First thoughts: Rolled over by Roland

Posted: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:17 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd, Mark Murray, Domenico Montanaro, and Carrie Dann
*** Rolled over by Roland: Senate Democrats’ national embarrassment is finally over now that they have decided to allow Roland Burris to take Obama’s vacated seat later this week. As we wrote yesterday, when the Burris matter is overshadowing important congressional meetings with Obama economic adviser Larry Summers, you have quite a distraction. The bad news for Democrats was that this story was a distraction for about two weeks (and the entire Blagojevich scandal has been a month-long headache for the party). The good news for Democrats is that it’s over -- at least for now. On some level, you’ve got to admire Burris’ chutzpah and persistence here (remember that Rep. Danny Davis said he turned down Blago’s offer for him to fill Obama’s seat). Does he have the chutzpah and persistence to run for the seat in 2010? That could be the next big distraction for Democrats, who so far have to like their 2010 Senate map. But problems holding onto seats in Illinois, Colorado, and maybe even New York could even out the GOP’s retirement problem.

Video: TODAY’s Meredith Vieira talks to Illinois Senate-designate Roland Burris about filling President-elect Barack Obama’s former Senate seat and the battle to claim the seat.

*** Roll out the TARP: Obama today will attend the Democratic senators’ weekly lunch on Capitol Hill, where, among other things, he will push his former colleagues to approve the second $350 billion in TARP money. Obama is embracing the TARP as a form of stimulus, sort of. Not completely, but it's a lemonade-out-of-lemons moment for the incoming administration. Just check out the last paragraph of the Summers’ letter to congressional leaders yesterday. It's where the two ideas (TARP and the stimulus) begin to merge. “The President-elect is committed to working closely together with the Congress on all aspects of our financial recovery plan -- both for financial stability and for jobs and economic growth -- until we, together, help our nation pass through this economic storm.” Could this mean team Obama doesn't have an aversion to the "trillion”-dollar number? ($775 billion plus $350 billion equals more than $1.1 trillion.) By the way, Congress has been in session for a week, and we still don’t have a stimulus bill yet…

Video: Obama asked Bush Monday to go to Congress for the second half of the $700 billion in financial bailout funds. NBC's Savannah Guthrie reports.

*** Bush’s prescription for the GOP: In the final news conference of his presidency, Bush said that his party must become more inclusive (of course, inclusive is one of those buzzwords that makes folks like Rush Limbaugh go crazy). “This party will come back. But the party's message has got to be that different points of view are included in the party. And -- take, for example, the immigration debate… The problem with the outcome of the initial round of the debate was that some people said, well, ‘Republicans don't like immigrants.’ Now, that may be fair or unfair, but that's the image that came out.” Bush also said that time can heal wounds. “I remember the 1964 elections. My dad happened to be running for the United State Senate then and, you know, got landslided with the Johnson landslide in the state of Texas. But it wasn't just George Bush who got defeated; the Republican Party was pretty well decimated at the time… And then '66 there was a resurgence. And the same thing can happen this time, but we just got to make sure our message is broad-gauged and compassionate.” It also was interesting to hear Bush say that pursuing Social Security reform after his ’04 victory was a mistake and that he should have tackled immigration reform instead.

Video: Sen. Hillary Clinton is expected to face intense questioning from her colleagues during a confirmation hearing to become Obama's secretary of state. NBC's Andrea Mitchell reports.

*** Confirmation Tuesday: Today, five of Obama’s cabinet-level picks will have their Senate confirmation hearings. They are Peter Orszag (before the Budget Committee at 9:00 am ET), Arne Duncan (Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee at 10:00 am), Steven Chu (Energy Committee at 10:00 am), and Shaun Donovan (Banking Committee at 10:00 am). But they will all be overshadowed, of course, by Hillary Clinton’s testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at 9:30 am ET. No doubt that she will receive some tough questions -- see immediately below for some examples -- but remember that the Senate almost always is kind to its current or ex-members. A couple of questions we have: Will Bill be there today? And could Eric Holder get more grief for Clinton-era controversies than the person who shares the former president’s last name?

