up at Voyeur, a West Hollywood nightclub that features topless dancers and has been a hangout for Lindsay Lohan and other celebs," the New York Post writes. "A red-faced spokesman for the RNC said the group was reclaiming the cash from a donor who wrongly got reimbursed, and said the expenses were improper in the first place. He said RNC Chairman Michael Steele didn't go to the nightclub… Voyeur features a net suspended from the ceiling where topless women perform, and a glass booth with even racier performances, according to reviews."  
 
The Washington Post: "The RNC spent more than $17,000 on private jet travel in February as well as nearly $13,000 for limousines and car services, and also ran up tabs at luxe hotels including the Beverly Hills Hotel ($9,000); the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons ($6,600) and the W Hotel in Washington ($15,000). The GOP's controversial midwinter meeting in Hawaii ended up costing the party $43,000 in expenses, not including airfare, the records show. Steele has come under steady fire for his financial stewardship of the organization. The RNC had more than $22 million on hand when Steele arrived last year, but is down to under $10 million now despite raising $96 million during that time, records show."  
 
The RNC "fired an unidentified staff member as a result of the disbursement and emphasized Monday that Steele had not visited the club and was not aware of the expenditure. The reimbursement went to Erik Brown, a Southern California GOP donor who has spent time with Steele in the past and whose marketing firm has earned more than $160,000 from the RNC and other Republican committees, according to campaign disclosure records."  
 
The New York Times profiles the club: "High-end strip clubs here -- where patrons shell out hundreds in "bottle fees" to sip vodka and Champagne and watch women conduct all manner of business -- are a far cry from their hole-in-the-wall-with-a-stripper-pole counterparts in small cities. The clubs are often used by high rollers, couples and celebrities as hang-out spots to see, be seen and, well, see a lot more. And in Los Angeles, strip clubs are often at the crossroads of acting, modeling and a job that pays the bills… 'The dancers are beautiful, and the S-and-M show was fantastic,' a reviewer from Washington wrote on Yelp.com. 'Wish we had places like this back in D.C.!'"  
 
The New York Daily News' lead: "Talk about grand ol' partying."  
 
The Hill: "Monday's news fit into a long-running storyline about heavy spending. The committee suffers from a high burn rate.  It spent about $15 million more than it raised under Steele last year, and in February it continued to lose money. Steele has drawn heat for spending $18,500 to redecorate his personal office, and for increasing spending on chartered flights and limousines. It was also rereported Monday that Steele was looking into buying a private jet."  
 
Mitt Romney was in Iowa yesterday, where he defended his role as it relates to health care in Massachusetts. "Mitt Romney offered an enthusiastic defense last night of the comprehensive health care law he helped create four years ago in Massachusetts, even as he pointed to crucial distinctions between it and a similar national program enacted last week by Democrats," the Boston Globe says. Romney said, "Overall, ours is a model that works. We solved our problem at the state level. Like it or not, it was a state solution. Why is it that President Obama is stepping in and saying 'one size fits all'?" 

Politico's Martin examines whether Romney should go "all in" to win Iowa, if he decides to run for president in 2012. "In an interview, former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, who is now running to reclaim his old job and enjoys a wide lead in early polling against incumbent Democratic Gov. Chet Culver, suggested that Romney wouldn't be punished were he to not go all-in here again. 'I think he should play in Iowa, but he maybe overplayed in the last go-round,' said Branstad, who will play an influential role in the 2012 presidential caucus should he win in November."

"He added: 'I don't think you want to run against Iowa, [but] I'm not saying you've got to make Iowa the be all to end all.'" 

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty will conduct a town hall via Facebook on Wednesday. As a Pawlenty source emails First Read: "It's going to work like a regular campaign-style town hall, except he'll stand in front of web cam instead of group of constituents. Instead, the constituents will be in front of computers all over the country, and can ask questions via instant messaging technology. The questions will not be edited; the Governor will try to answer as many as possible.

"President Barack Obama is asking the vice president's wife to convene a White House summit on community colleges," the AP writes. "White House officials said Tuesday that Jill Biden's office would release details about the summit in coming weeks."

The AP looks at Obama's humor: "Does Barack Obama have a funny bone? The president certainly doesn't seem to see himself as a natural comic. But more often than he gets credit for, he flashes a sharp and wry humor. It's an important component of his style, helping to humanize an otherwise detached persona in ways that could prove valuable in the political wars ahead."

