First Read: Daley Rundown

First Read from NBC News
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First Read: Daley Rundown

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, Domenico Montanaro, and Ali Weinberg

FIRST THOUGHTS.
*** Daley Rundown: The news that the White House is considering tapping Bill Daley to be chief of staff is fitting in this respect -- President Obama would be replacing one man who's running for Chicago mayor with another man who's the brother of the outgoing Chicago mayor. Daley offers several strengths: He's a strong manager (former Commerce secretary, Gore campaign manager); he has a business background (currently an executive at JPMorgan); and everyone, frankly, just seems to like him. He's also an effective communicator on TV. The downside: The left is unlikely to embrace him, given his JPMorgan work and the fact that he comes from the Democratic Party's moderate wing. ("Either we plot a more moderate, centrist course or risk electoral disaster not just in the upcoming midterms but in many elections to come," he wrote in the Washington Post in Dec. '09.) We can report that no job offer has been made to Daley, and current interim Chief of Staff Pete Rouse is also being considered to keep the post permanently. But if it's going to be Daley, we get the feeling any announcement would come quickly; many West Wing staffers who are on pins and needles regarding the reorganization plan are hopeful the president makes a decision quickly, perhaps even this week. http://broadcaster.msnbc.msn.com/t?ctl=27C15:B2CA5A050EF65E32C5A4943380EEB7B2&

*** Obama returns to DC: Later this morning, the president is expected to return from his nearly two-week vacation in Hawaii. And aboard Air Force One last night, Obama made a surprise visit to the press cabin and was asked if he's expecting a rude welcome back to DC -- with Republicans set to take control of the House tomorrow, and with the House GOP vote (now set for Jan. 12) to repeal health care. His answer: "I think that there's gonna be politics, that's what happens in Washington. They are going to play to their base for a certain period of time. But I'm pretty confident that they're going to recognize that our job is to govern and make sure that we are delivering jobs for the American people… And so my expectation, my hope is that John Boehner and Mitch McConnell will realize that there will be plenty of time to campaign for 2012 in 2012. And that our job this year is to make sure that we build on recovery."

*** Profiling McConnell: While tomorrow's attention will be showered on the man who's set to become the next speaker -- John Boehner -- the Atlantic Monthly profiles the Republican who will determine what legislation clears Congress and actually makes it to the president's desk: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. "John Boehner and the Republican House will be free to pass all sorts of bills designed to bedevil the White House," the Atlantic's Josh Green writes. "But how effective that strategy is will ultimately depend on what happens to the bills in the Senate. However, things play out on television, McConnell will still be the key man." Don't miss this quote from outgoing Sen. Bob Bennett: "When I came to the Senate, Bob Dole was the leader, and he was superb… It's a very different Senate today, very different political atmosphere. Dole would be deeply frustrated. McConnell is the right guy for this atmosphere." http://broadcaster.msnbc.msn.com/t?ctl=27C16:B2CA5A050EF65E32C5A4943380EEB7B2&

*** The on-message man: In his piece on McConnell, Green makes two additional points. One, McConnell is always on message -- contrasting him with Boehner's slip last fall (which he later corrected) that he'd be open to extending the middle-class tax cuts, if that's all he could get. McConnell "knows exactly what he wants to say, repeats it with emphasis, then stops. He will not be drawn out, and has no compunction about refusing questions. He would never make Boehner's mistake, because he won't entertain hypotheticals." Two, it was McConnell who came up with two widely discussed pejoratives Republicans used to criticize the deals in writing the health-care legislation. "If you got upset when you heard about the 'Cornhusker Kickback' or the 'Louisiana Purchase' … that was McConnell. He coined the terms to cast sinister aspersions on what were actually typical instances of political horse-trading, in this case over health care."

*** The purity test: In retrospect, yesterday's RNC chair debate wasn't notable for the subtle digs at Michael Steele's tenure (though there were plenty of them). Nor was it striking that Steele defended his record ("I'm a glass-half-full guy," he said. "I don't see crisis where some see it"). Rather, the most fascinating part of the debate was how ideologically homogenous all the candidates were. As the Washington Post Dana Milbank writes, "Abortion? All opposed. Lower taxes? All in favor. Gay marriage? All opposed. Cutting spending? All in favor." Reince Priebus, who appears right now to be the front-runner to be the next RNC chair, perhaps summed it up best: "If you are pro-abortion, pro-stimulus, pro-GM bailout … you probably aren't a Republican." (Of course, that would exclude Republicans like Susan Collins, Olympia Snowe, and new Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder.) In fact, it was Steele yesterday who called for more ideological diversity in the party. "We cannot be a party that sits back with a litmus test and excludes." http://broadcaster.msnbc.msn.com/t?ctl=27C17:B2CA5A050EF65E32C5A4943380EEB7B2&