*** What Hillary will say: NBC’s Andrea Mitchell gets her hands on excerpts of Clinton’s opening statement. We will "renew America's leadership through diplomacy that enhances our security, advances our interests, and reflects our values.” … "Foreign policy must be based on a marriage of principles and pragmatism, not rigid ideology. On facts and evidence, not emotion or prejudice." … "America cannot solve the most pressing problems on our own, and the world cannot solve them without America." … "I believe American leadership has been wanting, but is still wanted." … "We must use what has been called 'smart power,' the full range of tools at our disposal." … "With 'smart power,' diplomacy will be the vanguard of foreign policy." … "I don't get up every morning thinking only about the threats and dangers we face. With every challenge comes an opportunity to find promise and possibility in the face of adversity and complexity." … She will say it will be a top "priority" to seek full funding for the State Department and USAID. "We must not shortchange them, or ourselves, by denying them the resources they need."

*** Our Hillary Bio:
Age: 61 (b. Oct. 26, 1947, Chicago; Home: Chappaqua, N.Y.)
Key Prior Jobs: U.S. Sen., 2000-present; First Lady of the U.S., 1993-01; First Lady of Arkansas, 1983-92, 1979-81; attorney, Children’s Defense Fund, 1973-74; counsel, U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, 1974; assistant professor, Univ. Arkansas School of Law, 1974-77, 1979-80; practicing attorney, 1977-92; chair, Pres., Task Force on Health Care Reform, 1993; Served on corporate boards of Wal-Mart and TCBY
Education: J.D., Yale; B.A. Wellesley College
Family: Married (Bill, former President of the United States); one child (Chelsea)
Potential Hold Ups: (1) Bill: Her husband’s potential conflicts of interest from his paid speeches around the world as well as contributions made the former president’s foundation since leaving the White House; (2) ‘Factually False’ Testimony: In 2000, Independent Counsel Robert Ray concluded Clinton gave “factually false” testimony in a sworn deposition, but declined to prosecute her; (3) Too Strongly in Favor of Israel? “Mrs. Clinton is seen as fiercely loyal to Israel, which can be both a plus and a minus, Middle East experts say,” the New York Times wrote. “While her pro-Israel record as a senator from New York might cause her to be viewed with suspicion in the Arab world, it could give her credibility to ask Israel to make tough choices for peace.”; (4) Unconstitutional? Clinton’s nomination presented a Constitutional debate on whether she could be confirmed because the position had seen a pay raise, and according to Article I, Section 6 of the U.S. Constitution: "No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil office ... the Emoluments whereof shall have been [i]ncreased during such time." Though it caused a bit of a flap early on, the Senate passed what it believes is a fix -- putting the salary back to what it was before the raise. It has happened multiple times in the past, notably when, in 1973, President Nixon nominated Ohio Sen. William Saxbe (R) to be attorney general. The Senate lowered his salary, and he was confirmed, and it has come to be known as the “Saxbe Fix.”

Countdown to Inauguration Day 2009: 7 days
Countdown to RNC winter meeting: 15 days
Countdown to VA Dem primary: 147 days
Countdown to NJ GOP primary: 140 days
Countdown to Election Day 2009: 294 days
Countdown to Election Day 2010: 658 days

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Comments

“I remember the 1964 elections. My dad happened to be running for the United State Senate then and, you know, got landslided with the Johnson landslide in the state of Texas. But it wasn't just George Bush who got defeated; the Republican Party was pretty well decimated at the time”.
George W. Bush, 1/12/09.

