Norah O'Donnell
From MSNBC's Norah O'Donnell and Adam VerdugoThe Clintons --
Bill,
Hillary, and
Chelsea -- just arrived at the swearing-in ceremony.
From NBC's Norah O'Donnell
The office of
Jack Kemp -- the former congressman, HUD secretary, and GOP vice presidential candidate -- announced today that he has cancer.
Per a statement, "Mr. Kemp has been undergoing tests to determine the origin of the disease and the options for continued treatment. He will continue to serve as Chairman of Kemp Partners and plans to remain involved in his business, charitable and politically related activities. Mr. Kemp and his family are grateful for the thoughts and prayers of friends and appreciate respect for their privacy at this time."
From MSNBC's Adam Verdugo
Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan responded today to criticism that he's dragging his feet when it comes to bringing up legislation calling for a special election to replace embattled Gov. Rod Blagojevich, saying that Democrats have not ruled it out.
"All we did yesterday was to defer the question of a special election," he said in an interview with MSNBC's Norah O'Donnell.
The Republican Party in the state points to a poll it commissioned (conducted by McLaughlin & Associates), which indicates that just 14% believe Illinois' is on the right track; 79% say the state is on the wrong track. And that two-thirds support a special election.
Republicans, who obviously want a special election to have a shot at winning the seat, claim that if Democrats in the state house don't take action soon, voters will hold them accountable.
CONTINUED >>
From MSNBC's Norah O'Donnell
Caroline Kennedy has reached out to Hillary Clinton to discuss her interest in the Senate seat, according to a source familiar with the replacement process. While Clinton has not made clear who she supports to fill her seat, sources say that the three Hillary supporters who recently made anti-Caroline remarks were rebuked by Clinton confidantes immediately after they made them. A message from Clinton's team was sent to Clinton fundraiser Robert Zimmerman, RWDSU president Stu Appelbaum, and Rep. Anthony Weiner.
When asked whether Clinton would back a candidate, her spokesman, Philippe Reines, said: "This is entirely Gov. Paterson's decision. Sen. Clinton completely respects the privacy of his process so will not be commenting on it or any individual candidate, nor does any third party speak on her behalf."
From NBC’s Cherelle Kantey
Congressman Bobby Rush (D-IL) said he thinks Jesse Jackson Jr. is still the best candidate to succeed Obama in the Senate, despite the cloud around him due to the Blagojevich investigation.
“He has really all the capacity, the talents and skills,” Rush said in an interview with MSNBC’s Norah O’Donnell. “He would be … in line with the great U.S. senators that Illinois has produced in the past.”
Video: Ill. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. calls for Gov. Rod Blagojevich to resign from his position immediately after being arrested Tuesday, Jackson insisted that he had no knowledge of any wrongdoing.Rush said he believes Jackson is being truthful when he says he had nothing to do with a scheme to purchase the vacant senate seat for nearly a half million dollars.
“I don't believe that Jesse Jackson Jr. was in any way culpable or that he participated in any acts that would be unlawful,” Rush said.
CONTINUED >>
From MSNBC's Adam Verdugo
Former New Jersey governor and head of the EPA Christie Todd Whitman said President-elect Obama's choice to head up the EPA, Lisa Jackson, will face an agency that's "pretty deep in the hole."
Whitman noted Jackson's previous experience in the EPA as qualifications that would make her ready for the job.
"She is someone who brings credibility from the environmental community to the agency," Whitman said in an interview on MSNBC with
Norah O'Donnell.
As for Steven Chu, Obama's apparent choice to head up the Energy Department, Whitman expressed concerns over his management experience.
CONTINUED >>
From NBC’s Domenico Montanaro
In an interview with MSNBC’s Norah O’Donnell, RNC Chairman Robert M. "Mike" Duncan -- who is running for reelection to his RNC chair post -- continued his criticism of President-elect Obama for his lack of a forceful response yesterday to the Blagojevich news.
“As an American, I am very disappointed,” Duncan said, adding that Obama had an “opportunity” yesterday. “We have a lot of unanswered questions,” he continued. “He needs to answer the charges” that he was an intermediary between Blagojevich and the SEIU, Duncan alleged.
“Let’s talk about the we,” he continued. “Did he have an intermediary? What about Tony Rezko? Where did he fit in all this? …
“Barack Obama has an opportunity to be a different kind of president. … As an American I am outraged.”
CONTINUED >>
From MSNBC's Adam Verdugo
Rep. Peter King (R-NY) confirmed today that he is interested in running for the New York Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Hillary Clinton, and that it's just a matter of money.
"It would probably take at least $35 to $40 million," he said in an interview with MSNBC's Norah O'Donnell, adding that it would be a challenge running against Caroline Kennedy. "Obviously, if it's Caroline Kennedy she'll have the whole Kennedy family apparatus, which guarantees money. It will be a tough fight."
He also noted that he spoke with a number of Republicans from around the state including former New York City Rudy Giuliani, and said that he doesn't expect to face off with the former New York mayor in a primary.
**Watch the full interview.
From MSNBC's Norah O'Donnell and Adam Verdugo
Tom
Daschle, an
Obama supporter, said in an interview today on MSNBC that undecided superdelegates would be more than "ticked" if the
Clinton campaign tries to force the so-called "nuclear option" and encourages the Rules and Bylaws committee, which meets May 31st, to seat the Florida and Michigan delegates.
The former South Dakota senator said he was amazed at the number of undecided superdelegates that have called him in the last 24 hours saying that it would be an "absolute disaster."
Asked if the superdelegates would be "ticked" if the nuclear option were implemented he replied, "If we overturn what has happened in all these elections all over the country and do something like that, ticked is mild compared to the feeling I am getting from reports all over the country today."
From MSNBC’s Norah O'Donnell and Adam Verdugo
With the North Carolina Democratic primary a week away, Elizabeth Edwards tells MSNBC she'd be "surprised" if either her or her husband endorsed either Obama or Clinton before the contest. But she quickly left the door open for a change of heart saying, "You never say never" -- given that there are big news events that can impact the race.
"My inclination is not to say more than I have said," noting that she has only gone so far as to endorse Clinton's health-care proposal for universal health care coverage.
She also said the Edwards family is on vacation in Orlando, Fla. When asked about a New York Times report suggesting the possibility that she would endorse Clinton and her husband would endorse Obama, she responded, "We're more concerned about whether we're going to stand in line for Splash Mountain or Big Thunder Mountain next."