"Ex-Rep. Nathan Deal (R-Ga.) denied charges that he abused his Congressional office for personal gain, according to a letter released Monday by the Office of Congressional Ethics as part of its investigation of the former lawmaker," Roll Call writes, adding, "Deal, who resigned from the House on March 21 in favor of his gubernatorial campaign, denied any wrongdoing in a letter published with the report, and his attorney criticized the document as "inaccurate" in an interview Monday."

NRSC Chairman John Cornyn is releasing this memo this morning on the health-care law. "Just hours after popping the champagne and patting themselves on the back for passing a trillion dollar government health care plan that raises taxes by hundreds of millions of dollars, reality is setting in for the Democrats. The Department of Labor reported last Friday that the already-high unemployment rate rose again in 27 states during the month of February 2010, setting records in four states."

More: "Businesses across the country -- including American job creators John Deere and Caterpillar -- announced that this massive legislation will cost their shareholders tens of millions of dollars, placing them in an even more vulnerable economic position against their global competitors. AT&T announced that they would assess, and likely reduce, the health care benefits provided currently to employees. California reported that the bill will add another $2 to $3 billion annually in increased costs, which will ultimately be passed on to taxpayers in the form of higher fees and property taxes. And critical state industries – such as the ski industry in New Hampshire and Colorado – announced they will likely hire fewer workers because they simply cannot afford the higher costs and mandates resulting from this bill."

CONNECTICUT: Businessman Peter Schiff (R), who has until recently been running an under-the-radar campaign for Connecticut's open Senate seat, released his first TV ad. Schiff doesn't mention his party affiliation and sounds many of the Tea Party themes of liberty and freedom. 

Mitt Romney endorsed former Ireland ambassador Tom Foley for governor, Hotline reports. 

FLORIDA: The Washington Post's Cillizza on Democratic candidate Kendrick Meeks challenges in a general election match-up: Meek has to raise enough money to get up on the air -- no cheap proposition in a state the size of Florida -- early and begin to tell his story to voters before his Republican opponent has a chance to tell it for him. 

ILLINOIS: The Chicago Sun-Times looks at Rep. Mark Kirk's brush with death and how it relates to his being against cuts in Coast Guard funding. 
 
IOWA: Former Gov. Terry Branstad (R) is up with his first TV ad in his bid to try and become governor again.  
 
NEVADA: Long-shot Republican U.S. Senate candidate John Chachas plans to begin running his first TV ads starting Tuesday, one focused on his biography and the other on his business experience, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports. The New York investment banker who grew up in Ely is fighting the perception that he's a carpetbagger returning to Nevada after living 20 years out of state to run for Sen. Harry Reid's seat. 

SOUTH CAROLINA: John Spratt has filed for re-election.

WISCONSIN: A Research 2000 poll conducted for the liberal blog Daily Kos shows Sen. Russ Feingold up just four points to potential Republican challenger Tommy Thompson, 48% to 44%.

From NBC's Luke Russert
The Philadelphia Inquirer reports:

A Philadelphia man has been arrested and charged with threatening to kill the Republican party whip in the U.S. House of Representatives, officials announced today.

The FBI says Norman Leboon, 38, told investigators he was the "son of the god of Enoch" and that he had posted a video on the Internet threatening the lives of Rep. Eric Cantor of Virginia and his family.

An FBI affidavit makes no mention of an incident last Tuesday when a bullet smashed through a window at Cantor's campaign office in Richmond about 1 a.m. Police have said their investigation indicated the bullet was a stray from a randomly fired handgun.

According to the affidavit, Leboon allegedly said in the video: "Remember Eric . . . our judgment time, the final Yom Kippur has been given. You are a liar, you're a Lucifer, you're a pig, a greedy [expletive] pig. You're an abomination. You receive my bullets in your office. Remember they will be placed in your heads. You and your children are Lucifer's abominations."

Cantor's office had this to say: "Over the weekend, Congressman Cantor was notified by law enforcement that a threat was made against his life. Law enforcement officials informed Congressman Cantor that the threat was determined as credible and they were responding accordingly. The Congressman was later notified that an arrest was made and a suspect was in custody."

From NBC's Will Brown
A day after the two Republican candidates running for Florida's open senate seat debated, the Democrat in the race, Rep. Kendrick Meek, held a conference call with reporters announcing his qualification for the election by petition.

