Did they leave enough room under the Oval Office desk for Obama to hide under it?

Just days before the end of their term and the Bush Administration finally gives a rat's behind about serving the people rather than their own inerests and those of their wealthy benefactors. Too little too late. At least they are kind enough to let the new Administration in on things and work for an easy transition. I will applaud them for that.

Rahm: "But, he said, "the good news is I have his cell phone" number."

And Bolten has caller ID. Expect a lot of your calls to go to voice mail.

With Bolton's statement, we work for the American people, am hoping the republicans are finally seeing the light. They have ignored us these last eight years,pushing their narrow agendas, beliefs etc down our throats, over what is good for our country.
They must put country before their party, egos, outdated beliefs and policies for our survival.
Will they??

I'm sure that somehow the liberals on this board will spin this into some sort of anti-Bush rant.  Seems like the Bush team has been nothing but accomodating during this transition.  Even the Obama people say the same thing.  

That is great, and that is what America of the 21st Century should be. The out-going President Bush has made his own mark in the transition process notwithstanding.

We wish the new administration the very best and may the USA rise and shine again !!!!

That is great, and that is what America of the 21st Century should be. The out-going President Bush has made his own mark in the transition process notwithstanding.

We wish the new administration the very best and may the USA rise and shine again !!!!

Is it really wise to publish the building, room number, and time of day where top cabient officials from both the incoming and outgoing administrations will be together? That detail added nothing to the commentary but seems very irresponsible to me.

Boy, just think how much better Katrina could have been handled if the Bush appointees had been trained to do there jobs,rather then just wallow around acting like they know. Parts of New Orleans are still a waiting for help re-building.Thousands still living in trailers.Hospitals still closed,schools not opened,and to watch LIL GWB stand there and defend his failure to act ,but hay he did do a fly over,I guess in his book that was as far as he wanted go.Finaly his staff had to make a DVD to show him how bad it was.

How evil of the hated Bush administration to help out in such a way in the transition of power that they reached out to both Obama and McCain to work together on something like this.  This Bush is an evil monster that cares only about power and grabbing as much for himself as possible.  

This is what makes America strong. Despite our differences at home, we can work together to keep Americans safe. Although I am happy to them go, I must applaud the Bush administration for making this a smooth transition for his successor.

We really need to pray for Obama concerning America's security ... and pray that he wakes up.

You atheists don't need to pray .... just twiddle your thumbs.

A full 90 percent of donations to fund Barack Obama’s Jan. 20 inauguration have come from well-heeled fundraisers — including Wall Street executives whose companies have received federal bailout money.

A total of 207 fundraisers have collected $24.8 million of the $27.3 million in donations disclosed by Obama through Thursday, according to an analysis by Public Citizen commissioned by The Wall Street Journal.

Slightly more than 2,000 donors accounted for the $27.3 million raised, but 378 of those people each contributed the maximum $50,000 allowed by Obama, raising almost 70 percent of the total, or $18.9 million, the analysis found.

Wall Street employees have been the largest single source of private donations, and many of the contributions have been channeled through financial-services executives who have put together bundles of donations worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

“The preponderance of large donors and the fact that so many come from an industry receiving government handouts comes as the president-elect has sought to keep his inauguration free of special interests,” The Journal observed.

Where are all the DEMO BUSH DOGS on this issue? No answers from the Adult, proper, considerate, caring left? What about the money?

Test your preparedness for this.....


'...Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) took to the floor and nearly wept as he pleaded with his members to support the $700 billion package. On the second vote, enough did...'


'...House GOP Throws Down Gauntlet, Will Oppose Obama-Backed Bailout Funding

House Republicans are determined to oppose the release of the second half of the financial-industry bailout funds, a GOP House leadership aide tells the Huffington Post.

House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) will work to persuade members to vote to oppose releasing the funds -- an enviable task, considering the unpopularity of the bailout.

The Republican conference position makes approval of the release of the funds difficult for Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and other House Democrats, many of whom opposed the original dispersal.