Excerpts from LBJ Farewell Address:

Now, my friends in Congress, I want to conclude with a few very personal words to you.
I rejected and rejected and then finally accepted the congressional leadership's invitation to come here to speak this farewell to you in person tonight.
Most all of my life as a public official has been spent here in this building. For 38 years-- since I worked on that gallery as a doorkeeper in the House of Representatives--I have known these halls, and I have known most of the men pretty well who walked them.
I know the questions that you face. I know the conflicts that you endure. I know the ideals that you seek to serve.
I left here first to become Vice President, and then to become, in a moment of tragedy, the President of the United States.
My term of office has been marked by a series of challenges, both at home and throughout the world.
In meeting some of these challenges, the Nation has found a new confidence. In meeting others, it knew turbulence and doubt, and fear and hate.
Throughout this time, I have been sustained by my faith in representative democracy-- a faith that I had learned here in this Capitol Building as an employee and as a Congressman and as a Senator.
I believe deeply in the ultimate purposes of this Nation--described by the Constitution, tempered by history, embodied in progressive laws, and given life by men and women that have been elected to serve their fellow citizens.
Now for 5 most demanding years in the White House, I have been strengthened by the counsel and the cooperation of two great former Presidents, Harry S. Truman and Dwight David Eisenhower. I have been guided by the memory of my pleasant and close association with the beloved John F. Kennedy, and with our greatest modern legislator, Speaker Sam Rayburn.
I have been assisted by my friend every step of the way, Vice President Hubert Humphrey. I am so grateful that I have been supported daily by the loyalty of Speaker McCormack and Majority Leader Albert.
I have benefited from the wisdom of Senator Mike Mansfield, and I am sure that I have avoided many dangerous pitfalls by the good commonsense counsel of the President Pro Tem of the Senate, Senator Richard Brevard Russell.
I have received the most generous cooperation from the leaders of the Republican Party in the Congress of the United States, Senator Dirksen and Congressman Gerald Ford, the Minority Leader.
No President should ask for more, although I did upon occasions. But few Presidents have ever been blessed with so much.
President-elect Nixon, in the days ahead, is going to need your understanding, just as I did. And he is entitled to have it. I hope every Member will remember that the burdens he will bear as our President, will be borne for all of us. Each of us should try not to increase these burdens for the sake of narrow personal or partisan advantage.
Now, it is time to leave. I hope it may be said, a hundred years from now, that by working together we helped to make our country more just, more just for all of its people, as well as to insure and guarantee the blessings of liberty for all of our posterity.
That is what I hope. But I believe that at least it will be said that we tried.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:24 AM)

Sudden thoughts and second thoughts

I feel like a youngster before Christmas or a birthday. One week to go before Inauguration and the excitement is overwhelming. I probably have too much emotion and devotion invested in Barack’s presidency to be any less overjoyed.

Was it too easy these past 8 years to pick apart W? After W’s press conference yesterday, I became aware that he made it easy for DEMs to mercilessly attack him. Was there ever any intelligent, cogent, strategic, common sense administering of the country by W?

What took so long to say goodbye to the Neo-Cons, Repukes and W? What else has taken place for the DEMs to have finally succeeded? Something else besides wariness of the war and economic downturn triggered the repudiation of these past 8 years. What do you believe it was?

What if Barack was/is/will be that good? Can the nation accept that fact? What if he turns out to be better than we ever expected? Can the GOP catch up? Can the DEMs keep the ball rolling?

The only thing we want right now is stability, decency, integrity and courage. Is it too easy to say “first things first”? I don’t believe we will re-build the country in one fell swoop; and neither should DEMs or GOP detractors. The nitpickers in the GOP and the doomsayers amongst us had best get onboard, and start moving forward with common purpose. I believe GOP minions led by that idiot ‘Boner’ will be left behind permanently if they cause hate & discontent. Maybe for a while, we should ask members of Congress to leave their party nametags on a table outside of each chamber before entering. What do you think?

Chuck, WA (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:29 AM)

FR: The good news for Democrats is that it’s over [Burris] -- at least for now.

Over? Hardly. That idiot from Illinois was on all the talk shows this morning glad handing it with anyone that would talk to him. Burris is an empty-suit. There is no 'there' 'there' for Burris! He doesn't have a clue what he's talking about. He's nothing but a useful idiot for Harry Reid to use when he needs votes for what ever liberal agenda the Senate has.

Burris is the gift that keeps on giving to the Republicans. A perfect example of Illinois Democratic political corruption.

James T., Chicago IL (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:33 AM)

Thoughts on the Bush Press Conference...and torture.

