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"It's always easier to whip when people want to go home."

— House Maj. Whip James Clyburn, on how scheduling a Saturday vote might help Dems pass their health care bill, The Hill, 11/6.

National Briefing

OBAMA

1. And Now You Find Yourself In '83

As the unemployment rate hit 10.2% today -- surpassing 10% "for the first time since" '83 (AP, 11/6) -- Pres. Obama is set to sign into law a bill that extends $8K tax credits for first-time homebuyers and unemployment benefits. "The measure also provides tax refunds to money-losing companies."

The House approved the legislation 11/5 on a 403-12 vote; the Senate passed it 98-0 on 11/4 (Faler, Bloomberg, 11/6).

"Caught between" the 11/3 election results and today's unemployment numbers, the WH "faces increased pressure to slow spending next year but also to produce more Main Street jobs to match Wall Street's recovery." Going into the '11 budget cycle, the admin. "now appears on course to impose close to a freeze on new discretionary" approps after the "double-barrel increases" in '09 and '10. "The costs of the Afghanistan war are a wild card, but even before the polls closed" 11/3, OMB dir. Peter Orszag was talking up deficit reduction in NYC, "and his earlier guidance to agencies calls for alternatives that assume a freeze" at '10 funding levels, or a 5% reduction.

GOPers "warn" that Obama can't ignore what they see as the 11/3 backlash against the "overspending" and "overgovernment" in his first year in office. "Matched against this sentiment is the increased frustration among" Dems "over the jobs outlook -- and a continued stalemate" with the WH over funding for highway construction (Rogers, Politico, 11/6).

(For more, see today's ECONOMY story).

A Tragic Turn Of Events

Reaction at the WH to the 11/5 slayings at Fort Hood "was one of shock and horror, with officials promising a full investigation and offering their prayers for the dead and injured" (Martin/Dunham/Fikac, Houston Chronicle, 11/6).

Obama, speaking at the closing of the WH Tribal Nations Conference, called the incident "a horrific outburst of violence." Obama: "My immediate thoughts and prayers are with the wounded and with the families of the fallen, and with those who live and serve at Fort Hood. These are men and women who have made the selfless and courageous decision to risk and at times give their lives to protect the rest of us on a daily basis. It's difficult enough when we lose these brave Americans in battles overseas. It is horrifying that they should come under fire at an Army base on American soil."

Obama: "I would ask all Americans to keep the men and women of Fort Hood in your thoughts and prayers. We will make sure that we get answers to every single question about this horrible incident. And I want all of you to know that as Commander-in-Chief, there's no greater honor but also no greater responsibility for me than to make sure that the extraordinary men and women in uniform are properly cared for and that their safety and security when they are at home is provided for" (release, 11/5).

VP Biden also released a statement: "Jill and I join the President and Michelle in expressing our sympathies to the families of the brave soldiers who fell today. We are all praying for those who were wounded and hoping for their full and speedy recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are also with the entire Fort Hood community as they deal with this senseless tragedy" (release, 11/5).

I Saw Walt

Obama "is pushing back a trip to Capitol Hill aimed at discussing the proposed health care overhaul with lawmakers." He had planned to head to the Capitol today, but he will instead make a visit 11/7. Today, Obama plans to visit Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

WH officials said the trip to Walter Reed "had been scheduled before" the fatal shootings at Fort Hood (AP, 11/5).

S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y Night

The WH will today issue a Statement of Admin. Policy today "endorsing" the House Dem health care bill. "It will not be a signal that" Obama "favors the House bill over" the one from Senate Dems, officials said (Tapper, "Political Punch," ABC News, 11/6).

Meanwhile, Biden "will speak by phone" today "with members of the House" about "the need to pass health insurance reform" (release, 11/5).

(For more, see today's HEALTH CARE story).

This Is An Invitation Across The Tribal Nation

Obama on 11/5 "told what he called" the largest gathering of Native American tribal leaders that "you will not be forgotten by this White House," pledging "to work with them to address their community's chronic problems with health care, economic development, land management and education."

Obama "fulfilled a campaign pledge by bringing the leaders of the 564 federally recognized Native American tribes to" DC "during his first year in office." He began his remarks with an accounting of the "historically troubled relationship" between the federal gov't and Indian nations, telling the leaders: "Few have been marginalized for as long by Washington as Native Americans. ... You have every right to wonder why this time will be any different."

Soon after, Obama "signed a memorandum" asking his Cabinet secs. "to outline within 90 days how they intend to improve relations with tribal nations. The memorandum is a follow-up" to a Clinton-era exec. order "that has largely languished."