While debating the first two bailout votes, Pelosi insisted that Democrats would not pass the bill without bipartisan support. The markets, she said, needed to have confidence that both parties were working together to rescue the financial system. Politically, Democrats wanted to share responsibility for a bailout that was unpopular with the public.

House Republicans obliged; Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) took to the floor and nearly wept as he pleaded with his members to support the $700 billion package. On the second vote, enough did.

On Monday, Boehner announced that he would be personally opposing the release of the rest of the funds, though he stopped short of calling on his colleagues to do the same. "I remain disappointed about the way TARP has been managed and how its resources have been spent over the last several months. From the outset, the program has been implemented with too little transparency and in a manner inconsistent with the way it was presented to Congress last fall. Until officials can present a clear plan to Congress -- and, most importantly, to taxpayers -- demonstrating how the expenditure of additional TARP funds will benefit our economy and making clear an exit strategy for getting the government back out of the private sector, it would be irresponsible for Congress to release the remainder of these resources. I will oppose the release of these taxpayer funds when the matter is considered on the House floor," Boehner said...'

Same old Republican Party, huh ?

A necessary preparedness test. Life has changes so much in the last...50 years.  It is comforting to see that at some levels there is cooperation in government. Unfortunately, sometime during the next 4 years that room will be put to good use. These are the times to pray for our leaders.

Dookie: '... Seems like the Bush team has been nothing but accomodating during this transition.  Even the Obama people say the same thing,,'.  

Actually, you're right
Bush has seemed accomodating and gracious in his transition
give him credit for that

1467 days until Obama/Biden are gone!

Hey Dookie, you might think that the dunce in chief might have had a better time in office if he had his administration work with other people like they are working in this transition period.  Food for thought.  Repsect is a two way street!

one thing for sure is he is safe here in the nation's Capitol and at least half ot he Cit's residence should have had a ring side seat.Even after the ball's we are going to have his back yet we still must be on gaurd for the only people who can get close to him are advisor's and before they sign on they should understand that he is not simple minded and won the election fair and square heck get out and walk President Obama/now Fenty you know your job just do it and please don't let Michele Rhee bankrupt  mean finish breaking D.C. and get thise street's paved over he should takw a look at the way you are letting the constuction crew's stall and over charge make a example out of what not to do with State fund's all of us should line up or move to Alaska or please President Obama ask John McCain to make sure the money goes to the areas it need to with out all the pork.

to jesse st paul the feds have written the checks, it is the local and state people responsable for developing the programs. like all liberals you  want big brother to do everything for you

obama rocks!!

i am an Obama loyalist and have to give kudos to the Bush whitehouse people, this has got to be one of the smoothist transitions ever witnessed. Both teams and both President Bush and PE Obama have been nothing short of highley Professional.  Hurry , Hurry, Hurry.

It is amazing that New Orleans is still complaining about what the federal goverment has not done for them while the people along the Mississippi River who were flooded out last year have gone ahead and moved along without witing for the goverment.

How come no one is making a big deal about the fact that Obama has decided to pull the job-credit plan from his stimulus bill proposal? Not that it would have worked anyway, but that's not the point. Most of his proposals won't work; however, this was one of the most important components of his promises to the American people during the campaign, since many people voted for him expecting to receive the credit. How many more lies will we see?

It never ceases to amaze me that these so called caring liberals will stop at nothing to attack Bush and his administration. I for one stand behind our new president though I did not vote for him. The country needs to get on the right track. However, don't believe that we won't be here to keep check on what appears to be a turn toward socialism!

I Applaud both The Bush Administration and Obama team for treating oneanother with the respect the office demands.Nothing political here, just a cohesive group of americans demonstrating how a True Democracy works.

