January 2009 - Posts

Chuck's thoughts on Steele's victory

Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009 5:54 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Republicans

From NBC's Chuck Todd
The GOP averted a P.R. disaster after the race came down to Steele and Dawson. It was a pretty obvious choice: Pick the African American or the guy who had to quit an all-white country club. Had Dawson not had that negative mark on his resume, he would have won because he was a party insider. (Will this lead to him and other southern Republican politicians to end these country club restrictions? It's very retro in this day...)
 
As for Steele, he's got a lot of work to do. The big knock on him was that he wasn't an RNC insider and he's not the best organizer. His Senate campaign in 2006 was a lot of hot air, but he was simply crushed and he ran as a moderate at the time. Get used to a lot of sentences that end in "baby," Steele is fond of the word when he wants to showboat a tad in speeches. He certainly will be a better TV book than Duncan or Dawson would have been. And that does matter.
 
But Steele will be judged on mechanics more than optics. The issue for the GOP isn't finding a new face; it's finding a new political identity and catching up with the Democrats on the technological front. Steele may become a good spokesperson for the party -- the bar's kinda low right now as it stands. But can he raise the real money and put in place the grassroots tools necessary to make the party competitive?
 
By the way, while Steele's an outsider to the RNC, he's not exactly a Washington outsider. He was born and raised in the DC area and has hob-nobbed plenty with the powers that be in the GOP. So it won't be the culture shock to the GOP leadership that, for instance, an Anuzis or Dawson election would have been since neither were DC guys.

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Steele and the party of Lincoln

Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009 4:52 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Republicans

From NBC's Mark Murray
Earlier this month, the candidates for RNC chairman -- every single one of them -- cited Ronald Reagan as their favorite Republican president.

Today, with Michael Steele becoming the party's first African-American chairman, they turned to Abraham Lincoln.

After the fourth round of voting, Ken Blackwell -- who is also black -- dropped out and referred to Lincoln before endorsing Steele. "We must be a party that makes good on the promise of Lincoln," he said.

Then Steele mentioned Lincoln at a press conference after his victory. "It is just one more bold step the party of Lincoln has taken," he said.

When the race turned into a contest between Steele and South Carolina party chair Katon Dawson -- who once belonged to a whites-only country club -- the choice for some RNC members became obvious, especially after Barack Obama made history last week by becoming the nation's first African-American president.

Besides race, picking Steele over Dawson was a signal that Republicans wanted to expand their reach beyond the South -- as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell urged his party yesterday.

"It is time to get to work," Steele said. "We've got a party to build."

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First African American to head GOP

Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009 4:08 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Republicans

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Michael Steele became the first African American to lead the Republican Party, two months after Barack Obama was elected the first black president of the United States.

Video: Michael Steele makes his acceptance speech as the newly elected RNC Chairman.

It took six rounds, but, in the end, Steele pulled it off, staving off South Carolina Party chair Katon Dawson, by a 91-77 vote. (This means, of the Anuzis votes, Steele picked up 12, Dawson got eight.)

"As a little boy growing up in this town, this is awesome," Steele said. "It is with a great deal of humility and sense of service that I thank all of you ... to serve as the next chairman of our proud ... strong ... and very, very hardworking Republican National Committee. ...

"It's time for something completely different, and we're going to bring it to them. We are going to bring this party to every corner, board room, community....

"For those who want to obstruct," he warned, "get ready to be knocked over."

CONTINUED >>

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Obama's Super Bowl guest list

Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009 4:01 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Ken Strickland
The Pittsburgh Steelers will have bipartisan representation at President Barack Obama's White House Inaugural Superbowl Congressional Party. (not the official name, of course.)

We've been told today that Republican Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania will attend.  He'll be joining his Democratic Senate colleague Bob Casey, who says he's bringing the "terrible towels."

The Arizona Cardinals will not have Senate representation.  The staffs of Arizona Republican Senators John McCain and Jon Kyl have told us their bosses will not attend. 

*** UPDATE *** Here's a guest list, released by the White House: Sens. Bob Casey (D-PA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Reps. Elijah Cummings (D-MD), Artur Davis (D-AL), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Charlie Dent (R-PA), Mike Doyle (D-PA), Trent Franks (R-AZ), Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Paul Hodes (D-NH), Eleanor Holmes-Norton (D-DC), Patrick Murphy (D-PA), Fred Upton (R-MI).

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Steele takes lead; within six votes of win

Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009 3:31 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Michael Steele took the lead after the fifth round of voting in the race for RNC Chairman, overtaking South Carolina Party Chair Katon Dawson, 79-69.

Steele is now within six votes of becoming the first African American to lead the Republican Party, two months after Barack Obama was elected the first black president of the United States.

Almost immediately after the results were announced, Saul Anuzis, who garnered just 20 votes in the third round, took to the podium and withdrew. He declined to endorse either candidate.

Dawson needs a 16-4 split in the sixth and, likely, final round.

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Blackwell drops bid; endorses Steele

Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009 3:09 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro

Former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell dropped his bid for RNC Chair, and gave an impassioned endorsement of Michael Steele.

"We must be a party that makes good on the promise of Lincoln," said Blackwell, an African American, just before endorsing Steele, who is also black.

Through four rounds, Blackwell had 15 votes. He started with 20 after Round One.

It will be interesting to see where his votes go in Round Five, however, because many of his supporters are considered the most conservative in the party. Dawson would have seemed to be the likely recipient before his full-throated endorsement of Steele.

"I cannot change the composition of this electorate [pause for laughs] nore would I want to," Blackwell said.

But he added, Republicans must "unleash a new birth of freedom" He said, Republicans need a candidate who "must inspire hope," "have leadership ability and a "vision to pull us together and ... Americans together" ...

"That is why I put my fullest support behind Michael Steele."

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Dawson takes lead

Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009 2:43 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
After the surprise drop out of former Chairman Mike Duncan, South Carolina party chairman Katon Dawson has taken a two-vote lead over Michael Steele, 62-60.

This comes despite Duncan encouraging his voters to go with Steele, a source close to Duncan told First Read.

Anuzis moved to 31, and Blackwell remained at 15, rounding out fourth-round voting.

The winning candidate needs 85 votes to clinch. That means Dawson now needs 23 more votes, and Steele needs 25.

Duncan met with Steele privately prior to dropping out to tell him of his plans, a source said. The source added that "he likes Steele," but he's not sure that the members will all move to Steele. Many of them aren't warm to Steele, because he's not a committee member.

The source also said that Duncan pulled out because he's a "party guy" and didn't want a long, drawn-out fight.

This now is shaping up to be a fight between, fundamentally, an "insider" (Dawson) and an "outsider" (Steele). It also ironically sets up the first African American to lead the Republican Party against a party chairman from the South, who was a member of a country club that was formerly all-white.

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Duncan drops out

Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009 2:17 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro and Mark Murray
RNC Chairman Mike Duncan

has dropped out of the race for RNC Chairman.

"The winds of change" are upon the RNC, he said. "I see what's happening."

More to come

*** UPDATE *** Duncan thanked his staff. He said that he is a new grandfather, and will be plenty busy.

So what does this mean?
1. Duncan is out.
2. That does NOT necessarily mean Steele will win. He still has to get 85 votes. Katon Dawson is the one to watch next round. He showed the most movement last round and if he pulls further up it could be a two-man race between Steele and Dawson. Dawson would be taking up the insider mantle now.
3. Also, think about if you add Duncan's and Blackwell's votes to Dawson or Anuzis, it is very close.

"This is the opening we were hoping for," an Anuzis spokesman said.

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Kerry against 'bad bank' proposal

Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009 2:05 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Congress, Andrea Mitchell

From NBC's Andrea Mitchell

Finance committee member John Kerry said on MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell Reports that he is against the reported bad bank proposal Treasury is working on.


Kerry said he'd prefer to see the banks write off their losses, take their hits and avoid more taxpayer liability

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McCaskill unloads on Wall St. 'idiots'

Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009 1:57 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Congress

From NBC's Ken Strickland
President Obama may have called it "shameful," but Sen. Claire McCaskill took to the Senate floor and unloaded on the corporate execs getting billions in bonuses funded by taxpayer dollars: "We have a bunch of idiots on Wall Street that are kicking sand in the face of the American taxpayer." And then the Missouri Democrat reloaded.

"They don't get it," McCaskill said. "These people are idiots. You can't use taxpayer money to pay out $18-billion in bonuses... What planet are these people on?"

Video: McCaskill: Wall St. 'kicking taxpayer in shins

Today, McCaskill introduced legislation that would cap the executive pay at any company getting federal bailout money at $400,000. (The same salary of the US President.) "They'd have to limit that executive compensation for everyone in their company until they pay back every dime to the taxpayers," she said.CONTINUED >>

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Steele takes the lead

Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009 1:41 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro and Mark Murray
Michael Steele has taken the lead in this race for RNC chairman, after what amounts to a third overtime here.

After the third round of voting, Steele is at 51 -- gaining three from the last round and five over all. Duncan has slipped to 44, down from 48 last round and 52 on first ballot.

No one achieved the needed 85-vote majority, so voting goes to a fourth round. There, again, will be a 15-minute recess, then another vote, and about 15 minutes to count the votes.

Dawson showed the most movement this round, picking up five. Anuzis remained at 24, and Blackwell lost four more.

But it's a bit of Groundhog's Day at this RNC race. In three rounds of votes, there has only been a total movement of 26 votes

"Steele picking up three, us losing four is tough," Duncan spokesman Chris Taylor said. He said is showing real movement and said he was surprised Anuzis stayed at 24

"This is a member-non member race," he stressed, adding that there are still 15 Blackwell votes, which likely went to Dawson this round.

He added, if "we continue this trend, and Dawson gets ahead of us," then he'll be very concerned.

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Obama, Biden task force on middle class

Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009 1:36 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Athena Jones

WASHINGTON -- On the campaign trail then-candidates Barack Obama and Joe Biden cast themselves as champions of labor and middle class, men who had not forgotten where they came from and who would fight for the concerns of ordinary Americans.

Today's announcement of a task force aimed at studying ways to raise living standards for middle class Americans and help the poor become middle class is in line with that same populist theme and with Obama's consistent focus on economic issues at a time of rising unemployment.

"Today we learned that our economy shrank in the last three months of 2008 by 3.8 percent," Obama said, calling the statistic a disaster for working families. "The recession is deepening and the urgency of our economic crisis is growing."CONTINUED >>

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What to look for in Round 3

Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009 1:21 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Republicans

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Shortly before second-round voting was announced, Duncan spokesman Chris Taylor reminded First Read that in 1993 Haley Barbour got 50 votes on first round.

"We feel good," he said, adding that Duncan had 42 public endorsement this morning. But also said that they expected to gain in the second round. He said he expected to see the most movement in the third round. Like the Anuzis camp, he said he believes there is an impending member versus non-member rift that will take hold, and could sway the race to Duncan -- since Blackwell and Steele are not RNC members.

But the Anuzis people, vying to be the "insider" alternative, contend that if Steele goes above Duncan, that could be a P.R. debacle for the sitting chairman. They believed if Duncan fell to second in the second round, that would translate into gains for Dawson or Anuzis.

The same would hold true for the third round. We'll see what happens.

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HRC seeks 'job advice' from Shultz

Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009 1:11 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: State Dept.

From NBC's Libby Leist
This afternoon, Secretary Clinton will meet with Former Secretary of State George Shultz at the State Department.

State spokesman Robert Wood said Clinton will be seeking job advice.

"The secretary wanted to have conversations with all of the previous living secretaries of State, and this is just part of that... attempt," he said. "She respects very much Secretary Shultz's views.  He's a well-known and distinguished American figure."

Shultz was Secretary of State under President Reagan from 1982-1989.
He also served as Secretary of the Treasury under Richard Nixon, and he was economic advisor to Reagan before his appointment as Secretary of State.

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Tied!

Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009 12:56 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro and Mark Murray
After the second round of voting, the race to be RNC chairman is all tied up.

Mike Duncan, who was leading after round one with 52 votes, lost four. Michael Steele gained two, as both are now tied with 48 each.

Katon Dawson moves up one to 29; Anuzis picked up two to go to 24 and Blackwell lost one to go to 19.

This is a "heated race," Duncan spokesman Chris Taylor told First Read. It's"  neck and neck," he added, calling it "organic." He said the race is "expected to go up and down.

"Losing four votes is tough," Taylor said, but "Blackwell continues to go down." So, "that 's 19 votes we can pick up."

*** UPDATE *** That said, a Steele spokesman told First Read that the results for Duncan -- getting less than a third of the initial vote and losing four votes in the second round -- puts the incumbent chairman in a perilous situation.

The next round of voting -- will Blackwell drop out or lose more support -- is shaping up to be pivotal.

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'Insider' could still benefit

Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009 12:26 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro
One thing to keep in mind, per an Anuzis spokesperson, is that 66 votes were for "outsiders" -- people who aren't members of the RNC -- Steele and Blackwell.

While the remaing 102 votes were for "insiders" -- state party members Dawson, Anuzis, and Duncan.

At the end of the day, the Anuzis spokesperson said that could help an insider at the end of the day.

That's the spin, anyway.

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Duncan leads after Rd. 1; Steele close

Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009 12:13 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Republicans

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro and Mark Murray
After the initial round of voting for RNC chairman, as expected, current chairman Mike Duncan is in the lead, but not by as much as his team would likely feel comfortable with.

The tally: Duncan 52, Steele 46, Dawson 28, Anuzis 22, Blackwell 20.

None received the necessary majority, and they will have to vote into a second round. There will be a 15-minute recess until the next vote.

The strong first-round showing indicates this could be moving toward a two-man race. But though the margin -- just six votes separating Duncan and Steele -- could be seen as good news for Steele and bad news for Duncan, the incumbent, a Duncan spokesman tells First Read that "52 is where we expected to be." He added that they hope to pick up ballots from either Anuzis or Dawson in later rounds.

The winning candidate needs 85 votes, a 50 plus one vote majority, to be named chairman.

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RNC, first round over

Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009 11:56 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Republicans

From NBC's Mark Murray
The initial round of voting is now over, and it took about 15 minutes. Each of the 168 RNC members -- three from every state and territory -- dropped his/her ballot into a box. They proceeded in alphabetical order by state, much like at a high school graduation ceremony, as the committeewoman conducting the vote remarked.

An accounting firm will now begin tallying the votes.

"I can't believe how exciting this is. I am hanging on the edge of my seat," said one observer in the room.

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The arguments for RNC chair

Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009 11:45 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Republicans

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Five candidates were nominated to be on the ballot for RNC chairman at this morning's final day of the RNC Winter Meeting.

The arguments for each candidate -- Ken Blackwell, Michael Steele, Mike Duncan, Katon Dawson and Saul Anuzis -- were laid out in speeches made by various committee members supporting their candidate. Each candidate had to have one nominator and at least one second.

First to be nominated was former Ohio Secretary of State Blackwell. His nominator lauded Blackwell's "13-4 record" -- "ironic" -- on this Super Bowl weekend. He extended the metaphor, comparing Blackwell to Arizona Cardinals' quarterback Kurt Warner.

"No one gave the Arizona Cardinals a chance," he said. "But they turned to Kurt Warner ... that's what we need. ... Ken Blackwell's life is the American Dream."

CONTINUED >>

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Gregg, 'honored' to be considered

Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009 11:25 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: White House, Republicans, The First 100 Days

From NBC's Ken Strickland
Republican Sen. Judd Gregg acknowledged that he is being considered as Obama's Commerce Secretary, and he is "honored" to be.

"I am aware that my name is one of those being considered by the White House for Secretary of Commerce, and am honored to be considered, along with others, for the position," the New Hampshire senator said in a statement. "Beyond that there is nothing more I can say at this time."

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First thoughts: Take me to your leader

Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009 9:16 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro
*** Take me to your leader: The self-help saying, “Today is the first day of the rest of my life,” could very well apply to the Republican Party today as it meets in DC to elect a new chairman after its stinging political defeats in 2006 and 2008. There are five candidates: current chairman Mike Duncan of Kentucky, Michigan party chair Saul Anuzis, former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, South Carolina party chair Katon Dawson and former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele. (A sixth candidate, former Huckabee campaign manager Chip Saltsman, who distributed the CD with “Barack the Magic Negro” on it, withdrew from the race yesterday.) The vote offers several mini-themes. There’s the referendum on the incumbent Duncan (the vote will likely turn into a race between Duncan and an anti-Duncan choice). There are the candidates’ regional differences (Anuzis and Steele are from reliable Dem states; Dawson and Duncan are from solid GOP ones). There’s ideology (Blackwell and Dawson are the most conservative candidates; Steele is perhaps the most moderate). There's race (Blackwell and Steele are black; Dawson once belonged to a whites-only country club; “Barack the Magic Negro”). And then there’s the members-only angle (Duncan, Anuzis, and Dawson are RNC members; Blackwell and Steele are outsiders). In fact, that final point could very well swing the election in the second and third rounds of balloting. If Anuzis and/or Dawson drop out, do their supporters bolt to the outsider Steele? Or do they back Duncan, the man they’ve worked with for quite some time?   

*** Status quo you can believe in? Just askin’, but what kind of message would the GOP be sending after its 2008 losses by keeping Mitch McConnell as Senate leader, keeping John Boehner as House leader and keeping Mike Duncan as RNC chair? If that all happens, it's an odd message to send to the party and American voters. Not much change…

*** The mechanics of the vote: The 168 RNC members convene at 10:30 am ET, and here’s what follows: They conduct a head count (determining how many members and proxies are in attendance); they determine how the vote is conducted (it’s expected to be by secret ballot); they give nominating and seconding speeches; and finally they begin the balloting. To win, a candidate needs a simple majority (so 85 votes out of the 168). There is no cut-off threshold. For example, if Blackwell finishes last in the first round of voting, he isn’t forced out of the contest -- so it’s anyone’s guess how many round of ballots there will be. Also, the results from each round of voting will be announced publicly. As of Thursday, First Read’s survey of the 168 RNC members had Duncan with 44 first-vote supporters, Steele with 30, Dawson at 18, Blackwell and Anuzis at 16 each and Saltsman (who has since dropped out) at 1.

*** A tough sell becomes tougher: Obama yesterday channeled his inner-populist, chastising Wall Street executives for taking billions in bonus money, even as many of these firms were begging the government for bailout money. The move may have been calculated as the president and his economic team prepare for the likelihood that they'll be asking for BILLIONS more in bailout money to rescue many of these same financial firms. Convincing Congress to hand more bailout money to banks was going to be hard enough before yesterday. Now that the general public becomes even more sour on these Wall Street executives, it may prove even more difficult to convince members of Congress who will be hearing from many angry constituents. Also, expect two things next week in response to yesterday’s news: (1) Congress to drag executives in front the public and attempt to shame them into giving back some of these bonuses, and (2) the administration to write regulations preventing bonuses in the future for firms who take government money. It's going to be tough to legally yank bonus money away now, but putting restrictions on future bonus money is very possible.

*** The race to 60: The Judd-Gregg-for-Commerce-Secretary story is very real. Senate Republicans are upset that he hasn't put the story to bed. So clearly he's pondering. One sticking point is that New Hampshire has a Dem governor, John Lynch, and that could give Democrats 60 seats if Gregg leaves and Al Franken eventually wins. One idea floating out there is a deal between Obama/Gregg and Lynch to appoint a caretaker Republican (perhaps ex-Sen. Warren Rudman?). Even if he doesn't take the job, Gregg is certainly sending the signal that he doesn't want to run in 2010. That is a terrible sign for the Senate GOP. Another retirement makes the idea of netting a single seat in 2010 nearly impossible. This likely outcome in 2010 actually could mean Lynch and Obama are open to a deal that keeps a Republican in the seat until November 2010, since getting that 60th Senate seat in the coming years seems probable.

*** Gone, Blago, gone: So you say there is no bipartisanship in politics? Well, in a unanimous 59-0 vote yesterday, Democratic and Republican state senators in Illinois convicted Rod Blagojevich in his impeachment trial, making Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn the state’s top executive. Is the nightmare for Democrats over? Not quite.

First, there’s Blago’s eventual trial, which will produce plenty of news stories (both in Illinois and nationally). And second, there’s 2010, when Roland Burris and likely a host of other Democratic and Republican candidates will be running for Obama’s old Senate seat. Burris released this written statement yesterday: "I stand behind the Illinois State Senate's decision today to remove Gov. Blagojevich from office. As I've repeatedly stated, the governor must be held accountable for his actions to the legislature, in a court of law and to the people of the State of Illinois.” But it’s going to take more than a statement to wash away Blago’s fingerprints on Burris’ appointment, if he decides to run in 2010.

*** Pallin’ around with Obama: Remember this Palin line from the presidential campaign? “Our opponent is someone who sees America as imperfect enough to pal around with terrorists who targeted their own country.” Well, on Saturday night, Palin will be in DC for the Alfalfa Dinner, where Obama will also be in attendance. Her reason for coming to the Lower 48? To pal around with Obama, she said. "How often will I get an opportunity to have dinner with the president? I will take up that offer to do so." Speaking of potential 2012 GOP presidential candidates, Mitt Romney speaks today at 12:30 pm ET at the House Republican annual retreat in Hot Springs, Va. He then holds a media availability there at 2:00 pm ET. 
 
Countdown to NJ GOP primary: 123 days
Countdown to VA Dem primary: 130 days
Countdown to Election Day 2009: 277 days
Countdown to Election Day 2010: 641 days

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GOP future: Election Day

Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009 9:15 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Republicans

Previewing today's RNC chair voting, the AP's Sidoti writes, "Republicans say it's all but certain no one will get a majority on the first ballot when the 168-member RNC votes. Republicans say Duncan leads in endorsements for a second two-year term, with Steele, Dawson and Anuzis in competitive positions, while Blackwell trails. Still, with at least two rounds of balloting expected, it's possible anyone could end up with a majority."

The Hill's Reid Wilson also curtain-raises today's vote: Mike Duncan is likely to lead on first ballot "with most rivals expecting him to score more than 50 votes, but fewer than 60. His challenge, many say, is keeping his coalition together beyond the first two ballots, and demonstrating that he is able to pick up voters who didn't write down his name the first time. Former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele is likely to finish second on the first ballot. The charismatic GOPAC chairman has released more public supporters than any other candidate this week. But Steele will have to overcome concerns raised about his conservative credentials, which have been questioned by other prominent committee members. Steele also faces a challenge of not having served on the committee for several years, which could be an issue for some members who want to select one of their own."

Katon Dawson is expected to finish third, but he is hurt by his membership in what was until recently an all-white country club; Saul Anuzis is expected to be fourth with around 20 votes and "is a second choice of many committee members, given his tenure on the committee, but Anuzis has enemies as well, many of whom question whether his reliance on Web-based social networking applications are really the answer to the party's woes. Anuzis is also without an obvious ideological home, and though he has friends in all camps, there are fewer members as passionate about his candidacy as they are about other candidates. Though Ken Blackwell has fervent support, he's likely to finish last with about 15 votes.

Meanwhile, “Chip Saltsman, … who came under fire late last year for distributing a holiday CD with the parody song ‘Barack the Magic Negro,’ dropped out of the contest Thursday on the eve of the vote,” the New York Times says. Mr. Saltsman, a former Tennessee Republican chairman, sent an e-mail message to members of the Republican National Committee announcing his decision. The message made no mention of why he was leaving the race, but Republicans have said for days that he was struggling to collect enough signatures to qualify for the ballot.”

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First 100 days: Obama vs. Wall Street

Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009 9:14 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: The First 100 Days

The New York Times says Obama “branded Wall Street bankers ‘shameful’ on Thursday for giving themselves nearly $20 billion in bonuses as the economy was deteriorating and the government was spending billions to bail out some of the nation’s most prominent financial institutions… It was a pointed -- if calculated -- flash of anger from the president, who frequently railed against excesses in executive compensation on the campaign trail. He struck his populist tone as he confronted the possibility of having to ask Congress for additional large sums of money, beyond the $700 billion already authorized, to prop up the financial system, even as he pushes Congress to move quickly on a separate economic stimulus package that could cost taxpayers as much as $900 billion.” 

Video: President Obama did not hide his anger at the nearly $20 billion in bonuses Wall Street companies doled out last year to corporate executives.

The New York Daily News adds, "Obama was particularly peeved at the news coming as he's working to push his massive economic rescue plan."


But the Washington Post writes that Obama passed up an opportunity to scold Wall Street bonuses and executive pay when he met with CEOs earlier this week. “The president stood with 13 CEOs in the East Room of the White House on Wednesday to push for congressional passage of his $816 billion stimulus package. He talked broadly about personal responsibility but did not specifically refer to excessive pay, even though several of the executives have made many millions of dollars a year.”

CONTINUED >>

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Congress: SCHIP passes Senate

Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009 9:12 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Congress

CONGRESS: SCHIP passes Senate
The Washington Post: “The Senate overwhelmingly approved legislation yesterday to provide health insurance to 11 million low-income children, a bill that would for the first time spend federal money to cover children and pregnant women who are legal immigrants. Lawmakers voted 66 to 32, largely along party lines, to renew the joint state-federal program and spend an additional $32.8 billion to expand coverage to 4 million more children. The expansion would be paid for by raising the cigarette tax from 39 cents a pack to $1.”

“The House approved similar legislation on Jan. 14, and President Obama is expected to sign a final version as early as next week.”

After the Huffington Post reported that reform groups are asking Congress to investigate whether TARP recipients are using the bailout money to fund political campaigns, the group Change Congress -- which is calling for a strike among political donors until congressional campaign-finance laws are changed -- announced that it has now withheld $550,000 in contributions from politicians. 

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First 100 days: Selling the stimulus

Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009 9:12 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: The First 100 Days

The conservative commentariat is making it easier for congressional Republicans to oppose Obama's stimulus package. From Peggy Noonan to David Brooks -- two conservative columnists who have been sometime Obama fans -- are both critics today.

And the Wall Street Journal editorial page does its own analysis that -- not surprisingly -- is critical of the bill. But it only strengthens the spine of conservative Republicans.

The Los Angeles Times has a piece that notes while congressional Republicans have easily come up with consensus reasons to oppose the stimulus, they don't have a  consensus on alternative ideas. "The party's scattershot stance points up two problems facing Republicans after their dismal showing in November's election: Absent a central figure like the president, who speaks for Republicans? And with its image in tatters, how does the GOP oppose Obama without seeming heedlessly partisan, or ignoring the voters' desire for quick action to ease the economic hurt?"

Are Republicans trying more to rebrand themselves during this stimulus debate than trying to improve the bill? The Washington Post: "The unanimous vote by House Republicans against President Obama's stimulus plan provided an early indication that the GOP hopes to regain power by becoming the champion of small government, a reputation many felt slipped away during the high-spending Bush years."

Ed Secretary Arne Duncan defended the billions for education in the stimulus package. "'If we want to stimulate the economy, we need a better-educated workforce,' Duncan said Thursday in an interview with The Associated Press. 'That's the only way, long-term, we're going to get out of this economic crisis,' he said."

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Blago watch: Adios, Blago

Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009 9:11 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Democrats

"Gov. Rod Blagojevich was thrown out of office Thursday without a single lawmaker coming to his defense, brought down by a government-for-sale scandal that stretched from Chicago to Capitol Hill and turned the foul-mouthed politician into a national punchline."

The Chicago Tribune profiles the state’s new governor, Pat Quinn. “Patrick Quinn slipped into the Capitol on Thursday morning barely noticed, a perpetual No. 2 whose very office and three-decade career have at times been political punch lines. Hours later, the dismissive snickering had been replaced by deferential smiles after Quinn took the oath of office to become Illinois' governor. The throng of well-wishers on the House floor was thick as lawmakers competed to kiss the proverbial ring of a low-profile colleague who'd made an unlikely ascension.”

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2009/2010: Paterson takes a hit

Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009 9:10 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: 2009, 2010

FLORIDA: Apparently former New Hampshire Republican Sen. Bob Smith is thinking about running for Mel Martinez's vacated seat in Florida, the New Hampshire Union-Leader reports. "'I have NOT made a decision to run for this seat,' Smith emailed 'Friends,' some of whom are in the Granite State, this week. 'The purpose of this letter is to simply ask for your opinion as to whether I should be a candidate. If I were to become the next Senator from Florida, the 18 years of seniority from my service in New Hampshire would make me one of the most senior Republicans in the U.S. Senate. This could be very helpful to Florida….'"

NEW YORK: New York Gov. David Paterson has taken a hit for his handling of the Hillary Clinton Senate seat replacement. A Siena poll finds Paterson with his highest disapproval rating since he's taken office. His numbers: 54% approve, 30% disapprove. That 30% is seven points higher than it was a week ago.

"In office only since Tuesday, Gillibrand has already booked a Hillary Clinton-sized ‘listening tour’ this weekend, taking her from Buffalo to Brooklyn -- with a fund-raiser, two round tables and meetings with at least four ethnic groups sprinkled in along the way."

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What kind of change for GOP?

