The Hill Articles: June 23, 2009

Senate Softball League: Pennsylmania 16, Scrantonicity 19 Climate change vote: Pelosi’s green gamble Obama’s cool demeanor slips Groups seize on Metro crash in push for highway bill Black caucus criticizes ethics probe of trip to the Caribbean Sen. Reid hopes to avoid farm-state blowup Legislators have trouble believing Sanford’s story Emanuel visits Senate to press healthcare Ensign apologizes to GOP colleagues National sales tax likely won’t be linked to healthcare reform Anti-crime bill picks up cosponsors, momentum As Obama cautious, lawmakers develop tough Iran sanctions Climate lobbying heats up Obama appointee reassures business over foreign buyers K Street Insiders: Thoughts on joining the private sector Regulator needs bite Green isn’t good Cash always makes a nice gift Lobbying world Obama to throw out first pitch in baseball’s all-star game Pros and cons of Obama’s financial reform proposal Dodd’s reelection race Campaign Update: McNerney/Kissell opponents?, Norm $ Road tripping with Congress The Alaskan senator’s Washington insiders Freshman Dem defends earmark request while GOP turns up heat Healthcare poll reveals GOP divide Inferring too much, we aren’t alone Adiós, GOP Obama’s weakness issue Announcements – June 24, 2009 White House tweets in Farsi Congressional approval rating drops six points Huckabee won’t pile on Ensign; talks Ark. Senate Environmental group issues climate-bill warning DAY’S END ROUNDUP House GOPers, ABC News trade blows The song remains the same Huckabee rips into NRSC for backing Crist The Big Question, June 23: Healthcare and climate change? Legislators have trouble believing Sanford’s story Sen. Conrad says health bill getting cheaper Boehner: Congress this year like ‘standing in front of a machine gun’ DNC whacks Sanford for disappearance Frank ‘vigorously’ opposed to F-22 fighter Weyant’s World: June 23, 2009 Holmes wants hearing on Metro crash Mousavi as an architect Reid: 3-4 GOP votes to make healthcare bill ‘bipartisan’ Obama: Let’s wait and see on second stimulus Deadly Metro crash a mystery as commuting continues The ‘cat’ is in the bag More chaos in the New York Senate Cornyn says he’d support Coleman SCOTUS appeal Senate GOP wants do-over on healthcare bill Energy & Environment: Alternative fuels not mature; improve gasoline quality and reduce emissions TOP TWEETS Obama unyielding on public health plan — so far Ensign apologizes at Senate GOP lunch Ensign apologizes to GOP Senators Kingston hits the beach with…Miley Cyrus? Obama to McCain on Iran: ‘I’m the president’ Obama handles smoking question better than Josh Lyman Stephanopoulos goes for second ‘Twitterview’ Obama on Neda: It’s heartbreaking A field without women (Rep. Linda Sanchez) Sanford’s Sense-Deprivation Vacation Obama: I’m 95 percent not a smoker Obama: Public plan would ‘discipline’ private insurers McCaskill thinks bill without public plan ‘not going to happen’ Issa calls for Obama comment on climate change Obama refuses to call Iran ‘absurd’ Castle knocks Palin, Gingrich, Cheney Obama ‘appalled’ by Iran Dem leaders confident, but no climate change deal Sanford’s absence could come back to haunt him Massachusetts Day in the Senate Cornyn: Focus on Sotomayor’s race and gender ‘drives me crazy’ Was Sanford hiking naked? MIDDAY ROUNDUP AFL-CIO: Healthcare costs top list of Americans’ concerns WH moves press conference, insanity ensues Foley taps Bush fundraising connections Iranian diplomats still invited to July 4 celebrations Sotomayor’s Tuesday schedule Dahlkemper challenger drops bid Gibbs: White House may reevaluate position if Iran escalates Progress on earmarks (Rep. John Campbell) Manzullo graces our pages NYT zings Obama on tobacco bill Conrad rejects reports that he’s abandoned co-op model Americans’ wacky view of the Supreme Court Geithner to Europe, Middle East in July Grand new partisan? A respite from the heat (?) for the W.H. press A respite from the heat (?) for the W.H. press Obama starts first trade case against China Pain at the Pump Huckabee formally backs Rubio So Much for Openness! Back to the Moon: Neil Armstrong is the First Man of Aquarius Poll: Obama approval sticks at 65%, support for stimulus slips Public Plan Option Wins by Landslide Drudge Report Huffington Post The Daily Beast Hot Air MyDD The Corner Daily Kos Power Line Firedoglake Red State MORNING READ