Tuesday Morning Open Thread

Good morning.

It's a busy day here in DC.

The President is meeting with 22 Senators this morning "to discuss passing comprehensive energy and climate legislation this year." Among the Senators expected at the White House are seven GOPers: Alexander (TN), Collins (ME), Gregg (NH), Lugar (IN), Murkowski (AK), Snowe (ME) and Voinovich (OH). They're always such a cooperative bunch. And, where's Lindsey? He's always in a snit about something.

Obama is also having lunch and a meeting with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia today. Then, he's got a meeting with 22 members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. The CHC, comprised of all Democrats, has one Senate member: Robert Menendez (NJ).

Questioning from Senators starts today in the confirmation hearing for Elena Kagan. Yesterday, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall was the subject of derision by GOPers on the Senate Judiciary Committee. They're really a shameless, hate-filled bunch, those GOP Senators.

Also, today, the Senate Armed Services Committee holds a confirmation hearing for General David Petraeus. Now, this is a hearing where there should be some hard questions, but Senators won't challenge Petraeus. His confirmation will sail through. Very few members of Congress have asked any hard questions about the war in Afghanistan for the past nine years. That's one reason why we're still mired in that conflict.

And, what else?