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

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC News Political Reporter



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. 

Others big name nominees still awaiting confirmation include Tom Daschle (HHS), Tim Geithner (Treasury), Susan Rice (UN) and Eric Holder (Justice).

"Twelve 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," Reuters reported. "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."

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This really good news.
This is really good news. I'll let Hannity do the bashing for Tim Geithner and Eric Holder. But just be mindful Eric Holder opened pandora's box for the  Prosecution of Cheney and Bush. The Justice Department has nothing to do with the President.

If that doesn't work; maybe the Hague will. That's not bashing; it's justice
Too bad the republican senator from texas placed a hold on her nomination...maybe the senate dems will finally grow some stones and make the state of Texas pay for electing goobers like him to congress
Interesting that the confirmation of senior cabinet positions has not been accomplished, especially with the huge Democratic majority in the Senate.
The Inauguration of Barack Obama, Our 44th President

Today is beautiful, sunny, cold and snowy,
It is a day after the remembrance of our civil rights King;
Today is forever engraved in the history
Of America. This is the day that we all sing
And rejoice: an African-American family will be residing,
At the most powerful house ever existed.
The ceremonies are more grandiose than the wedding
Of a fairy tale’s king, the history books are elated;
At last, the color of one’s skin is beginning
To be irrelevant, unimportant in today’s society.
This is a monumental step to the promise land,
This is a giant leap, this is defying the gravity
Of ignorance. “If you ask or demand,
You shall receive”; America is on her way to the mountaintop.
All of us shall overcome another beautiful day,
We are on our way; yes, we are on our way
To the highest point, we have one harder lap,
This will take us a little more time.
What’s so important is that we can see the light,
We can hear a different sound, a beautiful chime,
The sound of unity, the ring of the bell fight.
Today is beautiful, the invisible rainbow
Is upon us. Let blow the shell-fish horn,
The sound of freedom and liberty. Let’s bow
Our head and pray for America, who almost got torn
By the ignorance of men. We are on our way,
Because the struggle is not over, we have some unfinished business.
This is the beginning of a wonderful journey;
At last, we can get together to clean that mess.
Yes, we can, brother Barack Obama is our President.
We have come along way, we forgive but we don’t forget
The past suffering, the injustice and the constant
Humiliation of our human dignity. It is great to finally get
Together at this juncture of history. We are on our way
To the top of the world; this is a beautiful day.

Copyright © January 20th. 2009 Hebert Logerie, All rights reserved
Hebert Logerie is the author of “Sparkles of Love” and “Etincelles de l’Amour”





The Inauguration of Barack Obama, Our 44th President

Today is beautiful, sunny, cold and snowy,
It is a day after the remembrance of our civil rights King;
Today is forever engraved in the history
Of America. This is the day that we all sing
And rejoice: an African-American family will be residing,
At the most powerful house ever existed.
The ceremonies are more grandiose than the wedding
Of a fairy tale’s king, the history books are elated;
At last, the color of one’s skin is beginning
To be irrelevant, unimportant in today’s society.
This is a monumental step to the promise land,
This is a giant leap, this is defying the gravity
Of ignorance. “If you ask or demand,
You shall receive”; America is on her way to the mountaintop.
All of us shall overcome another beautiful day,
We are on our way; yes, we are on our way
To the highest point, we have one harder lap,
This will take us a little more time.
What’s so important is that we can see the light,
We can hear a different sound, a beautiful chime,
The sound of unity, the ring of the bell fight.
Today is beautiful, the invisible rainbow
Is upon us. Let blow the shell-fish horn,
The sound of freedom and liberty. Let’s bow
Our head and pray for America, who almost got torn
By the ignorance of men. We are on our way,
Because the struggle is not over, we have some unfinished business.
This is the beginning of a wonderful journey;
At last, we can get together to clean that mess.
Yes, we can, brother Barack Obama is our President.
We have come along way, we forgive but we don’t forget
The past suffering, the injustice and the constant
Humiliation of our human dignity. It is great to finally get
Together at this juncture of history. We are on our way
To the top of the world; this is a beautiful day.