Posted: Thursday, January 29, 2009 6:40 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Republicans

From NBC’s Domenico Montanaro
The top-ranking Senate Republican gave a speech to the Republican National Committee -- a day before the body elects a chairman -- that was one part tough medicine, one part pep talk.

The party’s outlook is grim, Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell implored, as he rolled off figure after figure of demographic groups Republicans lost badly in 2008, particularly blacks and Hispanics.

He lamented that the party is increasingly becoming a “regional party.”


“That’s called a minority party,” the Senate Minority Leader said, “and I didn’t sign up to be in the minority party.”

But McConnell didn’t necessarily go the way of the Tim Pawlentys of the world in calling for the party to own issues like health care and education. There was no call to action for the 168 listening committee members at the Capitol Hilton hotel downtown -- just a couple of blocks from the White House now occupied by Democrat Barack Obama -- except for saying it was going to take hard work.

CONTINUED >>

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Blago is removed from office

Posted: Thursday, January 29, 2009 5:44 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Courts, States

From NBC's Mark Murray
The Illinois Senate unanimously voted to expel embattled Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) from office.

That means Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn (D) becomes the state's new governor.

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Obama's invited Super Bowl guests

Posted: Thursday, January 29, 2009 5:13 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: White House, Congress, Barack Obama

From NBC's Ken Strickland
So White House press secretary Robert Gibbs says President Obama invited some congressional folks over to watch the Super Bowl, huh?

Here's the we've been able to track down on the Senate side (in between asking questions about the stimulus, of course). 

Steelers are represented by Arlen Specter (R) and Bob Casey (D).
-- Casey: invited and accepted. His office says he's bring "terrible towels" and something called Eat'n Park Cookies' (a Pittsburgh thing we're told)
-- haven't heard back from Specter's office *** UPDATE *** Specter's office confirms he has been invited, but staff is trying to sort his day's schedule

Cardinals are represented by Republicans John McCain and Jon Kyl.
-- McCain has been invited but will not attend
-- Kyl's office can't confirm he's been invited, but Kyl was planning on watching the game with his family

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Cantor accuses Dems of partisanship

Posted: Thursday, January 29, 2009 4:23 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: White House, Congress, Republicans, Economy, Mike Viqueira

From NBC's Mike Viqueira and Mark Murray
House Republicans are accusing "the White House" of being the first to break the bipartisan spell.

A statement from House GOP Whip Eric Cantor alleges post-vote recriminations, and also cites TV ads targeting vulnerable Senate Republicans on the eve of Senate debate on the stimulus.

"In his Inaugural Address, President Obama promised to put an end to the petty politics that have come to dominate Washington.

The "threat" Cantor is referring to is this reporting from Politico: "Pushing back against the unanimous House Republican vote against President Obama’s stimulus plan, the White House plans to release state-by-state job figures 'so we can put a number on what folks voted for an against,' an administration aide said."

And as far as the new TV ads being "attack ads," you be the judge...

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Obama signs equal pay law

Posted: Thursday, January 29, 2009 2:33 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: White House, Economy, Barack Obama

From NBC's Athena Jones

Obama spoke often of the equal pay issue during the campaign, as did then-rival Hillary Clinton. And the president made special note of the fact that this was the first piece of legislation he was signing into law.

"It is fitting that the very first bill that I sign -- the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act -- that it is upholding one of this nation's founding principles: that we are all created equal, and each deserve a chance to pursue our own version of happiness," he said.

CONTINUED >>

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Congressional bipartisanship a myth?

Posted: Thursday, January 29, 2009 1:21 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Congress, Democrats, Republicans, Economy, Mike Viqueira

From NBC's Mike Viqueira

After all, Congress -- especially the House -- is not designed to be bipartisan. Pelosi can't be both effective and let Republicans into thee room, because the opposition's only interest is to blow the place up. It has been this way since the 19th Century. They can't change the standard now.
 
CONTINUED >>

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Eight is enough?

Posted: Thursday, January 29, 2009 1:06 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: States, Democrats

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Who is Lilly Ledbetter?

Posted: Thursday, January 29, 2009 12:53 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Barack Obama

From NBC's Pete Williams
"The ball is in Congress's court," said Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg two years ago, taking the unusual step of announcing a passionate dissent from the bench as the Supreme Court ruled against Lilly Ledbetter, May 29, 2007.

Today, Lilly Ledbetter watched President Obama sign a law that reverses that ruling.  But who is she?

"I just could not believe that they would separate the female pay so far down the line from my male peers," she told NBC News at the time. "I was shocked when my attorneys accumulated all the information, and I saw how low it was." 
 
CONTINUED >>

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Obama GITMO order rebuffed

Posted: Thursday, January 29, 2009 12:40 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: White House, Security, Jim Miklaszewski

From NBC's Jim Miklaszewski

The officials point out that the administration's request was to suspend legal proceedings in 14 separate cases now in progress before the military commissions, and this judge's ruling pertains only to Nashiri's case.

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First thoughts: The big, fat O

Posted: Thursday, January 29, 2009 9:12 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro
*** The big, fat O: Despite Obama traveling to Capitol Hill to meet with them in private, despite including one of their former members (Ray LaHood) in his cabinet, and despite inviting their leaders over for cocktails last night at the White House, not a single House Republican voted for the stimulus package, which cleared the House yesterday by a 244-188 vote. Predicting that GOP outcome before the vote, the Washington Post notes, House Republican Leader John Boehner put his finger and thumb together to signal the big, fat "O" -- zero. House GOP leaders seemed to go out of their way to make sure reporters knew the message they were sending was directed at Speaker Pelosi, not the president. (As one snarkily noted to First Read, the president met with House Republicans on the stimulus bill more times than Pelosi did.) But how closely does the American public follow congressional politics? Won't this look like they are snubbing a president who just days ago reached out to them? Republicans are taking a risk by looking so defiant, especially if this package ends up working. The last thing Republicans need is another "O" -- obstructionist” -- being tagged to them.

*** Another Obama olive branch: That said, in his statement last night, Obama said that he wants “to strengthen” the stimulus plan before it gets to his desk. It was an interesting word choice and yet another olive branch to House Republicans. (And get this -- Obama didn’t include the words “Democrat” or “Democratic” in his statement.) There are a number of Democrats scratching their heads at the House GOP goose egg; we even learned that LaHood was calling his fellow House Republicans asking for them to support the legislation. After all, the president has a 70% job approval rating and the package itself has the support of a majority of Americans, who in general appear to believe they want government to do something -- rather than nothing -- when it comes to the economy. Interestingly, the president may have his own issues to deal with in his own party. The more defiant Democrats are thinking, "I told you so," when it comes his GOP outreach efforts. In addition, we've been hearing chatter from congressional Democrats that they'd like the president to act as concerned about winning their support as he acts when it comes to the Republicans. Meanwhile, a coalition of liberal groups is launching a new ad campaign that urges moderate Republican senators to support the economic stimulus.

*** The state of the GOP: Given last night's House Republican vote, as well as tomorrow's RNC chair contest and even the recent GOP fealty to Rush Limbaugh, it's worth pointing out that the Republican Party is about as unpopular now as the president who just left office. In addition to December's NBC/WSJ poll, which showed that only 27% of the country viewed the GOP favorably (versus 49% who said that about the Dem Party), a new Gallup analysis of the 350,000 interviews it conducted in 2008 finds the Democratic Party leading in every state in the nation except in Alabama, Kansas, Nebraska, Alaska, Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah. (That’s right, even in some states McCain carried like Texas and Georgia, voters identify more with the Dem Party than the GOP.) Gallup summed up it up this way: “The political landscape of the United States has clearly shifted in the Democratic direction… As recently as 2002, a majority of states were Republican in orientation. By 2005, movement in the Democratic direction was becoming apparent, and this continued in 2006. That dramatic turnaround is clearly an outgrowth of Americans' dissatisfaction with the way the Republicans (in particular, President George W. Bush) governed the country.”

*** (Don’t) run away, run away from the pain: Minority Leader Mitch McConnell will talk about this very topic -- the Republican Party’s political standing -- when he gives the keynote address at 2:30 pm ET today at the RNC winter meeting. "The first task, in my view, is to find the voters who’ve left the party,” McConnell is expected to say, according to excerpts his office emailed First Read. “As we do this, the temptation for some will be to run from our principles or to dilute our message. I think that’s a temptation we need to resist. These people were Republican for a reason. You don’t get them back by pretending to be something else. And you certainly don’t gain voters by running away from the ones that are most loyal."

*** RNC chair count: Our latest numbers on the RNC chair race that takes place tomorrow: Duncan 44, Steele 30, Dawson 18, Blackwell and Anuzis 16 each, Saltsman 1, Undecided/Not Reached 43. The Web site, YourRNC.com, which also has been tracking this race, updated its numbers as well: Duncan 36, Dawson 20, Steele 18, Anuzis 17, Blackwell 13, Saltsman 0. (Per a list provided by the Steele campaign, it claims 18 publicly pledged, but 12 others private for our total of 30.) In a conference call yesterday, the Duncan team boldly proclaimed, per NBC's Claire Luke, “We expect it to be a very interesting day on Friday, but no matter how many ballots it goes to, we expect Duncan to be the winner." Interestingly, the debate over the president's stimulus package is coming in the same week as the party’s chairman race. And the GOP has been going through an identity crisis of sorts. Is it a low-tax, low-spending, less-government, personal responsibility party? Well, it's what many in the House GOP caucus want to be but that isn't what the party has been these last six years and while the base of the GOP may be responding to this new redefining of what the party wants to be, is it believable to the vast middle of the electorate who shifted toward the Democrats in droves over the last two years and

*** Blago’s last day as governor? After saying that he wouldn’t testify at his impeachment trial, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) will now make an appearance after all, when he delivers a closing argument of sorts at the trial at noon ET. And those could very well be his final words as governor. After his remarks, the state Senate will vote to remove him from office. To do that will require a vote from 41 out of the state’s 59 senators, and it if happens Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn (D) will become the state’s 41st governor.

*** Obama’s day: Obama today will sign his first bill into law -- the Lilly Ledbetter bill, which eliminates the statute of limitations when women and others can sue for workplace discrimination. After that, Obama will stop by a reception (which is closed to the press) where Ledbetter and Michelle Obama will speak. Later today, Obama and Biden will meet in the Oval Office with Treasury Secretary Geithner, and then Obama will hold another Oval Office meeting with Secretary of State Clinton. Also today, the House GOP caucus begins its annual retreat in Hot Springs, VA.

Countdown to NJ GOP primary: 124 days
Countdown to VA Dem primary: 131 days
Countdown to Election Day 2009: 278 days
Countdown to Election Day 2010: 642 days

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Congress: 177-0

Posted: Thursday, January 29, 2009 9:10 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Congress, Economy

The New York Times writes, ”Without a single Republican vote, President Obama won House approval on Wednesday for an $819 billion economic recovery plan as Congressional Democrats sought to temper their own differences over the enormous package of tax cuts and spending… All but 11 Democrats voted for the plan, and 177 Republicans voted against it. The 244-to-188 vote came a day after Mr. Obama traveled to Capitol Hill to seek Republican backing, if not for the package then on other issues to come.”

The Wall Street Journal adds, “The 244-188 vote was not what Mr. Obama had hoped for. A week of presidential wooing -- including a visit to the Capitol, a return visit to the White House by moderate House Republicans and a bipartisan cocktail party Wednesday night -- did not yield a single Republican vote.”

The Washington Post: “Some moderate Republicans who opposed the bill left open the chance of supporting the final version if the White House and Senate address their concerns about spending. And Democrats remain hopeful of securing a more bipartisan result in the Senate, where committee action has driven up the cost as the amount of tax relief has increased, something Republicans have demanded before they will consider offering their support.”

The Boston Globe: "Members of both parties said that despite Obama's overtures to Republicans -- including a trip this week to Capitol Hill to woo members in person -- the congressional leadership of both parties approached the stimulus legislation with the same unrelenting partisan tactics Obama attacked during his campaign and inaugural address.”

CONTINUED >>

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First 100 days: Signing his first bill

Posted: Thursday, January 29, 2009 9:09 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: The First 100 Days

Obama will sign into law today the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which eliminates the statute of limitations for when women and other can sue for workplace discriminations.

Per NBC’s Savannah Guthrie, the White House will name Gary Samore as "weapons of mass destruction coordinator" at the National Security Council.

From the economy to war… Obama's "first visit to the Pentagon as commander in chief ended yesterday with no decision on his campaign pledge to bring combat forces home from Iraq in 16 months… Obama did not demand quick action on the Iraq withdrawal he promised, people in the meeting said, and the session seemed designed in part to reassure military leaders and the rank and file that a new commander in chief understands the tolls that two lengthy wars have taken on the military."

The Obama team is ramping up the diplomatic efforts. "George Mitchell was seen entering Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' headquarters in the West Bank town of Ramallah and was due to meet later in the day with Prime Minister Salam Fayyad. He is not meeting with Hamas, the Islamic group that is Abbas' rival and the ruler of the Gaza Strip. The U.S., Israel and European Union have blacklisted Hamas as a terrorist group." Mitchell called for "an end to smuggling and reopening of the crossings." 

CONTINUED >>

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Blago watch: My only friend, the end?

Posted: Thursday, January 29, 2009 9:08 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: States, Democrats

“After boycotting the trial since its Monday opening, explaining to national TV audiences that he would not dignify an unfair process, Blagojevich asked Wednesday for permission to address senators with a 90-minute closing argument,” the Chicago Tribune writes. “His appearance, expected to receive Senate approval, would be followed by roll-call votes that could not only remove him as governor but bar him from holding future office.”

More: “A vote by 40 of the legislature's 59 state senators to convict Blagojevich on charges of abuse of power would instantly make Lt. Gov. Patrick Quinn the state's 41st governor. Quinn intends to be at the Statehouse, awaiting the results of the Senate's deliberation and roll call that could come as soon as late Thursday.”

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GOP future: Identity crisis?

Posted: Thursday, January 29, 2009 9:07 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Republicans

The Washington Post’s Style Section writes about what it sees as the GOP’s identity crisis as it votes tomorrow for a new RNC chair. “Who am I? Why am I? Where am I going? So very, very much for the Republican to ponder in this Winter of the Democrats' Contentment. So many questions. Even the reliable color scheme has gone blurry. Isn't that big-shot GOP strategist Alex Castellanos swirling Republican red with Democrat blue, and coming up with a Washington consulting shop called -- heavens! – ‘Purple?’ Why, yes.”

More: “This is not an occasion for high-fives. The committee is getting together to choose a new chairman, settling an unusually intense competition that includes former Maryland lieutenant governor and current omnipresent talking head Michael Steele. It will also consider whether to issue a call to put the kibosh on President Obama's stimulus plan and any future industry bailouts. A few young women in blue T-shirts hand out stickers promoting a candidate for chairman, Saul Anuzis, of Michigan. None of the other candidates seem to bother.”

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Downballot: Coleman's 180

Posted: Thursday, January 29, 2009 9:06 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Congress, States

MINNESOTA: The Minneapolis Star Tribune on yesterday’s activity in the Minnesota recount trial: “After he lost the unofficial lead in Minnesota's U.S. Senate recount, Republican Norm Coleman called for an exhaustive review of rejected absentee ballots to see whether they should be counted. But a state elections official testified Wednesday that Coleman pursued a different strategy when he was leading. Deputy Secretary of State Jim Gelbmann said that in December the Coleman camp wouldn't accept 1,346 absentee ballots that county elections officials said were wrongly rejected. Gelbmann testified that even when he said there was ‘little doubt’ that 93 of the ballots were valid, Coleman's lawyers said ‘they needed time to look over the list.’”

“The testimony came on the third day of trial in Coleman's election lawsuit as lawyers for Democrat Al Franken sought to blunt Coleman's recent position that he is championing the counting of all valid votes while Franken is fighting to prevent it.”

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2009/2010: Shades of Gray Davis?

Posted: Thursday, January 29, 2009 9:05 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: States, 2010

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House passes stimulus; no GOP support

Posted: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 6:35 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Congress, Republicans

From NBC's Mike Viqueira and Domenico Montanaro
The House passed the stimulus bill by a 244 to 188 vote.

Eleven Democrats voted against the measure, and not a single Republican voted for it. The Democrats were: Boyd, Bright, Cooper, Ellsworth, Griffith, Kanjorski, Kratovil, Minnick, Peterson, Shuler, Taylor.

These, for the most part, are Blue Dogs, the fiscal conservatives in the party.

Despite President Obama's efforts to cull support for the bill, Republicans placed the blame squarely at the feet of House Democratic leadership, namely House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, for not involving them in the drafting of it.

Obama praised the passage of the bill, but included this line: "The plan now moves to the Senate, and I hope that we can continue to strengthen this plan before it gets to my desk." Perhaps a sign that this Democratic-written plan may change quite a bit, which is usually the case with the large number of edits, adds and deletes done by the Senate.

CONTINUED >>

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'We expect Duncan to be the winner'

Posted: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 6:12 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Republicans

From NBC’s Claire Luke
In a bold show of confidence, the Mike Duncan reelection team all but declared victory in the race for Republican National Committee chairman.

“We expect it to be a very interesting day on Friday, but no matter how many ballots it goes to, we expect Duncan to be the winner,” Republican National Committee Co-Chair Jo Ann Davidson told reporters on a conference call this afternoon.

That attitude is not optimistic but realistic, Davidson said. Referencing the RNC chair elections of 1993 and 1997, in which a relatively high number of candidates running resulted in more ballot rounds, Davidson said she believes a similar situation will occur on Friday. (There are five candidates running for chairman this year in addition to Duncan.)

A First Read survey of the RNC’s 168 voting members does show Duncan ahead of the other five candidates, with 44 members backing him; yet, this number still falls short of the 85 votes needed to secure a victory.

CONTINUED >>

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For RNC chair, a 'two-man race'?

Posted: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 6:00 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Republicans

From NBC’s Domenico Montanaro
After First Read came out with its RNC Chair race survey this morning showing Mike Duncan leading and Michael Steele in second with 20 votes, the Steele campaign contacted First Read about our number.

Steele's team contends it is confident it has 30 members supporting them -- 18 who have publicly declared and another 12 who have pledged their support privately. (First Read was provided with the list of names.)

Jim Dyke, spokesman for Steele, insisted this is a "two-man race" -- between Steele and Duncan.

"We’ve got a team of whips who are aggressively working," Dyke said. "We have a strong second, third ballot component [as well]."

He added that Steele is "constantly talking to people. ... That’s why you’re starting to see a real momentum swing in his direction."

CONTINUED >>

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Blago requests to make closing argument

Posted: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 4:08 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: States

From NBC's Samira Puskar
The Illinois Senate president, John Cullerton, has just stated that Gov. Rod Blagojevich has requested to make an appearance before the prosecutor's closing arguments Thursday.

Blagojevich wants to file a closing argument -- but offer no testimony and no questions.

*** UPDATE *** NBC affiliate WMAQ is reporting that Blagojevich is planning to appear at noon ET Thursday and will offer up to a 1.5-hour-long argument.

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Reid camp pushes back on NRSC ad

Posted: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 3:59 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Democrats, Republicans, Ads, 2010

From NBC's Mark Murray
Earlier today, we reported on a new TV ad that the National Republican Senatorial Committee is airing against Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in Nevada. (As the Washington Post's Cillizza notes, the ad's buy is limited to cable stations in Reno.)

Reid spokesman Jon Summers fires back at one of the ad's arguments -- that the Senate leader voted for the controversial $700 billion financial bailout, despite the Democrats running TV ads against it -- noting that several Senate Republicans voted for the bailout, including GOP presidential nominee John McCain, GOP Senate leader Mitch McConnell, new NRSC chairman John Cornyn, and outgoing NRSC chairman John Ensign.

"The country is in the worst economic condition since the Great Depression and Sen. Reid is working with Republicans to rebuild Nevada and the nation," Summers said. "However, it appears some would rather shout insults and throw stones."

Summers continues, "Voters sent a very clear message in November: they are tired of bickering and they want change that will make a difference to their lives. Unfortunately, Republicans are choosing to ignore that message. Nevadans know that Sen. Reid works hard for them and delivers results." 

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Suicides in U.S. military on rise

Posted: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 3:37 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Security, Jim Miklaszewski

From Jim Miklaszewski and Courtney Kube
Suicides among soldiers in the U.S. Army rose to an alarming number in 2008, NBC News learned today. 

While the Army continues to investigate at least 17 deaths as possible suicide, they have already confirmed that at least 125 soldiers took their lives last year.

That is up from 115 in 2007; 102 in 2006; and 87 in 2005.

CONTINUED >>

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Joke's on who?

Posted: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 2:17 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Barack Obama

From NBC's Tom Sherwood and Domenico Montanaro

But D.C. public schools were open.

Apparently Sidwell's campuses based their decision on suburban closings. D.C. schools opened two hours late.

CONTINUED >>

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Hoop dreams: Ensign challenges Obama

Posted: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 2:07 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Barack Obama

From NBC's Mike Viqueira

CONTINUED >>

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At least 30,000 to Afghanistan this year

Posted: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 1:38 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Security

From NBC’s Jim Miklaszewski and Courtney Kube
The Pentagon is preparing initial orders to send an additional 22,000 soldiers and Marines to Afghanistan before the end of the year. That would include a Marine Expeditionary Brigade of 12,000 Marines with combat infantry and combat air power that would be deployed in the hotly-contested south in Afghanistan. 

Besides combat forces the overall 22,000 would include a headquarters, logistics, engineer and military police forces.

The first of the deployments would begin in the spring and be strung out through the rest of the year, depending, in part, on troop reductions in Iraq.

These orders would not be the last. The total number of additional U.S. forces sent to Afghanistan this year is expected to be at least 30,000.

In today's meeting with the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, President Obama will be briefed on Iraq, Afghanistan and the overall global risks facing the U.S. military after more than seven years of wars.  Pentagon officials say that no decisions on troop deployments or strategies are expected out of this meeting today.

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Obama rallies CEOs for stimulus

Posted: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 1:17 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: White House, The First 100 Days, Barack Obama

From NBC's Athena Jones

CONTINUED >>

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Holder passes committee vote

Posted: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 11:11 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Congress, The First 100 Days

From NBC’s Pete Williams and Ken Strickland
The Senate Judiciary Committee today voted in favor of Eric Holder's nomination for attorney general.

The vote was 17-2. The "no" votes were both Republicans, John Cornyn of Texas (who is also the National Republican Senatorial Committee chairman) and Tom Coburn of Oklahoma.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid would like to call for the vote ASAP, but if any single senator objects to an immediate vote -- as Democrats suspect a Republican will -- it delays the process by at least a day or two.

CONTINUED >>

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First thoughts: Ready, set, vote

Posted: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 9:28 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro
*** Ready, set, vote: With the House set to vote tonight on the economic stimulus -- and with the Senate expected to consider the legislation next week; it's already passed some key committees -- President Obama speaks yet again on the economy at 11:15 am ET, after meeting with business leaders at the White House. He also heads to the Pentagon in the afternoon to continue talks about how to wind down the war in Iraq. As for the president's goals yesterday, Tuesday's meetings were less about gaining support for the stimulus package, and more about garnering good will for future, tougher votes -- believe it or not, possibly for more bailouts. What was probably most striking were the different agendas each Republican caucus had with the president. House Republicans wanted to talk about the actual stimulus package. Senate Republicans wanted to talk about the bigger problems with the economy. In fact, according to two senators in the room Tuesday, the president wouldn't dissuade those who kept asking if more money was going to be needed to solve American's financial crisis. Meanwhile, a new plan going forward on saving banks and dealing with home foreclosures could come out of the Treasury Department next week, including an idea that includes creating a so-called "bad bank," a government entity that buys up bad assets. Also, Al Gore testifies this morning before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where he will endorse Obama’s economic recovery plan, as well as talk about climate change and the need to move forward THIS YEAR on cap-and-trade, rather than using the economic crisis as an excuse to put it off.

*** What about second choice? We also surveyed second-choice preferences, but the vast majority would not commit, either publicly or privately, or said they were undecided. A statistically insignificant number expressed a preference -- three for Anuzis, two for Blackwell, two for Steele, one for Dawson, one for either Steele or Blackwell and one for either Duncan or Anuzis. One thing to keep in mind when it comes to Duncan's support is how solid it is in a second round of voting. Will he experience drop-off in a second round or does the fact that he's leading in various surveys mean he'll solidify these folks? Duncan doesn't strike us as someone who is the LAST choice of RNC members and that could be the key to victory for him. Everyone else in this field has some baggage that seems difficult to overcome and, barring, a superstar alternative, Duncan may find himself as the last man standing.

*** Here come the 2010 ads: In what appears to be the first TV ad of the 2010 Senate cycle -- with that election 643 days from now! -- the National Republican Senatorial Committee announced today it is airing a spot on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. As we’ve mentioned before, Reid very well may be the most endangered Democrat in 2010 (not counting, of course, those controversial appointees in Illinois and New York or the appointees in Colorado and Delaware). The ad, which begins running this week in Reid’s state of Nevada, blasts the Democratic leader on the original financial bailout (which several Republicans supported), as well as on the stimulus. "Super spending partisan Harry Reid," the ad goes. "As Democrat leader, he helped pay for vicious attack ads criticizing last year’s bailouts. But guess who voted for the $700 billion bailout. You guessed it -- Harry Reid. And now he wants a trillion more dollars in new spending? A trillion dollars?? Tell Harry Reid to stop wasting our hard-earned money." By the way, if Reid goes down or comes close and has the party spending millions to save him, will it permanently spook Senate Democrats from ever electing another red-state or swing-state senator as party leader? 

*** Divide and conquer? Speaking of Democratic leaders, are House Republicans trying to drive a wedge between Nancy Pelosi and President Obama? Indiana Rep. Mike Pence (R) appeared to be at it on Hardball yesterday, having nothing but praise for the president after their meeting on the Hill. He softly called him "very sincere" in his call to bipartisanship, but stressed that Obama was likely "surprised" to see that House Democrats aren't following in his call. He lamented that Republicans have had no input into the stimulus. The White House, for its part, seems to relish the role of mediator. It's exactly where they want to be. The question is, of course, how long will Speaker Pelosi put up with the idea that Republicans have the president to whine to when they are not getting their way?

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Congress: Tonight's stimulus vote

Posted: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 9:22 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Congress

The Washington Post previews the House vote on the stimulus. "The House is scheduled to vote tonight on an $825 billion stimulus proposal aimed at creating 4 million jobs and giving individuals and businesses an infusion of cash. The bill includes $275 billion in tax cuts and $550 billion in spending on roads and bridges, alternative-energy development, health-care technology, unemployment assistance, and aid to states and local governments. The Senate is expected to consider a separate bill next week. Last night, the Finance and Appropriations committees passed parts of the stimulus bill that total about $888 billion, clearing the way for debate to begin in the full chamber."

Echoing NBC’s Mike Viqueira on First Read yesterday, The Hill notes, "President Obama’s trip to Capitol Hill on Tuesday to sell his economic stimulus package won style points but few GOP votes."

Republicans also live-Twittered Obama’s appearance on the Hill as well as passing to news organizations (us) minute-by-minute accounts.

Covering Obama’s meetings yesterday with congressional Republicans, the New York Times notes that the president is open to some compromises on the stimulus. "In a session with House Republicans, Mr. Obama said he would not compromise on a central element of his plan that has drawn particular Republican opposition: his campaign promise for a middle-class tax credit that would also go to low-wage workers who earn too little to pay income taxes but are subject to payroll taxes for Social Security and Medicare… But, Republicans interviewed after the meeting said, Mr. Obama told them he would listen to proposals to expand on provisions cutting taxes for small businesses and would be open to corporate tax cuts as well if Republicans cooperated to close tax loopholes for big business."

CONTINUED >>

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First 100 days: Iraq, Afghanistan

Posted: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 9:20 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: The First 100 Days

Obama heads to the Pentagon today, where he "was to hear the opinions of the four U.S. military service chiefs on Wednesday in a meeting the White House called one more step toward fulfilling his promise of withdrawing all combat troops from Iraq. The Joint Chiefs of Staff will be ready with a rough sketch of what would be required to fulfill the president's timetable for a 16-month withdrawal. Defense officials have said they can meet Obama's campaign pledge, but several officials have signaled that a fast withdrawal could upset the fragile security that currently holds in Iraq."

The New York Times says that Obama "intends to adopt a tougher line toward Hamid Karzai, the Afghan president, as part of a new American approach to Afghanistan that will put more emphasis on waging war than on development, senior administration officials said Tuesday. Mr. Karzai is now seen as a potential impediment to American goals in Afghanistan, the officials said, because corruption has become rampant in his government, contributing to a flourishing drug trade and the resurgence of the Taliban."

More: "The officials portrayed the approach as a departure from that of President Bush, who held videoconferences with Mr. Karzai every two weeks and sought to emphasize the American role in rebuilding Afghanistan and its civil institutions."

More Bill Lynn problems? "The man nominated to be the Pentagon's second-in-command could make at least a half-million dollars next month with vested stock he earned as a lobbyist for military contractor Raytheon," the AP reports.