Yesterday I made a few comments that one of Obama's biggest issues (problems) is what to do with Bush and Chaney. Then after watching the Bush Press Conference I realized that Bush, the dumba$$, confessed to knowing about the torture, sought legal opinion, and approved of the actions.

The problem for Obama is that as he takes his oath to uphold the laws of the US, he cannot condone Bush's illegal activigty. Obama would like to call Bush's actions "Bad Judgment", but bad judgment can still be illegal. So what will Obama do/

Enter Eric Holder. He will be grilled by the Senate on whether water boarding is torture and is torture a crime. The Senate will want to know if he plans to prosecute those who engage in torture.

This is a big deal to the republicans who do not want their standard bearer charged with crimes. I assume Holder will tell the truth, oppost torture and say he is willing to prosecute. In spite of all that, he will still be confirmed.

So what will the outcome be? Don't be surprised if at some point Obama pardons Bush. Thus Obama has still upheld his oath and is able to move on to future issues. Bush will carry a pardon that presumes guilt.

Ron Indianaq (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:33 AM)

First thing Obama wants to do is spend money he doesn't have. A lot of money. Anyone surprised?

Spend Thrift (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:34 AM)

George Bush is a classic example of what happens when you really believe what you are saying, but you are wrong.

It is amazing how very far our economy, military, health care and education systems have had to fall all because George Bush and the Republican party were unwilling to say three simple words: we were wrong.

Sadly, even now, many politicians (in both parties) are more interested in saving face than saving our country. We will never move forward as a nation until our elected "leaders" are able to get past their egos and do what is right for the country.

The 41st President Bush understood this - he reversed his "read my lips, no new taxes" pledge not because he wanted to, but because he felt it was best for the country.

Nobody expects our politicians to be perfect. We simply expect honest answers based on the best information available. As the information changes, many times positions must change with them. That is what separates leaders from typical politicians - the willingness to do what the job requires - even if it means the sacrifice of personal political ambitions.

Here's hoping the Obama era ushers in more true leadership and less political posturing. The situation is too dire for anything less.

Nashville_fan (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:39 AM)

Is the article about MSNBC News coverage of the Inauguration being in theaters true?

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i64ab5b30222e725ff274c4907e5fa45b

How can we get more information?

Nashville_fan (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:52 AM)

If Congress feels it's their job to make Obama look good, then they certainly have their work cut out for themselves.

Sente Calmont, Pittsburgh (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:53 AM)

*** Confirmation Tuesday

^^^^^^^^^^^^

Send in the Clowns

Don't Bother, Their Here (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:54 AM)

The GOP’s attempt to derail Hillary’s nomination with nonsense about Bill’s charity is just a sideshow. The real question is how Hillary presents herself in these hearings, what sort of secretary of state she will promise to be.

Does she come across as an independent voice, sort of the Queen of Foggy Bottom? Or does she play nice with Obama and make a point to defer to him and his team on policy and come across as a team player with little outside ambition?

http://www.political-buzz.com/

matt (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 9:59 AM)

BJarre Flemming - From A Previous Thread:

On the contrary Fleming. I have a very good concept of what is needed to stmulate this economy while taking steps to hold the line on spending. You speak of people needing to live within their menas. I have no problem with that. As long as that includes your CEOs and large companies who have made bad investmnents and decisons. You can't place all this on the average Amercian citizen and ask that only they go without to protect our kid's future. Sure we need to live within our means in order to protect our children's future (regarding deficits), but our future and theirs depend on a combination of wise spending (to boost the economy) while also tightening our belts in other areas. And, it will require us teaching our kids to learn to live within their means as well. But for the moment, at this time, we need job creation. And if that means spending money for infrastructure projects or other improvements in this country to create jobs I'm all for it.

You ask the people to begin living within their means. How about the new 597 million dollar U.S. Embassy being constructed in Baghdad, or the private jets that yes CEOs continue to fly. How about some accountability on the 700 billion dollar bail out to wall street. I'll be willing to cut back and watch my spending Fleming, as long as those throwing money down holes or those hording money do the same. If not, then I want them spending some of that money on your average citizen who needs a job, health care, etc. The good life has a price Fleming. Do you want good schools, health care, jobs, clean air and water, safe roads and bridges, police and fire protection, garbage pick-up, national security, efficient energy, etc. for you and your kids and grandkids Fleming? They all have a price Fleming.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:00 AM)

I am so enjoying seeing Hillary being in front of the committee that will confirm her becoming our next Secretary of State. I so enjoy seeing the repugnant ones whine that another Clinton will be walking the halls of power in the White House just 8 years after leaving.

