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First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC News Political Reporter



McCain praises expected LaHood pick

Posted: Thursday, December 18, 2008 1:03 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under:

From NBC's Ken Strickland
Reacting to press reports that retiring GOP Rep. Ray LaHood is the likely nominee for Transportation secretary, John McCain today commended Obama "for once again reaching across the aisle." McCain called LaHood "one of our country's finest public servants. "

In a written statement, he said LaHood "has always fought for the best interests of our nation -- recognizing that bipartisan compromises often provide the best solutions to the problems facing our country."

"Our nation's transportation system faces some of the most pressing challenges of our time -- from modernizing our federal air traffic control system, resolving the funding crisis facing our nation's aging infrastructure, and promoting a safe, efficient and accessible transportation system that meets our nation's needs. Ray LaHood's experience will be critical to forging reasonable solutions to these challenges and I trust that he will be quickly confirmed by the U.S. Senate."

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McCain is pandering his whimsical, old, way just to obtain a position in the President Elect Obama's Cabient.
I wonder how many Democrats would have been in a McCain Cabinet. I doubt there would be any. Partisanship was too rampant on the GOP side.

As for LaHood, I say give the guy a chance. If he does well than that's great if he doesn't than Obama can ask for his resignation.

It seems Obama is putting Country First in forming his team.
Did Hillary have experience when she ran for the Senate?  Did Fred Thompson?  Did Arnold have experience before running for Governor?  She is well educated and has the desire.  Since when is that not enough?
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I'm well educated and have the desire.  Is that all it takes?  Does that mean I can be a U.S. Senator too?  Hillary, Fred Thompson and Arnold were all ELECTED.  That argument is totally lame, but it continues to be thrown out there.  
When McCain reached across the aisle in the past, it would have been to his advantage had he done more; and not voted with Georgie Boy.  I wonder if he can remember his failures.
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T Hyde, Albany NY (Sent Thursday, December 18, 2008 9:55 AM) We'll finally see that Caroline Kennedy is making millions ever year from liberal special interest groups for doing virtually no work. I guess liberals will then rally against her because, you know, Caroline is one of the "Evil Rich" people they keep talking about. ====================================  
T Hyde, Albany NY Yes, Caroline Kennedy would be perfect; she is a Kennedy. Caroline has a song “Sweet Caroline” because she is sweet. Caroline is, also bright, intelligent, a lawyer, a mother, and a fresh face. That would constitute change in govern because she is an Obama supporter.
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I think George Bush should never run/ appear again in a political event, or any place on the face of the earth, in life for for that matter; because he has run out of strings to tie up his political failures. His shoes are dirty and so is his footprint and his face; as it cracks a mirror of time. As he looks in the mirror upon awakening his smile is tight similar to his losing grip on his losing fight in Iraq,constitutional rights, and the breakdown of economies in the world. The war and more war claims remains the same as his empty brain. Stop lying, stop trying to impress; you lying parrot; change into a new lovely dress. God does not bless p/f%@#ts.

The people of California voted for bonds for a 'bullet train' to run up and down the state

Hopefully, Sec LaHood will support Federal funding for this project. It means jobs and protecting the environment for too many car and plane trips

San Francisco has a proposed subway from our downtown to Chinatown (2.8 miles?).
Hopefully, between laHood, Pelosi, Feinstein and Boxer, we can get this funded along with extensions and a new Trans Bay Terminal

Mas transit projects are the best form of Public Works (along with schools and hospitals)
Let's get MOVING
I guess you can't please everyone....


'...Rick Warren Giving Obama's Invocation: Pro-Lifers Hate Idea Too
 
On Wednesday, the Huffington Post reported that gay people and progressives were not pleased when Barack Obama chose Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at inauguration. CBNNews reports that they aren't the only people upset:

So let me get straight to the point.