By the way, the Obama White House is one more lobbyist exception away from having to deal with a slew of hypocrisy stories regarding their pledge to ban lobbyists from key jobs. The latest lobbyist to land a key post: Tim Geithner's chief of staff. 

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Blago watch: Listening to the tapes

Posted: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 9:18 AM by Domenico Montanaro

The Chicago Tribune writes up yesterday’s action in the impeachment trial. Blagojevich’s "voice resonated through the Illinois Senate at his impeachment trial Tuesday in the first tantalizing airing of the undercover recordings that triggered his arrest on federal corruption charges. But the snippets of bugged phone calls cut both ways for House prosecutors trying to boost their case for removing the governor by using his own words against him. Some senators said the recordings strengthened their resolve against the two-term Democrat, but several others said the meaning was ambiguous and left them with new doubts about the criminal charges at the heart of the impeachment effort."

The paper also covers the latest in Blago’s media tour. "In a FOX radio interview, Blagojevich remained true to his style of comparing himself to iconic figures, likening his battles with the state legislators to the fights President Franklin D. Roosevelt had with Congress over helping England in World War II. Blagojevich acknowledged on MSNBC that he soon would have to ‘find some employment,’ but also compared himself to the ‘hundreds of thousands of people across America who, unfortunately, are losing their jobs because this economy is so bad.’ Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan lashed out at Blagojevich for ‘making a mockery of the constitution’ by failing to participate in his impeachment trial. She predicted that the governor could be out of office by Thursday."

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GOP future: Backlash against Duncan?

Posted: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 9:17 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Republicans

The Washington Post writes, "With six candidates competing for the party's helm at the winter meetings this week, some committee members are determined to remove the current RNC chairman, Mike Duncan, who is seen as a candidate of the status quo at a time when they want to sever all ties to the former president. Duncan has held the office since 2007, when he ran unopposed after Bush chose him for the post."

More: "In a further sign that the group wants to signal its displeasure with Bush policies, members are expected to adopt an unprecedented resolution attacking ‘the bloated bank bailout bill’ that Bush championed and demanding that the committee ‘take all steps necessary to oppose bailouts of industries, individuals or governments.’ The resolution also calls for strong opposition to the stimulus plan before Congress, which it labels ‘President-elect Obama's public-works program.’"

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Downballot: Day 2 of recount trial

Posted: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 9:16 AM by Domenico Montanaro

"On Day 2 of the trial over Coleman's lawsuit challenging the U.S. Senate recount, lawyers for him and for Democrat Al Franken questioned a half-dozen voters whose absentee ballots were rejected, a group that was generally sympathetic and indignant that their ballots had not been counted," the Minneapolis Star Tribune writes. "Coleman is focusing his efforts on counting thousands of rejected absentee ballots in an effort to overcome the 225-vote Franken lead that was certified this month after the recount concluded."

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2009/2010: Gelber jumps into FL race

Posted: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 9:14 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: 2009, 2010

COLORADO: The Hill profiles Colorado’s Michael Bennet, who Republicans are still feeling out before running against him.

FLORIDA: "Florida state Sen. Dan Gelber officially entered the Democratic primary for Florida’s open Senate seat on Tuesday, becoming the second candidate in what is expected to be a contentious primary… He joins Rep. Kendrick Meek on the Democratic side, while Reps. Ron Klein and Allen Boyd are still looking at the race." Possible Republicans: "Former state House Speaker Marco Rubio is expected to enter the race, but he has not made his plans official. Other potential GOP candidates include state Attorney General and past Senate nominee Bill McCollum, former state House Speaker Allan Bense, and Reps. Connie Mack and Vern Buchanan."

NEW YORK: "Republican Party leaders Tuesday tapped Assemblyman James Tedisco as their nominee in an upcoming special election to fill Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s (D-N.Y.) vacated House seat."

A new Quinnipiac University poll "gave Bloomberg a comfortable 50-35 percent lead over [Rep. Anthony] Weiner, his fiercest Democratic rival, and a 50-34 percent edge over Comptroller Bill Thompson."

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Obama lowers bar on GOP support

Posted: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 6:40 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Congress, Republicans, Barack Obama

From NBC’s Ken Strickland
President Obama surprised Capitol Hill reporters when he held a short impromptu gaggle after his meeting with Senate Republicans. He immediately lowered the bar -- lower than he had before the meeting -- for how much Republican support he expected from an economic recovery package.

"We're not going to get 100 percent agreement, and we might not even get 50 percent agreement," he said. "But I do think people appreciate me walking them through my thought process. I hope that I communicated a sincere desire to get good ideas from everybody."

Senate Republican Leaders respected Obama's efforts and, in turn, seemed reluctant to harshly criticize him or the meeting.

"I think everyone was very pleased with the level of candor, the desire to look for bipartisan solutions," said Republican Leader Mitch McConnell. "I know I'm speaking for every single member of our conference that we appreciated his coming up, and enjoyed the whole exchange."

CONTINUED >>

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State monitoring Obama Arab reaction

Posted: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 5:55 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: State Dept.

From NBC’s Libby Leist

In reviewing Arab media commentary, officials say, two messages seem to have resonated: Obama's focus on listening and not dictating U.S. policy and his emphasis on the fact that he has lived in the Muslim world and has Muslim family members.

"I think that his mention of his familiarity with the Muslim world and respect for Islam was taken very well,” one official, who served under the Bush administration and now Obama, told NBC News. “That got a lot of positive commentary."

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Saltsman, wait for it, blames the media

Posted: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 4:38 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Republicans

From NBC's Abby Livingston
Despite news organizations coming out with surveys showing his chances are slim, Chip Saltsman said in an interview today with MSNBC’s Contessa Brewer that he thinks he is on the road to becoming the next chairman of the Republican National Committee. And if he doesn’t, he blames the media.

The interview began with Saltsman being asked if he had a chance on Friday, he answered, “I do. I think we'll be competitive on Friday. We have not been running the same campaign as some of the other folks, rolling out endorsements. That's not been our strategy from the very beginning. We've got enough support to get on the ballot on Friday. I think we're going to surprise a few people Friday at the election.”

(Although, there is a section of Saltsman's Web site labeled "endorsements.")

Saltsman, who has previously worked for Mike Huckabee and former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, hit troubled waters in his campaign for chair in December, when he distributed a CD that included a song previously played on Rush Limbaugh called, “Barack the Magic Negro.” At least one RNC voter has cited that CD as a reason for not supporting Saltsman.

CONTINUED >>

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Jill Biden to teach at NoVa. CC

Posted: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 3:57 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Athena Jones and Domenico Montanaro
Vice President Joe Biden's wife, Jill, a Ph.D. in education, who has been teaching at the community college level in Delaware and wanted to continue doing so in the Washington area, has picked a school.

The vice president's office said Jill Biden will teach two English courses as an adjunct professor at Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale, Va.

"I am thrilled to return to the classroom to continue working with community college students, whom I greatly admire and enjoy teaching," Jill Biden said in a statement. "I have always believed in the power of community colleges to endow students with critical life skills, and I am pleased that I can make a difference by doing what I love to do, teaching people who are excited to learn."

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Specter to vote for Holder

Posted: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 3:14 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Pete Williams

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'Charmer-in-Chief'

Posted: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 2:36 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Congress, Republicans, Barack Obama

From NBC's Mike Viqueira

Another Texas conservative admiringly referred to the president as "The Charmer-in-Chief," as well as "personable" and "funny." But when asked if any minds were changed on the bill, he and a colleague together laughed and, without saying anything more, got on the elevator.

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Treasury pressures; Citi scraps jet plans

Posted: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 2:28 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Chuck Todd and Lisa Myers
WASHINGTON -- The Treasury Department pressured Citigroup yesterday to abandon plans to buy a new corporate jet, an Obama administration official said.

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Biden apologizes to Roberts

Posted: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 2:26 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: White House, The First 100 Days

From NBC's Pete Williams and Antoine Sanfuentes

A spokesman for the vice president confirms that Biden called Roberts after making the remark. 

"They had a good conversation," the spokesperson said.

A Supreme Court official declined to comment.

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Inside Obama's meeting with House GOP

Posted: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 12:53 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: White House, Congress, Republicans

From NBC's Mike Viqueira

*** MORE AFTER THE JUMP ***

CONTINUED >>

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Palin creates SarahPAC

Posted: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 12:19 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Republicans

From NBC's Norah O'Donnell

According to the Web site, the committee will also support Palin's "plans to build a better, stronger, and safer America in the 21st century."

Palin continues to have a huge political following. As of noon today, she has 464,000 friends on Facebook.com.

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Clinton: Engagement in Iran's hands

Posted: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 11:57 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Andrea Mitchell, State Dept.

From NBC’s Andrea Mitchell and Libby Leist
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton fleshed out today how the Obama administration plans to approach Iran.

She added that whether the U.S. hand is extended is "really up to them [the Iranian leadership]."

In his first television interview from the White House last night, notably to the Arab network Al Arabiya, Obama made a similar appeal to Iran.

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'Contraceptives' provision out of stimulus

Posted: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 11:41 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: White House, Congress

From NBC's Mike Viqueira

NBC News confirms that the president called Henry Waxman, the chairman of the committee that inserted the contraception provision into the stimulus during the mark up last week, to ask him to remove the measure from the bill, according to a Democratic leadership source.

In short, the idea has simply become too controversial. Speaker Nancy Pelosi's defense of the program over the weekend, where she indicated that it would be a money saver, was not well received.

So that provision is out.

*** UPDATE 2 *** The National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association takes issue with the post pointing out the cost and argues that it does save money.

CONTINUED >>

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First thoughts: Seeking bipartisanship

Posted: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 9:07 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro
*** Seeking bipartisanship: Since winning November’s presidential election, Obama has named two Republicans (Bob Gates and Ray LaHood) to serve in his cabinet, met with John McCain and attended a dinner in his honor, and listened to GOP ideas on the stimulus. Today, he makes an additional effort to extend a hand to Republicans when he travels up to Capitol Hill. According to NBC’s Mike Viqueira, Obama will meet with House Republicans at 12:15 pm ET, and then with Senate GOPers at 1:25 pm. Another sign of compromise: As part of the stimulus, the White House has apparently agreed to fix the Alternative Minimum Tax, which would cost an estimated $70 billion, boosting the total current cost of the stimulus to nearly $900 billion. But Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell hinted on TODAY that agreement to this idea -- pushed by Senate Finance Committee ranking Republican Chuck Grassley -- isn't enough. Will the president acquiesce on anything else? Does he need to? By agreeing to include a few Republican ideas, the White House may have the talking points they want. If they don't get the bipartisan support they would like, then expect to hear the spin from the West Wing along the lines of, "It was a plan with bipartisan input," or something to that effect. By the way, Obama and the Democrats got a more complete study from the CBO, which now gives them more leverage in the stimulus impact debate after an initial CBO report was being used by the GOP to hammer away at the Democrats.

*** Rangel back in the news: Is this a sign of things to come for Rangel? Per The Hill, “Peter Welch (Vt.), a new Democratic member of the House ethics committee, gave back nearly $20,000 in donations he received from Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.), who is under investigation by the panel for an array of ethics charges.”

*** RNC Chair race update: Hotline yesterday released its survey of the 168 RNC members who will choose the next chairman of the Republican Party. Current chair Mike Duncan leads with 25 committed supporters, followed by former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele with 17, South Carolina Party chair Katon Dawson with 12, Michigan chair Saul Anuzis with 11, former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell with 10, and ex-Huckabee campaign manager Chip Saltsman with no solid votes. The Web site ‘YourRNC.com has it Duncan 35, Dawson 19, Steele 18, Anuzis 15, Blackwell 13, and Saltsman 0. First Read has been working on our own count over the past couple of weeks, and we’ll release our tally tomorrow.

*** Slow and Tedious: If yesterday was any guide, the recount trial in Minnesota -- which could last for weeks -- seems about as much fun as watching paint dry. Per the Minneapolis Star Tribune: “The trial to determine Minnesota's disputed U.S. Senate election got off to a slow start Monday -- and then bogged down. The trouble came over testimony that workers for Republican Norm Coleman's campaign had marked or obscured copies of some absentee ballot envelopes offered as evidence. The acknowledgment provoked confusion and prompted the judges to demand the original documents… That turn promised to prolong a trial that Coleman lawyer Joe Friedberg predicted in his opening statement would be ‘extremely tedious’ and involve the examination of 5,000 ballots, one at a time.” 

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First 100 days: Heading to the Hill

Posted: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 9:04 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: White House, Congress

The Hill previews Obama's trip to Capitol Hill today. "President Obama will meet with skeptical House and Senate Republicans on Tuesday as he seeks to prevent partisanship from boiling over on the economic stimulus bill while GOP lawmakers lobby for major changes to the measure that is moving quickly through Congress."

This doesn't bode well for a bipartisan stimulus plan: "But Republicans said Obama will have to do more than flatter them by agreeing to appear at their luncheons today, even as they give him credit for trying to change the overtly partisan tone that has gripped Washington for two decades," Roll Call reports. 'Unless he’s prepared to walk over to [Senate Majority Leader] Harry Reid’s [D-Nev.] and [Speaker] Nancy Pelosi’s [D-Calif.] offices and tell them to reset their priorities on this stimulus bill, I think the reality of bipartisanship on this bill is going to be hard to achieve,' one Senate GOP leadership aide said."

What does Obama want out of this meeting with the GOP? "The goal is to seek their input. He wants to hear their ideas," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said, per the AP. "If there are good ideas -- and I think he assumes there will be -- we will look at those ideas… I think the president is genuinely serious about this."

In one sign of bipartisanship, according to the New York Post, say goodbye to that "contraceptives" line that Minority Leader John Boehner's been peddling. "House Democrats seem likely to drop family-planning funds for Medicaid recipients from the $825 billion economic stimulus bill after an appeal from President Obama, who is trying to woo Republican critics of the legislation."

CONTINUED >>

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Congress: Geithner's confirmed

Posted: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 9:02 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Congress

"The Senate confirmed Timothy Geithner as President Barack Obama's Treasury secretary by a 60-34 vote, paving the way for the new administration to usher in its financial-rescue plan,” the Wall Street Journal writes. “With Mr. Geithner now officially on board, the Obama administration is expected to detail shortly efforts to shore up the financial sector. In his first move, the Treasury Secretary is expected Tuesday to announce new rules intended to curb the influence of lobbyists and special interests in determining who gets aid from the government. The new efforts, part of Mr. Obama's plan to revamp the financial bailout, are aimed at ensuring that investment decisions are based on what is best for the stability of the financial system, rather than on any type of political influence.”

The Washington Post: “Despite their misgivings about his failure to pay nearly $43,000 in taxes on time, senators endorsed Geithner as the best candidate to lead the government's response to the financial crisis. But the 60-to-34 vote was relatively close for a cabinet confirmation, reflecting the controversy that dogged his nomination.”

NBC’s Ken Strickland breaks down the 60-34 vote on Geithner. Four Dems voted against his confirmation: Byrd, Feingold, Harkin, Sanders. (Note: Sanders is an independent, but a member of the Dem caucus.) Meanwhile, 10 Republicans voted for him: Corker, Cornyn, Crapo, Ensign, Graham, Gregg, Hatch, Shelby, Snowe, Voinovich. Senators not voting: Bond, Brown, Kennedy, Wyden. 

CONTINUED >>

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Blago watch: Trial vs. The View

Posted: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 9:01 AM by Domenico Montanaro

The Chicago Tribune covers the first day of Blagojevich’s impeachment trial, which provided two very different scenes. “The lead prosecutor in Illinois' historic impeachment trial urged the state Senate on Monday to remove Gov. Rod Blagojevich from office for crimes against the public while the governor spent the day in New York, lashing out at his accusers on national television.”

“The solemnity of the political trial within the ornate state Senate chamber contrasted with a TV appearance in which talk-show co-host Joy Behar mussed Blagojevich's hair and unsuccessfully urged the governor to do a Richard Nixon impression saying, ‘I am not a crook.’”

The Washington Post’s Milbank snarks, “Rod Blagojevich may be about to lose the ‘gov’ before his name, but the man's entertainment skills are unimpeachable.”

Blago also spoke with Larry King. “King noted that some of the comments from the federal wiretaps sounded ‘bad. ‘Oh, of course it sounds bad,’ Blagojevich said. ‘But think about some of the private conversations you might have on the telephone. .... You can take all kinds of things out of context.’”

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GOP future: Horse-trading tactics

Posted: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 9:00 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Republicans

So this is what it used to be like in the old days of conventions? "As RNC members arrive in Washington before Wednesday’s winter meeting begins, candidates hoping to win the chairmanship have resorted to horse-trading tactics to bring in the votes. The next party chairman will be selected Friday with a simple majority," The Hill's Reid Wilson reports. "In interviews with The Hill, several committee members said former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell and current RNC Chairman Robert “Mike” Duncan have put together deals in some form or other. Duncan has been the most aggressive in doling out favors, according to several sources. He has already pledged to put staffers in each state, and surrogates have been handing out money at fortuitous times, the sources said. Duncan’s aides deny that money has been offered. They said the chairman has only discussed how much it would cost to place a staffer in each state as part of Duncan’s ‘Partnership 2010,’ which would send one staffer to each state in an effort to duplicate Democrats’ 50-state strategy."

Channeling Friday's First Read, The Hill and Roll Call point out that the GOP now seems to have an opportunity in New York.

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Downballot: Slow start in Minn.

Posted: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 8:59 AM by Domenico Montanaro

MINNESOTA: “The trial to determine Minnesota's disputed U.S. Senate election got off to a slow start Monday -- and then bogged down,” the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. “The trouble came over testimony that workers for Republican Norm Coleman's campaign had marked or obscured copies of some absentee ballot envelopes offered as evidence. The acknowledgment provoked confusion and prompted the judges to demand the original documents.”

“On that note, the first day of the trial abruptly halted, leaving the second's agenda something of a mystery. That turn promised to prolong a trial that Coleman lawyer Joe Friedberg predicted in his opening statement would be ‘extremely tedious’ and involve the examination of 5,000 ballots, one at a time.”

NEW YORK: Mayor Bloomberg lashed out at Paterson's office for its handling of Caroline Kennedy. "I thought that the stuff that I saw in the papers was totally inappropriate," he said, per the New York Daily News. "It's as good an example of cheap dirty politics as you could ever find, and I thought it was reprehensible. I have no idea where it came from, and no, I don't know her personal life well enough to know whether there's anything there whatsoever.”

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2010: KBH hires campaign manager

Posted: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 8:58 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: 2010

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Geithner confirmed

Posted: Monday, January 26, 2009 6:19 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Ken Strickland and Domenico Montanaro
Obama's pick for Treasury Secretary was confirmed, but the vote was not without its drama. The vote, which is still going on, was closer than assumed. At last count, it was 59 for, 33 against.

Included in the "No" votes were Democrats Tom Harkin, Robert Byrd and Russ Feingold, as well as Independent Bernie Sanders, who caucuses with the Democrats.

This was probably not the "strong bipartisan support" the White House was hoping for.

*** UPDATE *** The vote before the officially confirming Geithner: 60-34.

*** UPDATE 2 *** NBC's Antoine Sanfuentes adds that President Obama is expected to attend Geithner's swearing in at the Treasury Department between 7 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.

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The 'Flat Earth Club'

Posted: Monday, January 26, 2009 4:45 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC’s Abby Livingston
The trial to determine the occupant of the Minnesota U.S. Senate seat began this afternoon in St. Paul.

Meanwhile, the campaigns sparred with dueling conference calls. The Franken campaign held the first one, crying foul against the Coleman camp, saying, “The truth is, that they are seeking to disenfranchise Minnesota voters left and right which has been their pattern throughout this entire effort.”

Franken attorney Marc Elias accused the Coleman campaign members of doing “an about-face” and as “charter members of the Flat Earth Club.”

The Flat Earth line was reiterated throughout the call.

CONTINUED >>

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Geithner, just about confirmed, but…

Posted: Monday, January 26, 2009 4:35 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: White House, Congress

From NBC’s Ken Strickland
At 6 p.m. today, the Senate will take the final vote on Tim Geithner's nomination to become Secretary of Treasury. 

It appears all but certain he will be confirmed with no known opposition from any of the 58 Senate Democrats (and only 51 are needed for confirmation). But it remains to be seen how many Republicans will vote against him.

Today, moderate Republican Susan Collins issued a statement saying she'll vote "nay," because he neglected to pay self-employment taxes. 

*** UPDATE 2 *** We Senate watchers are still convinced Tim Geithner will be confirmed by the Senate when the chamber votes at 6 p.m., but you wouldn't know if you've been watching the debate today. Republican support is scarce, and the Democrats have just had their first defection in Harkin.

Since the debated started at 4pm today, only one Republican (Hatch) has spoken on the floor in support of Geithner. Most of the time has been used by Republicans who've come out AGAINST him.

Currently Dick Durbin is pleading his case.

CONTINUED >>

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Middle East envoy departs today

Posted: Monday, January 26, 2009 4:31 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: State Dept.

From NBC’s Libby Leist

Mitchell will focus his discussions on ceasefire efforts being made by Egypt, anti-smuggling plans to stop weapons from entering Gaza, opening up border crossings into Gaza and humanitarian needs in Gaza.

"He is in listening mode ... to get the peace process back on track," Wood said.

Mitchell's trip runs through Feb 3. State and NSC officials will join Mitchell.

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Gillibrand to be sworn in tomorrow

Posted: Monday, January 26, 2009 4:23 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Congress, Democrats

From NBC’s Ken Strickland and Mike Viqueira
Kirsten Gillibrand, Hillary Clinton's replacement in the U.S. Senate, resigned her House seat this afternoon. At about 2 p.m., the House Clerk read the resignation letter on the House floor.

Gillibrand will be sworn in on the Senate floor tomorrow at 12:30 p.m., according to the majority leader's press shop.

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A more 'transparent' VP -- literally, folks

Posted: Monday, January 26, 2009 4:13 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: White House

From NBC’s George Lewis and Domenico Montanaro
An astute reader of the "Valleywag" blog pointed out today that Google Maps now has a clear satellite view of the Vice-President's residence in Washington, D.C.

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Obama signs environmental memoranda

Posted: Monday, January 26, 2009 4:06 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: White House, The First 100 Days

From NBC's Athena Jones

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Obama approval ranks near top

Posted: Monday, January 26, 2009 11:02 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: White House

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
President Obama's first Gallup approval rating since taking office is the highest for a president -- after an election -- at the start of their tenure since Kennedy.

Gallup notes: It "did not measure those three presidents' initial ratings until early February, and new presidents' approval ratings typically increase in the first few months of their presidencies. Thus, Obama's initial approval rating of 68% looks more impressive compared to the average 55% approval rating for the four presidents whose first ratings were measured in January after their inaugurations."

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McAuliffe's first TV ad

Posted: Monday, January 26, 2009 10:50 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Ads, 2009

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Terry McAuliffe is getting an early jump on the 2009 Virginia campaign for governor with his first TV ad.

In the ad called "Listened," McAuliffe stresses protecting and creating jobs and makes an outside-of-Richmond pitch.

"It goes to show the best ideas don't always come out of Richmond," McAuliffe says.

Among his ideas, he says at the top of the ad: "Make our ports more competitive. Invest in renewable energy to create jobs. Keep our carriers here in Virginia where they belong."

The former Democratic National Committee chairman and Clinton fundraiser also bills himself as having "spent four decades building businesses and creating jobs. Now, I'm running for governor because I know we can create thousands more right here."

CONTINUED >>

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Clinton to name climate change envoy

Posted: Monday, January 26, 2009 10:28 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: State Dept.

From NBC's Libby Leist

In testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee two weeks ago, Clinton promised senators that the Obama administration will take the lead at U.N. climate change negotiations scheduled for December in Copenhagen.

*** UPDATE *** In his remarks, Stern thanked Secretary Clinton for the appointment and joked that he was first introduced to "Hillaryland" through his wife. He said of the climate change issue, "The time for denial, delay and dispute is over."

CONTINUED >>

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Symantec CEO for Commerce?

Posted: Monday, January 26, 2009 10:17 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: White House

From NBC's Chuck Todd

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First thoughts: Checking all the boxes

Posted: Monday, January 26, 2009 9:18 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro
*** Checking all the boxes: It seems as if President Obama is using his first week in office to make sure many key constituency groups are happy -- from those that care most about international issues (see the naming of key envoys and State visit, as well as the GITMO closing), to those who care about the economy first (see the introduction of the new daily economic briefing, as well tomorrow’s visit to Capitol Hill to sell the stimulus), and to those who care about women’s issues (see Friday’s executive order overturning the abortion gag rule). And today, at 10:30 am ET, Obama checks a box on the environment when he calls for federal regulators to address tighter fuel standards for cars. The New York Times has a good graf summing up all of these moves: “Obama will use the announcement to bolster the impression of a sharp break from the Bush era on all fronts, following his decisions last week to close the detention facility at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba; tighten limits on interrogation tactics by Central Intelligence Agency officers; order plans to withdraw combat forces from Iraq; and reverse President George W. Bush’s financing restrictions on groups that promote or provide abortion overseas, administration officials said.”

*** Looking for bipartisanship down the road: Why does bipartisanship support for the stimulus matter? Let's get one thing straight: Obama's stimulus plan is going to pass Congress, and the vote won't be that close. But this isn't the goal this week -- or next. For Team Obama, it's about winning over Republicans. And for some on the left, this doesn't compute. After all, some might ask, “Who cares? The election just happened and voters overwhelmingly chose Democrats to run the government, both in the White House and in Congress.” But what Obama needs is a Republican Party that isn't consistently confrontational, because he's going to be asking for some trickier bills, including more money for the financial industry, potentially support for nationalizing some parts of the banking industry, and a bunch of money to shore up the housing crisis. So while Obama doesn't need GOP support for stimulus, he wants the opposition to be against him in a way that he can win them over for more favors and -- most importantly -- prevent potential filibusters.

*** The Never-Ending Recount, Day 83: In Minnesota today, a three-judge panel will begin hearing Norm Coleman’s challenge to overturn Al Franken’s 225-vote lead in the state’s still-undecided Senate contest. The race, in fact, has now extended a whopping 83 days since Election Day. And given that this trial could last four to six weeks -- and also given that the loser of the trial can appeal to the state Supreme Court -- we might not know until February or March who’ll fill this Senate seat. As the AP noted over the weekend, however, legal experts say Coleman faces the bigger challenge at the trial. “His lawyers have to produce proof of the irregularities and inconsistencies that they allege have made the vote tally fatally flawed. And even if the alleged mistakes are corrected, Franken would probably gain some more votes too.”

*** Stuck in the middle with you? In our final look at some of the challenges facing the GOP, with the RNC chair race taking place this Friday, we examine the GOP’s recent trouble with the political center. Obama beat McCain among independents by eight points, 52%-44% (and remember that McCain was perhaps the Republican who has the most appeal to independents and the middle). Moreover, while 49% of adults (including 36% of independents) viewed the Democratic Party favorably in December’s NBC/WSJ poll, just 27% of adults (and 18% of independents) said the same about the GOP. And get this -- while 73% of Republicans in that December NBC/WSJ poll view Sarah Palin favorably, only 35% of the nation at large thinks that way. 

Countdown to RNC winter meeting: 2 days
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Countdown to VA Dem primary: 134 days
Countdown to Election Day 2009: 281 days
Countdown to Election Day 2010: 645 days

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First 100 days: Green offensive

Posted: Monday, January 26, 2009 9:12 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: White House, The First 100 Days

Per the New York Times, “President Obama will direct federal regulators on Monday to move swiftly on an application by California and 13 other states to set strict automobile emission and fuel efficiency standards… The directive makes good on an Obama campaign pledge and signifies a sharp reversal of Bush administration policy. Granting California and the other states the right to regulate tailpipe emissions would be one of the most emphatic actions Mr. Obama could take to quickly put his stamp on environmental policy.”

The AP adds, "Obama is poised to give states a freer hand in curbing emissions from cars, and to get his government moving on fuel-efficiency standards that could remake the auto industry… The attention to energy comes as Obama heads into his first full week as president, with an agenda dominated by economic woes and a push to get a huge stimulus plan through Congress."

The Washington Post says the move, “which the White House has privately trumpeted to supporters as ‘the first environment and energy actions taken by the president, helping our country move toward greater energy independence,’ could reverse two Bush-era decisions that have helped shape the nation's climate policy and its auto market.” 

The Washington Post notes that GOP opposition to the stimulus is mounting. “Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who lost the presidency to Obama last fall, declared that he opposes the bill in its current form, though he declined to say that he would try to filibuster its passage. ‘I am opposed to most of the provisions in the bill. As it stands now, I would not support it,’ McCain said on ‘Fox News Sunday.’ ‘I mean, I want us all to sit down and negotiate. The Republicans have not been brought in to the degree that we should be into these negotiations and discussions.’”