Man what a bunch of lies Idiot Boy spouted yesterday in his thankfully last press conference. His biggest lie was that he inherited a recession when he came into power. He inherited a strong economy that was slowing down a little. Even in May and June he kept touting how strong the economy was, ignoring the economic signs that said it was starting to falter, in order to pass his worthless tax cuts for the rich and greedy. Instead of passing tax cuts that would have spurred economic gropwth by giving the bulk to the lower levels of taxpayers he did the tax cuts as a political favor to his rich patrons.

The bushwhacker caused the recession of 2001 on 9/11 when the coward closed down all airline traffic in and out of our country for over a week. Heckuva Job Boy Georgie!

Investigate Tyrants Bush and Cheney!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:03 AM)

One week and congress does not have a stimulus package. This does not suprise me one bit. Naughty Nancy Pelosi and Dingy Harry reid continue to show why President Bush gets higher ratings then congress. As long as the Democrats keep flapping their gums and do nothing, just like they have done the last two years, this should open the doop to the GOp taking back power in 2010.

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:05 AM)

Shouldn't that read as her being a senator from 2001-present? She was elected in 2000, but wasn't sworn in until 2001.

brandon (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:08 AM)

YOU KNOW SPEND THRIFT DONT YOU THINK THIS ECONOMY IS IN THE TANK>??? SOMETHING NEEDS TO HAPPEN TO GET THINGS MOVING AGAIN AND IT TAKES HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS TO DO IT THAN SO BE IT!!! QUIT COMPLAINING YA RIGHT WINGER!

GREG CULPEPER (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:08 AM)

spend thrift, you and the other 'revisionists' posting here really need to get a clue. You can buy one from any online university. The deficit spending for this war of choice has damn near bankrupted our country and you want to whine about fiscal conservatism? Wow, that's some kool-aid.

Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:11 AM)

Bush truly believe that history will somehow vindicate him, and that historians will view his presidency as positive. What he doesn't understand is that history is not written by historians (or spinmeisters). It is ultimately written by the people who lived it, and remember it, and pass it to their children and grandchildren. On that score, despite what ever revisionist spinning he and his "legacy" team engage in, he will forever be remembered among the worst presidents to ever govern this country.

1 WEEK UNTIL INAUGURATION DAY!
http://jawillie.blog.com

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA. (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:11 AM)

It is impossible for the Republican party to become more inclusive as Bush has advised. Their very philosophy, their very soul, is based on intolerance. Just obseve many of the posts here from those who lean towards or side with the right wing(Republicans). Their comments are inundated with clear and/or subliminal threads of intolerance.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:13 AM)

Leaving aside for a moment the obvious irony that Bush said a couple of weeks ago that failed social security reform was his greatest domestic TRIUMPH, I was most amused yesterday by the reason Bush gave for why it was a MISTAKE to push Social Security reform after the 2004 election -- it was a mistake because the problem wasn't "imminent" (or words to that effect). Does anyone else remember him saying at the time that this was not an imminent problem? I suspect that he said just the opposite. So, why was he trying to sell us a boondoggle we didn't need? The answer seems pretty obvious. That's what his Wall Street buddies wanted him to do. just imagine what might have happened.

So, what's the moral? Accept no advice from those who made this mess. They've obviously been into the orange marmalade. You might as well go ask Alice when she's ten feet tall.

Red Queen ;) (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:13 AM)

If Burris is an embarrassment then our democratic process is an embarrassment. The people of Illinois voted and the majority voted for Rod Blagojevich thus electing him to the office of Governor. It was a legal election and it empowered him to appoint as he saw fit. This is the way things work....don't cry about the music, tune the fiddle.