"A Democrat qualifying by petition is historic," Meek claimed. "It's a lot to have someone sign their name and give their personal information to put me on the ballot."

Florida election law allows candidates to pay a $10,000 filing fee to qualify for the ballot or submit 112,476 signatures to the Supervisor of Elections. Meek will be the first statewide candidate to qualify by petition when his campaign submits roughly 145,000 signatures today.

Meek added that this petition will "propel the campaign forward," despite the overwhelming national focus on the Republican primary battle between Gov. Charlie Crist and former state speaker Marco Rubio.

"It gives me something they don't have," he said. "It allows me to come from the perspective of listening to Floridians and approaching this election in a way no other candidate is doing."

Meek said that he lost count of how many signatures he personally collected, but that he was "very active" in the collection process.

"We feel good about this victory and moving forward," he concluded.

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
First Read has verified some of the charges the Republican National Committee approved in its March Monthly report, including almost $2,000 spent at a sex-themed nightclub in West Hollywood, as well as more than $15,000 spent at ritzy Beverly Hills hotels.

First Read also found more than $1,500 in "equipment rental" charges from "Casino Parties" in Tampa, FL.

The Web site Club Planet describes the sex-themed club, Voyeur West Hollywood, this way:

"In Los Angeles, it takes a lot to shock and awe. When you walk into Voyeur on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood, you might not be completely shocked at the almost naked women writhing on each other but you will undoubtedly be in awe. Voyeur is an intimate space, provocative and sexy, sophisticated and interesting. Inspired by Eyes Wide Shut and London lounge, Annabelle's of London, Voyeur transports you to a world of risqué sexuality and eroticism.  In fact, even if you tried to escape looking at the naked women all around you, you would ultimately fail.  But then again, why would you even try?

"Of course the guests are sexy, but the walls are also lined with black and white pictures of beautiful naked girls from decades past while temptresses wearing nothing more than pasties and a black thong "stretch" on tables or in large glass boxes.  Yes, the women don't strip or show off their outdone go-go girl dance moves. Instead, they hold onto ropes on the walls and literally stretch, like yoga class but much sexier (and probably more naked). 

"And in case you are thinking "oh boy, ANOTHER club with glass boxes filled with naked dancing girls", pull yourself together and tell yourself you are actually looking at history because the glass casements in Voyeur are actually windows from the old New York Times building in Manhattan, from the 1920's.  Voyeur is less classy and classic and more classic-slutty, but we are in Los Angeles so that vibe works just fine.

"Voyeur feels intimate and rich, with metal chandeliers precariously hanging above you, black leather drapery and reupholstered antique chairs that are synched like  tight corsets. Voyeur also serves hors d'oeuvres from Chef Micah Wexler (formerly of Craft) and many cocktails that are sugar-free and all organic. Cocktails like blueberry mint and shots like cucumber olive are winners, while their watermelon jalapeno cocktail should be avoided like clothing… unless you would like an up close and personal tour of Voyeur's bathroom."

The Web site for Casino Parties, Inc., describes itself this way:

"Now let's meet Lady Luck. with a spin of the wheel, a cut of the cards and a roll of the dice, ride the adrenaline rush of non-stop casino games. Casino Parties, Inc. brings the thrills and glamour of the Las Vegas Strip right to your door. We provide all the action of a big-time casino, including your favorite games like Blackjack, Craps and Roulette. It's all in fun with no actual gambling involved. Whatever your theme, from Black Tie to Western, our  20,000 sq.  ft. warehouse will deliver the action. From intimate settings in private homes to a lavish ballroom extravaganza, you can leave the details to us."

RNC spokesman Doug Heye responded in a statement about the revelation of some of the charges by the Web site The Daily Caller: 

"We are investigating the expenditure in question. The story willfully and erroneously suggests that the expenditure in question was one belonging to the Chairman. This was a reimbursement made to an individual not on committee staff. The Chairman was never at the location in question, he had no knowledge of the expenditure, nor does he find the use of committee funds at such a location at all acceptable. Good reporting would make that distinction crystal clear. The committee has requested that the monies be returned to the committee and that the story be corrected so that it is accurate."

Regarding the story itself, it is riddled with misleading information and inaccuracies.