CONTINUED >>

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Scandal in Illinois: The Blag-Opera

Posted: Monday, January 26, 2009 9:11 AM by Domenico Montanaro

The Chicago Tribune breaks down the impeachment trial that begins today. “With senators serving as Blagojevich’s judge and jury, House representatives prosecuting the case, and the governor mounting no defense and likely not attending, the Senate trial is expected to conclude within days. A conviction, which would require at least 40 of the 59 senators, would result in the governor’s immediate removal from office.”

More: “Over the weekend, House prosecutors moved swiftly to ask that four secret recordings of the governor, part of the federal criminal charges that led to his arrest, be played in the Senate. The recordings involve alleged attempts by the two-term Democratic governor to secure campaign funds from the horse-racing industry in return for signing a bill to divert casino gambling revenue to horse tracks.”

"The impeachment of Blagojevich, who compared himself Sunday with persecuted icons Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi, is a foregone conclusion. The vote to convict him could come as early as Monday. But the governor, who was caught on FBI wiretaps scheming to sell President Obama's vacated Senate seat, is ignoring the whole thing."

The AP: “Legal experts see little benefit to Blagojevich from boycotting the trial while refusing to resign. The decision means he'll still be leaving office soon, but only after proceedings guaranteed to put him in a bad light. Senators, and thus the public, will hear details of the criminal charges against Blagojevich. They're likely to hear recordings that allegedly reveal the governor talking about signing legislation in exchange for campaign contributions. And in addition to simply removing Blagojevich, the Senate could vote to bar him from ever again holding public office in Illinois.”

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Obama's Democratic Party

Posted: Monday, January 26, 2009 9:10 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: White House, Democrats

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Congress: Geithner’s day

Posted: Monday, January 26, 2009 9:06 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Congress

"Congress is set to tackle the economy this week by considering President Barack Obama's choice to head the Treasury Department and by acting on legislation to spur economic growth. The Senate could confirm Timothy Geithner as Treasury secretary as early as Monday, after delaying a vote because Geithner failed to pay some of his federal taxes earlier this decade."

The Washington Post profiles Colorado’s newest senator, Michael Bennet. “The 44-year-old Democrat, who has never even run for elected office, was sworn in Thursday as the youngest, greenest and least well-known member of the Senate. In the span of three weeks, he went from Denver schools superintendent to U.S. senator, a dizzying ascent for a man whose life has been marked by unusual turns.”

More: “He gave up $5 million in unvested stock and a job in finance for the low-paying, high-stress position of chief of staff to Hickenlooper. He left that post to take the helm of an urban school district. Throughout his working life, Bennet has zigged and zagged between seemingly unrelated jobs for which he had no prior experience. And in each case, he left with a measure of success… [Colorado Gov. Bill] Ritter said that he was most impressed by Bennet's intellectual depth, geniality and political savvy and that he recognized similarities to his own start in politics. ‘I became a district attorney in 1993 by appointment,’ Ritter said. ‘I was a total dark horse. The governor saw potential in me, and it worked out.’”

CONTINUED >>

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Downballot: The recount continues

Posted: Monday, January 26, 2009 9:04 AM by Domenico Montanaro

MINNESOTA: The trial in Minnesota’s undecided Senate race begins today. “Three district judges appointed for the job will be hearing the case brought by Republican Norm Coleman to overturn the current 225-vote lead held by Democrat Al Franken,” the AP says. “Legal experts believe Coleman faces a bigger challenge. His lawyers have to produce proof of the irregularities and inconsistencies that they allege have made the vote tally fatally flawed. And even if the alleged mistakes are corrected, Franken would probably gain some more votes too. The trial could last weeks.” 

The Washington Post: “Coleman's attorneys are arguing that the canvassing board that oversaw the hand recount established no uniform standard for reviewing the nearly 13,000 absentee ballots rejected on Election Day. The board ultimately allowed in 933 such ballots, which tilted the race from a jump ball to a 225-vote edge for Franken. Coleman hopes an additional 3,000 to 5,000 rejected absentee ballots will be allowed into the count, which could flip the race back to him. The lawyers also contend that this trial phase will allow them to fully litigate other issues, including Coleman's contention that more than 100 votes from a Franken-friendly precinct in Minneapolis were counted twice.” 

The Minneapolis Star Tribune profiles the three judges who will hear the legal contest. “The judges -- from St. Cloud, Minneapolis and Thief River Falls -- are largely unknown outside their community's legal circles. One made a controversial ruling in a cop-killing case. Another hangs her kindergarten diploma in her office. The third has ‘the patience of Job,’ according to a colleague, which might not be a bad qualification in the weeks ahead.” 

CONTINUED >>

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2010: Cornyn's pitch

Posted: Monday, January 26, 2009 9:03 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: 2010

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Trial by fire

Posted: Saturday, January 24, 2009 11:25 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: White House

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Obama admin gives waiver for Lynn

Posted: Friday, January 23, 2009 5:24 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: White House

From NBC's Ken Strickland
The Obama administration has given an ethics waiver for Bill Lynn, a Defense Department nominee who is a former lobbyist. 

In a written statement released moments ago, Armed Service Committee Chairman Carl Levin said the administration "has removed an obstacle to the confirmation of Bill Lynn to be Deputy Secretary of Defense by waiving the provisions of President Obama's Executive Order on Ethics Commitments that would have precluded Mr. Lynn's service."

*** UPDATE *** Yesterday, Levin said he would have to delay Lynn's confirmation process because as a former defense lobbyist for Raytheon, Lynn's service would conflict with the Administration's new ethics rules.  Those rules prohibit former lobbyist from working in the area they once lobbied, unless a waiver is given. 

Even with the waiver, Levin said today the committee "will continue to insist that Mr. Lynn comply with a strict set of ethics rules... including the requirement to recuse himself, for a period of one year, from any decisions involving his prior employer, unless specifically authorized to participate by an appropriate ethics official."

The move immediately drew criticism from Sen. John McCain, the top Republican on the Armed Services Committee. "I am disappointed in President Obama's decision to waive the 'revolving door' provisions of the executive order for Mr. Bill Lynn," he said in a written statement. "While I applaud the President's action to implement new, more stringent ethical rules, I had hoped he would not find it necessary to waive them so soon." 

McCain also said he would need to ask Lynn "to clarify for the record what matters and decisions will require his recusal" before he decided to support his confirmation.

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Clinton pledges to cut red tape

Posted: Friday, January 23, 2009 4:48 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: State Dept.

From NBC’s Libby Leist
On day two of her new role as America's top diplomat, Secretary of State Clinton again displayed her first-rate political skills in front of hundreds of USAID staff this afternoon at the Ronald Reagan building.

Clinton impressed the audience of development experts using a personal touch and addressing grievances of an agency that felt neglected and underfunded during the Bush years.

She traced her own career path working to provide legal advice to low-income Americans, working on child issues, and traveling the world as First Lady to prove she was committed to their cause.

"I feel so passionately about this, because, of course, it is part of my DNA," she said.

CONTINUED >>

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Post-partisanship? Not in the U.S. House

Posted: Friday, January 23, 2009 4:17 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Congress

From NBC’s Mike Viqueira
There appears to be some surprise at how the members of your U.S. House aren't all joining hands to pass the stimulus, after all the talk and expectation of a post-partisan new day dawning over Washington.

At the risk of coming off as pedantic, we offer the following in an effort to provide a contextual prism through which we might view this institution (recycling a pertinent point I made a couple of years ago)…

"The job of the minority is to make a quorum and to draw its pay." Words spoken by House Speaker Thomas Reed in 1890 that perfectly describe the sweeping hegemony of the majority party -- and emasculation of the minority -- that is as evident today as it was 119 years ago. The majority here controls every step of the process, and when you control the process, you control the substance. To put it in the current vernacular, the prevailing view over the years is that the minority should simply sit down and shut up.

It's not too much of an overstatement to say that the most oppressed minority in America is the minority here in the "lower body." If you're a member of the party out of power, R or D, you typically are not permitted to have your bills considered in committee or on the floor; it's hard to get your amendments debated and voted on (especially the ones that have a chance of passing); you even have to go hat in hand to the majority staff in order to get a room to meet in. In short, you take it in the neck every time.

CONTINUED >>

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$4 trillion bailout?

Posted: Friday, January 23, 2009 4:12 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Congress

From msnbc.com's Lauren Vicary

That’s the rough estimate Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., gave for the cost of the “Bad Bank” proposal (a kind of warehouse for toxic assets from banks). This entity would be owned by the federal government.

Keep in mind, the total value of all the goods and services in the United States this year will be about $14 trillion. So $4 trillion is about 35 percent of the total GDP.

Total federal spending last year was about $3 trillion.

Or measuring it another way: $4 trillion is about five times as big as the stimulus. And yet the “Bad Bank” concept has not gotten the headlines the stimulus has.

For more, read msnbc.com's Tom Curry's story on this.

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HRC (and others) react to Gillibrand

Posted: Friday, January 23, 2009 1:18 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Congress, Democrats

From NBC's Mark Murray
Hillary Clinton's statement: "Today I congratulate Kirsten Gillibrand on her appointment by Gov. Paterson to serve as senator from New York. Kristen is an intelligent and dedicated public servant and a dear friend. I'm pleased that this seat, which has been my great honor to hold, and which has in its history been held by leaders like former Sens. Daniel Patrick Moynihan and Robert F. Kennedy, will be in such capable hands. And I look forward to working with Sen. Gillibrand as we meet the challenges and seize the opportunities facing New York, our nation and the world.

And Brian Walsh of the National Republican Senatorial Committee: “Gov. Paterson’s choice of a relatively unknown and inexperienced individual in a field of far more experienced candidates whose political leanings are more closely aligned with the New York Democrat Party is an interesting one. Clearly, Kirsten Gillibrand’s appointment at the end of this chaotic process has angered the left-wing and created a real schism in the Democrat Party." More: “It’s particularly noteworthy that the governor has refused to release the policy position questionnaires that he asked all prospective candidates to complete. As an appointed senator, rather than an elected one, Kirsten Gillibrand should do the right thing now and voluntarily make her questionnaire public to her new constituents in New York." 

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Paterson appoints Gillibrand NY senator

Posted: Friday, January 23, 2009 1:01 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Congress, States, Democrats

From NBC's Mark Murray
Well, it certainly wasn't as bizarre as that press conference where Rod Blagojevich announced Roland Burris as his pick to fill Obama's vacant Senate seat -- and where Rep. Bobby Rush even made a guest appearance. ("I would ask you to not hang or lynch the appointee as you try to castigate the appointer," Rush said at that presser in late December.)

At the press conference, Paterson described his process for filling the seat, which included asking candidates to submit their names, sit down for an interview with the governor, and fill out a questionnaire. (What he didn't mention was that the process lasted for two months, and was dominated primarily by speculation that Caroline Kennedy would fill the seat.) "I believe that I have found the best candidate to become the next senator from New York," Paterson said.

"I appreciate the opportunity that you have afforded me and the trust you have placed in me," Gillibrand said at the beginning of her speech. Then, referring to the fact that few New Yorkers know the two-term congressman, she added: "Over the next two years, you will get to know me, and more importantly, I will get to know you."

Gillibrand also recognized her predecessor, Hillary Clinton. "I aspire to follow in her footsteps."

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Obama talks the economy, stimulus

Posted: Friday, January 23, 2009 10:35 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: White House, Economy

From NBC's John Yang and Athena Jones
At the beginning of his meeting this morning with bipartisan congressional leaders, President Obama acknowledged the differences with Republicans on the stimulus package. But he said he's confident it will generate three to four million jobs, and said it's only one leg of "at least a three-legged stool." He noted that the legislation is still on target to make it to his desk on President's Day.

Obama also mentioned reports of TARP recipients renovating bathrooms and offices, saying there's a lack of accountability and transparency. And he noted the GAO report of waste in government. "Those have to be part and parcel of a reform package," he said.

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First thoughts: Paterson's pick

Posted: Friday, January 23, 2009 9:22 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: First Thoughts

 From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro
*** Paterson’s pick: At noon ET, New York Gov. David Paterson will finally put an end to what has become the nation’s second-best appointment drama -- the best, of course, was the Blago/Burris story -- when he’s announces his pick to fill Hillary Clinton’s Senate seat. NBC’s Andrea Mitchell reports that, according to several sources, Paterson has chosen two-term Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand. Gillibrand and her husband were planning to fly to Albany for an 11:00 am meeting at the governor's mansion, followed by the noon public announcement. Paterson, Mitchell adds, has told people he wants to appoint a woman to replace Hillary Clinton, and he likes the idea of having a senator from Upstate New York, which now isn’t represented among statewide officeholders.

*** The economy returns to the spotlight: At 9:45 am, President Obama will host the bipartisan, bicameral leadership of Congress (Pelosi, Hoyer, Clyburn, Boehner, Cantor, Reid, Durbin, McConnell, Kyl) to discuss Congress’ legislative agenda, including the stimulus.

*** Finding middle ground: Who knew that on the issue of GITMO and interrogations that somehow Obama could find middle ground? But he did just that. On the surface, Obama kept a campaign promise, by shutting down the prison at Guantanamo Bay. But he didn't back himself into a corner when it comes to housing terrorist suspects, either for the purposes of interrogating them or housing them without putting them in the court system.The left seems happy with the decision, and while some conservatives are critical of the decision to shut GITMO (because of the worry of moving terrorist suspects to a prison in THEIR backyard, say San Diego, South Carolina or Kansas), the more they read the fine print, the more they'll see that nothing's been ruled out. Obama simply punted the decision on what to do with detainees. There are a few key loopholes. One, detainees could be turned over to allies that have a less than stellar interrogation policy (Saudi Arabia?) Two, the special commission Obama has created can come up with an alternative interrogation "protocol" for intelligence purposes. (Does that mean something OUTSIDE the Army field manual is possible? White House Counsel Greg Craig did not completely shut the door on that possibility.) Three, Craig also indicated that the president is aware that there may be a category of detainees who can't be tried in our court systems nor returned to another country. So as one Republican consultant told First Read, did Obama close GITMO or simply pledge to move it?

*** Gibbs meets the press: Robert Gibbs' opening act as White House press secretary appears to have come and gone without any major issues. Perhaps his only flub was putting the White House counsel's ON BACKGROUND briefing on the GITMO and interrogation executive orders ON THE RECOCRD. Of course, many in the press didn't understand why Greg Craig's briefing was on background in the first place. Overall, Gibbs came armed with a message to push -- the announcement of the president's daily economic briefing, modeled after the PDB, the daily threat/intelligence briefing he receives -- and he saved the Blackberry nugget (trust us, plenty of reporters had been asking this question behind the scenes) for the press briefing, knowing how it would be news catnip.

*** Abortion politics: By holding off a day signing the executive order on the abortion gag rule -- i.e., not doing it on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade -- the Obama folks are once again trying to win over evangelicals. The move also underscores the fact that Obama has yet to get a single bit of criticism from the pro-choice community on this decision, as well as on his pick of the pro-life Tim Kaine to head the DNC. It's really a sea change in the Democratic Party. There is no way that both of these deals would have been tolerated by the party 10 years ago.

*** McConnell’s speech: Also, today Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell will speak to the National Press Club at 1:00 pm. McConnell’s office says it will be the first major speech by a GOP leader since Obama’s inauguration. And according to Politico, McConnell “will call on both major political parties to stand up to the powerful interest groups that sometimes control them.” Early on, McConnell has allowed his House GOP counterpart, John Boehner, to be the leading voice of the loyal opposition. Perhaps McConnell wants to signal that he wants to be the face of the opposition with this speech.

*** Mac is back: The Washington Post front-pages how Washington’s maverick -- John McCain -- is back in business.

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1st 100 Days: Closing GITMO

Posted: Friday, January 23, 2009 9:20 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: White House, Security, The First 100 Days

The Los Angeles Times: “Moving to claim what he described as ‘the moral high ground,’ President Obama took a series of steps Thursday to dismantle the most widely condemned components of the Bush administration's war on terrorism. Obama issued a trio of executive orders to close the Guantanamo Bay detention camp within a year, permanently shut the CIA's network of secret overseas prisons and end the agency's use of interrogation techniques that critics describe as torture.”

“But on a day meant to demonstrate a clean break from the policies of his predecessor, Obama put off many of the most difficult decisions about what the U.S. will do with detainees, and left room to revisit whether the CIA still should have permission to use coercive methods when questioning captives.”

The New York Times: “Among the questions that the White House did not resolve on Thursday were these: What should be done with terrorists who cannot be tried in American courts, either because evidence against them was obtained by torture or because intelligence is too sensitive to use in court? Should some interrogation methods remain secret to keep Al Qaeda from training to resist them? How can the United States make sure prisoners transferred to other countries will not be tortured?”

The Washington Post's Priest uses the executive orders yesterday to note that Obama has ended Bush's definition of the "war on terror.” But do note that when asked directly about this yesterday, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs suggested that there hadn't really been a declaration of the end of the war on terror, and Obama has frequently used that phrase as well.

CONTINUED >>

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1st 100 Days: The gag order

Posted: Friday, January 23, 2009 9:19 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: White House, The First 100 Days

The Wall Street Journal writes that Obama “will issue an order restoring U.S. funding for international family-planning groups involved with abortion. But he chose not to do so on Thursday, the anniversary of Roe v. Wade. President Obama was breaking with the tradition set by his recent predecessors to make an abortion-related order on the anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling, another example of his attempt to support liberal policies he believes in while trying to defuse emotional political debates.” The paper says the timing for the order is unclear but is expected soon.

The Obama cabinet continues to take shape: Two more cabinet members were confirmed: LaHood for Transportation and Shaun Donovan for HUD. That means 10 of Obama’s 15 cabinet members are now in place. “Also confirmed were Lisa Perez Jackson as Environmental Protection Agency administrator, Nancy Helen Sutley as a member of the Council of Environmental Quality, Mary Schapiro as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission and Susan Rice as ambassador to the United Nations.”

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Congress: Maverick McCain is back

Posted: Friday, January 23, 2009 9:18 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Congress

The Washington Post says that the Maverick McCain is back. “The surest sign of McCain's return to his ‘maverick’ ways came when he caught wind of an effort by Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.) to delay Clinton's confirmation vote by a day, pushing it from Tuesday to Wednesday because he was seeking greater disclosure about foreign donors to former president Bill Clinton's charitable foundation. McCain found the objection gratuitous -- despite policy disagreements with Clinton, he and most Republicans consider her well qualified -- and said so publicly.”

Roll Call previews McConnell’s speech at the National Press Club. “In the first major policy speech by a Republican leader since Obama was sworn in -- and McConnell's first at the Press Club since he laid out his party's position on campaign finance reform in 1997 -- the Senate Minority Leader will address the broad themes of Obama's inaugural speech. One source familiar with its language said the speech will focus “on the post-partisan dynamic" and on avoiding the partisan posturing that has been a hallmark of the House and Senate over much of the past decade.” The speech was apparently drafted with House Minority leader John Boehner, “and it will focus largely on policy issues McConnell believes can be addressed in a bipartisan manner, with an emphasis on entitlement reform… Boehner will give the Republicans' Saturday radio response to Obama's first radio address to the nation, according to GOP aides.”

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Downballot: It's Gillibrand

Posted: Friday, January 23, 2009 9:15 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Congress, States, Democrats, Republicans

MINNESOTA: “Al Franken's effort to block Norm Coleman's lawsuit over the U.S. Senate recount was rejected Thursday by a three-judge panel, setting the stage for a trial to begin Monday on the Republican's claims,” the Minneapolis Star Tribune writes, adding: “The panel also rejected Franken's attempt to limit any court review to verifying math and other technicalities of the recount and canvass, clearing the way for the judges to consider Coleman claims that some votes in Democratic areas were counted twice, that some absentee ballots from GOP areas were wrongly rejected and that there were other irregularities.” 
 
Coleman also put out a video to supporters, declaring, “I fully expect to win this election.” 
 
Though he fully expects to win, he says, he joined the Republican Jewish Coalition, a Republican lobbying group for Jewish causes, as an adviser. “Democrats raised ethical questions about the job, citing Senate rules that require members to report negotiations involving private employment, and preventing ex-senators from lobbying for two years.” Coleman said he would not be lobbying, but simply needs to pay the bills. The conservative blog, The American Spectator, writes in reaction, “However this is spun, the fact that Coleman is taking another job doesn't inspire much confidence that he truly believes he'll prevail in court and head back to the Senate.” (Though the campaign apparently later contacted the blog to spin its side.) 

NEW YORK: The New York Times on Paterson’s pick of Gillibrand: “If Mr. Paterson was hoping to quiet the tumult over the selection process by picking Ms. Gillibrand, there were indications that he may not get his wish. Ms. Gillibrand, who has been endorsed by the National Rifle Association, is controversial among some of the party’s more liberal leaders downstate. Representative Carolyn McCarthy, a Long Island Democrat and ardent gun control activist, said Thursday that if Ms. Gillibrand got the job, she was prepared to run against her in a primary in 2010. Ms. McCarthy was elected to Congress after her husband was killed in a gunman’s rampage on the Long Island Rail Road in 1993.”

More: “Ms. Gillibrand’s selection was a careful political calculation by the governor, who will run for his second term as governor in 2010, when Ms. Gillibrand will also be on the ballot. The choice reflects Mr. Paterson’s thinking that his selection should be someone who can help him attract key demographics — in Ms. Gillibrand’s case upstate New Yorkers and women.”

CONTINUED >>

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'Tunnel of Doom' investigation?

Posted: Thursday, January 22, 2009 6:08 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Congress, Democrats

From NBC's Mike Viqueira
You may have heard about the "Purple Tunnel of Doom," wherein bona fide Inaugural ticket holders were directed by police into the Third Street tunnel that runs under the base of Capitol Hill, only to become trapped there and miss the entire ceremony. Survivors have even dedicated a Web site in order to commiserate over their plight.

Congressman and member of the House Democratic leadership, Rep. Chris Van Hollen, has written to Sen. Dianne Feinstein, chair of the JCIC, endorsing the idea of an investigation.

His letter to DiFi:
"I am writing to express my deep concern over the fact that thousands of people who had tickets were denied access to the historic swearing-in ceremony for President Barack Obama, and applaud you for initiating a thorough investigation into how this happened. I strongly endorse this review and look forward to learning what went wrong so we can avoid such problems in the future.

CONTINUED >>

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Team Paterson vs. Team Caroline?

Posted: Thursday, January 22, 2009 5:35 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Congress, States, Democrats

From NBC's Mark Murray
The New York Times has an article suggesting plenty of tension between Gov. David Paterson's camp and Caroline Kennedy's, a day after Caroline surprised the political world by withdrawing her name from consideration for filling Hillary Clinton's Senate seat.

Per the Times, "Problems involving taxes and a household employee surfaced during the vetting of Caroline Kennedy and derailed her candidacy for the Senate, a person close to Gov. David A. Paterson said on Thursday."

More: "The person close to the governor said Mr. Paterson 'never had any intention of picking Kennedy' because he had come to consider her unready for the job." Ouch.

Seeking reaction to the Times piece, a Caroline source told First Read those revelations were "B.S." coming from the governor's office.

In addition, a Caroline spokesman sent NBC's Kelly O'Donnell this statement: "Caroline Kennedy withdrew her name for consideration from the United States Senate for personal reasons. Any statements to the contrary are false. The governor set up a fair and deliberative selection process. This kind of mudslinging demeans that process and all those involved."

CONTINUED >>

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Obama's third way on Gitmo

Posted: Thursday, January 22, 2009 4:43 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: White House, Security

From NBC's Pete Williams
While expressing their joy at President Obama's executive orders governing the treatment of enemy combatants, human rights groups say they're concerned that the rules leave the door open to indefinitely detaining some of the prisoners now held at Guantanamo Bay. 

The Bush administration argued that it had the authority to hold some detainees for as long as the war on terror lasted -- even if they were convicted by a military court and served out their sentences. The Obama order suggests indefinite detention is at least an option.

Many defense lawyers believe the detainees should be placed in only two categories -- those to be charged and tried, or those to be released or sent to another country. But the new Obama Guantanamo order suggests there may be a third category of detainees who cannot be tried, because of problems with evidence, but who are too dangerous to release.

"I do acknowledge and am somewhat worried that they've left the door open for this third category," said Sarah Mendelson, director of the Human Rights and Security Initiative at Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies.

CONTINUED >>

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What about Iran?

Posted: Thursday, January 22, 2009 4:14 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: State Dept.

From NBC's Andrea Mitchell

He answered on camera, "Andrea, this is not a press conference, but we will announce a comprehensive policy toward Iran in due course."

Other senior officials said Iran would be handled separately and Ross is still in line for a position -- although clearly less elevated than George Mitchell and John Negroponte.

CONTINUED >>

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A split on torture in Obama admin?

Posted: Thursday, January 22, 2009 3:42 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: White House

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Though much of the focus is on the news being made at the State Department and the evident foreign policy shift from the previous administration to this one, there was also some news made on Capitol Hill at the hearing for Obama's pick to head national intelligence, Dennis Blair.

On the issue of torture, Blair would not go as far as Attorney General-designate Eric Holder. The AP reports that he "replied cautiously" when pressed about the issue.

"There will be no waterboarding on my watch," Blair did say. "There will be no torture on my watch."

But he refused to go as far as Holder, who at his confirmation hearing last week said flatly, "Waterboarding is torture," citing that he "did not want to jeopardize agents who thought they had legal approval," AP notes.

"Michigan Democratic Sen Carl Levin told Blair, 'If the attorney general designee can answer it, you can too,'" per AP.

"I don't mean to reopen those cases," Blair said of the CIA's admitted waterboarding of at least three detainees. "I'm hesitating to set a standard here."

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Dem senator delays DOD nominee

Posted: Thursday, January 22, 2009 3:18 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Congress

From NBC's Ken Strickland
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin wants more information on President Obama's choice for deputy Defense secretary because of his lobbying ties. Yesterday, the White House issued new rules prohibiting former lobbyists from working in the field they sought to influence.

At his first news conference today, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said a waiver may be in order for Lynn. "Any standard is not perfect," Gibbs said. He cited experts who praised the new rules, but also agreed with the president that sometimes "a waiver process that allows people to serve their country is necessary."

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More on that oath of office

Posted: Thursday, January 22, 2009 3:07 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: White House

From NBC's Pete Williams
The Obama administration's position on the oath of office can now be summarized as follows: There was no need to re-take the oath. Mr. Obama did it "out of an abundance of caution."  But that same spirit of caution was not abundant enough to result in re-signing any of the executive orders he signed on Wednesday, before repeating the oath.

President Obama's spokesman, Robert Gibbs, said today that it was the White House counsel, Gregory Craig, who pressed for re-doing the oath to resolve any doubts. But if there were any such doubts, Gibbs was asked by NBC's Chuck Todd at today's press briefing, why not re-sign Wednesday's orders? "Because the counsel's office continues to believe that the president was sworn in appropriately and effectively," Gibbs said. 

Pressed on whether that was a contradiction, Gibbs said, "Well, you know lawyers." 

Many prominent constitutional scholars believe repeating the oath was the right move, even though it was legally unnecessary. Professor Laurence Tribe of Harvard noted Thursday that Herbert Hoover got a word wrong in taking the oath in 1929, incorrectly prompted by Chief Justice Taft.

CONTINUED >>

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The scene at Foggy Bottom (so far)

Posted: Thursday, January 22, 2009 2:09 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: State Dept.

From Andrea Mitchell and Libby Leist
The ceremonial Ben Franklin room on the eighth floor of the State Department is packed with a who's who of diplomats and Washington power players awaiting the arrival of President Obama, Vice President Biden and Secretary of State Clinton.

One notable absence: Dennis Ross. He will not be a special envoy to Iran, senior officials tell NBC News, but he is expected to be in charge of Iran policy.

Jack Lew and James Steinberg are here directly from their confirmation hearings.

George Mitchell and Richard Holbrooke, who will be announced today as special envoys, are here and will walk out with Obama, Biden and Clinton.

Also in the audience -- prominent Democrat Vernon Jordan, Former Defense Secretary William Cohen, North Korea nuclear negotiator Chris Hill (a pal of Holbrooke's), and Obama foreign policy advisor Samantha Power.

Former Ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk is here, but so far has not been offered a position in the Obama administration.

*** UPDATE *** Reaction from Tony Blair to the appointment of George Mitchell: "Tony Blair welcomes George Mitchell's appointment as envoy, renewing their close and productive relationship for peace and progress in Northern Ireland. It shows the true commitment President Obama and Secretary Clinton have to making real progress in the Middle East."

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A feeling thermometer for TARP

Posted: Thursday, January 22, 2009 1:31 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Congress

From NBC's Mike Viqueira

Because of the way the original legislation was written, the recent vote by the Senate to free up the funds was, for all practical purposes, the end of the story.

But the language also requires a vote on the House floor if someone calls for it. Rep. Virginia Foxx did so, so now they are voting. A "yea" vote is a vote against allocating the second $350 billion.

It's safe to say that if the Senate hadn't allowed the money to go through and it became up to the House, the administration would not have gotten it.

