Democratic Chatter 12-22-2008

George Wenschhof Bio

President-elect Obama plays 18 on first day of vacation - Reporters covering his play discovered he is a left hand golfer - a Phil Mickelson perhaps? Doubtful, Obama says his game is not that good. Politico.com has more here.

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"Blago Watch" continues - the name of the emissary who reportedly was asked to raise campaign funds for Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) in exchange for selecting Representative Jesse Jackson Jr (D-Ill.). to fill the vacant Senate seat has been identified. He is Chicago businessman Raghuveer P. Nayak who is reportedly seeking immunity in exchange for his cooperation with federal authorities. The Chicago Tribune Swamppolitics.com has more here.

The investigation into the "pay to play" schemes of the Governor have been ongoing for five years and involved many wiretaps. MSNBC.com has more here.

President-elect Barack Obama is expected to release their internal report of contacts with Governor Blagojevich and members of the transition team early this week. Interestingly, in regard to public information requests, it seems the presidential transition efforts are not covered under the legislation, should any be requested. Politico.com has more here.

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Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) focuses on health care for all Americans - He is suffering from incurable brain cancer, but is back at work after recuperating from surgery and post surgery treatment to remove as much as possible of a malignant tumor. Health care for all Americans has always been his passion while serving in the Senate and now he has a President-elect and incoming Cabinet member Tom Daschle who support the same cause. Bloomberg.com has more here.

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"Face The Nation" and Bob Schieffer gang up on Caroline Kennedy - yesterday, the morning talk show was basically a beat up on Caroline Kennedy discussion by frustrated seekers of the soon to be vacant Senator Hillary Clinton senate seat. Representative Gary Ackerman (D-NY) compared her to Alaska Governor Sarah Palin (R) and Representative Peter King (D-NY) who is planning to run in the 2010 election, took his shots as well. TheHill.com has more here.

Caroline Kennedy is hardly a Sarah Palin whose total lack of knowledge on any important issue helped to boost the ratings of Saturday Night Live and have the star shine brighter on Tina Fey. The aforementioned Representative's frustrations are shared by NY Attorney General Andrew Cuomo who also covets the Senate seat. This is a result of all the air being sucked out of the room when Caroline Kennedy made public her interest in the job. The NY Times has more here.

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