*** Roberts to swear in … Boehner's aides: Question for Chief Justice John Roberts: Is he engaging in what appears to be a somewhat partisan event in swearing in John Boehner's staff? Politico writes, "At Boehner's request, Chief Justice John Roberts will preside over the staff ceremony, which may be a first in congressional history. Aides in Boehner's Washington and district offices are expected to take the oath in the Capitol in a private, low-key event with no press coverage, a Boehner aide said." Boehner spokesman Brendan Buck emails First Read, Boehner takes the responsibility of his new office seriously, and obviously expects the staff to do the same… Boehner thought this would be a good way to set the tone for his speakership, remind us all why we're here." http://broadcaster.msnbc.msn.com/t?ctl=27C18:B2CA5A050EF65E32C5A4943380EEB7B2&

*** Issa to K Street -- tell me what to regulate: Darrell Issa has positioned himself to be the watchdog on Capitol Hill when it comes to the Obama administration. But can you be both a watchdog and seemingly in bed with K Street and the business community? Politico: "Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) wants the oil industry, drug manufacturers and other trade groups and companies to tell him which Obama administration regulations to target this year," Politico reports. "The incoming chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee - in letters sent to more than 150 trade associations, companies and think tanks last month - requested a list of existing and proposed regulations that would harm job growth." Of course, some in the business community believe Democrats spent more time placating their own interest groups at the expense of the business community. Still, considering the rise in anti-big anything populism (anti-big gov't, anti-Wall street etc.), it's tricky politics. http://broadcaster.msnbc.msn.com/t?ctl=27C19:B2CA5A050EF65E32C5A4943380EEB7B2&

*** Redistricting and the 2012 calendar: Finally, the Columbus Dispatch reminds us how redistricting in 2011 could impact the 2012 calendar. "Ohio's 2012 presidential primary election might have to be moved to later in the year if state lawmakers are slow to draw new congressional districts this year, incoming Secretary of State Jon Husted said yesterday. Husted, a Republican, said some officials of county election boards have expressed concern that they might not have enough time to prepare for the scheduled March 6, 2012, primary if legislators drag their feet on paring Ohio's 18 congressional districts to 16, as required by new census data." http://broadcaster.msnbc.msn.com/t?ctl=27C1A:B2CA5A050EF65E32C5A4943380EEB7B2&
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CONGRESS: Mark your calendars -- Jan. 12
Per the Washington Post, "House Republicans have set Jan. 12 as their day to vote on a repeal of President Obama's health-care law, after a midterm election in which they campaigned against the landmark legislation as a government takeover of the health industry." http://broadcaster.msnbc.msn.com/t?ctl=27C1E:B2CA5A050EF65E32C5A4943380EEB7B2&
"As newly-elected Republican governors plot ways to push back against the healthcare law, the Republican Governor's Association (RGA) is preparing an organized effort aimed at helping governors fight its implementation," The Hill reports. "In an interview with Ballot Box, new RGA Executive Director Phil Cox said he anticipates the committee will play a central role in organizing Republican governors against the law — an effort he said is currently in the planning stages." http://broadcaster.msnbc.msn.com/t?ctl=27C1F:B2CA5A050EF65E32C5A4943380EEB7B2&
The DCCC is releasing this memo today: "What a difference a couple of months make. During the 2010 campaigns, House Republican candidates affiliated with the Tea Party ran strongly against "government health care." Most Republican Freshman are refusing to say whether they will accept government funded health care as a Member of Congress. A few Members-elect have honored their campaign rhetoric by refusing to accept congressional health care."
More: "Despite their campaign rhetoric and public opinion, most incoming Republican Freshman will not say whether they will accept government health care. Their silence can only mean one thing: Republican Freshman will hypocritically take government funded health care even though they ran campaigns against it."
Debt ceiling 'showdown' looms: "Tea Party champion Sen. Jim DeMint says he's ready for a 'showdown' with President Obama over raising the government debt ceiling," the New York Post writes. "DeMint's threat is setting up a high-stakes game of chicken on Capitol Hill with Republicans demanding stark spending cuts before they consider raising the debt limit and Democrats warning that a failure to do so would trash the country's credit rating and risk a government shutdown." DeMint told the conservative Human Events magazine: "This needs to be a big showdown. Enough is enough, folks. We can't keep taking home the bacon and take care of the best interests of our country." http://broadcaster.msnbc.msn.com/t?ctl=27C20:B2CA5A050EF65E32C5A4943380EEB7B2&
A "lavish fundraiser scheduled for Tuesday night at a trendy Washington hotel to benefit a dozen GOP freshmen is not exactly the populist image leaders are anxious to project," Politico writes. http://broadcaster.msnbc.msn.com/t?ctl=27C21:B2CA5A050EF65E32C5A4943380EEB7B2&
The New York Daily News profiles Rep. Pete King (R-NY): The GOP takeover of the House on Wednesday offers liberal New York one bright spot: Long Islander Pete King takes control of the powerful Homeland Security Committee. The Nassau County Republican is already making it a 'major priority' to steer as much federal cash as possible to the city's anti-terror operations." http://broadcaster.msnbc.msn.com/t?ctl=27C22:B2CA5A050EF65E32C5A4943380EEB7B2&
"Rep. Heath Shuler plans to vote for himself rather than Rep. Nancy Pelosi during Wednesday's floor vote for Speaker, and he predicted Monday that Democratic colleagues who are similarly displeased with her past leadership as Speaker would back him as well," Roll Call writes. http://broadcaster.msnbc.msn.com/t?ctl=27C23:B2CA5A050EF65E32C5A4943380EEB7B2&