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Schumer, of all people, mum on seat

Posted: Thursday, January 22, 2009 12:24 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Congress, Democrats

From NBC's Ken Strickland
At an unrelated news conference in the Capitol, the normally chatty Sen. Chuck Schumer had little to say about Caroline Kennedy's withdrawal from consideration of taking the Senate seat vacated by Hillary Clinton.

"I have kept the confidence of these discussion between myself and Gov. Paterson, myself and any of the potential candidates," Schumer said. "And I'm going to continue to do that."

Schumer clearly knew something, but wasn't giving it up.

"I have talked to both Gov. Paterson and Caroline Kennedy in the last few days and few hours," he said. "But I'm going to keep those conversations to myself. For the governor, it's his decision... And I don't think it'll be too long a distance away."

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Clinton's first day on the job

Posted: Thursday, January 22, 2009 11:48 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: State Dept.

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Newly minted Secretary of State Hillary Clinton received a boisterous and enthusiastic welcome at the State Department for her first day on the job.

She spoke of the hard work going forward, but praised the career diplomats as the best there are.

"This is not going to be easy. ... It's going to be hard," Clinton told the State Department staff packed into the building. "But if it weren't hard, somebody else could do it, besides the professionals of the Foreign Service and the Civil Service and our Diplomatic and Development Corps."

CONTINUED >>

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Geithner passes committee, 18-5

Posted: Thursday, January 22, 2009 11:41 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Congress, Economy

From NBC's Carl Sears
The Senate Finance Committee approved Treasury Secretary nominee Tim Geithner by an 18-5 vote. The nomination now moves to the full Senate.

Three Republicans on the panel voted for him: Hatch, Cornyn, Snowe.

Five Republicans opposed him: Kyl, Bunning, Grassley, Roberts, Ensign.

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GOP opposition to Geithner's nomination

Posted: Thursday, January 22, 2009 11:23 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Congress, Republicans

From NBC's Ken Strickland
At least two -- maybe three -- Senate Republican on the Senate Finance Committee have said they will NOT support Tim Geithner's nomination for Treasury Secretary. The comments were made moments ago in a committee meeting where they will later vote on the nomination.   

Sens. Jon Kyl and Jim Bunning's announcements do not come as a surprise since they've been very critical Geithner for his failure to pay taxes and his involvement in the current financial crisis.

Kyl, who gave Geithner the most intense grilling during his confirmation hearing yesterday, said the tax issues was NOT a disqualifying factor, but argued that his lack of candor was. At one point in the hearing yesterday, Kyl scolded Geithner saying, "would you answer my question rather than dancing around it PLEASE."

CONTINUED >>

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First thoughts: Caroline's out

Posted: Thursday, January 22, 2009 9:15 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro
*** Caroline’s out: Late last night, after conflicting news about her intentions, Caroline Kennedy pulled out from consideration for filling Hillary Clinton’s New York Senate seat. "I informed Gov. Paterson today that for personal reasons I am withdrawing my name from consideration for the United States Senate," she said in a one-sentence statement. Her withdrawal comes after an almost two-month rollercoaster ride for Kennedy -- first announcing her desire for the seat and becoming the instant front-runner; then stumbling with the press; and then, before last night, seeming to be the favorite once again. Per NBC’s Andrea Mitchell, a Kennedy spokesman would not say what the so-called "personal reasons" were that she cited in her statement. But other Kennedy family members and friends that Mitchell reached out to last night said it has nothing to do with any deterioration in Ted Kennedy's health. To the contrary, they said he has improved in recent weeks (Tuesday’s incident notwithstanding). Mitchell adds that people close to the governor say his next choice would most likely be Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand from Upstate New York. A couple of other sources close to Kennedy also indicate that she was becoming increasingly uncomfortable by the fact that Paterson was getting strong-armed into appointing her. 

*** What a crazy last couple of months: If anything, last night’s news about Caroline Kennedy was just another reminder of how strange the appointments for the vacant Senate seats have been since Obama won the presidency last November. Ex-Delaware Gov. Ruth Ann Minner surprised the political world when she chose Ted Kaufman, a former Biden aide, to fill Biden’s Senate seat, which opened the door to Biden’s son running for it in 2010. In Colorado, Gov. Bill Ritter selected a virtual unknown -- at least to national political reporters -- in Denver schools chief Michael Bennet. And, of course, we don’t really need to remind you about the craziness that occurred in filling Obama’s Senate seat. It’s also worth pointing out that Paterson’s two-month process of trying to replace Hillary Clinton didn’t really do anyone any favors, especially Kennedy and Paterson. If this lesson has taught Paterson anything, it’s probably that it’s best to make a quick but prudent decision and then stick to it. Oftentimes, playing Hamlet -- “to be, or not to be” -- doesn’t get you anywhere.

*** The exceptions to the rule: Despite early praise for his executive orders instituting new ethics rules -- the headline in the Washington Post reads “Lobbyist Rules Surpass Those of Previous Presidents, Experts Say” -- the Republican National Committee is reminding reporters that two Obama administration picks (William Lynn for deputy Defense secretary and William Corr for deputy HHS secretary) were lobbyists and seem to violate Obama’s rule on them. Then again, when you are in the midst of a honeymoon, you can get away with stuff like this -- for now at least. Still, isn't this a pretty blatant oversight of their rules? How much pressure can the GOP have in pushing the Obama administration on these appointments?

*** Obama’s day: According to the White House, Obama will begin his day meeting with his economic team and then his senior staff (both are closed to the press). Next, he meets with retired military officers to discuss his proposed executive orders dealing with detention and interrogation policy. The Washington Post says that Obama today will issue an order “calling for the closure of Guantanamo Bay within a year, an immediate case-by-case review of the 245 detainees remaining there, and the application of new rules governing the treatment and interrogation of prisoners.” And finally today, Obama will head to the State Department to meet with Secretary of State Clinton, and then two will address State Department employees. Also, stay tuned for the first Robert Gibbs press briefing, scheduled for 12:30-ish. 

*** Too much southern comfort? In our next installment examining some of the GOP challenges, we today take a look at geography -- specifically, the Republican Party’s concentration in the South and few places elsewhere. According to the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, nearly half of the Republicans in the U.S. House (80 out of 178) hail from the South. By contrast, they have only 18 members from the Northeast (compared with the Democrats’ 77), 45 from the Midwest (the Dems have 55) and 35 from the West (Dems have 63). In addition, December’s NBC/Wall Street Journal poll showed that 33% of American adults in the South viewed the Republican Party favorably. That’s compared with just 19% who viewed it positively in the Northeast, 25% in the Midwest and 28% in the West. Likewise, according to the exit polls, the South was the only region where McCain beat Obama, and it accounted for 32% of his vote (versus 21% from the East, 23% from the West, and 24% from the South). Republican rejoiced when they won those races in Georgia and Louisiana after Obama's election. The true test of the party's strength, however, will be in places outside the South.

*** Dean’s exit: Despite the thunderous applause he received at yesterday’s DNC meeting, where Tim Kaine was formally elected as the party’s new chairman, Howard Dean’s exit hasn’t received that much attention in today’s papers. It's quite remarkable that he is leaving without a job offer, not even an ambassadorship... Did the president call Dean and thank him for service? When is the last time the titular head of the Democratic Party spoke to the one-time ACTUAL head of the Democratic Party?

Countdown to RNC winter meeting: 6 days
Countdown to NJ GOP primary: 131 days
Countdown to VA Dem primary: 138 days
Countdown to Election Day 2009: 285 days
Countdown to Election Day 2010: 649 days

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100 Days: The executive orders cometh

Posted: Thursday, January 22, 2009 9:12 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: White House, Economy, Security, The First 100 Days

The New York Times: President Obama is expected to sign executive orders Thursday directing the Central Intelligence Agency to shut what remains of its network of secret prisons and ordering the closing of the Guantánamo detention camp within a year, government officials said.”

The Washington Post on yesterday’s activity…  “President Obama moved swiftly yesterday to begin rolling back eight years of his predecessor's policies, ordering tough new ethics rules and preparing to issue an order closing the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, which has been at the center of the debate over the treatment of U.S. prisoners in the battle against terrorism. Acting to address several promises he made during his campaign, Obama met with top generals about speeding the withdrawal from Iraq and gathered his senior economic advisers as he continued to push for a massive spending bill to create jobs.”

"The burst of activity gave Obama a running start on his foreign and domestic policy agendas and fulfilled several campaign pledges that were crucial to the support he received from core Democratic constituencies," the Boston Globe writes. "But his first actions also seemed explicitly designed to sweep away lingering policies of former President Bush, who left office Tuesday as one of the most unpopular chief executives in US history."

This hasn’t gotten enough attention… The Los Angeles Times writes, "Obama also issued a trio of decrees intended to make government more transparent. The moves were applauded by historians, political scientists and lawyers who took their battle for access to executive branch records to court during the Bush presidency. The first order effectively undid a Bush administration policy that had restricted the release of presidential documents -- a rule that had been challenged in court by the National Security Archives and by historians.”

CONTINUED >>

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100 Days: The swearing-in mulligan

Posted: Thursday, January 22, 2009 9:11 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: White House, The First 100 Days

“In golf, they call it a mulligan. A do-over,” the Washington Post writes. “There's no formal name for what President Obama and Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. did last night. After flubbing his one role on Inauguration Day -- administering the oath of office to Obama -- Roberts traveled to the White House to re-administer the oath. Just to make sure.”

“‘We decided it was so much fun . . .,’ Obama joked while sitting on a couch in the Map Room. Obama stood and walked over to make small talk with pool reporters as Roberts donned his black robe. ‘Are you ready to take the oath?’ Roberts asked. ‘I am, and we're going to do it very slowly,’ Obama replied.”

The New York Times adds, “While about two million people were on hand to watch the first swearing-in, a figure that does not include the hundreds of millions who watched it on television in the United States and around the world, only nine people witnessed the do-over. There were four aides, four reporters and a White House photographer present on Wednesday evening. Mr. Obama raised his right hand and did not use a Bible.”

While NBC's Pete Williams says the oath isn't necessary to serve as president, what about this idea of executing the powers? And we're just asking, but by retaking the oath last night, does that mean the White House is acknowledging there is some question about its ability to execute the powers of the presidency? So does that mean he needs to re-sign every executive order he's issued since taking office?

Also, the Washington Post’s Kornblut has this interesting piece noting the lack of technology in the White House. “Two years after launching the most technologically savvy presidential campaign in history, Obama officials ran smack into the constraints of the federal bureaucracy yesterday, encountering a jumble of disconnected phone lines, old computer software, and security regulations forbidding outside e-mail accounts. What does that mean in 21st-century terms? No Facebook to communicate with supporters. No outside e-mail log-ins. No instant messaging. Hard adjustments for a staff that helped sweep Obama to power through, among other things, relentless online social networking. ‘It is kind of like going from an Xbox to an Atari,’ Obama spokesman Bill Burton said of his new digs.”

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Congress: Holding up Holder

Posted: Thursday, January 22, 2009 9:09 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Congress, Democrats, Republicans

By a 94-2 vote, Hillary Clinton was confirmed as Secretary of State.

“Republicans put new obstacles in the path of Eric H. Holder Jr.'s quest to become attorney general, raising concerns that he would prosecute intelligence agents who engaged in potentially illegal interrogation techniques and postponing consideration of his nomination,” the Washington Post says. More: “The Senate Judiciary Committee decided yesterday morning to delay a vote to send Holder's nomination to the full Senate while lawmakers attended the morning National Prayer Service with Obama. The hearing was rescheduled for yesterday, but Republicans then requested a one-week delay on the nomination that Democrats were required to grant under committee rules.” 
 
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee "approved [Susan Rice's] nomination [for UN Ambassador] by voice vote. The action paves way for her confirmation by the full Senate. A full Senate vote had not been immediately scheduled."

CONTINUED >>

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Downballot: Caroline bows out

Posted: Thursday, January 22, 2009 9:07 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Congress, States

MINNESOTA: Roll Call checks in with Norm Coleman, who apparently was on the Hill yesterday as was competitor Al Franken. The paper called Coleman "noticeably relaxed" and "expressed confidence." “We believe that when the ballots that have been double-counted are taken out and the absentee ballots are counted in a uniform manner, that the lead that Franken has is artificial and we’ll be back on top,” Coleman said. His trial is set to begin Monday. "Coleman counted back from his 225-vote deficit in the interview, arguing that without double-counted votes and counting every remaining wrongfully rejected absentee ballot -- many of which he argued are from Republican areas -- the lead that he had on election night would hold. 'Reports of my defeat are greatly exaggerated and very much premature,' said Coleman, paraphrasing author Mark Twain’s famous words."
 
By the way, he and his staff are still in his Senate office. Though his term ended Jan. 2nd, “The bottom line is that I believe we have until Feb. 4 to pack up the office and transfer the cases,” Coleman said.

NEW YORK: The New York Daily News uses the quippy headline on its Web site: "Hil seat blues" referring to Caroline Kennedy withdrawing her name from consideration to replace Hillary Clinton. "Caroline Kennedy's brief political career ended Wednesday night as abruptly as it began after she withdrew her bid to replace Sen. Hillary Clinton."

The New York Post, which first reported the news last night, writes, "Kennedy's move reshuffled the deck of contenders for Paterson, who will choose Clinton's replacement. The seat officially became vacant after Clinton was confirmed nearly unanimously by the Senate as secretary of state yesterday."

The New York Times says that Kennedy’s decision “appeared to catch the governor off guard, throwing the Paterson administration into confusion and setting off conflicting news media reports. After frantic talks between the governor’s operation and Ms. Kennedy’s camp Wednesday evening, Ms. Kennedy appeared to waver on whether to withdraw, and was preparing a statement reasserting her interest in the job. But just after midnight, she decided to make clear she was taking her name out of consideration and released the statement saying so.”

What happened? No one will know for sure, as the tick-tock on Caroline appears to be all over the place. Two sources told NBC News that she started telling friends and advisers of her hesitance over the weekend. But those same sources thought whatever second thoughts she was having were eliminated by Monday or Tuesday. So what happened? Was she upset by how the process was going? Did something happen between Kennedy and Paterson? Did something come up in the vetting process that she didn't want to deal with publicly? Was this a "stomach" issue -- i.e., she didn't have the iron stomach for New York politics? Was she always hesitant about doing this put felt pressure from her family to push for the appointment?

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GOP, Dem leaders to meet Fri. at WH

Posted: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 6:07 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: White House, Democrats, Republicans

From NBC's Mike Viqueira
President Obama will host the bipartisan, bicameral leadership of Congress at the White House on Friday in order to discuss the broad legislative agenda, according to multiple congressional sources. Tentative time: 9:45 a.m. ET.

Also, House Republicans will get their wish for a sit down with the president on the issue of the stimulus and their ideas for the measure. They had sought a meeting for tomorrow, Thursday, but the confab will happen next week instead.

House Republicans, as you know, are unhappy with both the policy and process involved in the $825 billion stimulus colossus and had, in effect, called the president on his pledge of bipartisanship, asking for a meeting two days after the inauguration.

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Clinton confirmed

Posted: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 4:45 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: State Dept.

From NBC's Libby Leist
The Senate has voted 94-2 to confirm Sen. Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State.

The no votes were Sens. Jim DeMint (R-SC) and David Vitter (R-LA).

*** UPDATE *** From NBC's Domenico Montanaro 
94-2 makes 96 votes. So who are the four that didn't vote?

-- Ted Kennedy (who spent the night in the hospital after suffering a seizure at the joint inaugural committee luncheon yesterday)
-- The vacant Minnesota seat (that race is still undecided. Al Franken currently leads by 225 votes, but Norm Coleman has taken the matter to the Minnesota courts.)
-- The vacant Colorado seat (held previously by Ken Salazar, who was confirmed as Obama's Interior Secretary. His replacement, Denver schools chief Michael Bennett has not been sworn in yet.)
-- Hillary Clinton (Per NBC's Mike Viqueira, she did not vote for -- or against -- herself)

*** UPDATE II *** NBC's Andrea Mitchell reports, Hillary Clinton was sworn in today at her Senate office moments after the confirmation vote, with her husband and staff looking on.

*** UPDATE III *** Here's Sen. John Cornyn's justification for holding up Clinton's confirmation but then later voting for her: "I wish President Obama and his administration well. His success will mean America's success. But if we're going to restore trust between the American people and their government we need to be careful that the reality matches the rhetoric. My concern is not whether our colleague, Senator Clinton, is qualified to be secretary of state or not. She is. And I intend to vote for her confirmation but I also believe it's very important to flesh out some of the concerns that have been raised legitimately."

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DNC celebrates, elects new chairman

Posted: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 3:53 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Democrats

From NBC's Mark Murray
The last time members of the Democratic National Committee gathered at the Marriott-Wardman Park hotel in D.C. was in late May, when they met to resolve the fate of those Florida and Michigan delegations.

After an eventual ruling that cemented Obama as the party's presidential nominee, and that angered quite a few Hillary Clinton supporters, it seemed likely that the contentious Obama-Clinton primary season would leave the party splintered headed into the general election.

How wrong that thinking turned out to be. Almost eight months after that Rules and Bylaws Committee meeting over Florida and Michigan, DNC members reappeared at the Marriott-Wardman Park hotel to celebrate their party's political victories and unanimously elect Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine as their new chairman.

"Today, we have a great president, a great vice president, and a party that is stronger than ever," said outgoing chairman Howard Dean, referring to the party's victories in 2006 and 2008. "Together, we did move our country forward." Dean received standing ovations before and after his remarks.

"I feel like I'm taking over for a three-time Super Bowl winner. I have big shoes to fill," Kaine later said after receiving the chairman's gavel, adding that the 50-state strategy Dean championed was a "magnificent success."

CONTINUED >>

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Republicans write to meet with president

Posted: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 3:40 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Congress, Republicans

From NBC’s Mike Viqueira
Last week, we reported that House Republicans had privately requested a meeting for tomorrow with President Obama on the topic of the stimulus.

Today they put it writing in a letter, excerpted after the jump. Also, NBC’s Ken Strickland notes that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will meet with Al Franken today at 5:30 p.m. ET today.

"During our meeting on January 05, 2009, you reached out to Congressional Republicans to help you craft an economic recovery plan that will help our fellow Americans, boost our economy and create jobs," said the leaders. "In response to your request for input, we created a House Economic Recovery Working Group from a broad cross-section of our House conference and started talking to experts, other elected officials and citizens from across the nation to hear their thoughts on what Congress needs to do to help our economy."

CONTINUED >>

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Obama freezes WH senior staff pay

Posted: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 2:06 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: White House

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
For those senior staffers making more than $100,000 a year, President Obama today announced a pay freeze on their salaries.

The president signed an executive order instituting stricter ethics rules, including a ban on lobbying the White House when current White House staffers leave their posts as well as a ban on gifts.

The executive order, Obama said, "represents a clean break from business as usual."

He added that the government should be held "accountable" and should be more "transparent."

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Obama calls Middle East leaders

Posted: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 12:24 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: White House, Security

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Yesterday was a day of celebration for President Obama, but he, as much as anyone, has stressed the harsh realities the country faces. One of those challenges is the situation in Gaza.

This morning Obama made his initial contacts as president with prominent players in the region, including Israeli Prime Minister Olmert, Palestinian Authority President Abbas, Egyptian President Mubarak and King Abdullah of Jordan.

"He used this opportunity on his first day in office to communicate his commitment to active engagement in pursuit of Arab-Israeli peace from the beginning of his term, and to express his hope for their continued cooperation and leadership," White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said in a statement. "In the aftermath of the Gaza conflict, he emphasized his determination to work to help consolidate the ceasefire by establishing an effective anti-smuggling regime to prevent Hamas from rearming, and facilitating in partnership with the Palestinian Authority a major reconstruction effort for Palestinians in Gaza. He pledged that the United States would do its part to make these efforts successful, working closely with the international community and these partners as they fulfill their responsibilities as well. The President appreciated the spirit of partnership and warm nature of these calls."

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Geithner filed own taxes

Posted: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 12:01 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Ken Strickland
Treasury Secretary nominee Tim Geithner, the president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, filed his own taxes using Turbo Tax during the period he neglected to pay thousands of dollars in taxes.

Under questioning from Senate Finance Committee Republican member Chuck Grassley, Geithner was very reluctant to disclose which tax filing software he used. He quickly suggested the software wasn't the problem; he was.

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Geithner's preemptive defense

Posted: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 10:50 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: White House

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
In his opening statement at his confirmation hearing for Treasury Secretary, Tim Geithner launched a preemptive defense of his failure to pay more than $30,000 in taxes, calling them "mistakes" that were "careless," "avoidable" and "unintentional."

He said he accepts "full responsibility" and apologized to the committee for having to deal with this when there are serious problems facing the nation.

"If you and your colleagues in the Senate give me the opportunity to serve as Secretary of the Treasury, I will do everything I can to justify your trust and confidence," he pledged.

Also on the Hill today, NBC's Ken Strickland reports that the final vote on Hillary Clinton's nomination to be Secretary of State should happen at about 4:30 p.m. ET. The vote will be preceded by three hours of debate. It's expected that she will be confirmed.

'To: #44, From: #43'
President Obama spent about 10 minutes alone in the Oval Office this morning, according to White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. While there, "he read the note left to him by President Bush that was in an envelope marked 'To: #44, From: #43,'" Gibbs said in a statement.

At 8:45 a.m., Obama was joined by Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel to discuss the day's schedule; 25 minutes later, the president was joined by Michelle Obama.

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No Gitmo order just yet -- UPDATED

Posted: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 10:45 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: White House, Security

From NBC's Chuck Todd and Jim Miklaszewski
Pentagon and White House officials tell NBC News that NO OFFICIAL ORDER to suspend legal proceedings against terror suspects at Guantanamo Bay has been given by the White House or Pentagon -- at least not yet -- but that is clearly the intent. 

A military prosecutor filed a late-night motion Tuesday to suspend the military commission's legal proceedings against terror suspects pending a review of the process by the Obama administration. The prosecutor, Clay Trivett, said he filed the motion at the direction of the president and Defense secretary.

This morning, a senior Pentagon official told NBC News that Defense Secretary Gates verbally handed down the president's order to suspend the legal proceedings at Gitmo, and that a formal written order would follow perhaps as early as today. But the prompt response from military prosecutors in filing the motion appears to have taken both the Pentagon and White House by surprise. Officials at both places tell NBC News that the prosecutors "got a little ahead of themselves" by making the motion late yesterday and beating both the White House and Pentagon to the punch. 

In any event, when the administration does make its intent to suspend the legal proceedings at Gitmo official, Pentagon officials stress that the decision to suspend the proceedings would be up to the presiding military judges. Pentagon officials say disbanding the commissions would take an act of Congress, which created the legal process in the Military Commissions Act of 2006.

*** UPDATE *** Per Mik, Pentagon officials now confirm that at the "direction of the President" Defense Secretary Gates verbally ordered military prosecutors to seek a 120-day suspension of all military commission legal proceedings at Guantanamo Bay.

The officials expect more detailed guidance on the next step but call this action "the first step in a broader, more comprehensive review of policies and procedures related to detainees at Guantanamo." That more comprehensive review is expected to ultimately include orders to close the detention facility altogether.

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Judiciary Cmte postpones Holder vote

Posted: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 10:05 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Congress

From NBC's Ken Strickland
The Senate Judiciary Committee has postponed its 10:00 am ET session where it was expected to vote on Eric Holder's vote to be attorney general. According to committee press staff, the delay is to accommodate members who wanted to attend this morning's prayer service for President Obama.

The vote could happen later today. Holder is expected to be voted out favorably from the committee. The final vote before the full Senate will then have to be scheduled.

*** UPDATE *** Holder's hearing will resume at 2:30 p.m. ET today.

*** UPDATE 2 *** Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee have exercised their right to delay a committee vote on Eric Holder's nomination for Attorney General for one week. The vote will likely happen next Wednesday.

This turn pushes the full Senate vote back further, denying President Obama another key cabinet post for an unknown amount of time.

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First thoughts: Obama gets to work

Posted: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 9:15 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, and Domenico Montanaro
*** Obama gets to work: In his first full day as president, Barack Obama participates in a prayer service this morning at Washington’s National Cathedral. He also will sign a few executive orders, including one that bans any White House staffer from lobbying the Obama White House if he/she leaves. The big meetings of the day takes place later in the afternoon, when the president sits down (1) with his economic team and then (2) with Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Gen. David Petraeus and Joint Chiefs Chairman Mike Mullen. This second meeting fulfills a promise that Obama made during the summer, as the AP reminds us. “My first day in office, I will bring the Joint Chiefs of Staff in, and I will give them a new mission, and that is to end this war responsibly and deliberately but decisively,” he said then. Sources tell us that Obama will indeed ask for a plan to begin the process of troop redeployment in Iraq in the next 16 months. As for Gitmo news, it appears the military lawyers quoted in the various news stories circulating got a bit ahead of themselves; still, it’s the intent of the new administration to begin closing it. And new White House press secretary Robert Gibbs plans to hold his first briefing at noon ET, though this could get pushed back a day. By the way, yesterday’s immediate change at whitehouse.gov was pretty striking, and what stood out to us were all the issue pledges the Obama team included. Many are not detailed, but the pledges are there for all to see. The Web site has more of the feel of a campaign Web site than the official White House site. It also appears a bit more interactive than Bush’s or Clinton’s sites.

*** Looking back at the inaugural address: As for yesterday’s speech, the rhetoric might not have been as soaring as we’re used to, but Obama pivoted from being candidate Obama (the inspirer), to President Obama (the guy elected to get things done). “For everywhere we look, there is work to be done,” he said. “The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act -- not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth.” As others have noted -- including Maureen Dowd, who compared it to Stephen Colbert’s brutal roast of Bush at the ‘06 White House Correspondents’ dinner -- Obama’s speech also was a not-so-subtle rebuke of the past eight years. The market’s “power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control, and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous.” More: “[We] reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals.” And: “[W]e will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.” And don't let it go unnoticed that Obama laid down a marker when it comes to dealing with the Muslim world. Obama goes down in history as the first president to say the word "Muslim" in an inaugural address. Historians will use that anecdote some day. Of course, yesterday was a memorable day for Obama and the country on a whole other level. But, even as the new president reminded us, it will last the test of time not for what happened yesterday, but what happens afterwards. “In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given,” he said. “It must be earned.”

*** Another busy day on the Hill: By unanimous consent, the Senate yesterday confirmed seven of Obama’s cabinet picks -- Chu (Energy), Duncan (Education), Napolitano (Homeland Security), Orszag (OMB), Salazar (Interior), Shineski (Veterans Affairs), and Vilsack (Agriculture). The notable absence from this group, of course, is Hillary Clinton, whose confirmation was held up by GOP Sen. John Cornyn. NBC’s Ken Strickland reports that Clinton’s final confirmation vote will occur sometime this afternoon after three hours of debate (the hope in the White House is that she'll be confirmed in time to participate in the national security meeting). In addition, we’ll see two confirmation hearings today -- Geithner’s for Treasury at the Senate Finance Committee at 10:00 am ET, and Ray LaHood’s for Transportation at the Senate Commerce Committee at 2:00 pm. Also today, the Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on Holder’s confirmation at 10:00 am.

*** The GOP’s demographic challenge: With Obama now in the White House, it’s as good of a time as any -- especially with the RNC chair contest coming up next week -- to break down some of the challenges the Republican Party faces heading into 2010 and 2012. We’ll begin today looking at the party’s demographic hurdle. In short, the GOP has increasingly become a party that’s appealing only to white voters, hardly good news when you consider that the United States will become a majority-minority country in three decades. In the presidential election, McCain grabbed just 4% of the black vote, 31% of the Latino vote, and 35% of the Asian-American vote -- all down from George W. Bush’s haul in 2004. Put another way, some 90% of McCain's voters were white; that’s compared with some 60% of Obama's voters. In a country that's now just 74% white (at least via its voting electorate), no national candidate can expect to win the presidency based on just white voters.

*** Latinos and younger voters: The struggle that McCain -- a senator from the border state of Arizona -- had with Latinos could be particularly troublesome for Republicans. Matthew Dowd, who served as Bush’s chief strategist in the ’04 election (and who later parted ways with Bush and the GOP), says that future Republican presidential nominees will need to get more than 40% of the Latino vote to be able to win. What’s more, McCain lost voters ages 18-29 by more than 30 points (66% to 32%). That represents an entire generation of first- or second-time voters who pulled the lever for the Democratic Party. “Losing young voters by 30-plus points is a major fire alarm,” Dowd said.

*** Filling Dean's shoes: Meanwhile, Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine will be formally elected as the new DNC chairman when the Democratic National Committee meets today at 1:00 pm ET in DC.

*** Mr. Franken comes to Washington: And Al Franken ended up attending Obama’s swearing-in yesterday. “It was a great honor to join so many hopeful, excited Americans in Washington today to witness the inauguration of our new president,” he said in a statement. “The next few years will call for bold action and courage on the part of our leaders and our citizens. And I know that, with all of us working together, we will meet that call.” Sounds a lot like he’s prepping for another return to DC. By the way, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid secured Franken's swearing-in tickets, according to informed sources.
 
