The Rundown, 11/10

Flags around the country will fly at half-staff today, in recognition of the killings at Fort Hood, Texas, and President Obama and the First Lady will attend a memorial service at Fort Hood.

In somewhat lighter news, Senate Democrats and Republicans will hold their weekly caucus policy luncheons today at the Capitol, and it's a pretty safe bet they'll be talking about health care. Hopefully Joe Lieberman makes it out unscathed by the slings and arrows of his fellow partisans...


Senate Banking Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT) will unveil his comprehensive financial reform bill. The House Financial Services Committee has been passing the administration's financial reform agenda piecemeal, and, as always seems to be the case these days, it was the Senate that had lagged behind (see: health care, energy). No more. If all goes well for Dodd, Democrats will get their reforms, and he'll get a campaign boost...and members of the media will finally stop mentioning, whenever his name comes up, how tough his reelection battle could be.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, meanwhile, will be in Singapore today to attend meetings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. While there, she will only be able to chew gum of therapeutic value.

And Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, meanwhile, will be in Tokyo to meet with Japanese government bigwigs to talk about economic growth.