New Indi (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:17 AM)

LET'S BE REAL. BURRIS WON BECAUSE HE "PLAYED THE RACE CARD!" IF HE HAD BEEN A NON-BLACK, HE WOULD HAVE BEEN KEPT OUT OF THE SENATE. WE WILL SEE MORE OF THE "PLAYING OF THE RACE CARD" WITH OBAMA AS PRESIDENT.

BURRIS WON BECAUSE HE "PLAYED THE RACE CARD!" (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:18 AM)

Even had September 11th/Iraq/Katrina never happened, I don't think GWB would have ever been a good president. He insulated himself with people who would not go against his will. His Administration did not seem interested in connecting with the people in this country. Just like Reagan, this Administration only looked out for the rich.

I have always gotten the impression that George W. Bush was in way over his head. And while there is a part of me who, because of the last 8 years, feels a little sympathetic towards GWB as he tries to explain his time in office, the fact that he turned away from catching Osama Bin Laden and invaded Iraq, the fact that his response to Katrina was an embarrassment, the fact that our veterans and their needs were literally ignored, the economy under his watch and so on - we can't spin these things. I listened to Jonathan Turley closely last night and the torture issue does indeed have to be dealt with. Who can ever forget those pictures? Who can say torturing ever worked? No one.

I think it's a relief when Obama states that his Administration will not torture. But I think we cannot close this chapter in our history unless we deal with it, honestly.
_____________
jerry: The loyal one, to the bitter end. Eight years and the Bush Administration is leaving us nothing but one big mess. Eight years worth. I guess with the Democrats in office, you don't much care if our country succeeds. No surprise there. What's with some of you people in Texas? Tough talk gets us no where. Thanks for the hatred you continue to spew here. So typical of the Republican Party.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:22 AM)

I think Roland Burris is a nice man, I see he will be seated. I listened to him a couple of times yesterday and found him to likable and wanting to be totally agreeable with the democratic plans being discussed in washington. I also feel that seat is tainted, I would not vote for Burris in 2010 if I were a Il resident. I hope he will just sit there and hold the seat but be discouraged from running in 2010, as nice as he is I dont see him as senate material, but then again he is in good company in that dept. On my way home from work yesterday I was listening to the radio, the head of a republican think tank here in S.C. said that he expected Lindsey Graham to be a good senator and do the peoples business ( we'll see), he also said that we can expect Senator Jim Demint to be as complete a obstructionist as possible, even if it is good for the people, he will do everything he can to stop any progress that may be made. And the majority of the people of S.C. will cheer him on, at thier own expense.

marty,S.C. (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:22 AM)

After what we saw that LIL GW and his good friend Henry Paulsen did with the last 350 billion,gave it away like Christmas bonus's,all there friends,you know the guys that think LIL has done a great job.I don't think Obama should give these crooks another dime.While main street shuts down wall street party's on our dime.WOW!!! did LIL get a little testy at his dawn interview yesterday,talk about lost in space,this guy still dose not seem to understand that he and his party have run a once great country into a tail spin that will not be repaired for years if not decades.He just stands there with that smirk on his face and talks in circles,defending his failed 8 years.I do think that if Obama intends to up hold the laws of this country,they all may be tried.If he dose not the rest of the world will,and we will look as bad as the people that got us into this mess.

jesse St.Paul Minnesota (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:29 AM)

LETS NOT FORGET ABOUT YOUR CORRUPT WITH ALASKA FELONS AND TEXAS SENATE CONVICTS NOT LIKE THE REPUBLICANS ARE INNOCENT OF ANYTHING EITHER!!!!:)OH THIS IS IN RESPONSE TO JERRY IN CORPUS CHRISTI TEX

GREG REMINGTON (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:30 AM)

Just can't wait for next week when Democrats have control of everything and they can no longer blame every problem under the sun on the GOP. What in the world are you folks going to bitch and moan about then?