Countdown to RNC winter meeting: 7 days
Countdown to NJ GOP primary: 132 days
Countdown to VA Dem primary: 139 days
Countdown to Election Day 2009: 286 days
Countdown to Election Day 2010: 650 days

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Inauguration: Looking back

Posted: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 9:12 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: White House

Pretty much every newspaper in the U.S. -- as well as a majority of newspapers in the world -- has Obama's inauguration on the cover:

The Washington Post’s Balz writes, “Obama's somber address -- and his exhortation to the country to pull together -- fit the times in which they were delivered. ‘Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real,’ the president said. ‘They are serious, and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America: They will be met.’ Yet at a time of doubt and despair, and on a day when the stock market plummeted again, Obama's inauguration showed another side to the nation's current mood -- hopefulness and a sense of confidence that has been invested in a young and relatively untested new president.” 

The New York Times: “Barack Obama’s Inaugural Address on Tuesday was a stark repudiation of the era of George W. Bush and the ideological certainties that surrounded it, wrapped in his pledge to drive the United States into ‘a new age’ by reclaiming the values of an older one… [N]ot since 1933, when Franklin D. Roosevelt called for a ‘restoration’ of American ethics and ‘action, and action now’ as Herbert Hoover sat and seethed, has a new president so publicly rejected the essence of his predecessor’s path.”

The New York Daily News' DeFrank calls the speech "part sermon, part tutorial, part call to arms, well-packaged and elegantly delivered. Yet for all the inspiring, hopeful flourishes of his 18-minute inaugural address, Obama also served up a stark, tough-love message: Grow up, guys."

CONTINUED >>

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Agenda: The first full day

Posted: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 9:10 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: White House

The AP says, “Although he may not get to bed before 3 a.m., Barack Obama plans to make his first full day as president a jam-packed affair of prayer, diplomacy, war discussions and welcoming hundreds of visitors to the White House.”

More: “Perhaps no one will be watching more intently than anti-war activists who backed Obama from the start because of his promise to extract U.S. forces from Iraq, a conflict that has lasted nearly six years. He said in July: ‘I intend to end this war. My first day in office, I will bring the Joint Chiefs of Staff in, and I will give them a new mission, and that is to end this war responsibly and deliberately but decisively.’ That's just what Obama will do on Wednesday, said a top adviser, noting that the meeting also will include military commanders and aides outside the Joint Chiefs. The adviser would speak only on condition of anonymity because the Wednesday meeting has not been formally announced.” 

It was a pretty awful day on Wall Street yesterday -- a reality check of just what Obama faces. Things were great in DC, but the economy is faltering ... big time.

Obama's legislative team's "main focus: trying to find a middle ground on the economic stimulus package that the president is urging bipartisan support for. So far, their approach with Congress has been much more cooperative than that of the Bush administration’s team, according to veteran Capitol Hill lobbyists."

CONTINUED >>

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Bush's exit

Posted: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 9:09 AM by Domenico Montanaro

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Congress: Holding up Hillary

Posted: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 9:07 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Congress

What signal was the GOP sending with Cornyn’s hold of Clinton’s confirmation? That the party won't roll over? Did it look petty? Eye of the beholder, we guess. “Although the delay on Clinton is not likely to last long -- the Senate is expected to hold a roll-call vote on her nomination today -- it is nonetheless a signal that the GOP minority in Congress will seek every opportunity to exert its will.”

Politico: “Hillary Clinton had a very public tête-à-tête Tuesday with the man who squashed her dreams of an Inauguration Day confirmation -- Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn. Neither blinked. Clinton and Cornyn talked intently and gestured meaningfully at the entrance to Statuary Hall, moments after Barack Obama was sworn in. This attracted the attention of reporters who had been staking out Obama’s lunch with congressional leaders and noticed the two hashing something out 50 feet away.” 

Bloomberg News adds, “The delay in confirming Clinton means that Obama assumes office with vacancies in his two top Cabinet posts: State and Treasury. Treasury Secretary-designate Timothy Geithner is scheduled to appear at his Senate confirmation hearing tomorrow.” 

CONTINUED >>

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Downballot: Avalanche of legal filings

Posted: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 9:06 AM by Domenico Montanaro

MINNESOTA: In the Coleman-Franken race, which has now gone on 78 days past election day, an “avalanche of legal filings continued Tuesday,” the Minneapolis Star-Tribune notes. Franken asked a three-judge panel to dismiss Coleman’s lawsuit trying to recount every rejected absentee ballot, and Coleman filed a “subpoena that seeks testimony from a state elections official regarding the campaign's claim that discrepancies in recount figures may have cost the Republican 10 to 15 votes.” The state’s attorney general opposed it, but “it underscores how Coleman is leaving no stone unturned in a search for votes that might close the gap.” Also, Coleman said, “Franken is no Obama” in a fundraising e-mail appeal. Here’s another item exploring the complicated double-ballot issue.

NEW YORK: “Gov. David A. Paterson said on Tuesday that he would announce no later than Saturday whom he would appoint to fill the Senate seat that is being vacated by Hillary Rodham Clinton… ‘I have a good idea now which direction I want to go,’ Mr. Paterson said.”

“Then, explaining why he would wait to reveal his choice, he added: ‘I thought that with something this serious -- that when I came to a point of view -- that I wouldn’t react to it immediately. So since I’m going to be here for another couple of days, I thought I would see if it feels the same way when I come back on Wednesday as it did, I guess toward the end of yesterday afternoon, when I think I started to come to a point of view.’”

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In new role, Gibbs meets the press

Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 6:31 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: White House

From NBC's Frank Thorp
With the inauguration complete and the new furniture in place, the Obamas are not the only ones getting ready for their stay at the White House. President Obama's Press Secretary Robert Gibbs met with the White House press corps for the first time today in an informal discussion at the door of the West Wing briefing room. He unfortunately did not come with much information to share. 

Does Barack still have his blackberry?
"It's a good question; I just don't know the answer."

What did Bush and Obama talk about at coffee?
"I have...I will check." 

Do you expect action on Secretary of State-designate Clinton tomorrow?
"I know congressional relations was working on that this morning, and I don't know where they are."

CONTINUED >>

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Inaugural first: Video in a new way

Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 6:17 PM by Stokes Young

From Stokes Young, director of multimedia @ msnbc.com
There have been a lot of historic firsts today. Here at NBC News we're excited that, on the occasion of Barack Obama's oath of office and inaugural address, we're offering our own small first step for online news video. For the first time, you can use a video clip's transcript to:

• Jump to and play any point in the video by clicking on the word where you want to begin
• See the most commonly used terms in a video clip and select them to see them highlighted in the transcript and on the timeline
• Search a video clip's transcript for the words you want to watch play in the video, and go right to them
• Select a subclip of a longer clip to embed on your blog or Web site

That last feature bears some explaining, even though in the end it's about as simple as copying and pasting in a text document. For the example below, I first went to the clip of the swearing-in and inaugural address at http://inauguration.msnbc.com.

CONTINUED >>

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Kennedy to spend night in hospital

Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 4:52 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Congress

From NBC's Kelly O'Donnell
Sen. John Kerry went to the hospital to see Sen. Ted Kennedy. Kerry said Kennedy will spend the night there to rest but is doing well. 

"His Irish is up. He's in good shape, laughing and joking, anxious to get back to work," Kerry said, describing Kennedy's mood.

Kerry added that Kennedy expects to be back in the Senate and views this as a momentary interruption.

He also said that the kind of seizure Kennedy experienced today "goes with the territory" of the brain cancer he is battling.

*** UPDATE *** Statement by Dr. Edward Aulisi, Chairman, Neurosurgery, Washington Hospital Center:
"Senator Edward Kennedy experienced a seizure today while attending a luncheon for President Barack Obama in the U.S. Capitol. After testing, we believe the incident was brought on by simple fatigue. Senator Kennedy is awake, talking with family and friends, and feeling well. He will remain at the Washington Hospital Center overnight for observation, and will be released in the morning."

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Six Obama cabinet nominees confirmed

Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 4:06 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Ken Strickland and Domenico Montanaro
The Senate confirmed six of Obama's Cabinet nominees, plus Peter Orszag for OMB Director. (Though OMB is cabinet-rank, it is not an official cabinet post.)

This makes one fewer secretary confirmed for Obama by inauguration day than for George W. Bush by inauguration day 2001 -- so far.

The members were confirmed by unanimous vote. They were: Steven Chu (Energy), Arne Duncan (Education), Janet Napolitano (Homeland security), Ken Salazar (Interior), Eric Shinseki (Veterans Affairs), Tom Vilsack (Agriculture).
 
The final Senate confirmation vote on Hillary Clinton will be some time tomorrow after three hours of debate. 

CONTINUED >>

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Kennedy collapses at Obama luncheon

Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 3:03 PM by Domenico Montanaro

BREAKING NEWS: From AP: "Sens. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., and Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., have been taken from an inauguration luncheon for
President Barack Obama. A Capitol police officer stood up at the luncheon and said medical attention was needed."

NBC's Mike Viqueira witnessed Kennedy wheeled out the South Door on a stretcher. NBC's Ken Strickland reports that one source who talked with someone involved in transporting Kennedy described the incident and was "seizure like" symptoms.

Reuters and AP cite a congressional aide who said Kennedy apparently suffered convulsions.   

A somber and clearly affected Obama said during remarks at the luncheon that he was out of the room, but that his thoughts and prayers were with the Kennedys.

Orrin Hatch told reporters briefly that he and John Kerry went to the ambulance with Kennedy and that he looked better there.

"It was a difficult thing," Hatch said. "It looked to me like he was going to be OK" when he was with Kennedy at the ambulance.

Hatch said he'd also heard there was an emergency for Byrd but didn't know the details and didn't see what happened.

*** UPDATE *** NBC station WSAZ of Huntington, W.Va., reported that a spokesperson for Senator Byrd said the veteran senator "is fine and was not taken to the hospital."

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Schumer talks about HRC confirmation

Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 2:29 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Congress, State Dept.

From NBC's Lauren Appelbaum
In an interview with NBC's Andrea Mitchell, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D) said he believes the controversy over Hillary Clinton's confirmation will be resolved today.
 
"Hillary has overwhelming support among Democrats and Republicans," Schumer said at the Capitol before the inauguration. "The most Cornyn could do is delay it two days, and then she gets voted for 97-2, so it doesn't make much sense."
 
Texas Sen. John Cornyn (R) has raised concerns about foreign donations to Bill Clinton's foundation and possible conflicts of interest that may have for Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State.
 
"I'm pleased to have the opportunity to have a full and open debate and an up-or-down vote on Senator Clinton's nomination as Secretary of State," Cornyn said in statement released today. "Important questions remain unanswered concerning the Clinton Foundation and its acceptance of donations from foreign entities. Transparency transcends partisan politics and the American people deserve to know more. While I look forward to having this open discussion later this week, today I join my colleagues in celebrating the historic Inauguration of our 44th president. It is a monumental achievement in our nation's history and a cause for pride for all Americans."
 
Schumer, however, said Cornyn's actions "starts the day off in a mood of partisanship."

CONTINUED >>

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Obama's speech: 2 months in the making

Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 1:41 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Mark Murray
According to senior Obama aides, who briefed reporters on Obama's speech before he delivered it, the initial meeting to begin drafting Obama's inaugural address took place before Thanksgiving, when Obama first laid out his thoughts. Obama, they said, wanted to discuss the moment that America finds itself in right now, and believed some of the best inaugurals -- Lincoln's second and JFK's -- did just that.

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The scene from Midland, TX

Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:58 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Janet Shamlian
I'm sitting in the lobby of the Hilton in Midland, Texas, where it's standing room only around the lobby's television, as images of the millions who have packed Washington are flashed on the screen. A crowd of guests, police officers, and hotel workers are glued to the screen as the swearing in ceremony is about to begin. Even at this venue, thousands of miles from the Capitol, the excitement is palatable.

The irony, of course, is these people have gathered for a ceremony as well -- one that will be considerably smaller in size but just as heartfelt. This is where ex-President George Bush is heading after the ceremony.

Midland offered Bush a send-off party eight years ago ahead of his inauguration. Today, the community will welcome him home. It will be a brief stop before the Bushes head to their ranch in Crawford. In many ways, today is the end of an era for Midland, for Crawford, and in fact for the entire Lone Star State.

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Obama's biblical reference

Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:55 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: White House

From NBC's Athena Jones
As mentioned earlier, President Obama said this in his speech: "We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things."

Obama was referring to a passage in Corinthians. Here's the whole verse, from the King James version: "When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things."

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In DC, most riders ever cram onto rails

Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:44 PM by Domenico Montanaro

The Washington, D.C., metro system had the most riders of all time today as 866,681 filled its cars.

The prior record was on July 11, 2008, when 854,638 riders crammed in for dual events -- a Nationals baseball game and a Women of Faith Conference. (The woeful Nats beat Houston, 10-0 that day, by the way.)

Good luck getting home.

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Some quick notes on Obama's speech

Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:36 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Mark Murray
AS NBC's Brian Williams just noted, President Obama's speech lasted 18 minutes and 10 seconds. And here are some of the themes and lines from it that stood out to us:

Ending politics as we know it: "On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics. We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things."

Obama, in fact, later mentioned three examples:
-- "The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works -- whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified."
-- "Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill."
-- "As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals." (Of course, ending politics as we know it is easier said than done. Remember that Bush promised to change Washington's tone.)

Greatness is earned: "In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned."

A call to action for the stimulus plan: "For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act -- not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth."

A shot at Osama bin Laden and other terrorists? "To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West -- know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."

An "era of responsibility": "What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility -- a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task. This is the price and the promise of citizenship.
This is the source of our confidence -- the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny. This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed."

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About that oath flub

Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:22 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Pete Williams
The recitation of the presidential oath came in fits and starts.

The Constitution prescribes the text: "I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States and will to best of my ability preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States."

But Chief Justice John Roberts, using no notes, flubbed his lines, and Obama knew it.

First, Obama jumped in before the "do solemnly swear" phrase, which seemed to throw the chief justice off his stride. Roberts rendered the next phrase as "that I will execute the office of President to the United States faithfully."

"That I will execute," Obama repeated, then paused like a school teacher prompting his student with a slight nod. Roberts took another shot at it: "The off ... faithfully the pres ... the office of President of the United States."

The oath then got more or less back on track after that. Close enough for government work.

NBC's Abby Livingston adds the transcript:

CONTINUED >>

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Sign of the times

Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:16 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: White House

Just after Biden was sworn in as vice president, the Bush presidency Web platform, WhiteHouse.gov, disappeared and with a click of the refresh button, the Obama Presidency Web platform appeared.

The featured item headline: "Change has come to America" over a close up of Obama's new official photo.

*** UPDATE *** There's also a blog, and it already has five posts, dated "TUE, JANUARY 20, 12:01 PM EST.

*** UPDATE 2 *** In one of those blog posts is Obama's first proclamation, declaring Jan. 20, 2009 a National Day of Renewal and Reconciliation: "NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 20, 2009, a National Day of Renewal and Reconciliation, and call upon all of our citizens to serve one another and the common purpose of remaking this Nation for our new century."

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Inaugural crowd -- about two million

Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:15 PM by Mark Murray

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The 44th president of the U.S.

Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 12:06 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Mark Murray
Barack Obama was just sworn into the office by Chief Justice John Roberts as the 44th president of the United States.

Joe Biden was sworn in as vice president minutes earlier.

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Can you hear me now?

Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 11:36 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Pete Williams

From NBC's Pete Williams
Some people near the Capitol say they're having trouble making outgoing cell phone calls. But they can receive calls.

Cellular phone companies added extra capacity but have warned that there are so many people concentrated together that the system is heavily taxed.

*** UPDATE *** A spokesperson for Verizon Wireless tells CNBC: The Verizon Wireless network in Washington, D.C.'s Inauguration area is handling three to five times the normal call volume. Even in the most crowded spectator areas nearest the Inauguration stands at the U.S. Capitol, the vast majority of calls are going through on the first attempt.

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Inaugural firsts

Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 11:14 AM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies put together a very useful list of facts and firsts. Here are some interesting takeaways:

-- The tradition of getting sworn in by chief justice started with the SECOND president, John Adams.
-- Thomas Jefferson was the first sworn in in Washington.
-- James Monroe in 1817 was the first to deliver his inaugural address outdoors.
-- Van Buren in 1837 was the first sworn in who wasn't born a British subject. (President-elect Van Buren and President Andrew Jackson rode together to the inauguration)
-- Obama modeled his train ride to DC after Lincoln, but William Henry Harrison was the first to do it in 1841.
-- Not until 1909 (Taft) did the future first lady ride in the procession to the inauguration with the president-elect. Harding was the first to ride in a car in 1921.
-- Polk's 1845 inauguration was the first covered by telegraph and the first illustration depicting it in a newspaper.
-- James Buchanan's is the first known to be photographed. McKinley's in 1897 was the first to be filmed with a motion picture camera. Truman's in 1949 was the first to be televised.
-- Another Lincoln note, it's the first one in which African Americans participated in the parade.
-- The Roosevelts, in 1933, started the tradition of morning worship at St. John's. FDR was also the first to be sworn in in January (1937).
-- In 1953, Eisenhower broke tradition by reciting a prayer after being sworn in an not kissing the Bible.
-- Poets have become mainstays of modern inaugurals, but Kennedy's was the first that featured one.
-- After JFK was assassinated in 1963, it happened to be the first time a woman administered the oath -- U.S. District Judge Sarah T. Hughes, who did so on Air Force One.
-- Nixon was actually sworn in on two Bibles -- family heirlooms.
-- Reagan's in 80 was the first to be done on the Capitol's west front. Reagan in 85 was sworn in privately on Jan. 20th because it was a Sunday. The following day, the public inauguration took place INSIDE the Capitol rotunda on a day that was 7 degrees, the coldest inauguration day on record.

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Paterson to make decision Fri. or Sat.?

Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 10:45 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Congress, States

From NBC's Mark Murray
NBC's Andrea Mitchell just spoke with New York Gov. David Paterson, who she reports will make a decision to fill Hillary Clinton's Senate seat on Friday or Saturday.

For a while, we thought Paterson might be making his announcement on air in his interview with NBC's Mitchell, but we quickly realized he was joking. "I have reached a decision. I thought that since there are just 17 women in the Senate... I am going to go with Michelle Obama."

Har-har.

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Enter the Clintons

Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 10:37 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Norah O'Donnell

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One threat emerges as focus

Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 10:30 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Security, Pete Williams

From NBC's Pete Williams
Threats against the inaugural continue to stream in, though so far, none are considered specific and credible enough to lead to any change in plans. Federal agents have been working around the clock the past several days to run them all down.

However, for the past 24 hours or so, one threat in particular has been the focus of official attention. It's said to be of "limited specificity" and "unknown credibility," and is described as a generalized threat against the inaugural coming from overseas, from a Somali-based group, al-Shabaab.

Security planners have held several high-level meetings about it since yesterday and again this morning, and Obama's incoming security team has been read in on it. 

FBI agents have been aggressively trying to run it down, even checking to see if certain individuals overseas have recently been on the move. But the threat is so general, there's no obvious operational change to make in how the day is unfolding, officials say, and the threat cannot be verified.

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What Michelle Obama is wearing

Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 10:15 AM by Mark Murray

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Massive crowd to greet Obama

Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 10:09 AM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Pete Williams
Security checkpoints are now closed off for the eastern end of the National Mall, the half closest to the U.S. Capitol.

It's no longer possible to enter the area east of 14th Street, which is the street that borders the Washington Monument. The National Mall East of 12th street is also closed. This is right before the Washington Monument and everything from the Washington Monument to the Capitol building is at full capacity.

A U.S. Park Service official says that the eastern half of the mall, between the Washington Monument and the Capitol, was filled to capacity by 8:30 am. 

"And it's fairly densely packed," he said.

The Park Service has traditionally declined to estimate the size of the crowd, a tradition to which it clings again today.

*** UPDATE *** Due to overcrowding, MPD is no longer allowing pedestrian access to the Mall from the 14th Street Bridge. Access can still be gained via The Memorial Bridge (the whole bridge), and the Key Bridge (on sidewalks and paths). ... And a passenger was hit by a Metro train, but survived.

CONTINUED >>

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And the game ball goes to...

Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 10:08 AM by Mark Murray

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First thoughts: Inauguration Day

Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 9:16 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, Domenico Montanaro, and Carrie Dann
*** Inauguration Day: Exactly one year ago, Obama had lost his second-consecutive Democratic contest to Hillary Clinton just the day before (the Nevada caucuses); he was campaigning in South Carolina, which had become a make-or-break primary for him; and he was preparing for an MLK Day debate in the Palmetto State, which would turn into the most contentious debate of the primary season. ("I was fighting against those ideas when you were practicing law and representing your contributor, Rezko, in his slum landlord business in inner-city Chicago,” Clinton told Obama.) In short, Obama’s prospects for winning the Democratic nomination -- and the presidency -- looked dimmer then than at any point after winning the Iowa caucuses earlier that month. Now, on this 20th day of January, Obama will be sworn in as the nation’s 44th president, becoming the first African American to hold the office. He enters his presidency with higher hopes and higher poll numbers than any president at any time in this country's history. It's incredible political capital. In recent times, only Bush 41 and Bush 43 had higher approval ratings, and those bumps were due to war.

*** Today’s tick-tock: The Obamas and Bidens have already attended a prayer service at 8:40 am ET; the Obamas and Bushes (as well as the Bidens and Cheneys) have coffee together at the White House at 10:10 am; Biden gets sworn in by Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens; Obama (with his Lincoln bible) gets sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts at 11:30 am; Obama delivers his inaugural address around noon; the new president heads to the Capitol to sign his cabinet secretary nomination certificates; Obama then participates in a departure ceremony for Bush, and Bush makes remarks at 1:25 pm; Obama begins his inaugural parade at 2:30 pm; and he attends all 10 official inaugural balls later in the evening.

*** Cornyn vs. Clinton: On the first day of his presidency, however, it looks Obama is going to have to deal with a minor fight over Hillary Clinton’s nomination as Secretary of State. GOP Sen. John Cornyn, the head of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, appears poised to slow down Clinton’s nomination because he wants increased disclosure of foreign donors to the Clinton Foundation. In fact, First Read has learned that Clinton’s nomination will likely require a vote -- unlike some of Obama’s other nominees, who will pass via unanimous consent. And this might delay Clinton's confirmation a day or two, as well as delay Obama appointing George Mitchell as a Mideast envoy (see below for more on that). Of course, you might ask where this objection to Clinton was when her nomination sailed through the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, 16-1, or when Obama and Clinton hatched their original agreement over the Clinton Foundation. Obama and Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell will have a lot of face time today. Think they'll talk about this?

*** Give the man his BlackBerry! By the way, John Podesta, the co-chair of Obama's transition, has an op-ed in the Los Angeles Times arguing that Obama should be able to use his BlackBerry as president. "An off-line Obama isn't just bad for Barack. It's bad for all of us. The president's ability to reach outside his inner circle gives him access to fresh ideas and constructive critics; it underscores the difference between political 'victories' and actual solutions; and it brings the American people into a battle we can only win by working together."

Click here to sign up for First Read emails.
Text FIRST to 622639, to sign up for First Read alerts to your mobile phone.

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Inauguration: The 44th president

Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 9:14 AM by Mark Murray

The Boston Globe's lead: "Against an emotional backdrop of high promise, deep despair, and extraordinary expectations, Barack Obama will become the nation's 44th president today, completing his historic quest for the White House and beginning the daunting task of leading a nation wounded by wars abroad and economic crisis at home."

The Wall Street Journal: “Americans poured into the nation's capital to celebrate the inauguration of their first black president. But with the U.S. in its worst economic crisis since the Depression and at war on two fronts, Barack Obama was expected to call on the country to embrace a new culture of responsibility when he takes office at noon.”

The Washington Post boldly notes that Obama “takes office today with a realistic prospect of joining the ranks of history's most powerful presidents… Obama arrives with a rare convergence of additional strengths, some of them inherited and some of his own making. Predicting a presidency, to be sure, is hazardous business, and much will depend on Obama's choices and fortune. But historians, recent White House officials and senior members of the incoming team expressed broad agreement that Obama begins his term in command of an office that is at or near its historic zenith.”

The New York Times’ front-page analysis: “Mr. Obama arrives at the presidency Tuesday after a transition that betrayed little if any perspiration and no hint of nervousness. Throughout the 77 days since his election, he has been a font of cool confidence, never too hot, never too cold, seemingly undaunted by the magnitude of troubles awaiting him and unbothered by the few setbacks that have tripped him up.”

“He remains hard to read or label — centrist in his appointments and bipartisan in his style, yet also pushing the broadest expansion of government in generations. He has reached across old boundaries to build the foundation of an administration that will be charged with hauling the country out of crisis, but for all the outreach he has made it clear he is centralizing policy making in the White House. He will eventually have to choose between competing advice and priorities, risking the disappointment or anger of constituencies that for the moment can still see in him what they hope to see.”

CONTINUED >>

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Inauguration: Obama's Monday

Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 9:12 AM by Mark Murray

The New York Times: “As tens of thousands of citizens arrived [in DC] from all corners of the country … Mr. Obama opened his day by visiting wounded troops at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and concluded it by honoring his former Republican rival, Senator John McCain. ‘We will not always agree on everything in the months to come, and we will have our share of arguments and debates,’ Mr. Obama said, speaking to a bipartisan audience at one of three banquets he attended on Monday evening. ‘But let us strive always to find that common ground and to defend together those common ideals, for it is the only way we can meet the very big and very serious challenges that we face right now.’”

Obama called McCain someone he has "come to know very well and admire very much."

Here’s a photo of Obama honoring McCain last night.

"Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato and Bow Wow may have been the stars of the Kids' Inaugural concert, but Michelle Obama took center stage. Well, maybe one Disney-tastic act upstaged the soon-to-be First Lady: the Jonas Brothers. When the teen trio took the stage at D.C.'s Verizon Center stadium, Sasha Obama whipped out her digital camera to make a video of their set from the front row."

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Agenda: Plunging into foreign policy

Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 9:11 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: White House, Security

Per the Washington Post, Obama “will plunge into foreign policy on his first full day in office tomorrow, finally freed from the constraints of tradition that has forced him and his staff to remain muzzled about world affairs during the 78-day transition. As one of his first actions, Obama plans to name former senator George J. Mitchell (D-Maine) as his Middle East envoy, aides said, sending a signal that the new administration intends to move quickly to engage warring Israelis and Palestinians in efforts to secure the peace.”

We can also report that George Mitchell as a Mideast envoy appears to be close to a done deal. What's not clear is his exact portfolio. With veteran Mideast operative Dennis Ross holding the Iran assignment, it's not clear if Ross or Mitchell will have the Hamas and Hezbollah terrain, though Ross may be under the impression that it's his.

The Wall Street Journal adds, “Little official business is expected Tuesday in Washington. The real work of the new president will begin Wednesday, Mr. Obama's first full day in office. Aides said one of the new president's first actions will be summoning his national security team to begin preparing for a 16-month withdrawal of combat forces from Iraq, one of the main promises of his two-year-long campaign for the presidency… Within days, Mr. Obama also is expected to issue executive orders to begin closing the prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, one of the most controversial symbols of the Bush administration's war on terror; reversing Mr. Bush's restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research, and restoring funding for family-planning programs overseas.”

Roll Call: "As if to underscore how closely Congressional Democrats want to work with Obama, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee on Friday issued a video ad featuring all seven new Democratic Senators talking about their desire to achieve the change that Obama campaigned for."

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Transition: Speed bump for Hillary?

Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 9:10 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Congress

Politico reports, “Hillary Clinton has rejected a request by Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) to increase oversight of her husband's foundation -- so Cornyn is expected to scuttle Democratic attempts to confirm her as Secretary of State today by a voice vote, sources say. ‘She won't be cleared without a [roll call] vote [on Wednesday],’ said a senior Republican aide last night. Late last week, Cornyn wrote Clinton, to express his concerns that foreign interests would try to use Bill Clinton's foundation as means of influencing her at Foggy Bottom. On Monday, she brushed him back in a letter of her own obtained by Politico, quoting her testimony before the Foreign Relations Committee and her five-page agreement with Obama.”

The Boston Globe's Canellos asserts, "Now, with Obama certain to be tied up with urgent domestic priorities for much of his first year in office, Clinton is poised to be the most powerful secretary of state since James Baker in the first Bush administration." And Canellos looks at the convenient relationship Clinton and Obama will have: Obama "manages to look magnanimous in pursuing his 'team of rivals'-style cabinet, while turning a potential critic into a loyal subordinate. In addition, he frees himself from some of the demands of US allies, whose expectations are as great as those of his most ardent supporters… Besides, it now seems as though there never really was much of a difference between the Clintons and Obama on foreign policy, only campaign-trail bickering. By sticking together, the two biggest names in the Democratic Party should both come out ahead."