Copyright © January 20th. 2009 Hebert Logerie, All rights reserved
Hebert Logerie is the author of “Sparkles of Love” and “Etincelles de l’Amour”





Beverly in Chicago - I can't believe you're not trying to answer every blog you disagree with. You and Diane in Illinois waste more space on this site than anyone. Well, Eagle1776 and CA in Alabama always feel they're right too much of the time too.
Don't you have a house to clean or somrthing?
Speaking of Kennedy resting maybe I'm just getting old, but I can't see after a day like Obama has had, the breakfast with GWB, the speech, the parade, walking, greetings, waving, handshakes and the immense internal intensity he must have felt all day, how in the world could someone still have enough energy to go to several balls this evening? Maybe a short nap with a couple shots of boubon would help. Does Obama drink?
Great news for the USA, now the spoiled brats and frat boys have now left the building (hopefully forever), the adults are now in charge.
Merry Maid:

We write comments then hit that little button that says "Submit". Then moderators determine what coments to post. So if they are posting too many of mine or Beverlys, or Eagles comments then complain to them for wasting space (in your mind that is). Not to us. We can do what we need to do and still submit comments. And I'll bet Beverly could clean two houses while still commenting as she does. It's called multi-tasking. I always thought the saying went Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary. But now I see it is Merry Maid, Quite Contrary. Oh crap, now see the space you made me waste.  
Merry Maid (Sent Tuesday, January 20, 2009 5:08 PM)
Beverly in Chicago - I can't believe you're not trying to answer every blog you disagree with. You and Diane in Illinois waste more space on this site than anyone. Well, Eagle1776 and CA in Alabama always feel they're right too much of the time too.
Don't you have a house to clean or somrthing?
Beverly in Chicago - I can't believe you're not trying to answer every blog you disagree with. You and Diane in Illinois waste more space on this site than anyone. Well, Eagle1776 and CA in Alabama always feel they're right too much of the time too.
Don't you have a house to clean or somrthing?
===============================================
Merry Maid:

Actually, I have a Romanian maid who cooks and cleans for me. But, I may have to let her go. Times are getting rough.


I am amazed someone would be SO shocked that a senator would want more information on Hillary before confirming her! He is CLEARLY looking out for his constituents, rather than being starstruck and blindly confirming her. If all is legit in her husband's charity, than confirmation is good.  But the Texas Senator should be thanked for doing his job properly!
Another Clinton hater.  REPUBLICAN FROM TEXAS.  Just wasting time.  She has to votes he just wants to to get himself some publicity.
But now we have the old democrat machine and Hollywood runnung the show. I feel soooooo much better. Maybe the Dems will come to their senses and not confirm Billary. Other than that, when to stuff really hits the fan, and it will, e shall see if this President can actually lead in spite of his cabinet. By the way, is Merry Maid really your name?
Actually, I have a Romanian maid who cooks and cleans for me. But, I may have to let her go. Times are getting rough.
----------------------------------
Make sure you pay taxes for her.  WAIT-not necessary until you get nominated for Treasury Secretary.
Sorry CA and Bev but Merry Maid does have a point.
Some people are on here because of an addiction or they just have nothing else to do. Maybe both of you, like some others, just have a lot to say.

At least you seem to keep it civil, most of the time.

Sorry CA and Bev but Merry Maid does have a point.
Some people are on here because of an addiction or they just have nothing else to do. Maybe both of you, like some others, just have a lot to say.

At least you seem to keep it civil, most of the time.

CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?
Hey Merry ~ Welcome to the neighborhood.  i'd say let's form a partnership, but you appear to be MUCH better at making messes than cleaning them up.  Hmmm.  Come to think of it, so am I.  

Let's get one thing straight, however.  The moon is MY exclusive territory.  

By the way, would you mind if I borrow your mop?  
If the current nominee for Secretary of the Treasury gets approved, does that give every American tax payer the right or privilege to "forget" to pay their federal income tax for the next four years?  Just curious.
All the same person,one dressed as a woman.
Obama deserves to have all of his first choices for his cabinet seated. He has an inherited a mess beyond all of our comprehension of difficulty, the very least the Senate and we can do, his to allow him his first round draft picks.  
CA in AL,

It is called Exercise.  President Obama is fit for the bill.  He does not miss a workout for a reason and probably got his workout in today too.  

I can't believe that anyone on top of their game and homework, would NEED anything more on Sen. Clinton!
 Another anachronism from the Republican party that is also way behind on message. Maybe he should go back to Texas for good also??
In more Senate related news, the first poll from Ohio's Senate race finds Republicans in a better posture than they might have been afraid of, but the race looks wide open: http://campaigndiaries.com/2009/01/20/ohio-first-polls/
I dont think it will do any good to say anything because the Democrats will do what ever they like, they say they are for the people but they are not for the people, they will be for there own agendas, weather you like it or not, they will be doing alot of back door dealing, and the Media wont have the guts to bring this out,
Has this country gone mad?  Isn't the definition of bigotry and prejudice that decisions are made based on skin color?  B. Hussein Obama was elected because of his skin color - not because he is qualified.  He is inexperienced in foreign affairs, running any government, and has no military experience.  Why does everyone think he is such a hero?  I don't get it.  This country was way overdo for a black president, just not this guy.
Inauguration 2009

My Mexican friends coined a new verb
for the inauguration. Obamanos (Let's Obama)

Passing the baton, a delicate moment
in a relay, adroitly transitioning,

balancing two acts simultaneously,
racing and handing off, separating

winners and losers, successes or failures,
victories or defeats. It is poetry-the rhymes

and meters of the will  synchronizing
to the music of the human spirit.