Erica, Salinas CA (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:34 AM)

You didn't mind when I outsourced torture to Syria and Egypt. You didn't have a problem with me bombing civilians around the world. Remember that ole saying about missile diplomacy? Hell you didn't even mind when I burned 78 Americans to a crisp in Waco. Screw the UN I even invaded another country without congressional approval. I've also noticed you haven't had a problem with the wealth Me & Buddy Gore have raised on back door deals. If you people want anyone to listen to you in the future you might want to start holding your own to account.

Disgraced Cigar smoker who really loves that rug (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:45 AM)

ONLY PICASSO COULD DRAW A PICTURE OF THE NEW FACE OF AMERICA! ...
WITH OUR HEAD TURNED SO FAR TO THE LEFT THAT OUR NOSE TOUCHED OUR RIGHT EAR!

The New Face of Obama's America --- by Picasso ! (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 10:49 AM)

Hillary Clinton - Key Prior Jobs: U.S. Sen., 2000-present; First Lady of the U.S., 1993-01;

Being First Lady is a job? How much does it pay? What are the FLs responsibilities? Does the FL go though Senate comfirmation?

JT Rowe (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 11:01 AM)

Jerry CC - you are aware that the republicans in congress get a lower approval rating than the democrats, right? so I would not be spouting that w has a better approval rating than congress right now, considering his group "heck of a job" have a lower approval rating than anyone including the democrats or w.

Union Baby, Tennessee (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 11:29 AM)

Bush accomplished his main goals since 9/11.

1) Nailing Sadam Hussein
2) Launching an all-out war on terrorism
3) Establishing Homeland Security
4) Keeping the United States of America safe.

Bad Chihuahua
------------------
1. Capturing Osama Bin Laden, The leader of the the organization responsible for 9/11, not completed.
2. Allowing for a stable Afghanistan, not completed.
3. Slowing the growth of Al Queda, not completed.

It seems there are many post 9/11 goals that are not completed. Not to mention that the Homeland Security Department has become just another bloated beauracracy, staffed by incompetents who dessimated FEMA.

marc, birmingham, alabama (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 11:47 AM)

I hope the Demobrats find some heat-proof shoes because it is their turn to have their feet held to the fire!

WaitingOnTheSpinToChange (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 11:56 AM)

Roland Burris should not have been seated, period. It is amazing that Meredith Vieira and others think that Roland showed character to "admire Burris’ chutzpah and persistence" during the entire ordeal and that Rep. Danny Davis did not. Rep. Davis showed positive integrity and moral values when he turned down the position due to the Illinois governor's unethical and illegal activities. Burris just demonstrated that he simply did not care about integrity ... just selfishly himself. Anyone with his own achievements scribed on his tomb is way too hypocritical to only care about himself, which is not who you want to represent Illinois' citizens.

Once the Illinois governor gets convicted, Burris should be replaced with someone per an open election in Illinois. If Burris wins the election, that would be sufficient to seat him permanently.

George, Raleigh NC (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 1:42 PM)

Marc, birmingham:

Osama Bin Laden might as well be dead for as effective and visible he has been. Same for Zawahiri and the 9/11 plotters that are in custody,being tried and volunteering for their own excecution.

You can have a stable Afghanistan under the Taliban or an incomplete transition away from them that hopefully President Obama can complete now.

Al Queda, or Al Quaeda, whatever, is still around but has been quite decimated and disrupted.

Much of this followed incomplete goals of previous administrations democrat and republican alike, including peace in the middle east, elimination of AIDs, stopping Robert Mugabe and other currently operating genocidal freaks, guaranteeing an ever-growing and vibrant economy with 3% unemployment, free medical care and $1.00 gas, and dislodging Fidel Castro from power.

Clinton and Gore were unsuccessful in stopping global warming and don't tell me Janet Reno was a politics free attorney general along with all the attorneys Clinton appointed after he fired, according to past practices, the previous ones.

An administration does not operate in a 4 or 8 year vacuum.

Richard, Washington State (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 1:45 PM)

Anybody remember that George Bush opposed the establishment of the Homeland Security Department? Disappointingly, he caved to congress on that, but it was never his idea.