1. Steele's spokesman, Doug Heye, did not deny that such discussions took place, responding that the RNC never had a "plan" to buy a plane. "I don't know what somebody might have discussed or might not have discussed." – This was during our off the record conversation Friday, yet the reporter included it on the record.

2. Steele's office repeatedly refused to explain in specific terms the circumstances of the February charter flights. – This is factually inaccurate. I personally told the reporter on Friday about the specific flights.

3. Steele himself declined numerous interview requests. This is factually inaccurate. Steele himself never declined anything; I did.

4. The piece repeated talks about "Steele's expenses," when quite often they are finance/fundraising expenses and not just for the expenditure in question. Though I made a clear distinction with Jonathan, his story fails to do so.

Here are the specific charges verified by First Read:

- $6596.66: AMERICAN EXPRESS
- $6596.66: FOUR SEASONS BEVERLY WILSHIRE, BEVERLY HILLS, CA 90212
- $9099.18: AMERICAN EXPRESS
- $9099.18: BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL, 9641 SUNSET BLVD, BEVERLY HILLS, CA 90210
- $1946.25: VOYEUR WEST HOLLYWOOD, 7969 SANTA MONICA BLVD, WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA
CASINO PARTIES, INC, 8710 W. HILLSBOROUGH AVE, SUITE 312, TAMPA, FL 33615, "EQUIPMENT RENTAL":
- $150
- $450
- $450
- $450

From NBC's Scott Foster and Mark Murray
President Obama will throw the ceremonial first pitch at the Washington National's opening game against the Phillies next Monday, according to White House officials.

Obama did not throw the first pitch on Opening Day last year. But he did throw the ceremonial first pitch at the All-Star game.

From NBC's Pete Williams
Federal prosecutors say members of a Michigan-based militia planned to kill a local policeman -- and then attack the law enforcement officers who gathered in Michigan for the funeral.

According to court documents, the plan was to attack law enforcement vehicles during a funeral procession with homemade bombs.

Prosecutors say one of the militia members downloaded information about how to build the devices from the Internet and emailed diagrams of them to someone he believed was capable of making them. The militia member directed his son and others to begin gathering the materials requires to make them.

Justice Department officials say that nine people -- six from Michigan, two from Ohio, and one from Indiana -- have been charged in what they say was this plot to attack local police. 

It's clear that the FBI has had this group under close watch for months, and had the capacity to shut it down whenever investigators believed it was planning to go operational, which is just what happened over the weekend.

Obama returns from his surprise visit to Afghanistan… A more combative Obama makes 15 recess appointments… Dems close enthusiasm gap, according to Washington Post poll… Republicans have an enthusiasm gap over the Census, which could possibly cost them congressional seats… Wrapping up Sunday's Crist-vs.-Rubio debate… Wrapping up Palin campaigning against Harry Reid in Searchlight, NV… And Meg Whitman spends $4 per second? Wow.

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, Domenico Montanaro, and Ali Weinberg
*** Obama's surprise visit: President Obama clearly didn't want the most successful (and consequential) week of his presidency to end. Yesterday, he made a surprise visit to Afghanistan, where he reportedly pressured Afghan President Karzai and also spoke to U.S. troops. "I want you to understand, there's no visit that I considered more important than this visit," Obama said. "So my main job here today is to say thank you on behalf of the entire American people." It was fitting that he ended the week in a military setting, given that the week was perhaps his most combative as president (pushing health care over the finish line, apparently talking tough with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, and making his first batch of recess appointments). Obama is set to return to the White House later this morning, and he will sit down for an interview with NBC's Matt Lauer, which will air on "TODAY" tomorrow morning.

*** Recess time! Less surprising over the weekend was Obama's decision to make his first recess appointments as president -- 15 of them to be exact, including controversial National Labor Relations Board pick Craig Becker, whose nomination was filibustered last month by Senate Republicans and two Democrats. The recess appointments will be able to serve through 2011 without Senate confirmation. "The United States Senate has the responsibility to approve or disapprove of my nominees," Obama said in a statement on Saturday. "But if, in the interest of scoring political points, Republicans in the Senate refuse to exercise that responsibility, I must act in the interest of the American people and exercise my authority to fill these positions on an interim basis." As the New York Times reported, "Mr. Obama's action puts him on a par with Mr. Bush, who had made 15 recess appointments by this point in his presidency… [D]uring the course of his two terms in office, he made a total of 171 recess appointments, although 72 were to part-time positions, according to the Congressional Research Service. President Clinton made 139 recess appointments."

