Articles: US Senate Seats: Roland Burris and Al Franken are Not the Same
Region: United States
I couldn’t believe it when I read it on my cell phone in rural Pennsylvania last week. Erstwhile Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, famously out on bail, soon to be indicted for attempting to sell the Senate seat of President-Elect Barack Obama for campaign cash or Cabinet post, and surely much to the chagrin of U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald who had him arrested before his case was really complete to prevent this very thing, had appointed Roland Burris to fill the seat. ... more
Views: 1542Barack Obama's Weekly YouTube Address: 1/3/09
Region: United StatesPresident-Elect Barack Obama's weekly YouTube address focuses on job creation. "These are America's problems," not those of Democrats or Republicans. He speaks of an "American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan." 17 days. The Obamas are moving to Washington, DC this weekend, after their holiday vacation in Hawaii, so that the girls can start school this week, day not announced. They will move into Blair House on January 15th in anticipation of the Inauguration... more
Views: 1927Obama's Weekly YouTube Address: We Must Lead in Science
Region: United States
To the relief of many in the scientific and research community, President-Elect Barack Obama today stated his commitment to re-establishing the United States as a leader in science and technology. He also announced members of his science and technology team. He emphasized the importance of research into global climate change, medicine and 21st century technological innovation. Transcript of Address: Over the past few weeks, Vice President-Elect Biden and I have announced... more
Views: 770General Fired by Bush Will Become Obama's Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Region: United States
Reports say that President-Elect Barack Obama will nominate Retired General Eric Shinseki to be his Secretary of Veterans Affairs in a press conference on Sunday. Gen. Shinseki has not been heard from since his "retirement" due to expression of his opinion that post-war Iraq would require several hundred thousand troops. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld was convinced that the post-war period could be managed by a small troop presence. Secretary Rumsfeld's premise has, of cour... more
Views: 3066Obama's Weekly YouTube Address: Investments in Infrastructure
Region: United States
In his now expected weekly YouTube address, President-Elect Barack Obama spoke of huge investments that need to be made in infrastructure, investments not made on this scale since the building of the federal highway system in the 1950's. But he did not just mean roads and bridges. Schools, broadband internet access, modernizing public buildings to increase energy efficiency and putting medical records online are all areas where Mr. Obama would like to make investments. Of t... more
Views: 1557Job Losses Highest Since 1974, Unemployment Soars in US
Region: United States
Job loss statistics released in the US yesterday reflect a serious downturn in the economy. In November of 2008, approximately 533,000 jobs were cut in the United States. This comes on top of very high numbers for September, 320,000 jobs, and October, 403,000 jobs, and raises the US Unemployment Rate to 6.7%, up from 4.7% at the same time in 2007. There has not been a one month drop in job numbers this big since 1974. Since this recession began in December of 2007... more
Views: 1540Obama Announces Bill Richardson as Secretary of Commerce
Region: United States
At a Press Conference in Chicago this morning, President-Elect Barack Obama announced his nomination of New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson as Secretary of Commerce. Governor Richardson has served in public service previously as Secretary of Energy, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and as a Congressional Representative from New Mexico. In questions, Mr. Obama spoke of the importance of maintaining the viability of the US auto industry, but that any help would have to follo... more
Views: 1368A Pragmatic Progressive's Take on Obama's Cabinet
Region: United States
Since I am unable to wean myself away from the political blogosphere after the election, I am painfully aware that everyone has an opinion of President-Elect Obama's choices for cabinet appointments. And of course, I have my own as well. But unable as I am to stop reading, I find myself also unable to panic. I am surrounded by pundits, talking heads, bloggers and diarists ranting and raving about this or that. Eric Holder made Clinton pardon Mark Rich. Hi... more
Views: 1129Obama Names National Security Team
Region: United States
As expected, this morning President-Elect Barack Obama named six leaders of his National Security Team: Senator Hillary Clinton-Secretary of State Robert Gates-staying on as Secretary of Defense Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano-Secretary of Department of Homeland Security Eric Holder-Attorney General Retired General James L. Jones-National Security Adviser Susan Rice-Permanent U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mr. Obama expressed his belief that "American must be strong at h... more
Views: 1217Barack Obama Expected to Name Clinton, Other National Security Figures Tomorrow
Region: United States
President-Elect Barack Obama is expected to announce his National Security team and Attorney General picks on Monday, December 1st. Most likely, he will nominate former rival and former First Lady Senator Hillary Clinton to the post of Secretary of State and current Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to stay in his job, at least for the near future. Other official announcements will be his nomination of Eric Holder as Attorney General and Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano as Homeland Securit... more
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