The Baseline Scenario: Treasury makes a mistake -claiming they are not blocking Elizabeth Warren

Economist's View: Roubini: Double-Dip Days

A My DD: Take No Prisoners David Obey

Hullabaloo: The Hitmen's Ombudsman

War in Context: How Netanyahu wrecked the peace process

Comments from Left Field: Leaked Republican policy memo

Rep. David Obey is expected to announce his retirement at a press conference later today.

Via Politico:

In a major blow to Democrats, House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey has told close associates that he will not seek reelection. An announcement of his plans is expected as early as Wednesday.

The Wisconsin Democrat faces tough poll numbers at home, but until Tuesday night his staff had insisted he was running aggressively and had hired campaign staff. But a person close to him confirmed the decision to POLITICO Wednesday and said Obey was preparing to make a statement.

A news conference has been called at 1 p.m., and Obey staff indicated he would announce his plans then.

Republicans are already hiring decorators to take over his office, it appears.

When POLITICO contacted Sean Duffy, a leading Republican candidate for Obey’s seat back in Wisconsin, he was incredulous.

“Is this a prank call?” Duffy asked.

When Duffy was assured that the news was real, his phone started ringing on the other line: “I’ve got to go. I’m blowing up.”

Duffy, best-known nationally for his appearance on the Real World a decade ago, is the Ashland County District Attorney.

“This move clears the way for Duffy to be the next congressman from northwest Wisconsin. His campaign has gotten national attention and he’s running a very well-oiled grassroots machine,” said National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Tom Erickson.

Rep. Obey is holding a press conference shortly. I'll update this post with any details.

That's Nancy Pelosi walking up the steps of the Capitol building, carrying the same gavel used when Congress passed Medicare in 1965. The rule debate is beginning now. Twitter users can follow along here. Or watch streaming video of the debate via C-Span. Huff Po:

At Pelosi's side were Georgia congressman and civil rights-era leader John Lewis and her close friend Rep. David Obey (D-Wisc.).

Speaking to HuffPost's Arthur Delaney, Rep. Dingell expressed confidence that reform would pass when asked if he thought Democrats had the votes.

"I wouldn't be walking this way if I didn't," said the Michigan Democrat, who ambled into the meeting on crutches instead of in a wheelchair. The caucus could be heard applauding him when he entered the room.

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.) told HuffPost that Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) and his anti-abortion bloc of Democrats were not discussed during a last-minute morning meeting of Democrats. He echoed Speaker Pelosi in saying he expected the bill would pass. Asked whether Stupak would be a 'yes' vote, Rep. Sandy Levin said, "I think so."

Final vote on the Senate bill: 219-212

Nice to know I'm not the only person who feels this way. Because if Obama's serious about health care (or anything else), why continue to pour money down a rat hole? That said, what are the odds the congressional war lovers will vote for it? I'd love to make them explain why:

The powerful chairman of the House Appropriations Committee has a stark message for President Obama about Afghanistan -- sending more troops would be a mistake that could "wipe out every initiative we have to rebuild our own economy."

"There ain't going to be no money for nothing if we pour it all into Afghanistan," House Appropriations Chairman David Obey told ABC News in an exclusive interview. "If they ask for an increased troop commitment in Afghanistan, I am going to ask them to pay for it."

Obey, a Democrat from Wisconsin, made it clear that he is absolutely opposed to sending any more U.S. troops to Afghanistan and says if Obama decides to do that, he'll demand a new tax -- what he calls a "war surtax" -- to pay for it.

"On the merits, I think it is a mistake to deepen our involvement," Obey said. "But if we are going to do that, then at least we ought to pay for it. Because if we don't, if we don't pay for it, the cost of the Afghan war will wipe out every initiative we have to rebuild our own economy."

Obey's opposition to funding a troop increase in Afghanistan without a new tax would pose a significant problem for Obama if he decides to send more troops (a decision the White House says the President could make as early as November 30).

As Appropriations Committee chairman, Obey was a key player in securing money for the war when the last war funding bill narrowly passed the House in June.

His demand for a new war tax echoes a similar call by Senate Armed Services Chairman Carl Levin, also a Democrat, who recently told Bloomberg's Al Hunt that he favors a new tax on Americans earning more than $200,000 a year to pay for sending any additional troops.

Obey argued that the tax should be paid by all taxpayers, with rates ranging from 1 percent for lower wage earners to 5 percent for the wealthy.

The Washington Note: Defense Secretary, Robert Gates, has told a number of senior national security officials -- current and former -- that he is shutting down (or at least significantly shrinking) the Rumsfeld-Cambone-Feith-Boykin intelligence operation.

TomDispatch: 11 ways to report on Gitmo without upsetting the Pentagon

Kevin Drum: The IRS is outsourcing its writing of tax rules to the very lawyers and accountants who create tax shelters and exploit loopholes for the superrich

Words of Power: A quarter century ago, Jimmy Carter warned of this grim period. His prophetic call was not heeded.

The Largest Minority: Another BUSHCO gag order on global warming

Democrats.com: A remarkable video of Rep. David Obey's explosion at super-polite Marine mom Tina Richards when she asked him about the Iraq War Supplemental

OFF THE BEATEN PATH: Corporate Crime Reporter...The Populist...ArchPundit...Zippidy Doo Da