Liberals and gay activists aren't happy with Barack Obama for choosing pro-life and prop 8 supporting pastor Rick Warren to give the invocation at Obama's inaugural. But pro-life readers seem to be equally upset at Rick Warren for agreeing to it.

The Brody File has been flooded with emails and most of them absolutely rip Pastor Warren for doing this. Below is but a very small sampling. I can't reprint all of them but let me just say that pro-lifers are NOT happy with Warren at all.


A representative email:

Unless Rick Warren has changed, he is very disappointing in the pro-life cause. Just ask pro-life leaders their opinion. He doesn't like to deal with it at his church. It just seems funny that he is known as 'pro-life' when he largely ignores the subject and teaches others to do the same. I fear God for these 'men of God'. We have lost 50 million babies, and most won't say a word. Reminds me of Nazi Germany or our slavery days. Very few spoke out. It was more comfortable to keep quiet....'

I STILL prefer Rev Wright to Rick Warren
Hopefully, between laHood, Pelosi, Feinstein and Boxer, we can get this funded along with extensions and a new Trans Bay Terminal
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Hopefully, between lahood, Pelosi, Feinstein and Boxer a special asylum can be built for MSierra, SF and Eric in Salinas to live in.
Hey that Obama has since and it would be nice to get McCain in on the big stimulus package he can not only convince his party but make a appointment for him to be the money czar let him regulate the pork and I'm a Obama supporter and Democrat I wacth McCain stump and he sounded for real until/Palin for my tax dollars I would like his oversight and grit.
Hey that Obama has since and it would be nice to get McCain in on the big stimulus package he can not only convince his party but make a appointment for him to be the money czar let him regulate the pork and I'm a Obama supporter and Democrat I wacth McCain stump and he sounded for real until/Palin for my tax dollars I would like his oversight and grit.
Hey that Obama has since and it would be nice to get McCain in on the big stimulus package he can not only convince his party but make a appointment for him to be the money czar let him regulate the pork and I'm a Obama supporter and Democrat I wacth McCain stump and he sounded for real until/Palin for my tax dollars I would like his oversight and grit.
Hey that Obama has since and it would be nice to get McCain in on the big stimulus package he can not only convince his party but make a appointment for him to be the money czar let him regulate the pork and I'm a Obama supporter and Democrat I wacth McCain stump and he sounded for real until/Palin for my tax dollars I would like his oversight and grit.
MSierra has a handle on it.

We are SOOO far behind on Mass transit, it is a crime!
The Europeans and the some of the Asians are way ahead of us!

In DFW, when the gas prices spiked over the summer, ridership was up 30+% year over year. So, the answer to we will use it, is YES if it is cost effective. :)

In FW, they have buses powered by Natural Gas (CNG)

I wonder if anyone is thinking about making low cost LOANS to cities for CNG busses. Reduces oil dependence and operating costs. If current vehicles can be retrofited, it would also create green jobs.

We must be creative and ensure that the stimulus package creates GREEN jobs, not pork like museums and observatories. No green job or permanaent infrastrucure improvements, no green backs!  
Hey John,
If LaHood is all you say he is, why in the heck did you go to Alaska and recruit that dunce?
Stop reporting what McCain says like it matters, it doesn't. Only the media and the press give people like him and Palin any attention. Let their merits or lack there of speak for themselves. Report the issues not the useless opinions of losers and idiots.
At least we don't have to hear from that stupid twit Sarah Palin on these picks...
MSierra - your research makes exactly the point as to why Obama inviting Warren isn't bad.  He is encouraging/promotinng the least devisive mega pastor.  You know that saying if you can't beat them, join them.  Well they can't join, if they aren't invited.  Promoting somone with a more tolerant stance than others on the right, subverts the radical right's cause to keep religious people intolerant. That is why they hate the idea.  Gays and pro-choice don't realize it, but Obama is going to accomplish more with the olive branch for these causes, than they have.  He is just working the religoius right from a slicker angle.  


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