Yes!! all you guys are correct! The whole Bush administration didn't work for the American people. Those dam republicans have been ignoring all the democrats! Don't they know that the democrats are the only ones who truly care about America? That the democrats know everything? Why aren't the republicans listening? It must be because they don't care about America, or it's people! Why on earth did we elect a President that doesn't care about America or it's people? We should have elected a democrat, because then it would all be like a fairy tale! Everything would be perfect! We all know Bush doesn't like black people, and thats why he didn't help New Orleans. He didn't approve  millions of dollars in aid and get on Fema's ass to get the job done, no Bush sat on his ass in white house and didn't do a thing. Because the people of New Orleans are Americans. And Bush is republican, so therefore he didn't care about New Orleans. If only we had a democrat in office! Fema might have gotten there an hour sooner! or better yet! If we had a democrat he would have forseen the attack and saved New orleans by rebuilding the dams just in time, because we all know only democrats truly care about Americans....

The idea that George Bush and his administration could have saved New Orleans is just biased political bunk. Sure the administration could have done more. And sure as heck so could the Democrat state administration and the Democrat city government done a whole lot more. Anybody who blames the problems in New Orlenas after Katrina strictly on Bush, without laying just as much or more responsibility on the inept and slow-motion state and local government, either hasn't paid attention or is just expressing a very narrow and personal bias.

I find it amazing that some folks seem to need to turn anything the Bush people do into a negative about the record of the past years.  Let's not forget that the Clinton Admin not only did litlle to pass the torch, but actually sabotaged the incomimg administration - to the point of an actual chargeable offense, which Bush chose to ignore.  You guys won the election - please don't continue to spout the hate that you have spouted for the past 8 years.

For Jesse  ---  the fundamentals of disaster relief always starts at the local level and then works up to the state level. Being part of a disaster team, we are trained to respond at the local level with all need facilities and equipement already present at local and regional centers. It is a fallacy to think that ANY outside intervention could occur during the height of a hurricane. Leadership and incompetence at the local and state level was severely lacking during Katrina. The Federal gov failed only with incompetence in FEMA leadership post Katrina. The military did extremely fine work (when they were able to access New Orleans safely) during katrina as the military are HIGHLY trained to handle difficult situations.

You know, we can't really blame anybody here but ourselves. We elect who we think will bring change, but who we get doesn't always stand up to there promises. Do I think that Bush made mistakes ? I think he made some very bad decisions and some costly mistakes. When we went into Iraq our purpose was to remove Saddam and we did, but we were suppose to leave after that and instead we stayed against the will of the Iraqi people. Now we have a new President, but I don't think much will change. It will be the same blame game that has been around for many years. To be honest here, I think we will become more open for attack and I can bet you that the first thing that Barack does is cut the military in half just like Bill Clinton did. NOw I am not a Democrat or Republican, just a nuterual observer.
Let me close with this: Those who speak Wisdom, but don't use it are fools. Those who speak Wisdom, and apply it are truely wise.

it is good to see them work together. under the new homeland security secretary you will see readiness and organization become a trademark of that agency. this is more than likely a precursor to traing for readiness at all levels. the bush administration should be given props for allowing such an exercise.

I just love arm chair quarterbacks...oh they should or could have done this or that...geeesh..come January 20th the Demos take the White House, lets just hope they leave it with more honor and integrity than the last Demo President did...just escaping impeachement by the skin of his teeth...and now Bill and Hillary are headed back to the White House....wow, what a deal...

It's a shame that people on these blogs don't take the time to really learn the facts. It wasn't Bush's failure during Katrina. It appears that you forgot that the Democratic Governor never declared a "State of Emergency" after several days after the hurricane. The president CAN'T send in federal aid until the governor declares the emergency and then asks the president to do the same. I'm tired of people bashing Bush without knowing the facts. The people of that state knew who was to blame and that is why she was run out of office. You liberals love to change history and the facts.      

I guess it is still lost on some that Federal response to natural disasters is limited by Law. They can not just go in and take over a situation no matter how badly it is being handled at the local level. Mississippi was hit by the same hurricane and it is doing just fine recovering, and was from the very beginning. What do you honestly think the president's job is to go down there with a shotgun and make people get on a bus and drive them out himself? Do you know how much law enforcement and EMS is required , also by law, for a President to visit someplace? I am sure that you would have been the first one lined up to belittle him if he had landed and taken all those vital services away from the people who needed them even if it was only for a couple of hours.