Richard, Washington State (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 1:47 PM)

everyone is loseing there jobs and the congress men and women are giveing themselfa a raise on the rotten job they are doing.

hansen tp Idaho (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 1:49 PM)

BLAH, BLAH, BLAH - Blagoyevich, Obama, Burris, Bill, Boneheads, Blithering Idiots, Backroom Politicians, Blunderers. It's not just who they are, it's what they do (or in the case of a Democratically controlled Congress for far too long) what they don't/can't do. Pelosi and Reid will continue to push a morally corrupt liberal agenda while ignoring the real issues that face Americans yet giving lip-service to Americans (BLAH-BLAH-BLAH).

While America and Americans suffer, we elect totally incompetent, self-serving narcicists to run our country. Want to know why America is in the shape it is in, look in the mirror!! It can't only be "My Country" when it is something I want.

Remember, whatever you call your country, your elected "Representatives", your military, YOU have to take ownership because it is YOURS.

Ralph, Bham, AL (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 2:11 PM)

does anyone know who obama beat for his senate seat- oh yea- he had them all disqualified on technicality- let's see him do that with a foreign leader. i really cannot believe how many people think he is the second coming- the only thing the man has ever achieved in his life is to recite well written speaches.
i hope he does well- i live here- but i believe that between him, pelosi, dodd, biden and barney frank the working people in this country- yes the rich do work- will be giving more and more of their hard earned dollars to the bottom 50%.... who will be receiving their tax rebates- although... how can you call it a rebate when they never paid taxes anyway. alot of people who do not believe they are "rich" will find out they are when they get the bill for the rebates instead of the check...
enough rambling- i have to get to work so that i can support the bottom 50% of the country !!!

barb, pittsburgh, pa (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 2:44 PM)

repent the end is end see the writing in the bible and repent all yeh sinners
you are arguing over things that will not matter when the end of time is at hand
12/21/12
repent

BETTY, BALTIMORE MD (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 3:08 PM)

Burris.....stayed because he's black, simple as that.

The guy has no merit in being able to fill that seat...but of course, neither do ANY of the current clowns in our government!

Hey I thought we elected Obama and the race war was over?!?!?! NOPE NOT SO! Sorry old white people, your empty guilt has not been lifted on high by his "holiness" Obama.

REALLY?!?!?! (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 3:13 PM)

What's done is done we all need to pick up the ball now and make the best out of what we have left. Yes we did elect these people into office and whether or not they did a good or poor job we elected them. Lets just make the best of it now and move forward for our futures sake.

redlands, ca (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 4:10 PM)

i am a democrat and utterly sick over the idea of Burris being seated and find my faith in the American political system continuing to faulter.

I understand that his appointment was legal but to allow him to be seated REGARDLESS of his involvement is a slap in the face to the American people. Senator Burris and anyone involved in his confirmation should be ashamed.

mathew, Indianapolis, In (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 5:23 PM)

We will survive this crisis.Obama is including all americans in this problem. It is about time we become AMERICANS and stand by our constitution, this country was founded on christian beliefs, and we should stick to it. when people come to live in the USA they should become AMERICANS and what we stand fortay home.

John Walker, Denmark, Tenn. (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 5:30 PM)

It seems that whenever an African-American gains any little bit of success some say it is because he played the race card. Maybe so, but I don't think it is so in most cases. I know it is hard for some people to believe that a person of color could possibly have the intellegence and wherewithall to make something of himself other than in music or sports. Those days for most of us are long gone. For some it is still racially 1950.

eagle1776 (Sent Tuesday, January 13, 2009 5:50 PM)

Talk about pay-offs... Burris now will slum around Washington for a couple of years and walk away with a very nice retirement and medical benefits for life. Not a bad payout for a little investment in Blago...

Jack F, KC MO (Sent Wednesday, January 14, 2009 12:31 AM)

Gee Senator Schumer is going to be lost without Hilliary he wont be getting camera time...What a wast Voters better wake up because you still have politics as usual...Same thing with Barney Frank didnt have any oversight on first 350 billion which Taxpayers wont recover and even the next 350 billion will be the same..Until i see some acct ability i dont trust any politician....Especially the do nothing Washington.

Russell Fox Wells, Me. (Sent Wednesday, January 14, 2009 9:01 AM)

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