:: The Obama Inaugural poster released.
Source: HUFFPOST
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:: The White House snubs Obama re Blair House?
Last night we learned the identity of the guest scheduled to stay at Blair House that caused the White House to decline Obama's request to move in earlier than planned so that his daughters could start school. It turned out to be the former Australian Prime Minister, John Howard, scheduled for a one-night stay in January.
Now, however, according to Think Progress, if what a Bloomberg reporter said last night on Countdown is true, Obama was actually snubbed. And here I didn't think that George W. Bush could do anything else to further embarrass this country. From Think Progress:
“Last night on MSNBC's "Countdown," Bloomberg journalist Margaret Carlson revealed that when the White House turned down Obama's request in early December, it had not yet even invited Howard to stay at the Blair House:
I reported...on December 11 and 12 that there were no foreign dignitaries booked into Blair House during that period of time. ... I have the feeling they asked him [Howard] to come and stay so that there might be some plausible reason for not letting the Obamas stay there.”
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:: IPD Daily Political Cartoon Find
Cartoon by Gary Varvel for indystar.com
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:: Additional confirmation hearings announced for next week. See schedule below. For info on cabinet nominees, click here.
Hearings held on Tuesday, January 13:
| NOMINEE | COMMITTEE TO HEAR |
| Hillary Clinton | Foreign Relations |
| Peter Orszag | Budget Committee |
| Arne Duncan | HELP panel |
| Steven Chu | Energy and Natural Resources Committee |
| Lisa Jackson | Environment and Public Works Committee |
Hearings on Wednesday, January 14:
| NOMINEE | COMMITTEE TO HEAR |
| Tom Vilsack | Agriculture Committee |
| Eric Shinseki | Veterans Affairs Committee |
| Peter Orszag | Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee |
Hearings on Thursday, January 15:
| NOMINEE | COMMITTEE TO HEAR |
| Eric Holder Jr. | Judiciary Committee |
| Ken Salazar | Energy & Natural Resources panel |
| Susan Rice | Foreign Relations |
| Timothy Geithner | Finance Committee |
| Janet Napolitano | Homeland Security and Government Affairs committee |
Source: Tables Copyright © IPD 2009
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:: Hmm...Joe the Plumber-not is going to Israel as a war correspondent.
Um, never mind that this guy is dumb as a rock, and completely unqualified, Joe is utterly determined to extend his five minutes of fame. Sad, really. But, ya gotta wonder exactly how desperate one has to be to actually hire Joe the Plumber dumber.
“The Ohio man who became a household name during the presidential campaign says he is heading to Israel as a war correspondent for the conservative Web site pjtv.com. Samuel J. Wurzelbacher (WUR'-zuhl-bah-kur) says he'll spend 10 days covering the fighting.”Source: HUFFPOST
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:: Confirmation hearing for Hillary Clinton to be held on Tuesday, January 13.
Here's hoping that the Republicans behave so this can get done quickly, and Gov. Paterson can appoint a replacement for Clinton's senate seat.
“Senate Democrats will hold a hearing next Tuesday to take up the nomination of Hillary Clinton as President-elect Barack Obama's Secretary of State. John Kerry, the incoming Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman, made the announcement. ”Source: HUFFPOST
Image via Wikimedia Commons.
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:: Today in history: a meeting of all of the living US presidents, and former presidents.
The photo was taken in the Oval Office before the five men adjourned to a private luncheon. Wouldn't you love to have been in the room for the private luncheon? I know I would!
“"All the gentlemen here understand both the pressures and possibilities of this office," Obama said. "For me to have the opportunity to get advice, good counsel and fellowship with these individuals is extraordinary." ”Source: HUFFPOST
AP photo by J. Scott Applewhite
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:: Obama wants Burris seated, Reid says "no deal" -- yet.
Personally, from what I've read, Burris appears to have an exemplary record of public service. He has also conducted himself in a very dignified manner throughout this fiasco caused by Blagojevich's desire to remain at the center of public attention. Reid is perhaps politically correct in his dealings with this issue, but damn it, you would think that he is a Republican, he is so much a thorn in the proverbial side of the Democratic Party.
“WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says Roland Burris will not likely take Barack Obama's Senate seat until a court in Illinois rules on a dispute surrounding his appointment.
While Reid embraced Burris, he said the Senate is awaiting a court ruling in a case that tests whether the signature of the Illinois secretary of state is needed for Burris to take the seat. He suggested that would be a step toward seating Burris.”Source: HUFFPOST
»Burris Cites Jimmy Carter In Another Bizarre Press Conference - HUFFPOST
»Obama talks about Burris, deficit - MSNBC
UPDATE - 3:00PM: Conservative watchdog sues to get Burris seated.
“The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in federal court in Washington on behalf of an Illinois resident. The suit was filed by Judicial Watch, whose lawyers say the Senate's refusal to seat Burris is unconstitutional.”Source: HUFFPOST
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:: Obama appoints Nancy Killefer to take the new position of "Chief Performance Officer", fulfilling yet another campaign pledge.
The position was created with an intent to eliminate government waste and improve efficiency.
“Killefer, a director of a management consulting firm who previously served as an assistant secretary of the treasury under President Bill Clinton, will work with federal agencies to set performance standards and hold agency managers accountable for progress.
Obama pledged during the campaign to form a White House SWAT team of sorts _ led by a chief performance officer who would report directly to him _ to work with agency leaders and the White House budget office to improve federal programs and services.”Source: HUFFPOST
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:: At his press conference today, Obama talked about the deficit, and plans to stabilize the economy.
“"Today the Congressional Budget Office announced that the deficit we are inheriting for this budget year will be $1.2 trillion," President-elect bama said today, noting that the stimulus package "will necessarily add more."
Even after our economy "pulls out of its slide," the President-elect warned, "trillion dollar deficits will be a reality for years to come. But as I said yesterday, our problem is not just a deficit of dollars. It’s a deficit of accountability... a deficit of trust. So change and reform can’t just be election-year slogans. They must become fundamental principles of government."” Source: ABC News - Jake Tapper
»Obama talks about Burris, deficit - MSNBC
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:: Bush continues to pass out political appointments as his parting gifts to friends, aides, and allies, at the expense of the American taxpayer.
Is it too late to impeach this incredibly dense man??
“President Bush made another round of last-minute appointments Tuesday, giving 45 aides, supporters and others a parting gift as he leaves office: presidential appointments to boards and councils, with terms lasting three to six years after he leaves office.
The full list as released by the White House after the jump includes attorney general Michael Mukasey, deputy national security advisor Elliott Abrams, and Homeland Security secretary Michael Chertoff.”Source: CNN