Yeah, You would think they might have learned something by Katrina...but hey look at Galveston...they still haven't learned anything. Those people are still waiting for help. Matter of fact so are the people from New Orleans. Most of it is still not even started to be cleaned up let alone rebuilt. Lots of contractors have never been paid. His numbers, 30,000 rescued from rooftops, were off by a mile. And what did that have to do with him... that was the Coast Guard and National Guard...and they did that on their own..He didn't order it..he was still to busy eating Birthday Cake with McCain and then barbqueing on his ranch...want to try again Bush.

I get so sick hearing people rant & rave about George Bush. Everything has been blamed on him & I guarantee that even when mistakes are made by Obama (and they will be), George Bush will still get blamed for all of them throughout Obama's presidency. To hear people talk about Obama, you get the impression everyone feels like the Messiah has come! Obama is not the Messiah!! And he's already making excuses for not keeping campaign promises.

I see the United States heading in the right direction.   I hope the change will do us all good.  At the end of the exercise the Democrats should provide an ecomonic preparedness test to the Republicians.

I'm sure that somehow the liberals on this board will spin this into some sort of anti-Bush rant.  Seems like the Bush team has been nothing but accomodating during this transition.  Even the Obama people say the same thing.  
Dookie (Sent Tuesday
===============================================

Accomadating?....does Blair House ring a bell?

Hey ken...for years the bushies blamed clinton for everything...911 wasn't the bush's fault...it was clintons fault...torture wasn't bush's fault...clinton got a bj...you clowns make me sick

Though I truly believe the government botched Katrina, it isn't all their fault.  I remember sitting at home watching the horrors unfold at the Super Dome, and finding out that supposedly no one knew what was happening there (Aghast)  Obviously tv's don't work in Washington.

However, back in 1997, My city was inundated with floods and fire.  The whole city was evacuated (50K+) and over 90% of the city was affected.  It was 2 or 3 weeks before we were allowed to return to our homes to see what had taken place.  Once we returned home, we got to work.  We pumped out our own basements, bleached out the walls, hauled out all our furnishings and belongings.  We did not wait for anyone to hold our hand and bail us out.  Neighbors helped neighbors and we all did it together.    By the time FEMA got involved, (Back when the Impressive James Witt was head of it) We as a city were way ahead of the game.

11 years later, we are thriving and better than ever.  As it stands, we are probably the best role model for disaster stricken areas.  As James Lee had said...we helped ourselves first.  So while I sympathize with Katrina survivors, and my heart aches for them, its time to roll up the sleeves and get busy helping yourself.  No one entity can take care of each and every victim.  We had  nothing but our hard work, determination, and will to come back better than ever....it can be done ....

Can people please stop saying " We stayed against the will of the Iraqi people"!  Um, I was there right after the invasion and they didnt want us to leave.  Now, whatever may be going on now, I cant talk cause Im not there. So please, people, stop quoting what you hear in the media as fact.  Unless you are there, you dont really know

It's about time the American people see some civilitiy from both sides.  I am impressed with the way the Bush administration has handled the transition.  By the same token, Obama's team has been nothing short of stellar with their cabinet appointments and their general desire to engage the public during this transition process.

Easy transition indeed. Wake up and see how Government is run by Wall Street, and the whole USofA by the private bankers at the FED. Don't put your future in anyones hands but yours, the time is now!.

New orleans had several levies break in a densely populated, extremely poor urban area. this is what caused so much destruction.
there was a huge failure on the part of FEMA to adress the needs of these people.
I will never forget when george bush said "brownie, your doin a heck of a job" as the poorest people in this nation suffered, and people died in the streets.

Thank you!  Mark in Killeen, TX

God helps those who help themselves.  My heart goes out to many of the Katrina victims, but I also have an extremely ill taste left in my mouth from watching the news the night Katrina blew over and watching the "victims" wade through water with much needed cases of beer, clothes and my favorite hurricane necessity - big screen T.V.'s

I hope Obama is up to making the "big" decision.  That is, to kill someone or not........  can he do it.