OBAMA AGENDA: The Chicago way
Bloomberg News: "President Barack Obama is considering naming William Daley, a JPMorgan Chase & Co. executive and former U.S. Commerce secretary, to a high-level administration post, possibly White House chief of staff, people familiar with the matter said. Such a move, which is still under discussion, would bring a Washington veteran -- and someone with strong business ties -- into the administration as Obama sets out an agenda for the second half of his term while dealing with a Republican majority in the House of Representatives."
More: "Daley, 62, has deep ties in Obama's political base. The youngest of seven children of longtime Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley, he is part of the most powerful political dynasty in Illinois. He was also a political mentor to Rahm Emanuel." Daley was an economic adviser to the Obama 2008 campaign and co-chaired the transition. http://broadcaster.msnbc.msn.com/t?ctl=27C24:B2CA5A050EF65E32C5A4943380EEB7B2&
"Liberal groups say they are increasingly worried that President Obama will strike a deal with Republicans on Social Security in exchange for a 'yes' vote on increasing the nation's debt ceiling," The Hill writes. (Maybe they should be a little more worried about what House Republicans are trying to do, just sayin'….) http://broadcaster.msnbc.msn.com/t?ctl=27C25:B2CA5A050EF65E32C5A4943380EEB7B2&

GOP WATCH: Steele's 'Hail Mary'
The New York Post's Hurt: "Embattled RNC Chairman Michael Steele made a Hail Mary plea yesterday to hold on to his top perch in the Republican Party for a second term." http://broadcaster.msnbc.msn.com/t?ctl=27C26:B2CA5A050EF65E32C5A4943380EEB7B2&
The Washington Post's Balz: "Michael Steele, the embattled chairman of the Republican National Committee, defended his record Monday at a forum with four rivals who charged him with mismanagement and said the committee faces a major task of rebuilding its finances and credibility. Steele was unapologetic through most of the 90-minute session. He pointed to the 2010 midterm elections in which Republicans made major gains, including a takeover of the House." http://broadcaster.msnbc.msn.com/t?ctl=27C27:B2CA5A050EF65E32C5A4943380EEB7B2&
Roll Call's lead from yesterday's debate: "Recognizing that Republican primary battles in 2010 ended with some critical general election losses, the candidates who want to lead the national party through the next cycle said Monday they would again stay out of primaries and stressed the GOP must remain a big tent party." http://broadcaster.msnbc.msn.com/t?ctl=27C28:B2CA5A050EF65E32C5A4943380EEB7B2&
The Hill: "Republicans' worries about fundraising, ahead of what is expected to be a billion-dollar presidential election, dominated the debate over who should be the party's next chairman." http://broadcaster.msnbc.msn.com/t?ctl=27C29:B2CA5A050EF65E32C5A4943380EEB7B2&
"RNC Chairman Michael Steele said that his four challengers have not yet made the case for why he should not be re-elected. In an interview with NBC News shortly after the debate, Steele said that his opponents - all of whom arguably have the experience needed for the job - would not win by touting their own record, but by making a compelling argument for why Steele does not deserve a second term as chairman, despite widespread Republican victories during his tenure." http://broadcaster.msnbc.msn.com/t?ctl=27C2A:B2CA5A050EF65E32C5A4943380EEB7B2&