*** Obama's week: Later today, Obama participates in a credentialing ceremony for foreign ambassadors. On Tuesday, in Northern Virginia, he will sign the reconciliation bill (with its fixes to health care and its change in student loans) into law. On Wednesday, he will speak at the Joint Base Andrews Naval Air Facility Washington. On Thursday, he heads to Portland, ME to promote the health-care law. And on Friday -- on the day the new job numbers come out -- Obama travels to Charlotte, NC to talk about the economy.

*** Closing the enthusiasm gap: As we said on Friday, perhaps the biggest result for Democrats from health care's passage -- at least in the short term -- was energizing a previously ho-hum Democratic base. And now we have poll numbers backing that up. In a new Washington Post survey, 76% of registered Democrats said they were enthusiastic about the upcoming midterms, versus 75% of registered Republicans who said that. While this is just one poll, it's the first we've seen in a long time where Democrats break even with Republicans on such a question. By the way, the poll shows Democrats with a four-point advantage (48%-44%) among registered voters on a generic ballot test.

*** Another enthusiasm gap -- over the Census: Could Republicans' anti-government sentiments end up costing them congressional seats after the Census? Check out this Houston Chronicle article: "As of Friday afternoon, only 27 percent of Texas households had filled in and returned their census forms — well below the national average of 34 percent — according to computer data from the U.S. Census Bureau… In Texas, some of the counties with the lowest census return rates are among the state's most Republican, including Briscoe County in the Panhandle, 8 percent; King County, near Lubbock, 5 percent; Culberson County, near El Paso, 11 percent; and Newton County, in deep East Texas, 18 percent."

*** Crist vs. Rubio: Yesterday's televised Crist-Rubio debate wasn't your normal first debate, where the candidates refrain from engaging. Rubio was really debating the Obama administration more than Crist, casting himself as someone who would stand up to President Obama in the U.S. Senate, a la Jim DeMint. "People are looking for leaders that will go to Washington, D.C. and stand up to this agenda and offer a clear alternative," Rubio said. Crist, meanwhile, described himself as a "pragmatic, commonsense conservative" who would be more of a Lindsey Graham than a DeMint. The current Florida governor also questioned Rubio's commitment to serving the public. "I view public service as a calling, something that you do to try to help other people," Crist said. "Unfortunately, recent news accounts in Florida have come out that indicate, in fact, that Speaker Rubio views public service as a way to enhance his personal enrichment. And that's just wrong."

*** Crist's back against the wall: Perhaps the biggest reason why Rubio is leading this GOP primary is because Republicans see opposition to Obama (DeMint-ism) more important than pragmatic conservatism (Graham-ism). In fact, Crist certainly acted like a candidate who is trailing by double digits and has his back against the wall. Was Rubio ready for prime time? Eye of the beholder. What we do know is this election is going to be nasty over the next five months, and the beneficiary might be Democratic candidate Kendrick Meek.

*** Tea time: The AP says that on Saturday, at least 9,000 Tea Party folks gathered in tiny Searchlight, NV -- Harry Reid's hometown -- to hear Sarah Palin speak and to drum up support to defeat Reid in November. Palin told them the big-government, big-debt spending spree of the Senate majority leader, Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is over. 'You're fired!' Palin said." Interestingly, the Washington Post's Cillizza reports that Democratic consultant Craig Varoga has formed a PAC to target candidates who run under the Tea Party banner. "Americans need to confront the dangerous ideas of the tea party movement head on, without any fear, before they gain any additional traction in the legislative process or the 2010 elections," Varoga told Cillizza. More: "Varoga added that the group planned to concentrate its efforts, which are likely to include television and radio ads, on 12 to 15 races where a candidate affiliated with the tea party is running."

*** More midterm news: In California, Meg Whitman has a new TV ad, in which she says that California needs to be run more like a business… Also the San Jose Mercury News (hat tip: Taegan Goddard) reports that Whitman has spent more than $4 per second so far this year. Wow…. And in Illinois, Gov. Pat Quinn announced that his preferring running mate is Sheila Simon, daughter of the late Paul Simon.

Countdown to IN, NC, and OH primaries: 36 days
Countdown to NE and WV primaries: 43 days
Countdown to AR, KY, OR and PA primaries: 50 days
Countdown to Election Day 2010: 218 days

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