We have been safe for over 7 years.  On January 20th, Obama is totally responsible for sustaining that record.  

He will be tested somewhere in the world over the weeks following the inauguration.  His decisions to take out terrorists or not will define how safe we are.

jesse St.Paul Minnesota: "Boy, just think how much better Katrina could have been handled if the Bush appointees had been trained to do there jobs,rather then just wallow around acting like they know. Parts of New Orleans are still a waiting for help re-building.Thousands still living in trailers.Hospitals still closed,schools not opened,and to watch LIL GWB stand there and defend his failure to act ,but hay he did do a fly over,I guess in his book that was as far as he wanted go.Finaly his staff had to make a DVD to show him how bad it was."

I love when morons from somewhere else think they know whats going on in New Orleans.  Bush was right to defend himself and the actions done after Katrina, the blame rest on the shoulders of Ray Nagin and X-Gov Kathleen Blanco, they screwed up down here, the fed never had to respond to a situation like this before..EVER!!! WOW people made mistakes, since this never happened before, go figure. Since I live in Lafayette, where a majority of Katrina victim came to, and visit New Orleans all the time, you can blame the people who live there not the Bush.  If the government of Louisiana had taken care of the levees, this would have never happened. According to the news and reporters only black people live in New Orleans too.  Get a clue, Bush did a good job the only bad jobs done were from the libs, they wrecked our economy with in 4 years of getting the majority in congress, but Blame Bush!!  Bush did a great job the last 8 years, unless you ask a democrat.

I get so sick hearing people rant & rave about George Bush. Everything has been blamed on him & I guarantee that even when mistakes are made by Obama (and they will be), George Bush will still get blamed for all of them throughout Obama's presidency. To hear people talk about Obama, you get the impression everyone feels like the Messiah has come! Obama is not the Messiah!! And he's already making excuses for not keeping campaign promises.
Ken Hearrean
--------------------------------------------------
Bush wanted to run the country like he was a CEO of a company. Well if that is the case than he must, as any CEO, be held accountable for everything that happened while he is in that position both good and bad, whether he could control it, had anything directly to do with it, or was directly responsible for what happened. Bush is incompetent and surrounds himself with incompetent people and with those of low integrity so as CEO he must now be held accountable for what happened during his Administration.

I see the far righties have no problem blaming Jimmy Carter for the Iran hostage crisis which he had no control over (nor would any other US President). Carter took it like a man and dealt with it. He worked dillegently, behind the scenes, with the government of Iran to free the hostages. It must have hurt him so to have those people released after his successor took the oath of office but he did what he had to do for the good of the whole nation not just for his party or his idealogues. Sure, Carter was no where near being one of our greatest Presidents but he did things that Dubya wouldn't have done because Dubya is more interested in his legacy and those who agreed with him than for the good of the nation.

PE Obama has indicated that he will do what is best for the nation regardless of his personal opinion. I trust him, for now, to make good on that promise. Few Presidents in the past have been as selfish as GWB, none have the combination of corruption and incompetence of George W. Bush. I want to suppor our President and have a great deal of respect for the office but when the holder of that office has no respect for me or the Constitution I must continually criticize him.

I am glad the teams are working together for a smooth transition. Clinton's team informed the Bush people of a number of things, particularly regarding security, Bin Laden, Al Qaeda, and the Taliban but they chose to ignore it and to go after Saddam Hussein instead. Hussein was no theat to anyone really but had made statements threatening George H.W. Bush during whose Administration Saddam was made impotent. Revenge was Dubya's motive. Before the 2000 election he referred to Hussein as the man that nearly killed his dad.

Yes, Obama will make mistakes, he's human. However I believe he will learn from his mistakes and correct them unlike Mr. Bush.

Things would have been much different in New Orleans with Katrina if Obama had been President. The media would have guaranteed it.

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