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Bush's last day

Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 9:09 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: White House

NBC’s John Yang reports that in keeping with tradition, President Bush wrote a note for Obama yesterday and put it in the drawer of the Oval Office desk for his first visit to the office. The people Yang talked to won't divulge the note’s contents as it’s private, intended for Obama.

NBC’s Savannah Guthrie and Chuck Todd noted that Bush's last night in the White House yesterday, reporters got some surprise visitors: former president George H.W. Bush and Mrs. Bush. The former first couple walked down from the residence to take a look at the newly refurbished press briefing room and gamely chatted with the small crowd of reporters that soon gathered. The elder Bushes were there for a private family dinner with the president. When asked how her son is faring on his final night as president, Mrs. Bush said he was "a little emotional."

As was the former first lady, Guthrie and Todd add. Mrs. Bush said she had spent the day saying goodbye -- again -- to White House staffers, many of whom served during her husband's term in office. Mrs. Bush said the second farewell was just as difficult, and the tears flowed. Mr. and Mrs. Bush lingered several moments, agreeing to pose for photographs with members of the White House press corps.

The AP covers Bush granting clemency yesterday to two ex-Border Patrol agents. "The prosecutions of Jose Alonso Compean and Ignacio Ramos became a cause celebre for many conservatives, who argued that the pair were just doing their jobs in trying to apprehend a dangerous illegal immigrant. The victim, Osvaldo Aldrete Davila, admitted smuggling several hundred pounds of marijuana on the day he was shot.”

CONTINUED >>

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Congress: A men's-only pool?

Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 9:08 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Congress

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Downballot: Count those 12,000 ballots!

Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 9:07 AM by Mark Murray

MINNESOTA: The never-ending recount continues… The Coleman campaign is now seeking to have all 12,000 rejected absentee ballots re-examined, citing discrepancies and double counting. In a statement, the campaign said, “Obviously, not every one of the 12,000 rejected absentee ballots was wrongfully rejected. However, those that were – those that were rejected through no fault of the voter – and conform to the laws of this state as to voting requirements, voter eligibility and voter intent – we believe those ballots must be opened.”

The New York Times adds, “Generally, absentee ballots have been rejected in Minnesota if, for example, a voter failed to sign his or her name. Already, during the recount, representatives from the Franken campaign argued that some absentee ballots had been improperly rejected; ultimately, more than 900 of such absentee ballots were opened and counted, under a process laid out by the State Supreme Court.”

NEW YORK: "New York Gov. David Paterson insisted Monday he still hasn't decided whom he will appoint to the Senate seat expected to soon be vacated by Hillary Rodham Clinton despite news reports to the contrary," the AP writes. "I'm not leaning in one direction, but I think I'm focusing on a few candidates now who, in my mind, would be finalists," Paterson said at a news conference, adding, "I can say I don't know who the next senator for New York is right now. I would swear to it."

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Jill Biden's Oprah slip

Posted: Monday, January 19, 2009 4:53 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Jill and Joe Biden made a surprise appearance on Oprah, but the couple inadvertently made some news on the touchy-feely show.

Jill spilled the beans that Obama offered Joe the choice of being either vice president or Secretary of State. That was met with a quick, "Shhh" from Joe.

Oops.

Later, Biden's spokeswoman backed Biden away from the idea that he was offered either job.

"Like anyone who followed the presidential campaign this summer, Dr. Jill Biden knew there was a chance that President-elect Obama might ask her husband to serve in some capacity and that, given his background, the positions of Vice President and Secretary of State were possibilities," Elizabeth Alexander said in a statement. "Dr. Biden's point to Oprah today was that being Vice President would be a better fit for their family because they would get to see him more and get to participate in serving more. To be clear, President-elect Obama offered Vice President-elect Biden one job only -- to be his running mate. And the Vice President-elect was thrilled to accept the offer."

CONTINUED >>

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Secret Service arrests shoe-thrower

Posted: Monday, January 19, 2009 4:40 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: White House

From NBC's Les Kretman and Domenico Montanaro
The Secret Service has arrested and is questioning a 30-year-old man for tossing a shoe this afternoon over the South fence of the White House. 

Officers identifed the man as Ryan Hill. No hometown was given.

Hill has been charged with disorderly conduct. He's still undergoing questioning, but it's likely he won't be held, sources said.

Sounds like he was channelling this guy...

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Ridin' high, Montana style

Posted: Monday, January 19, 2009 4:21 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Traffic is backed up. Bridges are closed. It's not easy getting around Washington these days.

But the Montana delegation is hoping to have more success... on horseback.

NBC News has confirmed that Gov. Brian Schweitzer, Sens. Max Baucus, Jon Tester and Rep. Denny Rehberg will saddle up and ride horses for the inaugural parade, paying homage to their Western roots.

The horses will be provided by the Oakland Heights Farm in Virginia.

They will be joined by 20 Crow Indians on horses and in full regalia. The Crow horses were actually "trucked to Washington from the Crow Reservation," AP reported.

"As someone who was raised on the back of a horse, it will be an honor to saddle up to represent our great state of Montana in the inaugural parade," Rehberg told the Great Falls Tribune. 

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Obama greets DC volunteers

Posted: Monday, January 19, 2009 3:45 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC’s Athena Jones
WASHINGTON -- President-elect Obama's third stop during his Inauguration Eve day of service was a high school gym in northwest Washington, where he and his wife spent about 40 minutes shaking hands and posing for pictures with some 300 volunteers.

Vice President-elect Biden also stopped by Calvin Coolidge High School to greet college and military families who gathered here to write letters, record video messages, make bookmarks and decorate blankets for the troops. Biden came and went about an hour before the Obamas arrived.

The project at the high school was one of more than 11,000 set up today through the USAservice.org -- an organization the Obama team launched and which Obama made a pitch for during his brief remarks.

CONTINUED >>

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The more things change in the office...

Posted: Monday, January 19, 2009 2:54 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: White House, John Yang

From NBC's John Yang
The occupant will be changing, but the Oval Office will be staying much the same, for now at least.
 
Every new president can make changes in the ultimate power office -- new artwork, any of the rugs and desks his predecessor used -- that will be in place for by the time he returns to the White House after being sworn in. But NBC News has learned that Obama has chosen to keep the same desk and rug and much of the same artwork, save the Texas-themed paintings on loan from museums in San Antonio and El Paso.
 
For current White House officials, the decision to keep the rug -- the presidential seal in the middle of the golden-beige-and-ivory wool rug with sun's rays coming out of it like spokes -- is especially significant because it was designed by Laura Bush with the help of Fort Worth designer Kenneth Blasingame. The edge of the circular rug is adorned with a garland of laurel leaves, a nod to the Mrs. Bush's first name. They see keeping the rug as a goodwill gesture.
 
The 128-year-old desk is the perhaps one of the most famous of the chief executive's desks, used either in the Oval Office or in the private Residence by every president since Rutherford B. Hayes but three (Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford).

CONTINUED >>

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Bush commutes two sentences

Posted: Monday, January 19, 2009 2:11 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: White House, Courts, Pete Williams

From NBC's Pete Williams
President Bush today granted clemency to two former Border Patrol agents -- Jose Compean  and Ignacio Ramos -- who were convicted for shooting a Mexican drug dealer. Their pardons became a big cause among conservatives, especially as the debate over illegal immigration heated up.

What Bush did today was commute their sentences, but he did so before he received a recommendation from the Justice Department's pardon attorney. "The Office of the Pardon Attorney was still in the process of reviewing the clemency requests from Compean and Ramos at the time these commutations were granted," a Justice official says.

In fact, the Justice Department was still reviewing the applications and had not made a recommendation to the White House. 

Today's action brings to 182 the total number of pardons and grants of clemency during the eight years of President Bush's term. That compares with 459 during Bill Clinton's eight years and 406 during Reagan's eight years. In short, this president has used the pardon power less than any of his modern predecessors.

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On Day of Service, Obama helps paint

Posted: Monday, January 19, 2009 12:34 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC’s Lauren Appelbaum
During the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, President-elect Obama gave back to Washington, D.C. youth, helping them paint as well as giving them some life lessons.
 
"This country is great because of its people," Obama said at the Sasha Bruce House in Northeast Washington. "When all of our people are engaged and involved in making their community better, then we can accomplish anything. And one of the goals of my administration is going to make sure that we have a government that is more responsive and more effective and more efficient and helping families, but don't underestimate the power for people who join together to accomplish amazing things."
 
Obama praised the organization, which was founded by Deborah Shore in 1974 as a street-counseling program for teens and is currently the only emergency shelter for homeless teens in DC.
 
"This facility here is an example of somebody with imagination and determination working together," Obama said. "These young people have huge potential that right now is not being tapped. And given the crisis that we're in and the hardships that so many people are going through, we can't allow any idle hands. Everybody's got to be involved. Everybody's going to have to pitch in. And I think the American people are ready to do that."

CONTINUED >>

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Tomorrow's designated successor

Posted: Monday, January 19, 2009 10:16 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: White House, Congress, John Yang

From NBC's John Yang

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First thoughts: Day before main event

Posted: Monday, January 19, 2009 9:11 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, Domenico Montanaro, and Carrie Dann
*** Day before the main event: After a weekend riding on a train from Philadelphia to D.C. and then attending a star-studded concert in front of the Lincoln Memorial, the Obamas and Bidens spend the day before the inauguration -- MLK Day observed -- participating in a day of community service with other Americans. Later, Obama and his wife have lunch with community service volunteers. And then in the evening, Obama attends separate dinners honoring three men: Colin Powell, John McCain and Joe Biden. Speaking of McCain, the New York Times reports that Obama has spent the past two and a half months consulting the man he defeated in November, especially about his incoming security personnel and on Iraq. While the paper says that Obama soliciting national security advice from McCain might trouble some of his more liberal supporters, it also could give him a key ally in the Senate on important legislation, especially since Democrats will be just short of a filibuster-proof majority in that chamber.

*** Cabinet update: Several of Obama’s cabinet picks are poised to win confirmation hours after Obama is inaugurated tomorrow. But other appointees -- including Tim Geithner and Eric Holder, as well as Obama’s yet-unnamed selection to head Commerce -- most likely won’t be confirmed for another few days. Indeed, not until Wednesday will we see Geithner’s confirmation hearing. Also on Wednesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on Holder’s nomination. Just for comparison sake, Reuters wrote on Saturday that 12 “of President Ronald Reagan's 14 Cabinet members were confirmed within two days of his first inauguration in 1981, while 13 of President Bill Clinton's 15 Cabinet members were confirmed within one day. President George W. Bush's Cabinet took longer to seat, with seven winning confirmation the first day and the rest approved within 11 days, according to Senate Democrats.” It must be a tad frustrating to the Obama folks that after being the fastest transition in recent history, and the fact that Democrats have a dominant majority, they'll have fewer Cabinet secretaries in place on Day One than his predecessor, who had a truncated transition due to the prolonged 2000 election.

*** A potential sign of Democratic conflict? Nancy Pelosi said she wants to repeal the Bush tax cuts before they expire in 2010 -- which the Obama team has suggested it doesn’t favor at this point.

*** Obama’s army of 13 million: Also over the weekend, we found out what Obama plans to do with his email list of 13 million Americans and volunteers that he assembled during the campaign. It will be its own unit within the DNC with its own staff, Web site and name. The group -- called “Organizing for America” --  is not going to be a 501(c)4, something Obama staff said would have presented real complications. “As President, I will need the help of all Americans to meet the challenges that lie ahead. That’s why I’m asking people like you who fought for change during the campaign to continue fighting for change in your communities. Since the election hundreds of thousands of you have shared your ideas about how this movement should move forward, and we’ve listened carefully,” Obama said in a video announcement. In short, Obama will be able to use this organization -- and the millions of folks who belong to it -- to press Congress to pass important legislation like the stimulus. Legally, the names can be used for politics a lot easier as part of the DNC than if they tried to create a truly independent organization.  

Countdown to Inauguration Day 2009: 1 day
Countdown to RNC winter meeting: 9 days
Countdown to VA Dem primary: 141 days
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Countdown to Election Day 2009: 288 days
Countdown to Election Day 2010: 652 days

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Inauguration: Tomorrow's speech

Posted: Monday, January 19, 2009 9:09 AM by Domenico Montanaro

On the Sunday shows, the Washington Post writes, Obama’s advisers “began to give a taste of the inaugural address that he will deliver … tomorrow -- saying it will emphasize the themes of responsibility and restoring public confidence… Obama will talk about restoring a sense of responsibility in the country, [Robert] Gibbs said, conveying his belief that ‘we need more responsibility and accountability, certainly, in the way our government acts.’ ‘We have to have it, certainly, within many of our financial institutions that sort of have gotten us to where we are in this economic crisis today,’ Gibbs said on "Fox News Sunday.’ ‘Obviously, the American people are going to have to give some.’”

“Rahm Emanuel, the incoming chief of staff, said the ‘culture of responsibility’ would be sought for American leaders as well as the population at large. ‘We need that culture of responsibility, not just to be asked of the American people, but its leaders must also lead by example,’ he said on NBC's ‘Meet the Press.’”

More from Emanuel on Meet: “I think … what you will hear is a time and a place in which we all have an era of responsibility, that too long there's been a culture of anything goes, and that to do what we need to do as a country, to, to regain America's greatness and continue to move forward and be an example around the world, that we need that culture of responsibility not just to be asked of the American people, but that its leaders must also lead by example. And so that for--in both business, in the corporate boardroom, to in government offices, that there has been a culture of--that anything goes and is permissible, and that we want--must once again restore a values system that respects and honors a sense of responsibility, and that we all have something to give to our country and have an obligation to do that, to return it to its greatness.”

CONTINUED >>

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Inauguration: Weekend wrap

Posted: Monday, January 19, 2009 9:07 AM by Domenico Montanaro

The Washington Post on yesterday’s event in front of the Lincoln Memorial: “By some estimates, more than 400,000 people filled the western end of the Mall for the official start of a three-day jubilee of prayers, parades and parties. They endured long security lines and chilly weather for a two-hour salute to the man who will be America's first black president and to the nation that elected Barack Obama to the White House despite centuries of racial divisiveness.” 

The New York Times: “Crammed together as far as the eye could see -- from the seated statue of Abraham Lincoln all the way past the reflecting pool and up the hill to the Washington Monument -- they danced, sang, shivered, cheered, hooted and hollered for the black man who will be America’s next president, in what seemed a cross between the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s March on Washington and Woodstock.” 

"The rollicking concert, titled ‘We Are One’ and broadcast live nationwide, was intended to underscore Obama's call for hope and national unity, twin cornerstones of his unprecedented candidacy for the presidency. The president-elect emphasized those themes in a brief speech to the massive, multicultural crowd, which stretched more than a dozen blocks from the Lincoln Memorial well past the Washington Monument to the National Mall."

CONTINUED >>

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Agenda: Seeking McCain's counsel

Posted: Monday, January 19, 2009 9:06 AM by Domenico Montanaro

The New York Times writes, “Over the last three months, Mr. Obama has quietly consulted Mr. McCain about many of the new administration’s potential nominees to top national security jobs and about other issues -- in one case relaying back a contender’s answers to questions Mr. McCain had suggested.”

More: “For Mr. Obama, cooperation with his defeated opponent could also provide a useful ally in the Senate, where Mr. McCain has parlayed his national popularity and go-his-own-way reputation into a role as a pivotal dealmaker over the last eight years. But on the subject of Iraq, in particular, their collaboration could also raise questions among Mr. Obama’s liberal supporters, many of whom demonized Mr. McCain as a dangerous warmonger because of his staunch opposition to a pullout.”

Nancy Pelosi and incoming chief of staff Rahm Emanuel took to the Sunday shows yesterday to push for the stimulus -- and to point out how Republicans may have more input than they think.

CONTINUED >>

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Transition: Defending Geithner

Posted: Monday, January 19, 2009 9:05 AM by Domenico Montanaro

Obama adviser David Axelrod defended Treasury nominee Tim Geithner, reiterating that he simply made an honest mistake on his taxes. 
 
The Boston Globe's Joan Vennochi plays the gender card with Geithner. "A woman with Timothy Geithner's baggage would have a tough time surviving the nomination process for US Treasury secretary," is her lead, adding, "A list compiled by the Associated Press reveals a string of women who were forced to withdraw as candidates for top Cabinet posts because of arguably less-severe problems." She cites Zoe Baird, Kimba Wood and Linda Chavez. And she adds, "Hillary Clinton's confirmation as secretary of state appears safe. But to some degree, she is still being held accountable for her spouse in a way a male nominee would be unlikely to confront."

(Or what if we have moved beyond the politics of the ‘90s and the early Bush years?)

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Downballot: Certain to be Caroline?

Posted: Monday, January 19, 2009 9:04 AM by Domenico Montanaro

NEW YORK: The New York Post's Fred Dicker: "Despite claims that he's still undecided, Gov. Paterson is 'certain' to pick Caroline Kennedy to replace Hillary Rodham Clinton in the US Senate, several unhappy contenders for the job have told friends and associates in recent days." 
 
The New York Daily News' Elizabeth Benjamin gets this from an Obama administration source: "We can't follow the logic in his process. We want Caroline. We won't indicate disappointment with where he ends up."

The New York Times, meanwhile, front-pages a pretty flattering piece about Caroline. “Ms. Kennedy, having offered herself as a candidate to replace Hillary Rodham Clinton as New York’s junior senator, stands poised to surrender her zealously guarded privacy and genteel civic involvement to dive headlong into the mosh pit of New York politics. She has already dipped a toe. After announcing her interest to Gov. David A. Paterson in December, Ms. Kennedy made a few forays into the field of self-promotion, which does not come naturally to her.”

“‘I think she’s constitutionally modest and constitutionally not a bloviator, and the “look at me” part of politics is so antithetical to what she is,’ said Richard Plepler, a friend who is co-president of HBO. ‘But don’t confuse that with a lack of passion or talent for making her case cogently and effectively.’”

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Obamas go to church

Posted: Sunday, January 18, 2009 6:29 PM by Domenico Montanaro

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Obama speaks of unity, challenges

Posted: Sunday, January 18, 2009 4:19 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
To perhaps the surprise to some in the crowd, President-elect Obama spoke toward the end of the concert and struck some of the same broad themes of his campaign -- unity and change.

He also built in some more breathing room for himself in being able to solve the myriad of challenges the country faces.

"I won't pretend that meeting any one of these challenges will be easy. It will take more than a month or a year, and it will likely take many," Obama said. "Along the way there will be setbacks and false starts and days that test our fundamental resolve as a nation."

He also, however, struck a hopeful and optimistic tone, following up with, "But despite all of this -- despite the enormity of the task that lies ahead -- I stand here today as hopeful as ever that the United States of America will endure -- that the dream of our founders will live on in our time."

CONTINUED >>

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For concert, no security issues

Posted: Sunday, January 18, 2009 3:55 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Pete Williams and Domenico Montanaro
As the inaugural concert continues with a crowd some estimates show to be about 750,000, a Secret Service spokesman says Sunday has unfolded with no security problems. 

Teams responded to a few reports of suspicious packages, which have become routine at events like this, but all turned out to be nothing.

The concert so far has seen a wide array of Hollywood stars and singers, including U2, which is singing now. There have been a variety quotes from American presidents, particularly Lincoln. After all, the concert is taking place at his memorial.

The Obamas are sitting front row, stage right, with the Bidens next to them.

Themes so far, not surprisingly have been "change" as well as togetherness and service. Service is something Obama has stressed, and designated tomorrow, Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, a national day of service.

CONTINUED >>

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By train, Obama, Biden go to DC

Posted: Saturday, January 17, 2009 8:43 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Athena Jones
PHILADELPHIA, WILMINGTON, Del., BALTIMORE AND WASHINGTON -- Barack Obama often invokes another statesman from Illinois who became president, Abraham Lincoln.

The president-elect has studied the Civil War-era leader extensively, recently took his family to visit the memorial honoring him and plans to be sworn in using his Bible, so it was no surprise that Obama began his journey to the inauguration Saturday with a whistle-stop train tour, along the same route Lincoln took to his swearing in.

Some 50,000 people came out to see the president-elect in Philadelphia, Wilmington, Del., Baltimore and in communities along the route. In Wilmington, some kids climbed trees to get a better view of the speakers. In Philadelphia, where the tour began, Obama spoke of the founding fathers and of the challenges that faced the country then and now.

Watch NBC’s Chuck Todd’s wrap of the train ride on NBC Nightly News here.

CONTINUED >>

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50,000 greet Obama along ride

Posted: Saturday, January 17, 2009 4:26 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Athena Jones
AT THE STOP OFF IN BALTIMORE, Md. -- It's a safe estimate that about 50,000 or nearly 50,000 people came out at events or along the Obama-Biden train route, according to police and the Obama transition team.

The greatest number comes from the massive event in Baltimore going on currently, with an estimated crowd of 40,000.

-- There were about 250 invited guests in Philadelphia.
-- 7,875 in Wilmington, Del.
-- The first slow roll saw an estimated, but not confirmed because we didn't stop, 1,000 people.
-- And on the second slow roll, also not confirmed, were about 2,000 to 3,000.

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Just what's in the stimulus package?

Posted: Saturday, January 17, 2009 3:51 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Congress

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
The proposed stimulus package's current price tag of $825 billion is a number that is hard to grasp.

It's so big, it would be the gross domestic product of the 19th largest country, just ahead of Australia, which doubles, of course, as its own continent. NBC's Carrie Dann reported that it would also be about the 2007 GDP totals of Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, the Phillipines and Hong Kong -- combined, and slightly more than the GDPs of Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Jordan -- combined. The Wall Street Journal wrote, "The plan would be one of the largest single government expenditures in U.S. history, and would be equivalent to about 3% of gross domestic product over two years."

What's exactly in this thing? A lot, and it's wide-ranging -- from money for infrastructure and tax cuts to schools and health-care technology.

The package has some Republicans flabbergasted. See John Boehner's best attempt at a Chandler Bing impression: “Oh. My. God,” he said about the stimulus. And some Democrats have criticized it as not big enough.

Certainly questions have been and will be raised about what items like information health-care technology, for example, have to do with economic stimulus, and why it's not in its own health-care legislation? Nonetheless, it is in there, with lots more.

Here is a breakdown of some of what's in the stimulus, by the numbers:

CONTINUED >>

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The next step for that Obama 'list'

Posted: Saturday, January 17, 2009 1:47 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: 2010, 2012

From NBC's Chuck Todd and Domenico Montanaro
In what has become one of Barack Obama's preferred means of communicating to the American public -- a YouTube address -- he announced an new organization called “Organizing for America.”

Republicans have voiced envy over the famed Obama “list,” with millions of activists and donors that helped fuel his campaign. Now that treasure-trove resource moves into this new organization, which will be embedded at the Democratic National Committee.

The Obama team is essentially taking what it did in the 2008 campaign to the next level and, before Obama is even sworn in, keeping activists involved on a policy and politics level for 2012.

“This is the next phase for the organization that was built during the campaign, offering volunteers the continued opportunity to work for change in their communities by organizing in support of reform in Washington,” the Obama team writes in a statement.

The group will be its own unit within the DNC with its own staff, Web site and name, First Read has learned. The group is not going to be a 501(c)4, something Obama staff said would have presented real complications. Those close to Obama looked at several options, but this made the most sense legally and operationally, a source said.

Though 2010 and 2012 will not be the main focus, the legal designation of the group does provide the most flexibility, the source said. A (c)4 would not allow volunteers to discuss in an online group on the site, for example, their volunteer work locally for a particular Senate candidate, the source stressed. The way "Organizing for America" is structured, it would be able to do that and more.

Over to you, GOP.

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Republicans search for new leader

Posted: Friday, January 16, 2009 3:55 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Republicans

From NBC's Mark Murray
After losing the presidential contest in November, as well as additional House and Senate seats, the Republican Party can at least find comfort in this one fact: Democrats were in this same position just four years ago.

Now, they control the White House and Congress.

Several events and actions helped the Democrats during this relatively short period of time -- the Iraq war, the economic collapse, Bush’s unpopularity and Barack Obama’s impressive campaign.

But one other thing contributed to the party’s success. Beginning with the 2005 race for chairman of the Democratic Party, which Howard Dean won, Democrats began asking (and then answering) important questions about the state of their party:

-- How do you find more opportunities for electoral votes and congressional pick-ups? (Answer: You begin investing in more states, in what became known as the Democrats’ 50-state strategy.)
-- How do you raise more money? (You use the Internet, which Dean pioneered in his 2004 presidential bid.)
-- And how do you begin generating more enthusiasm? (You focus on the grassroots and stand up for what the party believes in.)

“The party was drifting into irrelevancy and Dean had to chart a new course,” said Donna Brazile, a Democratic National Committee member who worked as Al Gore’s campaign manager in 2000. “With the 50-state strategy, Dean helped to revive a dormant party in many parts of the USA.”

Now, with the Republican National Committee poised to elect its new chairman later this month, Republicans — as well as quite a few Democrats — are paying attention to what the six candidates for RNC chair are saying after their party’s defeats last November.

“The leader of the RNC can be a transformational figure in the party,” said GOP strategist Phil Musser. “This person has the opportunity to chart a new path and be the new face of the Republican Party, which we need.”

Click here on msnbc.com for the entire story.

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House Republicans have their own ideas

Posted: Friday, January 16, 2009 3:48 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Congress, Republicans

From NBC's Mike Viqueira

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Obama gets mixed evangelical reaction

Posted: Friday, January 16, 2009 3:28 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Alice Rhee
Nearly halfway through his victory speech on Election Night in Chicago's Grant Park, Barack Obama reached out to those Americans who had voted for his opponent, John McCain. "I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your president, too."

One demographic that Obama did not win over that night was evangelical Christians. According to exit polls, McCain won them, 74%-24%.
 
Just four days until the inauguration, it has become a reality that for millions of evangelicals, the incoming president who -- despite his controversial decision to have mega-church pastor Rick Warren deliver the inaugural invocation -- was not their candidate of choice.

So how are they anticipating the start of an Obama administration? As it turns out, the response to the president-elect is across the board -- in fact, as diverse as the members of the evangelical church in America are.

CONTINUED >>

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Obama takes stimulus pitch on the road

Posted: Friday, January 16, 2009 2:58 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Athena Jones

As he has done since his Election Day victory, he stressed the need to act immediately to deal with the sagging economy, saying the situation had "never been more urgent."

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The Replacements

Posted: Friday, January 16, 2009 1:07 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Congress

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Once New York Gov. David Paterson finally makes up his mind on who he would like to replace Hillary Clinton and Michael Bennett of Colorado is sworn in (once Ken Salazar is confirmed as Interior Secretary), the U.S. Senate will have in its ranks nine (of 100) members who are essentially... replacements -- those who were originally appointed to their seat.
 
Four are from this year's class: Roland W. Burris (D-IL), Ted Kaufman (D-DE), Bennett (D-CO), and whoever Paterson appoints in New York.
 
Can you guess the other replacements? And who is currently the longest-serving replacement? 
 
Those answers after the jump...

CONTINUED >>

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Economy to be Obama's early focus

Posted: Friday, January 16, 2009 11:18 AM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Athena Jones

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First thoughts: First and 10 for Obama

Posted: Friday, January 16, 2009 9:15 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, Domenico Montanaro, and Carrie Dann
*** First and 10 for Obama: Fresh off his first legislative victory in getting the second half of the TARP money released -- Rahm Emanuel called it the equivalent of completing an 80-yard pass on the first play of the game -- Obama today hits the road to sell another priority, his stimulus plan. In Bedford Heights, OH, just outside of Cleveland, the president-elect will visit Cardinal Fastener & Specialty Company, which makes parts used to construct wind turbines. Per the transition office, Obama will tour the plant and then hold a discussion with workers on the factory floor. Coinciding with Obama’s stop in Ohio is a brand-new TV ad that Americans United for Change, a group funded by liberal organizations and labor unions, is running today in the Cleveland area that urges retiring Sen. George Voinovich (R) to support the stimulus. While we wouldn’t compare yesterday’s TARP win to an 80-yard pass -- it was more like a solid 20-yard completion over the middle -- it was certainly much better than fumbling the first snap of the play, and it makes it MUCH easier to set up a touchdown with the stimulus. 

*** You don’t see this every day: Perhaps more striking than the passage of the TARP money were some of the statements we saw from GOP senators, who nearly apologized for voting against the money. Here’s Minority Leader Mitch McConnell statement: “Again, I want to express my appreciation to the incoming administration for its responsiveness to Republican concerns. Every time we asked a question it was promptly answered. So far, Republican interactions with the incoming administration have been quite encouraging and appreciated. While I voted on the losing side, I hope the new administration will consider some of my concerns, and we hope their stewardship of these funds is successful in stabilizing the markets according to the original purpose of the TARP.” Here’s Sen. Corker’s: “This was a painful vote for me. I greatly respect President-elect Obama’s economic team, Larry Summers and Tim Geithner, and I look forward to working with them in any way I can .I told them that in order for me to support releasing the additional funds, I needed them to diagnose the problem.” Wow! These two statements show an amazingly gracious GOP right now. The Obama-Rahm charm offensive, so far, appears to be working.

