Archive - July 1, 2009 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

White House Stays Out of Transgender Flap

Lets deadline pass to appeal nearly $500,000 judgment for a Library of Congress hiree who lost the job while undergoing a gender change. Permalink

Franken Turns to Policy

Senator-elect tells Minnesota Public Radio Wednesday he's inclined to support a public health care plan, hopes to serve on Judiciary Committee. Permalink

New Marist poll shows voters in New York still love Obama, but many remain undecided on Senator Gillibrand. --63% say the president is doing a good or excellent job. More here. --33% say they do not know enough about Gillibrand to rate her. More here. Conducted June 23-25. Error Margin: 3 points. Permalink

Mousavi Not Backing Down

Iran's opposition leader issues statement Wednesday calling presidential election results illegitimate despite Monday ruling validating the vote. Meanwhile: Iranian state TV reports all but one of detained British Embassy employees have been let go. Permalink

Honoring Servicewomen

Obama signs a bill Wednesday afternoon awarding a congressional gold medal to the Women Airforce Service Pilots in the Oval Office. Permalink

Healthy Data

Quinnipiac poll finds 69% want the option of government-run health insurance -- but only 28% want to use it. MORE STATS: Get them here. Meanwhile: CNN/ORC poll finds 51% support the president's health care plan. MORE STATS: Get them here. Permalink

Al-Sadr Optimistic Over Withdrawal

Powerful Shiite cleric says Wednesday he's "filled with hope" after U.S. pulls troops from Iraqi cities. But: Worries partial pullout might mean broken promises on withdrawal timetable. Permalink

Construction Spending Lagging

New Commerce Department numbers show building expenditure dropped 0.9% nationwide in May, more than expected. Permalink

State Budget Scramble

While Indiana managed to pass its state budget Tuesday evening, California and four other states were unable to beat the midnight deadline. Permalink

Dems Circulate Lower-Cost Health Plan

Sen. Kennedy, key Dems outline a less-costly plan Wednesday night that still includes a public option. Permalink

VP Goes Rural

Biden visits Wattsburg, Pennsylvania Wednesday for a meeting on strengthening rural communities. Secretaries Locke, Vilsack accompany him. Permalink

Courting Change

NY Times looks at Chief Justice Roberts and whether his influence could move the Supreme Court right. Plus: The Court plans to rule on campaign funds and civil rights when they return later this summer. Permalink

Oil Be Damned

Iraq's cabinet reviews bids to develop oil and gas reserves Wednesday after shortcomings of contract auction. Permalink

Markets Begin New Quarter on High

European and emerging market shares rose around 1% on the first day of trading in the third quarter of 2009. Plus: U.S. stocks are also set to open high. Permalink