Obamanos!


A very dark, dark day for America
TO ALL WHO WILL VOTE FOR CONFIRMATATION OF TREASURY SECRETARY:

Since the age of 14 I've known I had to pay social security taxes and income taxes.  I am now 72 and CANNOT believe anyone who has held a job or had any bookkeeping training does not realize that these taxes have to be paid either by the employee or the employer.  TIM GEITHNER has to be the most stupid choice for Secretary of Treasury in existence!  The news media recently reported a letter received from the IRS to a man who owed $.05 ( that's right 5 cents on his back taxes)  The following day he received another letter stating he was due a $.04 refund check from the IRS but they could not return it to him because they could not write a check for less than $ 1.00. Total postage spent was more than both amounts put together.  Yet, the IRS let Tim get away without paying past due taxes of over $ 30,000 for years. Seems to me we have ENOUGH DUMMIES in the Treasury Department without adding a Leader to oversee them (let alone the bailouts) who is either ignorant, dishonest, unethical or all!  Of course, common sense might be something NEW in government.

 VOTE NO TO CONFIRM TIM GEITHNER AS SECRETARY OF TREASURY!!!!!!!  

One Angry U.S. Citizen who has some common sense and knows how to keep books!
A Time For A Transmogrification, A Transistion From Old To New Has Been Brought Upon This Great Country. As We Lead Our Lives, Daily Activity Will Somehow Be Caressed By Ripples Of A Rising Tide. A Wave Of Peace, Fortitude, Courage, Honor, And Perseverence. A Wave Of Diversity And Unity. Of Entrepeneurs And Laborers Alike. We As A People Will Embrace Our Beloved Ideals And Thruths. We As A People Will Triumph Over Hatred, Terror, Predjudice, and Corruption. The Rising Dawn Of An Old Sun Will Bear A New Light. A Light That Shines Upon All People Of All Ethnicities, Religions, And Conviction. We As A People Have Brought Forth, Together, Our Hopes, Our Dreams, And Have Prevailed. Our Schools Will Educate, Our Jobs Will Pay, And Our Lives Will Be Lived. But As We Progress Through The Chapters Of Time, We Will Have Brought Upon A Change. And That Change Begins Today.

Congratulations President Obama

Rhett DeVore Jr.
17
Norwich Connecticut.
Too much venom on here.

The far left and the far right hopefully became obsolete today.  I have a dream...
Sorry for what might be a dumb question - but I don't see how many cabinet spots are still open.  Anyone?
When is this country going to realize that Obama is not BLACK; nor is he WHITE.  In fact he is what we call MILANO!  He is half CAUCASIAN and half AFRICAN AMERICAN!  So he is not the first black president at all.  I am sick to death of the more black people who think they won some kind of trophy; when indeed they won nothing!!!!
indeed this is onother chapter that has been well established with much mixed feelings.now lets try and climb this mountain that seems to be so steep. but the question is can we manage to do so? yes we can.
Congratulation america for having someone like obama and i wish you a succesful tenuar. Pls try to admid
such politics to nigerian government becose nigerian
politics is always nully,pls try to reform our there
leders and our there country nigeria.My pledge to the people president barrack obama react on it thank.
OBAMA ALSO PLANS ON ADDING 3-3.7 MILLION JOBS HIS FIRST YEAR, HE ALSO PLANS ON AMNESTY FOR 10-20 MILLION ILLEGALS. SO WHAT IS PROSPEROUS ABOUT DESTROYING OUR SOCIAL SECURITY AND HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS.beware of false prophets.
I also agree Mr.Tim Geithner should not be appointed to Secretary of Treasury. I do not believe anyone in the position he has held did not realize the tax laws of our country. I also firmly believe the IRS should not have told him he would not have to pay the penalties; the rest of us Citizens of this country have had to pay our penalties even when we have had tax prepares prepare our taxes. I would certainly like to have the IRS explain that to me and others I know who have had to pay and did so without questioning.
Hillary Clinton will be an excellent Sect'y of State. Let's get her confirmed and start fixing the enormous problems of our country.  Move on.  Move forward. Enough already, please. Obama has called upon to rise above the pettiness and work together. Start now.
When is this country going to realize that Obama is not BLACK; nor is he WHITE.  In fact he is what we call MILANO!  He is half CAUCASIAN and half AFRICAN
------------------------------------
HMMm, S.A.C A MILANO is a cookie-and a rather delicious one at that. A Mulatto is what I believe you you meant to say.
Honestly, your rant would have more credibility if you spelled all the words correctly.


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