*** The vote and 2010: NBC’s Ken Strickland says the 52-42 vote on the TARP money broke down mostly along partisan lines. Six Republicans, however, voted with Obama (Alexander, Gregg, Kyl, Lugar, Snowe, Voinovich), and nine Democrats voted against him (Bayh, Cantwell, Dorgan, Feingold, Lincoln, Ben Nelson, Shaheen, Sanders, Wyden). But to show you how hot of a political potato the TARP money is, FIVE of those nine Dems are up for re-election in 2010  (Bayh, Dorgan, Feingold, Lincoln, Wyden). And out of the six GOPers who voted with Obama, just ONE is up for re-election in 2010 (Gregg). One Republican up in ‘10 didn't vote (Bunning). Overall, of the 29 senators up for re-election who voted on the legislation yesterday, 19 (so 66% of them) voted against Obama. By the way, outgoing senators Biden, Clinton, and Salazar voted with Obama, and so did Roland Burris.

*** $825 Billion and growing: Turning back to the stimulus, the House yesterday released the details of its legislation. The price tag: $825 billion. So it has already grown $50 billion from Obama’s earlier $775 billion estimate. Folks, this will keep growing…

*** Decision day? The Washington Post’s Cillizza reported yesterday that New York Gov. Paterson could have a choice to fill Hillary Clinton’s Senate seat very soon.

Countdown to Inauguration Day 2009: 4 days
Countdown to RNC winter meeting: 12 days
Countdown to VA Dem primary: 144 days
Countdown to NJ GOP primary: 137 days
Countdown to Election Day 2009: 291 days
Countdown to Election Day 2010: 655 days

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Agenda: The TARP and the stimulus

Posted: Friday, January 16, 2009 9:13 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Congress, Economy

The Wall Street Journal writes, “The Senate cleared the way for President-elect Barack Obama to access the second half of the $700 billion financial rescue fund, alleviating some concern on Wall Street by setting the stage for another infusion into the weakening financial sector. To overcome political objections, the incoming Obama administration pledged to spend $50 billion to $100 billion on a "sweeping" foreclosure-prevention effort. It also said it would impose tougher restrictions on banks that receive government aid, including requirements on banks to lend money, increased restrictions on executive compensation and curtailed dividend payments for some firms.”

More: “The Senate voted 52-42 to defeat a "resolution of disapproval" designed to block release of the money. Both chambers needed to approve the resolution for it to succeed, rendering any House vote irrelevant. The total was closer than the 74-25 Senate vote in October that authorized the Troubled Asset Relief Program, reflecting public anger over it.”

The New York Times: “The Senate action … spares Mr. Obama a messy legislative fight just as he takes office and gives him a $350 billion war chest to further stabilize the financial sector.”

The paper also breaks down the particulars in the House’s $825 billion stimulus plan. “Under the plan, individuals would receive up to $500 and families up to $1,000. The money would be delivered through paychecks as a reduction in Social Security withholdings, and is intended to bolster consumer spending by giving a small lift to household pocketbooks. Some of the other major components of the plan include $87 billion for a temporary increase in aid to states for Medicaid costs; $79 billion in aid to local school districts and public colleges to prevent cutbacks; $90 billion in infrastructure spending, and $54 billion to encourage energy production from renewable sources.”

CONTINUED >>

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Transition: Bumpy or exceptional?

Posted: Friday, January 16, 2009 9:11 AM by Mark Murray

The New York Times chronicles what it sees as bumpier ride for the Obama transition. “[A] transition that has moved forward with precision and decisiveness has also begun encountering signs of trouble that could foreshadow the challenges awaiting him once he moves into the White House next week.”

But as with the latest NBC/WSJ poll, a brand-new USA Today/Gallup poll shows that the public overwhelmingly approves of the Obama transition so far. “Obama won the election with 53% of the vote. Now, 83% approve of the way he's handling the transition, and 45% say his Cabinet-level appointments, which have included former Democratic rivals and a few Republicans, have been outstanding or above average. Just 10% call them below average or poor. He has moderated the concerns of some Republicans and conservatives that he is "too liberal." When the presidential campaign began in earnest on Labor Day, 45% said he was ‘too liberal’; now 34% do.”

The poll also finds “stratospheric expectations for the incoming president that his own supporters acknowledge may be unrealistic. A majority of those surveyed say Obama will be able to achieve every one of 10 major campaign promises, from doubling the production of alternative energy to ensuring that all children have health insurance coverage.”

CONTINUED >>

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Congress: Biden and HRC say goodbye

Posted: Friday, January 16, 2009 9:07 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Congress, Joe Biden

"Just days before they move onto new jobs and challenges, Vice President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Secretary of State-designate Hillary Rodham Clinton took to the Senate floor to bid farewell to their colleagues," the New York Times writes. "And, perhaps not too surprisingly, both displayed well-known personality traits -- Mr. Biden’s chattiness, Mrs. Clinton’s attention to detail -- in addition to effusively praising their colleagues and the Senate."

Clinton "thanked her staff, talked about how the club known as the Senate finds common ground, and expressed gratitude to New York voters who took a chance on her eight years ago. Clinton talked at length about the days after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks: seeing exhausted firefighters emerge from the rubble, smelling the acrid air, pushing for money for the recovery, getting to know victims' families. She implored senators to bring that same commitment and cooperation to working with the new administration. When she finished, she received a standing ovation and was greeted with hugs and handshakes." 
 
"Joseph R. Biden Jr. offered passion and Hillary Rodham Clinton offered mostly prose as they said their goodbyes to the Senate Thursday to take up top posts in the Obama administration," the Washington Times writes. 
 
The AP on Biden’s speech: " 'I may be resigning from the Senate today, but I will always be a Senate man,' Biden told his colleagues in a rambling half-hour speech. 'Except for the title 'father,' there is no title, including 'vice president,' that I am more proud to wear than that of United States senator.' It's fitting then, that Biden's new job as President-elect Barack Obama's second-in-command will return him to the chamber as soon as next week in a different role -- as Senate president and its chief tie-breaker."

Biden’s successor in the Senate, Ted Kaufman, gets sworn in at 11:00 am ET, NBC’s Ken Strickland notes.

CONTINUED >>

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GOP past/future: Bush's farewell

Posted: Friday, January 16, 2009 9:05 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: White House, Republicans

"Though he leaves office with the lowest approval ratings in history, Bush mounted a thorough defense of his administration in subdued but proud tones during the 15-minute nationally televised address," the Boston Globe writes, adding, "The president spent the bulk of his remarks highlighting his actions after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks and his decision to invade Iraq - two events that will largely define his legacy."

The New York Daily News notes that the speech “was the latest installment in a months-long campaign to position himself in the history books as the right leader for the post-Sept. 11 world. It will be a monumental achievement if he pulls it off, given a country that overwhelmingly disapproves of Bush's stewardship - and won't miss him when he's gone, according to polls."

The LA Times: “Speaking from the stately East Room of the White House, Bush presented a campaign-style collection of average Americans who he felt represented his achievements at home and abroad, including firefighters, volunteers, wounded soldiers and a former prison inmate who heads a faith-based organization.”

But… ”The 13-minute address … was a somber end to an administration that, by Mr. Bush’s own account, did not always go according to plan,” the New York Times says. “‘Like all who have held this office before me, I have experienced setbacks,’ Mr. Bush said, in a steady, even cadence. ‘There are things I would do differently if given the chance. Yet I have always acted with the best interests of our country in mind.’” 

CONTINUED >>

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Breaking down the TARP vote

Posted: Thursday, January 15, 2009 6:43 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Congress, Economy, 2010

From NBC's Ken Strickland and Mark Murray
The vote to release the TARP funding was pretty much along party lines, with most Democrats voting to release the funding. Below a list of the exceptions.

Nine Democrats voted NOT to relesee the funds: Bayh (IN), Cantwell (WA), Dorgan (ND), Feingold (WI), Lincoln (AR), Ben Nelson (NE), Shaheen (NH), Sanders (VT), Wyden (OR).

Six Republicans voted to release the money: Alexander (TN), Gregg (NH), Kyl (AZ), Lugar (IN), Snowe (ME), Voinovich (OH).

Those above up for re-election in 2010: Bayh, Lincoln, Dorgan, Feingold, Wyden, and Gregg.

There were some interesting splits. The Republican senators from Maine, Arizona, and Tennessee split (one vote for, the other against). Meanwhile, Democrats from Oregon, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Washington, and North Dakota split. (Vermont split sort of, but Sanders is an independent.)

Reverse state splits: The Democrat from Indiana (Bayh) voted against Obama, but the Republican (Lugar) voted with him. And the Democrat from New Hampshire (Shaheen) voted against Obama; the Republican (Gregg) voted with him.

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Group up with pro-stimulus TV ad

Posted: Thursday, January 15, 2009 6:32 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Democrats, Economy, Ads

From NBC's Mark Murray
With Obama in Ohio tomorrow selling his stimulus plan, Americans United for Change -- a group funded by several liberal groups and labor unions -- has unveiled a new TV ad that touts the stimulus and urges Ohio Sen. George Voinovich (R) to support the plan.

Voinovich announced earlier this week that he isn't running for re-election in 2010.

The one-minute TV ad, which uses excerpts of Obama's speech last week promoting the stimulus, will run on all four major broadcast stations in Cleveland, OH tomorrow.

Here's the script:
President-Elect Barack Obama: We start 2009 in the midst of a crisis unlike any we have seen in our lifetime. Nearly two million jobs have now been lost.
Every day we wait, more Americans will lose their jobs.
More families will lose their savings. And our nation will sink deeper into a crisis that, at some point, we may not be able to reverse.
That is why I have moved quickly on an American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan - a plan I am confident will save or create at least three million jobs.
We'll invest in priorities like energy and education;
Health care and a new infrastructure that are necessary to keep us strong and competitive in the 21st century.
That's why I'm asking Congress to work with me…day and night…to get the plan passed.
That's why I'm calling on all Americans to put a sense of common purpose above the same narrow partisanship…
…and insist that the first question each of us asks isn't "What's good for me?"…
…but "What's good for the country my children will inherit?"

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Remaining TARP funds released

Posted: Thursday, January 15, 2009 5:02 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Congress

From NBC's Ken Strickland
By a 52-42 vote (52 senators supporting it, 42 opposing it), the Senate approved the release of the second half of the $700 billion in the Troubled Assets Relief Fund.

The "no" vote represent those supporting the release of the money.

A House vote is now not required. 

This is a win for Obama and his supporters who wanted to $350 billion released.

*** UPDATE *** Obama issued this statement: "Restoring the economy requires that we maintain the flow of credit to families and businesses. So I'm gratified that a majority of the U.S. Senate, both Democrats and Republicans, voted today to give me the authority to implement the rest of the financial rescue plan in a new and responsible way. I know this wasn't an easy vote because of the frustration so many of us share about how the first half of this plan was implemented. There was too little transparency and accountability, and it didn't do enough to get credit where it's needed most... Now my pledge is to change the way this plan is implemented and keep faith with the American tax payer by placing strict conditions on CEO pay and providing more loans to small businesses, more transparency so that taxpayers can see where their money is spent, and more sensible regulations that will protect consumers, investors, and businesses."

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Welcome to the Majors, Mr. Burris

Posted: Thursday, January 15, 2009 4:00 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Congress, Democrats

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Sixteen days after embattled (and now impeached) Illinois Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich defied Democratic Senate leadership, among others, and appointed Roland Burris -- the political equivalent of a journeyman Minor League utility infielder -- to replace Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate, Burris has now officially been sworn in.

After seeing his Big League office for the first time this morning (and even receiving tickets yesterday to distribute for the inaugural), Burris was sworn in by Vice President Dick Cheney early this afternoon on the Senate floor.

It has been quite the soap-operatic journey for Burris, Senate leadership and the president-elect. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Senate No. 2 Dick Durbin and every other Democratic senator fired a warning shot letter off after Blagojevich was arrested Dec. 9 for allegedly trying to sell Obama's senate seat.

The Senate Democratic leadership vowed to not seat any Blagojevich appointment, as it would be tainted and under a cloud of suspicion -- no matter who it was, they warned. President-elect Obama agreed.

CONTINUED >>

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A final TARP push from Team Obama

Posted: Thursday, January 15, 2009 3:08 PM by Carrie Dann

"The President-Elect asked me to respond to a number of valuable recommendations made by members of the House and Senate as well as the Congressional Oversight Panel," wrote Larry Summers to Senate leaders on both sides of the aisle.

Today's letter itemizes some new restrictions on the TARP money that directly address some of the concerns being voiced on Capitol Hill earlier this week. (For example, Summers promises that compensation to top CEOs must be paid in restricted stock as opposed to monies that can be cashed in, and firms receiving lots of federal dollars will be unable to distribute hefty dividend payments until the TARP loan is repaid.)
CONTINUED >>

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Dems wonder: Is the stimulus enough?

Posted: Thursday, January 15, 2009 2:14 PM by Carrie Dann

In an off-camera briefing with reporters today, the sleep-deprived chairman laid out the provisions of the package, warning that, despite being "the largest effort by any legislative body on the planet to try to take government action to prevent economic catastrophe," the big-buck bill doesn't mean "salvation" and may need an additional boost further down the road.  Even with the stimulus passed, he warned, unemployment in two years could be two full points above than the current rate.

Democratic leaders aim to take the bill to the House floor by January 28th and to the Senate during the first week in February. The goal is that both the omnibus appropriations bill and the stimulus will be completed by February 13th before the Presidents Day recess.
CONTINUED >>

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Holder: 'Waterboarding is torture'

Posted: Thursday, January 15, 2009 1:47 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
At halftime of the Eric Holder hearing, President-elect Obama's pick to be attorney general marked a sharp break from the policies of the Bush administration and the previous attorneys general, particularly John Ashcroft and Alberto Gonzales.

"Waterboarding is torture," Holder said, unequivocally, agreeing with Judiciary Committee Chairman Pat Leahy's assertion that it is torture and that it is illegal.

He added later that "no one is above the law," but did not indicate with any specificity whether he would seek to prosecute either those who may have carried out, ordered or approved water boarding from the Bush administration.

As expected, Holder's toughest questioning came from ranking Republican committee member Arlen Specter. Specter has bristled at what he has seen as Democrats' lack of cooperation in permitting him to obtain all of the information about Holder, in particular his role in the Clinton-era Marc Rich pardon, including blocking subpoenas he requested.

Holder called his own actions with regard to the Rich pardon a "mistake."

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Boehner on stimulus: 'Oh. My. God'

Posted: Thursday, January 15, 2009 1:21 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Congress, Republicans

From NBC's Mike Viqueira
It's on. The $825 billion stimulus package unveiled by Democrats this morning has Republicans literally speechless.

"Oh. My. God," said a stuttering Minority Leader John Boehner moments ago at a news conference. He was reacting after having just read the provisions outlined by Democrats today.

$1 billion for community development block grants. $650 million for digital TV coupons. Billions for universities.

Boehner says that much of it isn't going to do anything to help the economy in the short term. He says the approach by Democrats is to "clean out every dime from the taxpayer," and that the nation can't "borrow and spend it's way to prosperity."

CONTINUED >>

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The Holder questionnaire

Posted: Thursday, January 15, 2009 10:28 AM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
As Eric Holder testifies at his confirmation hearing for attorney general this morning before the Judiciary Committee, here is a bullet-point analysis of his 47-page answers to the committee's questionnaire:

Finances
-- Salary: Holder made more than $2.5 million in 2009 and about $2.1 million in 2008, mostly from work at his law firm Covington & Burling.
-- Net Worth: He has an approximate $5.72 million net worth, including a $1.4 million pension plan of his own and a $576,000 pension plan for his wife. He has $1.5 million cash on hand as well as  $186,000 in securities, $1.9 million in real estate and $150,000 in automobiles or other property.
-- Corporate Boards: Served on the board of Eastman Kodak (2002-04) and MCI/Verizon Communications (2003-06).
-- He has about $2.9 million coming to him from his firm Covington in partner and separation fees if he's named AG.

Lobbying
-- Holder registered as a federal lobbyist for Global Crossing, Inc. (of Westminster, Colo.) in 2002 and 2003, Large Scale Biology (of Vacville, Calif.) in 2002 and Defendants in Medical Litigation Antitrust Legislation in 2003 and 2004.
-- For Global Crossing, he "advised" them "in connection with legislative and regulatory issues arising from a potential sale to an Asian purchaser as Global Crossing emerged from bankruptcy," Holder writes.

Global Crossing could present a problem.

CONTINUED >>

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Hillary clears panel, 16-1

Posted: Thursday, January 15, 2009 10:26 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Congress, State Dept.

From NBC's Libby Leist
On a 16-1 vote, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved Hillary Clinton's nomination as Secretary of State, moving her confirmation to the full Senate.

The lone vote against her? Louisiana GOP Sen. David Vitter.

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First thoughts: Mr. Popular

Posted: Thursday, January 15, 2009 9:24 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, Domenico Montanaro, and Carrie Dann
*** Mr. Popular: Like everyone else in the media, we've spilled a lot of ink -- or rather, devoted a lot of bandwidth -- to the bumps, caution signs, and obstacles that have recently gotten in the way of Obama's otherwise smooth transition. Blago. Burris. Richardson. Feinstein (for a day or two). Congress as a whole. And now Geithner. But get this: The public really doesn't seem to care, at least for now. According to the latest NBC/WSJ poll, Obama’s fav/unfav is 66%-14%, a whopping 71% approve of his transition so far, and while 55% say they like Obama personally and mostly approve of his policies, an additional 22% say they like him personally but disapprove of his policies. So that’s 77% who say they like the president-elect. These numbers match the post-election euphoric period last month. NBC/WSJ co-pollster Peter Hart (D) also notes that the survey essentially breaks down feelings about Obama into three categories: personal, professional, and leadership. We have a battery of characteristic test questions that devoted polling fanatics should consume via the actual survey itself. But for those with less time, Hart culled it down to this: Obama’s personal characteristic average (i.e., those giving him good marks on this score) is 68%; his professional characteristic average is 52%; and his leadership characteristic average is 68%. “The key to Obama’s success, I think, will depend on his ability to keep up the leadership qualities,” Hart says. “We like him personally, we’re less certain about him professionally, but we think he has the leadership qualities to lead us forward.” 

*** Measuring the stimulus: The poll also shows favorable numbers for the Obama stimulus, but there are some warning signs here for the president-elect. Per the survey, 43% believe the stimulus is a good idea, versus 27% who think it’s a bad one (24% don’t have an opinion). Those numbers are OK for Obama, but not great. Yet the individual parts of the stimulus score much better -- 89% support creating new jobs by increasing production of renewable energy, 85% favor creating jobs by providing money for construction projects, 67% support the tax cuts, and 65% agree with expanding unemployment insurance and health care. The caution here for Obama is that 60% say they’re concerned that the government will spend too much money with the stimulus. What’s going on, McInturff argues, is that the negative impressions about the TARP’s cost and implementation are making the public a bit way about the stimulus. “Right now, the Obama economic stimulus is wrapped around perceptions of the bailout.” Could it be that Obama would have an easier time selling the stimulus in parts rather than as one giant package? Maybe, but then it would get bogged down and the money might not get into the economy until much later in 2009.

*** Finding 51 votes: Speaking of the TARP, the Senate will vote later today on whether to release the second $350 billion in TARP funds. First Read has learned that incoming White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel told Senate Republicans in private that the Obama team has pledged to use the money only for financial stability, not industrial stability (i.e., helping the steel or auto industry). And Senate Republicans are under the impression this private pledge will be public today. But Obama transition sources tell us that they agreed in principle to use the funds for financial stability, but stopped short of a pledge. Yet even if this is received well among Republicans, then there might be 10 Senate GOP votes to approve the TARP money, and that means that Senate Dems can let some vulnerable 2010 incumbents vote against this thing. They don't need 60 for this one, just 51. Remember that Salazar, Clinton and Biden are still in the Senate. It's going to be razor close, but 51 votes can be found… Some might question why Obama's using political capital to get the TARP out of the Senate when he has a more important stimulus package to sell. But every day they wait to vote on TARP in Congress, the more unpopular it gets. The incoming administration doesn't want to be dealing with TARP negotiations in its first week in office; instead, they'd like to be focused on selling the stimulus.

*** Just another manic Thursday: Here’s a short guide to keep track of all the other moving parts on this busy Thursday: Eric Holder’s potentially contentious confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee begins at 9:30 am ET (Janet Napolitano, Susan Rice, and Ken Salazar also have their hearings today); the Senate Foreign Relations Committee votes on Hillary Clinton’s nomination; Joe Biden gives his farewell to the Senate around 10:00 am, and Hillary gives hers around 11:00 am; Roland Burris gets sworn in to the Senate at 2:00 pm; the Obamas move from the Hay-Adams into the Blair House; and President Bush delivers his farewell address to the nation at 8:00 pm.

*** More poll findings: Here are some other interesting numbers in the NBC/WSJ poll: 77% think race relations are very good or fairly good in this country, which is up from 60% who said this in April 2007. (Among African Americans, 64% think race relations are very good or fairly good, up from 40% in April ’07. Read this stat again: Black America hasn't been this optimistic, well, maybe ever on this score.) What’s the big difference between now and then? Answer: Obama’s election as president. The poll also finds that the public has lost confidence in so many American institutions (the government, Wall Street, Congress, the media, etc.) This lack of faith in institutions is another reason why the Obama stimulus might not be a slam dunk. The country has lost faith in its government…and lost faith in the institutions the government is trying to save.

*** Then and now: Given Bush’s address tonight, we decided to pull together some statistics to show what the U.S. looked like when Bush took office in 2001 and what it looks like now. While it’s not the perfect measuring stick -- Bush is leaving office as the economy is in a deep recession -- it does give us a snapshot about the country Bush inherited versus the one Obama inherits on Tuesday. Unemployment rate (then 4.2%, now 7.2%); Dow Jones average (then 10,587, now 8,200); Bush favorability rating (then 50%, now 31%); Congress approval rating (then 48%, now 23%); satisfied with the nation’s economy (then 45%, now 26%); consumer confidence (then 115.7, now 38.0); families living in poverty (then 6.4 million, now 7.6 million); Americans without health insurance (then 39.8 million, now 45.7 million); U.S. budget (then +$236.2 billion, now -$1.2 trillion); Republicans in U.S. House (then 221, now 178); and Republicans in the U.S. Senate (then 50, now 41).   
 
Countdown to Inauguration Day 2009: 5 days
Countdown to RNC winter meeting: 13 days
Countdown to VA Dem primary: 145 days
Countdown to NJ GOP primary: 138 days
Countdown to Election Day 2009: 292 days
Countdown to Election Day 2010: 656 days

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Transition: Holder to get grilled

Posted: Thursday, January 15, 2009 9:18 AM by Domenico Montanaro

The Boston Globe previews Holder’s confirmation hearing today. “The anticipated grilling of Holder … is the latest example of the polarization of the Senate Judiciary Committee, a powerful panel locked in a cycle of tit-for-tat partisan conflict over past judicial nominees, years-old confirmation fights, and breaches of longstanding protocol.”

More: “The confirmation fight over Holder, expected to be the most contentious of Obama's Cabinet nominations, could also set the parameters for the president-elect's future judicial appointments, including potential vacancies at the Supreme Court, and demonstrate the strength of the new Republican minority.”

The Los Angeles Times adds, “As Eric H. Holder Jr. gears up to go before the Senate Judiciary Committee today for his confirmation as attorney general, some Republicans say they will question him aggressively about whether his ties to Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich are more extensive than Holder has acknowledged. GOP staffers investigating Holder's background say that although he has downplayed his connections to Blagojevich, new information suggests Holder did legal work for Blagojevich on an investigation into the controversial award of a state casino gambling license by the Illinois Gaming Board.”

Still, Holder's tough grilling from GOP senators is unlikely to block the committee's recommendation, writes Roll Call. "Republicans said that with Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) all but committed to voting for Holder and no panel Democrats interested in voting against him, there is no feasible way he can be blocked at the committee level. ‘There's no realistic effort that could be undertaken that would stop him in the committee,’ a GOP aide acknowledged." 

CONTINUED >>

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Congress: Senate's busy day

Posted: Thursday, January 15, 2009 9:16 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Congress

Per NBC’s Ken Strickland, it's a busy day in the Senate today, as two of its most familiar members say “farewell'” and a notable appointee says “hello.” And though Obama is still a few days from the White House, his influence and sway will be tested for the first time on the Senate floor with a $350 billion vote.

Here's how the day plays out, Strick notes: The Senate floor convenes at 10:00 am ET, and immediately after opening remarks from the Majority and Republican Leader, VP-elect Biden will give his farewell address. His resignation takes effect at 5:00 pm. (Biden's replacement, longtime aide Ted Kaufman, will be sworn in Friday morning.) At 11:00 am, Hillary Clinton also says good-bye on the Senate floor. (At 9:30am the Foreign Relations Committee is expected vote to approve her nomination.  The full Senate vote happens sometime after the inauguration--possibly the same day.)

At 2:00 pm, Strick adds, Roland Burris will be sworn in on the Senate floor by Dick Cheney, filling the seat vacated by Obama. The ceremonial swearing in photo-op follows in the Old Senate Chamber. And while there isn't an exact time, Senate leaders hope to vote on a resolution that will determine whether the last $350 billion on the financial bailout TARP money can be released.  Majority Leader Harry Reid says he has to votes to free up the money, but it's by no means a slam dunk. It could be close.

CONTINUED >>

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Agenda: Final touches on stimulus

Posted: Thursday, January 15, 2009 9:13 AM by Domenico Montanaro

The Washington Post: “Congressional Democrats are putting the final touches on an economic stimulus package worth almost $850 billion, hoping to have the details ready in time for President-elect Barack Obama to promote it during a trip to Ohio tomorrow aimed at building public support for the recovery plan. With its cost estimate almost tripling since shortly after Obama's November election victory, the stimulus package is expected to include at least $300 billion in tax cuts and nearly $550 billion in domestic spending, making the price tag of his first major legislative initiative almost equal to the annual cost of funding all federal agencies.”

The Boston Globe has two thoughtful pieces on its front page. One explores how Obama is using campaign tactics to govern. The other compares the stimulus package to FDR’s New Deal.

“When it comes to bringing politics into the White House, the only difference between Obama and his recent predecessors may be the zeal with which Obama has publicly embraced the practice of using campaign tactics to govern,” the Globe writes.

“Obama's call for Congress to ‘act boldly and act now’ on his economic agenda bears a striking resemblance to Roosevelt's inaugural call for ‘action and action now,’” the other Globe piece says. “Obama's plea for a massive government spending program is based on his belief that Roosevelt's New Deal helped lift the country out of the 1930s depression. Obama's emphasis on federally funded ‘green’ jobs is reminiscent of Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corps. Even the iconic ‘Hope’ poster of Obama seems like an updated version of the artwork produced by Roosevelt's Works Progress Administration. But while Obama is taking significant cues from Roosevelt, the effort comes amid a roiling debate among historians about whether the New Deal deserves its reputation as one of the great American success stories.”

CONTINUED >>

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Downballot: Never-ending contest

Posted: Thursday, January 15, 2009 9:12 AM by Domenico Montanaro

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Future contests: Senator Crist?

Posted: Thursday, January 15, 2009 9:09 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: 2009, 2010

Democratic strategists hold a press conference at the National Press Club at 1:00 pm ET to look at future election trends and the effectiveness of microtargeting strategies. 

FLORIDA: Sen. Crist? "National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn (Texas) on Wednesday said efforts are ongoing to persuade Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (R) to run for his state's open Senate seat. "We're going to continue to visit. It's very early in the game, but recruitment is important and the ability to be competitive on the financial front is very important too. We're working on both of those fronts," Cornyn told The Hill."

MICHIGAN: One state to watch in the next cycle is Michigan, where Democrats are hoping to pick off another handful of House seats. 
 
TEXAS: Politico: "Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) is reconsidering a plan to resign from the Senate this year, a huge relief to Republicans who fear that a special election -- even in deeply red Texas -- could give Democrats a 60-seat, filibuster-resistant majority in the Senate."

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NBC/WSJ poll: Obama still soaring

Posted: Wednesday, January 14, 2009 5:00 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Mark Murray
Despite the Blagojevich mess, the ordeal over whether to seat Burris in the Senate, and Bill Richardson's withdrawal as Commerce secretary, the American public continues to overwhelmingly approve of Obama's transition, according to the latest NBC/WSJ poll.

Seventy-one percent say they approve of the president-elect's transition, which is virtually unchanged from December.

Also in the poll, a combined 74 percent believe that the recession will last at least another year -- and likely longer than that. Fifty-seven percent it will be over in one to three years, while another 17 percent say it will go on for more than three years.

The rest of the NBC/WSJ poll will be released at 6:30 pm ET on NBC Nightly News and MSNBC.com.