In the ensuing Q&A session, tribal leaders "thanked Obama for inviting them" to DC. "Several wore traditional attire and spoke at times in the melodic tones of their native languages." Most "had statements for Obama, rather than questions. They asked for his help in working with Congress, in refining federal land-management policies and in ensuring the safe supervision of Superfund waste sites on tribal land." At times, Obama "drew on his own biography as evidence that, at one level, he understood their frustrations and demands. He told the tribal leaders that he was born to a teenage mother and that his father left when he was 2 years old." Obama: "I know what it means to be an outsider" (Wilson, Washington Post, 11/6).

The mood "generally was upbeat, and the summit program included Indian ceremony and tradition. Two 16-year-old boys -- Stephen Pourier and Dennis Jerome Gutierrez from the Oglala Sioux Tribe in Pine Ridge -- helped open the summit with a flag song. A few participants wore headdresses, but most wore business suits" (King, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 11/6).

Eight Is Enough

During the 11/5 conference, Obama "inadvertently dropped a prediction for" the WH '12 race.

In a Q&A session, the head of the Navajo Nation asked how Obama could ensure his policies toward Indians would continue beyond the end of his term, adding: "I know you're going to win your reelection."

Obama: "Obviously the executive branch's job is to implement law. So for the next eight years ..." He drew "some cheers before correcting himself." Obama: "The next four years at least. Let me not jump the gun. For the next three years and one month that I'm assured this current position we're going to make sure we put the infrastructure and the framework in place so that a new dynamic, a new set of relationships is in place" (Lee, "Politico 44," Politico, 11/5).

But Will He Visit Wasilla?

Obama "will make his first-ever visit" to AK on 11/11 "as part of a multi-day journey to Japan, China, South Korea and Singapore."

Obama will stop at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage on Veterans Day "to refuel Air Force One." He'll mark the holiday with the military personnel at the base, the WH said. His stopover will come after the WH Veterans Day breakfast and a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington Nat'l Cemetery (Bolstad, Anchorage Daily News, 11/6).

Todd, I Notice That You Haven't Even Touched Your Food Yet

Al Gore is among those who think Obama "should go to Copenhagen" in Dec. for a UN conference on climate change. A WH spokesperson "said no decision has yet been made on whether Obama will attend."

Gore, on whether it would be "helpful" for Obama to attend: "I hope he will, and I think he probably will, given how high the stakes are. ... I think it would make a big difference."

Gore, on why he "can't rely" on U.S. climate envoy Todd Stern: "I have great respect for Todd. This is not in any way a comment on his leadership. But after the last 12 years, the rest of the world still sees the United States as the leader of the world community. Because we're both the strongest economy and one of the two largest emitters and recognized as the natural leader of the world community, it's important for us as Americans to fully appreciate the role we play. Since this is the most dangerous challenge the world has ever faced and since the scientists have given us fresh warnings that we don't have a lot of time to reduce global warming pollution, it's really important for the United States to play the role the rest of the world expects us to play."

Gore, on whether it would be a "problem" if Obama didn't go: "It depends on the circumstance. I hope he will go" (Power, "Washington Wire," Wall Street Journal, 11/5).

Lake Michigan Seems Like A Dream To Me Now

Dick Cheney said 11/5 that if the Obama admin. continues to hesitate on the question of whether to deploy more troops to Afghanistan, it will only embolden America's enemies there "because it reinforces the assumption that if you kill enough Americans, you can change American policy."

Cheney delivered that message during a speech to a crowd of several hundred at Lake Michigan College, a speech that focused on "international issues" and took aim at Obama admin. policies regarding Afghanistan, Iraq and the global war on terror. As Obama "searches for options" in Afghanistan, Cheney said, "he appears to be looking for a way to do less than what has been recommended by military advisers, and all that will do is increase the risk of failure." Cheney encouraged Obama to heed the advice of Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who has recommended a troop surge.

Cheney: "If President Obama really believes what he campaigned on, that Afghanistan is a necessary war, then I don't see how he can do anything other than move aggressively to achieve victory" (Blasko, South Bend Tribune, 11/6).

Editor-in-Chief: Amy Walter

Executive Editor: John Mercurio

Managing Editor: Quinn McCord

Senior Editors: Maura O'Brien, Tim Sahd, and Reid Wilson

TV Editor: Abby Livingston

Senior Writers: Holly Noe and Rachelle Douillard-Proulx

Staff Writers: Ian Faerstein, Sean J. Miller, Steven Shepard, and Felicia Sonmez

Online Producer: Carrie Dindino

Executive Assistant: Meredith Nettles

Associate Writers: Cyra Master, Michelle Price, Beth Sussman, and Kurtis Lee

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