
President Obama and family - in Moscow seeking a new agreement on nuclear arms reduction with Russia (New York Times). While there the topics of Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran will also be discussed. Early pictures of the trip show the American President and First Lady pressing a full court charm offensive.
As Connecticut moves into its second month without a state budget plans are for Democrats, Republicans and Governor Rell to resume negotiations today. One report says the governor is prepared to issue executive orders keeping state government running one month at a time through the summer if that is what's necessary.
In 1991 and 2003 (the last two major budget crisis years), there were minor protests from legislative leaders over the governor's use of executive authority to run the state without legislative action. Not so this time. A sign Democrats are more than willing to let the governor take the heat if there is any operational fallout from the lack of a budget.
Two stories from the weekend highlight the dual life and twin perspectives of Senator Dodd. Politico notes how Washington Democrats are coming to the aid of Dodd as he loses the confidence of voters back home. Meanwhile, back home, long time Connecticut political observer Dick Ahles writes in The Day on Dodd's dilemma from the perspective of the people who will actually get a vote next year.
Elsewhere in Washington, Roll Call reports the anti-lobbyist Obama administration is finding new ways to work around an Obama campaign promise to limit the role of paid advocates in his administration. This story, combined with last week's maneuvering in Connecticut over lobbying by Catholics shows there's a need for a more mature approach to the debate over the role of lobbyists. "Lobbyists = bad" is not enough.
Column alert - Several weeks ago I drafted a column for the HBJ about Sarah Palin. It hasn't been published yet. Just wanted you to know the thoughts expressed in the column were made pre-resignation because I notice some of the commentary of the last few days sounds like what I wrote. It'll probably run next week.
At Noon - This week's HBJ column on Governor Rell's death penalty veto.