2012: Daniels and his family's considerations
The Illinois Republican Party hopes to host an all-star lineup of potential GOP presidential contenders at a dinner celebrating President Ronald Reagan's 100th birthday next month," Roll Call writes. "The fundraising event will be held in Chicago on Feb. 5, the day before the late president's birthday. Former Speaker Newt Gingrich (Ga.) will sign copies of one of his books before the dinner, and former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton, Indiana Rep. Mike Pence and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum have confirmed they will attend, according to an invitation to the event. The party also invited Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and South Dakota Sen. John Thune." http://broadcaster.msnbc.msn.com/t?ctl=27C2B:B2CA5A050EF65E32C5A4943380EEB7B2&
Real Clear Politics breaks the top-tier Republican presidential contenders "into three basic categories when it comes to talking about their 2012 intentions in media appearances: the aggressive challengers, the coy contenders and those who are seeking to portray themselves as reluctant warriors." http://broadcaster.msnbc.msn.com/t?ctl=27C2C:B2CA5A050EF65E32C5A4943380EEB7B2&
DANIELS: Mitch Daniels concedes in an interview with the Tribune Star that he's started to pay attention to how he's covered by the national press: "Most often, the Princeton University-educated governor, who earned the nickname 'The Blade' when he served as President George W. Bush's cost-slashing budget director, is called 'wonkish.' Or as Daniels defines it: 'cerebral but boring.' Daniels, a church-going motorcycle rider who campaigned for governor crisscrossing the state in blue jeans and a motor home, would like to think of himself as more than that. 'It's as if they think you couldn't be smart and funny at the same time,' said Daniels of political pundits who've pigeon-holed him for the convenience of quick copy or short sound bites. 'It's as if you're either a person of the people or a wonk,' Daniels said. 'They can't quite cope with the idea that maybe you could be a little bit of both.'"
More: "Daniels said his wife, Cheri, and their four daughters — all grown and three married — are wary of the intense media scrutiny that can descend upon a candidate's family. 'It scares them to death,' Daniels said. 'And it should.' The private family conversations about his potential candidacy are off-limits, he said. But those family conversations matter. 'It would be a big deal if they said no.'" http://broadcaster.msnbc.msn.com/t?ctl=27C2D:B2CA5A050EF65E32C5A4943380EEB7B2&
GINGRICH: "For anyone who did a double take at the gray-haired man watching Sheboygan's Polar Bear Plunge on Saturday — yes, that was Newt Gingrich," the Sheboygan Press writes. http://broadcaster.msnbc.msn.com/t?ctl=27C2E:B2CA5A050EF65E32C5A4943380EEB7B2&
PAWLENTY: The Atlantic notes Pawlenty lagging in most polls, but wonders if his serious campaign efforts and all his campaigning will up his name ID and boost him in the polls: "He appears serious about his 2012 ambitions. He's accrued credibility and name recognition among the Beltway political class, even as his national name-recognition numbers still sag. He's built an organization and a political framework for a serious bid, and he's logged the hours of legwork that the other names in his national-polling caste have not." http://broadcaster.msnbc.msn.com/t?ctl=27C2F:B2CA5A050EF65E32C5A4943380EEB7B2&
PENCE: GOP12 links to a post from Howey Politics Indiana which says that Rep. Mike Pence "is scheduling Republican Lincoln Days Dinner all over Indiana." http://broadcaster.msnbc.msn.com/t?ctl=27C30:B2CA5A050EF65E32C5A4943380EEB7B2&
NEW HAMPSHIRE: "Gov. John Sununu, the outgoing chairman of the Republican State Committee, has endorsed Juliana Bergeron as his successor," the Concord Monitor reports. "Bergeron, chairwoman for the Cheshire County Republican Committee, is running against Tea Party activist and former gubernatorial candidate Jack Kimball for the position of party chairman." http://broadcaster.msnbc.msn.com/t?ctl=27C31:B2CA5A050EF65E32C5A4943380EEB7B2&
OHIO: "Ohio's 2012 presidential primary election might have to be moved to later in the year if state lawmakers are slow to draw new congressional districts this year, incoming Secretary of State Jon Husted said yesterday," the Columbus Dispatch writes. http://broadcaster.msnbc.msn.com/t?ctl=27C32:B2CA5A050EF65E32C5A4943380EEB7B2&